Beast Mode is in Camp!

[Seahawks4Ever]

OK, ML has done his part now J.S. need to get off the dime and guarantee him the extra few bucks he wants, as long as it doesn't blow up the Cap of course.

All Schneider has to do is guarantee any monies that were projected to earned through incentives, Lynch don't need no stinking incentive to play 110%. Then, John needs to shift half of the salary Lynch would make in 2015 on to this season's salary, all guaranteed of course. That would give him time to adjust pay roll so that

J.S. could pay M.L. the same amount of salary in 2015 as he will in 014 per the "new deal". J.S. could then add two years to the over all length of the contract give the team control through 2017 but those last two years would be heavily incentive laden and not really expected to be honored. We would have two more full season's of Beast Mode and both team and Lynch would be happy. If he stayed health and productive through 2015 they both could look at adjusting the contract again at that time.

[c_hawkbob]

Feed the Beast!

[burrrton]

Yeah, roughly speaking, I think what you describe is the right thing to do in this case.

As I've made clear in other threads, I don't support a player not honoring a contract any more than I do any other employee in any other profession, but simply asking (even pressuring) for more money is fine by me, and I think granting him his request is warranted.

[kalibane]

Funny Burrton for all our philosophical differences on this issue and we end up on the opposite side of this argument. lol.

1. His compensation is fine. Yes he has a lower base salary right now than is his worth... but he got the signing bonus he did exactly because they believed he'd produce the way he has the last two years. His contract was a bet on the future not paying him for his level of play up to that point.

2. We need to learn from SA and not muck up the cap on an older RB when we have a bunch of young guys who have also earned their contracts and have their best years ahead of them (theorhetically).

3. Sitting on Christine Michael for more time is a waste of a draft choice.

[Seahawks4Ever]

That was the problem I had with a possible hold out, how would a renegotiated contract for Marshawn Lynch adversely affect our ability to resign Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright

I should have kept the faith that J.S. would be all over it and had already taken in to consideration that we probably would keep Lynch at least through 2015 and take that 9.5 million Salary Cap hit and yet still have no problem resigning RW, BW, & KJ. J.S. seems very astute at anticipating potential problems and fixing it.

[burrrton]

We need to learn from SA and not muck up the cap on an older RB

Well, my agreement hinged on the "as long as it doesn't blow up our cap" part of the OP, so I don't think we're as far apart as you might think.

I agree with you that he has been, and is being, compensated pretty fairly, so leaving him alone wouldn't be outrageous to me- I just was listening to Brock and Danny and heard a discussion wherein it was possible for the team to throw him a few more bucks (mostly as goodwill) without tearing up his contract nor 'sploding our cap.

That made me a little more sympathetic, I guess.

[Bird Droppings]

He showed up at camp on time, that's his part.

I'm guessing he's expecting a salary adjustment based on recent Hawks lock-ups on the Richard Sherman Corporation and Thomas the Earl, who he has probably communicated with over the past couple weeks.

The Schneid knows what happened in Buffalo when Mr. Lynch got "disrespected".

The adjustment will be creative, and probably not run over $2 mil.

Make no bets that he even wants to play next year.

And, gennelmen, he will not cost them any of the 3 W's ... Will, or Wright, or The Valkyrie (Wagner).

He could cost them a couple other FA's next year, though.

Stay tuned over the next month of dormancy with settlement before camp opens.

But don't be surprised if you don't hear a word from Mr. Lynch.

zoom

[RiverDog]

Sure glad I didn't throw him under the bus like some of us faithful did. For all the pundits that thought they knew what Beast was thinking and he fools them again.

We took a big step towards repeating today, although it's still going to be a monumental task.

[HumanCockroach]

Never doubted that he would be to be honest. Lot of hearsay, speculation and media sensationalisism,until either a player doesn't show up, or he actually says ( at the very least) he isn't going to show, IMO it is important to allow them the ability to do what they feel is right.

I am sure that he does indeed want more money ( or at least more "front" money) but he has shown up at his job. This is NO different than a regular Joe that is vital to a companies success pressuring his boss for a raise. He didn't attend the company picnic, but come Monday morning he is there, and wants to be compensated for his work.

