Seahawks Draft Pick Of Bruce Irvin Analyzed By Greg Cosell

The Seattle Seahawks made one of the more unconventional pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by taking West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin with their first round pick. Irvin provides more of that speedy and athletic profile that Pete Carroll loves to see from his players. With Seattle likely facing an uphill climb to chase San Francisco in the NFC West, upgrading defense is a priority to make sure they can win in the trenches.

Greg Cosell of NFL.com files this report, and he shows why Irvin fits for what the Seahawks are looking for. Seattle needs to get a better pass rush to beat the best quarterbacks in the league, and Irvin provides that type of talent.

Let’s discuss Irvin the player, and place him in the context of NFL 2012. It could easily be argued based on tape study that Irvin was the most explosive edge pass rusher in the draft. Think about that for a minute. The most important defensive priority in today’s NFL is rushing the quarterback. You can go all the way back to Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh in the 1980s; Walsh, always a step ahead, said that fourth quarter pass rush was the key to winning. His theory has evolved to the point where it encompasses all four quarters. Thus, the Seahawks selected a player with explosive attributes at a premium position.

Talk about Irvin, the NFL Draft and the Seahawks over at Field Gulls with fellow Seattle fans.

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Seahawks Undrafted Free Agents: Rob Rang Singles Out Lavasier Tuinei

Seahawks Bruce Irvin Talks About His Role In West Virginia's Defense

Seahawks 2012 NFL Draft Grades: Analysts Still Not Impressed By Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks made some unorthodox moves in the 2012 NFL Draft, but despite their insistence in having a game plan and sticking to it, the analysts and evaluators feel as though the team seriously underperformed with their selections.

Sports Illustrated has released their complete grades for the 2012 NFL Draft. Here is how the Seahawks fared:

Seattle Seahawks: Oh right, this is how Ingram made it to San Diego — the Seahawks went bonkers and picked Bruce Irvin at 15. Could he develop into a solid pass-rusher? Sure, but this was a spit take-inducing selection. LB Bobby Wagner (47) and RB Robert Turbin (106), both from Utah State, will help, and QB Russell Wilson (74) has a bright future, even if Seattle didn’t really need him. Everything else was … very … blah. Grade: C

The Seahawks will look to prove a lot of analysts wrong in the 2012 season and beyond.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of everything Seattle Seahawks, make sure that you check out Field Gulls as well as SB Nation Seattle.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Seahawks Receive A 'B' For Solid Draft Class

Now that the 2012 NFL draft is finally over, it's time to dissect it each and every way possible, starting with some overall draft grades, provided by SB Nation's very own Ryan Van Bibber.

No one in the NFC west got an outstanding mark aside from the St. Louis Rams, though the Seahawks were right behind them, getting stamped with a B for this year's draft class.

Here is Van Bibber with the commentary:

It will be interesting to see what becomes of Bruce Irvin. He has talent, and I tend to underwrite character issues a little because, well, twentysomethings sometimes act stupid. Seattle's 2012 draft class will be judged by Irving. With Russell Wilson, the Seahawks may be trying to sew together a trio of iffy quarterbacks into a great one. How'd that work for Frankenstein?

The Bobby Wagner pick is a solid. Robert Turbin fits well behind Marshawn Lynch.

The Seahawks still seem to have a gigantic question mark at the quarterback position, but still drafted well for things that they needed, picking up solid talent for the future, though could have some impact this season.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of everything Seattle Seahawks, make sure that you check out Field Gulls as well as SB Nation Seattle.

NFL Draft Grades: How Did The Seattle Seahawks Do? What Are Experts Saying?

Grades are in, and the Seahawks' draft is earning mixed reviews.

NFL Draft Grades 2012: Seahawks Picks Don't Impress Analysts

The Seattle Seahawks made plenty of unorthodox moves at the 2012 NFL Draft, but nothing that seemed like it could have been called an outright mistake. The analysts don't seem to agree, however, as many were underwhelmed by the Seahawks' selections over the weekend.

Here is what Rob Rang of CBS Sports had to say:

Seattle Seahawks: C

The Seahawks pulled one of the real shockers of the first round with the selection of passing rushing specialist Bruce Irvin at No. 12 overall. At 6-3, 242 pounds, Irvin is too small to be a traditional 4-3 defensive end but in head coach Pete Carroll's scheme, size isn't as important as speed for the right defensive end (or LEO) position and Irvin certainly has that. Drafting a specialist at No. 15 is a stretch but despite boasting a very good defense on first and second down a year ago, Seattle's lack of pass rush has killed them in recent years. Few will call Irvin's pick a reach a year from now if he ranks among the rookie leaders in sacks. Second round pick Bobby Wagner's versatility and reliable open-field tackling skills could earn him a spot in the starting lineup as a rookie. General manager John Schneider and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell loved Russell Wilson's instincts and ignored concerns about his height to make him another surprising Seahawks' pick in the third round. The more immediate impact will be made by Seattle's pair of fourth round picks -- running back Robert Turbin, whose power, surprising speed and reliable pass-blocking could make him a valuable backup to star Marshawn Lynch and potentially defensive tackle Jaye Howard, who was coached by former Seahawks' defensive line coach Dan Quinn at Florida. Fifth-round project Korey Toomer (Idaho) and former Kentucky standout Winston Guy are also intriguing third-day picks.

Interestingly, Rang's point of view was one of the more positive ones. Vinnie Iver of the Sporting News chimed in with this take:

Seattle Seahawks (D)
Key picks: DE Bruce Irvin, ILB Bobby Wagner.

They went for defensive head-scratchers when more reliable prospects were on the board.

Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star was even less kind:

Seattle Seahawks D-

The selection of Irvin so early was a shocker, but the Seahawks badly needed a pass rusher, and he had 221/2 sacks in 26 college games. Wagner was a head-scratcher despite his strong Senior Bowl performance. The undersized Wilson will get a shot to compete with newcomer Matt Flynn and incumbent Tarvaris Jackson.

The world will have to wait and see whether the Seahawks are geniuses or fools. As in most cases, the final answer will likely be somewhere in the middle.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft. To talk Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

2012 NFL Unsigned Free Agents: Seahawks Reportedly Pick Up 10 More Players

When the 2012 NFL Draft officially wrapped on Saturday, it was really just a prelude to the flurry of activity that came with the rush to sign undrafted free agents. The Seattle Seahawks, along with every other team in the league, scrambled to pick up some additional players from this year's deep talent pool.

Danny Kelly over at Field Gulls was kind enough to round up a list of all the official and rumored UDFA signings.

Official announced list:

- Ohio WR Phillip Bates

- McNeese St CB London Durham

-California (Pa.) G Rishaw Johnson

- Washington WR Jermaine Kearse

- Henderson State TE Sean McGrath

- Montana OT Jon Opperud

- Portland St. DB Deshawn Shead

- Cincinnati DE/LEO Monte Taylor

- Oregon WR Lavasier Tuinei

- Purdue K Carson Wiggs.

Rumored

- Tennessee RB Tauren Poole

- Webber International QB Chris Hart

- Louisiana State FB James Stampley

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Seattle's storystream. For everything about the draft, visit SBNation's dedicated 2012 NFL Draft hub. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

2012 NFL Draft: List Of Seattle Seahawks Selections

The 2012 NFL Draft is in the books. At the least, this draft was exciting for many Seahawks fans. The unpredictability of Seahawks general manager John Schneider showed itself as the Seahawks made surprising picks throughout the draft and went from having six to ten picks due to trades.

Here is a list of each of the Seahawks' selections with a link to the quick write ups done on each:

• Round 1: No. 15 (15 overall) Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia
• Round 2: No. 15 (47) Bobby Wagner, ILB, Utah State
• Round 3: No. 12 (75) Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
• Round 4: No. 11 (106) Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State
• Round 4: No. 19 (114) Jaye Howard, DT, Florida
• Round 5: No. 19 (154) Korey Toomer, ILB, Idaho
• Round 6: No. 2 (172) Jeremy Lane, CB, Northwestern State
• Round 6: No. 11 (181) Winston Guy, DB, Kentucky
• Round 7: No. 18 (225) J.R. Sweezy, DE, N.C. State
• Round 7: No. 25 (232) Greg Scruggs, DE, Louisville

NFL Draft 2012: Seahawks Select Greg Scruggs In The 7th Round

The Seattle Seahawks picked Greg Scruggs, a defensive tackle from Louisville with their final pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Scruggs is a versatile player who can play both defensive tackle and defensive end. The former Louisville Cardinal missed the team's final four games, including the Belk Bowl. Scruggs was arrested for driving under the influence last December and was not allowed to play in the team's final game.

