Irvin, a senior with quite possibly the best true pass-rushing ability in the 2012 NFL draft was graded as a second-round pick at best due to his questionable past and not being an every down player. At 6-feet-3 245-pounds Irvin recorded 8.5 sacks this past season in a limited roll.

He has the ideal size to be a dominant pass-rusher however he’s best used as a situational pass-rusher ala Aldon Smith who was drafted seventh overall last year by division rival San Francisco.

Irvin’s questionable past is well documented starting in 2007 when he dropped out of Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia because his grades weren’t high enough to continue playing football. He would go on to eventually earn his general education degree (GED) after being kicked out of his mothers home and enrolled at Mt. San Antonio Junior College after a short stint at Butler community college.

Irvin would go on to become a first team All-American and was the all-California Region III player of the year in 2009 for Mt. San Antonio. In 2010 he transferred to West Virginia and excelled immediately finishing second in the nation in sacks with 14.

For Irvin, the raw talent and electric skills on the field have always been there. What has been touch-and-go is his off the field problems. Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider apparently were confident enough to let the past go and fill their biggest need, a dominant pass rusher.

Chris Clemons has led the team in sacks over the past two years and the next closest player hasn’t had more than four sacks. Clemons has had ten in back-to-back seasons.

With local product David DeCastro and South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram still on the board it’s a risky move given his past, and selective ability.

The last player out of West Virginia to be selected in the first round….Adam “Pacman” Jones.

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It’s no secret the Seahawks lack an elite pass-rusher opposite of Clemons and with the twelfth overall pick in the Rant Sports 2012 NFL Draft they will select Melvin Ingram, defensive end out of South Carolina. He’s not the tallest defensive end in the draft but he brings exactly what Seattle needs, explosiveness and an eye for the quarterback.

At 6-foot-1 272-pounds Ingram is one of the best defensive athletes in this years class and can come in immediately and make a significant impact.  He’s got a high football IQ and knows how to use his body to the fullest extent whether it’s a fast rip making a b-line to the quarterback or using his quick spin, he gets to the quarterback.

He can play both at defensive end and defensive tackle if needed which brings more value than a situational pass-rusher. His best quality by far is that he’s at tough-son-of-a-gun who will play through almost any injury. With Pete Carroll running a traditional 4-3 defense Ingram will have no problem transition from college to the NFL given he was in the same scheme at South Carolina.

His size isn’t typical of an NFL defensive end at 6’1 but he uses it to his advantage, eliminating it as a major knocking point on his game. Ingram is a four in shorter version of New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who by most accounts is a top five defensive end in the league.

Ingram is the best player available at arguably Seattle’s highest need position outside of a quarterback. Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers and Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus are all possibles but Ingram makes the most sense.

With that said the Seattle Seahawks select DE Melvin Ingram in the Rant Sports 2012 NFL Mock Draft

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Ruud, 28, was a second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2005 NFL draft and excelled under then linebackers coach Gus Bradley who is the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator. In six seasons with the Bucs Ruud recorded 585 tackles, five sacks and six interceptions.

With the loss of free agent linebacker David Hawthorne to the New Orleans Saints Ruud could be in position to become the starting middle linebacker in 2012 depending on what happens in the 2012 NFL draft at middle linebacker. Ruud will be able to compete, as usual, for the starting middle linebacker job but he could also be featured on special teams.

Last season Ruud was slowed by injuries appearing in just nine games and recording 57 tackles and one interception for the Tennessee Titans.

Lewis, 26, returns to the Seahawks after spending his entire four year career in Seattle and going back further to his days at the University of Washington. While he’s never played an entire 16 game season Lewis has shown well in nickle and dime packages when given the opportunity.

Seattle doesn’t have a drastic need at cornerback having lost only Marcus Trufant. The Seahawks could use a dominant No.1 cornerback to support “rookie” cornerback Brandon Browner who showed well after a slow start.

Lutui, 28, is arguably the most impactful  of the three signings, especially in size at 6-feet-4 338-pounds. He also could prove to be a pivotal signing should the Seahawks not draft an offensive guard or tackle in the first round like Stanford’s David DeCastro or Jonathan Martin.

The Seahawks young offensive line was touch-and-go to say the least but their patch-work line toward the end of the season held up thanks in large part to offensive line coach Tom Cable. Seattle has already resigned tackle Breno Giacomini this offseason and missed out on Steve Hutchinson and cut Robert Gallery.

Needless to say the offensive line is a major question mark heading into the draft and signing a player like Lutui, who was with Carroll in his USC days, gives the Seahawks more options in the draft.

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Lumpkin, 27, came into the league in 2008 as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia signing with the Green Bay Packers. He appeared in only two games with the Packers in 2008 before being placed on injured reserve on October 11th. He was eventually placed on waivers on September 5th 2010 and claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

His career got on track this past season setting career highs in every single statistic category. At 5-foot-11 228-pounds you would expect Lumpkin to be a fullback/third-down and short back. However, he’s more of a pass catching running back than a runner with 45 career receptions and 325 receiving yards. That’s more than double his rushing total of 124 yards on 33 carries.

