Taking a pause from this week's build up...

[Irish Greg 2.0]

This off-season will be when we need to start making interesting/tough decisions with regards to our roster. In the next few years, we need to free up money for 3 mega deals: Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Russell Wilson.

Check out this list of impending free agents (UFA=unrestricted; RFA=restricted). Also listed is their age and this season's salary cap number.

Michael Bennett DE UFA 28 $4,800,000
Breno Giacomini RT, T UFA 28 $4,250,000
Paul McQuistan LT UFA 30 $3,375,000
Golden Tate WR UFA 25 $880,000
Chris Maragos S UFA 27 $855,000
Tarvaris Jackson QB UFA 30 $840,000
Brandon Browner CB UFA 29 $773,756
Kellen Davis TE UFA SEA 28 $672,941
Anthony McCoy TE UFA 26 $656,212
O'Brien Schofield OLB, LB UFA 26 $630,000
Steven Hauschka K UFA 28 $620,000
Walter Thurmond CB UFA 26 $607,639
Tony McDaniel DT UFA 28 $605,000
Clinton McDonald DT UFA 27 $592,941
Doug Baldwin WR RFA 25 $560,833
Jeron Johnson S RFA 25 $560,000
Lemuel Jeanpierre C RFA 26 $555,000
Michael Morgan DE RFA 25 $555,000
Michael Robinson FB UFA 30 $326,470

There is a lot of quality on that list. I'm sure we would all vary a bit with priorities, but I personally see a few names on there that I think we must re-sign: Michael Bennett and Clinton McDonald. Quite a few fall into the "would really like to keep" category for me, including Golden Tate, Steven Hauschka, Brenco Giacomini (as depth...would still like to upgrade at his position as well as guard), Tarvaris Jackson, Tony McDaniel (underrated by a lot of Seahawks fans) and Walter Thurmond.

Doug Baldwin is also a must re-sign for me, but since he is an RFA I expect we will tender him at a sufficient level to prevent teams from signing him to an offer sheet. Of the RFAs, I think we should keep Jeanpierre as well.

Of note, I think the Seahawks will view Tate as a "must keep" if they let Sidney Rice go (see below), and I think he will not receive huge deals on the open market as most teams view him as a slot receiver that doesn't take over games enough to demand #1 WR money.

Potential cap casualties (in my opinion):

Sidney Rice (cap hit $9.7 milion in 2014)
Chris Clemons (cap hit of $9.6 million in 2014)
Red Bryant (cap hit of $8.5 million in 2014)
Zach Miller (cap hit of $7 million in 2014)
Brandon Mebane (cap hit of $5.7 million in 2014)
Max Unger (cap hit of $5.6 million in 2014)

** Of those possible cap casualties, I label Rice and Clemons as definites; Bryant as a strong maybe; Miller, Mebane and Unger as maybes.

No matter what, we are going to have a much different looking roster than what we are "used to" in the next few years.

Thoughts? Keep in mind we still have a franchise tag to use if we have to, although we haven't done that in a few years and the business model for this front office seems to be to not use it and instead get those players signed to long term deals.

[Steady_Hawk]

I like this topic because it intrigues me to see how on Earth they are going to keep the band together. No doubt Rice and Clemmons will be on the chopping block. It wouldn't shock me to see us take a TE in the first such as Jenkins which would allow them to get rid of Miller's high numbers. No doubt drafting from here on out will be really critical in keeping this team afloat with the cap in mind.

The only player I do not see being cut is Unger. He's one of the best pieces we have on the O-line. I do think he's a bit overpaid, but not too much.

[NorthHawk]

Lemuel Jeanpierre
We have to keep him on Offense.
The OL isn't significantly hampered when Unger is out an I don't think there was an exchange problem with Wilson when he was inserted into the lineup. A solid and dependable backup Center is a must have if you want to be conservative as PC seems to be. Not only that, but he can also play Guard.

[Distant Relative]

What does Carpenter have left on his contract? I think he's on his way out.

