Thoughts on Russ

[c_hawkbob]

They’re obviously downplaying it. Unless Russ is an extraordinarily sensitive person- which he isn’t, he would not have
taken to almost burning bridges by listing teams he would accept a trade to. That doesn’t happen if things are overblown
and concerns minor. If he re-signs a longer term deal, or restructures his contract for extra Cap Space by next year,
then we can say this is over, but if he doesn’t then he’s probably done in Seattle.

I think you're making way too much of that list of 4 teams. That's less of a deal than the letter to season ticket holders IMO. I'll take them at their word that after the interview they all decided to let the media speculation run it's course.

Now Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers are actually worthy of the type of discontent you're ascribing to Russ, they have both actually said they either want out or refuse to return to their teams. We're a long way from that point.

[Aseahawkfan]

Like I said, I am not advocating a trade, at least not this season.

And as you pointed out, the landscape is different than what it was when Dallas pulled off the Herschel Walker trade in the early 90's. Because there is a salary structure and cap, teams cannot randomly buy proven talent via the free agent market, which means a higher premium is placed on draft choices and rookie contracts. That's the major factor that allowed Pete to build his "Legion of Boom", because he struck it rich when he picked Russell in the 3rd round and had him on a rookie contract for his first 3 years. He also had two top 15 draft picks in his first season, one of which he parlayed into a future HOF'er, the other a Pro Bowl LT.

In other words, we can't compare a potential Russell Wilson trade with any other trade as nothing like it has happened under these current conditions.

That Herschel Walker trade also proved it's not wise to trade that much for a RB. I'm still surprised Ruskell was able to fleece Denver for a 1st round pick for Tebow. I remember when the Washington Redskins traded a draft fortune for RG3. It was looking like a genius move until it didn't. But we can't talk much as we traded a few 1st round picks for Jamal Addams, which we're still waiting to see the results of. I still wish Pete had a little more Belichick in him and would sit tight drafting and waiting like they did in the early days. Pete and John seem to get too enamored of trading 1st round picks for talent that doesn't work out recently, like they've lost their confidence they could draft equivalent players and develop them. It's getting more than a little annoying.

[Aseahawkfan]

I think you're making way too much of that list of 4 teams. That's less of a deal than the letter to season ticket holders IMO. I'll take them at their word that after the interview they all decided to let the media speculation run it's course.

Now Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers are actually worthy of the type of discontent you're ascribing to Russ, they have both actually said they either want out or refuse to return to their teams. We're a long way from that point.

Rodgers is on the end of his career. If he goes somewhere else, it would likely be a few years of productivity.

At this point I'm pretty sure the Texans are calling around trying to get some of those trades they had a chance to make made because Watson is looking like dead man walking. Mr. Massage seems to have made some grave errors in judgment that are going to cost a lot of people a lot of money including himself.

And I just sit back happy we have a choir boy as our QB. With Russell Wilson as QB, I worry about very little. The man will show up prepared ever year, give us his best every year, and I don't expect any weird stories. Just Russ visiting children's hospitals, taking care of his kids, and doing good in the world.

[c_hawkbob]

Pete and John seem to get too enamored of trading 1st round picks for talent that doesn't work out recently, like they've lost their confidence they could draft equivalent players and develop them. It's getting more than a little annoying.

I'm not sure the year after trading first round picks for Jamaal Adams is the best time to make that argument. He's already proven himself to be worth way more than 2 late firsts! I'm as big a fan of that move now as I was when we made it. Counting him as our first rounder this year we've already had a great draft.

[Aseahawkfan]

I'm not sure the year after trading first round picks for Jamaal Adams is the best time to make that argument. He's already proven himself to be worth way more than 2 late firsts! I'm as big a fan of that move now as I was when we made it. Counting him as our first rounder this year we've already had a great draft.

I sure hope he works out well. At the moment it's looking good, but we have to re-sign him for a reasonable contract. Then hope his injury last year was a fluke and not a wearing down from his intense play. Addams plays a little like Kam. We know what that does to the body.

