ET Reporting

[Aseahawkfan]

Worth how much money? Eric Berry money? Khalil Mack money?

I'd be more than happy to sign Earl up to an extension, but my sense is that it's not going to happen. I don't see the Hawks offering more than what Berry got out of the Chiefs and it sure sounds like Earl wants 'respect', ie the top paid at his position, which I don't think any of us would argue that he hasn't earned that degree of 'respect.'

As much money as they work out in a deal. I'm not going to use comparable contracts. The agents and team can argue that out.

[RiverDog]

As much money as they work out in a deal. I'm not going to use comparable contracts. The agents and team can argue that out.

But the money is the kicker. Earl (IMO) won't sign with us for anything less than Eric Berry money, ie $13M/year, at least 4 years, with at least $40M guaranteed. Earl's been talking about respect, and respect equals money. If we don't pay him what he thinks he's worth, ie Eric Berry, then he's going to feel disrespected.

I can't help but think of Kenny Easley's contract demands. He said that he wanted to be paid $1 more than Ronnie Lott.

[Aseahawkfan]

But the money is the kicker. Earl (IMO) won't sign with us for anything less than Eric Berry money, ie $13M/year, at least 4 years, with at least $40M guaranteed. Earl's been talking about respect, and respect equals money. If we don't pay him what he thinks he's worth, ie Eric Berry, then he's going to feel disrespected.

I can't help but think of Kenny Easley's contract demands. He said that he wanted to be paid $1 more than Ronnie Lott.

If that's all he wants, I'd pay him. Sherm's gone. Kam's gone. Avril's gone. Bennett's gone. Most of our high paid guys are gone. KJ looks like he is on his last legs. Why not pay and keep one great LoB member along with Bobby Wagner is a core of the defense? Safeties can usually play into their 30s, especially HoF level safeties. I'm not seeing the problem if that is all he wants.

[RiverDog]

If that's all he wants, I'd pay him. Sherm's gone. Kam's gone. Avril's gone. Bennett's gone. Most of our high paid guys are gone. KJ looks like he is on his last legs. Why not pay and keep one great LoB member along with Bobby Wagner is a core of the defense? Safeties can usually play into their 30s, especially HoF level safeties. I'm not seeing the problem if that is all he wants.

I would, too, but is "that" ($13M/year, $40M guaranteed, at least 4 years) all he's going to want? My sense is that his demands will be at least 10% higher than Berry's deal, and that's assuming that he even wants to be here.

Perhaps it's j/b I'm always the pessimist, but IMO Earl has already signed his last contract in Seattle. It's unfortunate as he's unquestionably one of the top 5 players in all time Seahawk history, a first round HOF'er, and still has plenty of gas left in the tank, but after his "come get me" statement, his holdout, and now his "disrespect won't be forgotten" comments when he ended his holdout, I think the bridges have been burned.

[NorthHawk]

I still think the value and cachet of a fully guaranteed contract has some attraction.
It might not be enough money, but then again it might be if he can say he was the first non QB to get a fully guaranteed contract.
If he thinks about it, he would go down as a multiple Pro Bowl, multiple All Pro, HoF player who was also the first with a fully guaranteed contract.
It would set him apart from other HoFers, too when it's all said an done.

[NorthHawk]

ET has been activated for this game, so it should help the Defense somewhat.

[jshawaii22]

Even if ET's at 75%, he'll help whomever we start at RCB... Lucky we're facing somewhat mediocre QB's for the next 2 weeks. Nothing beats getting real game experience for a rookie.

[curmudgeon]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/09/21/earl-thomas-sits-out-practice-for-personal-reasons-game-status-unknown/
....or sitting out practice and game to ensure no injuries prior to trade with Dallas?.....

[Aseahawkfan]

Hmmmm.

[RiverDog]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/09/21/earl-thomas-sits-out-practice-for-personal-reasons-game-status-unknown/
....or sitting out practice and game to ensure no injuries prior to trade with Dallas?.....

I saw that. Personal reasons? Perhaps coming out of the gate at 0-2? Where is all this talk about Earl's holdout being strictly business and that if he comes back, that he'll still be fully committed to being a Seahawk?


We need a little better explanation besides "personal reasons."

[HumanCockroach]

Maybe, ..then again, maybe not. Certainly not the first person to ever miss a day or two of work due to personal reasons, hell isn't even the first player, on Seattle, this SEASON to....

[RiverDog]

Maybe, ..then again, maybe not. Certainly not the first person to ever miss a day or two of work due to personal reasons, hell isn't even the first player, on Seattle, this SEASON to....

Yea, but with the Cowboys, the team he clearly wanted to be traded to and the most talked about potential destination being this week's opponent? Is this just some weird coincidence?

Where there's smoke, there's usually a fire.

