Right before their first training camp practice the Seattle Seahawks announced they had signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a 4 year, $87.5 million dollar contract. Wilson was entering the final year of his four-year, $3 million rookie contract. Wilson’s rookie contract did not include a fifth-year option because he wasn’t a first-round pick. Because of that, Seattle would have had to use the franchise tag on him in 2016 currently projected at more than $25 million; if no extension had been signed by then. $31 million in Wilson’s new deal s a signing bonus and $60 million is guaranteed. In 2014, Wilson completed 285 of 452 passes (63.1 percent) for 3,475 yards with 20 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He also rushed for 849 yards and six more touchdowns. The Seahawks have a 36-12 record through three seasons with Wilson at the helm, no quarterback in NFL history has helped his team win more games. Wilson’s career numbers match up very well with the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the last three years. He’s one of six quarterbacks with at least 9,000 passing yards, 60 touchdowns and 500 rushing yards during that time frame. Now that Wilson is signing and being paid well; the Seahawks may have to deal with the issues of trying to pay all their other key players enough to keep the team a championship contender. In some cases these issues may have already started on the defensive side of the football of the Seahawks. Kam Chancellor was a no show for the opening of camp. Chancellor’s holdout is due to him being unhappy with the compensation in his contract signed before the 2013 season that will pay him $4.5 million in 2015. There was some reports that 2 other Seattle defensive players might skip the start of training camp, but both defensive lineman Michael Bennett and linebacker Bobby Wagner were there for the opening of camp. Bennett has been the most vocal about his contract. Bennett is hoping his versatility along the defensive line will merit a pay raise from the Seahawks. Bennett has lined up at both defensive end positions and defensive tackle at various times during his two seasons with the Seahawks. It looks like both Chancellor and Bennett will have to wait until Wagner is signed to a new deal before they can get one. All reports seem to point to Wagner being the next in line. He was an All-Pro last season despite missing five games with a painful toe injury and has been Seattle’s starting middle linebacker since being a second-round pick in 2012. After back to back Super Bowl appearances it looks like it’s time for Seattle’s top players to get paid.
With NFL training camps open it’s time to start looking forward to your fantasy football draft. Now last season all the experts had 2014 pegged as the year of the running back, but that didn’t really came to pass. What will this season be called? Now there are still top running backs out there, but will it be suggested that you need to grab one in the 1st round to be competitive in our league. How many running backs will be considered elite heading into your draft? 6, 7 or maybe 8 at the most. There are your Jamaal Charles (Chiefs). LeShon McCoy (Bills) Matt Forte (Bears), Eddie Lacy (Packers) and even though he’ll be suspended to start the season I think you have to count Le’Von Bell (Steelers) and I can’t forget Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks). After that you’ll have to make some choices. Will DeMarco Murray repeat his success with Philadelphia? Does Arian Foster have another good fantasy season in him with Houston? Of course the biggest running back question may be; what will Adrian Peterson give you after missing almost the entire 2014 season? Now there may be some new running backs moving up that you’ll be able to find a little later in your draft. Players like Carlos Hyde (49ers), will C.J. Anderson (Broncos) take over the #1 role in Denver. Todd Gurley (Rams) and Melvin Gordon (Chargers) were both 1st round picks and are expected to take lead backfield roles for their teams. Latavius Murray (Raiders) showed some potential last season and it looks like Mark Ingram (Saints) is the lead running back; finally. One of the bigger surprises a fantasy owner may get this season if he can actually find a way to stay healthy is Darren McFadden (Cowboys). McFadden looks like he’ll get to line up behind the best offensive line in the NFL, but that big if will him has always been can he play 16 games. Fantasy owners should have a little over a month to figure this out before the season gets rolling along. Of course will have the pre-season to look at guys and try to find sleepers, but what I want to know is are you taking a running back in the 1st round this season?
I’ve been trying to stay away from discussing the Tom Brady suspension, but I do have some questions that I’m guessing will never be answered. How does deflating footballs get you suspended for more games than getting arrested for smoking pot? Brady got 4 games and Le’Von Bell had his suspension reduce to 2 games for his arrest. I think the biggest oddity is the fact that Greg Hardy was convicted; appealed that conviction and was found innocent when the victim couldn’t be found to testify and reports came out that her and Hardy reached a monetary settlement. Sadly I’m drawing a blank on what the original conviction was, but I believe it was a pretty violent encounter. Hardy was on the exempt list for all but 1 game last season and he was then suspended for 10 games this coming season. After his appeal; was by the NFL that suspension was reduce to 2 games. After reading all of that remember that Brady got 4 games for deflating footballs.
I want to remind everyone that tomorrow (Sunday) on Sports Time Radio Chris Olmstead from BeyondtheFlag.com will join me on the podcast to preview the Windows 10 400 at Pocono Speedway. Brad Keselowski had the fastest practice time yesterday, but will that be enough for Chris to pick him as one of his three drivers who might end up in victory lane?
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