So far, looking good. We gotta sign him very soon.

[govandals]

It's not about being anti or pro-Russ. It's about the Seahawks management being dumb. I'm sorry. I just can't imagine a team every being so dumb as to trade a franchise QB in his prime. It's BS. No team I know has done it. I literally see no one on here bringing up all these times that teams have traded franchise QBs in their prime and improved. Why aren't they bringing it up? Let me answer that: because it doesn't happen.

Teams have plenty of tools to keep franchise players. And I don't see the team trading Russell or Russell being able to force a trade. If he wanted to retire and do nothing, then ok. But the Seattle Seahawks have literally never been forced into a trade by any of their unhappy players, even ones not as valuable as a franchise QB. So why would they do it now? Why would a team management that has proven they won't be forced into anything suddenly be forced into trading or cutting Russ?

It's not gonna happen. It was never gonna happen. I don't get people even contemplating it because it would be unprecedented, not just for Seattle, but for any team. I'm sorry, but I don't want to believe our team is managed by people that would be that dumb. I don't see why any Seattle fan would think Pete and John were that dumb.

It's a franchise QB. People spend multiple first round picks just to move up to draft a top rated QB prospect. And I've never seen someone orchestrate a trade for a franchise QB in his prime. It's so mind bogglingly insane that I can't even think of what the trade value it would take to get it done. Once you find that franchise QB who makes you playoff competitive year in and year out, you don't let that dude go until you're damn sure his best years are behind him.

I just don't get Seattle fans who think this is going to happen when they can't even produce examples of when this has happened. It's like they're expecting Seattle to be so poorly fun that they would engage in a trade that no one in my nearly 40 years of watching football has done. Where are they getting this from? Why would they think Seattle management would do this? What example do they have of a team doing this? Much less a Seattle team who refused to trade Kam, Earl, Sherm, and Marshawn when they did much worse than Russ maybe doing something behind the scenes, but no real proof of it.

It doesn't make sense on any level.

I'll give you the chance just like I've done everyone else. Go look it up. Go search. Go find all those times that teams have let a QB of Russ's quality in his prime just walk away. That will tell you how much I worry about Russ leaving with no compensation. It should tell you and all other fans thinking that will happen how much they should worry. None of what you wrote is even a concern in my mind.

Just because a trade of a franchise qb hasn't happened before doesn't mean it won't. Where's the logic in that?
It's not about PCJS being "dumb".
What you're refusing to see is RW has all the power. Russ can absolutely force his way out. Do you really think if Russ says "trade me" they will just refuse and franchise him 2 times? How effective will an unhappy Russ be? Do you think PCJS wants that look?

Boggles my mind people want to believe this is a non story.

[obiken]

Just because a trade of a franchise qb hasn't happened before doesn't mean it won't. Where's the logic in that?
It's not about PCJS being "dumb".
What you're refusing to see is RW has all the power. Russ can absolutely force his way out. Do you really think if Russ says "trade me" they will just refuse and franchise him 2 times? How effective will an unhappy Russ be? Do you think PCJS wants that look?

Boggles my mind people want to believe this is a non story.

GV, I think there is a middle ground to had there, its not a non story to me, but I think PC is the one that has too much power, If PA were alive he would squished this situation like a bug. Russ being tagged 2X would not do either one any good. I am hopeful it will work out.

[RiverDog]

That Herschel Walker trade also proved it's not wise to trade that much for a RB. I'm still surprised Ruskell was able to fleece Denver for a 1st round pick for Tebow. I remember when the Washington Redskins traded a draft fortune for RG3. It was looking like a genius move until it didn't. But we can't talk much as we traded a few 1st round picks for Jamal Addams, which we're still waiting to see the results of. I still wish Pete had a little more Belichick in him and would sit tight drafting and waiting like they did in the early days. Pete and John seem to get too enamored of trading 1st round picks for talent that doesn't work out recently, like they've lost their confidence they could draft equivalent players and develop them. It's getting more than a little annoying.

