With the acquisition of DT/DE Cory Redding via trade, many pundits expected Redding to play a vital roll in the defense and to be somewhat of a long-term solution on the defensive line.
But that outlook might differ from what the Seahawks are envisioning for Redding.
ESPN's Mike Sando reports Redding's restructured deal makes him eligible for unrestricted free agency after one year and is scheduled to make $2 million, a stark contrast from the 5-year $32.225 million he was scheduled to earn for the rest of his tenure with the Lions.
To Continue...
The Seahawks save $1.55 million in salary cap space for 2009.
And Redding earns the chance to make bank if he has a breakout season with the 'Hawks.
The contract potentially tells Seahawks fans a few things.
Salary Cap
The Seahawks may be in more of a salary cap crunch that once thought. Seattle will have the no. 4 pick in this year's draft, a position that inevitably involves millions and millions of dollars for years that aren't always productive, especially if the team sinks money into a quarterback.
Was Peterson's contract such a drain on the cap that the Seahawks were desperate to rid of him? Perhaps the only way Redding would have agreed to restructure his deal was if he was able to become a free agent shortly, during the prime of his career.
This could potentially bode well for the Seahawks if they are looking to make a run to the Super Bowl. Having players motivated with a big payoff always helps. Just ask Albert Haynesworth.
The team also just franchised Leroy Hill for more than $8 million. Team officials are working to secure a long-term contract but nothing has been agreed to yet.
Future prospects
The length of Redding's contract could also indicate the team is looking to turn to their up and comers on the line. Defensive end appears crowded with Patrick Kerney, Darryl Tap and Lawrence Jackson, but the two latter players could vastly improve in the seasons to come.
Red Bryant was also a promising find in last year's draft and if it weren't for injuries he could be starting or at least be higher in the rotation this year.
Is BJ Raji an option?
With Redding scheduled to leave and with a defensive minded coach in place, could the Seahawks still have interest in draft prospect DT BJ Raji? It's a possibility, and although everyone thinks they have all the players graded out, no writer truly knows what's happening in team offices, so don't rule it out.
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
Posts
