New Era, the official on-field headwear of the National Football League, is teaming up with the NFL to launch the Back to Football Photo Day contest. So what this means is that Seahakws fans will now have the chance to join the ranks of Russell Wilson to also become THE face of the Seahawks.

The contest, which is live at www.speakwithyourcap.com or through New Era’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/neweracaps?fref=ts) will require Seahawks faithfuls to submit photos of themselves showcasing how you personally “speak with your cap.”  Whether you wear your cap sideways, backwards or flexed at the brim, show how you are bringing your own style to the game.

32 fans (1 per team) will ultimately be chosen and win a complimentary trip to New York City for two. The winners will enjoy a four-day VIP experience and will be professionally styled in their favorite team’s looks for a New Era photo shoot that may be used for a year-long advertisement and promotional campaign.

Apparently the Seahawks were most impressed with Quinn.

Ed Werder of ESPN reports the Seahawks are trying to sign Quinn as Russell Wilson’s backup. Quinn has been with the Browns, Broncos, and Chiefs in his rather non-eventful NFL career.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and NFL.com, the Seahawks “priority” is to keep Flynn as Russell Wilson’s backup and the team will entertain offers for Flynn but the team will not releases him.

Athleticism

+Explodes out of stance and across the line of scrimmage, is able to catch the OT often before he is set
+Coils in his stance prior to the snap
+Shows a lot of balance in his rush, is able to rush with speed and power without getting out of control
+Generates a lot of power out of his leg drive
+Stays low out of his stance and gains leverage on contact
+First step is among the quickest I’ve seen all year
+Well-built athlete with long arms and filled out frame
+Closes on the QB like a freight train, like a bull seeing red he finds another gear and erases the distance
-Not a freak physical athlete like a Dion Jordan
-Top end speed is only just above average
-Straight line pass rusher who looks stiff in the hips

Moore is the best pass rusher in this class, in fact you know what I’ll take that one step further he’s the best defender in this draft class. No he’s not a freak athlete like Clowney, Mingo, or J. Jones. Nor is he a tackling machine like some of the best LB’s in the country, but what Moore did this year was special.

He moved down from the 34 OLB spot to the 43 DE spot which most people probably think is easy given how much we easily interchange those positions when it comes to players but it wasn’t just about Moore changing positions. It was how he changed his game, he went from a pass rush OLB to a DE who was the complete package. A force to be reckon with when trying to either run or pass along. All year long teams struggled to figure out how to block Moore.

Moore had only three games all year where he didn’t register a sack and only two games where he didn’t register a tackle for loss. In both of those games Moore was yanked early in the 2nd half due to blowouts. Moore has everything you want in a DE prospect; size, speed, power, and technical ability.

Examiner’s Thoughts on Moore:

Moore is a very gifted athlete who may transition better as a outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive system rather than a traditional defensive end. His ability to stack at the point of attack against the run while also providing edge pressure as a pass rusher would be an ideal fit as a stand up outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He has played the position at Texas A&M and had some success early in his career posting 40 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and forced three fumbles in his freshman season.

He had a tremendous 2012 season statistically playing the defensive end position racking up 80 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for a loss playing in the Southeastern Conference. The 80 overall tackles and 20 tackles for a loss was very impressive to me. It shows he is very solid pursuing the run and has a knack for getting into the backfield and making plays. Moore is definitely a solid first round prospect and if he gets into the right system he could be a consistent playmaker.

The 6’4″, 250-pound athletic freak of nature led the Aggies in solo tackles (54), total tackles (80), tackles for loss (20.0) and sacks (12.5). Those last two numbers were good enough to rank him in the top five in the entire country.

Moore, who recorded 24.0 tackles for loss and 14.0 sacks during his first two seasons in College Station, didn’t enter the year with much buzz. But after establishing himself as one of the most feared, versatile and unblockable defensive players in the nation, the buzz surrounding the junior couldn’t be, um, buzzier.

Bleacher Report:

Von Miller was the last great defensive end from Texas A&M and Damontre Moore is ready to follow in his footsteps.

Moore, a 6’4″, 250-pound speed demon, had a terrific season this year. He had 12.5 sacks and was consistently in the opposing backfield.

