therealjohncarlson wrote:So poor Hugo Chavez passes and this is all you chumps want to talk about?

You have GOT to be kidding me!!! Hugo Chavez shhmavez, a TE that stands 6 foot tall and weighs 7,280 lbs is really BIG news.
I can see it now, RW throws a pass to some wrinkle, and the O=Line rolls him down field for the score

oasis wrote:Dunno. He won my heart over really fast.

Yeah, but the word is out that you are "easy"

Happypuppy wrote:Interesting... If the Kings do move North and become the Sonics I would not mind seeing a scrimmage with the Seahawks..I wonder if Wilson can handle a B-ball at point? :;

Probably. I heard about a million times last offseason how Wilson is the ultimate point guard quarterback.

Gotta Love this team and FO.
Darren's signing is just another latest in the High risk=High rewards moves. He looks a big strong player who catches balls above the rim. This guy increases our height and toughness on offense immediately but will benefit from playing next to our pro-bowl TE Miller.
I drool at the thought of our two tight end sets featuring sure-handed Miller and the 6-7 athletic freak Fells.

By the way RW did play basketball in highschool. I can see many lobs from RW to Fells both on grass and hardwood

This is why I love our front office. Everyone is studying up for the draft, and we are finding guys that play basketball in Argentina. The crazy thing is that we have hit several home runs with this plan. They know exactly what skill they need and go get it. Even if it's not the prototypical skill set, they find something and a way to utilize it. It's a page out of the Major League featuring Charlie Sheen and Tom Beringer play book.

Russ Willstrong wrote:Gotta Love this team and FO.
Darren's signing is just another latest in the High risk=High rewards moves. He looks a big strong player who catches balls above the rim. This guy increases our height and toughness on offense immediately but will benefit from playing next to our pro-bowl TE Miller.
I drool at the thought of our two tight end sets featuring sure-handed Miller and the 6-7 athletic freak Fells.

By the way RW did play basketball in highschool. I can see many lobs from RW to Fells both on grass and hardwood

How is signing a player cheap like this high risk?

rainger wrote:Just another amazing example how PC/JS find talent that so many others dont because the others are locked into their dogma.

I bet he turns into a great TE.

In BBall he has to find seperation and have good hands.

This FO is amazing at finding the talent in the world that is going to make them great for years and years.

Don't forget about his clairvoyant powers...

I seeee........I see a big TE.........playing hoops......in Argentina....PETE GET THE HAWKWING READY!

therealjohncarlson wrote:

Russ Willstrong wrote:Gotta Love this team and FO.
Darren's signing is just another latest in the High risk=High rewards moves. He looks a big strong player who catches balls above the rim. This guy increases our height and toughness on offense immediately but will benefit from playing next to our pro-bowl TE Miller.
I drool at the thought of our two tight end sets featuring sure-handed Miller and the 6-7 athletic freak Fells.

By the way RW did play basketball in highschool. I can see many lobs from RW to Fells both on grass and hardwood

How is signing a player cheap like this high risk?

Pretty sure he meant LOW risk/high reward...

He's got 3 years to make an impression so other possibilities for this signing include: Fells as a 6-7 280 lbs TE/OT. Simply convert him to a DE if he's as quick and strong as he looks. Or simply hike the ball to RW who jumps onto Fells shoulders immediately increasing his height to roughly 10 feet at QB.

No details on the monetary value of his contract yet but giving a guy 3-year contract without an official workout, exam AND for someone who has never played football beyond highschool? His contract may be small but he is nevertheless a project that could take away opportunities from proven FA out there. But you guys are right.. This risk is very calculated and not that high of a risk.

Russ Willstrong wrote:He's got 3 years to make an impression so other possibilities for this signing include: Fells as a 6-7 280 lbs TE/OT. Simply convert him to a DE if he's as quick and strong as he looks. Or simply hike the ball to RW who jumps onto Fells shoulders immediately increasing his height to roughly 10 feet at QB.

Kiper will point out he's still actually 9' 11 3/4".

Super Bowl!

Russ Willstrong wrote:Gotta Love this team and FO.
Darren's signing is just another latest in the High risk=High rewards moves. He looks a big strong player who catches balls above the rim. This guy increases our height and toughness on offense immediately but will benefit from playing next to our pro-bowl TE Miller.
I drool at the thought of our two tight end sets featuring sure-handed Miller and the 6-7 athletic freak Fells.

By the way RW did play basketball in highschool. I can see many lobs from RW to Fells both on grass and hardwood

I think you mean low risk/high reward.

Not sure why, but I dig this signing. I just do, even though I realize its a longshot and I know NOTHING of the dude. I dont even know his hoops game.

WTF? Its going to be a LONG offseason.

Konz 2.0?

dunceface wrote:

rainger wrote:Just another amazing example how PC/JS find talent that so many others dont because the others are locked into their dogma.

I bet he turns into a great TE.

In BBall he has to find seperation and have good hands.

This FO is amazing at finding the talent in the world that is going to make them great for years and years.