[Irish Greg 2.0]

Carpenter's cap hit next season is $2.431 million.

He is a free agent in 2015.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/james-carpenter/

[Hawkstar]

Carpenter's cap hit next season is $2.431 million.

He is a free agent in 2015.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/james-carpenter/

Lost money. Chalk Carp up to a swing and a miss. I get why we loved the guy, he's an absolute monster of a man, but he's a very average football player. We're better off taking another flyer on a D linemen and hoping for the best. We've seen what Carp can do and it isnt 2.4M worth.

[savvyman]

Tier 1 - Star at their position
Tier 2 - Quality Starter at their position
Tier 3 - good enough to play (on teams without a Tier 1 or Tier 2 player in that position) but will always be considered "Up-Gradable"
Tier 4 - Player provides Depth only - always near the bubble.



Michael Bennett DE UFA 28 $4,800,000

Tier 1 - Priority #1 - I smell a one year Franchise Tag.

Breno Giacomini RT, T UFA 28 $4,250,000

Tackles are hard to come by - Seahawks will pay low second tier rate - if someone pays more then Breno is gone.


Paul McQuistan LT UFA 30 $3,375,000

Will have to take a pay cut to stay.


Golden Tate WR UFA 25 $880,000

Priority #2 - Will be offered second tier contract - if some team is willing to pay First Tier then he is gone.


Chris Maragos S UFA 27 $855,000

Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Tarvaris Jackson QB UFA 30 $840,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Brandon Browner CB UFA 29 $773,756


Could very well end up back on the team if we were to lose thurmond. Will be offered conditional second tier money.


Kellen Davis TE UFA SEA 28 $672,941


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Anthony McCoy TE UFA 26 $656,212


Will have to accept whatever is offered.



O'Brien Schofield OLB, LB UFA 26 $630,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Steven Hauschka K UFA 28 $620,000

Gets a high second tier kickers contract


Walter Thurmond CB UFA 26 $607,639

Priority #2 along with Tate - He will receive second tier money - if someone will pay top tier then he may be gone.


Tony McDaniel DT UFA 28 $605,000


Expect a health raise and tier 3 money for McDaniel.


Clinton McDonald DT UFA 27 $592,941

A Raise but not a whole lot more. Tier 4


Doug Baldwin WR RFA 25 $560,833

3rd receiver quality contract - do not want to lose doug - since he is restricted Seahawks will have opportunity to match.


Jeron Johnson S RFA 25 $560,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Lemuel Jeanpierre C RFA 26 $555,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Michael Morgan DE RFA 25 $555,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Michael Robinson FB UFA 30 $326,470


Will have to accept whatever is offered.

Potential cap casualties (in my opinion):

Sidney Rice (cap hit $9.7 milion in 2014)
Chris Clemons (cap hit of $9.6 million in 2014)
Red Bryant (cap hit of $8.5 million in 2014)
Zach Miller (cap hit of $7 million in 2014)
Brandon Mebane (cap hit of $5.7 million in 2014)
Max Unger (cap hit of $5.6 million in 2014)

Sidney Rice - Massive (6 million or more) Pay cut or he is gone.

Chris Clemons - I think Time has caught up with this great pass rusher - Like Sydney a massive pay cut or gone.

Red Bryant - Will have to take a 50% Haircut - he is on the field only 35% of the time - great guy just too much for 35%

Zach Miller - Another pay cut - $3-$4 million? Or he will be gone.

Brandon Mebane - Salary is reasonable for Performance - he will be back at $5.7 million for one more year.

Max Unger - $5.6 for an all pro at his position is not unreasonable - will be back (not sure that Max is having a pro bowl year this year).

[Hawkstar]

Agree with most Savvyman - but I would flip flop McDaniel and McDonald. Clinton has played some great ball for us. It's been a long time since we've had any pressure up the middle, McDonald (along with others) have really stepped up this season.

Tony McDaniel DT UFA 28 $605,000
Expect a health raise and tier 3 money for McDaniel.


