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	<title>Seahawks Insider</title>
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			<updated>2009-02-23T22:41:01Z</updated>
			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">Ohio State's Jenkins says he's fast enough</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/23/ohio_state_s_jenkins_says_he_s_fast_enou" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/23/ohio_state_s_jenkins_says_he_s_fast_enou</id>
				<published>2009-02-23T22:40:55Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-23T22:41:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p>I just got back from Indianapolis this afternoon. The media availability ended on Sunday, so most reporters left Sunday night or Monday morning.</p>

<p>I didn&#8217;t get a chance to get this on the blog on Sunday, but I recorded some video of Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins when he talked on Sunday. </p>

<p>Of course, the question everyone involved in the combine wants to know is how fast is Jenkins? We&#8217;re going to find out on Tuesday, when he runs the 40-yard dash as part of his workout. </p>

<p>Mike Mayock of NFL.com said if Jenkins runs a 4.45 or better he has a shot to solidify a spot as a top-10 pick and lock-down cover corner in the draft. However, if he dips into the 4.5s, then the questions will continue and people will continue to talk about Jenkins converting to a safety.</p>

<p>Mayock ranks Jenkins 16th on his board.</p>

<p>During his interview on Sunday Jenkins said he&#8217;s pretty confident he&#8217;ll run under 4.5. If he does, the Seahawks no doubt will consider taking him with the team&#8217;s No. 4 pick. </p>

<p>Don Banks of Sports Illustrated points out <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/02/22/snaps.combine/1.html">the importance of Jenkins running well,</a> which I first saw on <a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com http://seahawksdraft.blogspot.com/">Rob Staton&#8217;s Seahawks Draft Blog.</a></p>

<p>Also, B.J. Raji ran a 5.13 in the 40-yard-dash, which is pretty fast for a big guy. I thought he&#8217;d a 5.3-5.4 guy. Raji put up 33 reps in the 225-pound bench press workout.</p>

<p>Watch Jenkins talk about the speed issue in this clip I recorded on Sunday. </p>

<div class="youtube center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" style="width:425px; height:350px" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/jiH_gneX45c"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jiH_gneX45c" /></object></div>


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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Combine workouts -- a view from the press box</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/22/combine_workouts_a_view_from_the_press_b" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/22/combine_workouts_a_view_from_the_press_b</id>
				<published>2009-02-22T22:52:23Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-22T22:54:23Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/darroncummings_7.JPG" alt="" title="" width="256" height="166" align="right" /><div class="image_legend">A shot of NFL scouts timing the 40-yard dash at Lucas Oil Stadium, (AP)Darron Cummings.</div></div><p></p>

<p>I got a chance to go inside the stadium and watch some of the combine workouts this afternoon. Each reporter that volunteered to attend a workout session was assigned a player to write a few paragraphs evaluating that player&#8217;s performance for the pool report. A report is compiled on each player, and then put together by the Pro Football Writers Association and circulated among its members.</p>

<p>I was assigned <a href="http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/mike-reilly?id=81302">Central Washington quarterback Mike Reilly.</a></p>

<p>Remember, I was a receiver, not a quarterback in college. But here&#8217;s what I wrote. </p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/22/p37780#more37780">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Rob Rang on the combine</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/22/rob_rang_on_the_combine" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/22/rob_rang_on_the_combine</id>
				<published>2009-02-22T16:11:35Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-22T16:12:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p>With <a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/seahawks/story/634664.html">Michael Crabtree&#8217;s foot injury</a> and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d80edb7f2&amp;template=without-video-with-comments&amp;confirm=true">Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith going AWOL</a> happening on a weird Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Rob Rang, senior analyst at nfldraftscout.com, was gracious enough to take a few minutes to discuss the impact those two stories might have on the draft in general, and Seattle&#8217;s No. 4 selection in particular.</p>

<p><strong>On the Crabtree situation, Rang had this to say: </strong></p>

<p>&#8220;I think that Crabtree is still going to have to be at least a consideration for the Seahawks. I mean anytime you have a player that is as talented as he is, I mean you go back and watch the film and he is still among the elite players in the draft. He&#8217;s still our No. 1 player at this moment.&#8221;</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/22/p37768#more37768">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Crabtree frustrated with report about foot surgery</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/crabtree_frustrated_with_report_about_fo" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/crabtree_frustrated_with_report_about_fo</id>
				<published>2009-02-22T03:46:56Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-22T03:47:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[
<p>There's <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/stories/022209dnspocrabtree.3b3fb514.html">yet another twist</a> in the Michael Crabtree story. The Texas Tech receiver talked to Dallas Morning News reporter Rick Gosselin this evening. Crabtree told Gosselin that he's had the fractured foot for a year, and he doesn't plan on having surgery.</p>

