The Seattle Times: Seahawks Blog

Wilson No. 51 on NFL Networks' Top 100 countdown

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:48:31 PDT

Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson is No. 51 on the NFL Network's countdown of the Top 100 players of 2013.

He is the fourth Seahawk on the list, joining safety Earl Thomas (60), receiver Percy Harvin (90) and center Max Unger (95). You'd assume Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch will eventually join the list, as well.

Seahawks sign undrafted free agent Veltung

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:33:09 PDT

The Seahawks announced today they have signed receiver Justin Veltung as an undrafted free agent.

Veltung is a graduate of Idaho and Puyallaup High School.

As his bio indicates, he battled injuries his last two seasons at Idaho but still finished 11th on the school's career all-purpose yardage list.

Veltung participated in Seattle's rookie mini-camp earlier this month.

One reason the Seahawks might be intrigued by Veltung? Athleticism like he displayed in this 56-inch standing box jump:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQKFURKfRDQ

Video --- FoxSports.com reviews Wilson's history

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:16:05 PDT

FoxSports.com, for its regular Throwback Thursday feature, highlights Russell Wilson's journey from high school to the NFL.

Here's the link, and below is some video:

Morning kickoff --- Harvin impresses, Curry reminisces, and more

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:16:04 PDT

Time for our morning look at stories on the Seahawks and around the NFL. ...

--- Here's our main story for today on receiver Percy Harvin;

--- NFL.com with more on Harvin;

--- The Seahawks have reportedly signed OL Jake Bscherer as an undrafted free agent. Here's more on Bscherer;

--- Aaron Curry says he was selfish and self-centered during his time in Seattle;

--- Pete Carroll is tied for third among the highest-paid pro coaches;

--- FieldGulls with more on John Lotulelei and the undrafted free agent salary pool;

--- The big NFL news yesterday was the injury to 49ersn WR Michael Crabtree. Mike Sando discussses the implications here;

--- RGIII's dad wants the Redskins to throw more;

--- More news around the league from NFL.com;

--- Here's a roundup of news on the Arizona Cardinals and around the league.

Defensive tackle Jesse Williams can jump

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:46:05 PDT

Jesse Williams, Seattle's fifth-round draft pick, is 6 feet 4 and somewhere in the neighborhood of 330 pounds. But he is also been praised before for his athleticism. Here's a small sample of why.

Williams posted this video to his Vine account showing him jumping on a stack of mats in what appears to be the Alabama weight room. Again, Williams checks in at around 330 pounds.

Report: 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree tears Achilles

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:46:05 PDT

Multiple outlets are reporting that 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree tore his Achilles tendon on Tuesday, which would mean he is likely out for the season.

The injury, which the 49ers haven't confirmed yet and for which no timetable for return is set, is a huge blow to San Fransisco. Crabtree caught 85 passes for 1,105 yards last season and was expected to once again be a major part of the 49ers attack in the second year of quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

It comes less than a week after the Seahawks announced that defensive end Bruce Irvin will miss the first four games of the season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Morning kickoff --- Wilson picking up where he left off? And more

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:31:05 PDT

A roundup of some of the top stories on the Seahawks and the NFL on a Wednesday morning. ...

--- Here's our lead story for the Wednesday paper on how different Russell Wilson is heading into this season than a year ago;

--- And our story on Josh Portis;

--- ProFootballTalk says the Seahawks likely were fined more than $60,000 for the suspensions they suffered in 2012;

--- Seahawks.com writes about rookie running back Spencer Ware;

--- Jim Moore of ESPN710 in Seattle isn't so sure anymore the Seahawks will go undefeated;

--- Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Seahawks fifth in his latest power rankings;

--- Mike Sando says the Seahawks could be the fourth-youngest team in the NFL this season;

--- Sando also details that Pete Carroll might not be as aggressive going for it on fourth down as you'd think;

--- YahooSports says the 49ers are the best in the NFC until dethroned;

--- NFL.com is beginning to count down the top quarterbacks under age 25 --- a certain Seahawk figures to be really darn high on that list;