I have zero problem with that, as the bulk of those hyperventilating over him missing VOLUNTARY workouts, have done EXACTLY that at some point in their lives.

[jshawaii22]

He didn't 'practice'... does is matter that he's possibly just here to not be fined $70k?

Seemed to be in good spirits and that actually says a lot. I imagine you'd know it if he was pissed off.

js

[Zorn76]

I hope they work out a deal soon. Lynch is still franchise back material, even though he's entering his 8th season. Michael has a lot to prove. He may finally get some PT in 2014, but it's gonna remain Beast getting the lion's share of the carries. Marshawn was a Huge reason why we went to to the SB last year, and I expect more of the same beginning this fall.

[RiverDog]

He didn't 'practice'... does is matter that he's possibly just here to not be fined $70k?

Seemed to be in good spirits and that actually says a lot. I imagine you'd know it if he was pissed off.

js

According to PC, Lynch didn't participate in drills because he had a sore ankle. I'm not sure I believe that, but at least he's in camp.

[kalibane]

I hope they work out a deal soon. Lynch is still franchise back material, even though he's entering his 8th season. Michael has a lot to prove. He may finally get some PT in 2014, but it's gonna remain Beast getting the lion's share of the carries. Marshawn was a Huge reason why we went to to the SB last year, and I expect more of the same beginning this fall.

Marshawn Lynch had a lot to prove when he got to Seattle initially. I'm not worried about this year. I think Lynch will be fine. I'm thinking about 2015 and beyond.

People are posting about Lynch completely scared of life without him despite the fact that RB is the most replacable position on the field and the Seahawks have one of the most talented young RBs in the league sitting behind him.

Smart GMs have always adhered to the maxim that it's better to let a player go one year early than one year late. It makes no sense to run Lynch until the tread falls off. You can make the argument that Lynch is the best RB in the league (although I personally put him fouth behind Peterson, Charles and McCoy) and I actually really like the guy and will be sad when he's not here, but it seems like people are making the mistake of believing that if they don't have Lynch they can't win the Superbowl. The key ingrediant is a strong running game, and there are other players that can provide it. Lynch hasn't cornered the market.

Furthermore, he's a fun player but he isn't exactly a team player, I'm not sure why people feel like the Seahawks owe him their loyalty when we know that Lynch is going to do whatever he feels like and can get away with regardless of how it affects the other 52 players on the team. Especially when you take into consideration that to show him that much loyalty would already be above and beyond the typical way players are treated in the NFL even when they had given their all to a team. We aren't talking about Steve Largent. Lynch has been a Seahawk for 4 years and the franchise already went out on a bit of a limb for him with the first extension.

[RiverDog]

I hope they work out a deal soon. Lynch is still franchise back material, even though he's entering his 8th season. Michael has a lot to prove. He may finally get some PT in 2014, but it's gonna remain Beast getting the lion's share of the carries. Marshawn was a Huge reason why we went to to the SB last year, and I expect more of the same beginning this fall.

Marshawn Lynch had a lot to prove when he got to Seattle initially. I'm not worried about this year. I think Lynch will be fine. I'm thinking about 2015 and beyond.

People are posting about Lynch completely scared of life without him despite the fact that RB is the most replacable position on the field and the Seahawks have one of the most talented young RBs in the league sitting behind him.

Smart GMs have always adhered to the maxim that it's better to let a player go one year early than one year late. It makes no sense to run Lynch until the tread falls off. You can make the argument that Lynch is the best RB in the league (although I personally put him fouth behind Peterson, Charles and McCoy) and I actually really like the guy and will be sad when he's not here, but it seems like people are making the mistake of believing that if they don't have Lynch they can't win the Superbowl. The key ingrediant is a strong running game, and there are other players that can provide it. Lynch hasn't cornered the market.

Furthermore, he's a fun player but he isn't exactly a team player, I'm not sure why people feel like the Seahawks owe him their loyalty when we know that Lynch is going to do whatever he feels like and can get away with regardless of how it affects the other 52 players on the team. Especially when you take into consideration that to show him that much loyalty would already be above and beyond the typical way players are treated in the NFL even when they had given their all to a team. We aren't talking about Steve Largent. Lynch has been a Seahawk for 4 years and the franchise already went out on a bit of a limb for him with the first extension.

