One option for replacing Bennett is off the board

[RiverDog]

One of the often mentioned names for replacing Michael Bennett if he doesn't re-sign, Everson Griffen, who played for Pete at USC, just signed "monster" a 5 year contract worth $42.5M stretched over 5 years. Although I'm sure it's back loaded, it averages out to $8.5M, and that's for a situational guy that didn't start a single game and got just 5.5 sacks last season. I'm sure that figure has not escaped Drew Rosenhaus' attention. The price to re-sign Bennett just went up.

It also means that the Vikings have no intentions of re-signing Jared Allen. If we can't resign Bennett, is Allen an option for us? If I'm Jared Allen, I'd love to come play before the Hawks and a chance to play in front of the 12th man and finally get a ring to finish out my career.

And by the way, there are reports out of Chicago that the Bears are in 'strong pursuit' of Michael Bennett and will sign him once the free agent market opens tomorrow.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... l-bennett/

[Eaglehawk]

Good for Bennet. Rosen. will make sure that any team he goes to will pay high dollar.
I think that we will have to pony up the cash to keep him. Or say goodbye.

I don't mind him leaving actually. He was a playmaker, but I think no one except RW Sherm and ET are irreplaceable.

[savvyman]

I don't know why we didn't franchise Bennett like I suggested four weeks ago under the "Rent him for one more year strategy".

He is going to be a top 5 paid defensive lineman anyway by the time this free agency period is over - except now to sign him a team will have to make him a Top 5 paid lineman for multiple years.

It made so much sense to franchise Bennett for the next year open window run for a second Suoerbowl - even if we had to cut Clemons to make it happen (which I am not sure would have been necessary to sign and pay Bennett under the one year franchise price).

[HumanCockroach]

Guess I would prefer multiple years as opposed to one huge year payment wise. Most players will indeed accept less per year, for more guaranteed money, which typically works out better long term overall for the team. Doesn't always, but typically a player that is young and good, at least performs to the incentives paid. Especially if the player is a "known" quantity on the team that signs them. Would you prefer 12.5 million for one season out of Bennett, or 4 years at 9.5? Kind of deal.

[monkey]

I still think he'll be back, maybe even as soon as today.
I think using the tag would be a bad idea, you'd just end up ticking him off...remember, he signed a one year deal with the Seahawks just so that he could maximize his value, taking away his ability to do that, isn't going to make him happy or likely to sign long term.

Giving him a decent offer, then letting him see what is out there, is the right approach. Remember, we still have some things working for us that no other team has such as; we have a title to defend, because we are the CHAMPIONS, and we have Pete as head coach, and that's something, players actually LIKE playing for him, and we have guys on this team who he played with last season, and who he LIKED playing with.
Those are all things no other team can lay claim to, and if it comes down to say, Chicago offering him 8.5 million, while we offer him 8, we still may have the edge because of those other IMPORTANT things. Sure he'd like to play with his brother, but just as sure, he liked playing here, and there's a part of him that no doubt wants to come back, as he has said himself.

If you love a thing, let it go (into free agency), if it comes back (and resigns), it's because you're the Seattle Seahawks and you've just won the Sueprbowl!

[monkey]

Hehe, I love being right. Especially about something this good.

[burrrton]

If you love a thing, let it go (into free agency), if it comes back (and resigns), it's because you're the Seattle Seahawks and you've just won the Sueprbowl!

[HumanCockroach]

Replaced Bennett, with.... Bennett....

[RiverDog]

Hehe, I love being right. Especially about something this good.

Good call, monkey! Sure renders this thread moot, doesn't it?

He was expensive, but I'm glad we pulled the trigger. He was the most important player on our DL IMO.

[Zorn76]

Hehe, I love being right. Especially about something this good.

Good call, monkey! Sure renders this thread moot, doesn't it?

He was expensive, but I'm glad we pulled the trigger. He was the most important player on our DL IMO.

I would Love to bring Jared Allen here, per your op.

[monkey]

Hehe, I love being right. Especially about something this good.

Good call, monkey! Sure renders this thread moot, doesn't it?

He was expensive, but I'm glad we pulled the trigger. He was the most important player on our DL IMO.

I would Love to bring Jared Allen here, per your op.

So would I. Of course, the only way to do that would be at the cost of Clemons.
It's my opinion (which obviously could be wrong) that we could very likely sign Allen for less of a cap hit than what Clemon's will be this year. I think Allen could potentially be a big time bargain. Again, that's opinion, I could turn out to be completely wrong. If I am right though, imagine what the D-Line would look like with Bennett, Avril, Mebane, Allen, plus all the other guys who rotate in and out on the line...that's a heckuva line!

[RiverDog]

Love to bring Jared Allen here, per your op.

So would I. Of course, the only way to do that would be at the cost of Clemons.
It's my opinion (which obviously could be wrong) that we could very likely sign Allen for less of a cap hit than what Clemon's will be this year. I think Allen could potentially be a big time bargain. Again, that's opinion, I could turn out to be completely wrong. If I am right though, imagine what the D-Line would look like with Bennett, Avril, Mebane, Allen, plus all the other guys who rotate in and out on the line...that's a heckuva line!

Allen still has a lot left in his motor. He's actually a year younger than Clemons, never had a major injury, 7 straight seasons with 11+ sacks. Rumor is that the Broncos will make a run at him, but you gotta think that the combination of the chance at a ring and playing in front of the 12th man would give us an edge should we choose to pursue him.

[monkey]

Love to bring Jared Allen here, per your op.

So would I. Of course, the only way to do that would be at the cost of Clemons.
It's my opinion (which obviously could be wrong) that we could very likely sign Allen for less of a cap hit than what Clemon's will be this year. I think Allen could potentially be a big time bargain. Again, that's opinion, I could turn out to be completely wrong. If I am right though, imagine what the D-Line would look like with Bennett, Avril, Mebane, Allen, plus all the other guys who rotate in and out on the line...that's a heckuva line!

Allen still has a lot left in his motor. He's actually a year younger than Clemons, never had a major injury, 7 straight seasons with 11+ sacks. Rumor is that the Broncos will make a run at him, but you gotta think that the combination of the chance at a ring and playing in front of the 12th man would give us an edge should we choose to pursue him.

That's what I am thinking as well RIv. Let's hope we are right.

[kalibane]

It's going to depend on what the market is for Allen. He's going to have to last through the first stretch of free agency signings like Bennett and Avril did last year in order to knock down his contract expectations. If that happens the Allen signing makes a tone of sense.

[Eaglehawk]

I don't know why we didn't franchise Bennett like I suggested four weeks ago under the "Rent him for one more year strategy".

He is going to be a top 5 paid defensive lineman anyway by the time this free agency period is over - except now to sign him a team will have to make him a Top 5 paid lineman for multiple years.

It made so much sense to franchise Bennett for the next year open window run for a second Suoerbowl - even if we had to cut Clemons to make it happen (which I am not sure would have been necessary to sign and pay Bennett under the one year franchise price).

PC does not like using the F tag cause of the effect it has on players. I don't blame him. Of course he'll use it if he has to IMO.