A growing rift in the Seahawks’ locker room over the team’s treatment of Russell Wilson was the catalyst for the trade or release of many Seahawks veterans this offseason, according to an explosive report from Robert Klemko of SI.com. The story, which is well worth a read, details how Richard Sherman and other Seahawks defenders objected to coach Pete Carrol’s alleged preferential treatment of Wilson.
The story also describes how many former Seahawks players think the rift was responsible for the team getting rid of veterans like Sherman, Michael Bennett, Jeremy Lane etc., and rebuilding the team around Wilson. It’s an unwelcome distraction for Seattle just days before their season opener, and it will be very interesting to see how Carrol and Wilson respond.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- 2016 first round pick Corey Coleman never fit in with the Browns. Released after just two injury plagued seasons, the young speedy receiver is now looking for a new home and visited with the Cardinals today a source told Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link). The Cardinals are a bit thin at receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald, so this could be a good landing spot for both sides.
- The Falcons lost starting safety Keanu Neal for the season during last night’s opener with a torn ACL, but his absence might not be as devastating as some had thought. Even before last night’s game, rookie fifth round safety Damontae Kazee had “emerged as the versatile swing safety type that’s incredibly valuable in today’s NFL” during training camp according to Albert Breer of SI.com. The coaching staff apparently loves Kazee, so the loss of Neal isn’t as disastrous as it might’ve seemed.
- Cowboys guard Travis Frederick hasn’t been placed on injured reserve “but he continues to have some numbness in both arms” according to Todd Archer of ESPN. It’s a situation far more important than football, and Frederick acknowledged to Archer he has no idea when he’ll be back on the field.
Why am I not surprised that Sherman would pout and whine if someone other than himself received preferential treatment?
The legion of boom was a bunch of players who would say anything, cheap shot opponents and yes play great defense. Everyone talked about how Pete let them get away with murder and that he’s the go with the flow coach who doesn’t hold his players accountable, but it works. How they can complain about their treatment I have no idea.
Probably because they were getting older, management knew they couldn’t continue to build around them, and certainly couldn’t continue to pay them, much less give then raises…
They felt as if Seattle’s success was primarily due to those defensive veterans and Lynch, yet they saw Caroll and Co. showing Wilson all the love, catering to him, and this resulted in them getting quite frankly jealous and irritated…So, they collectively left town..
It happens, but honestly I’m not suprised whatsoever…I understand the viewpoints from both sides..Especially with how Seattle has treated Earl Thomas, who really has been Seattle’s MVP ever since they’ve became relevant again…
Don’t be suprised if you start to see Caroll and Seattle getting a bad reputation around the league, because of how they’ve treated Earl Thomas..He is one of the most well respected players in the entire NFL, and the way they’ve treated him, after all he’s done for that franchise is just embarrassing and quite a shame honestly..
That makes sense. That everyone is getting older and it’s more viable to build a team around a young Russell Wilson than to a build a team around an aging group of defenders. Hey
Being a coach is a tough, tough deal. The fans and media are just waiting to pounce as soon as you make a mistake. Furthermore with 53 guys on the roster it will be inevitable that some second guess how things are being done. You have to placate all these different personalities using skills the best psychologists spend years to acquire. If you keep older guys you get accused of being blinded by loyalty and if you get rid of them you get criticized as well.
remember it was carroll who sent the play in super bowl 49 for wilson to throw on 1st down so wilson would get the mvp instead of the smart move and give it to beast mode when russell threw the interception the faces of sherman lynch thomas was priceless
Give people millions of dollars and they still find a way to screw it up… I hope Sherman doesn’t spread that cancer through the 49er locker room.
Well, they are part of “the participation trophy” generation. Maybe that’s all they needed, sort of like a pacifier.