--- Former Arizona basketball player Fendi Onobun, who once got a brief look from the Seahawks, is making an impression with the Bears;

--- Interesting look at what's happened to the Raiders, where Matt Flynn will now attempt to revive his career;

--- More on Flynn beginning his quest to win the job in Oakland;

--- And speaking of the Raiders, Charles Woodson has re-signed with Oakland;

--- The Cardinals are not happy with their offense early in OTAs;

--- Peter King says there's no good reason to move back the draft;

--- Ron Jaworski says Chip Kelly's offense won't work in the NFL --- no doubt, that's one of the most intriguing stories of the year to watch in the league;

--- NFL owners are loaning the Falcons money for their new stadium;

--- Finally, Joe Namath expects a big year from Mark Sanchez --- that might be one guarantee for Namath that won't go so well.

Tonight's poll --- Who is Seattle's biggest active professional sports star?

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:46:04 PDT

The Times is asking readers tonight to vote on who they think is the biggest active professional sports star.

Two of the choices are Seahawks --- Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson.

Yahoo says Seahawks' Lotulelei got biggest bonus for an undrafted free agent

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:46:04 PDT

There's some interesting stuff in this Yahoo.com breakdown of the contracts NFL teams have doled out this year to undrafted free agents.

Included is the note that the biggest bonus paid to any one player is $25,0o0 to by Seattle to linebacker John Lotulelei.

The Seahawks snapped him up after he was somewhat surprisingly passed over in the NFL Draft --- as this link indicates, it was expected by many he would become just the second native of Maui to ever be taken in the draft.

But as the Yahoo story points out, a big signing bonus is zero guarantee of making the team. The Seahawks are going to be a tough roster this year for some of the drafted rookies to crack this season, let alone undrafted free agents.

The Hawks, though, have become adept at finding diamonds in the rough under the current administration, and obviously have seen something in Lotuleli, who will become an intriguing player to watch throughout camp and the pre-season.

Future Super Bowls set for San Francisco, Houston

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:31:06 PDT

In the department of advance planning, the NFL today announced the sites for the 2016 and 2017 Super Bowls --- San Francisco and Houston.

Here are the details via NFL.com.

As noted, this year's Super Bowl (48, for those who can't read Roman numerals) is in New York/New Jersey, and the 2015 game is in Phoenix/Glendale, Ariz.

Seahawks waive Josh Portis

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:41:02 PDT

The Seahawks have just announced that they have waived backup quarterback Josh Portis.

The news comes a day after it was revealed that he had been arrested on suspicion of DUI on May 5.

Portis was one of four quarterbacks on Seattle's roster, and one of three competing for the backup job behind Russell Wilson. The others are Brady Quinn and Jerrod Johnson.

The Seahawks almost certainly will now be on the market for at least one more quarterback for training camp.

The QBs they had in for tryouts earlier this month were Casey Brockman, a rookie from Murray State, and Jake Mullin, a rookie from McMurray.

Portis had been on Seattle's roster off-and-on since 2011 but had never played in a game for the Seahawks.

Morning kickoff --- Reviewing the first day of OTAs

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:46:04 PDT

The first day of OTAs for the Seahawks is in the books. The next one that is open to the media is Tuesday. For now, links wrapping up Monday's beginning of OTAs, and some other stuff. ...

--- Here is our main story on Pete Carroll's opening statement Monday;

--- And the notebook with some other stuff;

--- Here's the report from Seahawks.com;

--- ESPN.com's Mike Sando says it wasn't a banner day for the Seahawks;

--- Sando also looks at how recent developments might impact the openers for each NFC West team;

--- FieldGulls examines the defensive line;

--- And recaps what John Schneider said about the Bruce Irvin situation;

--- SI.com breaks down the impact of Irvin's suspension on Seattle's pass rush;

--- Seahawks.com also breaks down where the team ranked on the NFL.com list of the top 100 plays of 2012;

--- NFL.com also asks if the Seahawks should be concerned about the off-field stuff;

--- And finally, the NFL is considering moving the draft to May.

