Coming Soon to Seahawks Draft Blog...

Over the next few weeks we'll be previewing the 2009 NFL season with a cluster of Seahawks related articles. We'll be taking a closer look at what influence the rookies could have, review the key training camp battles and look at some of the changes brought to the team by Mora and his new coaching staff.

We're also looking ahead to the new college football season. Interest will be higher than ever with the Seahawks owning two first round picks in 2010, we'll be looking at the prospects to keep an eye on this year.

Don't forget if you want to have your say, email me at rob@seahawksdraftblog.com

I'll post the best email on the blog.

Return from Africa

I'm back from vacation and had an excellent time travelling around North Africa. The heat was intense, I've never been anywhere so humid. The favored music in Morocco appears to be 'My Humps' by the Black Eyed Peas and beer was (unfortunately) incredibly expensive.

Still, it was great to travel round the Souks in Marrakesh trying to strike a bargain with the many sellers. The food is unique, every kind of meat dish seemed to be sugar sweet. I noticed a Baltimore Ravens T-Shirt amongst the many bodies on a busy Saturday night in Djeema El Fna, but alas no Seahawks merchandise (which is rare, having met Seahawks fans previously in New York, Edinburgh and London).

It was also my birthday yesterday, and I'm now officially in my 'mid 20's' having struck 25. It doesn't seem that long ago that I moved to Vancouver and discovered a certain football team, how time flies.

Whilst I was away, the Seahawks agreed terms with rookie tight end Cameron Morrah. Numbers haven't been disclosed, but all three 7th round compensatory picks and 6th round QB Mike Teel have signed up. This leaves Aaron Curry, Max Unger and Deon Butler the three remaining unsigned rookies. Training camp begins on August 3rd.

Gone fishing!

Just a quick heads up to let you know I'll be on vacation from the 16th June-22nd June. I'm travelling to Marrakech in North Africa with some friends for a short trip. We're going to see what Morocco's most vibrant city has to offer, go for a hike in the Atlas mountains and hopefully survive the blistering temperatures forecast.

I can still be contacted via email at rob@seahawksdraftblog.com but there won't be any updates unless something major happens between now and next week.

Take care!

Seahawks team needs for 2010

CBS Sportsline has published an early list of team needs for the 2010 draft. The list will be updated every month and is very likely to change over the course of the season.

For example, this time last year how many people would have predicted the Seahawks would take a linebacker fourth overall with Peterson, Tatupu and Hill on the roster?

Seattle's biggest needs are currently listed as quarterback, running back and offensive guard. Let's look at how the 2009 season could influence these choices.

Quarterback
Should Matt Hasselbeck have an injury-free season and return to 2007 form, it'll ease many questions about his long term future with the Seahawks. It would give the team time to groom Mike Teel as a potential successor with Seneca Wallace are more than capable back-up.

However, another season of back problems and missed time for Hasselbeck will likely increase pressure on the team to find a young replacement. With two first round picks next year, the Seahawks have the fire power to make a move for a franchise QB.

Running back
The newly installed zone blocking scheme should create the perfect platform for Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. Not the most highly rated tandem in the NFL, as proven in Denver the ZBS can be productive without big names carrying the rock.

Greg Knapp has previously developed solid running games in San Francisco, Atlanta and Oakland. Putting all this together means no excuses for the Seahawks runners in 2009 - they have to prove their worth or the team will look for replacements.

I'm not anticipating a cluster of big names in the 2010 draft at RB (certainly not in the McFadden, Stewart, Moreno and Wells variety). However, keep an eye on Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer.

Offensive guard
With Rob Sims and Chris Spencer both entering a contract year, this could be a big area of need in 2010. The best case scenario is both stay healthy and perform, enabling the Seahawks to use Max Unger creatively. If Sims and Spencer were to be re-signed, the team would have a stable of interior lineman from which to build.

The worst case scenario is another year of health problems and struggles. If Spencer is released, Unger will almost certainly be viewed as the teams long term solution at center. Can the team rely on Wahle, Sims and Wrotto? This really could go either way.

Other potential needs
Strangely, outside linebacker is given a 'need rating' equal to that of offensive tackle and defensive line. Surely the Seahawks are set at OLB since the long term re-signing of Leroy Hill and the drafting of Aaron Curry?

I still believe you can never have enough talented defensive lineman. It's early, but 2010 could be a good draft for D-liners. With Patrick Kerney in his 30's, Cory Redding playing on a one year deal and Darryl Tapp in a contract year - this could be an area of need come next year.