Despite this incident, most consider Scruggs a model football player who performed well both on and off the field.

Here's a scouting report from Pro Football Weekly:

Take-notice workout numbers surfaced at pro day - has a thick, well-proportioned build with very long arms and ran in the 4.7s at 284 pounds, though he could stand to improve his upper-body strength. Has a chance to provide depth, be it inside a 4-3 or as a 3-4 five-technique. However, his tape is less appealing, as he gives effort but does not consistently impact games. Functional strength and athletic ability leave something to be desired and he does not use his hands violently to disengage (marginal pass-rush value).

Greg Scruggs: Louisville Pro Day 2012 (via howielindsey)

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft. To talk Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

NFL Draft 2012: Seahawks Select J.R. Sweezy In The 7th Round

The Seattle Seahawks picked J.R. Sweezy, a defensive tackle from N.C. State, in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft. In his senior season, Sweezy tallied 20 tackles in nine games for the Wolfpack. Sweezy was a productive player for NC State in his four years there. He missed the first four games of his senior season with a broken foot.

According to several reports, the Seahawks plan to convert Sweezy to an offensive guard. Interestingly enough, most scouting reports did not project Sweezy as an offensive guard in the NFL.

Sweezy is a big defensive line prospect who's versatility is the key to his draft value. He could play a 3 tech defensive tackle position within a 4-3, but by the time draft day rolls around, he could have already convinced a 3-4 team to take a shot on him as a defensive end. (NFL.com)

Oh. he can squat 500lbs too:

Boom Herron & J.R. Sweezy Squatting 500+ During Combine Training at Athletes' Performance (via athletesperformance)

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. \ For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft. To talk Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

NFL Draft 2012 Results: More On Seahawks 6th Round Pick Winston Guy

Winston Guy was a jack-of-all-trades at University of Kentucky. He started out at cornerback his freshman year, moved to safety for sophomore and junior years and finally closed out his college career at outside linebacker. He is projected to be a safety in the NFL but also will log some quality minutes at special teams.

He has a solid knowledge of routes and displays intelligence on the field, which makes up for his lack of flexibility in coverage. He has a tendency to do a more wrap-up style of tackling in the open field than just flat out knocking his opponents to the ground, and this can lead to extra yards often.

Guy has some solid speed with a 4.62 40-yard time. He has good straight-line speed that helps that 40-yard time be a bit quicker at times.

Winston Guy - 2012 Draft Tracker - SI.com

Tough run-defending safety who is best between the numbers. Explodes up the field, effectively uses his hands to protect himself and quickly gets to the ballcarrier. Displays a burst to the action, easily changes direction and aggressively lays his shoulder pads into ballcarriers. Works hard in run defense and is fast bearing down on ballcarriers.

He is a versatile defender who should be an asset on the special teams from the get go for the Seahawks. With a change in tackling style he should be seeing time at various defensive positions for the Seahawks.

NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Winston Guy

Guy is an excellent player in run support, makes a lot of plays off the edge and could be an effective sub-package zone blitzer in his pro career. Drag-down tackler, but usually in position and good with pre-snap reads. Seems to have the savvy and athletic ability to start at various positions.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

To talk Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seahawks Select Winston Guy in the 6th Round

With the 11th pick of the 6th round in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks have selected Winston Guy, a safety from University of Kentucky. Guy is a three year starter who put up very solid numbers the past two years: 120 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups his senior year, 106/3/2 his junior year. He is traditional strong safety who can also play some special teams.

Here is more info on Winston Guy from Sports Illustrated.

Tough run-defending safety who is best between the numbers. Explodes up the field, effectively uses his hands to protect himself and quickly gets to the ballcarrier. Displays a burst to the action, easily changes direction and aggressively lays his shoulder pads into ballcarriers. Works hard in run defense and is fast bearing down on ballcarriers.

Seahawks' next pick is the 18th selection of the 7th round, 225th overall. Head over to NFL.com to track every pick as the Draft moves on.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

To talk Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seahawks Select Jeremy Lane In the 6th Round

In the sixth round, the Seahawks drafted cornerback Jeremy Lane from Northwestern State.

NFL Draft 2012: Scouts Break Down Seahawks Running Back Robert Turbin

The Seattle Seahawks added an intriguing running back in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, selecting Robert Turbin out of Utah State. While injury concerns have hampered his development at times, he still managed to rush for 1,517 yards and 19 touchdowns last season with the Aggies. The guys over at National Football Post took a look at some video and provide us with a scouting report on the shifty running back.

Here were a few things they liked that stood out on film:

- Possesses an ideal physical make-up. Is a thick kid with a low center of gravity and natural power/girth through both his upper and lower half.

- Is a powerful/aggressive back who can make himself small, runs behind his pads and can churn out tough yards through contact.

- Has experience running from the gun, running from more typical zone looks and also playing some option football. Isn't just a downhill guy.

- Can catch the football out of the backfield in the screen game. Looks natural when asked to adjust and pluck off his frame.

- Possesses the physical make-up and patience to pick-up blitzing linebackers and hold his own on third down. Takes pride in pass protection.

And while there are certainly things to like about Durbin, there are a few concerns:

- Isn't a real dynamic athlete. Lacks a great first step in all areas of the game and isn't a guy who is going to outpace many angles in the open field. Looks like a 4.6 guy.

- Isn't the most decisive of runners when asked to find a hole quickly at the line of scrimmage. Will slow his feet trying to decipher information and leave some yards on the field.

- Will get lose with the football and let the ball get away from his pad level when he gets into the open field.

There is also the concern of afore mentioned knee injuries, but at the same time, it does mean that he didn't take too much of a beating during his college days. Hopefully the young running back can stay healthy with the Seahawks and create a very dynamic 1-2 punch with Marshawn Lynch.

For complete coverage of the 2012 NFL Draft, check out the SB Nation Seattle StoryStream for continued updates.

NFL Draft 2012 Results: What the Analysts Say About Seahawks 5th Round Pick Korey Toomer

The Seattle Seahawks look to have a love affair with the not very often mentioned Western Athletic Conferece, taking their third player from the WAC so far in the draft. The Seahawks fifth round pick is linebacker Korey Toomer from the Idaho Vandals.

Toomer is from Las Vegas, Nevada and commited to Idaho out of high school but attended junior college first. He played both outside linebacker positions before redshirting in 2010 due to a hand injury. He returned in 2011 in grand fashion, making second all conference team while notching 68 tackles and four sacks. He also was a short yardage back, rushing for 28 yards and 3 TDs on nine carries.

Sports Illustrated said Toomer is a prospect on the rise due to his strong numbers on Idaho's pro day. He ran the 40 in 4.54 seconds and had a 42-inch vertical jump.

Toomer is a prospect whose game is on the rise, but he's a late-boomer who's transitioning his natural athleticism onto the football field. He possesses the size and skill to play on a strong side for a variety of defensive schemes and is a terrific developmental prospect.

The Seahawks were one of four teams that worked out with Toomer on campus, and liked what they saw he could do, according to the NFL.com blog.

Toomer recorded a 42-inch vertical, a 10-foot-10 broad jump, a 4.00-second short shuttle and a 6.87-second three-cone. He also threw the bar up 20 times. Toomer looked very good in his position drills, which were run indoors on brand-new FieldTurf.

Toomer looks to be a solid character kid, and his JC coach Tom Minnick had only flattering things to say about him.

Korey's a kid that can run, he can chase you down. The good thing about Korey is he can cover. He's the type of kid you want in your program. His parents did a great job with him, and he doesn't get into trouble. He's a kid that will be at practice every day and do what you tell him. That's the kind of kid you want to coach.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visitMocking The Draft. To talk Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

NFL Draft 2012 Results: More On Seahawks 4th Round Pick Jaye Howard

Depending on which ranking you are looking at, the Seattle Seahawks ended up with a top 15 ranked DT with their fourth round pick. Jaye Howard was a redshirt senior our of the Florida Gator's system. Weighing in at 301 pounds, he is a big guy who can terrorize the opposing offensive lines. There was a pretty strong depth at defensive tackle this year, which put most analysts picking Howard in the 4^th or 5^th round.

Nationalfootballpost.com says that Howard is best when he gets going initially, otherwise he tends to struggle and get tied up.

