Hasselback Says Back is "A-OK"

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck missed more than half of last season because of a bulging disk in his back,which caused nerve issues down his leg, the most he'd been out since becoming the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback for good in 2002.

With Hasselbeck out, the Seahawks had an abnormally down season and missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, with the down seasons comes the teams highest selection since 1997, when it drafted cornerback Shawn Springs third overall.

With the 4th overall pick, many are suggesting that the Seahawks select their next "Franchise Quarterback", either Georgia's Matt Stafford, or USC's Mark Sanchez. Hasselbeck says if his Seahawks want to draft a quarterback, they should provide a seat for the rookie on the bench.

"They can do whatever they want to do," Hasselbeck said after his first practice day since early December. "But I'm not going anywhere."

Hasselbeck's season was ended following a crunching hit from Dallas' DeMarcus Ware on Thanksgiving Day. Doctors told him his rested body should heal itself by the end of January and it apparently did, as Hasselbeck did not need surgery, but missed nine games.

He is entering the fifth year of a six-year, $47 million contract with $16 million in guarantees. His cap number is to be about $9.5 million in 2009, leading to speculation the Seahawks may cut him for financial reasons, or at least seek to renegotiate his base salaries of $5.25 million and $5.75 million for each of the final two years of his deal.

When Hasselbeck was asked for a prognosis of his health, he responded, "I'm not a doctor but is A-Ok a prognosis, I'm A-Ok!"

Hasselbeck is happy with his progress and is hoping this weeks Mini-camp will help them to decide to hold-off on drafting his replacement.

"I mean, you could do that, that's your prerogative," Hasselbeck said of drafting a hot shot quarterback. "It won't change anything I do. I'm getting ready to play football this year. I am going to play football this year. I'm not concerned at all (about my back). It's always been a joke for me. I don't feel good about first rounders ... because I was a sixth-round pick. I don't watch the draft on Saturday. I watch the draft on Sunday."

Hasselbeck wasn't done with his rant against the draft. He is still stung at not even being invited to the NFL combine while coming out of Boston College, before he became a compensatory pick by Green Bay in 1998.

"What's his name, Mel Kiper?" Hasselbeck said. "Yeah, when I was picked, with pick 187, I think his exact words were something like, 'That's a waste of a pick.' "

If he wants to sway the Seahawks decision to hold-off on drafting his replacement, he needs to get to work, he looked really rusty throwing, but was far more fluid than while coming back in November for three losses before he stayed out for good. He believes exercises to strengthen his torso have made him a stronger thrower.

Some of those exercises came in work with noted physiotherapist Rick Celebrini. A former Canadian national and professional soccer player, Celebrini was recruited by two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash early in the fellow Canadian's basketball career to help Nash with his ailing back related to a congenital back condition, spondylolisthesis.

The 11-year pro found 2008 even more frustrating because of the way the team treated his health situation. Doctors told him in October that if nothing more happened to his back he could avoid surgery. Hasselbeck says now he should have just been shut down for the end of an already lost season that ended with a 4-12 record, instead of the week-to-week wait and see game he had to go through.

A career 60.1% passer, Hasselbeck has amassed 23,549 yards, with 147 TD's and 94 Int's, along with 960 rushing yards and 5 TD's

Weaver Winds Up In Philly

Former Seattle Seahawks fullback Leonard Weaver who was courted by several NFL teams, weighed his contract options and wound up choosing the Philadelphia Eagles as his new home.

The Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks also made offers to Weaver, and some for more money, but Weaver liked his playing chances in Philly enough to accept the one-year $1.75 Million but also has incentives that could take the deal to $2.5 Million.

Undrafted out of Carson-Newman, Weaver has played his entire 4 year professional career with the Seattle Seahawks and is known as a versatile fullback. In his career4 has has amassed 356 rushing yards on 80 carries along with 547 receiving yards on 60 catches and 3 TD's (1 rushing, 2 receiving). He is coming off a season where he participated in more than 50 percent of the Seahawks offensive plays.