A few more notes and quotes on Monday's OTA

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:16:04 PDT

Today marked the first Seattle Organized Team Activity of the off-season --- and the only one this week that will be open to the media.

Much of the focus afterward was on the team's recent off-field issues.

But the larger story from a strict on-field standpoint may be the sudden worry over its pass rush.

Bruce Irvin will be out the first four games, Chris Clemons is rehabbing an ACL in the Atlanta area and Cliff Avril --- as revealed today --- is battling a plantar fascia issue.

Of Irvin's suspension, here's what coach Pete Carroll said today: “It’s going to impact, he’s a really good football player. He had a tremendous football season. Fortunately we have guys that can step up, and really there is no way that as a team you can look at it in my mind, it calls for the next guy to step up and take full advantage of his opportunity to help the team out. And meanwhile he is hurt, he’s hurt. He’s injured. And the month that he misses is going to be a month of opportunity for somebody else. So we’ll see. We expect our guys will step in to play well. We are fortunate to have Cliff Avril here, we are fortunate to have Clem (Chris Clemons) coming back, we are fortunate to have (linebacker) Malcolm (Smith) get his chance to step up, as well. We’ll figure that out when the time comes, but it will be like he’s injured and he’s not there and what are you going to do about it.’’

Asked if he's worried about the depth at the spot, Carroll said: “Well, we will always be concerned, sure, and I don’t mind telling you that. But we are fortunate in that we also are working our roster in that regard, too. We have some young guys that we are excited about. But it’s going to call on Cliff Avril, first and Cliff will be back in a couple of weeks and he is in good shape to make it back. Clem’s going to make it back, we won’t know about him for a while, we will have to figure that out when the time comes. I liked the fact that Cliff was here because it gave us a cushion for Clem. That changed a little bit for the first month of the season, for sure.’’

Carroll indicated Avril's condition won't be long-term, saying: “It hurts. Ask him about it. The plantar fascia thing is a real uncomfortable thing, you juist have to wait it out. It’s something that you can come back from. It’s not a problem, you just have to wait it out and he’s real anxioius to go and he is doing very wellin his rehab and he runs some this week for the first time. It just takes another couple weeks.’’

The other off-field issue of the day was the news of the recent arrest of backup QB Josh Portis on suspicion for driving under the influence.

Intriguingly, Portis had a solid day throwing the ball as he split reps with Brady Quinn behind Russell Wilson.

And the other notable absentee was RB Marshawn Lynch, who has simply chosen not to participate for now, as is his right under the NFL guidelines as these are technically voluntary workouts. Carroll said that Lynch "may'' participate before the OTAs end June 6. "This is voluntary. That’s the rules and the guidelines are all set up to be. Clem is rehabbing and he is not here, and Marshawn is not here. We miss them. We’d like them to be here. This is a lot of fun. .. He’s in very good shape. He came in 10 days ago and he’s in very good shape. He’s working an intense program in his area and he is benefitting from it. We’d love to see everybody here.’’

In a few other notes. ...

--- Tight end Anthony McCoy suffered an ankle injury of undetermined severity late in the practice.

--- Also out or limited were rookie RB Christine Michael (hamstring) and CB Tharold Simon (foot).

--- Asked his first impressions of the rookies who participated, Carroll said: “That they came out of the work that we have done understanding what is going on long enough to go out and compete a little bit today. (WR) Chris Harper was out there catching balls and (TE) Luke (Willson) did a real nice job today --- you could see some things that he did. (C) Jared Smith, he had his troubles jumping into a two-minute drill during his first day of OTAs, but he made it through it. So we are benefitting from the mini-camp and the time they have spent with us so far and we are ready to let these guys compete and continue to throw them in there and see what they can do.’’

--- Here are Carroll's first impressions of Percy Harvin: “Percy did great. The benefit is that the fact he has been with (offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell) in Minnesota and that background, he has jumped right into the system of things. He already knows quite a few of the nuances and things. We’ve adjusted some things but he’s already begun to take control of that. Very explosive. He took the ball and turned it up a couple of times today and he’s just lightning fast. You can see why he’s such a factor catching it and running it and in the kicking game.’’