Don't forget about his clairvoyant powers...

I seeee........I see a big TE.........playing hoops......in Argentina....PETE GET THE HAWKWING READY!

More like "Plug your ears, this one's gonna be loud!"

SalishHawkFan wrote:

Russ Willstrong wrote:He's got 3 years to make an impression so other possibilities for this signing include: Fells as a 6-7 280 lbs TE/OT. Simply convert him to a DE if he's as quick and strong as he looks. Or simply hike the ball to RW who jumps onto Fells shoulders immediately increasing his height to roughly 10 feet at QB.

Kiper will point out he's still actually 9' 11 3/4".

Uh, you mean 9' 11" and 6/8...right?

If he has trouble catching the ball we could always convert him over to CB.

Well my hunch we plan on targeting a TE early could be effected by this. But I think this only provesthe fact they are wanting to upgrade our offense with some large targets. 6'3+ WR's 6'6+ TE's and give Wilson some more weapons.

ivotuk wrote:

dunceface wrote:

rainger wrote:Just another amazing example how PC/JS find talent that so many others dont because the others are locked into their dogma.

I bet he turns into a great TE.

In BBall he has to find seperation and have good hands.

This FO is amazing at finding the talent in the world that is going to make them great for years and years.

Don't forget about his clairvoyant powers...

I seeee........I see a big TE.........playing hoops......in Argentina....PETE GET THE HAWKWING READY!

More like "Plug your ears, this one's gonna be loud!"

Fart joke? I approve.

he's another Brandon Browner.

Axx wrote:he's another Brandon Browner.

hmm....

Browner CB---Fells TE
Browner CFL----Fells Basketball
Browner proven CFL-Fells only some football experience

but i know what you ment, and he could be another diamond in the rough.

Our best power forward since Collison. Maybe even Kemp

dunceface wrote:

ivotuk wrote:

More like "Plug your ears, this one's gonna be loud!"

Fart joke? I approve.[/quote]

Ahhh! You got me! Juvenile sense of humor I have.

Meet your Super Bowl MVP!

I bet he will get selected to a pro bowl this coming season.

HagFaithful wrote:Konz 2.0?

Hey, lay off Konz already!! 2013 is going to be Jameson Konz year! Or at least maybe 2014. Bet you're the first to jump on his bandwagon when he becomes Bosworth 2.0. Well, Bosworth was actually pretty good for a few weeks here and there before his body totally failed him; NFC defensive player of the week after stripping a Bears RB and running it in for the score.

Anyway back to Fells... impressive athlete in the video from his hoops. Anthony McCoy, watch your back. Cameron Morrah, get healthy and improve your blocking, and/or learn to play Leo.

You know, if Schneider is really looking for ex-hoopsters, I understand that Robert Swift is looking for a job ...

I'm sure Pete's got file cabinets full of notes on high school talent from his years at SC... and with SC they could just skim the cream off the top leaving a lot of that talent on the table, especially local talent, but it doesn't mean he wasn't personally aware of some kid out there that was raising eyebrows in high school... and PC's still not too far out from those days where some of those athletes are still viable options to take a look at and say "where are they now, I wonder what ever happened to that kid"... it's due diligence and it's smart, and it's outside the box... and it's what could win championships.

Of course that could be not at all what happened in this case, but it's a possible scenario I can see happening with this FO.

Russ Willstrong wrote:No details on the monetary value of his contract yet but giving a guy 3-year contract without an official workout, exam AND for someone who has never played football beyond highschool? His contract may be small but he is nevertheless a project that could take away opportunities from proven FA out there. But you guys are right.. This risk is very calculated and not that high of a risk.

He was signed to a futures contract, which are automatically three-year deals. I believe they are league minimum salary without guaranteed money, but I could be wrong. You realize that there are some 90+ players who sign contracts with the team by training camp each year, before the roster is reduced to 53 with an 8-man practice squad?

Do you know that he wasn't given an official workout or exam? Were you at the VMAC? Antonio Gates didn't play football in college either. Jimmy Graham played for only one season. I'm glad John Schneider and Pete Carroll aren't that narrow-minded, or else we probably wouldn't have signed Brandon Browner or drafted Russell Wilson.

This is the epitome of a low-risk/high-reward signing that will not in any way "take away opportunities from proven FA".

At least we don't have to worry about him embarrassing himself after a TD.

BattleOfSeattle wrote:

Russ Willstrong wrote:No details on the monetary value of his contract yet but giving a guy 3-year contract without an official workout, exam AND for someone who has never played football beyond highschool? His contract may be small but he is nevertheless a project that could take away opportunities from proven FA out there. But you guys are right.. This risk is very calculated and not that high of a risk.

He was signed to a futures contract, which are automatically three-year deals. I believe they are league minimum salary without guaranteed money, but I could be wrong. You realize that there are some 90+ players who sign contracts with the team by training camp each year, before the roster is reduced to 53 with an 8-man practice squad?

