Just two days after the sports world was buzzing about Michael Crabtree‘s torn Achilles and how it affected the San Francisco 49er’s shot at another Super Bowl berth this year, the Seattle Seahawks have suffered their own Achilles tear, coming in the form of tight end Anthony McCoy. 

As was first tweeted by Mike Garafolo of USA Today, McCoy tore his Achilles this week and underwent surgery yesterday. Here’s his tweet:

Seahawks TE Anthony McCoy tore his Achilles this week, had surgery yesterday: usatoday.com/story/sports/n…

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 24, 2013

With 2013 being a year that could see the Seahawks chase one of their best seasons in team history, any injury, especially to a guy who saw a significant amount of snaps last year, is important to look at.

Here’s what to make of the injury to McCoy.

Impact

It has now been confirmed by the Seahawks and looks like McCoy hurt himself during OTA’s. Coming off the field on Monday due to an ankle injury, it’s safe to say that it was this incident that caused his Achilles tear.

Anthony McCoy (Elaine Thompson/AP Photo)

McCoy was fairly reliable for the Seahawks when called upon last year, playing in 45.5 percent of the offensive snaps for Seattle last season (as noted by ESPN). In total he hauled in 18 passes for 291 yards (16.2 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. Of his 18 catches, 13 were for first downs.

He was targeted just 27 times last year but clearly made the most of the times he was given the ball.

Heading into his fourth season in the NFL, McCoy wasn’t the starter but figured to play an important role once again for the Seahawks in 2013.

In fact, last year the Seahawks’ best plays on first and second down came from a two tight end set. While they ran more plays (470) with one tight end than with two (316), Seattle managed 6.2 yards per play with two tight ends and 6.1 yards per play with one tight end.

Not the biggest difference, it’s still relatively important to factor McCoy’s injury into this formula.

But as well as he has played for Seattle, McCoy’s injury isn’t devastating. As mentioned previously, he wasn’t the starter and was targeted just 27 times last year. He was reliable but never the big impact guy who could make a huge difference if he was on the field.

Seattle still has Zach Miller healthy and ready to further the offense as well as a slough of backups (Darren Fells, Cooper Helfet, Victor Marshall, Sean McGrath, Luke Willson, and Matt Austin) who are ready to see NFL action.

The injury to McCoy isn’t as significant in the grand scheme because, when you look at who Seattle has brought in this offseason, most experts are suggesting we’ll see a whole lot more one tight ends set instead of two.

The addition of Percy Harvin made this pretty obvious, as Seattle will now look to put three receivers on the field and really spread opposing defenses out. McCoy’s blocking will of course be missed, and hard to make up for.

Replacement

Seattle will now look to another player to fill the shoes of McCoy for the time being, and while there are players on the roster with multiple years of experience at tight end, we’ll pencil in rookie Luke Willson to McCoy’s spot for now.

Drafted in the fifth round, Willson comes from Rice and was relatively unheard of before Seattle picked him up. But it’s clear that this guy can play. 

He still obviously has a lot of work to do before the season starts, but Willson looks the part of a tight end who can really open up the field and give the Seahawks some speed at the position, complimenting their offense that will look to be one of the fastest in the league.

So while the loss of McCoy is rough, he should be able to come back sometime in 2013 and Willson will be a viable alternative who can give Seattle some of the same looks as McCoy while bringing a new kind of dynamic to an already potent offense.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE SEAHAWKS BLOG PAGE IN OUR CLUBHOUSE SECTION AT NWSB!

One week ago, had you asked me whether or not I would like to see the Seattle Mariners make any changes, I would likely be part of the fan base that didn’t really see a need for them to do anything, even with Brendan Ryan stinking it up still.

And it would be hard to argue with me for thinking so. The Mariners were streaking. They were on fire. Quietly moving up the AL West rankings, Seattle started their arduous road trip by taking 2-of-3 from the New York Yankees in stunning fashion to put themselves in second in the west and one game under .500.

Then Cleveland happened.

When we look back at the end of the year at what changed and influenced this Seattle team, I really believe we’ll point to the gut-wrenching four-game series in Cleveland that saw the Mariners swept. 

Still, even after they dropped those four games in a row, I still had hope. We were heading to Los Angeles and could turn things around immediately and bounce right back. That did not happen. We were crushed.

Jesus Montero is being sent down to Tacoma and being replaced with Sucre.

As such, the Mariners are now 20-27, 10 games behind the Texas Rangers, and in need of some changes. And it looks like we’ll get some very soon, as moves have been rumored in the past day that could really shuffle the big league lineup.