Another position that could be a bigger need by the end of the year if offensive tackle. Seattle has shown faith in the healthy of Walter Jones and the potential of Sean Locklear by not drafting a top OT this year. Should Jones suffer a setback to his injured knee, they may review the situation again - especially if Locklear fails to convince as a replacement left tackle.

Tebow top senior?

NFL.com Gil Brandt has published an early review of the top senior quarterbacks in 2009, with Tim Tebow topping the list.

There's a lot of debate surrounding Florida's 6'3" signal caller. Some question his mechanics, throwing action and accuracy and suggest he'll change position in the NFL. Others believe his determination, leadership and obvious football talent will overcome any other question marks.

Tebow will be a third-year starter in 2009. He has thrown 67 touchdown passes and only 11 interceptions in the past three years. He will have a new quarterback coach this year, Scott Loeffler, who came from the NFL. Tebow should be a top-10 pick in the 2010 draft.

-Gil Brandt

Can he make it into the top 10? I have no doubts that Tebow will have another productive season for the Gators. However, we'll have a lot of tape on the guy by the end of this year. There's already questions as we've raised here - will this be enough to put off a team willing to spend the big money that comes with a top 10 choice?

I have no insider information on the Seahawks' impression of Tebow. Even so, you have to admit he does sound like your typical Ruskell pick. Big school, big production, big character who stayed in school. This is likely a story for another day...

Personally I'll be keeping a close eye on Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead. If he declares, he's my early tip to make a challenge to go first overall next year, or at least the first quarterback off the board.

Mark Sanchez is a happy man

The New York Jets agreed terms with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez today, signing the former USC Trojan to a 5-year $50m contract. The deal includes $28m in guarantees.

I think this is interesting for two reasons.

Firstly, the deal is seemingly lower than the one Matt Ryan earned from the Atlanta Falcons last year. Drafted just two places higher than Sanchez, Ryan signed a 6-year $72m contract with $34.75m in guarantees.

The incentives in Sanchez's contract, according to his agent David Dunn, could lead to an extra $10m eventually. Even still, I would have thought the deal would have been more comparable to Ryan's and it's a sign of Sanchez's determination to be ready for training camp as opposed to holding out for perhaps a better deal.

Secondly, it also sets something of a stand point for Seattle's negotiations with Aaron Curry. Last year's 4th overall pick (Darren McFadden) earned a 6-year $60m contract with $26m in guarantees.

Using that fact and the deal Sanchez has signed this week, we can get more of an idea has to what exactly Curry may earn.

Chris Sullivan at Seahawk Addicts thinks Chris Long's contract with the Rams last year is a likely comparison. He signed a 6-year $56.5m contract with $29m in guarantees. This seems a very fair suggestion.

Aaron Curry meet Ken Griffey Jr...

Aaron Curry recently threw the first pitch at Safeco and had a chance to meet some other 'high profile' sports stars in Seattle.

It's good to see that Curry is definitely buying into being a presence in Seattle. Don't forget he's scheduled to be present at the second annual Bobby Engram Foundation Celebrity Softball Game at Cheney Stadium on June 13th. For more information and tickets, click here.

If you want to keep up with Seattle's #1 draft pick don't forget to log on and check out his facebook page for all the latest news.

Teel, Reed agree to deals

Following on swiftly from Courtney Greene signing a contract this week, Mike Teel and Nick Reed became the latest rookies to agree terms with the Seahawks.

Teel, a sixth round quarterback from Rutgers, has inked an undisclosed four-year deal. Considered a project with a big arm and a impressive attitude, it's likely he'll be kept as the team's third QB in 2009. Jeff Rowe, who joined the team at the end of the 2009 season, will compete with Teel. The rookie has an obvious edge however, considering the team spent a draft pick to get him.

Reed is an under sized defensive lineman who was taken in the seventh round. He made up for a lack of size at Oregon with big performances, earning numerous awards in a decorated college career. He also agreed to a four year deal, with Danny O'Neil reporting he'll get a $41,500 signing bonus.

The rookies yet to sign are Aaron Curry (4th overall), Max Unger (49th overall), Deon Butler (91st overall) and Cameron Morrah (248th overall).

Matt Hasselbeck on NFL.com

Matt Hasselbeck recently gave Brian Baldinger a tour of the new facility at Renton and he's certainly in good form. You can check the NFL.com video by clicking here.