The House of Blue

NFL Free Agency: Sponsored by the Baltimore Ravens

Well, my 'Hawks have been busy.

Traded this year's 1st and 7th plus next year's 3rd for Percy Harvin, then signed him to a big new deal at 6 years/$67 million. I'm kind of a draft nut so I hate to see them give up draft picks, but they weren't going to be getting a player of his caliber at 25 anyways, so I'm on board with the move. He makes the offense a ton more dynamic and, as long as he stays out of trouble/drama, will be an awesome pairing with Russell Wilson for foreseeable future.

They also picked up Cliff Avril from the Lions to be a fill-in/replacement for Chris Clemons while he recovers from his January ACL tear. Most people had him as one of the top edge rushers in Free Agency and he's coming off a 9.5 sack year under the franchise tag (roughly $10 million). We got him on board for 2 years/$15 million, which is a great deal, IMO. The big concern with him was how much his numbers were aided by Detroit's great DT pair of Suh and Fairley, but its less of an issue in Seattle's scheme, which will keep him single blocked 90% of the time. He's an ideal physical/athletic fit for the Leo position.

Only other move, besides tendering some minor RFA's, was cutting Leon Washington in the post-Harvin trade shakeout. He's still a great return guy (Pro Bowler in '12), but Harvin is also elite in that regard and he was due around $3 million, which is far too much to keep him around as a #3 RB.

Going forward, I'd expect a couple of cuts (Obamanu at WR being the most obvious) and continuing to look for a trade partner for Matt Flynn. They're also still in the market for a 3 tech DT and possibly a WLB and DB depth.

It's a good time to be a Seahawks fan though. Finally.

I was hoping someone would be a Seattle fan. Love what you guys are doing. Really going for it all.

It appears that way (and yes I was being kind). Boldin was a big, big loss. Ellerbe leaves a gaping hole in the middle, and Kruger was a great pass rusher. If, IF, they can get Reed back, that would be huge (obvious), seeing as how they also cut Pollard.

I am still not sold on the whole Flacco deal. I know you had to reward the guy, and frankly, he was lights out in the playoffs. But is Joe Flacco elite? I'm not buying it.

I'm just hoping the Bengals can make a few savvy moves (not holding my breath). The division is opening up for us.

Kruger is not that great. I donot blame Baltimore for letting him go at that price. The guy is not an elite pass rusher. The Bengals want make any flashy moves I think they are content to draft well and sign there best players they develope themselves. I wish we could get some more weapons for Dalton but it will be in the draft. Maybe Beanie wells but he has been a relative bust so far.

Would not be happy with Beanie. Waste of cash. I do like that we may go after Mike Goodson.
Ted Ginn visited. Not sure exactly where he fits outside of special teams, but for the right price....
Was hoping for a safety, but that appears to not be happening. Just hope we sign Andre back. Hated to lose Pat Sims and Manny Lawson.

Nice thread. However, being a Packers fan it is mostly a mute point for me since they tend to shy away from FA like the plague. Love to see us get a bigtime OT or cornerback or RB. But highly doubtful.

That has to be unbelievably frustrating as a Bengals fan.

According to a couple different places, they're sitting at roughly $35 million under the cap, and have not been a factor at all with any of the tier one free agents. Not that its a great crop this year, but they could have certainly filled some needs. Still a long way to go this offseason, but if I was a Bengals fan, I'd be restless.

Am I right that Mike Brown is the both the Team President and Acting GM?

If Alex Smith can be post-Singletary Alex Smith then the Chiefs will make the playoffs this season...other than QB their team was pretty good.

Could be the second year in a row that a team goes from #1 pick to postseason.

There is a reason that KC used their resources on re-signing their own players: Eric Berry, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, Tyson Jackson, Brandon Albert, Glen Dorsey, Javier Arenas. I mean, are you kidding me? Those are all young, talented players.

As a Browns fan, it killed me to see the Colts go from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck. Meanwhile, Cleveland is going through a quarterback every two years.

As far as Flacco goes, everyone was wondering if Flacco was the right guy to lead that team mid-season. He runs off about eight to ten good games and all of a sudden is making the most money in the league. The contract was way too much in my opinion, but that's where the NFL is now. If the Ravens hadn't given it to him, then another team (the Browns) would have.

Glenn Dorsey signed with the 49ers.

also about the Broncos. i get asking Dumervil to take a pay cut from his $12 million due next season. he did restructured for $8 million and stayed with the Broncos. a smart move for him.

but i guess i don't get why they didn't even attempt to squeeze $1-2 million out of Peyton. is he untouchable, the monster pile of $20 million he is due?

just seems odd that's all. i would think if they asked Dumervil to do it for the betterment of the team whats wrong with asking your franchise QB to tighten the belt a little for the betterment of the team.

You're right. I missed that one.