The best photos of former Seahawks center Max Unger, who was traded to the New Orleans Saints after six seasons in Seattle.
Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Friday, March 13 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Unger Reacts To Trade
Former Seahawks center Max Unger, who was shipped to New Orleans along with Seattle's 2015 first-round draft pick as part of the trade to acquire tight end Jimmy Graham and the Saints' fourth-round pick, talked with 710 ESPN Seattle's "Danny, Dave and Moore" about the deal on Thursday.
"It's been a tough couple days, no question," said Unger. "At the same time, I'm going to look back at the time I got to spend here and live here and play football for the 'Hawks as some of the best. It is nice to be wanted, though. I've got a great opportunity to go play for an awesome organization with some pretty talented players. You've just got to kind of stay positive with it. This is something that's part of the business."
Unger, a second-round pick of the Seahawks in 2009, ends his career in Seattle having started all 67 games in which he appeared. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2012 and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2012 and 2013, anchoring one of the League's most-dominant rushing attacks. He said he was in San Francisco having lunch with a friend when he received word from Seahawks Executive VP/General Manager John Schneider that he was part of the team's trade for Graham.
"It's never like an awesome conversation," said Unger. "He was just very professional about it, what you'd expect."
As difficult as these past couple days have been, Unger said he feels healthy and ready to contribute after injuries limited him to just nine games (six regular-season and three postseason) with the Seahawks last season.
"I think I've got a lot of good ball left in me," said Unger. "I've just got to approach it with a pretty fresh state of mind knowing that I'm healthy and that I can play some good football down there."
Unger was given a chance to thank the Seattle faithful for his time in the Pacific Northwest.
"I've got a chance to play in front of some of the best fans in the NFL and it's all positive," said Unger. "I just can't thank the 12th Man [enough] for all the support these last six years I've been able to spend there. It's been awesome and I'll look back on it with some pretty fond memories."
Schofield Agrees To Terms With Atlanta; Walters Signs With Jaguars
Linebacker/defensive end O'Brien Schofield, who spent the past two seasons with the Seahawks, has agreed to terms on a free-agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Schofield joins forces with former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who accepted the head coaching gig with the Falcons the day after Super Bowl XLIX. In two seasons working in Quinn's defense at Seattle, Schofield tallied 28 tackles, 3.o sacks and recovered one fumble through 36 games, including playoffs.
Another one of Seattle's free agents that's now off the market is wide receiver Bryan Walters, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday. Walters, a Kirkland, Wash. native who served as the club's primary punt returner last year, reunites with former Seahawks defensive coordinator turned Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley in Jacksonville.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from actor and Seahawks super-fan Chris Pratt, who welcomes Graham to Seattle.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, Clare Farnsworth shares how excited Graham is to join the Seahawks.
I recap four things we learned about Graham from coach Pete Carroll's Thursday conversation on 710 ESPN Seattle.
New Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard chatted with 710 ESPN Seattle's "Danny, Dave and Moore" yesterday, addressing how the team will look to replace cornerback Byron Maxwell, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
Bucky Brooks at NFL.com breaks down trades that took place around the NFL during week one of free agency, calling the Seahawks "clear winners" of their deal with the Saints, "It's uncommon to land a player regarded as one of the top two talents at his position in a trade, but that's what the Seahawks did by snaring Graham, who is arguably the best tight end in the NFL. Not only is he a Pro Bowler with 51 touchdowns in 78 games, but he is the ultimate matchup nightmare on the perimeter. The 6-foot-7, 265-pound former basketball player overwhelms linebackers and defensive backs with his size, length and athleticism. He can essentially serve as a true WR1 on the perimeter, opening up the field for complementary playmakers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse. Graham will also form a devastating 1-2 punch with running back Marshawn Lynch. Defensive coordinators around the NFL are surely already getting headaches thinking about creative ways to stop a more diverse Seahawks offense."
And Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times looks at how the Seahawks might replenish their offensive line after the loss of Unger and left guard James Carpenter.
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