Adding Lynch gives Seahawks leg up in NFC West

One of the most intriguing teams in my mind right now is the Seattle Seahawks.

I watched the Seahawks get a big win, and an uncharacteristic win, on the road last week in Chicago. The team is an interesting storyline right now, especially in terms of how one player — Marshawn Lynch – can make such a big difference.

I really think the addition of Lynch clearly puts Seattle on the path right now in the very mediocre NFC West. Matt Hasselbeck may be the best quarterback in the division, and they’ve found a big receiver in Mike Williams (who had a career-high 10 receptions against the Bears), but the addition of Lynch gives them a big back between the tackles to play alongside the explosive Justin Forsett.

I give the Seahawks a great deal of credit for isolating Lynch and realizing they could get him for a pretty good price, and knowing just what a huge difference it would make on their team. There had been limited interest in Lynch because of some of his history, but he’s an intriguing young man.

Adding Lynch was just what the Seahawks needed offensively, and it really gives them one of the more balanced offenses in the league to go along with a defense that’s playing well right now.

One piece of that balance is the offensive line, and I have to note how impressed I was with rookie LT Russell Okung. The Seahawks did some things to help on Julius Peppers, but more than a handful of times Okung was matched-up one on one, and Peppers didn’t get a sniff. Peppers is playing well, so I credit most of this to Okung.

The Seahawks had played Okung, who missed the first three games with an ankle injury, only sparingly the previous week against the Rams, specifically so that his first game wasn’t on the road against Peppers. He only had about 10 days of practice before the Seahawks felt confident in him facing Peppers.

Things are very interesting in Seattle.

– Brian Billick

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The latest from Lombardi on ‘As the Vikings Turn’

The verbage of the Randy Moss story is changing by the minute, and the series of events has brought about several different fragments of the larger story at play.

One of the most intriguing aspects — which has been brought to light via the reporting of NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi – is the sequence in which everyone but Vikings coach Brad Childress appears to have found out about the pending move. (Moss was not placed on waivers before Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.)

Per Lombardi, Childress did not notify Vikings management that he intended to waive Moss. Contractually, he doesn’t have to do so. Childress has control of the Vikings’ 53-man roster and has the final say on those decisions. But he did tell the team of his intentions, which is the point in the story where word began to leak out.

Ultimately, the rest of the Vikings organization found out about the release of Moss at the same time the story went public. Suffice to say, it was a surprise to many.

As Lombardi aptly points out, about the only things known for certain is that Childress no longer wants Moss on the Vikings. That’s officially expected to happen when he’s placed on waivers Tuesday.

Childress told reporters Monday that Moss had permission from the team to remain in New England and report back later in the week. So Moss wasn’t at the meeting in which his teammates reportedly found out the receiver would be waived. His agent, Joel Segal, told the Star Tribune that he and Moss found out about the move Monday morning, which prompted the statement he released.

As these details continue to emerge, it only shows the situation surrounding Moss in Minnesota is about as murky as the Mississippi River. It appears far from over as well, so the next 48 hours should be interesting. As we like to say … stay tuned. Literally.

– Frank Tadych

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Was Dunta Robinson’s hit legal?

The NFL took its stance on several helmet-to-helmet hits during Week 6, fining three players a total of $175,000 on Tuesday. One of the players involved, Falcons CB Dunta Robinson, was fined $50,000 for his hit on Eagles WR DeSean Jackson that knocked both players out of Sunday’s game with injuries.

Robinson released a statement following the NFL’s announcement, saying he will appeal his fine.

“I am disappointed by the NFL’s ruling, I recognize the goal is to protect all players — from the Pee Wee level on up — however, this was a bang-bang hit situation where I did not lead with my helmet, and therefore I will appeal,” Robinson said in a statement. ”Although it was a violent hit, my hit did not violate the NFL’s rules, and I was playing the game the way I always have. I am not a dirty player and have never been characterized as one.”

You can view Robinson’s hit here, and make a judgement for yourself. Robinson’s hit on Jackson was violent, but whether it was illegal or not is certainly debatable, if not controversial.

In fact, three of our NFL Network analysts agree that Robinson’s hit was legal under the written rules.

“He leads with his shoulder, but not to the head area. He goes to the chest of Jackson,” Solomon Wilcots said. “That’s a bang-bang play. You can’t legislate this play, nor does he go to the head.”

“This is a violent hit to a defenseless player, however, it’s legal,” Mike Mayock said. “Was it a violent hit? Yes. Was he defenseless? Yes. However, [Robinson] leads with the shoulder into the sternum. … The way I see that hit, is you can’t legislate that hit out of football. I disagree with the interpretation there.”

While agreeing with the league’s stance, Charles Davis also believes Robinson’s hit was legal.

“I think he should appeal,” he said. “I don’t think he led with his head, I think he hit the receiver in the right spot, and did everything he could to protect himself. That’s the one I don’t get.”

– Frank Tadych

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Titans WR Britt sits, could face further penalties

Posted: October 22nd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Tennessee Titans, Jeff Fisher, Kenny Britt

Titans WR Kenny Britt sat out practice on Friday, because of an early-morning altercation. But coach Jeff Fisher said that Britt will not miss any time on Sunday because the incident was described as the receiver being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But that could all change, according to Fisher who said that he is still gathering facts. Fisher is giving Britt the benefit of the doubt for now, but that could change if the investigation unearths something contrary to the receiver’s account.