It's called World Championshipitus, and I'm afflicted with it as much as anyone. Marshawn Lynch was instrumental in helping our team achieve our one and only Lombardi, and for that I'll be forever grateful. He's earned his benefit of the doubt from me, so unless this thing gets quite a bit uglier, I'm not throwing him under the bus.

[kalibane]

I'm grateful too but that doesn't have to come of the form of being short sighted. The Seahawks organization can show their gratitude after he retires by celebrating his accomplishments and value, ring of honor induction if warranted, offering him opportunities within the organization to have a career after football (which truthfully is what most players need more than anything) so forth and so on.

Giving him extra money right now when he's already being compensated fairly is not the only way to show gratitude. This is not about throwing someone under the bus it's about making the wisest decision possible not just for Marshawn Lynch but for the 52 other players on the team and the organization as a whole.

You guys act like I'm saying to release Lynch to the wolves. I'm just saying there isn't a point in giving him a raise when players like RW, Wagner, KJ Wright and Maxwell who contributed greatly to the same Lombardi Trophy, are playing under contracts well below market value, have never had a big contract and are at the appropriate time to get new contracts are sitting there watching.

Those guys deserve to get paid too and I don't think that Lynch is so valuable or so indespensible that it would be smart to pay him twice before these other guys get paid once. Nor do I think he deserves it. Especially in light of the fact that there is a highly talented RB waiting on the bench.

You want to maintain success as a franchise. These are the decisions that have to be made. Ask New England fans.

[NorthHawk]

Lynch has missed practices and optional team functions before so it was really no big deal.
His missed practices were OK'd by Pete because he wants to limit the physical grinding he takes.

As far as extra money, I'm sure an extra million or so wouldn't break the bank but only the Seattle FO knows how many bones they can throw his way or if restructuring to front load some of next years salary is possible this year, but if there is a will, they can find a way.

[HumanCockroach]

He didn't 'practice'... does is matter that he's possibly just here to not be fined $70k?

Seemed to be in good spirits and that actually says a lot. I imagine you'd know it if he was pissed off.

js

Barely practiced last year as well ( coaches decision) during mandatory training camp, so at this point, nope, doesn't mean much.

[HumanCockroach]

I'm grateful too but that doesn't have to come of the form of being short sighted. The Seahawks organization can show their gratitude after he retires by celebrating his accomplishments and value, ring of honor induction if warranted, offering him opportunities within the organization to have a career after football (which truthfully is what most players need more than anything) so forth and so on.

Giving him extra money right now when he's already being compensated fairly is not the only way to show gratitude. This is not about throwing someone under the bus it's about making the wisest decision possible not just for Marshawn Lynch but for the 52 other players on the team and the organization as a whole.

You guys act like I'm saying to release Lynch to the wolves. I'm just saying there isn't a point in giving him a raise when players like RW, Wagner, KJ Wright and Maxwell who contributed greatly to the same Lombardi Trophy, are playing under contracts well below market value, have never had a big contract and are at the appropriate time to get new contracts are sitting there watching.

Those guys deserve to get paid too and I don't think that Lynch is so valuable or so indespensible that it would be smart to pay him twice before these other guys get paid once. Nor do I think he deserves it. Especially in light of the fact that there is a highly talented RB waiting on the bench.

You want to maintain success as a franchise. These are the decisions that have to be made. Ask New England fans.

Why are you throwing players into the mix that CAN'T have contracts reworked? The Seahawks can't even TALK to Wilson or Wagner. Maxwell does indeed deserve a raise, but are you telling me he has provided the same extended success Lynch has? I certainly don't feel 11 total games equates to some huge rrather The Only player you mentioned that they can do something with that honestly deserves a rework contract at this point ( maybe) is Wright. That doesn't mean I don't think they should be very mindful of how much money when they CAN do so is available, but at this point you are comparing apples to oranges.

People keep talking about money for Wilson, or money for Wagner, and the truth is, they can't even broach the subject. I'm certainly not saying they should hand Lynch a brand nenew 5yr 50 million dollar contract or anything, but giving the guy money from next years contract totals isn't going to in anyway affect the ability to sign guys in 2015. As that money "fronted" to him is then REMOVED from the cap when they actually need it, and can DO something with it.