Here’s what we’ve come to find out as well as additional moves I believe Seattle should make.

Jesus Montero to be Sent Down

Jesus Montero as we now know is the first man to go down. As was first rumored in an article on thenewstribune.com by Ryan Divish, Montero will be sent down to Triple-A Tacoma and will be replaced by Jesus Sucre.

This is pretty depressing when you really look at it. Montero came to Seattle as one of the top hitting prospects in the league. Trading away Michael Pineda to get the star catcher (Pineda has had a tough go-of-it as well), Montero has not yet lived up to his hype, something Seattle fans have become way too used to in the past 5-10 years.

He currently has an appalling .208 batting average and has looked like a shade of the player he could have been. Just three home runs this season, Montero was not getting it done at the plate.

Sucre, meanwhile, will finally be able to attempt to make a statement at the big league level. At 25 years of age he’s still young, has a lot of potential, and has been swinging a good bat at the  AAA level.

Playing in just 14 games this year so far, Sucre has a .302 batting average, .373 on-base percentage, and .321 slugging percentage.

Though he doesn’t have any home runs, we’ll give him a pass in that category as he will mainly play backup duties to Kelly Shoppach. 

I’m actually pretty excited to see this guy come up. While others have called for Mike Zunino to be brought up already, that is illogical and irresponsible. He’s a great prospect, yes, but he’s not ready for the bigs. Sucre will give the Mariners a viable backup option in the majors and will hopefully send a huge wake-up call to Montero.

Other Moves the Mariners Could Make

Brendan Ryan, I was after your head about a week ago. Now, however, you’ve actually turned it around and are playing well. You just survive.

Dustin Ackley, as much as I love the player that you will be, it’s time to refine your skills at AAA. We’ll move you down to Tacoma and bring up Nick Franklin to play some second. After all, Seattle has been grooming him as more of a second baseman.

Kyle Seager….just kidding. Seager is awesome. Keep doing what you do.

Aaron Harang, adios. Get out of our city and find a team that wants an unmotivated pitcher. Let’s give Hector Noesi a shot at the rotation and call him up to fill Harang’s spot.

I’d be tempted to send Brandon Maurer down, but I really believe this is great experience for the young guy. He’s gaining valuable knowledge at the big league level and will turn things around…I hope.

Most of these moves won’t happen, but here’s to hoping they do.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE MARINERS BLOG IN OUR CLUBHOUSE TODAY AT NWSB!

OTA…Organized Team Activities

Well, folks, the Seahawks are finally getting ready for 2013. Now before you call me out and say, “Hey! My Seahawks have been preparing all offseason and the rookies already had their minicamp!”, let’s take a step back and realize that the full team is now back together and gearing up for one of the most anticipated seasons in program history.

Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and Percy Harvin (to name just a fraction of the offensive stars on the roster), give Seattle huge potential heading into 2013. Their defense isn’t too shabby, either, as the Legion of Boom will be back in full force while the defensive line continues to shape-up nicely.

Still with quite some time left before the Seahawks see any opposing team on the field, it’ll be very interesting to see how they handle the pressure throughout the rest of their “Championship Offseason”.

Here’s what I’ve noticed after two days of OTAs.

Spencer Ware and Robert Turbin/Christine Michael

Spencer Ware will be the fullback of the future in Seattle (Rod Mar/Seattle Seahawks)

Spencer Ware was drafted by Seattle to play fullback, a position that is currently occupied by standout and fan-favorite Michael Robinson. While this is his first time experiencing the position (he was a tailback at LSU), Ware looks the part of figuring as the next great fullback in Seattle.

This may take some time, however, and that appears to be perfectly fine with the team, Ware, and Robinson.

Robinson and Lynch have been one monster of a duo together, so who would want to break that up?

It seems, at least in my opinion, that the Seahawks are grooming Ware to work in the rotation with Robert Turbin and Christine Michael, Seattle’s running backs of the future.

And I’m not opposed to that whatsoever, as there will come a time when these young guys step up and into the shoes of the Marshawn Lynch and Robinson, allowing for a much smoother transition in the coming years.

By the way. Lynch isn’t in camp. And some aren’t happy.

Marshawn does NOT get a free pass! #SaysMe #Seahawks

— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) May 22, 2013

For the record – I agree 100% with @brockespn “why he has a problem with Lynch’s OTA’s absence” youtu.be/aSyCy8tsXwE #Seahawks

— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) May 22, 2013

Russell Wilson Bigger, Stronger, and Focused

Russell Wilson is a superstar. Taking the Seahawks from a dark-horse pick in the NFC West to becoming one of the top teams last year and a Divisional Round berth in the playoffs, he did everything and then some in his rookie season.