<p>He also reiterated that he plans to run in March.</p>

<p><strong>"I don't know where that report came from," Crabtree told The Dallas Morning News. "It [stress fracture] has been there for about a year and it's never caused me any pain. I can play with it the rest of my life. It won't stop me from running. I'm going to run."</strong></p>

<p>Stay tuned. </p>

<p>  </p>

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			</entry>

			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">Report: Crabtree will run at pro day</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/report_crabtree_will_run_at_pro_day" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/report_crabtree_will_run_at_pro_day</id>
				<published>2009-02-22T00:04:10Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-22T00:05:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/21/crabtree-will-still-run-at-pro-day/">Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is now reporting</a> that Texas Tech wide receiver will in fact run two 40-yard dashes at is pro day on March 26, and then have the surgery to insert a screw in his foot soon after. </p>

<p>It appears Crabtree wants to prove how fast he is before April's draft. </p>]]></content>
			</entry>

			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">B.J. Raji takes center stage</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/b_j_raji_takes_center_stage" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/b_j_raji_takes_center_stage</id>
				<published>2009-02-21T21:45:31Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-22T00:42:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/BJRajiphoto.jpg" alt="" title="" width="464" height="476" /></div>

<p>Boston College defensive tackle <a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/b.j.-raji?id=79631">B.J. Raji</a> is a big dude. And he&#8217;s another player who Seattle  could set their sights on with Michael Crabtree&#8217;s injury situation. <br />
 <br />
Raji, considered the top defensive tackle prospect currently in the drafted, measured in at 6-foot-1 &#189;, and weighed 337 pounds, which is a little higher than the 323 he would have preferred to come in at. </p>

<p>He&#8217;s benefited from an impressive performance in individual drills during Senior Bowl week, and the fact that there are no elite level prospects at his position this year.</p>

<p>Raji says he&#8217;ll compete in the all of the workouts at the combine this week, and looks forward to the continued rise of his draft stock.</p>

<p>He had his first interview with New Orleans on Friday. He says he hasn&#8217;t spoken to any other teams. </p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/p37755#more37755">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">WSU&#8217;s Gibson could be an option for Seahawks</title>
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				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/wsu_s_gibson_could_be_an_option_for_seah</id>
				<published>2009-02-21T20:33:31Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-21T21:36:38Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/gibson_7.JPG" alt="" title="" width="167" height="256" align="right" /></div>

<p>With the likelihood of the Seattle Seahawks drafting Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree perhaps fading with the announcement of his foot injury, the Seahawks could look to grab a diamond in the rough later in the draft. </p>

<p>One player that has that potential is <a href="http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/brandon-gibson?id=81288">Washington State product Brandon Gibson.</a> The Rogers High of Puyallup product has good size, measuring in at 6-0, and weighing 212 pounds. Gibson said the Seahawks already have talked to him.</p>

<p>After contemplating coming out after a successful junior season, Gibson decided to return hoping to increase his draft stock. Instead he suffered through a 2-10 season with the Cougars, was double-teamed most of the year and didn&#8217;t have a quarterback who could get him the ball with all the injuries his team suffered at the position. However, Gibson says it still was the right decision.</p>

<p>&#8220;My senior year, things didn&#8217;t go as planned,&#8221; Gibson said. &#8220;But, you know, you&#8217;re only in college once. You&#8217;re only a senior once, so I definitely wanted to enjoy that time there.</p>

<p>&#8220;Things didn&#8217;t work out the way I would&#8217;ve liked. I didn&#8217;t play as well as my junior year and we just didn&#8217;t have as good of team. But I definitely think that I benefited in becoming a better football player and gaining more knowledge about the game.&#8221;</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/p37754#more37754">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
			</entry>

			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">Jim Mora talks draft</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/jim_mora_talks_draft" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/jim_mora_talks_draft</id>
				<published>2009-02-21T19:11:30Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-21T19:12:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p>Seattle head coach Jim Mora talked about addressing Seattle needs for next season, saying the team will do so mostly through the draft and not free agency. We talked to Mora before the Michael Crabtree story broke on his fractured left foot, so Mora did not address the issue.</p>