[kalibane]

People are acting like Lynch is actually going to play out the final year of the contract and so if they take money from the next year of the contract and give it to him now instead it all balances out and the cap remains unaffected. Not true.

Lynch was never going to see that fourth year of his deal. Lynch's contract was essentially a three year deal. It always was meant to be a three year deal. After that he was either going to be released or restructured. The fourth year existed purely as a means to defray the cap hit of the signing bonus over the first three years. If you shift some of his money from year four into year three it's that much less money that was intended to be availabe next year when in all likelihood they release Lynch. Which means less money available when they will be talking to Wagner, Wilson and Wright about extending. If you pay him extra money this year without changing the structure of the fourth year it's that much less money that can be rolled over from this year's cap.

There is no "free" way to give Lynch extra money. No matter how you try to, you're going to end up paying for it in future years' available cap space.

[HumanCockroach]

Not true, it is WHAT money is moved forward, if the guaranteed portion of his salary is moved forward it does not in any way affect the cap next year, as there will be less "dead" money should they cut him. Currently, Lynch costs nine million against the cap next season, BUT 4 Million of that is guaranteed salary, with 5 million in NON guaranteed salary. IF the money moved forward is his guaranteed salary, the Seahawks save the SAME amount by cutting him, as they would should they not do anything else.

There is a hell of a lot more options than simply black and white, and there is indeed multiple different ways to actually INCREASE salary cap space, while "paying more" this season. Whether that be paying more now, and actually extending the length of the contract, or simply moving guaranteed money forward or even back in many cases. IF the Seahawks wanted to move the 4 million portion forward, it would be no different than rolling over the cap money from this year until next, because under NO circumstances do they avoid paying that money....the guaranteed money is SPENT, when they pay it does not negatively affect anything else they are doing ( unless of course you expect them to extend those guys before this season, as it would indeed affect this years salary cap.)

[kalibane]

Ah I didn't realize that the money was guaranteed.

Now what you're saying makes sense. Still if the money is guaranteed then it's just a shell game and Lynch really isn't getting a raise by shifting the money. Unless you're using the whole investor think that money today is worth more than money tomorrow because of natural inflation and the ability to grow that money between now and then. But even then it's just a nominal raise and more symbolic in nature than anything. I guess if that's all Lynch wants is essentially an advance on money that he's already going to get, I don't have a problem with it but I still don't really see the point of holding out for that kind of a deal.

Are you sure it's not a guarantee in the form of a roster bonus or contingent on some kind of other criteria the way Kaepernick's "guarantees" are? Because those kind of bonuses obviously aren't true guarantees until certain boxes get checked off even if it's just being on the roster.

[monkey]

Smart GMs have always adhered to the maxim that it's better to let a player go one year early than one year late. It makes no sense to run Lynch until the tread falls off. You can make the argument that Lynch is the best RB in the league (although I personally put him fouth behind Peterson, Charles and McCoy) and I actually really like the guy and will be sad when he's not here, but it seems like people are making the mistake of believing that if they don't have Lynch they can't win the Superbowl. The key ingrediant is a strong running game, and there are other players that can provide it. Lynch hasn't cornered the market.

Sums up my feelings exactly.
I think this will be his last year here, and due to his age and cap hit, I think that's the right thing to do, and had Lynch held out this year, not playing at all (as some had suggested he might), then you just move on with Michael and get on with football.

Lynch is a stud, he's a top 5 RB who gives his all on the field.
What Lynch is not, is irreplaceable. No more than Alexander was after the 05 Bowl.
Some fans have really romanticized his actual value because of the legend around the Beast Quake run, and have blown up his importance to an unrealistic value.

Personally, I doubt the Seahawks would have missed a single beat if Lynch decided to retire, as I think Michael would have stepped in and produced at approximately the same level.

[NorthHawk]

Ah I didn't realize that the money was guaranteed.

Now what you're saying makes sense. Still if the money is guaranteed then it's just a shell game and Lynch really isn't getting a raise by shifting the money. Unless you're using the whole investor think that money today is worth more than money tomorrow because of natural inflation and the ability to grow that money between now and then. But even then it's just a nominal raise and more symbolic in nature than anything. I guess if that's all Lynch wants is essentially an advance on money that he's already going to get, I don't have a problem with it but I still don't really see the point of holding out for that kind of a deal.