This year, expectations are even higher. After all of his accomplishments in 2012, many expect Wilson to be even better in 2013.

Predicting Seattle to run much more of the read-option, a lot of pressure will be put on the second-year quarterback out of NC State and Wisconsin.

To help himself shoulder the load in 2013 and prepare him for more read-option plays, Wilson has focused on his lower body weight while hoping to enter the season 4-5 pounds heavier than his 210 lb. weight in 2012.

Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin are Fighting for Touches

One of Pete Carroll’s infamous mantras has been “Always Compete”. That may be more important this year than any other for Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin, who will be trying to find touches when Harvin and Sidney Rice aren’t garnering all the attention at receiver.

Apparently the level of early productivity has been great from these two, and this kind of competition will only make Seattle all that much better in 2013.

Percy Harvin is Everything He Needs To Be

Seattle’s “First Round” draft choice this year, Percy Harvin has apparently come into camp and wowed all of those who have watched him on the field.

A top receiver, Harvin gives the Hawks an even more versatile playbook and speed on the edges they haven’t had in past years.

Look for him to make an immediate impact with Seattle, at least as long as he can stay healthy.

Here’s to hoping he goes through an injury-free 2013.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE SEAHAWKS BLOG PAGE IN OUR CLUBHOUSE SECTION AT NWSB!

Looking for Seahawks NFC West title odds, NFC Conference Odds, and Over/Under season win total odds & futures? Look no further.

Football is awesome. The contact, the grit, and the physicality of the sport all play a crucial role in making it one of the best sporting seasons year-in and year-out.

Now there is not many ways that you can improve football, but one way that you are able to is by gambling. Sure, there’s a lot of risk in putting a bunch of money down on an underdog, but just think about your potential winnings should your pick win!

Your day could go from a dreary Thursday/Sunday/Monday to being a day that sees you pull in a huge profit, prompting you to open up your wallet at the bar later that evening.

(DISCLAIMER: Gambling can lead to serious issues. Do it wisely and for fun. Drinking can also be harmful. Here’s a glass to hoping you do both in moderation).

Obviously there are some teams that you will feel safer betting on than other teams. And with us being northwesterners (or at least most of us) as well as you clicking on an article that is about the Seattle Seahawks, I’m going to safely assume you, at times, feel quite confident about the bets you put on Seattle.

I’ll put my money on THIS guy.

So now that we’ve ironed out the details, thrown in a nice (and reasonable) disclaimer about drinking and gambling, let’s break down some odds that were recently released for the Seahawks’ 2013 campaign.

All odds were taken off bovada.

Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVIII – 17/2

The Seahawks have 17/2 odds to win Super Bowl XLVIII. Seeing as they are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and have some of the best talent, that’s not a bad place to put them at all.

Only the New England Patriots (8/1), Denver Broncos (13/2) and San Francisco 49ers (6/1) have better odds of winning the Super Bowl than Seattle does. The only issue I have there is really the 49ers having the top odds of winning the Super Bowl, and it’s not just because they are the rivals of the Seahawks.

So, if I were to take my own advice and instinct, I’d put some money on San Francisco not coming out of Super Bowl XLVIII with a win.

And why is that, you ask?

Well, for one, I’ve got Seattle in the Super Bowl, and for good reason. Secondly, I believe the 49ers are in for a rather disappointing season after these past two years. (Breaking news today has them losing Crabtree for the season now. That doesn’t help. The Legion of Boom is surely smiling.)

It just feels like a good season for Harbaugh to have a terrible meltdown.

Odds to Win the NFC – 9/2

The Seahawks have 9/2 odds to win the NFC this year, with the 49ers once again leading the way with 15/4 odds. Green Bay sits behind Seattle with 13/2 odds while the Atlanta Falcons have 15/2 odds of winning the NFC.

No big surprises here, although I’ll still put my bets against San Francisco.

Odds to Win the NFC West – +140

Seattle sits right now at +140 to win the NFC West, once again finding themselves behind San Francisco who sits at -140.

Bet on the Seahawks and you will be doing this too.

I’m not too surprised by this and wouldn’t be surprised if this is the way the West actually pans out, though I would love to see Seattle grab that divisional crown while taking home-field in the process (and yes, that is me saying that home field in the NFC will be played at an NFC West stadium, either in Seattle or San Francisco).

Over/Under on Seattle’s 2013 Record – 10.5 WINS (over -110/under -110)

Seattle was on fire at the end of last year. They lit up any opponent that was in their way until the Atlanta Falcons, and were 30 seconds away from beating them too (here’s a shot to our secondary that disappeared for that final half-minute).

