Edgerrin James released by Seahawks / Image: Zuma Press

As you will recall, Edge was acquired by the Hawks this past August after three years in Arizona, the last of which saw him turn from a disgruntled bench warmer to an integral part of an NFC Championship run. Surprisingly—to Edge—there wasn’t much interest in his services after he was finally released by the Cards a few months ago.

This is a similar scenario to what former Seahawk Shaun Alexander went through—from league MVP in 2005 to out of the same league (after a very brief stint in Washington) in just three years. An injury will open the door for Edge to return to another NFL team. But for all intents and purposes, at 31-years-old, his outstanding, probably Hall of Fame career, is probably over.

Source: Seahawks.com

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Seahawks Release Edgerrin James

Seattle Seahawks alternative green jersey / Photo Rod Mar (Seahawks.com)

Source: Seahawks.com

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Seahawks Unveil Alternate Green Jersey

Seahawks Winning Play Scratch

Washington’s Lottery launched Seahawks Winning Play Scratch today. It’s the first licensed professional football Scratch ticket available in the country.

Washington’s Lottery partnered with the Seattle Seahawks to offer football fans the opportunity to win big bucks while cheering on their hometown team. The ticket, which features a top prize of $50,000, also features a football fans’ dream trip (details below) in a second chance drawing. The ticket goes on sale today at Lottery retail locations statewide and will be sold at Qwest Field during Seahawks home games. The partnership resulted after a vote from the National Football League allowing teams and lottery groups to align.

The second-chance drawing details are for one lucky player who will win the following:

• Two tickets to the Pro Bowl game on Sunday, January 31, 2010
• Two tickets to the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 7, 2010
• Round-trip coach airfare for two from Seattle to Miami
• One double occupancy hotel room for nine nights (I hope they’re either unemployed or employed with a lot of vacation time)

The approximate value of the package is $12,000. Entry deadline is Tuesday, January 12, 2010. And the drawing is on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns both gained approval for lottery deals today. They join the Patriots, Redskins, Texans, Ravens and Saints (and Seahawks, of course) so far.

Source: Edelman on behalf of Washington’s Lottery

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Seahawks Scratch Ticket is NFL’s First

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks / Image: Zuma Press

Even with the impressive collection of healthy receivers the Hawks have on staff (T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch, Deon Butler, Billy McMullen), having a healthy Matt Hasselbeck is the straw that will stir this offensive drink under new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. And Matt understands this:

“I hope everything’s in. The (play)book is so thick. I think what we’re trying to do now is just really install everything, see what works, see what fits the personnel. And Greg Knapp’s kind of going 100 miles an hour teaching it, coaching it. We’re just trying to learn it, practice it, get so it feels just like second nature.”

Source: The News Tribune

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Matt Hasselbeck’s Back is Better

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Three years ago, the Seattle Seahawks gave linebacker Julian Peterson a seven-year, $54 million contract. When he refused the team’s proposal to reduce his $6.5 million 2009 salary yesterday (mostly because the Hawks are giving current linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill guaranteed money), they traded him to the Detroit Lions for defensive tackle Cory Redding and a 5th round pick in next month’s NFL Draft.

The whole thing is a bit odd as Julian has been to five Pro Bowls and was arguably one of Seattle’s best players. But the Detroit Lions — needy at pretty much every position — were especially interested in stockpiling linebackers and with Julian, they get a player with 46 career sacks and eight career interceptions. As far as Cory is concerned, I don’t really know what to expect from him in Seattle. Sure, the potential is there (he had a career high eight sacks three years ago), but can you really judge his (only) four sacks the past two seasons with the lack of talent that has surrounded him in Detroit?

Source: Seahawks.com, Photo: Newscom

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Seahawks Trade Julian Peterson

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Seattle Seahawks won the T.J. Houshmandzadeh sweepstakes today. The receiver-depleted Hawks offered Housh five years for $40 million with $15 million guaranteed and beat out the Vikings and Bengals (be serious) for his services. I think T.J. is definitely worth the money. He’s proven that on the field with 372 receptions over the past four years. No other player has caught more passes. He’s a bigger body receiver than his 6-1, 200 pound frame would indicate. He’s a guy who isn’t afraid of the middle of the field. He catches everything thrown at him. He runs good routes. He makes plays. So, he needed to get paid and he did what he felt was best for his career in choosing Seattle. There’s not much in the way of quotes yet, but T.J. did say:

“I just felt it was the best destination, it was the best team, it was the best choice for me.”