Moore had big games against quality competition, including three sacks against Florida.

He’s the next great defensive end and should be a top-five pick. Many teams will be interested in his services and whoever gets him will be better off for it.

By Matt Jergensen

As they prepare for the 2013 season over the next few months, here’s a look at some of the key dates to keep in mind:

(Note: Some of the dates for team activities like minicamp and training camp have yet to be announced).

Feb. 18: Teams Can Begin Applying Franchise Tag
Teams can begin applying the franchise tag next week. Most teams don’t use the one-year tender right away, and instead try to work out long-term deals with key players before applying the tag.

Feb. 20-26: National Scouting Combine – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
The combine in Indianapolis is a chance for executives across the NFL to get a look at the incoming crop of talent. College football’s top prospects will be tested, questioned and examined in a pivotal week for each team’s scouting department.

March 1: College Pro Days Begin
Outside of the national scouting combine, college pro days give NFL scouts a chance to get a closer look at incoming prospects. The college pro days begin March 1 and last throughout the month. NFL.com has a full listing of all the currently scheduled pro days.

March 4: Deadline To Apply Franchise Tender
If the Ravens haven’t worked out a long-term deal with quarterback Joe Flacco by this point, they will have to apply the one-year franchise tender to the Super Bowl MVP.

March 9-11: Teams Allowed To Begin Free Agent Contract Negotiations
This is a new addition to the league calendar, as it will allow teams and unrestricted free agents to begin contract talks before the official start of the league season. The three-day window was added this season in an effort to prevent tampering between teams and agents before the official start of the league year.

March 12 (Prior to 4 p.m.): Teams Must Get Under Salary Cap, Exercise Restricted Free Agent Options
By the time the new season opens, NFL clubs need to exercise the options on all of their restricted free agents. The list of restricted free agents for the Ravens includes tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson who could garner a high tender offer. As part of the new league season, all 32 teams must also be under the $121 million salary cap.

March 12 (After 4 p.m.): Free Agency Opens
Unrestricted free agents are able to sign with new teams starting immediately at 4 p.m. With the three days in advance to negotiate player contracts, there could likely be a flurry of players who sign with new teams as soon as the league year opens.

March 17-20: Annual League Meetings – Phoenix, Arizona
Owners and league officials will meet to discuss a variety of NFL issues, including possible rules changes.

March 23-24: Regional Combine – Under Armour Performance Center, Owings Mills
This event is for college graduates and former NFL players in the area who were not invited to the national scouting combine.

April 25-26: NFL Draft – New York City
The first round of the NFL Draft will take place Thursday night, followed by the second and third rounds Friday, and rounds 4-7 on Saturday. The Ravens have the 32nd overall pick in the draft.

Aug. 4: Preseason Begins
The preseason will begin with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The two teams have yet to be announced.

Sept 5: Regular Season Begins
The opener will be played in Baltimore with the champion Ravens taken on an opponent TBD.

The Seahawks gave Matt Flynn starting QB money to come to Seattle, then he was beaten out for the starting job by Russell Wilson. Will the Seahawks keep him at a backup or trade him?

Athleticism

+ 320 lbs athlete who runs and moves extremely well for his size
+ Built like a boulder, solid and possesses great natural strength both in the lower half and upper body
+ Extremely quick and agile for DT, can change direction, extremely light on his feet
+ Lateral mobility is great for his size, able to change direction and redirect like a linebacker
+ Generates great explosion and power off the snap, with good burst and pad leverage
+ Quicker than fast, exhibits short area explosion and burst, both with his get off and ability to shoot his hands
+ Can accelerate through gaps and to the ball easily, often beats OL to gaps and gets into backfield
+ Outstanding strength, lower half strength makes him extremely tough to move off the line with one blocker
+ Star’s power/quickness combination is rare, not many naturally gifted athletes like him
+ Position versatile, stout and strong enough to play in a two gap system and on the nose tackle
+ Quick and fast enough to be a 4-3 DT, in which he can penetrate push the pocket and twist/stunt
+ Can also play in a 3-4 system on the end, in which he sets the edge, ties up blockers
- Could stand to shed some body fat without sacrificing strength
- Conditioning could be a factor in NFL, where speed of play is quicker and playing field is level strength wise

Star Lotulelei possesses a combination of size, power, quickness and strength that is truly elite. Lineman this big that move as well as Star are few and far between.