NFL.com --- Seahawks could be fined for player suspensions

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:01:05 PDT

Some of the Seahawks' recent off-field issues could hurt the team not only on the field but in the pocketbook.

NFL.com is reporting this afternoon that the league could fine the team for having multiple players suspended in a season for violating the league's drug, steroid or personal conduct policies.

As the story states:

"There are financial consequences for a team that has multiple players suspended in a season under those policies," league spokesman Greg Aiello said regarding the rule.

It was not specified if Seattle has or will be fined following defensive end Bruce Irvin's suspension for violating the league's PED rules, which was announced Friday.

The team could fall under the league's remittance policy since multiple players recently have been suspended for violating banned substance rules.

Seattle has had six players suspended for PED violations since 2010. Cornerback Richard Sherman had his suspension last season overturned on appeal.

Per rule, a team would be fined a portion of the salaries of the players that have been suspended based on an agreed-upon formula.

Videos --- Percy Harvin, Russell Wilson

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:16:04 PDT

Today marked the official debut for Seattle's prime off-season acquisition, receiver Percy Harvin. Harvin and quarterback Russell Wilson each addressed the media after today's initial OTA. Here is some video of each:

First, Harvin:

Next, Wilson:

Carroll on recent issues: "This is a challenge for us.''

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:04:46 PDT

Following Seattle's first OTA of the season Monday afternoon, Seahawk coach Pete Carroll met the media for the first time since it was revealed that DE Bruce Irvin would be suspended for the first four games of next season for using performance enhancing drugs, and that backup QB Josh Portis had recently been arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Carroll addressed the issues head-on in a rather impassioned opening statement that ran almost five minutes, saying that dealing with such matters is "a challenge for us,'' and that it is also important to let the public know that "it’s serious, it’s real serious and we need to let you know that we understand that.''

Here is a transcript of the highlights, as well as some video below:

"As these stages come along at OTAs, it gets us closer to football and it brings to light how difficult it is to do what we do and to do it really well and the challenges that go along with it. This is an exciting young football team and these guys are at a point where they have worked really hard to grow together and establish the kind of makeup on the team that gives you a chance to do good things, and coming off of last year all that is part of what’s going on.

"But with that also comes the responsibility to handle it well and over the years I have seen what it takes to be consistently on top and to be on top and to stay on top and to keep winning and endure all that goes along with that. It takes a giant commitment and guys have to really be in it for the right reasons to do things right, and so a couple of things came up today in the media that gets out about our guys, some issues that we have had --- this is a challenge, this is a challenge for us, this is a challenge for the league.

"The league is doing everything they can to try to figure out how to help guys make it through these young careers that they have from teaching and instructing and also the punitive side of it, and they are doing a really good job. And they are in it for the right seasons, and we are too. We go beyond what the league does. We go well past what the guidelines ask us to do as far as working with the young guys and trying to give them the direction, trying to give them the counseling. We have people on staff here specifically to work with our individual guys, because I really see this as an individual challenge.

"We try to bring each kid as far along as we possibly can to make them available for the opportunity that they have, and each one of them is a different story. Each one of them, it’s a different road that we travel. Even though we go together they all have to figure out how to do this right. And so I see this as a challenge for us to be at the cutting edge of why guys make choices, and why guys will jeopardize their opportunities. The league understands that, we understand it. We have been working for years and years with young people and we continue to still face issues that we want to try to deal with in a different way.

"So it’s a very, very important opportunity for us in a sense to try and figure it out and to help these guys so they can get what they deserve. Unfortunately you go wrong and you get popped and that’s how this thing works and I’m really disappointed that we have to deal with anything like this. But there are going to be other issues, too, and we are going to have to deal with them.

"With Bruce we are going to try to help him along as best we possibly can. He has made an enormous commitment to try to do the right thing and he made a mistake. He admitted to it and he owned up to it to his teammates and he owned up to the staff and he owned up to it to everybody. He wants to do right and show that he can. We are going to see that through and see if we can’t get that done for him.