The Seahawks were also undefeated at home last year, an astounding feat that really pays homage to how crazy Seahawks Stadium (errr Century Link) can get.

While I would hope for them to repeat that feat this year, they’ve got two-three tough games (49ers, Vikings, Saints) that will really test them and could see them surrender a loss on their home turf. I’ll have them at 7-1 at home.

The road will once again prove to be the deciding factor in how successful the Hawks are in 2013, as they have some BIG road tests against the likes of the Texans and Colts.

I see them continuing their impressive play on the road from the final portions of last year and coming away with six wins and two losses.

That puts their total record at 13-3, obviously over what the current line is at. 

Seattle should be a great team in 2013. That being said, we can’t just hype them up right now without seeing any product on the field. Though there will still be some time before we actually get to see them in game form, let’s just say this could be a very special season for the Seahawks.

Ready to bet? It’s time to get down.

Check out BOVADA. (It’s legal to bet online you know)

Go Hawks.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE SEAHAWKS BLOG PAGE IN OUR CLUBHOUSE SECTION AT NWSB!

The Mariners had a tough go-of-it in Cleveland. After heading to face the Indians as one of the hottest teams in the league and just a game under .500, the Mariners were swept in gut-wrenching fashion, losing three games by way of a walk-off.

The last game essentially defining how the series went for the Seattle Mariners (coughing up a lead on an error in the ninth before taking a lead in the tenth only to have a three-run home run by Cleveland end it), Mariners fans are getting that uneasy feeling in their gut that comes around just about this time every year.

But I’m here to tell you that it will be ok. The losses in Cleveland weren’t as bad as people think, and there is still plenty of baseball to be played.

That said, let’s take a look at the next five games for the Mariners and how they can turn things around once again, as they face the Los Angeles Angels for a two game series before returning to Safeco Field for a big three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Let’s hope for some more Morse mashes against the Angels.

5/21 – at Los Angeles Angels – 7:05 pm
ROOT Sports/710 ESPN

Seattle will get their first shot at redemption against the Angels tonight in the first of a two-game series that will pit Aaron Harang against Jerome Williams.

Heading into play the Angels sit at 17-27 overall while the Mariners are 20-25. Needless to say, Los Angeles was hoping to be in a better position at this point of the season. And though they have so far struggled, they still have an excessive amount of talent in their order that could get things going at any time.

They come in to the contest having won two straight while splitting a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox.

Unfortunately for Seattle, the Mariners have won just nine of their past 33 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Williams is currently 2-1 on the season and comes in with a 3.05 ERA. He is 1-1 at home with a 3.72 ERA and has appeared in six games while starting two.

Harang struggled in his prior outing against the Angels, pitching six innings of six hit, five run–all earned–two walk and one strikeout baseball. He gave up two home runs in that outing, which resulted in his third loss of the season.

Seattle’s shot in this game will be based on whether or not Harang can keep improving upon past performances while Seattle’s bats continue to find momentum, especially with Justin Smoak apparently turning things around.

5/22 – at Los Angeles Angels – 4:05 pm
ROOT Sports/710 ESPN

The Mariners will put Brandon Maurer on the mound in game two to pitch against C.J. Wilson, who has surprisingly not been as dominant as expected. Though he does have a 3.72 ERA, Wilson is 3-3 on the year and has been prone to inconsistent outings.  He’s surrendered a run in all of his games and has surrendered more than two in all but one game this season.

The Mariners previously lost to him on April 26, when he pitched 5 1/3 innings while giving up seven hits, three runs–all earned–and two walks while striking out nine.

Maurer, on the other hand, had his best outing of the year against the Angels, pitching 6 1/3 innings while giving up seven hits, no runs, and one walk while striking out six.

He’ll be put to the test against Los Angeles’ tough lineup, however, and will look to rebound after surrendering three runs in six innings of work against the Indians.

5/24 – vs. Texas Rangers – 7:10 pm
ROOT Sports/710 ESPN/ESPN Deportes 1490

After the Mariners finish their brief, two-game series against the Angels, they will return home to take on the high-powered Texas Rangers. Should Seattle put together an impressive two games against Los Angeles, they could very well be teetering at three games under .500 when the Rangers come to town, making this a huge series that could shape the way the rest of the season will go.

The first matchup between the two teams figures to be a good one, as Joe Saunders (AKA Safeco Joe) will look to continue his impressive streak at home against Justin Grimm.

Will Felix reign supreme against the Rangers?

Making two starts against the Rangers this year, Saunders is 0-, losing on the road. In his outing at home, he surrendered just three hits and one run in seven innings of work but the Mariners ended up falling to the Rangers by a score of 3-1.

