Sherman signed!

[c_hawkbob]

My phone just told me so, he's now the highest paid Corner in the league!

*unfortunately the NFL.com app failed to open for me and I don't have time to google it just now so I have no details, but I'm sure they'll be everywhere very soon!

[Anthony]

My phone just told me so, he's now the highest paid Corner in the league!

*unfortunately the NFL.com app failed to open for me and I don't have time to google it just now so I have no details, but I'm sure they'll be everywhere very soon!

Yeah I saw that too. ESPN is saying they completing the deal as we type.

[c_hawkbob]

Presser very soon I also hear.

[kalibane]

Awesome news!

[NorthHawk]

Comment from PFT:

On his blog, Sherman called himself “blessed to announce” that he had signed a contract that would keep him in Seattle for several more years. Sherman also went a step further and announced the terms of the deal. He says he’s getting a four-year extension with a total value of $57.4 million. Sherman adds that $40 million of that money is guaranteed, although he stops short of sharing whether or not those are full guarantees or guaranteed against injury only.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... uaranteed/

[kalibane]

That's an insane amount of money. Not sure how I feel about that.

[THX-1138]

This is indeed great news! Our chances just got a whole lot better for the upcoming season. Sherman was kind of my wild-card guy. RW was going to be back at whatever cost, and I have to say that I'm still OK with that. But Sherman's negotiation could have gone either way. Glad to see he will be in the LOB.

[Bird Droppings]

They had to get this done.
I suspect the reason they didn't announce this yesterday was because the Hawks were the leading pre-draft national story because of the brochure they prepared for agents of undrafted free agents to lure them to sign immediately after the draft is over.

That was unique, and got a lot of attention from national sports media.

Most detractors this morning are complaining about all the money the Hawks have put into DB's, and they will soon be in cap hell as a result.

Well, when you figure the cap will increase by probably $15 mil over the next two years, that might mitigate the heat from hell into air conditioning.

Here is the guy with more national attention from non-football zealots than any other player what with his mouth movements from last November to present, from a "thug" to an "angel" ...
and a guy who got jabbed by the Presdident a few short days ago.

zoom

[NorthHawk]

It's a lot, but I don't worry about the money.
People are paid large amounts of it to manage the salary cap and if there is a will, they can usually find a way.
If the Cap Whizzes mess up, they will be out of a dream job and will never get another chance. At least they shouldn't get another chance.

[savvyman]

Yes it is an insane amount of money.

However the greatest defensive asset you can have on the field is a shutdown cornerback. And we are fortunate to have the best one in the NFL.

[HumanCockroach]

There isn't a whole lot of considerations for "how much" a player costs when they are young, premier, HOF possibilities. You PAY the man, and the Seahawks did with both Thomas and Sherman. The ONLY important decision IMHO at that point is is that player going to stop working hard, take it easy, and allow the level of their play slide. In those two players cases I don't feel like that is an issue, do other people? No off field problems, no on field problems, and a boulder sized chip on their shoulders to prove how great they are. We aren't talking about guys that haven't shown a willingness to do what the team wants, or are busy wrapping cars around trees drunk and high before practice, we are talking about potential HOF bound players that work hard and keep their heads down..... It's always possible they go off the rails, but in this case/s I feel confident and comfortable.

[Steady_Hawk]

I bet this isn't as insane as it seems. If I'm computing this correctly, he's signing a four year extension past this year like Thomas did correct? So he's here for five more years? If this is the case, they will probably load a big chunk of that contact this year since we have the cap room and the remainder of his contract may be pretty fair to be quite honest.

[kalibane]

You're right cockroach. I'm not worried about Sherman getting lazy I guess I'm more concerned about a possible injury.

[NorthHawk]

Injuries are lurking around the corner for every team and player.
Whether they can avoid them is another issue.
It's often a matter of luck - just look at Okung getting rolled up on his ankle by his teammate twice. If he had slightly turned the man he was blocking in either or both cases, he might have avoided the injuries.

[kalibane]

Granted, but he's basically being paid like a QB at a position where if you're robbed of your athleticism you're kind of screwed (which is not necessarily the case at QB).

