Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today – Friday, March 18 – about your Seattle Seahawks.
What the Media is Saying about Christine Michael Re-Signing and Russell Okung's Departure.
From the day the Seahawks made Russell Okung the No. 6 pick in the 2010 draft, Seattle's plan at left tackle has been clear heading into every season. For the first time since then, however, there are question marks about one of the key positions on offense because Okung signed with Denver on Thursday.
Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times asks where the Seahawks go from here with their line.
As the story notes, the NFL salary cap means teams can't pay everyone, and the cost of retaining so many star defensive players, as well as one of the game's best quarterbacks, can be losing important players at other positions, which has led to some offensive line departures in recent years:
The simple economics of the salary cap dictate that teams cut costs somewhere, and the Seahawks have gone cheap with the offensive line. It's the deal they have made to keep their defensive stars.
The results have been mixed. The Seahawks ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards per game last season and led the league two years ago. They ranked fourth in points per game last season and have finished in the top 10 in the past three seasons.
Plus, the Seahawks have made the playoffs and won at least 10 games in each of the past four seasons, including, of course, two trips to the Super Bowl.
But after trading starting center Max Unger and losing starting guard James Carpenter to free agency last year, the line struggled. Even though sacks are not always the fault of the offensive line, and even though their sack rate eventually declined, the Seahawks still gave up the seventh-most sacks in the league.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times looks into Okung's decision to represent himself rather than going the traditional route of using an agent.
ESPN's Sheil Kapadia looks at some internal and external options for Seattle at left tackle.
Kapadia also looks at how Christine Michael could fit into Seattle’s offensive plans going forward after re-signing on Thursday, writing: He's a depth piece behind Thomas Rawls. Rawls is coming off of an ankle injury, but he led the NFL, averaging 5.65 YPC in 2015. Rawls was also first in yards after contact, averaging 2.68 per run. Assuming he's healthy, Rawls will be the Seahawks' primary ball carrier and replace Marshawn Lynch.
*But the Seahawks need depth. The only other running back on the roster is Cameron Marshall, whom the team signed from the CFL. Even with Rawls and Michael in the mix, the Seahawks are still in search of a third-down back. That's a need they could address in free agency or in the draft. *
The Seattle PI's Stephen Cohen offers his takeaways on the Okung news and the rest of Seattle’s first week of free agency.
Gregg Bell of the News Tribune also offers his take on Okung’s departure and Michael’s re-signing.
NFL.com's Chris Wesseling breaks down the Michael re-signing.
Tweet of the Day
Today's Tweet of the day comes to you from Pearl Jam's official account, which posted a photo of band members Eddie Vedder and Matt Cameron along with former Guns N' Roses bassist and Seattle native Duff McKagan, who is showing off his football loyalties.
More From Around the Web
ESPN.com looks at what various mock drafts have the Seahawks doing with the 26th pick.
Here at Seahawks.com, stories on Christine Michael’s re-signing and Okung’s signing with Denver.
NFL.com looks at some of the proposed rule changes that the NFL Competition Committee will be looking at next week.
For Seahawks fans in Virginia, Kam Chancellor has details on his celebrity basketball game to benefit his Kam Kares foundation.