He has yet to record a touchdown in his career having appeared in 29 games over three years.

Seattle has already resigned running back Marshawn Lynch to a four-year, $31 million dollar contract along with fullback Michael Robinson on a one-year contract. Lumpkin now joins Lynch, along with Leon Washington and Justin Forsett in the Seahawks backfield.

The Seahawks have lost out on tight end Jacob Tamme who signed a three-year, $9 million dollar deal with the Denver Broncos. Seattle also lost out on cornerback Corey Graham who re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a two-year deal. Both visited the Seahawks this week.

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Since January 2010 when Pete Carroll and John Schneider were hired their No.1 priority has been youth, competition and rebuilding a dead offensive line.  The team has made significant strides over the past two years with left tackle Russell Okung along with a promising right side held down by James Carpenter and John Moffitt. Seattle released veteran left guard Robert Gallery and haven’t found a suitable replacement.

Steve Hutchinson, who was originally drafted by the Seahawks back in 2001 and played with the team from 2001-2005 before signing with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. The fact that Hutchinson left to sign with Minnesota wasn’t what hurt fans the most. It was the manner in events that transpired under the Tim Ruskell–Mike Holmgren regime that hurts.

When news broke about the possibility of Hutchinson returning to Seattle it sounded almost too good to be true. As it turned out, it was. Hutchinson signed a three-year contract with the Tennessee Titans where former teammate and starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck plays. It was expected that Hutchinson would be plugged in between Okung and center Max Unger to bring a veteran presence and a solid replacement for Gallery.

Without Hutchinson and Gallery now in New England after signing a one-year contract with the Patriots the question remains who will replace Gallery? Wednesday the team announced the signing of veteran offensive line and former Chicago Bear Frank Omiyale which will give Seattle another versatile lineman with experience under Tom Cable, Seattle’s offensive line coach.

In the National Football League no team can ever have too much veteran depth especially on the offensive line. For Seattle it’s something their severely lacking with just one player,Max Unger, starting over 30 games. Unger and Omiyale each have started 32 games in their career with Paul McQuistan and Russell Okung the next closes tied with 22 starts.

Needless to say the Seahawks need to beef up their offensive line in both experience and talent before the 2012 season starts. Several free agents remain available such Jacob Bell and Jake Scott both solid veteran guard with both starting over double the amount Unger and Omiyale have.

Scott, at 6-foot-5 292-pounds  has started 121 games in his eight year career and hasn’t missed a start since his rookie season in 2004. Bell at 6-foot-5 304-pounds has started and even 100 games in his eight year career but only played a full 16 game season twice (2007, 2010). Both can play at either left or right guard and would bring an immediate impact and a veteran presence to a young, blooming line.

Seattle could also decide to upgrade the line through the draft with the twelfth overall pick. Local product and Stanford guard David DeCastro could be the perfect player to fill the void left by Gallery at left guard. At 6-foot-5 316-pounds DeCastro is the best guard prospect in the 2012 Draft and has the tools to come in day one and start, much like Okung in 2010.

If DeCastro isn’t on the board or Seattle choose to address another position with the twelfth overall pick then Kevin Zeitler (Wisconsin) or Brandon Washington (Miami, FL) could be solid alternative options. One thing is for certain the Seahawks will address the offensive line in the 2012 NFL Draft.

With a concentrated effort to improve the offense this offseason Pete Carroll and John Schneider will need to keep Matt Flynn vertical if they have any hopes of improving their 7-9 record.

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A Seattle Seahawk?

Flynn signed a 3 year deal worth 26 million, with 10 million in guaranteed money.  For a quarterback who only started 2 career games, that is pretty impressive.

I don’t think anyone believed this would happen especially knowing that ex. Packer Offensive Coordinator, Joe Philbin is now the Head Coach of Miami.  Everyone expected Flynn to join forces with Philbin, especially knowing that Flynn is used to the system ran in Green Bay which is expected to also be ran with the Dolphins.

Good decision or bad?

follow Dan on Twitter @DanCanova

With Flynn’s decision to join Seattle the pieces can now start to fall into place not only for Seattle but for teams interested in Peyton Manning and Alex Smith. What Flynn means for the Seahawks is no Ryan Tannehill, the third projected quarterback to be selected in the 2012 NFL draft.

It also ends the teams interest in former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith who was set to visit Seattle after visiting with the Miami Dolphins. Most importantly for Seattle it means John Schneider, Pete Carroll and Darrell Bevell have made the decision to have Flynn as the teams long-term quarterback.

Since Carroll and Schneider have been in Seattle they have missed on every quarterback that has been brought in. Charlie Whitehurst never lived up to his expectations and Tarvaris Jackson is a stop-gap quarterback but not a long-term answer. Matt Flynn, who general manager John Schneider drafted when he was in Green Bay, is the new face of the franchise.