<p>Mora said each team gets 60, 15-minutes interviews with the players of their choosing. Seattle&#8217;s vice president of player personnel Ruston Webster conducts the interviews, with team president and general manager Tim Ruskell and Mora sitting in.  </p>

<p>&#8220;I think you can get a feel for a young man&#8217;s personality,&#8221; Mora said. &#8220;For how they interact socially. For how they compete. And, like I said, our interviews our productive.&#8221;</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/p37752#more37752">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Report: Crabtree has foot fracture</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/report_crabtree_has_foot_fracture" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/21/report_crabtree_has_foot_fracture</id>
				<published>2009-02-21T16:57:50Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-21T18:38:39Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p>NFL.com is reporting Michael Crabtree has a slight stress fracture in his left foot that will require surgery to insert a screw, according to league sources.</p>

<p>I'm following up on this right now, but obviously this is going to have an effect on who Seattle drafts at No. 4, with most drafts pegging Crabtree as Seattle's selection.</p>

<p>Seattle head coach Jim Mora also talked today. I'll have more on the Crabtree injury and the Mora conversation later.  </p>

<p><strong>UPDATE:</strong> NFL Network's Adam Schefter is now saying the injury will require Crabtree to miss 10 weeks. Obviously this is big news, and makes it even more riskier for Seattle or anybody else to take Crabtree that high.</p>

<p><strong>UPDATE</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d80eda910&amp;template=without-video-with-comments&amp;confirm=true">Here's Schefter's story.</a> According to his report, the injury was revealed during medical testing at the combine, and Crabtree most likely will cancel his Pro Day in Dallas scheduled for next month.</p>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Michael Crabtree transcript</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/michael_crabtree_transcript" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/michael_crabtree_transcript</id>
				<published>2009-02-20T22:04:38Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-20T23:08:30Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/crabtreeatcombine_7.JPG" alt="" title="" width="256" height="186" align="right" /><div class="image_legend">Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree listens to a question during a news conference at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday in this Associated Press photo by Darron Cummings.</div></div><p></p>

<p>He didn&#8217;t say much, but what Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree did say, reporters here hung on every word as Crabtree held court for 10 minutes Friday afternoon.</p>

<p>Crabtree said he measured at just over 6-foot-1 and weighed 215 pounds. He&#8217;ll hold his pro day on March 26 in Dallas, where he&#8217;ll perform all of the workouts, including the 40-yard dash. Crabtree won&#8217;t do anything in Indianapolis because he&#8217;s still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered against Baylor at the end of November. He said he&#8217;s 90 percent right now.</p>

<p>Crabtree said Seattle is one of the teams who has contacted him, and that he believed he be a good fit for the Seahawks. </p>

<p>Here&#8217;s the entire transcript of Crabtree&#8217;s interview.</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/p37720#more37720">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Report: Hill turned down lucrative deal</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/report_hill_turned_down_lucrative_deal" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/report_hill_turned_down_lucrative_deal</id>
				<published>2009-02-20T21:03:33Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-20T21:05:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[
<p><a href="http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/20/linebacker-corps-costly-for-seahawks/">According to this report by Adam Schefter of the NFL Network,</a> Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill reportedly turned down a six-year, $36 million deal offered by the Seahawks, forcing <a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/seahawks/story/632673.html">Seattle to use the franchise tag to keep Hill around.</a></p>

<p>And with Hill locked up, the Seahawks currently have about $20 million in salary up against the cap tied in its linebackers, with Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson also signed to lucrative, long-term deals. </p>]]></content>
			</entry>

			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">Sanchez future replacement for Hasselbeck?</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/usc_s_sanchez_hasselbeck_s_future_replac" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/usc_s_sanchez_hasselbeck_s_future_replac</id>
				<published>2009-02-20T19:59:50Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-20T20:28:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/Sanchezphoto.jpg" alt="" title="" width="448" height="336" align="right"/></div>

<p>He&#8217;s played in a major media market in Los Angeles with no NFL football team, so <a href="http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/mark-sanchez?id=79858">USC quarterback Matt Sanchez</a> knows how to handle the spotlight.</p>

