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NFL Draft expert Zierlein: Freaky defenders that fit Seahawks

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NFL Draft expert Zierlein: Freaky defenders that fit Seahawks


With the Seahawks’ 2022 season wrapped up, the main target turns to the offseason and particularly the 2023 NFL Draft.

QB Will Levis to Seahawks? Brock & Salk react to Kiper’s mock draft

The Seahawks have an opportunity to make a giant splash in April as they’re armed with two picks in every of the primary two rounds. And due to a commerce with the Denver Broncos final offseason, Seattle will decide fifth total, the best decide of the Pete Carroll-John Schneider period, which started in 2010.

When trying on the Hawks’ roster and 2022 season, it’s clear they need assistance on protection, particularly within the entrance seven at linebacker and on the defensive position.

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NFL.com draft skilled Lance Zierlein joined Seattle Sports activities 710 AM’s Brock and Salk on Thursday to assist break down gamers that may match the Hawks’ wants on protection.

“So Lance, give me two or three guys good now inside the entrance seven that you simply take a look at and go, ‘Whoa, these dudes are simply bodily (proficient) … and may do issues that that others simply merely can’t,’” former NFL quarterback Brock Huard stated.

Replied Zierlein: “I’m going to provide you some gamers that I feel are particular to the Seattle mannequin.”

Let’s break down what Zierlein needed to say.

Targets at No. 5 total

Georgia DT Jalen Carter

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Zierlein began off with a reputation many Seahawks followers are acquainted with by now, and that’s Georgia defensive deal with Jalen Carter, a unanimous All-American in 2022 who gained two nationwide championships with the Bulldogs.

“I might say No. 1, if you’d like freak daddies like that, the primary man you’re taking a look at is Jalen Carter,” he stated. “He jogs my memory of (Tennessee Titans star defensive lineman) Jeffrey Simmons rather a lot. Simply block destruction, quick-win potential. He has much more potential to change into a extra dominant inside rusher than you see from a manufacturing standpoint to this point at Georgia.”

Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson

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Subsequent up is one other title Hawks followers could have heard: Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson, who is usually landed with Seattle in mock drafts.

Huard on why DE Tyree Wilson is being mocked to Hawks at 5

“I feel Tyree Wilson is that sort of man. He’s acquired Seahawk written throughout him, doubtlessly as early as 5,” Zierlein stated. “He’s lengthy, he’s athletic. He must be a bit harder towards the run. We’re speaking a couple of man who’s 6 foot 6 who’s simply persevering with to develop into his body. Like, you see him flash and also you say, ‘Wow, he’s simply scratching the floor.’ So he’s a type of freak daddies.”

Different first-round gamers

Arkansas LB Drew Sanders

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The Seahawks additionally personal the No. 20 decide, and there are a couple of names Zierlein thinks might be obtainable there that may assist Seattle’s protection immediately. The primary is somebody who’s a really distinctive expertise: Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders, a 2022 first-team All-American.

“There’s a participant that’s I feel uniquely suited to what to what Seattle does, and that’s Drew Sanders out of Arkansas,” he stated. “He went as an edge to Alabama as a five-star (recruit) … and he’s acquired actually spectacular rush (abilities). However he performed inside linebacker for Arkansas and he crammed up the stat sheet.”

In 13 video games for the Razorbacks in 2022, Sanders had 9.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and an interception whereas recording 103 tackles and forcing three fumbles.

“He’s nonetheless studying that place. He’s a uncommon hybrid expertise you can play as an inside linebacker, after which on (go) rush downs you’ll be able to rush him A-gap, B-gap, and even as a 3-4 outdoors speeding linebacker,” Zierlein stated. “So he’s one of many uniquely-suited hybrid defenders that I feel are going to begin to change into not the norm, however we’re going to begin to see extra of these sort of guys.”

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“He’s a run and hit man who  is sort of multifaceted and multi-dimensional,” he additionally added.

Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez

Whereas cornerback isn’t a front-seven place and isn’t the most important space of want for Seattle, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, a first-team All-Pac-12 choice, is an intriguing goal when trying on the Seahawks.