Running backs in the '90's were more important to offenses than they are today. Just another example of how we can't use the Herschel Walker trade as a reference to a potential Russell Wilson trade.

Not to be picky, but Denver didn't draft Tim Tebow with the pick we traded them. As I recall, they traded a future first rounder to us for our 2nd round pick which they used to select some DB that was out of the league within a couple of years. But it was the work of the same Broncos HC that traded up for Tebow, Josh McDaniel. We've been the beneficiary of some pretty one sided trades, and that one ranks right up there as we used it to select Earl Thomas. The Rick Mirer and Joey Galloway trades were pretty one sided as well.

[govandals]

GV, I think there is a middle ground to had there, its not a non story to me, but I think PC is the one that has too much power, If PA were alive he would squished this situation like a bug. Russ being tagged 2X would not do either one any good. I am hopeful it will work out.

Agreed Pete has too much power. Brock Huard admitted so when he spoke of Paul Allen meeting with PCJS weekly during the season and keeping them in check in certain situations.

I am hopeful it works out as well. This season will be the tipping point, I really hope PC lets Waldron do his thing. I like a lot of the concepts the Rams use and Russ can execute those far better than Goff did.

If its the same old offense, I think its 50/50 Russ forces his way out after 2021. I don't think he will pull what Aaron Rodgers did yesterday, he is too image conscious for that, but he will find a a way.

[NorthHawk]

If Russ wants out, the players around him will know and it will be reported. We will probably see it on the field, too with lesser results.
A fractured locker room would surely happen with some siding with Russ and others not. That never works to a teams advantage.
As well, we don't know how much bad blood there might be between Russ's agent or Russ himself and PC or JS. They might be tired of his
wanting more influence and decide it's better to move on - if they can get another QB that can successfully run what Pete wants to do whether
through the draft or trade. It's why Derek Carr seemed to be a good fit as he can be a good player if it's not all on his shoulders. There was
also talk of Sam Darnold who is younger than Carr and probably cheaper, too, but he is less accomplished.

[c_hawkbob]

I think you're way too certain of your arguing position.

I firmly believe that "Russ wants out" is being way over reported. And even if he does I think he's level headed enough, and enough aware of the long view that he'll act on that at the appropriate time (when this contract is up). I think what Russ wants is more control, more say on and off the field. And truth is, I think he's getting at least a measure of that.

Am I worried about next offseason? Some, another offer like Chicago's might get some traction with the lesser (but still huge) dead cap hit we'd be facing. But its the following offseason, when we actually have to decide whether to re-up with another monster deal or try to get something for him, that has me the most worried.

As far as letting it (either your scenario or mine) effect his play on the field, I think he can compartmentalize better than that. Though frankly the second half of last year does worry me to a degree on that score. Hopefully he's learned from it.

[NorthHawk]

Obviously something went very wrong last year and in the Off Season. Players don't list teams they would be willing to waive their no trade clause for if they think the
problems are being addressed. Last year we saw a big decline in his play after Pete pulled in the reins. We were discussing whether it was injury or not but it seems that
it did affect him as he wasn't the same player as he was earlier. Even his body language was different.

They seem to have patched up enough of their differences to take a run at this season. I think that Pete so firmly believes in his way of running a team that if we stumble
again on Offense he will pull the same stunt and force Wilson's hand. After all, he's 70 years old and has developed his program for the last 25 to 30 years of coaching so
it's doubtful he would abandon it in his last couple of years. If that happens, I think that Russ will sound like Rodgers and say he's done in Seattle. And if he does leave,
I believe that we will end up competing with the bottom teams for a top 10 draft pick - if we haven't traded it away by then.

