NFL Odds: Seattle Seahawks

We introduce to you the Seattle Seahawks weekly blog as were about to hit the month of June and the theme for this week is a steal of trade and motivation.

When will these millionaires learn to take a taxi after having an alcoholic beverage? It's pure stupidity. For the Seahawks, their star running back Marshawn Lynch has made the list of ignorance as he was charged with DUI in Northern California. Not only that, Lynch was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The drugs part has been swept under the carpet and that is a serious matter.

Lynch has a court date in the middle of Seahawks training camp on August 14th. He's also publicly apologized to the organization and the fans but the damage has been done. Way to go Marshawn!

Coach Pete Carroll should be used to this as he used to be the head coach of the USC Trojans where violations are an every day occurrence.

Look for Lynch to get a slap on the wrist and be ready to play in week 1 of the regular season.

Forbes List is out

You would never think it but the Seattle Seahawks rank 25th on the list of franchises in the world. This is kind of a surprising fact with a lot of high profiled big city marketed teams but the Forbes List doesn't lie. Playing up to their value is another story for the Seahawks.

Clemons signs with the Hawks

Seattle got a much needed signing at one of the weaker positions on their squad. Defensive end Chris Clemons has signed with the Seahawks beyond the 2012 season. Clemons' agent confirmed the agreement through text message.

Clemons didn't attend mandatory mini-camp but this contract will mend the relationship that he's had with his team. He's recorded 11 sacks in each of the past two seasons and is Seattle's top pass rusher.

That's it from Seahawk land. They get a huge signing with Clemons but Marshawn Lynch will have to repair the damage that he's caused with a huge season. Fans forget quickly if a player produces on the field.

You get an NFC West showdown in week 1 between the Hawks and the Cards. Both of these teams are greatly outclassed by the 49'ers, but this will be a tight contest. Both teams have improved in a lot of offensive areas. My concern is the two starting quarterbacks, Tavaris Jackson and Kevin Kolb. I'm not sure if either of these QB's can lead a team anywhere. Seattle signed backup Matt Flynn, and we might see Flynn earlier than expected.

If Kolb can indeed get his receivers the ball, the Cardinals will be dangerous with the addition of rookie Michael Floyd. Larry Fitzgerald might be the best receiver in the game - that is, when he gets the opportunity - and tight end Todd Heap had some nice seasons with Baltimore. Seattle is improved and I approve of coach Pete Carroll, but Arizona looks like the way to go in week 1, at home, and at full strength.

NFL odds makers currently favor the Cardinals at home to the tune of -130.

Pick- Arizona Cardinals  -1

I had covered the story about Brian Banks, who was wrongfully put in jail, and how coach Pete Carroll was giving him a chance to be a member of this football team. It appears that Banks is making the rounds, as he's worked out for the 49'ers, Chargers, and Chiefs along with the Seahawks. Other teams are interesting in seeing him play. Banks is itching to play and I guess you can't blame him for trying to latch on to any team that is willing to pick him up after the ordeal that he's been through.

Jackson Still the starter

Thus far, Pete Carroll is going with the experience in quarterback Tavaris Jackson over free agent signee Matt Flynn and 3rd round draft pick Russell Wilson. Coach Carroll has said that Jackson has earned the reps with the 1st team at mini camp from playing with them last season.

The 2012 starter hasn't been named yet, and this could be a ploy to motivate Flynn and Wilson. The Seahawks didn't sign Matt Flynn for nothing and when the play really counts, you're going to see Matt Flynn behind center soon enough.

Great expectations

ESPN expert John Clayton has projected the Seahawks to go 9-7 in the upcoming season. These are lofty goals considering that the Seahawks haven't eclipsed the .500 mark since 2007. The additions of former Packers backup Matt Flynn and Tampa Bay castoff Kellen Winslow Jr. greatly enhance the Hawks chance for a winning season. As I've stated in a Tampa Bay Bucs blog, Winslow Jr. was the biggest steal of a deal and was traded because 1st year coach Greg Schiano had a personality conflict with Winslow in his decision making. I agree with Mr. Clayton, and believe that this is a team that's on the rise and headed in the right direction for the 1st time in half a decade. 