Flynn, 26, has been viewed as the second best free agent quarterback behind Peyton Manning even with his limited experience. Making his mark in Green Bay’s final regular season game against the Detroit Lions Flynn threw six touchdowns and 480 yards on 31 of 44 attempts to go along with one interception.

In his four year career Flynn has played second fiddle to Aaron Rodgers. Now this is his team, and his time to make it or break it in the NFL. Seattle has put the pieces in place around Flynn to be successful right away with running back Marshawn Lynch along with wide receivers Sidney Rice, Mike Williams, Doug Baldwin and tight end Zach Miller.

Seattle’s offensive line remains somewhat of a question mark with the release of left guard Robert Gallery, who was one of several players to recruit Flynn to Seattle. Russell Okung is the only true lock on Seattle’s offensive line at left tackle which would indicate Seattle will continue to rebuild their offensive line heading into the 2012 NFL draft.

The defense is an solid, but still improving young defense which is important for any quarterback let alone Flynn. While Pete Carroll will continue to have “competition” at every position Matt Flynn has now become the Seahawks new starting quarterback now, along long-term.

“We are really excited to bring Matt in here to compete with Tarvaris.” — Pete Carroll, Seahawks coach. Even with that statement, which was release shortly after the deal was announced, there is no doubt Flynn will be the starting quarterback week one in 2012.

This is the move Seattle needed to make and they got the perfect fit in Flynn. The only thing left is to win on the field where it matters.

You can follow Lars on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/larshanson

I'm tired of ppl fearing players....i hope Manning goes to niners....he will have at least 2tough days a season...

March 18, 2012 2:28 pm via Samsung MobileReplyRetweetFavorite

@RSherman_25

Richard Sherman

Sherman, a fifth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Stanford had a standout rookie season replacing All-Pro cornerback Marcus Trufant. Should Peyton Manning sign with NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers Sherman would be going up against the 4-time league MVP twice for the next two-to-three years.

As expected, the tweet got a very strong response mainly from Niners fans. On one hand it’s good for a player to express his feelings and not be afraid of an opposing player. The flip side is backing up what you say. Clearly Sherman is referencing Manning having two bad games against the Seahawks each of the next three years (should he sign with San Francisco).

Sherman, along with Brandon Browner, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor made immense strides last season improving the Seahawks defense for one of the worst to ninth in the league in overall defense.  Seattle ranked 11th in passing yards allowed per-game [219.9], passing yards [3,518], and seventh in points per-game allowed [19.7].

The Seahawks already face several teams with elite, or close to elite caliber quarterbacks in 2012. Green Bay Packers (Aaron Rodgers), Detroit Lions (Matt Stafford), New England Patriots (Tom Brady), Chicago Bears (Jay Cutler), and Carolina Panthers (Cam Newton) are all on the Seahawks schedule for 2012 and adding Peyton Manning would make it that much more difficult.

If Sherman and the Seahawks defense can continue to improve in 2012 against the likes of Rodgers and Brady, they shouldn’t worry about a questionable Peyton Manning. We know Richard Sherman isn’t afraid of Manning but is anyone else sharing the same feeling?

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In 2011 Bryant had a career year starting all sixteen games and recording 32 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. The numbers don’t tell even half the story with Bryant, who battled through several injuries early in his career that limited his playing time and as a result his productivity.

When Pete Carroll was hired as the head coach in 2010 his first move was shifting Bryant from defensive tackle to defensive end in their 4-3 defense. At 6-foot-4, 323-pounds  Bryant wouldn’t be considered the prototypical defensive end given his interior style size. However, in Carroll’s run-stopping defense Bryant was the perfect fit and since then has led the Seahawks from worst in the league to top fifteen.

Bryant has also excelled on special teams blocking four field goals, a franchise record along with receiving the Steve Largent Award. Which is given out annually to the Seahawks player who best represents integrity, dedication and class on and of the field.

Seattle declined to franchise tag Bryant which would have cost the team $10.6 million on a one-year tender. Bryant will make seven million annually over the five years which is a more suitable number.

The signing removes Seattle from the Mario Williams sweepstakes who is currently in Buffalo visiting the Bills. Seattle could bring in another defensive end/tack with Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jason Jones visiting late tonight.

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According to Pro Football Talk, the four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl quarterback has officially scratched the Seahawks off his list of teams to play for.

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Manning declined a meeting with the Seahawks all but confirming that the Seahawks are officially out of the running for his services.

After being confirmed as one of the dozen teams who reached out to Manning’s long-time agent, Tom Condon of CAA, Seattle would join the Kansas City Chiefs as teams that would be rebuffed by the former Indianapolis Colts standout Sunday evening.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Manning has now narrowed down his choice of teams between the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos.

Manning is expected to make a decision sometime next week.

Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_76