The Way I Stay On Top Of Free Agency News

Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats Twitter for free agency news. My world looks like those guys who read the green symbols streaming down the screen in The Matrix.

I use Tweetdeck on my computer, and the Twitter app on my phone and iPad. Most of the time I just stay in touch at a narrow Seahawks level, but free agency requires a broader approach. This year, I can share some of my secrets thanks to Twitter allowing me to share some of my searches. The following are a series of Twitter searches that should help you know what's happening before most of the rest of the world does.

A Few Notes Ahead Of Free Agency

Free agency officially begins with the start of the new NFL league year at 1PM PT time next Tuesday. Some of the fun starts tomorrow when clubs can contact any free agent to begin negotiations. We will hear news of where players are visiting first. We will know what club position priorities are. We will start learning. The pace quickens over the course of week one when most of the big deals are signed. Each day will be a frenzy. It is more dramatic than the NFL Draft because there is no structure to the news or how you discover it. This is one of my favorite times of the year. Here are some notes as we barrel over the waterfall.

Comparing Riley Cooper And Golden Tate

Golden Tate may have recovered from popping this mammoth bottle of champagne after the Super Bowl just in time to pop another one in the coming week. Tate stands to make a pretty penny on the open market after emerging as a tough, reliable, explosive and versatile receiver for the Seahawks. It seems almost certain the Seahawks will find the money to keep Tate around unless another team pays a premium he cannot refuse. Tate has made no secret that he wants to come back, and would take a little less money to do so. His girlfriend of three years is from the area. He has a solid relationship with his up-and-coming quarterback. His head coach loves him, and the Seahawks are setup for a long run of championship football. It is understandable that he would find a return appealing.  Someone asked me on Twitter the other day how the 5 yr/$22.5M/$8M Guaranteed deal that Riley Cooper signed would relate to what Tate would get. I did not have the time to answer then, and wanted to go a little deeper.

Reading Into Chris Clemons & Zach Miller Non-News

Red Bryant and Sidney Rice were released on Friday. It was news. There was also something to be gleaned from the lack of news on two players. Chris Clemons and Zach Miller are still Seahawks. News of renegotiated contracts do not always leak out. Remember, Marcus Trufant had his deal re-done, as did John Schneider, and it was months before it became public knowledge. Here is my best guess what the non-news about Clemons and Miller means.

Moving On From Red Bryant

It is official. Red Bryant is no longer a Seattle Seahawk. He becomes the latest in growing line of beloved players and clear team leaders that the Pete Carroll and John Schneider have been willing to move on from. Lawyer Milloy, Lofa Tatupu, Matt Hasselbeck, Michael Robinson all belong on that list. Bryant, however, is coming off one of his best seasons. This parting is for slightly different reasons than the others.

2014 Seahawks Off-Season Analysis Part VIII: Summary & Recommendations

The Seahawks are Super Bowl Champs. The best team in football. Players want to be with them, teams want to be like them. So starts the Dynasty Off-Season for one of the youngest teams to ever win the Lombardi Trophy. This series will dig into each position group, look at who we have, who might be available, and what the team may do in each area. It will end with a projected off-season plan. You can check out last season's analysis here. They have been largely accurate, so if you want to know what Seattle will do before they do it, look no further.

Part I: Defensive Line
Part II: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Part III: Secondary
Part IV: Linebackers
Part V: Offensive Line
Part VI: Running Backs & Fullbacks
Part VII: Quarterbacks
Part VIII: Summary & Recommendations

In just over a week, on March 8th, clubs will have permission to enter into contract negotiations with unrestricted free agents. They cannot be signed until the new league year starts a few days later on March 11th at 1PM PT. Qualifying offers to restricted free agents will have to be made. Clubs must be under the salary cap by the same time. Rumors will fly. Twitter will throttle updates so humans can have a chance to keep up with the blizzard when a big name hits. Let the games begin.

2014 Seahawks Off-Season Analysis Part VII: Quarterbacks

The Seahawks are Super Bowl Champs. The best team in football. Players want to be with them, teams want to be like them. So starts the Dynasty Off-Season for one of the youngest teams to ever win the Lombardi Trophy. This series will dig into each position group, look at who we have, who might be available, and what the team may do in each area. It will end with a projected off-season plan. You can check out last season's analysis here. They have been largely accurate, so if you want to know what Seattle will do before they do it, look no further.

Part I: Defensive Line
Part II: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Part III: Secondary
Part IV: Linebackers
Part V: Offensive Line
Part VI: Running Backs & Fullbacks
Part VII: Quarterbacks
Part VIII: Summary & Recommendations

2014 Seahawks Off-Season Analysis Part VI: Running Backs & Fullbacks

The Seahawks are Super Bowl Champs. The best team in football. Players want to be with them, teams want to be like them. So starts the Dynasty Off-Season for one of the youngest teams to ever win the Lombardi Trophy. This series will dig into each position group, look at who we have, who might be available, and what the team may do in each area. It will end with a projected off-season plan. You can check out last season's analysis here. They have been largely accurate, so if you want to know what Seattle will do before they do it, look no further.

Part I: Defensive Line
Part II: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Part III: Secondary
Part IV: Linebackers
Part V: Offensive Line
Part VI: Running Backs & Fullbacks
Part VII: Quarterbacks
Part VIII: Summary & Recommendations

Marshawn Lynch is still coming, and he's bringing Hell with him

2014 Seahawks Off-Season Analysis Part V: Offensive Line

The Seahawks are Super Bowl Champs. The best team in football. Players want to be with them, teams want to be like them. So starts the Dynasty Off-Season for one of the youngest teams to ever win the Lombardi Trophy. This series will dig into each position group, look at who we have, who might be available, and what the team may do in each area. It will end with a projected off-season plan. You can check out last season's analysis here. They have been largely accurate, so if you want to know what Seattle will do before they do it, look no further.

Part I: Defensive Line
Part II: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Part III: Secondary
Part IV: Linebackers
Part V: Offensive Line
Part VI: Running Backs & Fullbacks
Part VII: Quarterbacks
Part VIII: Summary & Recommendations

Michael Bowie figures to play a large role in the future of the Seahawks offensive line

2014 Seahawks Off-Season Analysis Part IV: Linebackers

The Seahawks are Super Bowl Champs. The best team in football. Players want to be with them, teams want to be like them. So starts the Dynasty Off-Season for one of the youngest teams to ever win the Lombardi Trophy. This series will dig into each position group, look at who we have, who might be available, and what the team may do in each area. It will end with a projected off-season plan. You can check out last season's analysis here. They have been largely accurate, so if you want to know what Seattle will do before they do it, look no further.

Part I: Defensive Line
Part II: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Part III: Secondary
Part IV: Linebackers
Part V: Offensive Line
Part VI: Running Backs & Fullbacks
Part VII: Quarterbacks
Part VIII: Summary & Recommendations

It was quite a year for Malcolm Smith and the Seahawks