Let's be clear, Sherm is one of my favorite players on the team (if not the favorite). I have a bobblehead on my desk and I broke my "never buy a jersey of someone younger than you" rule to buy his. But man it's 40 million guaranteed. As painful as the decisions were going to be that they have to make in the future, they are about to get a lot more painful. I was thinking around 30 million max guaranteed and less money per year on a longer term deal. Not saying they shouldn't have signed him and I'm happy he's back but the number gives me pause.

[monkey]

That's an insane amount of money. Not sure how I feel about that.

It's something that the team has been planning for, for quite some time now. John and Pete have done the math, and they know what they need to keep this thing going as long as possible.
I'm not worried...they know what they're doing and have proved it. They've taken care of every one of the guys they labeled as "high" priorities, with the possible exception of Golden Tate (though really, how high a priority was he when he was essentially redundant, and they offered him very little to stay).

Bottom line: when viewed over the length of the contract, what he's getting paid is high, but reasonable, and the front office hasn't deviated from the big plan one bit. They're still exactly on schedule, on track to keep the core players together and keep this team on top for as long as possible.
I love it! And for all of you guys who argued with me when I said that Sherman would want to stay here...told ya!

[NorthHawk]

The positive side is they are paying the core players that won the Super Bowl. Others and Draft Picks will see that and know if they come here they will be rewarded as well should they win it all.
Maybe it's part of the buy-in philosophy in that if they sacrifice for wins, the team will reward them.

You're right - it is a lot of money.

[THX-1138]

The positive side is they are paying the core players that won the Super Bowl. Others and Draft Picks will see that and know if they come here they will be rewarded as well should they win it all.
Maybe it's part of the buy-in philosophy in that if they sacrifice for wins, the team will reward them.

You're right - it is a lot of money.

I like that. It's sort of an intangible. I'm quite fond of those and believe that intangible factors can be a huge difference maker.

[Steady_Hawk]

I agree that the guaranteed money is a bit scary, but his overall contract is a bargain in reality. Revis was making 16 Mil at Tampa and currently 12 Mil at NE. Sherman is the better Corner and his average over the total contract is around 11.5 a year assuming they are going to pay him that much this year before his actual extension starts. No too shabby. Far more palatable than that ridiculous number I was fearing because of Revis and his inflated self worth.

[burrrton]

Great news. Now I have to get serious about fretting whether the big paydays make our D soft. It's what I do.

[Hawktawk]

The Hawks have assembled one of the all time great secondaries, certainly in the FA/ Cap era.. And they have the 3 biggest cogs locked up. After watching 20 straight seasons of abysmal secondary play I say this is priceless. The secondary is the most important part of any defense IMO. Salary Cap be damned this team is loaded for a repeat, maybe more.....

[PasadenaHawk]

Best part is I don't have to keep checking the internet every 10 minutes. I see it as a 5-year - $12m/year deal and I think without a doubt Sherman is worth it.

[NorthHawk]

It now means they know the landscape (what they can afford) for Wilson's contract.
With Avril also a FA next year, if he continues to produce they will have to make a decision on him.

[NorthHawk]

Here's what PFT has on Sherman's contract:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... 21-months/

"Sherman’s self-report of $40 million guaranteed and $57.4 million over four years is close to being completely accurate, but it’s not completely accurate.

For starters, the deal has a five-year, not four-year, value of $57.4 million. (Actually, $57.431 million.) It comes from the $1.431 million he was due to make in the final year of his rookie deal plus $56 million in new money over the next four years.

Of the amount, only $12.431 million is fully guaranteed at signing, via the $1.431 million base salary in 2014 plus an $11 million signing bonus. The rest of the guarantee ($27.569 million) covers injury only at first. By February 2016, it will all be fully guaranteed.

The first chunk, a $10 million 2015 base salary, becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the waiver period after the next Super Bowl. The remaining $17.569 million ($12.569 million in 2016 base salary and $5 million of his $11.431 million base salary in 2017) becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the waiver period after the Super Bowl to be played in February 2016.

If the Seahawks cut Sherman after one season (highly unlikely), he hits the market next February with $12.431 million earned under the new contract. If they cut him after two seasons (possibly but not likely), he walks away with $22.431 million for two seasons, and becomes a free agent.

If they don’t cut him by February 2016, he’ll earn $40 million guaranteed. If he plays out the full deal, he’ll make $57.4 million and hit the market while still under the age of 30."