Are you sure it's not a guarantee in the form of a roster bonus or contingent on some kind of other criteria the way Kaepernick's "guarantees" are? Because those kind of bonuses obviously aren't true guarantees until certain boxes get checked off even if it's just being on the roster.

A lot of the Cap manipulation is a shell game. It's always been that way.
Moving his guaranteed money to this year gives him the same total over 2 years, but also gives him some type of bragging rights with his peers.
Sure he's getting the money he would have anyway, but it's nicer to say he's making 9 million this year instead of 5 (just picking figures out of the air as an example).
Either way it's the kind of compensation I'll never have to worry about.

[HumanCockroach]

Almost impossible to know ( or even find out) what Lynch or the FO is thinking. It really is all speculation, and personally I'm not convinced in the least that Lynch even wants to play beyond this year. It could be a "respect" thing, it could just be him not wanting to wait to get the money coming to him, it could be anything and nothing. I'm not professing that I know anymore than anyone else, what I have read and heard points to him not wanting "more" money over the length of his contract, juts "more" for this year, which depending on HOW they do it, greatly matters. They do have the money under the cap available to do this this year, so I don't feel like it would be an issue ( again based on what they decide to do).

I DO indeed agree with the one year early rather than one year late theory, in general, just not entirely sure that this coming season is indeed that year. Something tells me Lynch wants to walk away at the top of the mountain, which IMHO could be this coming season, but it is important to note, that not ALL players ever even hit that "year to long" stage, plenty walked away when there was still quite a bit tread left, and I personally believe Lynch is indeed going to be one of them in that regard.

[Distant Relative]

He didn't 'practice'... does is matter that he's possibly just here to not be fined $70k?

Seemed to be in good spirits and that actually says a lot. I imagine you'd know it if he was pissed off.

js

According to PC, Lynch didn't participate in drills because he had a sore ankle. I'm not sure I believe that, but at least he's in camp.

Being in camp is one thing. Participating is a whole lot better! Disappointed in Lynch up to this point,...really? sore ankle out of the blue?

Cmon man!

[Zorn76]

I hope they work out a deal soon. Lynch is still franchise back material, even though he's entering his 8th season. Michael has a lot to prove. He may finally get some PT in 2014, but it's gonna remain Beast getting the lion's share of the carries. Marshawn was a Huge reason why we went to to the SB last year, and I expect more of the same beginning this fall.

Marshawn Lynch had a lot to prove when he got to Seattle initially. I'm not worried about this year. I think Lynch will be fine. I'm thinking about 2015 and beyond.

People are posting about Lynch completely scared of life without him despite the fact that RB is the most replacable position on the field and the Seahawks have one of the most talented young RBs in the league sitting behind him.

Smart GMs have always adhered to the maxim that it's better to let a player go one year early than one year late. It makes no sense to run Lynch until the tread falls off. You can make the argument that Lynch is the best RB in the league (although I personally put him fouth behind Peterson, Charles and McCoy) and I actually really like the guy and will be sad when he's not here, but it seems like people are making the mistake of believing that if they don't have Lynch they can't win the Superbowl. The key ingrediant is a strong running game, and there are other players that can provide it. Lynch hasn't cornered the market.

Furthermore, he's a fun player but he isn't exactly a team player, I'm not sure why people feel like the Seahawks owe him their loyalty when we know that Lynch is going to do whatever he feels like and can get away with regardless of how it affects the other 52 players on the team. Especially when you take into consideration that to show him that much loyalty would already be above and beyond the typical way players are treated in the NFL even when they had given their all to a team. We aren't talking about Steve Largent. Lynch has been a Seahawk for 4 years and the franchise already went out on a bit of a limb for him with the first extension.

Yep, there were questions about Lynch when he arrived, particularly those about character, since he had some trouble with the law while playing in Buffalo. But he also had two 1,000 yd seasons and a pro bowl under his belt when we got him midway through 2010. Seattle already knew what the guy could do, and anybody who saw him play as a Bill could spot his upside.

And, yes, the guy still isn't an angel. He had his DUI charge last year, and causes people to scratch their heads with his public relations avoidance. We'll see what they do with his contract, if anything, coming up.