[Aseahawkfan]

Just because a trade of a franchise qb hasn't happened before doesn't mean it won't. Where's the logic in that?
It's not about PCJS being "dumb".
What you're refusing to see is RW has all the power. Russ can absolutely force his way out. Do you really think if Russ says "trade me" they will just refuse and franchise him 2 times? How effective will an unhappy Russ be? Do you think PCJS wants that look?

Boggles my mind people want to believe this is a non story.

If something is not done because it is not intelligent management, there is a reason for it. You don't seem to know what logic is if you're making a statement that if something has not happened before, doesn't mean it won't. It most certainly does follow from logic that something that hasn't been done hasn't been done for very good reasons. That is following the logic of the NFL.

It would be about PC and JS being dumb. Just yesterday you saw multiple teams pay high 1st round picks just to try to find a Russell Wilson. So you trade Russell for a chance to use those 1st round picks to obtain....what?.... A franchise QB. And you can never be sure your picks will get a franchise QB as good as Russell.

I see your attempt. Sorry guy, I don't fall for sarcastic and ridiculous comebacks. Dumb ideas are dumb ideas for a reason. No amount of you attempting to turn my words on me changes that the idea is dumb.

The trade or cutting Russell for nothing was never gonna happen. If you want to buy into foolish ideas of management, have at it. My case is more than made. You are not going to see Russell traded or cut in his prime. It's ridiculous and would be mind-bogglingly stupid. It would Pete and John in the Hall of Fame for dumb management decisions.

[Aseahawkfan]

No one has any idea what went on between Russ and the team. It's obvious something happened. We have no idea what was real and what was media fabricated. There was never any real chance Russ was getting traded or cut. Russ never publicly asked for a trade, in fact he stated the opposite. Pete and John have both come out and clearly stated trading Russell was never actively discussed. Story died now.

As far as the future, if Russ is still playing well, then we pay him. If he is on the decline, then likely trade or cut. Just like the normal NFL management does with a franchise QB. That is the business of the NFL.

All this gobbly gook of hurt feelings and such isn't business. The business of running an NFL franchise in the modern day demands you have a high quality franchise QB to be competitive on a yearly basis. You will pay to keep that player because they are rare and hard to find. All the QB prospects picked this year high in the NFL draft, maybe one will work out as a high level NFL franchise QB, just maybe. Maybe another will be some middling QB prospect like a Tannehill or Dalton. Most will fail for some reason, either injury or inability. Just like happens most years. It's hard to find a Russell Wilson. Even the year he was drafted, he's the highest performing QB still standing from that draft that included RG3 and Andrew Luck.

And that's the NFL. Finding that rare player who can be a franchise QB for over a decade is the hardest player to find and the rarest. You don't let those guys go unless you're damn sure their career is on its way down.

And I'm done speaking about it. My case is made and will be made in the years to come. Russ is the highest priority to keep. No GM or HC wanting to keep his job is going to think otherwise.

[NorthHawk]

Like Rodgers in GB. And he’s the reigning MVP, something Russ has never attained.
It’s not just money, it’s legacy and pride.
We know when he offered suggestions to help the Offense he was shut down and stormed out
of the room. we know he sent a list of teams he would be willing to waive his no trade clause,
We know he thinks Pete has too much power. We know his play regressed after Pete pulled in the reins.

We don’t know how strong the trust is between him and PC and whether it’s paper mache or something
much more substantial but given the past occurrences it might not take much for him to do what Rodgers
did this past week if something similar happens this year.

[c_hawkbob]

Russ hasn't expressed one tenth the dissatisfaction with us that Rogers has with Green bay, and that's before Rogers said he wants out!

There is no similarity there.

[NorthHawk]

The Rodgers reference was in response to the notion that it’s all business and money would solve it all.

Russ gave a list of teams he would be willing to be traded to.
That’s one small step before demanding a trade. If you read all my post, I said it could take
another catalyst of some sort to erode whatever trust has been rebuilt between he and PC.