Chiefs Add Three

The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms with three player; linebacker Monte Beisel and wide receivers Bobby Engram and Terrance Copper. Terms of the contracts have not yet been revealed.

Beisel has previously played for the Chiefs from 2001-2004, after his collegiate career at Kansas State. He has most recently played with the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots.

Engram, a former Nittany Lion began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 1996 and went to the Seattle Seahawks in 2001. He has caught 645 career passes for 7,690 yards with 35 touchdowns, and has returned two punts for touchdowns.

Copper has played in 63 games with five starts during stints in Dallas, New Orleans and Baltimore. He also has 41 tackles while playing on special teams.

Lions and Seahawks Swap Players

The Detroit Lions have sent DT Corey Redding and a 2009 5th round draft choice to the Seattle Seahawks for LB Julian Peterson. In order to allow this deal to be completed Redding had to agree to restructure a deal he signed in 2007. The deal was a seven-year $49 Million contract, another stipulation in the deal is that both players must pass a physical before everything is finalized.

Peterson and his high cap number became expendable in Seattle because of the seven-year $54 Million contract he signed just 3 seasons ago, as Seattle's other LBs are carrying large contracts as well.

Questions have been raised about this bizarre move, considering Peterson's large contract there was a high probability that he was about to be released and would have been available to Detroit for nothing. Although there is no denying that Peterson will be an upgrade on a defense that really struggled last season.

This move may have hinted towards Detroit's draft plans as some have speculated that they are interested in Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry. Although Curry recently address this situation saying he would relish the opprotunity to play the "Mike" linebacker between Ernie Sims and Peterson.

Panthers Cut CB Lucas

The Cap space strapped Carolina Panthers were forced to release starting CB Ken Lucas, after a trade could not be completed. Lucas had previously vetoed a trade to the Detroit Lions. The release clears up about $2.3 Million.

"We had some teams approach us and we talked to some teams and nothing worked out," general manager Marty Hurney said. "We just thought this was the time to do this. ... Ken's been a very good starter for us for four years."

Lucas was signed away from the Seattle Seahawks to a six-year, $36 million deal in 2005. He started 49 of 50 games for Carolina and had 13 interceptions along with 235 tackles.
Lucas was also known for fierce, trash-talking one-on-one matchups with Smith in practice that boiled over in training camp last season when the Pro Bowl receiver punched Lucas in the face while Lucas was resting on one knee.

Shawn Springs to New England

The New England Patriots have strengthened the defensive backfield today with the signing of CB Shawn Springs, terms of his contract were not disclosed.

Springs, was recently released by the Washington Redskins after they re-signed CB DeAngelo Hall to a long term contract. The 12-year veteran, started his career with the Seattle Seahawks after they spent their first round draft choice (third overall) on him in 1997, after 7 seasons he joined the Washington Redskins, where he spent the last five.

In his career, Springs has accumulated 372 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 36 interceptions a 2 TD's, both of which came in 1998.

T.J. Whosyourmama Signs in Seattle, CHAMPIONSHIP!!

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmanzadeh, has decided to sign with the Seattle Seahawks after an intense recruiting trip in Minnesota and interest from several teams, including his former team the Cincinnati Bengals.


Houshmanzadeh signed a five-year $40 Million contract which includes $15 Million in guarantees.


The 31-year old is a dependable receiver and has 374 receptions in last four years, more than any other receiver in that span. He joins a seattle squad that has struggled for receivers in recent years where no receiver has had more than 50 catches in a season the last few years.

Koutouvides Signs with Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed a free agent. LB Niko Koutouvides will join the Bucs, terms of his contract were not released.


The 6-foot-2, 238-pound Koutouvides has played in 73 career games since entering the league with Seattle as a fourth-round selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. Koutouvides has been a special teams stand-out wherever he has played, adn this is a role he will likely resume with the Bucs.

