Another OL gone

[Grand Strand Hawk Fan]

Bummer. But it's ALL teams that missed out on signing him, not just the Hawks. Exactly why I just don't let myself freak out every time someone signs a deal somewhere else. It's not always cut and dry "Why didn't we do that, John Schneider sucks!"

Sometimes, a guy just wants to go where a guy wants to go. That's the whole benefit of being a free agent. As in free to choose where you go.
We don't know if or how much was offered. Some guys choose to play closer to home, others want to go to a contender, others it's all about highest bidder.

That all being said, I'll make up my popcorn, this is gonna' be good.

/sarcasm

It's very true. Veterans typically do not want to go to a rebuild.

 

[James in PA]

Every year, I hear the same shit from the Kool-Aid drinkers, "Oh, that would've been a massive overpay. I'm glad we didn't do that!" and every year we're watching OTHER teams play in the NFCCG. When are John's smart, frugal decisions going to payoff? Sometimes you have to overpay, especially at positions like O line.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Fair enough, but This is dot net. If they gave him that contract, coming off an injury, plenty of people would have complained. Overpay blah blah blah.
So, because some of us don't freak out after every signing, we're somehow "Kool-Aid drinkers"

Got it

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

We need to get a lineman today. No excuses, we have the cap space.

 

[OneLofaTatupu]

Fair enough, but This is dot net. If they gave him that contract, coming off an injury, plenty of people would have complained. Overpay blah blah blah.
So, because some of us don't freak out after every signing, we're somehow "Kool-Aid drinkers"

Got it

We would complain either way. It’s in our DNA

It’s silly to get all up in the feels over shit we can’t control. Totally silly.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Yep. And that's fine. Nice to see that someone can just admit it and/or acknowledge it.

That being said, if they would have signed Erin? I'd make Pitt look like the most positive poster of all time.
It was never going to happen, but damn.............what a scary though. Puke.

 

[Scout]

Not sure If want that contract but, I’m beginning to think that Seattle is becoming a ‘less than desirable’ place for players.

We’ve really mishandled some situations (such as Wagz being released).

QB wanted out. WR wanted out.

We’ll see what JS and MM have up their sleeves.

The Steelers, Ravens and Bucs have no problem handing second contracts to homegrown players. That is how you build continuity and not rely on free agents so much over the long haul.

 

[Scout]

Every year, I hear the same shit from the Kool-Aid drinkers, "Oh, that would've been a massive overpay. I'm glad we didn't do that!" and every year we're watching OTHER teams play in the NFCCG. When are John's smart, frugal decisions going to payoff? Sometimes you have to overpay, especially at positions like O line.

Yeah on paper the Bears, Vikings, and Cowboys are making moves to improve their trenches.

 

[SeaWolv]

Fries to Minnesota.

That one hurts. Need massive improvement from Haynes and Olu this year.

Rookie incoming early but was really hoping we were not locked into one with first two picks.

What about Mekhi Becton and Teven Jenkins? Not top tier options but may still be viable.

 

[GemCity]

The Steelers, Ravens and Bucs have no problem handing second contracts to homegrown players. That is how you build continuity and not rely on free agents so much over the long haul.

Do you share the fear that we’ll grab some aging, past their prime FAs?

We’ve seen it time and time again….

Fries is who I wanted. I know a lot of other teams did as well.

We can’t improve by signing past-their-prime FAs. This team isn’t close to being a playoff contender. We need to build the trenches…but I feel like JS will be more interested in a guy like Cupp. Not judging him…he can still play.

But if we sign a guy like him to a big $$$ contract instead of building the trenches with quality linemen such as Fries, I might have to focus on the Bengals (my ‘home’/AFC team) until JS leaves the building.

The lack of desire/focus to be nasty up front is very evident.

**Edit** not saying Fries is past his prime…far from it. Just rambling here.

 

[GemCity]

Every year, I hear the same shit from the Kool-Aid drinkers, "Oh, that would've been a massive overpay. I'm glad we didn't do that!" and every year we're watching OTHER teams play in the NFCCG. When are John's smart, frugal decisions going to payoff? Sometimes you have to overpay, especially at positions like O line.