Sign, sealed, and delivered

Those are the best words that running back Marshawn Lynch could hear at the start of this season as he signed a huge contract in the offseason that gives him the financial security that he wanted. Sometimes players don't live up to their contracts but this is an underestimated player and Seahawks fans and bettors can expect big things out of Lynch. He ran for 1204 yards and 12 TD's last season in just 15 games along with 212 receiving yards and 1 TD. 

Once the quarterback position is in place, the Seahawks will be a very well rounded group. I. myself, am looking at over the total for the amount of wins that the Seahwaks win this year in a future betting prop. It seems very possible.

A lot of positive news is coming out of the Seahawks camp, so stay tuned as we follow the progress of the 3 quarterbacks competing to be the starter for the 2012 season.

Out of Seahawks country we have a very compelling story about a young man finally having a chance to live his dream after it was taken away from him so abruptly.

The Brian Banks Story

Brian Banks is a one time high school football star at Long Beach Poly and is now 26 years old. Pete Carroll and USC were in hot pursuit of recruiting this 6 foot 2, 239 pound linebacker. 

The plans changed as the law was in "hot pursuit" of Banks in regards to a rape charge of being accused by a high school friend. Banks pleaded no contest to this charge and served over 5 years in prison.

The problem is, Banks was falsely accused and was exonerated. Could you imagine going to jail for a crime that you didn't commit? Waking up and going to sleep day after day would've messed with anyone's mind.

This story turns out to be a positive as the very coach (Pete Carroll) that wanted him at USC invited Banks to Seahawks a private workout. It's been a long time and skills can possibly diminish, but Carroll was fairly impressed by what he saw from Banks, enough to invite him to minicamp.

For all of the negative things that we hear about USC, this speaks volumes for the character of Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and I personally hope that Banks makes the team!

Working too hard?

It appears the Seattle Seahawks violated a rule in having physical contact during an OTA. In return, the squad is being punished by losing 2 OTA workouts. Looks like Coach Carroll means business this year and wants to put the best product out on the field.

No thank you

We know now that the Miami Dolphins will be the team featured on the HBO series Hard Knocks. Seattle had an opportunity to be the featured team but declined.

There you have it from Seahawks camp. Let's all wish Brian Banks a lot of luck after the pain that he's had to endure.

Kellen Winslow Jr.

At times a disgruntled team will trade a talented player to another team for basically nothing, simply because they're fed up with the player. This is the case with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as former Rutgers head coach and first year coach Greg Schiano made a statement by trading veteran Kellen Winslow Jr. to the Seattle Seahawks for just a 7th round draft pick in 2013.

Obviously Seattle gets much the better of this trade as tight end Zach Miller had been forced to block more than he wanted to due to a frequently injured offensive line. Miller caught just 25 passes for 233 yards and 0 touchdowns. This is a tight end that was very productive with the Raiders. Miller now has the assistance of Winslow Jr. and things can get very interesting in Seattle.

Schiano's motives

Winslow wasn't working out with the team in the offseason and didn't report for the team's OTA. Winslow claimed that he'd been working out in California and was about to report to the OTA. Either Winslow Jr. rubbed Schiano the wrong way or the new head coach wanted to make a statement to his team. 

Look for Winslow Jr. to come out strong as a Seahawk; he doesn't want to be embarrassed. Unfortunately the Seahawks and the Buccaners don't meet each other this season.

Immediate impact!

Kellen Winslow Jr. is coming off a 75 reception season for 763 yards and 2 TD. He's played in 92 career games with 437 receptions for 4836 yards and 23 TD. This is a spectacular pickup for the Seattle Seahawks that instantly makes them a much better squad.

Will they ever learn?

Add offensive tackle Allen Barbre's name to the list of players that have been suspended for the usage of performance enhancement drugs. Barbre will be expected to miss the first four weeks of the season to serve out his suspension. He was slated as a backup but remember folks, starters do go down, especially on this team.

Seattle can take solace in the fact that they signed offensive tackles Alex Barron and Frank Omiyale in the offseason.

The NFL odds makers have them at +5000 to take the Super Bowl in 2013.

That's all from Seahawk country for this week. Stayed tuned for more incoming news.