Meanwhile, we haven't seen Christine Michael get his shot yet. Maybe this year he will from whatever circumstances surrounding Lynch, I dunno. Lots of nice things being said about him lately, and I understand that he doesn't have to be Beast 2.0 to be effective.

But his true talent level is pure speculation at this point. Maybe he turns out to be a great back, maybe he doesn't. It remains to be seen if he goes unchallenged at the RB position, which is what happened with Marshawn from day 1. Pete and John didn't even bring in another legit contender, because they knew they had their guy, provided he could avoid cuffs:)

I'm rooting for Michael, but the guy has to earn his shot. First step is getting more PT than Turbin, then going from there. I'm glad Pete has some good words for him so far. It's just a completely different situation for him. He came into a few games with a mop a year ago. I'm curious to see what he does when it counts.

[kalibane]

You know I don't get the criteria by which people get excited about young players. Over the years I've watched people get excited by and advocate for starting the likes of Nick Reed, Niko Koutouvides, Ben Obamanu, Owen Schmitt, Jordan Kent and Justin Forsett... guys who's talent was marginal at best and just not NFL caliber in most cases. But we talk about Christine Michael, a guy with first round talent that jumps off the screen and smacks you in the face and everyone is like...

"OOOOOH No we have to be cautious and let him take baby steps and prove himself because we don't know how good he really is."

How much did Earl Thomas "prove" himself before people were comfortable with him as the starting FS? Not at all. Christine Michael has that kind of talent. The two most explosive players on the team per GM and Coaches are Percy Harvin and Christine Michael. Banking on the fact that he'll be ready to start after two years of backing up Marshawn Lynch isn't exactly going out on a limb.

[RiverDog]

You know I don't get the criteria by which people get excited about young players. Over the years I've watched people get excited by and advocate for starting the likes of Nick Reed, Niko Koutouvides, Ben Obamanu, Owen Schmitt, Jordan Kent and Justin Forsett... guys who's talent was marginal at best and just not NFL caliber in most cases. But we talk about Christine Michael, a guy with first round talent that jumps off the screen and smacks you in the face and everyone is like...

"OOOOOH No we have to be cautious and let him take baby steps and prove himself because we don't know how good he really is."

How much did Earl Thomas "prove" himself before people were comfortable with him as the starting FS? Not at all. Christine Michael has that kind of talent. The two most explosive players on the team per GM and Coaches are Percy Harvin and Christine Michael. Banking on the fact that he'll be ready to start after two years of backing up Marshawn Lynch isn't exactly going out on a limb.

Earl Thomas wasn't third on the depth chart. Michael is. Until Michael can at least beat out the backup running back and suit up for every game, I'll reserve my opinion as to how much talent he has.

[kalibane]

So were all those other players people were clamouring for to start Riv. Sorry this comes across as an excuse. The coaching staff told you exactly why Michael is third on the depth chart and it has NOTHING to do with how well he runs the ball. It's completely about adjusting to his blocking responsibilities. They have similarly said that he has made great progress and he is now taking first team snaps with Lynch out.

When you sit around and advocate for a completely inexperienced and physically limited guy with holes in his game like Niko Koutivides to get snaps (who was deeper on the depth chart than Michael) and then hide behind Michael's spot on the depth chart when it's obvious to anyone who watches 10 minutes of tape that Michael is far more talented than Turbin it rings completely hollow and leaves me shaking my head.

[NorthHawk]

Pete values safety with the ball and consistency with the RBs. He also values explosiveness.
I think he would rather give up a little of the explosiveness in favor of consistency in that he needs to trust Michael to make the required block instead of improvising to try to make the big play.
It seems Michael wasn't at that point last year - maybe a year on the bench has driven home what he needs to do to get on the field.

[Zorn76]

The simple question is, how come Michael didn't see the field but for a few snaps last year, if he's as talented as people make him out to be?

Because Robert Turbin is that much better?

Sorry, but something's off here. Pete has shown more than a willingness to start rookies over vets, and C.M. hardly so much as Sniffed the field a year ago. I'm not saying he won't be good but, apparently, he wasn't doing enough - even in Carroll's eyes - to be deserving of getting more than 18 carries in mop up time in 2013.

