Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, March 12 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Smith Signs With Raiders
Linebacker Malcolm Smith officially signed with the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday, ending his four-year stint in Seattle. He reunites with former Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who accepted the defensive coordinator job with the Raiders in early February.
Originally a seventh-round pick of the Seahawks in 2011 who played under Seattle head coach Pete Carroll at USC, Smith earned MVP honors of Super Bowl XLVIII when his nine tackles, 69-yard interception return for a touchdown, and fumble recovery helped the Seahawks to a 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Smith finishes his career in the Pacific Northwest with 105 tackles, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two sacks, and two interceptions.
Carpenter Joins The Jets
Another member of the Seahawks' 2011 draft class - left guard James Carpenter - officially signed with the New York Jets on Wednesday.
Carpenter, a former first-round pick of Seattle, started 16 games for the Seahawks last year, including playoffs. He helped the team lead the NFL with a franchise record 2,762 rushing yards last year on the legs of Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson, Robert Turbin, and Christine Michael, good for the third-highest total in the NFL since 1985. In his four seasons with the Seahawks, Carpenter appeared in 45 games, logging 39 starts.
If the Seahawks were to line up and play a game right now, coach Carroll and Executive VP/General Manager John Schneider have said Alvin Bailey would take Carpenter's starting spot at left guard.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Seahawks owner Paul Allen, who notes newly-acquired tight end Jimmy Graham has passed his physical.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, Clare Farnsworth says the Seahawks have never had a tight end like Graham.
I recap four things we learned about the Seahawks' offseason from Schneider's Wednesday morning conversation with 710 ESPN Seattle.
Adam Schein at NFL.com calls the Seahawks trade for Graham "flat-out incredible," saying, "The Seahawks have played in the past two Super Bowls, and they just got markedly better, acquiring a legit go-to weapon. Seattle is built around its ferocious defense, of course. And when it comes to the offense, opponents still must stop Marshawn Lynch and the ground game, first and foremost. But on top of all that, the team now has a guy who, in a 'down year,' logged 85 catches and 10 touchdowns. It's an absolute coup."
Steve Rudman at SportsPressNW.com says trading for Graham solved two positions of need for the Seahawks.
Former Seahawks defensive lineman Red Bryant has been released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And Robert Klemko at TheMMQB.com examines how eye-popping college statistics translate to the pro level, calling attention to former Washington Huskies linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha and former Washington State Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday, who last year topped college football in sacks and passing yards per game, respectively.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
