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With $10 Million in cap space still remaining the Seahawks continue to pick
up new players. The latest additions are Safeties Oliver Celestin from the
Jets & Mark Green from Chicago plus Defensive End Kemp Rasmussen from the
Panthers.
Celestin started 12 games at Strong Safety for the Jets in 2005 & is viewed
as a experienced cover should Ken Hamlin’s return not go as smoothly as
hoped. Green was acquired for a sixth round pick. He was a starter for two
seasons until Lovie Smith decided his face did not fit anymore. The general
consensus is that he is a steal & could do a very good job as a starter if
required.
Rasmussen was on the Panthers 2003 Superbowl team & is primarily a Special
Teams player. He is likely to see spot duty on Defense too.
With no other teams tendering offers to restricted free agents QB Seneca
Wallace & T Wayne Hunter seem set to stay in the Pacific North West.
Visitors
The most high profile visitor in April was undoubtedly CB Ty Law. The
Veteran was released by the Jets & is now a Free Agent. Despite an
impressive 10 interceptions in 2005 there are no takers for him so far. He
is 32 & teams are concerned his production may fall off imminently. Also his
salary demands are reportedly $10 Million a year. Any interested teams are
playing the waiting game to see if he is prepared to play for less.
Other visitors included Safety Keion Carpenter from the Falcons &
Quarterback Jamie Martin from the Rams. There was some interest in Lions QB
Joey Harrington also leading to speculation that restricted free agent QB
Seneca Wallace may be on the move.
Wallace could find his role on the team changed should the team sign a
veteran back up QB. Wallace was used at WR against Carolina & Coach Holmgren
indicated he would like to use his back up QB on special teams or at wideout.
Holmgren also announced that Floyd Womack had the first shot at filling
Steve Hutchinsons shoes at Left Guard during an interview on NFL Total
Access.
On the subject of Hutchinson Holmgren also revealed that he called a meeting
to discuss the situation in a newspaper article in the Seattle Times.
Understandably, he was very disappointed in losing the Pro Bowl Guard &
didn’t want to risk another valuable casualty.
Under the knife
Jerramy Stevens underwent minor knee surgery & is expected to miss May
minicamp as a result.
NFL Europe update
After six weeks of NFLE two Seahawk allocated players continue to keep the
statisticians working over time as they lead the league in several
categories.
Amsterdam Admirals WR Skyler Fulton leads the league in receptions &
receiving yardage. Fulton only trails his team-mate in Chad Lucas in the
scoring category by just one TD.
Fellow Admiral QB Gibran Hamdan continues to lead the league in passing with
a rating of 114.5 as well as leading his team to a 5-1 record which
currently tops the table.
Draft Weekend
Day one
In the run up to Draft weekend there is normally a lot of disinformation put
around by teams to try & disguise who they really covet. The Seahawks are in
the unusual situation of having very few immediate needs at Defensive End &
Cornerback.
Both of these were addressed in the First two rounds:
Round 1 Kelly Jennings CB, Miami 5’ 11” 178 lbs
Jennings started 40 games for the Hurricanes with out injury so any concerns
about his size & durability seem unfounded.
Tim Ruskell was impressed with his constistency more than anything else
Round 2 Darryl Tapp DE, Virginia Tech 6’ 1” 252 lbs
A high effort player with a great engine & great pass rushing skills. He has
great speed & ability to get underneath his blocker & push him backwards.
Will probably be used as a situational pass rusher as well as relieving both
Fisher & Wistrom in the rotation at DE.
Round 3 To Minnesota in exchange for Restricted Free Agent WR Nate Burleson.
Round 4 Rob Sims G, Ohio State 6’ 3” 307 lbs
Sims started 40 out of a possible 47 games for the Buckeyes. Has played at
Tackle but his skills suit the Guard position better. He bench-presses 515
pounds and squats 600. Blocking technique still needs some work. He’s
expected to compete at either Guard spot.
Round 5 David Kirtman FB, USC 6’ 0” 230 lbs
Hasn’t posted any rushing stats during his college career & was used almost
exclusively as a blocker. He has good hands coming out of the backfield.
Seems a readymade blocking Full back so could possibly be Mack Strongs
long-term replacement.
Round 6 pick traded to Chicago for Safety David Green.
Round 7 pick #1 Ryan Plackemeier P, Wake Forest 6’ 3” 235 lbs
He led the nation in punting & won the Ray Guy award as a Senior in 2005. He
has recorded monster kicks of 71 & 82 yards.
Round 7 pick # 2 Ben Obomanu WR, Auburn 6’1” 205 lbs
Obomanu has recorded 4.45 speed in the 40 & leaves Auburn second in the
career touchdown receptions category with 18. Will be tried as kick returner.
Matt Cheesman
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