There have been some comments in the past about his blocking effectiveness and learning the playbook. But if other guys (like Turbin) learned this stuff relatively quickly and thus played during their rookie seasons, why didn't Michael?

Pete's actions speak louder than anybody's words, obviously. I think they expected C.M. to be on the field during his rookie year, at least a whole lot more than 1 carry per game average.

And believe it or not, I am rooting for the guy. But I'm not going to anoint the guy Squat until he's proven something. Not saying others think he's the 2nd coming of Beast, either, but it's a legit point to say that he has yet to earn the right to play. Carroll's actions suggest as much.

Maybe this year it changes. I'd say a good goal for Michael would be to take over the #2 spot from Turbin. That would mean about 100 total touches for the year (Turbin had 77 carries and 12 receiving attempts last season). And if he comes in due to injury to Marshawn and tears it up, I'll be as happy as anybody.

But Pete is gonna make the guy earn it, that much we know. Sounds fair to me.

[HumanCockroach]

I said last season Michaels was the "most talented" runner on the Seahawks, and I meant it, but until I see him doing so against first string defenses like Santa Clara, Arizona etc and until I see DRASTIC improvement in his pass protection, I'm certainly not wanting to rush a MUCH better player out the door in Lynch. Michaels is about as natural runner as I've seen in Seattle in a LONG time, but there is a hell of a lot more to being a starting, productive running back in the NFL than simply running the ball. Lynch will need to be replaced in the near future, but I don't believe that future has arrived just yet.

[I-5]

Sure glad I didn't throw him under the bus like some of us faithful did. For all the pundits that thought they knew what Beast was thinking and he fools them again.

We took a big step towards repeating today, although it's still going to be a monumental task.

Totally agree with RD. I hate it when reporters just write stuff based on conjecture. I refused to go along for the ride this time, and glad that I did.

[NorthHawk]

If people wonder why a player might want more money early, look at Johnathan Franklin whose career has now ended after a neck injury.
He never got the chance to make the millions Lynch has, but the point is it can all be taken away from you in an instant in this game.

[burrrton]

If people wonder why a player might want more money early, look at Johnathan Franklin whose career has now ended after a neck injury.
He never got the chance to make the millions Lynch has, but the point is it can all be taken away from you in an instant in this game.

Injury aside, don't get too misty eyed about a player not being able to play in the NFL anymore. It's a privilege to do so, and Franklin probably made more in his 1 year than the average American earns in a decade.

His "curse" (again, injury aside) is nothing more than now being able to use the education he was probably given for free and do what the rest of society does every day: get a 9-5 job, etc.

[Futureite]

If people wonder why a player might want more money early, look at Johnathan Franklin whose career has now ended after a neck injury.
He never got the chance to make the millions Lynch has, but the point is it can all be taken away from you in an instant in this game.

Injury aside, don't get too misty eyed about a player not being able to play in the NFL anymore. It's a privilege to do so, and Franklin probably made more in his 1 year than the average American earns in a decade.

His "curse" (again, injury aside) is nothing more than now being able to use the education he was probably given for free and do what the rest of society does every day: get a 9-5 job, etc.

Yes, they have plenty of money to lock in a good healthcare plan and if they are lacking post football skills, they have a golden opprtunity to further their education once their career ends. They still have far better opportunities after football than the average person does.

Also, people sometimes forget that football is a team sport. Guys like Brandin Cooks (or currently, Jimmy Graham) may be in line for big money in 4 yrs, but how much of that will be due to playing under Sean Payton and with Drew Brees on turf. Some of these players act as if their success is due entirely to themselves alone, and that they should be paid top dollar even to the detriment of the rest of the team.

[NorthHawk]

Regardless, a career can end with the next play.

[burrrton]

Regardless, a career can end with the next play.

Of course, and I don't have a problem with them trying to maximize their earnings while they can (within the limits of moral behavior).

I just think it's worth remembering that a player getting cut or otherwise being unable to continue playing in the NFL doesn't mean he's declaring bankruptcy and moving back in with his parents or some other sob story.

It just means he's now going to join the rest of us in The Real World™, and he should be doing so with a h3ll of a lot more money in the bank than you or I.