“I need to point out Christian Gonzalez simply since you guys see him up there within the Pacific Northwest. However that is the freakiest nook on the board,” Zierlein stated. “I imply, he’s simply uncommon peak, weight, velocity, loose-limbed athleticism, and he’s gonna check off the charts. I feel that’s the kind of man in the event you had him reverse (rookie Seahawks Professional Bowl cornerback) Tariq Woolen, that’s an enormous distinction maker.”

Potential second-rounders

The draft isn’t simply gained within the first spherical, so who’re some potential second-round picks the Seahawks may add to the entrance of their protection?

One title – Iowa State defensive finish Will McDonald IV – reminds Zierlein of a former first-round decide.

“Will McDonald’s a bit lighter, however he’s acquired a few of the similar explosiveness that we noticed when the Seattle Seahawks sort of shocked lots of people and drafted Bruce Irvin (in 2012),” he stated. “However Bruce Irvin was 250 kilos and Will McDonald’s an entire lot lighter. However he’s gonna (vertical) bounce within the 40 inches and he’s acquired a few of the similar lengthy arms and athletic traits (as Irvin).”

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What about some rapid-fire edge rusher names?

“I feel if you’d like edge, there’s Isaiah Foskey within the second spherical from Notre Dame. I feel B.J. Ojulari from LSU has large upside,” Zierlein stated.

Not a fan of Clemson DL

Two gamers who’re seen as early draft picks in lots of mock drafts are Clemson defensive linemen Myles Murphy and Brian Breece. Murphy is a defensive finish who has been mocked by some to the Seahawks at No. 5 whereas Breece is a defensive deal with.

Zierlein isn’t too large a fan of the 2 Clemson defenders.

“I’m not as excessive on Myles Murphy. I feel he’d match over with Seattle, however I’m not as excessive on him as some others,” he stated. “Brian Breece, I feel, is being manner overrated by most of the people, the draft public. I feel he’s gonna fall additional down than individuals assume.”

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Hearken to the total dialogue with Zierlein at this hyperlink or within the participant beneath.

May Colts DT DeForest Buckner be a commerce match for the Seahawks?

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Sounders at LAFC: community player ratings form

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Seattle Sounders at LAFC: community player ratings form


I know we were all ready to pop in a bunch of 10s at around 10:00 p.m. Saturday night, and here it is Tuesday morning, but such is life.

The Seattle Sounders visited LAFC and came away winners for the first time in forever, thereby advancing to the Western Conference Finals where they will face the other LA squad. They did so via an LAFC own goal, and a Jordan Morris winner in the 109th minute.

Rate some dudes. Put a 10 if it’s a 10.

Here is a direct link to the form; we hope this allows everyone to submit a response.

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Here’s the scale:
(Substitutes can be left blank if the player did not play enough to judge)
1 – Not a pro quality performance
4 – Average USL Championship starter
6 – Average MLS starter
9 – MLS All Star
10 – MLS MVP-quality performance





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Seattle Public Schools official scraps plan to close schools

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Seattle Public Schools official scraps plan to close schools


In a letter to parents, teachers and staff sent Monday, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Brent Jones announced the school district will not close or consolidate schools for the 2025-26 academic year.

Jones wrote in his letter that he plans to withdraw his preliminary proposal to the Seattle School Board to close four schools.

In his letter, which has been republished in full on the Seattle’s Child website, Jones noted the Seattle School Board had directed him to come up with a plan for closures and consolidations to “address enrollment declines, budgetary challenges, stabilizing programs and services.” Jones and the district will not move in that direction.

“After much deliberation, reflection, and engagement with our community, it is clear there is no longer a pathway for this approach for the 2025-26 school year,” Jones wrote. “I am withdrawing my preliminary recommendation, and we will not pursue school closures and consolidations for the upcoming school year. The Board will vote Tuesday to formally approve this direction.”

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Jones explained this latest decision “was not made lightly and reflects the Board and my shared priority: the needs and well-being of our students, families, and community.” The decision allows those involved look at the situation more and “thoughtfully determine” the next steps.

“The projected $5.5 million savings from the proposed closures are significant,” Jones wrote. “However, we agree that achieving these savings should not come at the cost of dividing our community.”

The superintendent went on to state in the letter the district will address the budget shortfall that exists through “legislative and levy renewal advocacy, as well as pursuing operational efficiencies aligned with our shared values and priorities.”