Koutouvides, 27, was a player on Tampa Bay's radar last offseason when he was a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks. Denver outbid Tampa Bay for his services, but his stint with the Broncos proved to be short-lived after his release last month.

Giants Go 3-for-3 This Weekend

The New York Giants had a great first weekend of free agency, first they brought in and signed LB Michael Boley to fill their need at WLB, next they brought in pass rushing DT Rocky Bernard for a visit and he too signed on the dotted line before the meeting was over.

Now, the Giants have gone a very impressive 3 visits, 3 signings with the addition of versatile defensive lineman Chris Canty, who not only adds depth to an already impressive D-line it hurts a division rival as Canty's former team the Dallas Cowboys play in the same NFC East division as the Giants.

Canty has signed a 6-year, $42-Million deal with $17.25 Million guaranteed. Canty, 26 stands 6'7" and tips the scale at 304lbs will likely switch to defensive tackle with the Giants after four seasons as a 3-4 defensive end in Dallas, but his versatility as an end will likely be explored in certain situations.

You have to wonder how the Giants have been so successful this weekend, and perhaps they are taking a hint from The Godfather Series and making these players "an offer they can't refuse." Whatever their strategy the Giants have further solidied and already impressive defense, just 48 hours into free agency.

Seahawks Sign Cole

The Seattle Seahawks have dashed the hopes of the Green Bay Packers by signing away one of the Packers’ biggest offseason priorities, DT Colin Cole.

Early Sunday morning, Cole signed a five-year, $21 Million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Cole’s contract includes $5 million guaranteed.

Cole had been in discussions with Green Bay, Tampa Bay but in the end decided he wanted to be the man to replace Rocky Bernard in Seattle.

With Cole off the market, Chris Canty finds himself as the only big name free agent defensive lineman left and could find himself the subject of a bidding war with teams like Tampa Bay, Green Bay and the New York Giants interested in his services.

Clayton Remains a Buccaneer

Michael Clayton has signed a five-year deal to remain with the team that drafted him in the first round of the 2004 draft. Finacial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Having been a free agent for two days, Clayton had received interest from several teams, according to WDAE 620's Steve Duemig, Clayton turned down an offer of more money from Seattle to remain in Tampa.

Clayton burst onto the scene as a rookie when he had his best season, 80 passes for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns. Injuries have plagued the WR, who is known for his exceptional downfield blocking, and his receiving numbers have suffered because of it.

Returning to Tampa, Clayton will be lined up across from the team's franchise player Antonio Bryant and along side Tampa Bay's newest offensive weapon TE Kellen Winslow. The Bucs also plan to look seriously at a few other free agent wide receivers, including Devery henderson, Nate Washington and T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who will be visiting the Bucs on Sunday.

Tampa's only problem is their uncertainty at the QB position, on Saturday the Bucs attempted to pull off a 3-way trade with the Broncos and Patriots for QB Jay Cutler, with the 19th overall pick and QB Matt Cassel being the other pieces of the trade.

Currently on the Bucs roster at the QB position are Luke McCown, who recently signed a contract extenion, veteran Brian Griese, and last years 5th round choice Josh Johnson.

Rocky Bernard Signs with G-Men

New York Giants continue to bolster their defense through free agency today by adding DT Rock Bernard, just a few hours after adding LB Michael Boley. Terms of the contract were no revealed.

Bernard, who turns 30 in April, is a pass rushing threat up the middle and in his 7 seasons in Seattle he has racked up 29 career sacks.

The Giants must have a great pitch man because they are 2-for-2 on free agent recruiting trips so far. The team is hosting another defensive lineman Chris Canty from division rivals the Dallas Cowboys, and as the chances of signing Canty after inking Bernard may appear slim, the Giants proved in their Super Bowl run, you can never have too many good D-lineman.