"It’s no different than I would do for my own son. I would do everything I can to teach him, to prepare him, to let them understand what the pitfalls are and then you hope and you pray that your kids make the right decision when they are faced with options. And then when they make a mistake you take them back under and you try to lead them along and show them and hope that they can learn from the issues that they have had to face and we get stronger and we get better for it. We’ve got a lot of challenges coming up.

"It ain’t easy. But we will find out where our commitment is and how close we can stay and how directed we can be to taking this as far as we can and that’s really my challenge every day and I expect that we are going to have to encounter more stuff and we’ll see if we can do it really well as we move forward. That’s a big statement and whether you get the whole point of it, I don’t know. But it’s serious, it’s real serious and we need to let you know that we understand that.’’

Seahawks sign Fells and Michael, release Steiner

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:16:04 PDT

With their first Organized Team Activity of the 2013 off-season about to begin, the Seahawks announced a couple of roster moves this morning.

Specifically, the team announced it has signed tight end Darren Fells and running back Christine Michael to multi-year contracts and released long snapper Adam Steiner.

Michael was Seattle's second-round draft choice (62^nd overall) in April's NFL Draft and becomes the ninth of Seattle's 11 draft picks to sign. Cornerback Tharold Simon (fifth-round) and tackle Michael Bowie (seventh-round) remain unsigned.Fells was signed by Seattle on March 6 but released on May 8. He then participated in the team's rookie mini-camp and was re-signed. Steiner was claimed off waivers (Oakland) on May 14.

Seahawks backup QB Portis arrested on suspicion of DUI

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:46:05 PDT

Seahawks backup quarterback Josh Portis will be arraigned May 28 for driving while intoxicated, after being arrested on May 5.

Portis was pulled over at 9:26 p.m. on May 5 after he was observed driving 80 miles an hour in a 60-mile-an-hour zone exiting the Mount Baker Tunnel on eastbound I-90 in a 2008 Range Rover.

A report from the Washington State Patrol says the officer noticed "a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the vehicle'' and that the driver "had watery bloodshoot eyes.''

Portis later submitted to two breath tests and registered blood alcohol concentration readings of .092 and .078. The legal limit in the state of Washington is .080. He was charged with a gross misdemeanor.

The arraignment will be in the Redmond Courthouse.

Portis is expected to compete with Brady Quinn and Jerrod Johnson for the backup job behind Russell Wilson. Johnson had a solid showing at the rookie mini-camp two weeks ago.

Portis was re-signed by the Seahawks in April to a two-year contract with a base salary of $480,000 in 2013.

He spent all of the 2011 season on the team's roster, and spent 12 weeks last year on the practice squad before being released in November. He has yet to play in a regular season game.

The Seahawks and Portis' representatives had no comment Monday.

The Seahawks are set to begin their organized training activities today in Renton.

Seahawks begin OTAs tomorrow

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:00:19 PDT

A quick reminder that the Seahawks will begin OTAs (Organized Team Activities) on Monday.

Seahawks.com had a good breakdown earlier this week of where the team is in its off-season program.

Not all of the workouts are open to the media, but we will cover those that are.

As the linked story notes, the Monday OTA is the first of 10 in which the offense and defense are allowed to practice against each other.

The OTAs are spread out through June 6. The team then holds a mandatory minicamp June 11-13 before the veteran break begins on June 14.

Morning kickoff --- Irvin suspension, and more

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:42:58 PDT

Bruce Irvin's four-game suspension was obviously the big news of Friday. Here's our story, as well as that from ESPN.com, the ESPN NFC West blog and USA Today. And a 49ers' defender has no sympathy for Irvin.

In other news. ...

--- Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com lists the most pressing need for every NFL team, and cites the pass rush for the Seahawks --- the Irvin suspension won't help there;

--- The Cowboys are studying the Seahawks' defense;

--- Here's one vote for the Seahawks as the No. 5 seed in the NFC this year;

--- And here's a vote for Russell Wilson as the No. 11 QB in the NFL;

--- The ESPN NFC West blog examines key players coming back from injury on each team;

--- And which NFC West team has had the most starts by rookies the last three years;

--- FieldGulls assesses Golden Tate's contract year;

--- More on tryout signee Victor Marshall;

--- And The Sporting News has odds for every NFC West team.

