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I saw this idea mentioned in the Osi Umenyiora thread and felt it was an intriguing enough idea that merited further debate. Now, in the end I'm not sure if either of these DE options for the Hawks is realistic or not ... but hey it's the offseason and what else are we honestly going to talk about?
So, a couple of different scenarios have been presented as ideas over the last couple of days for how the Seahawks could possibly address the loss of Chris Clemons via veteran help. Here are 2 scenarios that I personally find interesting ...
1) Sign Osi Umenyiora in Free Agency John Clayton believes that Osi could be had through Free Agency on a 1 Year/$4 Million deal with the Hawks (similar to the contract that they inked Jason Jones to). We know that Umenyiora has wanted to Escape From New York for some time now and apparently likes the Seahawks, so this one could have some legs. He'll turn 32 in November, which has made some out there a bit leery when you take a look at his production the last few seasons (11.5 Sacks in 2010 ... 9.0 Sacks in 2011 ... and 6.0 Sacks in 2012). So is he over the hill or just unhappy? Will that production return again given a new scenario? Good question, but I know this -- Reggie White had 8 Sacks in 1994 (age 33). He came back the next season at age 34 and had 12 Sacks (he played until he was 39 and ended up registering 16 Sacks at age 37). So, it's not at all beyond the realm of possibility that we could see that from Osi as well.
The second option is an interesting option that Zowert and Kearly both talked about earlier ...
2) Trade Matt Flynn to the Vikings for Jared Allen Now why in the Wide Wide World of Sports would the Vikings want to do that ... and HOW could that kind of a deal actually make sense? Follow me here for a second ...
Jared Allen's contract calls for him to be paid $11.62 Million next season ... BUT, coupled with his bonuses he's scheduled to count a whopping $17 million against the Vikings Cap. That's an astronomical figure. In addition, Allen was scheduled to have shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Being that he's going to be 31 when the season opens next year, and the Vikings clearly have other holes they need to fill, they might actually consider the idea of moving him if some team comes knocking with reasonable deal. Additionally, he's in the last year of his deal, so the Vikings are at a bit of a crossroads with his anyway. If Minnesota is honestly looking to offload Allen, a deal involving Flynn going to them might make some sense for both the Vikings and the Seahawks.
If you at all watched Ponder this year and saw the mighty Joe Webb against the Packers, you know that Minnesota clearly is in need of an upgrade at QB. Given where they're drafting (the 23rd Pick in this year's draft) it's highly unlikely they're going to be able to get a legitimate one there. Moving up in the draft to get a Barkley or Gino Smith will be expensive for them ... and there aren't a whole ton of really good options out there in free agency or in the trade market from what I can see other than Flynn. Flynn would cost them $7,250,000 against the Cap next year ... and $8,250,000 against the Cap in 2014 (fairly reasonable IF they view him as a guy who could start over Ponder [I believe he'd win in an open competition].) If Seattle actually sent them a draft pick (say a 3rd or 4th Rounder) along with Flynn ... that scenario could be fairly attractive to the Vikings. From their standpoint, they'd be saving money (which they could use elsewhere in strengthening their team), getting a potential starting QB, and a high enough draft pick that they could use to bring in another young quality player.
From Seattle's standpoint, IF the medical reports look good, Allen is a player that could significantly improve the pass rush. As it stands right now, the Seahawks have $18.6 Million under the cap. Even taking on Allen's deal as-is, Seattle would still have around $8.85 under the cap, as they would re-coup that cap number that they'd otherwise be spending on Flynn. That's still enough room to work on other areas that need improvement on this team ... to say nothing about the draft.
Personality-wise, Jared Allen is exactly the type of relentless hard-nosed player that Pete Carroll and John Schneider crave, and his mentality fits in beautifully with the rest of that Seahawks Defense. Additionally, Allen himself may find the Seahawks situation to his liking and realistically could want to sign an extension to stay beyond next season. Right now, the Seahawks look to be as good a Super Bowl contender as anyone. Also, with Darrell Bevell and Sidney Rice, the Minnesota connection is there. Lastly, Allen played for Idaho State University, so he's got some ties to the Pacific Northwest. So the Hawks could theoretically have themselves an impact player for the next 2-3 years. And even if Seattle sent the Vikings a draft pick, they probably still would have enough draft capital to add an impact DT, maybe another DE, a Nickel CB, a LB, etc.
