Mailbag: Putting trade scenario to the test

April, 6, 2009
Apr 6
5:05
PM ET
Print
By Mike Sando

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kevin from Seattle writes: Hey Mike, great blog, it has become one of the mainstays of my existence and I wouldn't make it through the day without it. Somehow, in my non-stop personal analysis of all things Seahawks, my mind stumbled upon on an at-first-ridiculous, but-after-a-second-thought not unimaginable scenario:

The Seahawks trade their first-round pick and Sean Locklear for the Bills' first-round pick (11th) and disgruntled franchise tackle Jason Peters. We not only unload ourselves of Locklear's contract and in doing so give ourselves room to re-work Peters (since he will be around much longer that Walter Jones at this point), but land Jones' replacement when he hangs it up in the next year or two.

Our O-line would be significantly improved with Peters as the right bookend. We would still have Ray Willis for depth and would have much more freedom in the first two or three rounds of the draft. The Bills in exchange would have a shot at pretty much any player they want, including Crabtree or one of the tackles, and we wouldn't have to worry about a top-5 contract and would still have a shot at a top running back, linebacker, receiver, or DB. Your thoughts?

Mike Sando: First, thanks very much for your initial comments. In the interests of you and society as a whole, I hope you are exaggerating this blog's role -- a little bit, anyway.

The trade you are proposing would be a tough one to pull off. Locklear's contract would count millions more against the cap if the Seahawks traded him because the deal carries $2.4 million in annual proration through 2012. And then Peters would require a new long-term deal.

I do think Seattle would gladly slide back into the 10th to 12th range, but not at that price.


Dave from Ukiah, Calif., writes: Mike, I have really enjoyed reading your blog since I found it a few months back ... great info! I was wondering if you think the 49ers could have a surprise player in mind to grab with that #10 pick? We have all seen the mocks with Mark Sanchez, Andre Smith, Aaron Maybin, Michael Oher, etc.

Could there be a shocker waiting like a OLB Clay Matthews, ILB Ray Maualuga or CB Malcolm Jenkins? I still think they would be smart to try to trade down and get a few more picks if the right deal comes before the clock runs out. There is still a lot of talent that would help them from picks 22-40. Your thoughts?

Mike Sando: The cornerback might qualify as a surprise pick, but that is definitely a position where need and value can align early in a draft. Rob Rang had the Packers drafting Jenkins in the ninth slot in his April 3 mock. Packers general manager Ted Thompson worked with 49ers GM Scot McCloughan in Green Bay and Seattle. They share similar philosophies. Both are with teams running 3-4 defenses. In other words, if Jenkins makes sense for the Packers, why wouldn't he make sense for the 49ers, at least on some level?

I still think the 49ers will monitor the tackles and consider drafting one if any of the top four remain available at No. 10. Taking a quarterback would make sense, but I'm not sure the organization could stomach going down that road again so soon after the Alex Smith choice.


Ted from Pearl City, Hawaii, writes: Hi Mike, I just wanted to comment on the additional games being proposed and see what you think about my suggestion.

Maybe they should make it 18 games, but the winning record would be based on a 16-game season with the other two games basically being tie-breaker games. This way if you are in a weak division where you are ahead by more than two games you can rest your players. It also helps teams who maybe suffered a significant injury that may have cost them a game or two (Exp. Dallas).

With these extra games they can still maybe be in contention at the end of the season. The last two games should also be division games. Personally, I think they should leave the season the way it is. I also think they should increase the size of the roster whether they have an expanded season or not.

On a separate note, I'm surprised at how many times I have sent comments to you, but I just love reading your blogs and some of them just make you want to say something. Anyway, keep up the good work and look forward to your next blog item. Ted

Mike Sando: Thanks, Ted. My argument against the 18-game schedule didn't really provide a viable alternative to the current meaningless preseason. It's something I probably need to think about. I just know the expansion to 18 games would dilute the regular season while putting players at additional risk for injury, and the league does not have enough quality quarterbacks for even a 16-game schedule.


Adam from Burlington, Vt., writes: I thought of this as soon as all the trouble with Jay Cutler started. Why wouldn't the Seahawks consider sending Matt Hasselbeck and the #4 pick to the Broncos for Jay Culter?... I would do this trade in a second. Your thoughts?

Mike Sando: I wonder whether the Broncos would want the fourth overall choice. I could be wrong. Perhaps they will try to trade up for a quarterback. I'm just not convinced the fourth overall choice is all that appealing to most teams picking lower.


William from Vancouver, Wash., writes: Hey, you may want to save this one in case Lucas actually signs with the 'Hawks. If he does, and assuming Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson remain (I feel safe saying that) and of course Marcus Trufant will probably finish his career here (or at least the meaningful part), what might the order on the depth chart look like?

I assume Lucas would come here with the assumption he would start, but Wilson must feel like he has earned the right to start and Jennings definitely has the ability to start and if he would just glance at the ball every now and again he would probably put up pro bowl like numbers.

Mike Sando: My understanding is that Seattle would not promise a starting job to Lucas and that Josh Wilson would get every chance to win that job opposite Trufant. Nothing would be handed to Lucas. I say that because I know how much the Seahawks like Wilson.


Matt from Virginia writes: How's
the health of Rob Sims. Who starts a RG for Seattle? Also, will Steve Vallos get a chance to start a center?

Mike Sando: I'll get a health update soon. The Seahawks are on the field beginning Tuesday. Sims or Ray Willis would likely start at right guard. Vallos could certainly get a shot if Spencer again has problems staying healthy. I'm interested in seeing how the new blocking schemes suit these linemen.

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted