Thoughts on Matt Flynn

Let's face it, the Packers are going to use the Franchise Tag on Matt Flynn this off-season. They would be crazy not to. Using the tag ensures that they will receive some sort of compensation for their back-up QB—instead of letting him walk-away in free agency for nothing.

It mirrors the move that the Patriots made with Matt Cassel, trading him for a 2nd round pick after tagging him.

That said, I don't think it is worth it to give up a high pick for an unproven, 27 year old talent. Look what happened to Arizona last year with Kevin Kolb. They gave up a 2nd rounder and a starting corner and got a 2-6 record and a QB controversy in return. The media is speculating that the cost for Flynn could be a first rounder given the fact that 4 to 6 teams may be interested. If tagged, I hope the Hawks sit this one out.

I would be all for signing Flynn as a free agent though, as all you would be risking are salary cap dollars. The Hawks have a ton of room under the cap (30 million?) and will free up more money once Misters Whitehurst and Trufant are no longer with the team. CW's 4 million will be off the books and Tru's 2012 salary is 7.3 million which I didn't think the Hawks would pay (see post) even before Browner and Sherman emerged as bonafide starters.

I would hate to see the front office give up a top pick or picks for a big unknown—given that the team still has room to improve at a number of positions. Maybe the failed Charlie Whitehurst experiment will prevent it from happening again.

End of the line for Trufant?

With Marcus Trufant going on IR today, his 2011 season is over. Enter Walter Thurmond.

Given the fact that he will be 31, and have a huge a salary in 2012 (7.3 million including a workout bonus), I think he played his last game as a Seahawk. I can see the team cutting him in the offseason before any bonuses are due.


He will have missed 17 games since 2009. 


His play is solid, but hardly spectacular. He has always been a steady number 2 corner on a team that needed him to be a number 1 corner. He regularly keeps the receiver in front of him, but rarely breaks up the play. Football Outsiders breaks down the top 10 cornerbacks in 2010 in 3 separate categories (success rate, yards per pass, yards after catch), Trufant does not make the list in any category. They also break down the worst 10 corners in each category and he doesn't make the list there either.


All in all, he has been a class act and a leader on a young team that needs leaders. Not to bad...even for a Coug!

The Truth about Tru

When news broke about the restructuring of Marcus Trufant's contract my first thought was, "that's great, now he is more affordable and can remain with the team for a few years." But when you look at the numbers the only year that was touched (of the three remaining) was 2011. Hmm...

Tru goes from making almost 6 million in 2011 to 3 million. In 2012 he will be at 7.3 and then 8.9 (with workout bonuses) in 2013. Ouch.

This year looks to be his last with Seattle, unless he returns to pro-bowl form of 2007. If he does, then maybe his number for 2012 is palatable. Lets face it, the Seahawks aren't going anywhere in 2011 or next year either--they're a work in progress. Trufant will be 31 this December, by the time they are a playoff team again, his best days will be gone.

I believe he will be traded mid-season for a draft pick. It makes sense. The Seahawks will be around 3-7 and youth will be served. A team near the vying for the playoffs may just overpay for a player who they think can take them to the promised land. Tru is just this kind of player as reliable cornerbacks are always in demand. We will see.