Let’s hope his Safeco magic is in full force on Friday, as this will be a big game for him and Seattle.

Opposing him on the bump will be Grimm, who is 3-3 on the year with a 4.02 ERA. His start against Seattle on April 21st earned him a no-decision, as he pitched four innings while giving up five hits, two runs, one home run, and three walks in four innings. This was his first start of the year and he has steadily given up 2-5 runs per game throughout his other appearances.

5/25 – vs. Texas Rangers – 7:10 pm
ROOT Sports/710 ESPN/ESPN Deportes 1490

May 25th will be another Happy Felix Day in Seattle, as Felix Hernandez will hold King’s Court in Safeco Field, where he will be looking to rebound from a tough outing against Cleveland that saw him surrender five earned runs in five innings.

Now 5-3 on the year with a 2.07 ERA, Hernandez suffered a loss to the Rangers at home on April 11, giving up 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings while surrendering four runs–three runs–one home run and two walks.

He’ll have to have his best on Saturday to rebound from his prior outing.

Derek Holland will get the start for Texas and is currently 3-2 with a 3.30 ERA on the year. This will be his first start against the Mariners in 2013, so it will be a good time for the lineup to jump all over him at home and give Hernandez a win.

That being said, this game could very well end up like all of Felix’s other games: a 2-1 victory for the Mariners that comes in the eighth or ninth inning.

5/26 – vs. Texas Rangers – 1:10 pm PT
ROOT Sports/710 ESPN

This will be yet another bounce-back game for one of Seattle’s top pitchers, as Hisashi Iwakuma is slated for the start after giving up seven hits, five runs–all earned–two home runs, and three walks in six innings against the Indians.

Boasting a 5-1 record with a 2.37 ERA on the year so far, Iwakuma has been nothing but stellar in most of his performances. His start on April 12th against the Rangers resulted in a 3-1 victory for the Mariners, a game in which he pitched 6 2/3 innings of three hit, one run (on a home run), and one walk baseball while notching six strikeouts.

Texas’ starter has not yet been announced so we’ll wait to see who it will be, but don’t expect Yu Darvish to fill this spot despite him going tonight against the Athletics.

Josh Lindblom could make another start for the Rangers, though his first performance of the year was anything but good yesterday, as he gave up seven hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings of work.

Let’s hope the Mariners can rally after some tough losses in Cleveland and prove to the AL West that they can play good baseball against some of the top talent in the league.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE MARINERS BLOG IN OUR CLUBHOUSE TODAY AT NWSB!

The 2013 Seattle Mariners are not a bad team. In fact, they are actually a pretty good one. Boasting what is likely the best 1-2 pitching combination in the American League with Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, their record of 20-25 is respectable considering the fact that they really don’t have too many impact players on offense.

After a rough start to the season with a 12-17 month of April, the Mariners began to turn it around and really get hot in the late stages of April and early stages of May. As of today they stand 8-8 in the month of May and briefly made an appearance at second place in the AL West.

All their momentum was halted, however, when Seattle headed to Cleveland this past weekend for a four-game series that culminated today with another 10-8 walk-off loss. The series against the Indians was frustrating, annoying, and somewhat similar to what the Mariners have experience against AL Central teams this year: dismay.

While they boast a 17-16 record against all other American League teams and a 1-1 record against National League opponents, Seattle is just 2-8.

Clearly something is up with the Mariners against teams from the Central, so let’s take a look at the series and why they can’t find a way to come away with more wins.

Montero upset at another blast by Cleveland (Getty Images)

2012 Statistics

Before moving any further, let’s look at the argument of the Mariners consistently struggling against the AL Central.

From 2009-2012 Seattle went a combined 85-91 against the central during a time when the team was in a rebuilding mode. Though that’s not a terrible record, it’s still not above .500 and doesn’t really merit any consideration of that being a “good” record.

2010 was their worst season against AL Central teams, as the Mariners went 18-26 against that division while going 22-25 against them in 2009, 20-24 against them in 2011, and 25-16 against them in 2012.

Just by looking at last season’s win-loss record against the AL Central you can really point out the fact that Seattle hasn’t really “struggled” with that division.

In fact, they’ve actually played fairly well against all central teams except for the White Sox, who they went 1-8 against in 2012, 2-7 against in 2011, 1-9 against in 2010, and 5-4 against in 2009.

Though 2009′s win-loss record isn’t bad at all, the rest of the years indicate that Chicago has clearly had an upper-hand on Seattle.