They came to America looking for better lives — and better schools: The results were mixed

Why the Seattle School Board considered closing schools

Earlier this year, SPS stated it is contending with a $104 million budget shortfall. Therefore, the district came up with two different options earlier this fall to close the gap in funds.

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The first option is to operate 52 attendance-area elementary schools, closing 21 elementary and K-8 schools. This option would have saved SPS 31.5 million.

In the second option, the district would operate 56 schools, including attendance-area elementary and one K-8 school per region, closing 17 schools. This second option would have saved SPS $25.5 million.

“Many of our schools are struggling to provide the resources our students deserve,” the district wrote in a statement at that time. “To address this, we are working to ensure our schools are the right size and have the resources needed for preschool through 5th-grade students to succeed.”

As the fall went on, SPS plan went from as many as 21 schools closing all the way down to four closing and consolidating with four others. Four schools — one each in the Northwest Northeast, Central and Southwest regions — were announced as the places of learning set to shut down. They were announced as the following:

  • North Beach Elementary, consolidating with Viewlands Elementary at Viewlands.
  • Sacajawea Elementary, consolidating with John Rogers Elementary at John Rogers.
  • Stevens Elementary, consolidating with Montlake Elementary at Montlake.
  • Sansilo Elementary, consolidating with Highland Park Elementary at Highland Park.

“We understand this change is difficult,” SPS stated on its website at the time. “We chose these schools based on factors like building condition, space, and the goal of minimizing disruption to students and families.”

Protests from parents within the district soon followed, including one late last month outside Sacajawea Elementary.

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All four of Joshua Newman’s children attended or are currently enrolled at Sacajawea. He said both state and district school leaders need to balance their budgets better.

“The district needs to look at its own operations and its own administrative costs and not lay the burden on where, frankly, the value is actually added and that’s the teachers, and by the individual principals and staff who are involved in the kids’ lives,” Newman said to KIRO Newsradio.

Rachel Kubiak and her child showed up at the rally as well. They illustrated how closing the school would close a part of their community and their lives.

“We’re really sad. When we heard the news, I was texting with my husband and just — I’m crushed,” she said to KIRO 7.

From left, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones, Ph.D., and Seattle School Board President Liza Rankin are seen in recent images. (Photos courtesy of Seattle Public Schools)

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Last week, Jones shared a key update about the potential school closures, explaining the district was canceling prescheduled community meetings at the schools set to close.

“We are doing so as the board has decided to delay the December closure and consolidation hearings, in part based on important input from families that we all value,” Jones wrote in his statement available on  SPS’ website. “As a result, I am considering withdrawing my earlier recommendations for closure and consolidation.”

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest; Luke Duecy, KIRO Newsradio

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.

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Uchenna Nwosu Returning To Practice & Other News From Mike Macdonald’s Press Conference

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Uchenna Nwosu Returning To Practice & Other News From Mike Macdonald’s Press Conference


Seahawks will “take a long look at “Sataoa Laumea” following Anthony Bradford’s injury.

Starting right guard exited Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, and after the game Macdonald said Anthony Bradford will likely miss at least this week’s game. And while Christian Haynes, who took over for Bradford after the injury, would seem the likely candidate to take over, especially considering he split reps at that spot with Bradford earlier this season, Macdonald said the Seahawks will also look at another member of the 2024 draft class, sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea.

“Sataoa is someone we’re going to take a long look at as well,” Macdonald said when asked about Haynes in that role. “But Christian played winning football for us, but we want him to grow. Keep growing man, you’ve got to go prove it every week on the practice field and in preparation. But right now, he deserves all the credit for being a guy that was rotating in, then AB took over, he still prepared, knew all the things that we—no mentals on the day, but some technique stuff we’ve got to get cleaned up. But overall, good enough to win the game, so, happy with his ability to step in and help us win the football game.”

Asked about Laumea’s rookie campaign so far, Macdonald said, “Just a guy who continues to work his craft and take it day by day. He can play both left and right guard. Just a guy we were really excited about bringing him in, and then to see his approach every day, and now that he gets an opportunity, it’s another example of, ‘Hey, what are you going to do with it? Go to work.’”



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