Updated: Bruce Irvin gets 4-game suspension for banned substances

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:31:05 PDT

Bruce Irvin, Seattle's first-round pick a year ago, has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, the team announced Friday.

Irvin will not get paid for the first four games -- amounting to around $192,000 in lost salary -- but can still participate in all offseason activities, including preseason games. The Seahawks play at Carolina, San Francisco, Jacksonville and at Houston to start the season. He will be eligible to return when Seattle plays at Indianapolis on Oct. 6.

Irvin released a statement on Friday apologizing and saying he won't appeal the suspension.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption,” Irvin said in the statement. “I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again. I look forward to contributing to the team the moment I return.”

Irvin played in all 16 games for the Seahawks as a rookie last year. He had eight sacks, playing mostly as a pass-rusher off the edge. He also had 10 tackles and one forced fumble.

The suspension leaves the Seahawks’ defensive line with limited options early in the season.

Chris Clemons, who tore his ACL in the playoff game at Washington last year, is still rehabbing and could miss time early in the 2013 season. Defensive end Greg Scruggs, who had two sacks in his rookie season last year, had surgery for a torn ACL last week. The Seahawks haven't ruled out a return this season, but it's likely he won't play.

That leaves Red Bryant, a returning starter, and free-agent additions Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett at defensive end. The Seahawks signed both players this offseason in moves that, at the time, looked like luxury additions. It doesn't look that way anymore.

In addition to Irvin, Winston Guy, Brandon Browner, John Moffitt, Allen Barbre and Richard Sherman were all been suspended for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing substances in the past two years, although Sherman won his appeal.

Updated: Irvin tweeted this image of a note he wrote on an iPad Friday afternoon. In it, Irvin indicated he knew about the pending suspension for weeks and also referenced his personal image. Irvin, who played at West Virginia, was arrested the month before the 2012 NFL draft and also spent time in jail when he was younger after being arrested for a burglary crime.

"It's crazy to see your name runs across the ticker for negative things,” Irvin’s message said. “I messed up and I feel so bad and have been depressed for weeks now. I've had sleepless nights because I know when this came out, I would let so many people down, including myself. I have worked so hard to rebuild my image and it takes another blow. I see the negative comments and I see the positive and both drives me to come back and have a incredible season.

“To my real fans, I see the comments and appreciate it during this tuff time. Just shows people only love you when your on top, but when adversity hits they show their true colors. Once again, I'm sorry and take full responsibility for my actions.

“I will take this on the chin and move forward to become the best person on and off the field. 12thman I'm sorry I let you down but I promise you when I come back -- all hell will break loose! West Virginia, I love u always and know you have my back and always will. Love on my fans and shout to my haters I know you loving it right now! #comebackkid #12thman #WVU”

Morning kickoff --- A few Seahawks links

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:46:06 PDT

I'll start off with the personal note that I will be in-studio on KJR-AM 950 this morning from 10 a.m.-Noon with Elise Woodward.

We will probably talk mostly about the Sonics situation. But we also plan to talk some Seahawks.

Now, a few links. ...

--- Earl Thomas is No. 66 on the NFL Network's countdown of the top 100 players.

--- The Chiefs have hired longtime Seahawk scout Will Lewis as Director of Pro Scouting.

--- In case you missed it the other day, Richard Sherman has hired the replacement ref who called the Golden Tate TD good against Green Bay to ump his charity softball game.

--- ESPN's Mike Sando and the ESPN710 guys compared the rosters of the Seahawks and 49ers.

--- FieldGulls looks at how to measure the type of athletes the Seahawks are looking for.

--- Pre-Snap Reads breaks down Sherman's 2012 season.

--- CBSSports.com ranks the top offensive linemen and mentions both Russell Okung and Max Unger.