Series in 2013

So far Seattle has faced the Chicago White Sox in a three-game series, the Detroit Tigers in a three-game series, and the Cleveland Indians in a four-game series. Losing all of those series, the Mariners went 1-2 at Chicago, 1-2 against Detroit at home, and 1-3 at Cleveland.

Of those contests, five were decided in extra innings while one was decided in the bottom of the ninth. Seattle has been outscored 50-34 but has found themselves losing by just one run four times in their seven losses against the AL Central.

Only two of their games against those teams could be considered big losses, a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Tigers of April 15 and a 6-0 defeat against the Indians on May 19.

Other than that, Seattle has actually played well against the AL Central but has failed to come up with wins in close contests, losing five games in walk-off fashion.

Analysis

The Mariners have a lowly 2-8 record against the AL Central this year and many have pointed to the fact that they have just performed terribly against that division all season long as well as in past seasons.

But hat isn’t exactly so, as their overall record against the central was just six games below .500 from 2009-2012. And, if you factor out the Chicago White Sox (who have had Seattle’s number in recent years), the Mariners are actually 76-63 against the central, a very impressive number.

The problem that they have this year, as stated above, is that they can’t find a way to win the close games. Seattle has had six losses against the central this year that could easily have been in their favor as well, a big number when you consider that, if they had come away with victories in those contests, they would be 8-2 against the division and flying high.

That is not the case, however, as they have had tough luck against the AL Central teams who can really connect with the ball and send one out of the park at any moment.

With that said, it’s not as if they haven’t shown up to these games. They’ve played well against this division but just haven’t managed to win the close ones.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE MARINERS BLOG IN OUR CLUBHOUSE TODAY AT NWSB!

The NFL Draft has come and gone, rookies have attended their first minicamp, and now they are in the midst of getting their first deals at the next level.

Most receiving multi-year, multi-million contracts that include quite a nice signing bonus, these athletes are ready to make an impact.

This year we saw quite a few standouts from all four Northwest teams (Oregon, Washington, Oregon State, Washington State) get drafted. Jordan Poyer (OSU), Markus Wheaton (OSU), Dion Jordan (UO), Kiko Alonso (UO), Kyle Long (UO), Kenjon Barner (UO), Desmond Trufant (UW), and Marquess Wilson (WSU) went in the draft, with numerous other players from Northwest teams being signed as UDFAs. 

But while we do know that a lot of these players have signed contracts with their new teams, some of the more notable names we will have to wait on. Expect Jordan, Trufant, and Long to have to wait quite some time before ironing out deals with their new teams.

To help you keep track of how well situated your favorite Northwest players will be in the coming years, here’s an update on 5 Northwest players who have reached a deal with an NFL team.

Marquess Wilson (WSU) – Chicago Bears

Wilson was the lone Cougar to go in the NFL Draft but he will hopefully turn his attitude around and really excel at the next level. A seventh-round pick (236th overall), Wilson won’t make as much as his fellow rookies but will still make a pretty decent salary.

He signed a contract reportedly worth $2,207,592 over the next four years with a $47,592 signing bonus.

A potential steal in the draft for Chicago if they can get him on the right track, Wilson is one of those guys who will either flame out really fast or burst onto the scene.

Poyer should be a steal for the Eagles. (Photo Credit: Corvallis Gazette-Times)

Jordan Poyer (OSU) – Philadelphia Eagles

Poyer was one of the best cornerbacks in the nation last year. A dynamic player who made an impact in just about every game he played, he was drafted by the Eagles and former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly in the seventh round (218th overall).

He has signed a four-year contract with Philadelphia that is reportedly worth $2,221,000. His signing bonus was reported at $61,000 and he will be a valuable asset and potential big steal for the Eagles.

Desmond Trufant (UW) – Atlanta Falcons

Trufant was the lone Husky to be drafted this year and has not received a deal from the Atlanta Falcons yet. He’s on this list because he is set to receive quite the lofty sum, as he was drafted by the Falcons with the 22nd pick in the draft.

Aside from this versatile cornerback who will excel in Atlanta’s defense, the Huskies have seen Justin Glenn and Jonathan Amosa sign with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers, respectively. They have not yet been signed to official contracts.

John Boyett (UO) – Indianapolis Colts

Boyett suffered through surgery in his final season at Oregon (allowing him to play in just one game with the Ducks in 2012), but his potential is still very high. He was one of the top safeties in the Pac-12 and college football when he played, and offered the Colts a great selection in the sixth round (192nd overall).

His previous efforts in college football and big potential has earned him a four-year contract that is reportedly worth $2,261,672. His signing bonus was valued at $101,672.

