The Sports Xchange
NFL Team Report – Seattle Seahawks – INSIDE SLANT
The Seahawks may have mined another diamond later in the draft in fifth-round draft pick Jesse Williams.
The Alabama defensive tackle was projected by most draft analysts to be selected in the first two rounds of this year’s draft.
However, teams concerned about the possibility of long-term knee issues, along with short arm length led to Williams falling down the draft board, something the stout defensive tackle said he anticipated.
“They had a pretty strong defensive tackle class, and where I was sitting was pretty low on the list,” Williams said. “I was hoping to maybe sneak into the second round. I had high hopes, but I was also being realistic.
“I’m happy to wait as long as I needed to get to a good team, and somewhere I can contribute and help out right away.”
The Seahawks got a productive player at a good value in Williams. At 6-31/2 and 323 pounds, Williams is a powerhouse inside, demonstrated by his 600-pound bench press.
But he also is surprisingly nimble and agile pursuing ball-carriers because of his rugby and basketball background in his native Australia. Williams ran an impressive 4.90-second, 40-yard time at his pro day in March.
Williams, 22, earned a second team, All-SEC selection in 2012. He started 12 games, finishing with 36 tackles with 2.5 for loss, one sack, two pass deflections, four quarterback hurries and a blocked field goal.
Williams also played some fullback for Alabama on goal-line situations.
“He’s really intense, jumps off the ball and is strong,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said. “I think he benched 600-something pounds. He’s a guy who will really fill a specific role for us. Just his strength, his movement down the line of scrimmage and his ability to compress the pocket really is an intriguing thing for us.”
Williams is one of the few players who Seattle selected in this year’s draft that has a chance to earn a starting job. He will compete for the run-stuffing, defensive tackle position left vacant when Alan Branch signed with Buffalo in free agency.
Former Miami defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, signed to a veteran minimum deal in free agency, has been penciled into that spot next to nose tackle Brandon Mebane in the starting lineup defensively. But McDaniel likely will have competition from Williams, and Seattle’s third-round selection, Penn State defensive tackle Jordan Hill.
Williams said he talked with Seattle informally at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, along with a few phone calls leading up to the draft, but nothing serious to indicate the Seahawks would select him.
The Brisbane, Australia native will have a shorter flight home now that he’s back on the West Coast. Williams played at Arizona Western Community College before transferring to Alabama in 2011.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there,” he said. “It’s definitely a shorter flight back to Australia from there than it is from Alabama. It should be fun once I get out there and get into it.”
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NFL Team Report – Seattle Seahawks – NOTES, QUOTES
–According to Teresa Drenick, assistant district attorney for the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has a May 22 court date for a motion to suppress evidence and a motion to dismiss the case in his pending DUI case.
Another date to keep in mind is June 21, when the case is set to go to a jury trial.
Lynch, 26, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol early Saturday morning on July 14 when a police officer observed him driving north on Interstate 880 in Oakland, weaving in and out of lanes in a white Ford van, and nearly colliding with two cars.
After failing a preliminary sobriety test, Lynch was taken into custody and transported to the Alameda County Sheriff department’s north county jail in Oakland. Lynch submitted to a breathalyzer test, and the test came back positive that his blood-alcohol content level was over the state’s legal limit of 0.08.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s office filed charges against Lynch for driving under the influence of alcohol on Wednesday, July 18.
Lynch pled not guilty to charges of allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in Alameda County Superior Court last August, according to his attorney Ivan Golde.
— Seahawks seventh-round draft choice Jared Smith has an interesting nickname he picked up while playing defensive tackle at the University of New Hampshire.
Teammates called him the “Fat rabbit.”
“One of my really good friends on the team came up with it,” Smith said. “Since I’m quick, I can move, and I can catch running backs and stuff while I was playing defense. People said I was fast as a rabbit, and I was also fat.
“So they thought they would get underneath my head and call me “Fat Rabbit.” And I hated it for a while. I just learned to live up to it, and it’s been history ever since.”
Seattle offensive line coach Tom Cable plans to move Smith, a defensive tackle at New Hampshire, to offensive guard. Cable successfully transitioned J.R. Sweezy from defensive tackle to offensive guard in 2012, with the North Carolina State product starting three regular-season games for Seattle last season.
“I wasn’t thinking about becoming an offensive lineman at all,” Smith said. “But things happen for a reason, and I’m just going to work very, very hard. And I’m going to join J.R. on the line, and I’m going to protect (Russell) Wilson.”
–Seattle’s rookie draft picks have been assigned jersey numbers. Second-round selection running back Christine Michael will wear No. 33, his same number in college. Third-round choice defensive tackle Jordan Hill is No. 47. Fourth-round selection receiver Chris Harper is No. 17.
Fifth-round choice defensive tackle Jesse Williams is No. 90. Fifth-round selection cornerback Tharold Simon is No. 34. Fifth-round choice tight end Luke Wilson is No. 82.
