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Max Unger

Drew Brees On Graham, Unger, Rumors

April 4th, 2015 at 12:04pm CST by Ben Levine

If you thought you were blindsided by the Jimmy Graham trade, imagine how Saints quarterback Drew Brees felt. The Pro Bowler appeared on WWL Radio in New Orleans on Thursday to discuss a number of topics, including the departure of Graham, the acquisition of Max Unger, and the trade rumors surrounding Brees himself. We grabbed some of the more interesting quotes, all via Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com…

On his reaction to the Jimmy Graham trade:

“I think it shocked all of us. A lot of crazy things happened, though, during the course of free agency for a lot of different teams. Unfortunately, you’ve been around long enough, you see some of these things happen at times. If anything it shows the confidence our organization has in the young players, especially the young skill players on offense, just feeling like those are guys that now have a chance to step up and fill a big void and fill a big role and continue to progress forward.”

On the Saints acquiring Pro Bowl offensive lineman Max Unger:

“I was with him in Pro Bowl a few years ago and I think he’s a very good player. I know he was hit by the injury bug a little bit last year. But obviously he can play at a high level. He’s still very much in the prime of his career. I feel like he’ll be a great addition to that front five.”

On how he handled the rumors regarding a possible trade:

“I really did not pay attention one bit. This is the time of year where I’m very focused on the family. People would come up to me and say, ‘I hear you’re getting traded to Tampa,’ and I’d say, ‘OK, that’s great.’ I have a close enough relationship with everyone within the Saints organization that if something was going on, I know that I would hear it from them if there was any reality to it.”

On whether he wants to finish his career in New Orleans:

“I do, absolutely. But I also understand the reality of the business and everything. You’ve got to perform and you’ve got to give them a reason to keep you around.”

Pete Carroll On Wisniewski, Jackson, O-Line

March 14th, 2015 at 10:10am CST by Ben Levine

It’s been a busy couple of days for the Seahawks front office. The team has made a number of notable moves, bringing in Jimmy Graham, Cary Williams and Will Blackmon. However, the team also lost Max Unger, Byron Maxwell, Zach Miller and Malcolm Smith.

Head coach Pete Carroll appeared on Seattle’s KJR Radio to discuss the team’s offseason. ESPN.com’s Terry Blount transcribed some of his notable soundbites, which you can find below:

On free agent center Stefen Wisniewski, who met with Seattle earlier this week:

“He’s a legitimate starter in the league. He really likes us and we liked him. That’s a potential thing that can happen. It will be some time before this gets worked out. He’s got some visits [with other teams]. It’s recruiting and we’re battling. He’s a really solid football player and a smart kid. We’ll see where it goes.”

On the team’s options at punt returner following Bryan Walters departure:

“That will be a wide-open competition, but one of the guys you might not think about is B.J. Daniels. We’re really looking forward to B.J. taking a shot at that [punts and kickoffs], and also catching some footballs for us. He’s a multi-talented guy that can help us a quarterback as well. He’s a kid we’re excited about. He’s very tough and strong and has great quickness.”

On whether veteran quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will return:

“We hope so. We want him to be on this team again. We’re in talks.”

On losing a pair of offensive linemen, Max Unger and James Carpenter:

“Obviously we’ve got some work to do up front, but we’ve got a big plan there. It’s going to be very competitive. I think it’s going to be exciting to see how guys elevate. It’s also a very good draft [for offensive linemen] and an opportunity to help ourselves there, as well. It’s going to be a focal point, but we have some really good guys. If not, we wouldn’t have done it [traded Max Unger for Jimmy Graham]. We’ll be OK.”

NFC Rumors: Graham, Saints, Orakpo

March 11th, 2015 at 2:32pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking to reporters today, Brandon Graham said he felt like there was only ever a “10% chance” that he’d sign with a team besides the Eagles (Twitter link). The Giants and Titans were known to be in the running for the free agent edge defender. More out of the NFC..