Kiko Alonso (UO) – Buffalo Bills

Alonso was a great selection for the Bills, who will undoubtedly use him as an inside linebacker at the next level.

Boasting above-average physicality and speed for a player at his spot, look for Alonso to get a lot of time with the starters next year. 

Picked in the second round (46th overall), he has reportedly reached a four-year deal worth $4,300,401 with a $1,507,564 signing bonus. Look for him to make an immediate impact with the Bills and really excel at the next level.

The Oregon Ducks’ offense is one of the top, if not the top, offense in college football. With an up-tempo style that sucks the energy out of opposing defenders, the Ducks have excelled at putting points on the board at a rate that sees them to outstanding totals.

Though Chip Kelly is now long-gone from the program and looking to build a solid career at the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ducks’ offense will remain essentially the same under new head coach Mark Helfrich. 

That doesn’t mean, however, that there won’t be some changes to Oregon’s offense in 2013. A fan of the pass over the run, look for the Ducks to really open up the field with the pass more than they have in recent memory. It has also been rumored that Helfrich would like his offense to up their tempo even further in 2013, a remarkable goal when you look at how fast they have operated in the past few years.

With only minor changes set to occur in the offense this next year, here are the 5 most important players for the Ducks on offense.

Marcus Mariota – QB

Putting Marcus Mariota on here was a no brainer. One of the top quarterbacks in the nation in his first year on the field for the Ducks, Mariota will be one of the determining factors in how far Oregon goes this season.

With the type of speed and versatility he boasts, he could very well be a Heisman candidate at the end of the year. However, he will need to avoid the sophomore slump while carrying more of the team on his shoulders and avoiding the defenders who will be keying on him and adapting to his play.

Look for him to sling the ball around much more this next season, showing off his impressively strong and accurate arm.

Byron Marshall – RB

Byron Marshall should be huge for the Ducks in 2013. (Bruce Ely/The Oregonian)

While many believe standout and speedster De’Anthony Thomas may garner the most attention at running back for the Ducks this next season, I’m a firm believer that he will excel but in the same role he has held in year’s past. This would obviously leave the running back position to Byron Marshall, a guy who can actually get through the tackles while demonstrating breakaway speed as well.

He’ll obviously have to compete with incoming sensation Thomas Tyner but I believe Marshall has a lock on the starting job after impressing coaches throughout spring camp and at the spring game.

The young back will have to have a pretty good year to live up to the expectations of past backs, but he definitely has the talent to do so. If he can have a productive year, the Ducks could have one of their best in history.

Bralon Addison – WR

Oregon will be opening up the pass in 2013 and that will mean the wide receivers will be very important,

Bralon Addison apparently impressed coaches in camp and was one of the standouts in the spring game. He found playing time last year but really didn’t make that impact needed for a receiver looking to be an impact player at the college level.

He has to capitalize on the Oregon offense relying more on the pass if he wants to help the Ducks to immense success.

Josh Huff – WR

The same logic works with Josh Huff as it does with Addison. The Ducks will reportedly be throwing the ball a lot more, so their receivers will be relied much more upon in the coming years.

That being said, they will still need to remember blocking assignments and downfield play to really take the Oregon offense to the next level.

Huff has been productive in past seasons, but he must have a breakout season for the Ducks if he wants to help take the pressure off younger players in his unit.

Hronnis Grasu – OL

There have been times when you’ve wanted to look away when Hronnis Grasu snapped the ball. But that was in 2011, in his first year as a starter.

Grasu is now one of the better center’s in the Pac-12 and should continue to play very well in 2013. He’ll be one of the veterans along a line that will likely see a lot of new faces, so his seniority will surely help those younger Ducks really get used to the offense. 

He has developed into one of the more important players on offense and will need to keep up his impressive play if Oregon is to succeed next year.

CLICK HERE CHECK OUT THE DUCKS BLOG IN OUR CLUBHOUSE TODAY AT NWSB!

Bruce Irvin has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2013 regular season after reportedly violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing drugs.

Here is the full release, as detailed on Seattletimes.com:

“Bruce Irvin of the Seattle Seahawks has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2013 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.

Irvin will be eligible to return to the Seahawks’ active roster on Monday, September 30 following the team’s September 29 game against the Houston Texans.

Irvin is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.”

What is obviously a big disappointment for the Seahawks’ organization and all fans of the Hawks, Irvin will miss a significant amount of time after figuring to play a bigger role on the defense in 2013.

Irvin will miss the first four games next year (Richard Lipski/AP)

Seattle’s somewhat surprise of a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, reports have come out that he was suspended for using Adderall, a medication that has become all too familiar with the Seahawks.