Well, obviously. And he might be right. A lot of folks felt Housh should’ve signed with the Vikings as they are supposedly poised to make a Super Bowl run, but I really don’t see it happening based on their offseason moves thus far. The Vikes completely overlooked better available free agent QBs — apparently opting to put their offense in the hands of unproven semi-journeyman quarterback Sage Rosenfels — and haven’t done anything to address their own dire need at the receiver position. At this time, Minnesota still doesn’t have a number one receiver and ultimately I don’t think they’ll be any better than they were last season. If they’re even that good. I would grade their offseason/FA work with an F at this point. As far as the Seahawks are concerned, they have much greater stability at the quarterback position with Matt Hasselbeck. Seattle doesn’t have the running game the Vikings do, but they do have the quarterback. For T.J., it was about more money and a better quarterback. Decisions, decisions. You do the math.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

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Seahawks Sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Expedia.com, the Official Travel Team of the NFL, kicked off “Go Like Pro,” an on and offline program connecting fans with unique travel options to and from NFL cities, and other popular destinations. The program showcases two quarterbacks — Matt Hasselbeck of the Seattle Seahawks and Jason Campbell of the Washington Redskins — providing the players’ personal travel tips on uniquely designed pages on Expedia.com. The program also highlights Expedia-exclusive travel deals for NFL cities across the country, and coming soon, a limited number of VIP vacation packages to the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu. Expedia announced its multiyear sponsorship as the Official Travel Team of the NFL in November 2007.

The centerpiece of the campaign is the “Go Like Pro Show,” Expedia’s national television and online advertising campaign. The tongue-in-cheek ads feature the two quarterbacks as hosts of a travel talk show. Webisodes, longer-form versions of the TV commercials, will be prominently featured on the Expedia NFL pages. Check ‘em out.

Source: Expedia.com

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Matt Hasselbeck Expedia Commercial

The Seattle Seahawks have been decimated with injuries at the receiver position. It’s just ridiculous. Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson, Logan Payne and Ben Obomanu are out (Deion and Bobby are scheduled to return after the team’s bye week — the rest are gone for the season). So today they officially called upon the services of veteran (but oft-troubled) receiver Koren Robinson, signing to a one-year deal a player they let go back in 2005 because he couldn’t stop screwing up. The Seahawks also acquired receiver Keary Colbert in a trade from the Denver Broncos.

I know Koren’s had his share of problems. And he certainly hasn’t handled them the right way. He’ll be the first to tell you that. His ongoing battle with alcohol is well documented. But I spoke with him when he was a Pro Bowl receiver and kick returner for the Vikings in 2006 and I am not the only person who will tell you what a good guy Koren is. That doesn’t justify his reckless behavior on more than one occasion. It just says that he’s human and has his struggles like anyone else. Hopefully Koren has a handle on those problems now. And hopefully he can be a productive member of the Seahawks both on- and off-the-field this time around. I’m hoping so.

Source: NFL.com Wire Report

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Seahawks Sign Koren Robinson … Again

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

There’s a former National Football League Most Valuable Player for hire. And I think it’s only a matter of time before he receives a phone call offering him a job. Just two seasons after he was the NFL’s MVP, running back Shaun Alexander may be out of work on this Kickoff Weekend, but he’s ready, willing and able to fill a roster spot as soon as the opportunity presents itself:

“Man, I’m healthy and excited to play. And I think this year can be a big year for me if I get the opportunity. I can still play the game. I think I can help a team get to the Super Bowl.”

Two months ago, X-rays showed that the cracked bone in Shaun’s left foot (the one that ruined his 2006 season and slowed him in 2007) is finally fully healed. And the broken left wrist he had to begin last season is fine, too. He’s willing to play for the veteran minimum with no guarantees. So what gives? I guess teams are not convinced of his ability to fulfill this comeback, but I disagree. It’ll probably take an injury to open the door for Shaun’s return, but he’ll be back. Sooner than later, I’m guessing.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Shaun Alexander Available for Hire

Image details: Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

How quickly an athlete’s fortunes can change in the National Football League. Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander went from the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and leader of the only Seahawks’ Super Bowl team to not even being on that team in just two years’ time. As predicted back in early March, Shaun is the odd-man-out in a revamped offensive backfield in Seattle. His eight-year, $62 million contract ($15.1 guaranteed) is up-in-smoke and he’s out on the street (so to speak). That’s why guarantees are so important in NFL contracts. Because nothing outside of them is guaranteed. Shaun was typically classy in his farewell address:

“I want to thank the Seahawks and Mike Holmgren for all they have done for me and my family over the years. I have nothing but respect and affection for the Seahawks staff, my teammates and the organization. I wish them the best. I especially want to thank the Seahawks fans. You made me feel proud every time I stepped on the field as a member of the Seahawks. I look forward to hopefully returning to Qwest Field one day to play against the Seahawks. We have made far too many wonderful friends to say goodbye. My family will remain in the Seattle area, and when my days in the NFL do eventually come to an end, I plan to retire here. Our hearts are woven into the fabric of this community, we are blessed to be part of it, and we enjoy contributing to it in every way we can.”

Shaun’s disappointing past two seasons led to his release. I don’t blame the Seahawks. I know this was a difficult decision for them but it was a business decision. And it was the right decision. Shaun’s production was down and his injuries were up. That’s a first-class ticket to the unemployment line in the NFL. Plus, Shaun’s 30-years-old now. What have you done for me lately, Shaun Alexander? Obviously, not enough.

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Shaun Alexander Released by Seahawks