Clinton McDonald DT UFA 27 $592,941
A Raise but not a whole lot more. Tier 4

[savvyman]

Agree with most Savvyman - but I would flip flop McDaniel and McDonald. Clinton has played some great ball for us. It's been a long time since we've had any pressure up the middle, McDonald (along with others) have really stepped up this season.

Tony McDaniel DT UFA 28 $605,000
Expect a health raise and tier 3 money for McDaniel.


Clinton McDonald DT UFA 27 $592,941
A Raise but not a whole lot more. Tier 4

You're right.

I got my "Mc's" Mcixed up.

[c_hawkbob]

Tier 1 - Star at their position
Tier 2 - Quality Starter at their position
Tier 3 - good enough to play (on teams without a Tier 1 or Tier 2 player in that position) but will always be considered "Up-Gradable"
Tier 4 - Player provides Depth only - always near the bubble.



Michael Bennett DE UFA 28 $4,800,000

Tier 1 - Priority #1 - I smell a one year Franchise Tag.

Breno Giacomini RT, T UFA 28 $4,250,000

Tackles are hard to come by - Seahawks will pay low second tier rate - if someone pays more then Breno is gone.


Paul McQuistan LT UFA 30 $3,375,000

Will have to take a pay cut to stay.


Golden Tate WR UFA 25 $880,000

Priority #2 - Will be offered second tier contract - if some team is willing to pay First Tier then he is gone.


Chris Maragos S UFA 27 $855,000

Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Tarvaris Jackson QB UFA 30 $840,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Brandon Browner CB UFA 29 $773,756


Could very well end up back on the team if we were to lose thurmond. Will be offered conditional second tier money.


Kellen Davis TE UFA SEA 28 $672,941


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Anthony McCoy TE UFA 26 $656,212


Will have to accept whatever is offered.



O'Brien Schofield OLB, LB UFA 26 $630,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Steven Hauschka K UFA 28 $620,000

Gets a high second tier kickers contract


Walter Thurmond CB UFA 26 $607,639

Priority #2 along with Tate - He will receive second tier money - if someone will pay top tier then he may be gone.


Tony McDaniel DT UFA 28 $605,000


Expect a health raise and tier 3 money for McDaniel.


Clinton McDonald DT UFA 27 $592,941

A Raise but not a whole lot more. Tier 4


Doug Baldwin WR RFA 25 $560,833

3rd receiver quality contract - do not want to lose doug - since he is restricted Seahawks will have opportunity to match.


Jeron Johnson S RFA 25 $560,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Lemuel Jeanpierre C RFA 26 $555,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Michael Morgan DE RFA 25 $555,000


Will have to accept whatever is offered.


Michael Robinson FB UFA 30 $326,470


Will have to accept whatever is offered.

Potential cap casualties (in my opinion):

Sidney Rice (cap hit $9.7 milion in 2014)
Chris Clemons (cap hit of $9.6 million in 2014)
Red Bryant (cap hit of $8.5 million in 2014)
Zach Miller (cap hit of $7 million in 2014)
Brandon Mebane (cap hit of $5.7 million in 2014)
Max Unger (cap hit of $5.6 million in 2014)

Sidney Rice - Massive (6 million or more) Pay cut or he is gone.

Chris Clemons - I think Time has caught up with this great pass rusher - Like Sydney a massive pay cut or gone.

Red Bryant - Will have to take a 50% Haircut - he is on the field only 35% of the time - great guy just too much for 35%

Zach Miller - Another pay cut - $3-$4 million? Or he will be gone.

Brandon Mebane - Salary is reasonable for Performance - he will be back at $5.7 million for one more year.

Max Unger - $5.6 for an all pro at his position is not unreasonable - will be back (not sure that Max is having a pro bowl year this year).

That's a lot of work you did their Savvy, too much for me to give proper attention to while I'm at work, but thanks, it'll give me something to do while I'm watching Dinosaur Train with my Grandson over the weekend!