Last year, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner were each suspended for four games for using the substance, though Sherman fought his suspension and ended up winning.

Still eligible to participate in offseason and preseason workouts/games, Irvin has already released a statement to his fans and the organization.

“I want to apoligize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption. I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgement I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again. I look forward to contributing to the team the moment I return.”

Making an appearance in all of Seattle’s 18 games (16 regular season, 2 postseason) last year, Irvin racked up just 10 tackles in the regular season and 2 in the postseason in his limited time on the field.

He has nine sacks in his 18 games, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

His best game of 2012 arguably came against the Carolina Panthers, as he racked up two sacks and forced a fumble in Seattle’s 16-12 victory.

This is not the first time Irvin has had issues off the football field. Though he has been good during his time in Seattle, Irvin had character issues during high school and college that made many scouts doubtful about his personality and whether or not he would be a distraction at the NFL level.

Impact

Seeing as I figured Irvin as a starter heading into 2013, it’s obvious to say that his absence will obviously play a bit of an impact for the Seahawks early on next season.

Especially with Chris Clemons‘ health still in question and doubt surrounding when he will return, the Hawks will miss Irvin’s speed off the edge in their contests against the Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.

Luckily for Seattle they have a lot of depth and young talent along the defensive line after bringing in quite a few players this year.

The additions of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril are looking even more significant for Seattle right now, and we may see the emergence of some other, younger guys early on in 2013.

Other players in the mix in 2013 will be Kenneth Boatright, Benson Mayowa, and Ty Powell.

I guess Ty Powell makes the team out of camp now eh? #Seahawks

— Q Smith (@NWSBQ) May 17, 2013

The rookie leader in sacks in 2013, we’ll hope Irvin will use the time away from the field at the start of the season to really reevaluate his decisions and become a better athlete and individual from this. 

He will be eligible to join Seahawks on September 30 with his first eligible game coming against the Indianapolis Colts on October 6.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE SEAHAWKS BLOG PAGE IN OUR CLUBHOUSE SECTION AT NWSB!

Raymond Felton isn’t exactly that sleek player that he used to be. Once a dominant player at the collegiate level who led the North Carolina Tar Heels to a National Championship in 2005, Felton has packed on a few extra pounds since coming to the NBA.

Drafted in 2005 by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 5th pick in the NBA Draft, he actually performed admirably during his years in Charlotte (2005-2010), with his season totals always seeing him average around 12-14 points per game.

Not really becoming that dominant player in Charlotte, Felton was picked up by the New York Knicks in 2010 as a free agent, a move that really seemed to revitalize his career. Averaging 17.1 points per game and 9 assists per game with the Knicks, Felton revitalized himself in New York and quickly became a fan favorite.

He would be traded to Denver later that season, however, and his play immediately dropped off.

Anybody got a jelly doughnut? (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

Dissatisfied with being a bench player, Felton was eventually traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Andre Miller and the No. 26 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The Blazers also lost Rudy Fernandez and the rights to Petteri Koponen.

Whether it was his temper or frustration with how his last season ended, Felton came to the Blazers overweight and with a temper, something that didn’t mesh well with former head coach Nate McMillan. Never seeing eye-to-eye with one another, the two constantly spat while the team, and Felton, struggled.

And now that Felton has once again seen a resurgence since returning to the Knicks, McMillan, let go in March of 2012 by the Blazers, talked to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNY about Felton’s time in Portland.

“What he’s doing now is what we felt he was always capable of doing for us,” said McMillan in the inverview. “He just didn’t have that kind of year.”

Offered McMillan on Felton’s weight with the Blazers.

“I think [his weight] had a direct impact on how well he played. When you’re not conditioned to play, then you’re going to struggle, you’re going to turn the ball over…he had picked up some weight, as he told me, and we were trying to work on him moving that weight during the season.”

Weight and overall effort being a big issue for Felton throughout his time with the Blazers, the fans never really embraced him and actually clashed with him from time to time.

And who’s to blame them?

Here’s this once heralded NBA pick coming into camp overweight and out-of-shape after your team had sacrificed some decent players for him.

To be paid all that money to spend money on cupcakes and figuring out what else to stuff in your face isn’t exactly going to earn you a lot of love when you are a professional athlete.

There’s a certain physical standard that Felton never lived up to when he was with the Blazers, and though it’s not that nice to root against players who are having rebound season, here’s to hoping Felton channels his inner-2011/2012 and guzzles a few jelly doughnuts before tonight’s game.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE BLAZERS BLOG IN OUR CLUBHOUSE TODAY AT NWSB!