A well built defensive tackle with a solid frame and good length for his size. Showcases natural flexibility sitting into his stance. Coils up well and exhibits an explosive first step off the football. Shoots low off the football can gain leverage and showcase some violence with his hands when looking to disengage.

Exhibits the ability though to win with his first step. Possesses the get off burst to threaten gaps off the football, plays low, keeps his pad level down and exhibits the balance to make himself small through tight areas. Is a "plus" one-gap defender.

At the combine, he ran the second quickest 40 yards out of the DT at 4.82 seconds. He has a vertical jump of 27.5 inches, and a broad jump of 106 inches. Howard looks to use his speed to gain the upper hand.

The consistent criticisms about Howard say that if he gets tied up he struggles to get free.

However, is a bit inconsistent as an in-line defender. Can be overwhelmed on contact and will at times get off the ball late. If he doesn't gain leverage initially has a tough time anchoring on contact. Isn't a guy who can handle any type of additional attention as well and was driven to the ground even vs. a single block inside. Needs to get stronger in the lower half and improve his overall ball awareness if he hopes to hold his own at the point at the next level.

Howard looks to be a big, athletic kid with the skillset to be an impact player on the Seahawks, but it will take some hard work and the growth of his game and awareness to become a regular starter.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. To talk Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seahawks Select OLB Korey Toomer With 5th Round pick

A quick recap on the Seahawks 5th round pick, OLB Korey Toomer from University of Idaho.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seahawks Select Jaye Howard With 19th Pick of 4th Round

The Seahawks selected DT Jaye Howard with the 19th pick of the 4th round.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seahawks Select Robert Turbin With 11th Pick of 4th Round

The Seahawks added a talented running back in the fourth round.

NFL Draft 2012 Results: The Upcoming QB Depth Chart Battles

With the offseason pickup of Matt Flynn and the drafting of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are positioning training camp to be a quarterback battle of very large proportions.

NFL Draft 2012 Results: Seahawks Linebacker Depth Chart

Looking at the prospects of Bobby Wagner making it out of Seahawks training camp alive.

NFL Draft 2012 Results: More On Seahawks 3rd Round Pick Russell Wilson

Find out what people are saying about the Seahawks third round pick Russell Wilson.

NFL Draft Results 2012: More On Seahawks 2nd Pick Bobby Wagner

A bit more on what is being said about the Seahawks 2nd round pick Bobby Wagner.

Seahawks Draft Picks 2012: Where Seattle Is Picking

The Seahawks didn’t partake in too much of the madness that left its mark on the first couple of days of the 2012 NFL Draft, although they did swap second round picks with the New York Jets.

The picks made so far:

Round 1 – Pick 15: OLB Bruce Irvin from West Virginia University

Round 2 – Pick 47: ILB Bobby Wagner from Utah State University

Round 3 – Pick 75: Russell Wilson from Wisconsin University

The Seahawks did pick up a few extra draft picks through trades, so barring any last minute swaps (most likely still going to happen), the Seahawks will be taking the stage pretty often today.

Round 4 – Pick 106:

Round 5 – Pick 154 (from NY Jets):

Round 6 – Pick 172 (from Indianapolis Colts through Philadelphia Eagles):

Round 6 – Pick 181:

Round 7 – Pick 225:

Round 7 – Pick 232 (from Denver Broncos through NY Jets):

For more on the NFL Draft, make sure that you check out Mocking the Draft, and SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub. For more on the Seahawks, make you way over to Field Gulls.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seahawks Select Russell Wilson With 75th Pick of 3rd Round

The Seahawks added a talented quarterback in the third round.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seahawks Select Bobby Wagner With 47th Pick of 2nd Round

The Seahawks added another talented linebacker in the second round.

NFL Draft 2012 2nd Round: Seahawks Trade Back with Jets

The Seattle Seahawks moved back in the first round to acquire a few more picks and they have done so once again early in round two. According to numerous reports, the Seahawks have made a trade with the New York Jets. The deal moves the Jets up to the 43rd overall selection and the Seahawks get Nos. 47, 154 in the fifth round and 232 in the seventh round.

With the pick, the Jets selected talented wide receiver Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech. The Seahawks will be selecting shortly.

There are numerous ways the Seahawks could go with their 47th overall pick. After drafting a linebacker in the first round, a wide receiver or defensive lineman could be in the cards.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

VIDEO: Pete Carroll, Paul Allen Answer Fan Questions From Seahawks War Room

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Seahawks Select Amini Silatolu In Second Round

The first round of the 2012 NFL Draft is in the books, though the Seattle Seahawks still have a lot of work to do still as they have six more rounds of picks to be had.

Over at Mocking the Draft, they've released their updated second round mock, projecting what needs each team will look to fill with the next picks. As for the Seahawks, MTD has them going offensive with their second rounder, taking OL Amini Silatolu out of Midwestern State 43rd overall.

Here is MTD's Dan Kadar with the commentary:

The Seahawks may have drafted several offensive linemen of late, but they still need a guard after losing Robert Gallery. Silatolu makes sense, which is why this pick may not happen. Pete Carroll is crazy.

Now I can't comment of whether or not Carroll is or is not senile, but I will say that a talent like Silatolu would be a great addition to their offensive line. The Hawks remain in need of some extra beef up front for both quarterback protection and the run game as well, and Silatolu certainly fits the bill in that regard.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Seattle. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For more discussion and analysis of the Seahawks, head over to Field Gulls. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Seahawks Receive A 'D' For Selecting Bruce Irvin

SB Nation resident NFL guru Joel Thorman went through each and every first round pick of the 2012 NFL Draft with a fine tooth comb, placing an appropriate grade to each selection made by each respective team. In most regards he had some nice things to say about the picks, though there were a few that he couldn't help but giving a poor grade.

Unfortunately one of those teams was the Seattle Seahawks, the only team to receive a grade of 'D- This Is A Stretch', as their pick of Bruce Irvin has caused some to wonder why:

Seahawks: Bruce Irvin had some fans but he was widely viewed as a second round pick. The Seahawks took him 15th overall. A very "Huh?" type of moment.

Only time will tell how this pick shakes out, but it doesn't look incredibly good on paper at the moment. Seahawks fans can only trust the judgement of their franchise's braintrust and hope for the best for Mr. Irvin on their squad.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Seattle. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For more discussion and analysis of the Seahawks, head over to Field Gulls. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

The Upside of Bruce Irvin and Trusting the Front Office

The Seahawks got their man.

NFL Draft 2012: Seattle Seahawks Day Two Targets

Day two of the NFL draft is here. The Seahawks pick at No. 15 of Bruce Irvin surprised many, however the team did address their need of a pass rusher. What positions will the Seahawks be targeting on day two? After picking Irvin with their first round pick, the Seahawks will likely focus on upgrading their offense.

The Seahawks have two picks on Friday, No. 11 in the second round (43rd overall) and No. 12 in the third round (75th overall).

The team has needs at tight end, wide receiver, guard/right offensive tackle and running back.

Here are some names to keep your eye on before the Seahawks make their picks:

Tight End:

• Coby Fleener, Stanford
• Dwayne Allen, Clemson

Bruce Irvin Voices Confidence, Engages With 12th Man On Twitter

NFL Draft 2012: Seven Other Teams Ranked Bruce Irvin In Top 15

NFL Draft 2012: Bruce Irvin's Role In The Seahawks Defense

Some scouting reports list the Seahawks' newest draft pick as an outside linebacker, while other reports list him as a defensive end. And head coach Pete Carroll states Bruce Irvin will be playing LEO for the Seahawks.

What is going on?

In short, Irvin will play the roles of both OLB and DE in his time as a Seahawk. Irvin will have an emphasis on rushing the passer, but still have an ability to drop back in coverage. Being on the left side could mean some conflict with Chris Clemons, the Seahawks' current defensive end on the left side.

Currently, Irvin is being pegged as a specialist and not an every-down player. His ESPN scouting report (insider) states he can be an effective third down pass-rushing specialist at the next level. Carroll and GM John Schneider both think Irvin has the potential to develop into an every-down defensive end.

Here is our own Danny Kelly's take from Field Gulls on Irvin's place in the Seahawks defense:

I'm extremely intrigued about what he can bring to the Seahawks defense on passing downs early on in his career. He probably won't be a three-down player early; there are concerns that he's very raw, that he's unproven in coverage, that he's not a natural linebacker, that he might be weak against the run at a mere 245 pounds - but those concerns can wait.