So, what do you guys think? If those scenarios were to present themselves, would you like:
1) Osi Umenyiora
2) Jared Allen
3) Some Other FA (Specify Who and Why)
4) None of the Above -- Look for an Impact DE in the Draft.
So, a couple of different scenarios have been presented as ideas over the last couple of days for how the Seahawks could possibly address the loss of Chris Clemons via veteran help. Here are 2 scenarios that I personally find interesting ...
1) Sign Osi Umenyiora in Free Agency John Clayton believes that Osi could be had through Free Agency on a 1 Year/$4 Million deal with the Hawks (similar to the contract that they inked Jason Jones to). We know that Umenyiora has wanted to Escape From New York for some time now and apparently likes the Seahawks, so this one could have some legs. He'll turn 32 in November, which has made some out there a bit leery when you take a look at his production the last few seasons (11.5 Sacks in 2010 ... 9.0 Sacks in 2011 ... and 6.0 Sacks in 2012). So is he over the hill or just unhappy? Will that production return again given a new scenario? Good question, but I know this -- Reggie White had 8 Sacks in 1994 (age 33). He came back the next season at age 34 and had 12 Sacks (he played until he was 39 and ended up registering 16 Sacks at age 37). So, it's not at all beyond the realm of possibility that we could see that from Osi as well.
The second option is an interesting option that Zowert and Kearly both talked about earlier ...
2) Trade Matt Flynn to the Vikings for Jared Allen Now why in the Wide Wide World of Sports would the Vikings want to do that ... and HOW could that kind of a deal actually make sense? Follow me here for a second ...
Jared Allen's contract calls for him to be paid $11.62 Million next season ... BUT, coupled with his bonuses he's scheduled to count a whopping $17 million against the Vikings Cap. That's an astronomical figure. In addition, Allen was scheduled to have shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Being that he's going to be 31 when the season opens next year, and the Vikings clearly have other holes they need to fill, they might actually consider the idea of moving him if some team comes knocking with reasonable deal. Additionally, he's in the last year of his deal, so the Vikings are at a bit of a crossroads with his anyway. If Minnesota is honestly looking to offload Allen, a deal involving Flynn going to them might make some sense for both the Vikings and the Seahawks.
If you at all watched Ponder this year and saw the mighty Joe Webb against the Packers, you know that Minnesota clearly is in need of an upgrade at QB. Given where they're drafting (the 23rd Pick in this year's draft) it's highly unlikely they're going to be able to get a legitimate one there. Moving up in the draft to get a Barkley or Gino Smith will be expensive for them ... and there aren't a whole ton of really good options out there in free agency or in the trade market from what I can see other than Flynn. Flynn would cost them $7,250,000 against the Cap next year ... and $8,250,000 against the Cap in 2014 (fairly reasonable IF they view him as a guy who could start over Ponder [I believe he'd win in an open competition].) If Seattle actually sent them a draft pick (say a 3rd or 4th Rounder) along with Flynn ... that scenario could be fairly attractive to the Vikings. From their standpoint, they'd be saving money (which they could use elsewhere in strengthening their team), getting a potential starting QB, and a high enough draft pick that they could use to bring in another young quality player.
From Seattle's standpoint, IF the medical reports look good, Allen is a player that could significantly improve the pass rush. As it stands right now, the Seahawks have $18.6 Million under the cap. Even taking on Allen's deal as-is, Seattle would still have around $8.85 under the cap, as they would re-coup that cap number that they'd otherwise be spending on Flynn. That's still enough room to work on other areas that need improvement on this team ... to say nothing about the draft.
Personality-wise, Jared Allen is exactly the type of relentless hard-nosed player that Pete Carroll and John Schneider crave, and his mentality fits in beautifully with the rest of that Seahawks Defense. Additionally, Allen himself may find the Seahawks situation to his liking and realistically could want to sign an extension to stay beyond next season. Right now, the Seahawks look to be as good a Super Bowl contender as anyone. Also, with Darrell Bevell and Sidney Rice, the Minnesota connection is there. Lastly, Allen played for Idaho State University, so he's got some ties to the Pacific Northwest. So the Hawks could theoretically have themselves an impact player for the next 2-3 years. And even if Seattle sent the Vikings a draft pick, they probably still would have enough draft capital to add an impact DT, maybe another DE, a Nickel CB, a LB, etc.
So, what do you guys think? If those scenarios were to present themselves, would you like:
1) Osi Umenyiora
2) Jared Allen
3) Some Other FA (Specify Who and Why)
4) None of the Above -- Look for an Impact DE in the Draft.