  • The Saints had some concerns about Jimmy Graham’s long-term health, and wanted to fortify their offensive line to keep Drew Brees upright, which resulted in their willingness to send the star tight end to the Seahawks, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
  • Brian Orakpo hasn’t completely closed the door on returning to Washington, but he’s prepared to “face the reality” that he could sign with another team this week, he tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (TwitLonger link). Visits with the Titans and Cardinals are up first for the free agent edge defender.
  • ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter has learned from O’Brien Schofield‘s agent that four teams are trying to sign him, according to Terry Blount of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Schofield, coming off of a solid year with the Seahawks, has been connected to the Falcons thanks to his connection with new head coach Dan Quinn.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Seahawks GM On Graham, Unger, Williams

March 10th, 2015 at 8:19pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks have certainly had an eventful Tuesday, orchestrating perhaps the day’s biggest news by acquiring tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick from the Saints in exchange for center Max Unger and a first-round selection. Seattle general manager John Schneider spoke to reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, about today’s events, so let’s take look at the highlights:

On how discussions for Graham began:

“We started talking to them probably maybe three days ago, just about general things—lots of different players. This time of year there are a lot of teams that are just trying to move some pieces around to figure some things out as we get close to the deadline to cut down for salary cap purposes to start the new year, and it was no different than a regular call like that. Then he was one of the players who was brought up and we continued to pursue it.”

On his level of surprise at hearing Graham’s name come up in talks:

“Yeah, we think he’s a heck of a player, but there are a lot of names that are talked about. You just never know how serious people are, but it just depends on the different scenarios that you talk through, then the level of intensity or interest either increases or decreases based on the different scenarios that are discussed.”

On losing Unger as part of the deal:

“Any time you’re making these types of trades for a player like this, it’s not just going to be a handover. Both teams had specific needs, for us, we’re going to miss Max’s leadership, he was a core part of what we were doing around here the last several years. He was here when we got here—coach Carroll and his staff actually move him to center for guard, and he really took off. But we have to continue moving this thing forward. We always talk about not having any finish lines, and this is just part of it—tough decisions, but exciting futures as well.”

On how the trade will affect Seattle’s salary cap:

“In some respects it actually helps us. When you take out a first round draft choice like that, the cost of a first-round draft choice is close to 3.5 million. So if we were going to go out and sign a tight end in free agency, and have a huge signing bonus, big paragraph 5, a lot of guaranteed money, that would have hindered some of the things we would have been able to do.”

On signing Cary Williams:

“We’re going to miss (Byron Maxwell) but we had to be ready to go. I think it’s a testament to coach Carroll, Kris Richard, all of the guys that have worked so hard with our defensive backs; he’s a sixth-round draft choice that leaves for a monster, monster contract and we’re going to miss Byron a lot and we’re excited for him but we’re also very excited to add Cary. We felt like we needed to do it early because of the competition at the cornerback position and feel blessed we were able to finish it up last night.”

Seahawks Acquire Jimmy Graham

March 10th, 2015 at 5:41pm CST by Zachary Links

5:41pm: The trade is now official, according to the Seahawks’ website.

2:47pm: The deal has been agreed to, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Graham and a fourth-round choice will go to Seattle in exchange for Unger and a first-round pick.

The Saints have spoken to Seattle and at least one other team about a potential Graham trade, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

2:45pm: The Saints and Seahawks are working to finalize a trade that would send Jimmy Graham and a fourth rounder to New Orleans for Max Unger and a first-round choice, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Just minutes prior to Glazer’s filing, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the Saints were shopping many of their players, including Graham.

Graham’s 2015 salary became guaranteed on the third day of the waiver period, which fell on February 4th. Now, after counting for just $4MM against New Orleans’ cap in 2014, the tight end’s cap number has jumped to $11MM for the coming year. The Saints, of course, are tight against the cap this offseason and have been making some tough choices regarding their veteran players. Dealing Graham would be the most surprising move of all, however.