<p>He has an easy, unflappable way about him during interviews. He&#8217;s witty and open in front of a crowd, able to coax a few laughs out of gruff, veteran sports writers -- similar to the personality of current quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. </p>

<p>But could Sanchez be the heir apparent to Seattle&#8217;s longtime quarterback?</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/p37709#more37709">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
			</entry>

			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">A 3-man battle for top tackle spot</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/a_3_man_battle_for_top_tackle_spot" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/a_3_man_battle_for_top_tackle_spot</id>
				<published>2009-02-20T17:29:50Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-20T17:32:52Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s basically a three-man race for who will be the top offensive tackle taken in this year's draft between Alabama&#8217;s Andre Smith, Virginia&#8217;s Eugene Monroe and Baylor&#8217;s Jason Smith.</p>

<p>Although he&#8217;s dropped on several draft boards, Michael Oher of Mississippi also is in the running. CBS Sport&#8217;s Clark Judge has <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/11399912">an interesting perspective</a> on Oher and the other top offensive tackle prospects.</p>

<p>All four presented themselves well for the most part when they spoke to reporters, with Monroe and Jason Smith coming off a little better than Andre Smith and Oher.</p>

<p>Andre Smith said he weighed 332 pounds and played at as much as 345 &#8211; not the 380 that was rumored &#8211; during the season for the Crimson Tide.</p>

<div class="youtube center"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" style="width:425px; height:350px" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/kl6nwib05oQ"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kl6nwib05oQ" /></object></div>



<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/p37698#more37698">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
			</entry>

			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">A few minutes with Max Unger</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/a_few_minutes_with_max_unger" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/a_few_minutes_with_max_unger</id>
				<published>2009-02-20T16:05:47Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-20T16:06:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/MaxUngerwide.jpg" alt="" title="" width="448" height="239" align="left" /><div class="image_legend">University of Oregon product Max Unger is rated as one of the top centers coming out the draft. Photo by Ric Tapia of NFL.com.</div></div><p></p>

<p>With Leroy Hill situation now behind us I'll focus more on updates today and what some of the NFL prospects are saying. I'll start with a conversation with University of Oregon offensive lineman Max Unger from Thursday. </p>

<p>Running backs and wide receivers will be available for interviews today. I'll try to catch up with a few of each and post their comments. I'll also have interviews with a few coaches and general managers as they talk throughout the day. Seattle head coach Jim Mora will not talk today, but he will talk by the end of the week</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/20/p37695#more37695">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
			</entry>

			
			<entry>
				<title type="text">Ruskell transcript on franchising Leroy</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/ruskell_transcript_on_franchising_leroy" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/ruskell_transcript_on_franchising_leroy</id>
				<published>2009-02-19T23:20:21Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-19T23:21:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p>Seattle-area reporters talked with Seattle Seahawks president and general manager Tim Ruskell about making the decision to franchise linebacker Leroy Hill, along with the team&#8217;s preparation for the draft and free agency.</p>

<p>The conversation lasted for about 20 minutes, so I thought I would share that with you here. The full transcript is offered below. I&#8217;ll touch on some of the highlights.</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/p37671#more37671">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Seahawks put franchise tag on Leroy Hill</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/seahawks_put_franchise_tag_on_leroy_hill" />
				<author>
					<name>EdgarHOF</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/seahawks_put_franchise_tag_on_leroy_hill</id>
				<published>2009-02-19T18:26:42Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-19T18:54:59Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<p>From Eric Williams in Indianapolis:</p>

<p>The Seahawks today designated linebacker Leroy Hill with the organization's non-exclusive franchise tag. Hill will receive the $8.3-million, one-year tender offer from the Seahawks while negotiations continue on a longer-term deal.</p>

<p>The deadline for using the franchise tag was today.</p>

<p>The Seahawks are negotiating with Hill on a longer-term deal, and by designating him with the non-exclusive franchise tag, it gives the team a longer period for negotiations.</p>

<p>"We're not exactly close but it's been good-faith negotiations," team president and general manager Tim Ruskell said. "And this allows us to keep doing that, while protecting our rights to the player."</p>

<p>Eric will follow with more details later today.</p>

<p>   </p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Morning links: Still no word on Hill, franchise tag</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/morning_links_still_no_word_on_hill_fran" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/morning_links_still_no_word_on_hill_fran</id>
				<published>2009-02-19T15:59:13Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-19T16:00:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/Hilnoreportl_7.JPG" alt="" title="" width="256" height="180" /><div class="image_legend">Linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill have served as part of the defense's backbone for the Seattle Seahawks the last few years.</div></div><p></p>

