Seahawks Trade Rumors

"Could Jeremy Shockey be the answer to the Seahawks' need for a tight end? No, the club said Wednesday, after the New York Daily News reported that the Seahawks are among the teams interesting in trading for the Giants' disgruntled tight end. The Seahawks quickly dismissed the report, saying they have no serious interest in the four-time Pro Bowler"

"One source also indicated that other teams have expressed an interest in Shockey, although none more than the Seahawks and Saints. The source did not say who those teams were, but one possibility is the Atlanta Falcons, who are looking to replace tight end Alge Crumpler."

"To Tim Ruskell, draft choices are gold. But the Seahawks president is dealing with a deficit this year because the team has only six selections in next weekend's seven-round NFL draft. That's why Ruskell is not ruling out the possibility of trading down from the 25th pick in the first round."

"Seattle Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell on Friday said there is a good chance the team will trade down in the April 26-27 draft in order to acquire additional picks."

"Nothing has changed regarding running back Shaun Alexander and cornerback Marcus Trufant, Ruskell said. Alexander is expected to be released after his surgically repaired left wrist has healed, because the club signed running backs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett in free agency."

"If all goes well for the Carolina Panthers, there's a decent chance D.J. Hackett could be heading back to Charlotte today -- and this time to stay."

"The Seattle Seahawks reportedly are mulling the release of running back Shaun Alexander, who is barely two seasons removed from rushing for more than 1,880 yards, 27 touchdowns and leading the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl berth."

"The Carolina Panthers will host a visit Friday from free-agent receiver D.J. Hackett, formerly of Seattle. Hackett, 26, is considered by many experts to be one of the best two available receivers, along with Arizona's Bryant Johnson. There is competition; Hackett visited Washington on Wednesday and was to visit Tampa Bay today."

"Shaun Alexander's future remains an unanswered question. Pinning down his present circumstances is a little easier. Alexander was at the Seahawks' headquarters on Tuesday, he's still on the team's roster and he's continuing his recovery from surgery to repair the broken bone in his left wrist."

"Shaun Alexander made an appearance in the Seahawks' locker room Tuesday, and he was actually smiling and upbeat. His undaunted demeanor might have had something to do with the fact that the team's leading rusher had just returned from a trip to Florida, so Alexander has been away from the maelstrom of speculation about his future with the club since the Seahawks signed two running backs in free agency last week."

"Shaun Alexander met with Seattle Seahawks officials for the first time since they acquired fellow running backs T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, moves that further clouded Alexander’s future with the organization."

"The Seahawks agreed to terms with free-agent running back Julius Jones on Friday night, according to a report on the NFL Web site. It is Seattle's latest step in rebuilding its running game. It is also the most dramatic. Not just because of what the 26-year-old Jones brings to the Seahawks, but because of the question his arrival raises. Will Shaun Alexander still be part of this rebuilt backfield?"

"Now they will add Jones, who will receive a four-year contract worth nearly $12 million, according to ESPN.com, that should allow him to compete for the starting tailback job, depending on what happens with Shaun Alexander. Alexander, the 2005 NFL MVP, has become a stickpin for speculation."

"Tim Ruskell wasn't kidding about doing everything possible to upgrade the Seahawks' running game. So much so that the team president is leaving no running back unturned in free agency. Case in point: Julius Jones, the leading rusher for the Dallas Cowboys three of the past four seasons, began a two-day visit with the Seahawks on Thursday."

"The agent for free-agent receiver D.J. Hackett said his client returning to the Seattle Seahawks remains an option, depending on what happens in free agency. Hackett has not generated much interest as a free agent, due in large part to his injuries last season, when he played six games."

"The Lions have scheduled a visit with Seattle defensive tackle Chuck Darby for Tuesday and also are talking with Seattle defensive tackle Ellis Wyms about a visit. Both played under Marinelli in Tampa Bay."

"Tight end Alge Crumpler, 30, concluded his visit with the Seahawks on Friday. His agent said the visit was good and Crumpler was comfortable, but no deal with the Seahawks is imminent."

"Meanwhile, tight end Alge Crumpler underwent an examination with the Seahawks medical staff Friday and left town without a contract. One Internet report said Crumpler was on the verge of signing with Seattle, but his agent, Butch Williams, said the report was inaccurate and premature."

"Former Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler is close to signing with the Seattle Seahawks, according to his agent James "Butch" Williams."

"OK, so it wasn't exactly the haul of playmakers Bucs fans were hoping for. And, yes, the Bucs did spend rather extravagantly, giving $37.5 million over six years to Jeff Faine, now the highest-paid center ever... As for those playmakers the Bucs were believed to be looking for, it seems receivers Devery Henderson and D.J. Hackett may be the biggest names currently on their radar."

" The Saints called and expressed interest in trading for tight end Jeremy Shockey. The Giants are not shopping Shockey and they declined to discuss any trade. Shockey is coming off surgery on his leg and ankle and could not at the moment pass a physical. The Giants have some interest in Seahawks running back/kick returner Alvin Pearman. They also could be interested in a similar player, Maurice Hicks of the 49ers, and possibly two veterans, CB Jason Webster (Bills) and DE N.D. Kalu (Texans)."

