Robert Gallery was the most obvious free agent signing the Seahawks made last season. He became the most unexpected Seahawks free agent this season after being released by the team. Gallery, 31, started the season injured, but managed to play through it for the bulk of the year. He was the one free agent the Seahawks signed over the age of 26, and the team has already made the decision to reclaim some $5M of cap space instead of keeping him on the roster.
The reason for the move is a driven by a combination of factors. Paul McQuistan was forced into action late in the year when John Moffit was injured. He played well at guard, and then at left tackle. The team re-signed him yesterday. Lemuel Juanpierre filled in at guard when McQuistan moved to left tackle, and he played well. James Carpenter had a serious knee injury, and was already questionable in terms of lateral quickness for a tackle. This may clear the path for Carpenter to transition to guard permanently. Giacomini showed promise at right tackle, and will likely start the season there no matter what due to Carpenter's injury. This could open the position to him long-term. Last, Steve Hutchinson was in Seattle for a visit yesterday, and could be signed for veteran depth. He has been injured and less effective the past two years, but Juanpierre, Giacomini and Carpenter give the team enough depth to not need to rely on Hutch if he signs. He would likely compete for the role, but would only be signed if he'd be willing to back-up should he lose the competition.
Jason Jones was still in St.Louis as of last night, having dinner with former Titans teammate, and newly signed Ram, CB Cortland Finnegan. The Rams are doing everything they can to sign him, and there are conflicting reports this morning that Jones was either on his way to Seattle or heading back to Ram headquarters in the morning before flying out to Seattle. It seems logical that the Rams convinced him to stop by one more time before leaving. It also seems logical that Jones and his agent are using the threat of this Seahawks visit to make the Rams desperate enough to propose a higher offer. Jones knows Fisher and the defense he runs. Until he leaves St. Louis, fans should expect that he will sign there. If he gets to Seattle, game on.
Chad Henne signed with Jacksonville. {Shrugs shoulders} Matt Flynn is supposed to visit Seattle today. Reports are that he is only being offered back-up money so far. Seattle would be silly not to make him an incentive-laden offer that starts at a level similar to Tarvaris Jackson, but escalates if he earns the starter role and other performance-related thresholds. Flynn would be signed here to compete for the starting role, not get it handed to him. That continues to be the reason he would be a more likely fit in Miami where he would take over for Matt Moore from the get-go. Cleveland may have cooled on Flynn because they believe Matt Hasselbeck will come available in the wake of a Peyton Manning signing. If that somehow does not play out, they could get back in on Flynn if he has not signed yet. It benefits no sides to in this to move quickly. It would be surprising if Flynn signs a deal before leaving Seattle.
John Carlson signed with Minnesota. Don't lose sleep over that. He was not a fit here due to his inferior blocking. The Vikings former tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is said to be coming in for a visit. He is 31. Getting a 31-year-old free agent is never appealing (see Gallery), and getting one at a position where you already have Zach Miller, Anthony McCoy and Cameron Morrah is a little puzzling. Darrell Bevel and Tarvaris Jackson obviously know him from the Vikings, so it may just be someone who can step in for a year and contribute. That takes snaps away from developing younger players, so it better be worth it.
The reason for the move is a driven by a combination of factors. Paul McQuistan was forced into action late in the year when John Moffit was injured. He played well at guard, and then at left tackle. The team re-signed him yesterday. Lemuel Juanpierre filled in at guard when McQuistan moved to left tackle, and he played well. James Carpenter had a serious knee injury, and was already questionable in terms of lateral quickness for a tackle. This may clear the path for Carpenter to transition to guard permanently. Giacomini showed promise at right tackle, and will likely start the season there no matter what due to Carpenter's injury. This could open the position to him long-term. Last, Steve Hutchinson was in Seattle for a visit yesterday, and could be signed for veteran depth. He has been injured and less effective the past two years, but Juanpierre, Giacomini and Carpenter give the team enough depth to not need to rely on Hutch if he signs. He would likely compete for the role, but would only be signed if he'd be willing to back-up should he lose the competition.
Jason Jones was still in St.Louis as of last night, having dinner with former Titans teammate, and newly signed Ram, CB Cortland Finnegan. The Rams are doing everything they can to sign him, and there are conflicting reports this morning that Jones was either on his way to Seattle or heading back to Ram headquarters in the morning before flying out to Seattle. It seems logical that the Rams convinced him to stop by one more time before leaving. It also seems logical that Jones and his agent are using the threat of this Seahawks visit to make the Rams desperate enough to propose a higher offer. Jones knows Fisher and the defense he runs. Until he leaves St. Louis, fans should expect that he will sign there. If he gets to Seattle, game on.
Chad Henne signed with Jacksonville. {Shrugs shoulders} Matt Flynn is supposed to visit Seattle today. Reports are that he is only being offered back-up money so far. Seattle would be silly not to make him an incentive-laden offer that starts at a level similar to Tarvaris Jackson, but escalates if he earns the starter role and other performance-related thresholds. Flynn would be signed here to compete for the starting role, not get it handed to him. That continues to be the reason he would be a more likely fit in Miami where he would take over for Matt Moore from the get-go. Cleveland may have cooled on Flynn because they believe Matt Hasselbeck will come available in the wake of a Peyton Manning signing. If that somehow does not play out, they could get back in on Flynn if he has not signed yet. It benefits no sides to in this to move quickly. It would be surprising if Flynn signs a deal before leaving Seattle.
John Carlson signed with Minnesota. Don't lose sleep over that. He was not a fit here due to his inferior blocking. The Vikings former tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is said to be coming in for a visit. He is 31. Getting a 31-year-old free agent is never appealing (see Gallery), and getting one at a position where you already have Zach Miller, Anthony McCoy and Cameron Morrah is a little puzzling. Darrell Bevel and Tarvaris Jackson obviously know him from the Vikings, so it may just be someone who can step in for a year and contribute. That takes snaps away from developing younger players, so it better be worth it.