[govandals]

If something is not done because it is not intelligent management, there is a reason for it. You don't seem to know what logic is if you're making a statement that if something has not happened before, doesn't mean it won't. It most certainly does follow from logic that something that hasn't been done hasn't been done for very good reasons. That is following the logic of the NFL.

It would be about PC and JS being dumb. Just yesterday you saw multiple teams pay high 1st round picks just to try to find a Russell Wilson. So you trade Russell for a chance to use those 1st round picks to obtain....what?.... A franchise QB. And you can never be sure your picks will get a franchise QB as good as Russell.

I see your attempt. Sorry guy, I don't fall for sarcastic and ridiculous comebacks. Dumb ideas are dumb ideas for a reason. No amount of you attempting to turn my words on me changes that the idea is dumb.

The trade or cutting Russell for nothing was never gonna happen. If you want to buy into foolish ideas of management, have at it. My case is more than made. You are not going to see Russell traded or cut in his prime. It's ridiculous and would be mind-bogglingly stupid. It would Pete and John in the Hall of Fame for dumb management decisions.

Sorry, guy, if I touched a nerve with you. I didn't feel my responses were sarcastic or ridiculous at all. I'm asking legit questions of a possible franchise altering situation. You choose to be dismissive of it all, that's your choice. I feel it warrants serious discussion.

[RiverDog]

Russ hasn't expressed one tenth the dissatisfaction with us that Rogers has with Green bay, and that's before Rogers said he wants out!

There is no similarity there.

No matter how bad things get, I cannot imagine Russell ever coming out ala Aaron Rodgers and saying that he wants out or express dissatisfaction in a manner even remotely similar to the way Rodgers has. Russ is way more diplomatic, way more sensitive to insulting others than Rodgers, too nice of a guy to play the role of the bad guy. More than likely, if and when Russell becomes disenchanted (or, depending on your POV, when his disenchantment is re-ignited), we'll hear about it in a roundabout way, ie through his agent and other surrogates that are close to him, just like the rumors that ran rampant over the past couple of months.

[govandals]

All we can do now is sit back and watch the show. Hopefully RW's grumblings will force PC into a shift in philosophy on offense. Let Waldron Cook! lol

[jshawaii22]

it's about time you said this, Russell...

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/10/russell-wilson-insists-he-didnt-request-a-trade-and-is-here-to-win-it-all/

[Aseahawkfan]

it's about time you said this, Russell...

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/10/russell-wilson-insists-he-didnt-request-a-trade-and-is-here-to-win-it-all/

No. Fans are the ones who should stop buying in garbage unless it is said by the organization or the individuals involved. It is fans who bought into rumors, not Russ who ever said he wanted a trade or the organization who ever said they wanted to trade him.

Some hit job was started in the media trying to create a rift between Russ and Seattle, a certain segment of the fanbase believed it without proof and started building theories.

[jshawaii22]

No, it wasn't the fans or the media that started it. It was Russell's manager public list of 4 teams that he would waive his 'no-trade' clause that started it.
And if Russell says it was overblown then HE should of come out months ago to put a stop to it. He didn't, so you know a lot of it was true, at least until he met with Pete about 1 month ago, which seemed to calm everyone down.

[c_hawkbob]

As I said at the time it was all a Florio fantasy based on what Russ actually did say. Russ said an inch, Florio called it a mile and every othe website saw it as a take that could get them some clicks too.

As for his list of 4 teams, that came from his agent, doing what agents do. And no I don't buy that he's only gonna say that if Russ tells him to, I'm sure he and Russ discussed contingencies, that's the type of relationship they have, discussing what ifs. So of course a list exists, but as for making that list public while Russ is a subject of discussion ... agents gonna agent.

[Aseahawkfan]

No, it wasn't the fans or the media that started it. It was Russell's manager public list of 4 teams that he would waive his 'no-trade' clause that started it.
And if Russell says it was overblown then HE should of come out months ago to put a stop to it. He didn't, so you know a lot of it was true, at least until he met with Pete about 1 month ago, which seemed to calm everyone down.