Sixth-round selection fullback Spencer Ware is No. 44. Seventh-rounder offensive guard Ryan Seymour is No. 62. Seventh-round linebacker Ty Powell is No. 58. Seventh-rounder offensive lineman Jared Smith is No. 66. And seventh-round selection offensive tackle Michael Bowe is No. 73.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Marshawn Lynch, of course.” — Seahawks second-round selection running back Christine Michael, commenting on a question asking him what back in the NFL has a similar style to the way he runs.
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NFL Team Report – Seattle Seahawks – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
A closer look at the Seahawks’ picks:
Round 2/62 – Christine Michael, RB, 5-10, 220, Texas A&M;
The Seahawks traded back six spots from No. 56 to 62 with the Ravens, and still got their top-rated prospect on the board. Replaces Leon Washington as team’s change-of-pace back.
Round 3/87 – Jordan Hill, DT, 6-1, 303, Penn State
Considered a natural pass rusher from the interior of the defense who will compete for time as a rotational guy.
Round 4/123 – Chris Harper, WR, 6-1, 233, Kansas State
A big receiver with strong hands who has been compared with Anquan Boldin. Harper was a former quarterback turned receiver.
Round 5/137 – Jesse Williams, DT, 6-3, 325, Alabama
Projected to go in the first two rounds, Williams surprisingly fell to the fifth round. He will be used as a run stuffer inside on early downs.
Round 5/138 – Tharold Simon, CB, 6-2, 202, LSU
Simon is a perfect fit for Seattle’s press corner coverage scheme, and adds depth behind Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner.
Round 5/158 – Luke Willson, TE, 6-5, 252, Rice
Ran a blistering 4.51-second 40-yard time at his pro day, and will be used to stretch the middle of the defense in the passing game.
Round 6/194 – Spencer Ware, FB, 5-10, 229, LSU
Seahawks plan on converting the hard-charging runner to fullback, where he will compete for time with Michael Robinson.
Round 7/220 — Ryan Seymour, G, 6-4, 301, Vanderbilt
A versatile offensive lineman who will compete for time at guard for Seattle.
Round 7/231 – Ty Powell, OLB 6-3, 249, Harding University
A good athlete who can get to the quarterback. Finished with 8.5 sacks in 2012 at Division II Harding.
Round 7/241 – Jared Smith, G, 6-3, 302, New Hampshire
A defensive tackle in college, Smith will convert to offensive guard like J.R. Sweezy successfully did last season.
Round 7/242 – Michael Bowie, T, 6-5, 332, Northeastern State
Dismissed from Oklahoma State for violating team rules, Bowie will compete for time at right tackle.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (5)
–DE Patrick Chukwurah replaced injured defensive end Chris Clemons on the roster for the NFC divisional playoff game at Atlanta. Played five plays defensively.
–LB Leroy Hill’s fourth brush with the law in two years likely spells the end of Hill’s time in Seattle.
–K Ryan Longwell made all four extra points and had a touchback in his only game for Seattle as a late-season pickup against Atlanta in the NFC playoffs, with regular kicker Steven Hauschka out because of a strained calf.
–G Frank Omiyale served ably as a swing tackle for the Seahawks, including a start against Dallas for a hobbled Russell Okung.
–CB Marcus Trufant played nickel cornerback for the first time in 2012, but turns 33 in December.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–LS Clint Gresham: RFA tendered at $1.323M with no compensation; $1.323M/1 yr.
–K Steven Hauschka: UFA; terms unknown.
–S Chris Maragos: RFA tendered at $1.323M with no compensation; $1.323M/1 yr.
–DE Clinton McDonald: RFA tendered at 1.323M with seventh-round pick as compensation); $1.323M/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–DE Cliff Avril: UFA Lions; $13M/2 yrs, $11M guaranteed.
–DE Michael Bennett: UFA Buccaneers; $4.8M/1 yr.
–CB/KR Will Blackmon: FA; $715,000/1 yr.
–WR Percy Harvin (trade).
–DT Tony McDaniel: UFA Dolphins; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–QB Josh Portis: FA; terms unknown.
–QB Brady Quinn: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown.
–WR Brett Swain: FA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
–CB Antoine Winfield: FA Vikings; $1.5M/1 yr, $500,000 SB/$1M guaranteed.
PLAYERS LOST
–DT Alan Branch: UFA Bills; $3M/1 yr.
–WR Deon Butler: Not tendered as RFA/Chargers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–DE Dexter Davis (released/failed physical).
–QB Matt Flynn (traded Raiders).
–DE Jason Jones: UFA Lions; $9.5M/3 yrs, $2.5M SB.
–TE Cameron Morrah: UFA 49ers; terms unknown.
–WR Ben Obomanu (released).
–RB/KR Leon Washington (released).
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