 

[Scout]

Do you share the fear that we’ll grab some aging, past their prime FAs?

We’ve seen it time and time again….

Fries is who I wanted. I know a lot of other teams did as well.

We can’t improve by signing past-their-prime FAs. This team isn’t close to being a playoff contender. We need to build the trenches…but I feel like JS will be more interested in a guy like Cupp. Not judging him…he can still play.

But if we sign a guy like him to a big $$$ contract instead of building the trenches with quality linemen such as Fries, I might have to focus on the Bengals (my ‘home’/AFC team) until JS leaves the building.

The lack of desire/focus to be nasty up front is very evident.

**Edit** not saying Fries is past his prime…far from it. Just rambling here.

The Hawks have a very young roster overall so adding some blue light special vets isn't a bad thing that can be glue guys for depth and backend of the roster. WR can use a veteran WR to team with the younger players like JSN, Bobo, Young and White.

But yes there is an opportunity cost when using older players to plug into areas for depth when you need clear starters in other areas.

 

[hox]

That Fries contract is an overpay coming off that injury. He had his fair share of penalties as well. Maybe not Bradford level, but still.

Now we're relying on FA scraps, and this upcoming draft class. Except I have no faith in the scouting when it comes to o-line.

Man I hope Christian Haynes is bulking up and doing some bench presses right now.

 

[Shane Falco]

What about Mekhi Becton and Teven Jenkins? Not top tier options but may still be viable.

Absolutely. My preference would be Jenkins. Plug and play at LG where he was already playing. Then add from the draft.

 

[Scout]

Yeah right now Olu, Laumea, Sundell, and Haynes project as C and B level players which is perfectly fine with the scheme change. But that interior OL group is missing an A level player to be the anchor of that group.

Hard to find an A level interior OL in say round 4 and beyond.

 

[Seahawker]

More significant overreaction and men crying like babies and creating drama like teenagers in this thread. JFC grow up.

It would have been an egregious overpay on a guy coming off an injury that you can’t even give a physical to until tomorrow.

I’m all for spending on the OL but that deal is dumb and can backfire so bad it could ruin the entire rest of the off season.

Yeah, I don't blame John for losing out on Fries, I'm sure he was right in the thick of the bidding amongst multiple teams. You can't force a guy to sign, plus the injury issue and that kind of $ for an OG when Cross & Lucas are soon up, might have dodged a bullet.
Just because John lost out on a couple of high priced OG's on day one of free agency is no reason to slam the guy who built a Super Bowl winner and loves this team as much as we do. Yes the IOL was neglected for too long, but I believe JS is going to make upgrades. It just might take a bit, it's early.
John just snagged the #1 QB (and player) in free agency AND got him at a much lower price than anyone expected with team friendly contract details. Also the Jones OL depth signing was big, a lot of insurance there, even if only a year, he's in the building.

Reminder: we still have cap room and the draft & even preseason cutdowns.
I think John knows everything hinges on fixing the IOL, he's finally got the $ & draft picks to do it, give him time.
If he strikes out on the draft I will be the first to call for his head.
Chill & try and enjoy the ride a little, Darnold might move the chains and be good in the red zone.

 

[NoGain]

Well that sucks. Two of the best guards gone, and we still have a bottom-of-the-league O-line. If JS doesn't fix this, he's on the outs with me. If we can't run the ball or protect the QB, where are we?

Stay tuned...see what he dishes up for us. Just don't sell me crap sandwich and tell me it's filet mignon.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Good. As I understand it, the Lombardi is annually awarded to whichever team has the most cap space one month into free agency.

That was my joke. I want $100.

 

[CouchLogic]

 

[MontanaHawk05]

And don't tell me "maybe they just didn't wanna come here." Bull. Money talks.

So Geno clearly didn't want to be here despite getting an offer close to what he wanted, and that's understandable. But that doesn't work with Fries?

And DK wanted a warmer weather contender (which he didn't get, haha) and that's understandable, but not Fries?

Or the countless free agents down through NFL history who have clearly voiced preference that have nothing to do with money?

There's a reason we have "South Alaska" as a catchphrase around here.