Horsecrap. The fans started running with this based on some media stories.

Russ don't owe you or anyone on here jacksquat except to put in the work he does to make sure we're competitive every year on the field. That is what he does

If fans like yourself want to believe unsubstantiated media stories and throw your Hall of Fame QB under the bus believing you're owed explanations for things the QB never said, then you go on believing that garbage.

Russ is solid by me. I hope he retires a Seahawks. I've liked Russ since he joined Seattle. He represents Seattle as well as any player or QB we've ever had.

You and the fans that think he owes you something can kick a rock as far as I'm concerned. Russ is my QB. When he's visiting those kids in the ward at the children's hospital and doing his best to make sure he's ready for each season at the same time, I sit back happy he's my team's QB.

I think all you armchair QBs sitting at home criticizing Russ, buying into stupid theories and the like are the ones with the problem, not Russ, not Seattle.

[c_hawkbob]

And Greg Bell is now reporting that Russ discussed restructuring his contract to free up cap space this year, and that Russ is the one that brought it up! How does that fit with your "Russ wants out" theory?

In fact it's further indication that it's Pete that's the one in the relationship that want an exit strategy. Right along with the website and season ticket holder letter disrespect.

[Aseahawkfan]

And Greg Bell is now reporting that Russ discussed restructuring his contract to free up cap space this year, and that Russ is the one that brought it up! How does that fit with your "Russ wants out" theory?

In fact it's further indication that it's Pete that's the one in the relationship that want an exit strategy. Right along withe the website and season ticket holder letter disrepect.

I do wonder what that ticket holder letter was about. What kind of game in the organization was being played? It's pretty weird. I honestly can't imagine Pete and John doing something like this.

I'll take Russ over Pete if it it comes to it.

[obiken]

Its hard to separate fact from fiction in these stories. Remember one fact, nothing gets out, unless one side or the other wants it out. Next year is D Day Hour for Russ and the Hawks. Until then its all speculation.

[RiverDog]

And Greg Bell is now reporting that Russ discussed restructuring his contract to free up cap space this year, and that Russ is the one that brought it up! How does that fit with your "Russ wants out" theory?

In fact it's further indication that it's Pete that's the one in the relationship that want an exit strategy. Right along with the website and season ticket holder letter disrespect.

Restructuring contracts, ie converting salary into signing a bonus, entails little sacrifice for a player and is very common around the league. It would be news if he didn't offer to restructure it. I wouldn't read anything into it one way or another.

We'll see how things go this season. The trade and Russell wants out rumors have died down (thank God), but a bad start to the season could bring them back to life.

[c_hawkbob]

I know what restructuring entails (or can entail because not all restructures are the same) but the point is that in a year with a lot going on capwise, (for instance letting KJ walk) Pete chose NOT to accept Russ' offer to do so, which leaves him an easier out than if he had. No matter how you cut that cake, restructuring at the very least would have made a firmer commitment to staying with Russ through the end of this contract than not having done so has.

[TriCitySam]

The truth is this: he was publicly critical of his OL and his agent muddied the water by listing teams he would accept being traded to. Doesn't quite square with his "somethings are family matters" comment.

[NorthHawk]

It would have been important if he had offered to extend his contract for a year or two, but pushing the Cap charge to later years doesn't change
the fact he listed teams he would be willing to be traded to - a big step for any player with a no trade clause. The problem is we have put ourselves
into a Cap corner because of ineffective drafting and expensive trades Cap-wise.

[obiken]

The truth is this: he was publicly critical of his OL and his agent muddied the water by listing teams he would accept being traded to. Doesn't quite square with his "somethings are family matters" comment.

Not really TS, his agent did! Seriously, My biggest pain on this is Russ just should have come out and said: nothing against my guys, I have but we need more skilled people on the Oline. I love them, but they are just not good enough, not send his agent to do it.