Lions Ink Morris

NFL.com is reporting that RB Maurice Morris has signed a 3-year, $7 Million contract to join the Detroit Lions.

Morris, 29, a starter the last seven seasons in Seattle, will likely fill the team's need as backfield complement to starter Kevin Smith.

Hill Gets Tagged by Hawks

The Seahawks have announced the franchise tagging of their free agent LB Leroy Hill, in what is said to be essenially an extention to sign the linebacker to a long term deal.



Even if the 26-year-old doesn't get a multiyear contract, the franchise-player designation guarantees a raise from his $927,000 base salary in 2008 to $8.3 million this year - the average salary of the top five linebackers in the NFL.



Hill has started 50 of 56 career games. He finished third on the team in 2008 with 81 tackles, and was leading the team in stops through 12 games until a neck strain sidelined him for the final four games. The former Clemson star set a Seattle record for sacks by a rookie linebacker with 7½ in 2005.

Bengals Sign Punter Off Waivers

Recently released punter Ryan Plackemeier was signed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. Plackemeier who spent last season with the Washington Redskins was released earlier this week.

Seattle drafted Plackemeier in 2006, and he was the Seahawks' regular punter for two seasons. He was waived in September and signed by Washington. He punted 55 times for a 41.7-yard average during 10 games with the Redskins.

The terms and length of Plackemeier's deal were not released.

Hill Apologizes For Arrest

Seattle Seahawk and free agent to be linebacker Leroy Hill has released a statement to apologize for his recent arrest for misdemeanor marijuana possession in Atlanta.



In a statement Monday, Hill said he's embarrassed by the Saturday morning arrest "and the poor judgment I showed." And he added: "Please understand my actions were not consistent with the type of person I hope to become."



A third round draft choice in 2005, Hill was becoming a solid player in Seattle. Team president Tim Ruskell said he was the teams top-priority in free agent re-signings. Ruskell this week said he feels as though he has been pinched in the gut.



"We are a team always striving for good, consistent character, so it is disappointing when something like this happens," Ruskell said.

Steelers Owner Responds to Angry letter

Following Super Bowl XL an angry Seahawks fan wrote a 5 page letter to then Commissioner Paul Tagliabue in response to what he felt was a horrible officiating job done by Bill Leavy’s officiating crew, citing bad calls, imaginary penalties, and non-calls for Steelers' penalties.

A few weeks later this disgruntled fan recieved a written response from Steelers owner Dan Rooney himself. Now this disgruntled fan has decided to sell his letter on Ebay to the highest bidder.

The full text of the letter appears below, the Steelers have not confirmed if the letter is legit or not.

22 February 2006

Dear Mr. [omitted]

You are something special — you watch a TV broadcast of Super Bowl XL, with all the interruptions, camera locations, replays and now know more than anyone else in America on what was wrong with the officiating. You review the plays from your own prejudice. Did you look at what was happening? I could go over the game and point out things that were just not perfect for the Steelers officiating, but why? The Seahawks held Casey Hampton, a great Pro Bowl player, on every play. But it’s over — let it go.

You say the best team didn’t win. The best team did win. They gave their all to gain the victory. The Steelers defense was outstanding from the kickoff to the final play. The offense made the plays to win. The only thing I will say — the Seahawks are a good football team — they kept it close — but the Steelers were the best.

I am pleased you are from [omitted], PA because I would be disappointed if you were from Washington. They are fine people. The Seahawks are a class team. I have much respect and high regard for Paul Allen and the Seahawk organization.
Attached are a list of 20 reasons the Steelers won.

Thank you for your interest,

/s/ Dan Rooney

cc: Commissioner Tagliabue

Attachment

Seahawk LB Arrested in Atlanta

Seahawks LB Leroy Hill was arrested at 4am on Saturday for misdemeaner marajuana possession in an Altanta suburb. Hill who is set top become a free agent was released on a $1500 bond and is awaiting a court date.