His power at the line of scrimmage to take on and eat up blocks will make other linemen around him better. He is near impossible to block one on one and has to be assigned multiple blockers at a time. His strength and quickness allows him to beat blocks and make plays in the run game consistently.

He should be able to play multiple positions in most different schemes from NT to 4-3 DT. His ability to push the pocket has created havoc for opposing rushing offenses. While he isn’t much of a natural pass rusher he does exhibit the natural tools to become better once he learns some try pass rush technique and moves.

As long as he can learn how to not take plays off and work on his motor Star could be a “star” in the NFL. He hasn’t been as productive as Haloti Ngata was at the college level, but he possesses the natural ability and skill set to turn into that type of player int he NFL. He will be highly sought after by probably every team picking in the top ten.

He won’t make it out of the top ten and probably will be picked in the top five of the 2013 NFL Draft.

For the NFL, he is an ideal fit as a 3-4 Nose or 4-3 Tackle. He is scheme-friendly, so his value will be high to most every team in the league. With his combination of freakish size and surprising athletic ability, regardless of his motor inconsistencies, he will be an extremely high pick because there simply are not these kinds of body types available all over college football.

Many will try to compare him to Haloti Ngata, the former Oregon and current Baltimore Ravens’ defensive lineman, but he does not have the track record of dominance Ngata displayed with the Ducks. Still, Star is a rare breed, can wreck the middle of an offense and should go on to have a lengthy professional career. – Phil Savage

Lotulelei is one of the more dynamic and game changing defensive players in this draft. Despite only starting for one season, he has the making of a top pick in the 2013 Draft.

Lotulelei was not highly recruited coming out of high school and started off at Snow College in 2009. He finished with 52 tackles,14 tackles for a loss and three sacks. In 2010, his first season in Utah, he was a backup up until the final three games, when he finally had the chance to start. Last season was his first real shot to show what he could do and he didn’t disappoint.

While the box score never showed it, Lotulelei is the person that every offensive coordinator game planned for. He only finished with 1.5 sacks, but altered play calls and plugged up running lanes. – Jeremy Cabler

Arizona Cardinals

UFAs — CB Michael Adams (5), OL D’Anthony Batiste (6), DE Nick Eason (10), LB Quentin Groves (5), DE Vonnie Holliday (15), QB Brian Hoyer (4), S Rashad Johnson (4), LB Paris Lenon (11), OL Pat McQuistan (7), OL Rich Ohrnberger (4), S James Sanders (8), RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (4), CB Greg Toler (4).

San Francisco 49ers

UFAs — OL Leonard Davis (12), WR Ted Ginn (6), S Dashon Goldson (6), LB Tavares Gooden (5), LB Larry Grant (4), LB Clark Haggans (13), RB Brandon Jacobs (8), DT Ricky Jean-Francois (4), WR Randy Moss (14), DT Isaako Sopoaga (9), TE Delanie Walker (7).

RFAs — CB Tramaine Brock (3), CB Darcel McBath (3).

St. Louis Rams

UFAs — WR Danny Amendola (4), QB Kellen Clemens (7), S Craig Dahl (6), CB Bradley Fletcher (4), WR Brandon Gibson (4), LB Mario Haggan (10), DE William Hayes, (5), RB Steven Jackson (9) (voidable), DE Trevor Laws (5), LB Rocky McIntosh (7), OL Barry Richardson (5), WR Steve Smith (6), OL Robert Turner (5), OL Chris Williams (4).

RFAs — LB Justin Cole (3), DT Jermelle Cudjo (3), S Darian Stewart (3).

Seattle Seahawks

UFAs — DT Alan Branch (6), PK Steven Hauschka (4), LB Leroy Hill (8), DE Jason Jones (5), TE Cameron Morrah (4), OL Frank Omiyale (8), CB Marcus Trufant (10).

RFAs — WR Deon Butler (3), OL Clint Gresham (3), S Chris Maragos (3), DE Clinton McDonald (3).

photo credit: 49ersparadise via photopin cc