[govandals]

No, it wasn't the fans or the media that started it. It was Russell's manager public list of 4 teams that he would waive his 'no-trade' clause that started it.
And if Russell says it was overblown then HE should of come out months ago to put a stop to it. He didn't, so you know a lot of it was true, at least until he met with Pete about 1 month ago, which seemed to calm everyone down.

Completely agree

[govandals]

As for his list of 4 teams, that came from his agent, doing what agents do. And no I don't buy that he's only gonna say that if Russ tells him to, I'm sure he and Russ discussed contingencies, that's the type of relationship they have, discussing what ifs. So of course a list exists, but as for making that list public while Russ is a subject of discussion ... agents gonna agent.

Sorry, bob, I very much disagree.
Russ is very calculated with what gets out in the media. Mark Rodgers works for Russell Wilson. No way Rodgers did this on his own. RW sent the word out through his agent to protect his image.

[govandals]

I do wonder what that ticket holder letter was about. What kind of game in the organization was being played? It's pretty weird. I honestly can't imagine Pete and John doing something like this.

I'll take Russ over Pete if it it comes to it.

That was the FO firing a shot back at Russ. Obviously, they were upset RW went through the media and didn't keep his frustrations in house. (He had no other choice, IMO). When asked about the season ticket holder letter, Russ replied "ha, maybe it was a typo". Russ definitely did NOT want to talk about it.

I think we would all take Russ over Pete. With our current ownership, however, Russ goes before Pete.

[Aseahawkfan]

Its hard to separate fact from fiction in these stories. Remember one fact, nothing gets out, unless one side or the other wants it out. Next year is D Day Hour for Russ and the Hawks. Until then its all speculation.

Not true at all. Hit jobs are done all the time by the media fabricating stories from rumors and innuendo.

You watch the The Last Dance? That documentary showed how the media manufactured all kinds of BS rumors around Michael Jordan that he had nothing to do with. They just made it up. They took his enjoyment of gambling, made some crap up about Jordan owing debts, then made up some rumors that Michael's father was murdered due to gambling debts. It was completely proven to be a media fabricated lie.

The media does this all the time whether politics or sports. They fabricate a story based on rumor and innuendo, push it out there, some fans run with it with no proof just their belief, and this crap happens.

Same thing happened to Russ many times and fans just hop on with it like when the rumor came out that Golden Tate slept with Russ's wife and the locker room didn't like Russ because he wasn't "black enough." None of this was ever proven, but you had some fans buying into it just because some media guys spun a good story.

This is the same thing. So many people forget how many times the media has spun up lies to try to start crap with Russ. But every time they do it, there is a percentage of fans ready to buy into it hook, line, and sinker just sure the media sources are right. Even when these media sources are proven to be liars, they just slurp up the next media fabricated lie because they are just prone to believing in media fabricated lies.

It never dawns on them the media makes money by views, hits, and interest. So they're going to do what they gotta do to make money and generate ratings and interest. With Seattle, a super boring team, the media seems to like to spin up yarns of secret conflict with Russ because he doesn't give them much to work with. Every time there is a certain segment of fanbase who loves to believe in secret conflict.

Same fans who say stupid things like Russ isn't doing as well because he spends too much time with his wife or other such crap when the season doesn't go like they think it should. It's just stupid.

[RiverDog]

Not true at all. Hit jobs are done all the time by the media fabricating stories from rumors and innuendo.

The media did NOT fabricate the story on Russell's 4 team trade list. His agent, Mark Rogers, told ESPN that Russell had not asked for a trade but in the same breath, said that if a trade did happen, the 4 teams Russell would consider was W, X, Y, and Z. For a player with a no trade clause, it is double talk to make a statement like that. No, I'm happy as a lark playing in Seattle, but here's the teams that I'd go to if I were unhappy. He can't have it both ways. It also jives with his "I'm getting hit too much" statement".

Russell has this mom, apple pie, and the girl next door image he's constantly trying to project to the public and is as politically correct of a personality as I've ever seen in the sporting world. He was speaking through his surrogates so as not to damage his reputation.