For more on the NFL Draft, make sure that you check out Mocking the Draft, and SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub. For more on the Seahawks, make you way over to Field Gulls.

NFL Draft 2012: Prospects The Seahawks Passed Up

Time will tell if if the Seahawks made the right decision of picking Bruce Irvin at No. 15 in this year's draft. However, for those who want to play the "what-if" game already, here is a quick summary of some key players that the Seahawks passed up with their first round pick.

Name, position, (actual pick)

• Quinton Coples, DE (No. 16 to New York Jets)-- Several mock drafts projected the Seahawks picking Coples at No. 12. Even after the Seahawks traded down to No. 15, Coples was still on the board. ESPN ranked Coples as the number one defensive end prospect.

• Melvin Ingram, DE (No. 18 to the San Diego Chargers)-- Ingram, like Coples was another popular pick by the Seahawks in several mock drafts. Ingram was a versatile prospect with some experience at defensive tackle in college. The Seahawks drafted Irvin, but many scouts believed both Coples and Ingram were better pass rushers.

• Don'ta Hightower, ILB--Like Coples and Ingram, Hightower was one of the top pass-rushing prospects available at the time of the Seahawks pick. The No. 2 ranked inside linebacker according to ESPN. Hightower is not as fast as Irvin, but is one of the strongest and most powerful players in the draft.

2012 NFL Draft: TV Schedule, Start Time And More

The second day of the 2012 NFL Draft will take place on Friday, live from Radio City Music Hall. The first round on Thursday, apart from the top six picks, was wildly unpredictable. Teams traded up and down in the draft order and the selections made by most teams were almost wholly unexpected, not least of which being the Seattle Seahawks moving down in the order and selecting Bruce Irvin.

The subsequent rounds are liable to be just as unpredictable as the first, if not moreso. Friday will bring with it the second and third rounds, with many of the teams' draft picks to be announced by iconic former members of each franchise.

Time: The second day of the 2012 NFL Draft will begin at 4:00 p.m. PT and will go until 8:30 p.m. PT.

TV: Once again, the event will be simulcast on both ESPN and the NFL Network.

Commentators: On ESPN, Chris Berman will host the desk at Radio City Music Hall, along with analysts Mel Kiper and Jon Gruden. Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen and Suzy Kolber will provide additional reporting.

On the NFL Network, Rich Eisen will be joined by a cadre of network analysts.

Online Coverage: NFL.com will once again carry the NFL Network feed. You can find the live stream coverage of Day 2 here, starting at 3:30 p.m. PT.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft StoryStream throughout the weekend. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft Results 2012: More On Seahawks' 1st Round Pick Bruce Irvin

The Seattle Seahawks traded down in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday, swapping with the Philadelphia Eagles and picking up an extra two draft picks in the process. In moving from No. 12 to No. 15 overall, the Seahawks then made a fairly curious selection as their first-round pick, picking West Virginia Mountaineers defensive end Bruce Irvin.

Irvin was a name that had not really been tied to the Seahawks and, in a round of many unexpected picks, stands out as being particularly unusual. Irvin is not a bad pick by any means -- in fact, he's a very good pick -- but he lacks name power, star power and the excitement of a "bigger" name selection.

Irvin was listed as the fifth-ranked outside linebacker in the Mocking the Draft pre-draft ratings. Here is what they had to say about him:

Bruce Irvin is all about speed and suddenness with the ability to create a ton of pressure. He possesses an explosive first step that allows him to get up field and threaten the edge. However, it is his non-stop motor that really makes him dangerous as he never stops pursing the football. Offensive tackles really struggle to protect the edge against Irvin because of his quickness off the football.

Creating pressure is important but you need to be a complete player to really make an impact in the NFL. Irvin needs to spend time adding bulk and strength to his frame. His ability to improve his run defense will go along way to improve his draft stock. Irvin will also need to spend time learning the ins and outs of pass coverage as he is rarely asked to drop.

Overall, Irvin has all the physical tools to be a dominant pass rusher in the NFL. He is athletic enough to make the adjustment from defensive end to outside linebacker. Improving his run defense and adding some new pass rush moves will be something evaluators look for this season.

Seahawks fans, don't hate this move yet. This may just be your favorite player in a couple of years.

For more on the NFL Draft, make sure that you check out Mocking the Draft, and SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub. For more on the Seahawks, make you way over to Field Gulls.

NFL Draft Results 2012: Seattle Seahawks Select WVU DE Bruce Irvin

Eagles-Seahawks Trade: Philadelphia Takes Fletcher Cox With Seattle's No. 12 Overall Pick

The first round of the 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday night has seen no shortage of last-minute trades, swaps and moves, many of which range from eyebrow-raising to outright shocking.

The most significant trade for the Northwest involves the Seattle Seahwks trading down in the order, as the Philadelphia Eagles were desperate to move up and ensure they could select Mississippi St. Bulldogs defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

In exchange for their previous No. 12 spot, the Seahawks receive the Eagles' No. 15 pick, as well as overall picks Nos. 114 and 172, meaning that Seattle will receive an extra pick in the fourth and sixth rounds.

A great move for Seattle, as they only lose three spots and pick up two extra players for their trouble.

For more on the NFL Draft, make sure that you check out Mocking the Draft, and SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub. For more on the Seahawks, make you way over to Field Gulls.

2012 NFL Draft: TV Times, Schedule, Online Stream & Announcers

It's finally here boys and girls, the 2012 NFL Draft is actually upon us. After months of speculation and reflection the entire NFL is ready to dive into the college talent pool and pull out the next wave of playmakers and Pro Bowlers.

Below is all the viewing information you will need for the entire draft, starting on Thursday evening and running though Saturday.

When:

• Thursday, April 26 at 8 PM ET (Round 1)
• Friday, April 27 at 7pm ET (Rounds 2-3)
• Saturday April 29 at 12 PM ET (Rounds 4-7)

Where: Radio City Music Hall, New York City

ESPN Coverage: Chris Berman (host), Jon Gruden and Mel Kiper, Jr. (analysts on desk), NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter (separate set), Suzy Kolber (reporting and interviews) and Bill Polian (analyst from Bristol)

NFL Network Coverage: Rich Eisen (host), Mike Mayock, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin (analysts on desk), Insiders Michael Lombardi and Jason La Canfora (news desk), Deion Sanders (on stage) and Melissa Stark (red carpet and green room reporter)

Online Stream: NFL.com

For more on the NFL Draft, make sure that you check out Mocking the Draft, and SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub. For more on the Seahawks, make you way over to Field Gulls.

NFL Draft 2012: Seattle Seahawks War Room Ready For Draft Day [PHOTO]

2012 NFL Draft: First Round Draft Order Of All 32 Picks

Much of which teams get whom in the NFL draft comes with the order in which they get to pick, so the difference between one spot could be a total bust or a future Hall of Famer. That's why the Seattle Seahawks must make their selections wisely, especially in the first round.

Below is the complete order of picks in the first round. The St. Louis Rams are the earliest NFC West team to make their pick at No. 6, followed by the Seahawks at No. 12 and the Arizona Cardinals and No. 13. The San Francisco 49ers will pick third to last in the first round at No. 30.

1 - Indianapolis Colts, STAMPEDE BLUE

2 - Washington Redskins, HOGS HAVEN

3 - Minnesota Vikings, THE DAILY NORSEMAN

4 - Cleveland Browns, DAWGS BY NATURE

5 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, BUCS NATION

6 - St. Louis Rams, TURF SHOW TIMES

7 - Jacksonville Jaguars, BIG CAT COUNTRY

8 - Miami Dolphins, THE PHINSIDER

9 - Carolina Panters, CAT SCRATCH READER

10 - Buffalo Bills, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS

11 - Kansas City Chiefs, ARROWHEAD PRIDE

12 - Seattle Seahawks, FIELD GULLS

13 - Arizona Cardinals, REVENGE OF THE BIRDS

14 - Dallas Cowboys, BLOGGING THE BOYS

15 - Philadelphia Eagles, BLEEDING GREEN NATION

16 - New York Jets, GANG GREEN NATION

17 - Cincinnati Bengals, CINCY JUNGLE

18 - San Diego Chargers, BOLTS FROM THE BLUE

19 - Chicago Bears, WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

20 - Tennessee Titans, MUSIC CITY MIRACLE

21 - Cincinnati Bengals, CINCY JUNGLE

22 - Cleveland Browns, DAWGS BY NATURE

23 - Detroit Lions, PRIDE OF DETROIT

24 - Pittsburgh Steelers, BEHIND THE STEEL CURTAIN

25 - Denver Broncos, MILE HIGH REPORT

26 - Houston Texans, BATTLE RED BLOG

27 - New England Patriots, PATS PULPIT

28 - Green Bay Packers, ACME PACKING COMPANY

29 - Baltimore Ravens: BALTIMORE BEATDOWN

30 - San Francisco 49ers: NINERS NATION

31 - New England Patriots, PATS PULPIT

32 - New York Giants, BIG BLUE VIEW

For more on the Seattle Seahawks, make sure you check out Field Gulls. For more on the NFL Draft, please check out Mocking the Draft and SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

2012 NFL Draft Rumors: Patriots Looking To Trade Up To Seahawks Spot?

According to a report from the NFL Network's Albert Breer, the New England Patriots are looking into a possible trade up with the Seattle Seahawks, looking to move up into their spot in the draft at No. 12 overall.