[HumanCockroach]

I'm not saying there isn't, maybe Carroll and co got what they demanded, or perhaps they have already waved the white flag on the season ( first two weeks have certainly looked that way, more like extended pre season than "always compete") or possibly he actually has personal stuff happening. I tend not to judge professional athletes based on personal feelings about them, since I don't have the foggiest what's going on with their lives...

What I do know, is without him, Seattle is a vastly worse team than with him.

[RiverDog]

I'm not saying there isn't, maybe Carroll and co got what they demanded, or perhaps they have already waved the white flag on the season ( first two weeks have certainly looked that way, more like extended pre season than "always compete") or possibly he actually has personal stuff happening. I tend not to judge professional athletes based on personal feelings about them, since I don't have the foggiest what's going on with their lives...

What I do know, is without him, Seattle is a vastly worse team than with him.

Yea, maybe it is just a coincidence. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

[Aseahawkfan]

This definitely seems like a team trade scenario is happening. I will miss Earl if it happens. Last of the LoB.

[Hawktawk]

I'm so conflicted. Et proved a couple of years ago when he broke his leg that he was the best member of the LOB as the defense went from first to worst in a matter of a few weeks. His 8.5 mil salary is low compared to his peers of which there are very few who play at his level.

That said when I hear stuff like he's here so he doesn't lose HALF A MILLION PER GAME it just slaps me to the reality of what pro sports has spawned, athletes whose body is a franchise unto itself who bear no loyalty to anything but their bottom line.

If the Hawks lose and go 0-3 might as well trade him for what you can get, no point in letting him become an UFA and getting nothing after a losing season. Because let's face it if this team goes to 0-3, losers of 6 of their past 7 regular season games the wheels are gone and the chassis is in flames headed off a cliff. Don't make the same mistake that was made with Holmgren sitting around pining for the good old days and getting rewarded with 4-12 and then 5-11. I'm getting too old to go through another rebuild for half a decade

[RiverDog]

I'm so conflicted. Et proved a couple of years ago when he broke his leg that he was the best member of the LOB as the defense went from first to worst in a matter of a few weeks. His 8.5 mil salary is low compared to his peers of which there are very few who play at his level.

That said when I hear stuff like he's here so he doesn't lose HALF A MILLION PER GAME it just slaps me to the reality of what pro sports has spawned, athletes whose body is a franchise unto itself who bear no loyalty to anything but their bottom line.

If the Hawks lose and go 0-3 might as well trade him for what you can get, no point in letting him become an UFA and getting nothing after a losing season. Because let's face it if this team goes to 0-3, losers of 6 of their past 7 regular season games the wheels are gone and the chassis is in flames headed off a cliff. Don't make the same mistake that was made with Holmgren sitting around pining for the good old days and getting rewarded with 4-12 and then 5-11. I'm getting too old to go through another rebuild for half a decade

Nice post, Hawktalk, and it pretty much nails the way I feel.

[NorthHawk]

His Cap hit is 10 million, but the current Safeties are playing OK and he wouldn't be able to push us over the edge to being a championship team at this point. As well, he would be gone after the season unless tagged so might as well get
something for him if we can in a year when we need draft picks but don't have many. I think the current picks are 1, 3, 4, and 5. A 2nd would give us a lot of room to move down for more selections.

Regarding how much he would lose by sitting out, the players bodies are a commodity with a relatively short shelf life. Perennial Pro Bowl/All Pro players are even rarer so it's hard to give up one of them for nothing.
I don't blame him or others for getting as much as they can because with one injury on one play, they could be cut without any thought of loyalty except to the teams bottom line.
It's the business part of football that ruins it for many by both sides.

[curmudgeon]

I think the current picks are 1, 3, 4, and 5. A 2nd would give us a lot of room to move down for more selections.

The current state of this team is a result of Schneider’s personnel performance over the last five years. I have no faith that more draft picks will garner anything else but head-scratching and an empty cupboard......

[Uppercut]

ET sits out practice.

Maybe he was over getting fitted for a Boys uni!

We will have to wait to see which tunnel he emerges from

I smell Sherman in the mix somewhere telling ET to bail

I don't care any longer about ET

[RiverDog]

The current state of this team is a result of Schneider’s personnel performance over the last five years. I have no faith that more draft picks will garner anything else but head-scratching and an empty cupboard......

To be fair, they've been snake bit a couple of times, in particular our 2nd round pick from a year ago, but I'm in basic agreement with you up until this current class, which looks a lot better than the past few years.

[Aseahawkfan]

To be fair, they've been snake bit a couple of times, in particular our 2nd round pick from a year ago, but I'm in basic agreement with you up until this current class, which looks a lot better than the past few years.

Didn't that guy have character concerns to start with? Sometimes you should just take the solid, reliable guy.