"Some free agents did interest the Redskins, including wide receiver D.J. Hackett (Seattle) and cornerback Drayton Florence (San Diego), but only at value-based deals. Detroit was making a heavy immediate push for Florence, while Hackett was drawing interest from several clubs and lining up visits."

"That’s just what the Chiefs might do now that the free-agent market has opened. New Orleans center Jeff Faine and Seattle kicker Josh Brown could be their initial free-agent visitors, perhaps as soon as today."

"Snyder and Cerrato covet Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson, but the Bengals remain steadfast they will not deal him. Washington also has interest in free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett of the Seattle Seahawks, league sources said, but only at the right price. The Patriots' Randy Moss is the biggest name eligible for free agency, but several league sources said they would be shocked if he did not re-sign with New England."

"Team officials have serious interest in trading for Cincinnati's Chad Johnson should be become available, sources said, while free agents Randy Moss and D.J. Hackett are possible targets as well."

"The Redskins will pursue another receiver in free agency or the draft. One possibility could be Seattle wideout D.J. Hackett, though his agent said the Redskins have not come up in their initial discussions about possible teams."

"Clearly, upgrading the cornerback position is on Reese's mind, which could hasten the departure of veteran R.W. McQuarters. A star who might be available is Marcus Trufant, designated as the Seahawks franchise player."

"Which means this off-season could see the Giants involved in free agency as well as the trade market. Already they have been tied to cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall of Atlanta and Marcus Trufant of Seattle, players who would have to be obtained via trade."

"Teams believed to have expressed interest in Williamson include Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle and Tennessee. Mike Tice, the Vikings' head coach when Williamson was drafted, is a member of the Jaguars' coaching staff."

"Tight end Alge Crumpler, who battled through injuries last year and was released by the Falcons after his seventh NFL season, plans to meet with several teams in Indianapolis beginning Friday... Crumpler listed at least seven teams that he might meet with: Green Bay, Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Tennessee."

"Mike Wahle, a one-time Pro Bowl left guard, was on his way to Seattle on Tuesday to meet with the Seahawks today, the team confirmed. Wahle, 30, was one of two former starters released by the Carolina Panthers in a cost-cutting move Monday after three seasons there. He's a 10-year NFL veteran who was originally selected in the second round of the supplemental draft in 1998 by the Green Bay Packers."

"Carolina Panthers guard Mike Wahle might not have to wait long to find a new home. Wahle, a former Pro Bowl guard who was cut Monday by the Panthers, was on his way to Seattle late Tuesday night to visit with the Seahawks."

"Sherman Smith is believed to be Zorn's top choice for offensive coordinator. Smith, the Tennessee Titans' assistant head coach-offense, and Zorn are close, league sources said. Zorn also remains interested in Seattle running backs coach Stump Mitchell, sources said."

"Numerous league sources expect Zorn to contact Tennessee for permission to interview their assistant head coach, Sherman Smith, for the offensive coordinator position (Smith and Zorn are former teammates and close friends), among others... Zorn is also interested in hiring Seattle running backs coach Stump Mitchell, who has spent nine seasons with the Seahawks, to fill the same position in Washington, league sources said."

"The Seahawks didn't have to look far to find their next coach. They didn't have to look too long, either. The team is expected to formally designate Jim Mora as its coaching successor to Mike Holmgren, according to sources. There is an agreement in place that will make him head coach beginning in 2009."

"Jim Mora will take over as head coach of the Seahawks in 2009 after Mike Holmgren retires, according to multiple reports. The team will hold a news conference Wednesday at noon to announce the move. Holmgren has said he plans to retire after the 2008 season."

"The Seattle Seahawks are expected to confirm today that Jim Mora will replace Mike Holmgren as the team’s coach after next season. The Seahawks on Tuesday night would not confirm a Fox Sports report saying Mora officially has been selected as the next coach, but the team called a news conference for noon today, at which the move is expected to be announced."

"Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said that he does not have a preference for the type of person he would like to replace quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, who left the Seahawks this month to become the Washington Redskins’ offensive coordinator."

"Zorn worked with Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck from the start of Hasselbeck's tenure here in 2001, playing a huge role in turning Hasselbeck into a Pro Bowl player and bona fide leader of the team. And now Zorn is taking his talents across the country to the Washington Redskins to become offensive coordinator, according to The Washington Post and ESPN."

"Jim Zorn was looking for assurances from the Seahawks after being offered a three-year contract to become the offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. What he got was indifference."

"Holmgren’s world took another turn Friday when quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn – despite earlier indications he would stay – left his staff to take the offensive coordinator position with the Washington Redskins, according to reports."

"The Washington Redskins hired Seattle Seahawks assistant Jim Zorn as offensive coordinator, league sources said, making a major addition to their coaching staff before deciding on a replacement for former head coach Joe Gibbs. Zorn, who coached Seattle's quarterbacks, agreed to a three-year deal. Zorn could not be reached for comment but sources said he took the job with the expectation that former Giants coach Jim Fassel, Washington assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams or Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would become head coach."

"Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder hired Jim Zorn as the team's new offensive coordinator yesterday, according to an NFL source."