Per Albert Breer on Twitter:

Per league sources, Patriots have inquired with Seattle about what it would take to get to 12. Could be just info gathering. Could be more.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 26, 2012

Hours away from the start of the draft and it's already getting pretty interesting. If indeed the Patriots are looking into this move, they will likely have to give up a lot to get it. This could all be a simple ploy to gain more information against their enemy, but the Seahawks will likely listen to any offer given.

We'll have more on this situation as information becomes available.

For more on the Seahawks, head over to Field Gulls or SB Nation Seattle. For the Patriots side of things, check out Pats Pulpit or SB Nation Boston. For more on the draft in general, check out Mocking the Draft and SB Nation's NFL hub.

NFL Mock Draft 2012: All Seattle Seahawks Picks, Round By Round

The Seattle Seahawks are ready to get to work in the 2012 NFL draft, having themselves six picks to stock up on some talented young men. Every single one of their picks comes around the middle of the draft, anywhere from the 10th to 12th in each round. They do not have a fifth round pick this season either.

Below is the round-by-round breakdown of Seattle's picks this season.

First round: No. 12 overall

Second round: 11th, 43rd overall

Third round: 11th, 75 overall

Fourth round: 10th, 106th overall

No Fifth round pick

Sixth round: 12th, No 181 overall

Seventh round: 225th overall

For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Seattle Seahawks, make sure that you check out Field Gulls, as well as SB Nation Seattle. For more on the NFL Draft in general, please make sure that you check out Mocking the Draft and SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

NFL Draft 2012: Seahawks Prepped for Several Contingencies On Thursday

The Seahawks sit at an interesting position in this year's NFL Draft with the 12th overall pick - much higher than last year's 25th spot even after finishing the season with an identical record of 7-9. The 12th spot is right sits on a ledge, as Seattle GM John Schneider recently put it, still at a place where the team could potentially grab an elite talent, but also at a place where teams may be inquiring about trading up to grab the remnants of that elite talent. In other words - the Seahawks might be tempted to grab one of the remaining blue chip prospects, but they may be more tempted to accumulate some draft picks, as they only hold six heading into Thursday's action.

Schneider told NFL.com:

"We have to be prepared for other people to come to us. Either we have to be strong and just sit there and take a really cool player or be able to negotiate in a fast manner with a team trying to get up and just decide whether -- say they give you two picks -- if those two players would be worth the guy we'd be giving up."

It's the age old question when it comes to drafting: are two good players worth more than one great player? Is it worth giving up a chance to grab a potential franchise type player for the temptation for two? There's no easy answer, especially when you take into account the fact you're dealing with human beings trying to project what other human beings will do with an opportunity. There is a lot of risk involved. One player that looks 'great' right now may end up being a bust, and two players that you like later on in the draft may end up being better anyway.

Either way, Schneider and Pete Carroll are going into the draft confident in their prep work.

Said Schneider:

"We don't change our board. We just know if we get out [of the 12 spot], instead of looking at this one player, we have a chance to get these two players in such and such round. We have to be prepared for a couple different scenarios when we're picking."

It should be interesting. Only two more days.

For more on the Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

NFL Draft 2012: Seahawks' John Schneider and Pete Carroll Share Insight on Plans

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider gave some insight into the Seahawks mindset heading into the draft, including what they think teams will do in the top 10 and what players might be on or off their list of possible choices.

When it comes to whether or not they see teams trying to move up in the draft to take a specific player, Schneider gave more of an ‘only time will tell' sentiment.

"I would think Wednesday evening into Thursday we'll start getting a better feel," Schneider said. "I know that there are a couple teams that would like to get back. It's not an easy thing. The majority of those are done ‘right there.' It's on the clock, so you're basically kind of waiting to see who's going to come, and what players are sitting there. ... We're talking to a number of clubs, but it's early in the evening."

In regards to the quarterback position, Carroll likes the group that's available and how different they all seem to be.

"It's a varied group, is what it is," Carroll said. "There's just all different sizes and shapes of guys. It's a good group. There's good football players across the board, but there's not three or four guys that are the same."

Overall, Carroll and Schneider have developed a philosophy as to what type of players fit the Seahawks as they continue to build towards contending on the league level.

"I think utility and versatility is huge for coaches," Schneider said. "Personnel guys see that one dynamic trait and they just want to jump all over it. That's just been a personal experience. Sometimes you need to pull yourself back and say, ‘What's the whole picture? What's going to be his role? How can he fit in for us?' And there are a lot of guys that have a uniqueness about them because of their versatility. Usually that one dynamic trait - while we all get excited about it - doesn't carry over exactly what the coaching staff needs."

For more from Carroll and Schneider check here and here.

To learn more about the Seahawks and what fans think about what they should do in the 2012 NFL Draft, head on over to Field Gulls.

Seahawks Offseason Programs Quietly In Effect This Week

Seahawks' John Schneider on Picking 12th

Upgrading the Seahawks' Linebackers Through the Draft

A look at the Seahawks situation at linebacker, and what they might do in the draft to address their needs there.

Pete Carroll Turns Down Arkansas Coaching Job, According To Report

According to a report form King News 5, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was allegedly contacted by the University of Arkansas to possibly fill their head coaching vacancy, but Carroll has told them thanks, but no thanks.

With Bobby Petrino's motorcycle accident turned full-blown scandal, Arkansas is looking for a big splash to replace him, with rumors already swirling about that former NFL coach and current NFL Network analyst Steve Marriucci is interested in the position. CBS sports is also reporting that former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer has contact the school about the opening as well.

Carroll took his time and waited for the right moment to jump back into the NFL as a head coach, and has been doing a fine job withthe Seahawks. There really isn't any reason to go back to the collegiate ranks, unless some gluttonous amount of money was involved.

For more in depth discussion and analysis of everything Seattle Seahawks, make sure you check out SB Nation's top-notch Seahawks blog, Field Gulls.

Seattle Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant In Good Health, Willing To Play Less

The Seattle Seahawks got a welcome addiction when Marcus Trufant decided to rejoin the team at a reduced salary and with no guarantee of a starting spot. He seems perfectly satisfied with where he is at this moment though, and will happily relinquish a starting spot if it's needed.

Brady Henderson of My Northwest via ESPN710 AM has this report.

"I didn't really think I'd be back, either. Things kinda fell into place and that's how it happened," Trufant told "The Kevin Calabro Show" on Tuesday, eight days after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Seahawks. "Just because of how things kinda worked out as far as my injuries and with the guys -- they played real well last year -- so it didn't really seem like there was a spot for me."

...

"Some things happened and I ended up getting a chance to come back," he said, "and I've got an opportunity to play a little bit."

Trufant has had a strong career with the Seahawks. He contributed 80 tackles or more four of his nine seasons, and 60 tackles or more in seven of them, all while starting 15 or more games in those seven years. Trufant also racked up 21 interceptions and 100 pass deflections. While his numbers are down and he didn't play much last year, Trufant is ready to take a new role in the system.

To talk about Trufant and the Seahawks, head on over to Field Gulls.

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2012 NFL Schedules Released; Seattle Seahawks Predicted To Win Some Games, Lose Others

The NFL offseason is a strange beast. I'm sure there was a time, in an all-but-forgotten era, where people just thought about other things once the football season ended. Things like their jobs, families, baseball, pushing hoops with a stick. Not anymore, it seems. Now when the NFL season ends, we scrimp and claw and cling to anything that resembles NFL news, blowing up blogs and Twitter to (over)react to the smallest football-related tidbits.