[HumanCockroach]

Granted, but he's basically being paid like a QB at a position where if you're robbed of your athleticism you're kind of screwed (which is not necessarily the case at QB).

Let's be clear, Sherm is one of my favorite players on the team (if not the favorite). I have a bobblehead on my desk and I broke my "never buy a jersey of someone younger than you" rule to buy his. But man it's 40 million guaranteed. As painful as the decisions were going to be that they have to make in the future, they are about to get a lot more painful. I was thinking around 30 million max guaranteed and less money per year on a longer term deal. Not saying they shouldn't have signed him and I'm happy he's back but the number gives me pause.

If you think 12 million a year is like being paid like a QB not sure what QB you are comparing him to, 20 a year is in line with upper tier QB's not 12, that said, you can look forward to a year or two from now when 12 a year will be considered "under paid", good news in this situation is that I don't see Sherman Complaining about how vastly he is underpaid next off season ala Revis a few short seasons ago after signing the biggest contract ever for a corner the season before, and threatening a hold out. Revis IS all about the money, and while money and the ability to get as much as possible when you can in the NFL is a valid concern, seems to me Sherman understands the benefits of marketing both locally and nationally "his brand", and is OK with doing so here in Seattle ( at least for the length of his contract) and at least seems to grasp that HOF type careers are easier to make when you play for a contender, and in one place for a significant time....

ultimately that is I believe his goal, to be considered not just the "best" or one of the best while he plays, but THE best to ever play, hence the lack of concern with how this money will affect his work, or attitude, he simply "gets it" in regards to his own goals, reach a goal, set one further, reach that one, and make another etc.

[kalibane]

Well 4 years at 56 million is more like 14 million a year. Yeah he's not getting paid like a top tier QB but it's still QB money.

[HumanCockroach]

Well 4 years at 56 million is more like 14 million a year. Yeah he's not getting paid like a top tier QB but it's still QB money.

So is 550 thousand, don't sweat it, it isn't our money, and I am fairly confident in a couple seasons this is indeed going to fall under the "underpaid" situation. ( and it's 5 years 56 million, I thought that had been clarified).... it's an extension, not a tear up and pay situation, meaning Shermans deal this year base wise remains unchanged ( 1.5).

[RiverDog]

They had to get this done.
I suspect the reason they didn't announce this yesterday was because the Hawks were the leading pre-draft national story because of the brochure they prepared for agents of undrafted free agents to lure them to sign immediately after the draft is over.

That was unique, and got a lot of attention from national sports media.

Most detractors this morning are complaining about all the money the Hawks have put into DB's, and they will soon be in cap hell as a result.

Well, when you figure the cap will increase by probably $15 mil over the next two years, that might mitigate the heat from hell into air conditioning.

Here is the guy with more national attention from non-football zealots than any other player what with his mouth movements from last November to present, from a "thug" to an "angel" ...
and a guy who got jabbed by the Presdident a few short days ago.

zoom

Zoom, you pretty much nailed this one. You said Sherman would sign on Monday or Tuesday. So he signs on Wednesday. Close enough for government work. Nice call.

Now all we really have left is Wilson... along with guys like Wright and Wagner, in the near future. Plus we'll have to make a decision on Okung next year. And the beat goes on.

One thought that comes to mind is how Tim Ruskell botched the Hutch signing in his defense of our only other Super Bowl team, a move that arguably led to our/his decline. Schneider is rapidly establishing himself as our best GM in the history of our franchise.

[Bird Droppings]

Dog, you're right about next year.

The OLB's might be squeezed, as will Avril ... and while I think they will cover Okung (who will stay even at a bit of a discount) ... those are the positions they will be targeting in the draft.

They don't have to worry about QB.

As a result, I'm convinced they will be trading down their first, and probably their second picks to pick up an additional 2 or 3 or 4 spots in the first five rounds.

I originally figured Hageman to replace Red, and Ealy or Lawrence to cover Avril's spot next year.

They will trade down from #32 because Ealy and Hageman and Kouandjio will probably be gone before #32, and, if they aren't, the Hawks will be selecting between 33 and 39 ... and if any of those guys are there at 32, they will probably will be available when the Hawks drop back.

