Defensive end Chris Clemons, cut by the Seahawks last week in order to save $7.5 million in salary-cap space, signed a four-year, $17.5 million deal ($5 million due in 2014) Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He reunites with coach Gus Bradley, his former defensive coordinator in Seattle, and DE Red Bryant, who signed with the Jags after the Seahawks cut him in another salary-cap move.
The 32-year-old Clemons, a nine-year veteran, had 11 or more sacks in each of his first three seasons with Seattle (2010-12), but his production dropped last season (4.5) as he battled injuries. Clemons, coming off a torn ACL he suffered in a 2012 playoff game at Washington, started 11 games.
In less than a week, the Seahawks have parted ways with the starting ends (Clemons, Bryant) from a defense that led the NFL in average points, yards and passing yards allowed.
Barring other moves, the Seahawks can slide Chris Avril into the spot he shared with Clemons. Candidates to replace Bryant at the five-technique spot include Michael Bennett, already re-signed by Seattle; Jesse Williams, a 2013 fifth-round draft choice who spent his first NFL season on injured reserve, and Greg Scruggs, a 2012 seventh-round pick who also spent 2013 on IR.
Another unrestricted free agent, CB Walter Thurmond, is also expected to visit the Jaguars. Thurmond will also visit the Washington Redskins, as will former Seahawks teammate Brandon Browner.
Seahawks Free Agent Tracker
| Date | Player | Action | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | CB Brandon Browner | Signed-NE | Signed for 3 years, $17 million |
| 3/7 | OL L. Jeanpierre | Re-signed | Played in 16 games, 3 starts |
| 3/7 | S Jeron Johnson | Re-signed | Backup joined as undrafted FA in 2011 |
| 3/9 | DE Michael Bennett | Re-signed | 4 years, $28.5 million, $16M guaranteed |
| 3/11 | TE Anthony McCoy | Re-signed | Didn’t play in ’13 (Achilles injury) |
| 3/11 | DT C. McDonald | Signed-TB | 4 years, $12 million |
| 3/11 | LB O. Schofield | Signed-NYG | 2 years, $8 million |
| 3/12 | S Chris Maragos | Signed-PHI | 3 years, $1M guaranteed |
| 3/12 | WR Golden Tate | Signed-DET | 5 years, $31 million, $13M guaranteed |
| 3/12 | DT Tony McDaniel | Re-signed | 2 years, $6.3 million |
| 3/12 | RT Breno Giacomini | Signed-NYJ | Signed for 4 years, $18 million |
| 3/12 | QB Tarvaris Jackson | Re-signed | Played in 3 games in 2013 |
Seahawks Cuts
| Date | Player | Action | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/28 | WR Sidney Rice | Cut | Saved $7.3 million in cap space |
| 2/28 | DE Red Bryant | Signed-JAX | 4 years, $17 million |
| 3/12 | DE Chris Clemons | Signed-JAX | 4-year contract worth $17.5 million |
Unsigned Seahawks Free Agents
| Player | Pos. | Age | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Baldwin | WR | 26 | 50 receptions, 778 yards, 5 TDs in 2013 |
| Kellen Davis | TE | 28 | Played in 15 games, caught 3 passes |
| Steven Hauschka | K | 29 | 143 pts led NFC in scoring (4th NFL) |
| Paul McQuistan | OG | 31 | 16 games, 14 starts |
| Michael Robinson | FB | 31 | Member of Seahawks since 2010 |
| Walter Thurmond | CB | 27 | Missed 4 games to drug suspension |
Free Agents Signed By Seahawks
| Date | Player | Pos. | From | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/12 | Taylor Price | WR | JAX | 26-year-old injured last two years |
6 Comments
Not a surprise to see other teams, especially the Jags, going after all available Seahawks. Just wait though. Lots of players around the league want to be a Seahawk.
One would hope so. With Tate gone, we’re down to three first-rate WRs with Harvin, Kearse and Baldwin, who is a FA. Without an influx of quality WRs, things could get a bit sticky.
They have Ricardo Lockette still who I believe would make a solid #4. He had a good Super Bowl with a catch and a wicked special teams tackle. With the last pick of the first round I’m hoping the Hawks can get either Brandin Cooks of Oregon State and/or Kevin Benjamin of FSU. Rumor is the Hawks will bring back Sidney Rice as well as that they like his work ethic on his rehab.
Wow. Has an evisceration of a super bowl championship team ever happened so quickly and thoroughly?
The core players are still here. Wilson, Lynch, Okung, Unger, the Legion except for the ones who were suspended last year. The LB’s. No worries.
Perspective, please.
It’s not like we lost Ray Lewis AND Ed Reed all at once.