Have you ever watched "The Wire?" (No? Stop reading this immediately and go watch it. Yes, all of it.) Near the beginning of the series, drug boss Stringer Bell releases some high-octane heroin to the tenants of a Baltimore ghetto, irreversibly hooking them into a debilitating dependency. After giving them enough to guarantee they'll be back, Bell starts watering down the potency, knowing that the lust for that high will lead to greater usage. The users start buying more, since it takes more to get what they're chasing, and on and on and you see exactly where I'm going with this.

Roger Goodell has effectively Stringered us all into his globally-reaching web of dependence. In the past two months, I've seen football fans obsess over minutiae like Todd McShay's pre-draft evaluation of some obscure linebacker or Peyton Manning's drive to the airport with a passion that was once reserved for playoff games. Hell, remember the fervor surrounding the uniform alterations?

I am not preaching this from a soapbox. Rather, I groan it from down amongst the writhing masses desperately jonesing for some NFL-related euphoria, even if it's just a bum needle mostly filled with two parts placebo. I too am needy for that rush and, fortunately for me (and you!), the NFL has given us exactly the bump we've been craving: the schedule for the upcoming season.

The Basics

The Seattle Seahawks will be playing the 11th-toughest schedule in the league, based on opponents' 2011 won-lost records, which ties them with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. Their schedule is one game "harder" than the Jacksonville Jaguars' and one game "easier" than the Carolina Panthers'. Seattle's 2012 foes combined to go 129-127 last season, good for a .504 win rate.

For reference, the New York Giants have the toughest schedule (.547), which seems about right, given that they just won the Super Bowl and all. By contrast, the easiest schedules were granted to the New England Patriots (.453) and the Green Bay Packers (.469). Wait, what?

Home Games

The 'Hawks boast one of the best home-field advantages in the entire league, evidenced by the dramatic disparity between their home and away records. Over the last nine seasons in SeaQwesturyLink, the Seahawks have gone 49-23 (.681) compared to 25-47 (.347) on the road. In short, the Seahawks are twice as likely to win at home as they are when they're traveling, meaning that for Seattle to make a real run at contention, they're gonna have to hold serve in the Emerald City.

The Seahawks will be rolling out the welcome mat in weeks 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 14, 16, and 17. Their opponents will be, in order, Dallas, Green Bay, New England, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and St. Louis Rams.

The combined winning percentage of those eight teams in 2011 was a stout 70-58 (.547,), due largely to the fact that Seattle hosts the three best teams in the NFL based on last year's records (GB, NE, SF). That obstacle is mitigated somewhat by homers against the Rams (2-14) and Minnesota (3-13), but the fact remains that the 'Hawks have some heavy lifting to do in Century Link this fall.

There are two ways to see this half of the schedule; one way is to bitch about having to play so many good teams. The other way is to be grateful that they play those games in the field-leveling comfort provided by 67,000 rowdy lunatics. I, for one, choose the latter. Plus, this sets Seattle up to finish out on a two-game home-stretch against divisional opponents, and that's gonna be all kinds of fun.

Away Games

Seattle's other half of the schedule is an easier one, at least at face value. Their road games will take place in weeks 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, and 15. Their opponents in those contests will be Arizona, St. Louis, Carolina, San Francisco,Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and Buffalo Bills. The combined record of those teams is 59-69 (.461), which is helpful given Seattle's historical struggles away from home.

Bonus: the Seahawks finally get to play a road game in Chicago!

Bye Week

The Seahawks will have Week 11 to rest. I've always preferred late-season byes to early-season ones, as teams are more beat up late in the year. Seattle will undoubtedly have more players dealing with injuries after ten games than after, say, five, so an 11th-week respite will be a relief for more in-need players than last season's Week 6 bye was.

Travel

Each season, the Seahawks log more travel miles than just about any team in the NFL, the result of a geographical isolation that has plagued Seattle teams since Lewis and Clark set up America's first national wiffle ball league. Last year, Seattle flew a total of 26,918 miles (an average of 3,365 round-trip miles per road game). So how does this year's gauntlet stack up? Even more total distance. 28,456 miles (3,557 round-trip per road game), to be exact.

The struggles that West Coast teams face when playing in the Eastern Time Zone are well-documented, and Seattle makes that journey three times, just like last time. The one noticeable quirk in the 2012 road is that their game against the Bills will take place in Toronto.*

*Side note: If I was a Bills fan, I'd be pissed all the way off if I had to forfeit a home game just so the NFL could expand their international appeal. I mean, I totally get why Goodell does it; increasing brand awareness is smart business, but from a fan's perspective, it blows. Imagine if one of the games you eagerly anticipated attending this year was up in Vancouver, BC. You'd be furious, especially since you're not allowed to cross the border for five more years because of that one thing that allegedly happened with the DVDs and the hooker and the pygmy goats two years ago.

Primetime

Primetime games are typically treated with disproportionate interest by the fans of the teams involved. The idea of our favorite teams getting "national respect" is important to many of us and nationally televised games are seen as a sign of respect by the powers that be. To be completely honest with you, I don't particularly care how much respect the Seahawks receive from ESPN, Fox, CBS, or NFL Network.

As far as I'm concerned, national attention doesn't quantifiably affect the team's chances of winning; if anything, it's the other way around, so I only care to the extent that Seahawks games aren't announced by network scrubs like Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick every freaking time because that directly affects my viewing experience.

That said, there is a special excitement that accompanies primetime broadcasts. It's fun to go into a game knowing that it's being watched by man more people than normal. Football under the lights adds a shimmer to the game that's missing during the day, and you have more time to get MC Hammered in preparation, not that I do that, specifically not with Crown Royal poured generously into a cafeteria glass.

Last year Seattle was granted two night games, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday) and the Rams (Monday), winning both. This year, they get two more; Week 3 against Green Bay (in Seattle on Monday night) and Week 7 at San Francisco (on Thursday night).

The Packers game was surely scheduled for the potential talking points it'll provide, namely John Schneider's adaptation of the system he was a part of in Green Bay and Seattle's acquisition of Aaron Rodgers' backup, Matt Flynn*. Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Co are also certain to revisit the last time the Seahawks acquired their GM and QB from the Pack when Mike Holmgren and Matt Hasselbeck ushered in a new era. For what it's worth, I'm putting the over/under on "we want the ball and we're gonna score" references at 1.5.

*ESPN is really banking on Flynn beating out Tarvaris Jackson for the starting spot by Week 3.

The Thursday game against San Francisco doesn't offer a ton of national interest beyond the fact that it's a mid-season showdown between two intra-divisional opponents that should be pretty good. Of course, the option to beat the "what's your deal?" horse corpse is always on the table. The real benefit of this game is getting to hear Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock call a 'Hawks game.

My Take

Look, my take doesn't matter. We're still a million miles away from meaningful football and lots of roster adjustments will happen between now and then. Besides, when the schedule comes out, 98% of fans see their team winning between 10 and 14 games. It's the "hope" part of fanhood that keeps us coming back every year.

For the record, I see Seattle going 9-7 this year;

6-2 at home (DAL W, GB L, NE L, MIN W, NYJ W, AZ W, SF W, and STL W)

3-5 on the road (AZ L, STL W, CAR L, SF L, DET L, MIA W, CHI L, BUF W)

If I'm exactly right, the Seahawks will be 4-2 in the NFC West and right on the cusp of a playoff berth. Feel free to list your predictions in the comments section -- it'd be interesting to get an aggregate prediction.

*Jacson on Twitter*

**Read more over at Field Gulls**

Seattle Seahawks Face 49ers On Thursday Night Football, Packers On ESPN

The Seattle Seahawks were selected for two primetime games in 2012, both of which are coming against teams that were among the favorites to win a Super Bowl next February. With the Seahawks looking to claim a playoff spot next season, you can bet they'll be looking to make a statement in front of the entire nation.

Seattle will host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in week 3, a game picked up by ESPN for Monday Night Football. This will be the third week in a row that the Hawks will face off with a playoff contender (they face the Cardinals and Cowboys in the first two weeks) and you can bet they'll look to use their home field advantage to pull the big upset.

The second game selected for a national telecast is against the San Francisco 49ers in week 7. The NFL Network chose this game for Thursday Night Football, and it promises to be a great matchup between two NFC West rivals. Expect a low scoring, defensive minded game here.