Do you know that he wasn't given an official workout or exam? Were you at the VMAC? Antonio Gates didn't play football in college either. Jimmy Graham played for only one season. I'm glad John Schneider and Pete Carroll aren't that narrow-minded, or else we probably wouldn't have signed Brandon Browner or drafted Russell Wilson.

This is the epitome of a low-risk/high-reward signing that will not in any way "take away opportunities from proven FA".

More like take away opportunities from a 3rd Punter. Lots of camp roster spots. The later round, random and UDFA signings of this FO are more fun to follow.

JesterHawk wrote:At least we don't have to worry about him embarrassing himself after a TD.

Now we have a guy who is able to dunk the crossbar with authority. But to avoid getting cut, he'll need to master Lesson #1: It's OK to "travel" with the football. Do not dribble.

It's great to see them bringing in all kinds of players to compete in camp. Hopefully he turns out to be a stud tight end!

I have thought this before, that PC had his eyes on a ton of kids he would potentially recruit at USC. Ones he didn't have room for but saw talent.

I just don't doubt anything these guys do anymore. They give players a chance to prove themselves and if they can perform, they play. They look everywhere for players. They are not risking anything and obviously see something in the guy.

Missing_Clink wrote:My God...actual news...I don't remember what to do

Don't worry you've contributed nothing so it must be instinctual.

6'7" height, long arms, basketball player used to dunking and going up for rebounds...I can see this guy as an awesome chains-mover. He should be able to out-leap and out-reach anybody on the opposing defense. I wonder what his speed is, although you don't need GREAT separation if you can just pluck the ball out of the air over defenders. Plus at 280 lbs he can probably take hits pretty well coming down with the football, weighs more than LBs and some DL.

By Jove, I know exactly what's going down now!!!
I'm amazed that nobody else caught this, but I think that JS and PC have come up with the solution to Wilson's passes that are too high for our Receivers to go up and catch!
Problem solved
Now if you'll excuse me, my wife has just brought me my pills, vodka, and weed.

Does this eliminate TE as a draft need then?

bubbrubb wrote:Does this eliminate TE as a draft need then?

lol... no this guy is your project's project. If he ever sees the field it likely wont be for a couple years. He hasnt played tackle football in 7 years

I suspect the will try to rework Zacks contract. They may look at the kid with the Titans if he is not willing. It's not a priority position for the team IMO. This fellow sounds interesting they signed.

therealjohncarlson wrote:

bubbrubb wrote:Does this eliminate TE as a draft need then?

lol... no this guy is your project's project. If he ever sees the field it likely wont be for a couple years. He hasnt played tackle football in 7 years

+1. Signing him before other teams could see him work out indicates the coaches saw plenty of ability, but he's no different than Jameson Konz until he proves otherwise.

Seahawk Sailor wrote:Sweet.

And WOW! Dude is big.

Hey, keep that trout in your trousers!

Sorry to resurrect a thread but I thought this was interesting (but not necessarily worthy of it's own thread).

The Seahawks initially worked out TE Darren Fells as a defensive end last week.
Seattle wasn't impressed with him at the position, so they had him run routes. They obviously liked what they saw out of the 6-foot-7, 280-pound mountain of a man, and are reportedly anxious to get him in pads. Fells, however, faces long odds, but coach Pete Carroll has never shied from a project.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8472/darren-fells

This sheds a bit of light on the type of DE they are looking for. Fells certainly doesn't fit the Leo type lol. Maybe Pete is confident in who he already has? Or maybe they are looking for 2 DE's? You start counting the rosters spots though and we don't have a ton of room on the D-line. Especially if guys are 1 dimensional.

Happypuppy wrote:I suspect the will try to rework Zacks contract. They may look at the kid with the Titans if he is not willing. It's not a priority position for the team IMO. This fellow sounds interesting they signed.

The kid from the Titans is Jared Cook and he was lobbying to be designated as a WR if the Titans were going to franchise him. There won't be much savings there over Zach if the FO decides to go that direction. He's looking to get paid.

I just hope the dude can catch the ball and run good routes if he can do those than the running and body control (box out players for jump balls) in b ball could translate to the nfl oh an almost forgot he needs to be able to take some hits and not be gun shy when coming over the middle he is a TE.

Trying to find another one of these, are we?

SeahawksFanForever wrote:That awkward moment when you don't know how to react after hearing the news that your favorite football team is signing basketball players.

I know that feels dude...

oasis wrote:former basketball players like gates and graham had at least one year of college football (I think).

The reason why we signed him for 3 years is because we wanted to teach him how to play football/be a tight end for the first part of the contract.

This is correct; and LOL at the second line.

Hawkscanner wrote:Can we hope that he's going to work out for us as well as this former baskeball player turned TE? [Tongue in Cheek]

I'd still rather mine's...

Has to be tough to play T-End. Is he tough? Can he bounce back after getting hit by Palomalu?

This guy could get open with the double team on Percy Harvin... :-)

This guy could get open with the double team on Percy Harvin... :-)