OT: Seahawks Relase franchised LB LeRoy Hill

[SuperSpck]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/draft-2009/04/26/seahawks.hill.ap/index.html

RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- The Seattle Seahawks have rescinded their franchise tag on outside linebacker Leroy Hill, making him a free agent.
A team spokesman confirmed the surprising move Sunday, a day after the team made Wake Forest star outside linebacker Aaron Curry the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft.
It gives Seattle salary cap space of $8.3 million -- the value of the guaranteed contract for 2009 the team was obligated to offer Hill as its franchise player.
Curry is expected to get at least $25 million guaranteed in his new contract.
Saturday, Seahawks president and general manager Tim Ruskell said he was still in negotiations for a long-term deal with Hill.
Coach Jim Mora marveled after selecting Curry that the team's defense now has, along with Lofa Tatupu, "three good, young linebackers who are all impact-type players and it is an exciting group. It will be fun to watch them grow together."

So what's the story with Hill from 'chised to scrap heap?
What kind of LB is he? Someone break him down for me.

 

[Carddan]

My understanding is that they are still negotiating with him, they just don't want to pay the franchise $$$. I believe he is now a free agent.

 

[perivolaki]

My understanding is that they are still negotiating with him, they just don't want to pay the franchise $$$. I believe he is now a free agent.

I saw that and posted about it last night after the draft.

I don't think he wants to be there. He didn't sign his franchise tag. The kid is from down south and it wouldn't surprise me to see him sign with Atlanta.

It kind of takes the luster off the Curry pick. Curry is good but the hawks traded Peterson and it looks like they will lose Hill.

One step forward two steps back.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Hill is a heck of a player but not worth franchise money. Seattle screwed themselves by not signing him earlier.

 

[Trey]

Hill is a heck of a player but not worth franchise money. Seattle screwed themselves by not signing him earlier.

I believe his recent legal troubles also caused the Hawks to reconsider paying him a salary based on the franchise tag...

 

[Trey]

Looks like Hill has re-signed:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/167755.asp

Between Hill, Tatupu, and Curry, they definitely have talent at the position, but it seems like they're putting a lot of their money in one area.

 

[187]

Damn, I was hoping he would resign away from Seattle..

 

[JeffGollin]

According to Total Access or NFL Today - Mora said yesterday, he advises that the re-signing of Hill by Seattle is "imminent."

 

[Renz]

Does this set a parameter for Dansby?

Seahawks, Hill agree to long-term deal

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Seahawks and starting outside linebacker Leroy Hill have reached agreement on six-year contract worth a guaranteed $15.5 million.

The deal could potentially be worth $38 million.

Hill became a free agent last weekend after the team dropped its franchise tag on him and Hill refused to sign an $8.3 million tender offer.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/04/30/seahawk.move.ap/index.html?eref=si_nfl

 

[lauraw]

Dansby ought to see he's getting more now then he will in FA, if Hill is a comparable player.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Does this set a parameter for Dansby?



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/04/30/seahawk.move.ap/index.html?eref=si_nfl

Todd France... Hill's agent... is Dansby's new agent. This could be helpful.

 

[Skkorpion]

Somebody. Shh. Quick. Slip Karlos a doobie. Three short tokes and his holdout will collapse. That's what Seattle did to Leroy Hill, I'm certain. Jeff the Shark told me.

 

[TJ]

The contract will probably be closer to $20 mil guaranteed than $15.5. He will much rather look at Harrison's deal.

 

[DoTheDew]

A far cry from what Pace got overpaid. To be fair, Hill is an OLB in a 4-3 and Dansby is an ILB in a 3-4 so they aren't entirely comparable players.