For complete coverage of the 2012 NFL schedules, check out the SB Nation Seattle StoryStream. For more on the Seahawks, head over to Field Gulls.

Seattle Seahawks 2012 Schedule: Early Home Games With Cowboys, Packers Headline Schedule

The Seattle Seahawks had their official schedule for the 2012 season released on Tuesday night. The consensus among most Hawks fans is that the team has a brutal stretch early in the year, but they should make their move late in the playoff run as the schedule softens up. Divisional games within the NFC West are always huge, so let's take a look at a few others games that are sure to be big.

Week 2 vs. Cowboys: Tony Romo and the 'Boys will make their way to Seattle in week two which is sure to be a great game. Dallas fans travel extremely well and always create a unique environment on the road, and you can bet the Seahawks will want to make an early statement against one of the more talented teams in the NFC.

Week 3 vs. Packers: These two teams will meet on Monday Night Football in week 3 in what is sure to be an entertaining primetime game. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are a well-oiled machine offensively and their defense isn't too shabby either. The Seahawks are going to have to play at the top of their game if they hope to have a shot in this one.

Week 6 vs. Patriots: The runners up from the 2012 Super Bowl will make their way to Seattle this season, and you can bet they'll be a team on a mission after coming up just short of a championship. Tom Brady is getting older but is still a master on the field, and you know head coach Bill Belichick is going to have his team ready to go.

Week 10 vs. Jets: It's Tebow Time in Seattle! I know you're excited for the 4,087 hours of coverage SportsCenter will be giving this game, right?

For more on the Seahawks and their complete 2012 schedule, check out the SB Nation Seattle StoryStream. To chat with other fans, be sure to visit Field Gulls.

Seahawks Schedule 2012: Quick Reactions

If you haven't yet seen it, the NFL has released the full schedule for the 2012 season and the Seahawks grabbed two primetime slots, playing host to the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 for Monday Night Football, then making the trip south in Week 7 to take on the 49ers on a Thursday Night.

Here's a look at the full schedule:

WEEK 1 Sept 9th - at Arizona Cardinals, 1:15 pm
WEEK 2 Sept 16th - vs Dallas Cowboys, 1:05 pm
WEEK 3 Sept 24th - vs Green Bay Packers (MNF), 5:30 pm
WEEK 4 Sept 30th - at St. Louis Rams, 10:00 am
WEEK 5 Oct 7th - at Carolina Panthers, 1:05 pm
WEEK 6 Oct 14th - vs New England Patriots, 1:05 pm
WEEK 7 Oct 18th - at San Francisco 49ers (Thursday Night Football), 5:20 pm
WEEK 8 Oct 28th - at Detroit Lions, 10:00 am
WEEK 9 Nov 4th - vs Minnesota Vikings, 1:05 pm
WEEK 10 Nov 11th - vs New York Jets, 10:00 am
WEEK 11 Nov 18th - BYE
WEEK 12 Nov 25th - at Miami Dolphins, 10:00 am
WEEK 13 Dec 2nd - at Chicago Bears, 1:15 pm
WEEK 14 Dec 9th - vs Arizona Cardinals, 1:05 pm
WEEK 15 Dec 16th - at Buffalo Bills (in Toronto), 1:15 pm
WEEK 16 Dec 23rd - vs San Francisco 49ers, 1:15 pm
WEEK 17 Dec 30th - vs St. Louis Rams, 1:15 pm

At first glance, there are some things to like as Seahawks fans and some things to be wary of. The first chunk of their schedule looks pretty tough, and might be pretty daunting through Week 8. The first four games will be a test for the Seahawks - two division games on the road - Weeks 1 and 4 respectively, bookending tough matchups with the Cowboys and Packers at home.

After that, the Hawks will head east to play Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, an underrated and improving young team that could certainly present some problems for the Hawks. Not a week to look past. Following that game, the Hawks return home and get no reprieve, facing off against the Patriots and Tom Brady at home. So, for those of you keeping track at home, the first six weeks will feature, likely, Kevin Kolb, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Sam Bradford, Cam Newton and Tom Brady. The Seahawks young and exciting defensive secondary will have to hit the ground running.

No rest for the weary, as the Hawks head into Week 7 and face the defending NFC Champion 49ers in their place, then head east to Detroit to face Matt Stafford and the Lions high-flying offense in a 10:00 am game.

Here are some silver linings - the Seahawks return home in Weeks 9 and 10, where they typically play pretty well, then head into the bye week much later in the season that we've become accustomed to. A Week 11 Bye should give the Hawks a great chance to rest, heal up and get charged up for the home stretch.

The Hawks later part of the season includes a trip to sunny Miami, another visit to Soldier Field, the 24th time in the past three years (or so it seems), a quick stop at home against the Cardinals, then an interesting away game in Toronto to face the Bills. The Hawks then finish off the season at home for their final two games, facing off against division rivals the 49ers and Cardinals. Hopefully they're still in the playoff hunt that late in the season, because those games will play to their advantage.

To talk about the game with Seahawks fans, head on over to Field Gulls.

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Thursday Night Football Schedule: Seattle Seahawks Play San Francisco 49ers In Week 7

The Seattle Seahawks will have two primetime games this year. One of them will be against a divisional rival on Thursday Night Football.

Seattle will draw the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers the seventh week of the season, where the Seahawks will have to go to Candlestick Park and try and get a victory. Seattle lost to San Francisco 33-17 in Week 1 of last year on their trip there, then played a close contest in Week 16 before falling 19-17 at the end.

Thursday Night Football will feature every NFL football team to ensure that every team will be on national TV at least once this season.

To talk about the game with Seahawks fans, head on over to Field Gulls. To discuss how the game will go with 49ers fans, go to Niners Nation.

Check out the SB Nation NFL YouTube channel below, see if you'd be interested in subscribing to this channel.

Seattle Seahawks 2012 NFL Schedule

The 2012 NFL schedules were just released on TV, and the Seattle Seahawks get two national television appearances this year, including one Monday Night Game. The Seahawks look to improve on a 7-9 season, although they won't have an easy time trying to overcome the defending NFC West champs, the San Francisco 49ers, who they'll have to play twice, plus a Thursday night matchup in Week 7.

Seattle has a tough home schedule, drawing the 15-1 Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 3, and the Super Bowl runner-up New England Patriots at home.

Week 1: Sunday, September 9th, at Arizona Cardinals, 1:15 PM PT, FOX

Week 2: Sunday, September 16th, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1:05 PM PT, FOX

Week 3: Monday, September 24th vs. Green Bay Packers, 5:30 PM PT, ESPN

Week 4: Sunday, September 30th, at St. Louis Rams, 10 AM PT, FOX

Week 5: Sunday, October 7th, at Carolina Panthers, 1:05 PM PT, FOX

Week 6: Sunday, October 14th, vs. New England Patriots, 1:05 PM PT, CBS

Week 7: Thursday, October 18th, at San Francisco 49ers, 5:20 PM PT, NFL Network

Week 8: Sunday, October 28th, at Detroit Lions, 10 AM PT, FOX

Week 9: Sunday, November 4th, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1:05 PM PT, FOX

Week 10: Sunday, November 11th, vs. New York Jets, 1:05 PM PT, CBS

Week 11: Bye week

Week 12: Sunday, November 25th, at Miami Dolphins, 10 AM PT, FOX

Week 13: Sunday, December 2nd, at Chicago Bears, 10 AM PT, FOX

Week 14: Sunday, December 9th, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:15 PM PT, FOX

Week 15: Sunday, December 16th, at Buffalo Bills, 1:05 PM PT, FOX

Week 16: Sunday, December 23rd, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1:15 PM PT, FOX

Week 17: Sunday, December 30th, vs. St. Louis Rams, 1:15 PM PT, FOX

Talk about the 2012 NFL schedule with Seahawks fans over at Field Gulls.

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2012 NFL Schedule To Be Announced Today

There's a lot of optimism going into the Seattle Seahawks season. But if they're going to have the success they envision for themselves, they'll have to navigate what is shaping up to be the 11th toughest schedule in the NFL.

The Seahawks, as well as the rest of the league, won't know exactly when they'll be playing their 2012 opponents until a 4:00 pm PST three-hour special on the NFL Network today but we do know who and where they'll play. Their opponents are as follows:

Home games: Packers, Patriots, Jets, Vikings, Cowboys, 49ers, Cardinals and Rams.

Road games: Bears, Lions, Bills, Dolphins, Panthers, 49ers, Cardinals and Rams.