Rogers has worked with/for Russell for a number of years and the two of them are close friends. Rogers is not going to act like some maverick and start throwing stories around if it didn't have the blessing of his boss, and the fact that Russell didn't immediately correct that story and set things straight if it wasn't true is proof positive that it wasn't just some simple misunderstanding or the media going out on some hit job. Make no mistake: Russell's unhappiness was real, and it was serious enough to where he was considering an exit strategy.

As far as who I'd take, Pete or Russell, if one of them had to go, I'd take Russell. Pete has one more season in my book to get this franchise moving again. He's the one that has to fall on the sword if that doesn't happen. I really don't know which side our owner will come down on.

But that's all water under the bridge at this point. We'll see what, if anything, develops within the next few months.

[Aseahawkfan]

The media did NOT fabricate the story on Russell's 4 team trade list. His agent, Mark Rogers, told ESPN that Russell had not asked for a trade but in the same breath, said that if a trade did happen, the 4 teams Russell would consider was W, X, Y, and Z. For a player with a no trade clause, it is double talk to make a statement like that. No, I'm happy as a lark playing in Seattle, but here's the teams that I'd go to if I were unhappy. He can't have it both ways. It also jives with his "I'm getting hit too much" statement".

Russell has this mom, apple pie, and the girl next door image he's constantly trying to project to the public and is as politically correct of a personality as I've ever seen in the sporting world. He was speaking through his surrogates so as not to damage his reputation.

Rogers has worked with/for Russell for a number of years and the two of them are close friends. Rogers is not going to act like some maverick and start throwing stories around if it didn't have the blessing of his boss, and the fact that Russell didn't immediately correct that story and set things straight if it wasn't true is proof positive that it wasn't just some simple misunderstanding or the media going out on some hit job. Make no mistake: Russell's unhappiness was real, and it was serious enough to where he was considering an exit strategy.

As far as who I'd take, Pete or Russell, if one of them had to go, I'd take Russell. Pete has one more season in my book to get this franchise moving again. He's the one that has to fall on the sword if that doesn't happen. I really don't know which side our owner will come down on.

But that's all water under the bridge at this point. We'll see what, if anything, develops within the next few months.

The 4 team trade list was not the first story put out. It was put out after the story was running and the fan base was already speculating that Russell wanted to be traded and was unhappy with the team. The media took some rumors and an interview with Russ and ran with it creating this idea that Russ wanted to be traded.

It's amusing how everyone cherry picks their points taking it out of context to make it seem like it wasn't made clear that Russ didn't want to be traded. They forget that the four team trade list also came with a message of I am not interested in being traded.

So who was the problem? Why did Russ even think it was a possibility that he would be traded? Did the team not clearly communicate with him that he wasn't on the trade block? Why that BS season ticketholder letter too?

The media started this crap. That isn't open to debate. It wasn't Russ who started with some trade list. It was all rumor and innuendo at first, then the trade list was released. And the season ticketholder letter. And now you have a bunch of fans who just assume Russ is gone in a few years even though that would be incredibly dumb and put us in full rebuild mode with no playoffs any time soon.

Then this forum and all others will be back to crying about, "Now we gotta find a QB." If we don't and don't compete for years, they'll see how dumb the complaints were.

[RiverDog]

It's amusing how everyone cherry picks their points taking it out of context to make it seem like it wasn't made clear that Russ didn't want to be traded. They forget that the four team trade list also came with a message of I am not interested in being traded.

He can't have it both ways. If he's adamant that he doesn't want to be traded, then he should say that "I'm not interested in being traded", period, end of story. He can't say that "I''m not interested in being traded" then subsequently add "but if I was, here's the teams that I'd accept."

It's an oxymoronic statement. They can't both be true. It's like saying "I don't like beer", then adding "but if I did, Budweiser would be my favorite". How can it be your favorite if you don't like beer?