[HumanCockroach]

That's how you end up with a team full of Kelly Jennings, and USC DE, Jackson? King? Can't remember, he was that good.

[RiverDog]

Didn't that guy (Malik McDowell) have character concerns to start with? Sometimes you should just take the solid, reliable guy.

Not sure how character concerns could have led to an accident on an ATV unless the guy was drunk or high when it happened. Solid, reliable guys have accidents, too. This was clearly a case of the Hawks getting snake bit.

[Hawktawk]

Not sure how character concerns could have led to an accident on an ATV unless the guy was drunk or high when it happened. Solid, reliable guys have accidents, too. This was clearly a case of the Hawks getting snake bit.

Yeah but snake bit is snake bit my friend and Schneider needs a snakebite kit on his person at all times these days . Trade for Harvin and he gets hurt then turns into an A hole when hes healthy. Trade a Pro bowl center for Graham and he gets hurt right when hes becoming as monster in the offense not to mention never learns to block and starts dropping passes right in his hands. Draft Richardson pretty high and he's a baller but cant stay healthy. Draft Lockette and he's dynamic then gets hurt and has never been quite the same but still gets huge $.Pay huge $ to bennett, Sherman, Chancellor and Avril and all are gone within 2 years with 2 retired due to injury. Draft Mcdougal and he never takes a snap because he busts himself on an ATV.

Snake bit is snake bit, I dunno what it is, reverse Karma for the great 2010 through 2012 drafts because it aint been good lately and it's showing up on the field.Im old enough to remember TIT. Trust in Tim Ruskell.How did that work out exactly? 4-12 and 5-11.......

I've got no 5 year rule. Schneider isn't getting it done anymore.

[NorthHawk]

Since this is an Earl Thomas thread, he is supposed to be starting today.
I fully expected any trade to happen after this game, if a trade is going to happen.

[NorthHawk]

According to PFT, the Chiefs are now interested in Thomas.
The Seahawks are also considering a fine for Thomas missing practices.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... rl-thomas/

Edit:
Another story from a different source:
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/ ... l-thomas-2

[c_hawkbob]

just came to post that, thanks for the additional links (mine was BR):

However, it appears the Cowboys may have competition from an early-season Super Bowl contender. "The Seahawks have engaged in trade talks with teams, including the Cowboys, about Thomas, but the Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as a candidate if a deal is made before the Oct. 30 trade deadline, sources said," according to ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen.

[Aseahawkfan]

Not sure how character concerns could have led to an accident on an ATV unless the guy was drunk or high when it happened. Solid, reliable guys have accidents, too. This was clearly a case of the Hawks getting snake bit.

Dumb off the field decisions was one of the concerns. Going ATV riding and ending up in an accident when you're about to enter the NFL is what I call a dumb off the field decision.

[RiverDog]

It sure sounds like something is in the works....


..he (Thomas) told reporters after the game that members of the Cowboys coaching staff asked him pregame if he was ready to get traded Monday.
“I don’t know if they were joking or serious or not,” Thomas said. “I was just minding my business in my routine and they came up and a couple guys said something.



And then there's this little tidbit from Coach Carroll:

“I haven’t even talked to him about it (missing practice), other than we made it through and we talked last week,” Carroll said. “There’s nothing to even tell you about it right now. I’ll let you know next week.”


https://q13fox.com/2018/09/23/after-sea ... rthcoming/

I haven't seen this much drama in the NFL since Bret Favre was retiring/unretiring.

[HumanCockroach]

Eh.... sounded to me like a guy waiting for the shoe to drop. Nothing he's ever said sounded like a trade demand, nothing, sounds like a guy whos tired of waiting on a decision long time coming.

[RiverDog]

Eh.... sounded to me like a guy waiting for the shoe to drop. Nothing he's ever said sounded like a trade demand, nothing, sounds like a guy whos tired of waiting on a decision long time coming.

I doubt that "tired or waiting on a decision" accurately describes Earl's sentiments. He's the one that started the "decision" making process with his own actions, starting with his "come get me" statement to the Cowboys nearly a year ago. I'd think that "extremely anxious" or "can't wait to get the hell out" would be a better characterizations of his sentiments, at least as I read the tea leaves.

[Aseahawkfan]

I doubt that "tired or waiting on a decision" accurately describes Earl's sentiments. He's the one that started the "decision" making process with his own actions, starting with his "come get me" statement to the Cowboys nearly a year ago. I'd think that "extremely anxious" or "can't wait to get the hell out" would be a better characterizations of his sentiments, at least as I read the tea leaves.

He's in the last year of a contract in a dangerous game. The fact that he hasn't been extended is irresponsible and cruel. John and Pete really FUBARed the Earl situation.

[idhawkman]

He's in the last year of a contract in a dangerous game. The fact that he hasn't been extended is irresponsible and cruel. John and Pete really FUBARed the Earl situation.