“It really depends on the information I am able to obtain before kickoff. That’s really all I can say,” Fisher said.

Keep an eye on this situation and be ready to move if Britt is disciplined for his role in the altercation.

– Adam Rank

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Vickerson, Royal out for Broncos

Posted: October 17th, 2010 | Frank Tadych | Tags: Denver Broncos, Eddie Royal, Week 6 injuries 2010, Kevin Vickerson, Matthew Willis

Broncos starting DE Kevin Vickerson and WR Eddie Royal have left Sunday’s game against the Jets due to injuries.

Vickerson left during the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. He didn’t return on the team’s next defensive drive, but no word yet from the Broncos. Marcus Thomas has taken his place at left defensive end.

The Broncos announced at the start of the fourth quarter that WR Eddie Royal is questionable to return with a hamstring injury. He has one reception for 13 yards. The team also announced WR Matthew Willis won’t return after suffering a foot injury.

– Frank Tadych

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Urlacher among players speaking out over hits

It’s no surprise that word from players around the league has started to filter out over the last 24 hours following the NFL’s crackdown on illegal helmet-to-helmet hits.

We heard from Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw yesterday, and here’s a look at some of the other reaction around the league:

Brian Urlacher, Bears: “It’s freaking football. There are going to be big hits. I don’t understand how they can do this after one weekend of hitting. And I can’t understand how they can suspend us for it. I think it’s a bunch of bull (crap). … You know what we should do? We should just put flags on everybody. Let’s make it the NFFL — the National Flag Football League. It’s unbelievable.” (Chicago Tribune)

Tom Brady: (locker room interview) “It’s a dangerous game, it really is. I think we all signed up for this game knowing that it’s dangerous. I know Rodney Harrison did too. I heard some of his comments about the style of play and you’re right, nobody wants to see anybody get hurt. That’s not why we play the game. But we also know the physical nature of this sport is that people do get hurt. We’ve all been hurt. Everybody in this locker room has been hurt. I’ve had four or five surgeries. It’s just part of what you’re signing up for.”

Chris Harris, Bears: (via Twitter) “This is so wrong on so many levels. What about the RBs who lead with their helmets why haven’t they got fined? Oh cuz no one got hurt. …  If ur gonna fine that much u might as well suspend without pay bc essentially they will b playing 4 free for a wk or 2 n putting ur body n harms way with no compensation for it.”

Nick Barnett, Packers: (via Twitter) “No big hits?? What sport are we playing now “

Darnell Dockett, Cardinals: (via Twitter) “So many rules N the NFL, we get fine 4 EVERYTHING socks, jersey out, celebrations tweeting, personal fouls, now its gonna be big hits … And how could I forget they also want us to play 18games! “18games” I can almost guarantee injuries will increase & careers will be shorten! … But with all that said I love my job, But I love the game of football More and yes there is a difference!”

Josh Cribbs, Browns: (via Twitter) “I have no bad will towards LB James Harrison. That’s what he’s suppose to do knock people out, it’s what makes him one of the best. … I don’t believe he intentionally wants to injure anyone, but it is apart of the game. … He has been hitting people like that as my teammate at Kent State & now as my rival he still hits people like that… He is still my boy.”

Kawika Mitchell, free agent: (via Twitter) “Do you seriously think tackling is the only time players hit helmet to helmet? We know the risk. We have to play smart but IT IS FOOTBALL. … Seriously… We shouldn’t wear helmets in practice. It would mean less hits and allow us to learn how to avoid each other heads.”

Chad Ochocinco, Bengals: “Hits like this have been part of the NFL for years. There’s something going on with concussions so now the NFL is cracking down on keeping us safer. Everything is instinct. You play the game a certain way and to come and try to change that technique and program what you have learned from Day 1 is going to be tough. We’re going to be pulling flags.” (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Terrell Owens, Bengals: “It’s a matter of guys going out and playing football. I think there’s so much emphasis on the helmet-to-helmet, these things have been happening throughout the course of football. But now with the concussions now everyone is paying a lot more attention.” (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Antrel Rolle, Giants: “This is the game of football. It’s a game of speed, this is a game of power, this is a game of physical guys going to battle. Once you start saying to guys, ‘You’ll get suspended for a game,’ that’s when you’re going to get a very, very tentative football game.” (New York Post)

Channing Crowder, Dolphins: “If they’re going to keep making us go more and more and more like a feminine sport, we’re going to wear pink every game, not just on the breast cancer months.” (Palm Beach Post)

– Frank Tadych

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Turner hopeful for Gates, but not for Floyd

Posted: October 18th, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: San Diego Chargers, Antonio Gates, Andre Johnson, Norv Turner, Patrick Crayton, Quentin Jammer, Malcom Floyd

Chargers coach Norv Turner told reporters on Monday that he is hopeful TE Antonio Gates will be ready to go in Week 7 against the Patriots. Turner described Gates’ injury as a sprained toe, but different from his previous toe injuries and more similar to issue that kept CB Quentin Jammer out of action a few weeks back.

Turner was less optimistic about WR Malcom Floyd, who suffered a strained hamstring against the Rams. Turner said the injury was not as bad as first feared, but it’s still unlikely that Floyd will play on Sunday.

Chargers WR Patrick Crayton, who topped 100 receiving yards, is a good waiver wire pickup for anybody who will be missing Texans WR Andre Johnson or the Colts receivers this week.

If only the Chargers had another big-play option somewhere … but guys like that aren’t just sitting at home.

– Adam Rank

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