<p>We&#8217;re waiting like everybody else for the Seattle Seahawks to announce whether or not they will franchise Leroy Hill before today&#8217;s 1 p.m. deadline (4 p.m. here on the East Coast).</p>

<p>Obviously this is a tough decision for the organization to make, which is probably one of the reasons they are using all of the time allotted to come to a conclusion.</p>

<p>Neither Seattle general manager Tim Ruskell or head coach Jim Mora are slated to speak to reporters this morning. And because of the new setup here at Lucas Oil Stadium, it will be hard to mingle with coaches and executives as they leave and enter the building. But at some point today we will get a report on the status of Hill.</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/19/p37638#more37638">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">The calm before the storm in Indianapolis</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/the_calm_before_the_storm_in_indianapoli" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/the_calm_before_the_storm_in_indianapoli</id>
				<published>2009-02-19T01:14:34Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-19T01:15:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[<div class="image_block"><img src="http://media.thenewstribune.com/images/blogmedia/users/ericwilliams/Lucasoilstadium.jpg" alt="" title="" width="448" height="336" align=left/></div>

<p>I know what you&#8217;re saying. What&#8217;s going on with the NFL Combine, held at Lucas Oil Stadium (shown here), and when do things start to heat up? Well, there&#8217;s not much going on right now here in Indianapolis, with most NFL executives, scouts and media arriving today, along with the 300-plus players who will participate in the event checking in.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wunderground.com/US/IN/Indianapolis.html">It's freezing here,</a> with temperatures in the 30s and a biting wind blistering through the city. It's expected to snow tonight and get colder as the week goes by. Thankfully this deal's being held indoors. With my smart packing I forgot to bring a coat and had to buy one today. </p>

<p>We&#8217;ll get our first access with players on Thursday, starting with offensive lineman, specialists and tight ends. We&#8217;ll have regular reports here throughout the day.</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/p37621#more37621">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Morning links: Weaver moving on to greener pastures?</title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/morning_links_weaver_moving_on_to_greene" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/morning_links_weaver_moving_on_to_greene</id>
				<published>2009-02-18T18:13:40Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-18T18:14:01Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[
<p>According to this <a href="http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Free+Agency/2009/weaver021709.htm">free agent prospect analysis by Pro Football Weekly,</a> Seahawks fullback Leonard Weaver could be one of the hot commodities in free agency with his rare combination of good blocking skills and pass-catching ability. Says Weaver&#8217;s agent, Harold Lewis:</p>

<p><em>&#8220;As far as him staying in Seattle, I&#8217;m sure Leonard would be very happy,&#8221; Lewis told PFW. &#8220;But just being a realist, I don&#8217;t see it.&#8221; The reality, according to Lewis, is that Weaver shapes up as a potentially hot commodity on the open market. &#8220;He&#8217;s more of a hybrid running back who can knock over anybody,&#8221; Lewis said. &#8220;When you look at the successful teams right now, you see two-back systems usually with one big running back. Leonard fits that mold, and there should be lots of interest in him.</em></p>

<p>ESPN&#8217;s Mike Sando focuses on the drafting patterns of NFC West GM&#8217;s in the first two rounds <a href="http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-8-160/NFC-West-GM-analysis--Two-round-overview.html">in this blog entry.</a></p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/p37591#more37591">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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			<entry>
				<title type="text">Roster analysis </title>
				<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/roster_analysis_2" />
				<author>
					<name>Eric Williams</name>
									</author>
				<id>http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/roster_analysis_2</id>
				<published>2009-02-18T15:19:55Z</published>
				<updated>2009-02-18T16:35:55Z</updated>
				<content type="html"><![CDATA[
<p>Here&#8217;s our first positional roster analysis for 2009 as we head into the combine. With rosters being expanded to 80 players, this is more of a rough, overall look at who is on the roster early in the offseason, and what issues the team will need to address in the next couple months with the draft and free agency on the horizon. We&#8217;ll update this several times before training camp begins in July, so this will serve as our first peek.</p>

<p class="bMore"><a href="http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/02/18/p37581#more37581">=> Read more!</a></p>]]></content>
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