Totally disagree with everything said here. Asking a player to play the full extent of their contract is "cruel?" I don't think so.

[RiverDog]

"He's in the last year of a contract in a dangerous game. The fact that he hasn't been extended is irresponsible and cruel. John and Pete really FUBARed the Earl situation.
Totally disagree with everything said here. Asking a player to play the full extent of their contract is "cruel?" I don't think so.

I got to agree with Idahawk on this one. Yea, it sucks for players to have market conditions change after they sign their contract, but it happens in business all the time. Additionally, you can't blame the Seahawks for not wanting to re-negotiate an existing contract with a player that blatantly told another team to "come get him", held out while under contract, and is now sitting out practices.

I love Earl for what he's done for this franchise and regard him as in the top 3 or 4 all time Seahawks, but the time has come for him to go. None of us want to see an ugly divorce with bitter feelings that could manifest itself in a disrespectful HOF induction speech or the team not inviting him back to raise the 12th man flag. Both sides need to save face.

[idhawkman]

I got to agree with Idahawk on this one. Yea, it sucks for players to have market conditions change after they sign their contract, but it happens in business all the time. Additionally, you can't blame the Seahawks for not wanting to re-negotiate an existing contract with a player that blatantly told another team to "come get him", held out while under contract, and is now sitting out practices.

I love Earl for what he's done for this franchise and regard him as in the top 3 or 4 all time Seahawks, but the time has come for him to go. None of us want to see an ugly divorce with bitter feelings that could manifest itself in a disrespectful HOF induction speech or the team not inviting him back to raise the 12th man flag. Both sides need to save face.

"Dilly, Dilly!"

[HumanCockroach]

I doubt that "tired or waiting on a decision" accurately describes Earl's sentiments. He's the one that started the "decision" making process with his own actions, starting with his "come get me" statement to the Cowboys nearly a year ago. I'd think that "extremely anxious" or "can't wait to get the hell out" would be a better characterizations of his sentiments, at least as I read the tea leaves.


RiverDog

Top

Not what he's ever said. Not sure anyone actually listens beyond "I want" come out of his mouth before claiming how bad he wants out of Seattle anymore. What he wants, and has said since the pro bowl last season is he wants a team that will invest in him, Seattle refused to do that, that's on them, Thomas held out, that's on him, but the time to do something would be during the off season, Seattle needed to handle this THEN, not 3 weeks into the year.

Thomas set a dangerous precedent, but Seattle set a much more dangerous one, by playing this out this way, they've gambled the entirety of the team, their philosophy, and the possibility of a successful season. If they were going to trade him, or sign him, THEN was the time.... they didn't, they didn't even negotiate in good faith ( as they've done for EVERY key player until now) I've zero sympathy for their difficult situation now, they created it.

[RiverDog]

Not what he's ever said. Not sure anyone actually listens beyond "I want" come out of his mouth before claiming how bad he wants out of Seattle anymore. What he wants, and has said since the pro bowl last season is he wants a team that will invest in him, Seattle refused to do that, that's on them, Thomas held out, that's on him, but the time to do something would be during the off season, Seattle needed to handle this THEN, not 3 weeks into the year.

Thomas set a dangerous precedent, but Seattle set a much more dangerous one, by playing this out this way, they've gambled the entirety of the team, their philosophy, and the possibility of a successful season. If they were going to trade him, or sign him, THEN was the time.... they didn't, they didn't even negotiate in good faith ( as they've done for EVERY key player until now) I've zero sympathy for their difficult situation now, they created it.

I guess you must have missed the part where I said "that's how I read the tea leaves", meaning that I am reading between the lines and inferring what Earl's sentiments are. Of course, he's not going to come out and actually say that he wants the hell out, but that's the impression he's giving me.

Renegotiated in good faith for "every" player until now? What about Kam? Besides, the conditions have changed. We are in a rebuild mode, and uless we catch lightning in a bottle, we are not a player or two away from a Lombardi as we thought of ourselves in these past couple of years.

[HumanCockroach]

Kam isn't a comparable issue, and you are fully aware why.

Wilson, Wagner, Bennett, Lynch, Baldwin, Sherman.... the list is LONG, exceedingly long where negotiations occurred during the off season. Core players get negotiated during the off season coming into their final contract year * kam WASN'T doing so, he would be an outlier, not a viable comparison*

And to be quite honest, I've absolutely 0 doubt in my mind if that's what he wanted, he would indeed come out and say it. Unfortunately, I think that point is quickly approaching. He wouldn't be the first player to do it.

[NorthHawk]

I don't get the impression he wants out of Seattle.
He's said on a number of occasions that he would like to finish his career here, but if the Seahawks don't want to pay him what he thinks he's worth then he will move on to another team that might come closer.
I don't think he will be here by next year, but I also don't think it's his first choice.