Less than a year ago, Graham ended an uncomfortable stalemate with the Saints by agreeing to a four-year, $40MM deal. The deal includes another $9MM in 2016 and $10MM in 2017, meaning the annual cap hits going forward are $11MM, $12MM, and $13MM, respectively.

Graham was been the league’s most consistent and productive tight end from 2011 through 2013, averaging 90 receptions, 1,169 yards, and 12 touchdowns per season during that span. Last season, he continued the trend with 85 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Unger, 29 in April, played in just six games in 2014 due to injuries. In that short span, Pro Football Focus (subscription required and recommended) ranked Unger as the fourth best center in the NFL, placing him behind only Nick Mangold of the Jets, Travis Frederick of the Cowboys, and Rodney Hudson of the Chiefs. With 25-year-old guard/center Tim Lelito waiting in the wings, the center position wasn’t necessarily at the forefront of the Saints’ shopping list. Still, the trade gives the Saints a bit of cap relief while also giving them one of the very best centers in the game today.

NFC West Notes: Seahawks, Bowman, Cards

November 18th, 2014 at 1:21pm CST by Luke Adams

In what’s been a busy day for NFL news so far – particularly for running backs around the league – let’s catch up on a few items from out of the NFC West….

  • Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed that center Max Unger will likely miss three or four weeks with ankle and knee injuries, meaning the team will likely have to add a center to the mix to complement Patrick Lewis, as Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk details. Crabtree and Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times both cite former Seahawk Lemuel Jeanpierre as a probable free agent addition for the club.
  • Within Condotta’s article, he also passes along a tweet from defensive tackle Travian Robertson, who had been on the Falcons‘ practice squad. Robertson announced that he’s on his way to Seattle, a signal that the Seahawks will be signing him away from Atlanta.
  • 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman will begin practicing today, starting the clock on a three-week window during which the team will have to move him to the active roster. If he’s not made active in three weeks, Bowman will be ruled out for the season, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio acknowledges that’s a possiblity, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
  • Tight end Garrett Celek, defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey, and cornerback Keith Reaser will also begin practicing for the 49ers today, triggering their three-week countdowns, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Cardinals reporters Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic and Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter links) agree that running back Ben Tate is an unlikely target for Arizona, even if he makes it through waivers unclaimed.

NFC Notes: Peterson, Bush, Unger, Williams

November 16th, 2014 at 7:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As we learned last week, the NFLPA filed a grievance for an expedited Adrian Peterson hearing, which will occur on Monday. As Albert Breer of NFL.com details out (in a series of Twitter links), Peterson could return to game action as early as next Sunday. In one possible scenario, Peterson could win the grievance on Monday, be immediately suspended by the league, appeal the suspension, and play while the appeal process takes place. In the event that the Vikings running back is disciplined on Monday, a key term will be “time served,” notes Breer. Under the league’s new domestic violence policy, a first-time offender receives a six-game ban. Peterson has missed nine games while on the commissioner’s exempt list, so we’ll have to see how the NFL factors in those absences when levying a suspension. Here’s more from the NFC, including some injury updates on several key players:

  • Saints safety Rafael Bush suffered a fractured tibia during today’s loss against the Bengals, and will be sidelined for the forseeable future, writes Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. New Orleans already lost one key defensive back earlier this season, when free agent signee Jairus Byrd was placed on injured reserve after injuring his knee. As Triplett notes, the Saints will look to recent addition Jamarca Sanford and rookie Marcus Ball to step in for Bush.
  • The Seahawks might need to replace a key member along their offensive line, as head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, that center Max Unger suffered a high ankle sprain during today’s game. Carroll didn’t estimate how much time Unger would miss, but such injuries usually involve a four-to-six-week recovery period. Second-year center Patrick Lewis is Unger’s direct backup.
  • Washington tackle Trent Williams will undergo an MRI tomorrow, but the early word is that he sprained his MCL, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Williams luckily escaped ACL damage, but it’s still conceivable that he’ll miss some game action.