That's a combined .504 winning percentage based on last year's records. It's manageable, but still challenging. They get the Packers, Patriots and Jets at home but they have to travel to the Bears and Lions which are two places that are always tough to play especially now that the Lions actually have a real football team again. Handling their business within the division against the Niners, Cards and Rams will be key.

For more on the Seahawks, check out Field Gulls.

Pete Carroll Reflects About The Matt Flynn Signing

Matt Flynn went to Miami after visiting with Seattle during the free agency period. But head coach Pete Carroll received a phone call early the next morning from Flynn simply stating: "Hey Coach, I want to come to Seattle."

That's what Carroll said during an interview with WQAM in Miami with Joe Rose.

"It was kind of like a recruit calling me. He wanted to come. We hadn't even done a contract yet. We were thrilled about that and for whatever reason he thought this was the best fit for him and we were happy to get him."

There were no promises of a starting position. There were no guarantees that Flynn was going to be handed anything just because he was the new guy in town. All that was there for Flynn was a chance.

"What we are looking for is to make this position very competitive. Tarvaris Jackson was our starter last year and he's coming in to compete head-to-head for the starting job. It's my job now to make sure I create a competitive opportunity for both kids to show they can fit in and we'll go with the best guy and it's going to make our quarterback position better certainly. We are happy about that."

Rose brought up the fact that Flynn only has two starts under his belt. Carroll brought up what team he just came from and the track record they have of grooming quarterbacks.

"He's only got two games behind him. That's something you gotta be concerned about. However, we really regard the job that Mike McCarthy does with his quarterbacks and how they prepare them. He's gone through the same process that Aaron Rodgers went through and we are thinking he is ready to hit the same here."

That's what Seattle is banking on.

For more on the Seahawks and their offseason, be sure to check out Field Gulls.

NFL Offseason Programs Commence Monday

Red Bryant Gets Locker Makeover By Seahawk Teammates

NFL Draft 2012: Possible "Out of the Box" First Round Picks for the Seahawks

Taking a look at some players that you might not expect with the Seahawks first round pick.

Seattle Seahawks Sign Linebackers Leroy Hill, Matt McCoy

The Seattle Seahawks sured up their linebacking core on Thursday evening, announcing they have agreed to terms with veteran linebackers Leroy Hill and Matt McCoy. The contract details were not released, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, although they are not expected to be big or lengthy deals.

Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with linebackers Leroy Hill and Matt McCoy, the team announced.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 13, 2012

Hill appeared in all 16 games for the Seahawks last season, recording 89 tackles and assisting on 21 others. He forced a fumble and came away with four sacks. He has been a defensive stalwart over the years for Seattle and he will continue to see plenty of playing time in 2012.

McCoy has played sparingly with various teams for the last seven years, playing with the Seahawks since 2010. In two seasons with the team, he has appeared in 18 games (four in 2011) and recorded 34 tackles. Injuries have been an issue in recent years, so counting on him for anything more than a handful of games is probably unrealistic.

For more on the Seahawks and their offseason, be sure to check out Field Gulls.

Seahawks Preseason Schedule: Dates and Times Released

Fans of the Seattle Seahawks learned their preseason opponents a few weeks back, but were still unaware just when they could see all of the games. But the complete preseason schedule was released today, and is as follows below, as Pete Carroll and Co. look to get back to the second season after falling short in 2011.

Sat., August 11th - 7:00 PM PT - vs. Titans

Sat., August 18th - 6:00 PM PT - at Denver

Fri., August 24th - 5:00 PM PT - at Chiefs

Thurs., August 30th - 7:00 PM PT - vs. Raiders

All games will be televised on Q 13 Fox in the Seattle area, and can be heard on ESPN 710 AM and 97.3 KIRO FM.

For more news and notes on the Seahawks offseason, including free agency the draft and training camp this summer, make sure that you check out Field Gulls for all the latest discussion and analysis.

Nike's New NFL Uniforms: More On Technology Involved

NFL Free Agency: Seahawks Host DT Aubrayo Franklin

The Seahawks hosted former Saints defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin to the VMAC on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter, as they look to continue adding depth on their defensive line. Franklin, 31, is a former fifth round pick out of Tennessee by the Baltimore Ravens that played a key role on San Francisco's defense from 2007-2010. He was even tagged their franchise player in '10 before leaving last season on a one-year deal with the Saints.

Franklin, at 6'1, 317, would theoretically add nice depth and a veteran presence to the 'Hawks' defensive line. He'd be backing up, I assume, Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch in the middle, then possibly even as a pinch-replacement for Red Bryant if he were faced with injuries. As a nose tackle in San Francisco's 3-4 defense, Aubrayo had a measure of success, but struggled a bit more in the Saints' blitzing, attacking 4-3.

If signed in Seattle, the move could make some sense, as the Seahawks run a 'wait-and-see' type of defense along the line, predicated on stopping the run and not so much at rushing the passer, especially from the interior and on the strong side end spot. Franklin's experience in both one-gapping and two-gapping defenses could come in handy, as he could be asked to play both in Seattle's hybrid front line.

It's an interesting visit nonetheless, so keep your eye on that over the next days and weeks..

For more on the Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

Seattle Seahawks Re-Sign Marcus Trufant

The Seattle Seahawks welcome back an old friend. After releasing him earlier this season, their long-tenured cornerback is coming back.

Seahawks announce they re-sign CB Marcus Trufant

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 9, 2012

Trufant is the longest tenured Seahawk and the only player remaining from the 2005 Super Bowl team. Trufant signed a six year, $50.2 million deal in 2008, but was released this offseason with two years left on his deal. This is even after taking a paycut in 2011. It's likely they released him because he was owed $7.2 million this upcoming year under his current contract. Trufant tested the free agent market, but apparently decided Seattle was the right place to be once again.

It'll be interesting to see what type of agreement the two sides come to, as Trufant missed most of last season with back issues and was placed on injured reserve. He might have to fight to win back his starting spot from Richard Sherman or Walter Thurmond; Brandon Browner is assured of being the other starter.

To discuss the re-signing of Trufant with Seahawks fans, head on over to Field Gulls.

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Seahawks Sign OG Deuce Lutui, LB Barrett Ruud, and CB Roy Lewis to 1-Year Deals

The Seahawks added a little bit of veteran depth today by signing a trio of free agents - former Arizona Cardinal offensive guard Deuce Lutui, former Buccaneer and Titan middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, and Seahawks free agent cornerback/nickelback Roy Lewis.

G Deuce Lutui, 28, is a former USC Trojan that played for Pete Carroll at USC before becoming a 2nd round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2006. Lutui played well for the Cardinals early in his career before weight become an issue for him, and when he went to sign with the Bengals as a free-agent last season, he failed his physical because of that. He re-signed with the Cardinals and played sparingly for them in 2011 before going to the IR for most of the year.

If he's able to get to a good playing weight and stay healthy though, he's a solid guard option as depth, in theory, for the Hawks, or even possibly as a starter with the departure of Robert Gallery and the injury to John Moffitt's knee from last season. If Moffitt is unable to come back from that injury to start the year and Lutui performs in camp, he has a chance to see some playing time, at least until Moffitt is back. It's unclear whether he'd be comfortable on the left side after playing mostly at right guard in his career, but it's a solid depth signing as long as his weight is no longer a big issue.

Barrett Ruud, also 28, is another former 2nd round pick that was chosen by the Buccaneers in 2006 with the 36th pick, out of Nebraska. He's 6'2, 241, and figures to compete for the job at middle linebacker in 2011 with K.J. Wright or any incoming Draft picks there.

Roy Lewis has been with the Seahawks the Seahawks since being claimed off of waivers from the Steelers in 2009. He's a special teams captain that can play some nickel slot.

For more on the Seahawks, make sure you head to Field Gulls and join in on the discussion.

With Three Weeks to the NFL Draft, A Look at Mike Mayock's Favorites

NFL Draft 2012: Looking At the Seahawks' Approach and Their Options

The Seahawks filled some holes in free agency with the signings of Matt Flynn and Jason Jones, but will look to add some talent in the Draft. I take a look at what they might do.

Seattle Seahawks Preseason Schedule 2012: Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs, Titans On Seattle's Preseason Docket

The Seattle Seahawks' preseason schedule has been announced, and is heavily slated with AFC West opponents.

The Southern Alaska Seahawks: Looking to Put Themselves On The Map in 2012

The Seahawks continue to fight for relevancy despite a lack of respect by national media.