So, toss OT Morgan Moses in with Kouandjio if their board so dictates and the slim chance Ealy and Hageman are still there.

And don't be astounded if they trade back from that first trade down to as far back as #49, and pull three more picks for that trade down.

...and they'll still have #64 to trade down from for an extra pick in the third and fourth or fourth and fifth.

I'm playing with house money at this point.

My daughter is going to Vegas for the draft and I will give her a few dibs to put down on the Hawks at #32 ... TRADE DOWN.

And so, ChalkBob, on your pick 3, I somewhat change my first round from "probably trade down" to "will trade down" ... and those guys mentioned above become my choice as our first selection in the second round.

zoom

[RiverDog]

I hate betting on something like trading down. It doesn't matter how badly a team wants to trade, it takes two to tango. I read where a lot of teams want to trade down, meaning that there's probably not many that want to trade up. I'd bet anyone even money with anyone that we stay at #32 and pick our man, whom ever that may be.

[EntiatHawk]

I think this is great news. We have locked up players who have that fire to be great. They have a chance to go down in the history books and be mention in that conversation of the great defenses. I do not see any of theLOB slacking. In fact my bet is that they will work just as hard if not more so to prove to everyone that they are worth every penny they receive.

In two years it is very likely these guys will be a bargain for what they do.

Dang I want some football!!!! Go Hawks!!!!!!!

[HumanCockroach]

Think you'll be surprised how many QB desperate teams will be looking to jump ahead of Houston's 33rd pick, look for Seattle to make a move with Jacksonville, Oakland or Cleveland in this draft to pick up a "second tier" QB LIKE mettzenberger or someone similar. Houston likely either takes Clowney or trades down and STILL drafts a position player, with their sites on a QB to start the second round, teams like Jacksonville, Cleveland, Oakland or possibly Minnesota will be looking to leapfrog them ( something like a swap of seconds and a third and an additional late round pick)....

[HumanCockroach]

Dog, you're right about next year.

The OLB's might be squeezed, as will Avril ... and while I think they will cover Okung(who will stay even at a bit of a discount) ... those are the positions they will be targeting in the draft.

They don't have to worry about QB.

As a result, I'm convinced they will be trading down their first, and probably their second picks to pick up an additional 2 or 3 or 4 spots in the first five rounds.

I originally figured Hageman to replace Red, and Ealy or Lawrence to cover Avril's spot next year.

They will trade down from #32 because Ealy and Hageman and Kouandjio will probably be gone before #32, and, if they aren't, the Hawks will be selecting between 33 and 39 ... and if any of those guys are there at 32, they will probably will be available when the Hawks drop back.

So, toss OT Morgan Moses in with Kouandjio if their board so dictates and the slim chance Ealy and Hageman are still there.

And don't be astounded if they trade back from that first trade down to as far back as #49, and pull three more picks for that trade down.

...and they'll still have #64 to trade down from for an extra pick in the third and fourth or fourth and fifth.

I'm playing with house money at this point.

My daughter is going to Vegas for the draft and I will give her a few dibs to put down on the Hawks at #32 ... TRADE DOWN.

And so, ChalkBob, on your pick 3, I somewhat change my first round from "probably trade down" to "will trade down" ... and those guys mentioned above become my choice as our first selection in the second round.

zoom

A big reason I didn't submit a draft, I'm about 90% sure we see them trade down in this draft ( and I would bet they STILL get who they targeting any way).

[briwas101]

Im glad sherman is locked up but the avg annual compensation and guaranteed money makes me gasp a little. I guess we're gonna have to get used to humongous contracts.

So on the bright side it looks like the hawks will be competitors for at least the next 4 years with the amount of talent under contract.

On the down side the hawks will finally be at the point where they are FORCED to (a) draft quality replacements and (b) know when to move on from players who have been with the team a while.

All in all this is a good day. We have a solid 4 years to enjoy the team and win more championships.

[briwas101]

Well 4 years at 56 million is more like 14 million a year. Yeah he's not getting paid like a top tier QB but it's still QB money.

So is 550 thousand, don't sweat it, it isn't our money, and I am fairly confident in a couple seasons this is indeed going to fall under the "underpaid" situation. ( and it's 5 years 56 million, I thought that had been clarified).... it's an extension, not a tear up and pay situation, meaning Shermans deal this year base wise remains unchanged ( 1.5).

Looking at the explanation in a post above, it is the original 1.4m in 2014 that he was already going to get, and then $56m for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 like sherman said.

So instead of being under contract for one year (2014) he is now under contract until 2018 (4 year extension) at a cost of $56m.

[mykc14]

Well 4 years at 56 million is more like 14 million a year. Yeah he's not getting paid like a top tier QB but it's still QB money.

So is 550 thousand, don't sweat it, it isn't our money, and I am fairly confident in a couple seasons this is indeed going to fall under the "underpaid" situation. ( and it's 5 years 56 million, I thought that had been clarified).... it's an extension, not a tear up and pay situation, meaning Shermans deal this year base wise remains unchanged ( 1.5).

Looking at the explanation in a post above, it is the original 1.4m in 2014 that he was already going to get, and then $56m for 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 like sherman said.

So instead of being under contract for one year (2014) he is now under contract until 2018 (4 year extension) at a cost of $56m.

Thats what I am getting from what I have read as well. It is a 4 year 56 mil extension, with 40 mil guaranteed, and an 11 mil signing bonus, but really it is 5 years at 57.4 mil which averages out to a little over 11 mil a year which is a great deal for the Hawks. I usually wait until spotrac has the official numbers up to see what the yearly cap hits, dead money implications, etc but they don't have the breakdown up yet. They do have up his new total of 57.4 and show him as being a free agent in 2019, which is 5 years. IMO that is a huge distinction. I sort of shuttered at the 14+ mil a year but at 11 it's a steal. Also, the 40 mil looks like it is 'only' guaranteed for injury which means that he can be cut if his play were to decline (I don't see that happening) without that whole 40 mil counting against the Hawks. I read that they will actually have 2 chances to cut him, after the 2014 & 15 seasons with only the money paid and remaining signing bonus as guaranteed, meaning the dead money wouldn't be terrible (between 8 &10 mil). Again, I don't see us having to cut him for a decline in play, but it is nice to know the cushion is there. Also, this is just early info, we really won't know the actual details for a few days, but by all indications this is a great resign!

[Zorn76]

1st off, I gotta admit I'm a bit surprised that we ended up signing him so quickly.

I pictured this being a somewhat difficult process, and thought that Sherman might be looking for even more money and a longer deal. So much for that, lol.

I'm glad it got done, naturally. As for the numbers, the guaranteed was definitely higher than I woulda thought, considering it's a 4 yr extension. I knew it was gonna be appreciably more than Talib's new deal in Denver, but not this much considering the length of the deal.

At the end of the day, RS is worth it. He's only 25, and I think he does possess the work ethic and pride to keep his title as the best CB in the game, which he is now, IMO.

RW is next. It's funny that the biggest cornerstone of the Seahawk franchise will be the last of the big 3 to work out his new contract, but that's just the way the timing is.

At least it's done. No squabbles. No, "I can't believe they offered me such a mediocre contract."

Cheers to the draft!

[Bird Droppings]

Roach, that is exactly my trade down list from #32 ... one of those teams will want "their" QB.

The national experts have changed their playlist this morning and are now saying no trades in the first five (King, Mayock, et al) ... but i'll stick with the rumor of the past three weeks that has Atlanta going all in to get Clowney with the number one pick.

And while they may use the #6 overall they get in the deal, I think they may go another position player with that.

As a result, I can see Houston swapping #33 for #32 to keep those other teams from jumping over them, and you have all the teams listed that are likely those salivating for #32 and the fifth year option that goes with it.

But come into the light and jump in ChalkBob's pick 'em three selections per pick sewing circle. Don't be shy, you can look just as foolish as the rest of us.

There is now a new matrix up on Field Gulls that shows likely trading partners with the Hawks and what picks the Hawks would be adding ... but, if ya wanna, go ahead and project those.

zoom

[NorthHawk]

Don't count out the Skins wanting to move into the 1st for some player they see as real value. They could thereby get him for 5 years instead of 4 because of the option year.
This is a good position to be in during a deep draft.

[Eaglehawk]

Best part is I don't have to keep checking the internet every 10 minutes. I see it as a 5-year - $12m/year deal and I think without a doubt Sherman is worth it.

That's the way I am looking at it as well. Damn worth it.