Seahawks make Grant 3rd highest paid safety

[mardigan]

Updated: March 9, 2007, 1:59 AM ET
Seahawks make Grant third-highest-paid safety in NFLBy John Clayton
ESPN.com


Like any good safety, Deon Grant needed to have the right type of timing and anticipation.



Grant

The Jaguars safety traveled to Seattle after the Seahawks went 1-for-3 in the big free agent sweepstakes, landing defensive end Patrick Kerney but losing guard Kris Dielman and tight end Daniel Graham. Unwilling to lose Grant to the New York Giants or other teams, the Seahawks stepped up and made Grant the third-highest-paid safety in football, giving him a six-year deal worth more than $30 million a year.

To get the deal done, they gave him a signing bonus that topped the $11.1 million to Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys. Though the specifics weren't available, Grant is believed to received the biggest signing bonus ever given to an NFL safety.

Grant flew to Seattle on Thursday night to sign the deal along with his agent, Mitch Frankel.

Ravens safety Ed Reed, who signed a seven-year, $44.4 million contract, and Williams of the Cowboys, who has a five-year, $30.1 million deal, are the league's highest-paid safeties. Grant topped the recent contract signed by Michael Lewis, who got a six-year, $30 million contract to leave the Eagles and go to the 49ers.

The Seahawks wanted Grant for several reasons. They've been having coverage problems at the safety position for the past two seasons. Grant can help them with leadership and athletic ability. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder was a second-round choice of the Panthers in 2000. He signed a three-year, $7.2 million contract to go to Jacksonville in 2004. He's made 96 consecutive starts during his six-year career and he played 93 percent of the Jaguars' defensive snaps last season.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.



I normally wouldnt have started a thread about this, but the money blows my mind

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Wow. Just wow.

Have they watched Grant in coverage? He takes some of the worst angles in the NFL. Boulware is better in coverage than he is for cripes sake. Unreal.

[mardigan]

Yeam I dont get this at all, the only reason this guy ever even made plays was because of Darius next to him

[JMarkJohns]

DistruntledLionFan#54,927... What's your opinion of Terrence Holt? The Cardinals just signed him? He was a safety with the Lions four seasons. His contract isn't unreasonable, but he didn't sound like anyone worth that much either. Thanks in advance.

[TheTruth]

What shocks me more is that the Boys are paying Roy WIlliams like he's a top 5 safety. That is unreal.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

DistruntledLionFan#54,927... What's your opinion of Terrence Holt? The Cardinals just signed him? He was a safety with the Lions four seasons. His contract isn't unreasonable, but he didn't sound like anyone worth that much either. Thanks in advance.


Holt is an average starter, at best. His lack of speed means that he'll get beat deep consistently but if the play is in front of him, he does rather well. He's also mediocre in the run game; plays soft in that aspect. However, he'll tend to have stretches where he seems to be in the middle of everything; breaking up passes, INTs, causing fumbles, etc. And then he'll disappear...

[JMarkJohns]

Thanks. That assessment was pretty similar with my opinion. Maybe playing alongside Pro-Bowl safety and former college teammate, Adrian Wilson, will have an impact on him. Wilson never takes plays off. If he can make a tackle in front of him and disrupt the deep ball, then he'll be worth the money. Save for Wilson, the Cardinals couldn't tackle beyond their linebackers to save their life. Lots of big plays for receivers and backs that get into the secondary.

[scott]

I thought the Hawks already had pretty good Safteys, which makes this an odd signing.

[mardigan]

I thought the Hawks already had pretty good Safteys, which makes this an odd signing.

They are losing Hamlin to free agancy

[scott]

I guess Kelly Jennings will go back to CB?

[mardigan]

Probably, but they are trying to sign Brian Russell as well, I dont know if they are trying to just add depth, or if they dont have confidence in Boulware. And it makes me wonder about Babineaux, I though he was pretty good last year, but I wonder if he will move back to corner as well and make Trufant a nickel corner

[Pugglekicker_21]

i read somwhere that Grant is great in pass coverage.

[tlongII]

Good signing by the Seahawks. The market is ridiculous right now for FA's. You have to pay top dollar! Babineaux made huge mistakes in coverage last year that cost us 2 games, that is why they are doing this.

[RealEstateDude]

What shocks me more is that the Boys are paying Roy WIlliams like he's a top 5 safety. That is unreal.


He is in the NFC, lol

[Fillmoe]

babiineaux is frank gores bitch! the whole seahawks defensive side of the ball are frank gores bitches!

[mardigan]

babiineaux is frank gores bitch! the whole seahawks defensive side of the ball are frank gores bitches!

The 9ers are going to get bitch slapped constantly next year, everyone in their division has gotten better, and they arent very good. Maybe if they would ever get a reciever.....

[Purple & Gold]

I haven't seen much of this guy. Is he any good in coverage. The Seahawks need secondary help bad. Boulware is good against the run and does make some big INT's but he gives up the big play way to often. I would have rather have them sign a CB, cause I don't see Trufant making it as a #1 shutdown corner. I'm still pissed about losing Ken Lucas.

As for the niners they still suck. Frank Gore ain't all that. I predict he starts fumbling the ball again.

[mardigan]

I haven't seen much of this guy. Is he any good in coverage. The Seahawks need secondary help bad. Boulware is good against the run and does make some big INT's but he gives up the big play way to often. I would have rather have them sign a CB, cause I don't see Trufant making it as a #1 shutdown corner. I'm still pissed about losing Ken Lucas.

As for the niners they still suck. Frank Gore ain't all that. I predict he starts fumbling the ball again.

He is pretty good in coverage (18 career ints and 48 pass deflections in 7 years), he IS NOT a big hitter (1 ff in his career), pretty good open field tackler (over 60 tackles evry year in his career), not that great against the run. He has always played with a safety that was much better than him (Minter and Darius) that made him look better. My guess is that Boulware will not be starting next year. And I found these...


Seahawks | Babineaux could challenge for starting job
Sun, 11 Mar 2007 10:48:04 -0800

Mike Sando, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports Seattle Seahawks SS Jordan Babineaux is a potential candidate to serve as nickel cornerback or possibly challenge for a starting spot in the 2007 season.



Seahawks | Green could compete for starting job
Sun, 11 Mar 2007 10:38:09 -0800

Mike Sando, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports the Seattle Seahawks expect FS Mike Green (foot) to be ready for the 2007 season. He could challenge for a starting spot. Green was beating out SS Michael Boulware for the starting strong-safety job last summer when a foot injury ended his season.

[Purple & Gold]

I like Boulware he's a good player, but gives up the big play. I think he would be more effective in short yardage situations and more of a spot player. I haven't seen much of Green so hopefully he steps up. Babineaux is still young, but should be given a fair shot at the spot.

[mardigan]

I like Boulware he's a good player, but gives up the big play. I think he would be more effective in short yardage situations and more of a spot player. I haven't seen much of Green so hopefully he steps up. Babineaux is still young, but should be given a fair shot at the spot.

I really dont understand the money they gave Grant, as you already said, they have some young good safeties, and added Russell, I really dont think they needed him. I would have rather signed Hamlin back, that guy is WAY better than Grant

[Purple & Gold]

I really dont understand the money they gave Grant, as you already said, they have some young good safeties, and added Russell, I really dont think they needed him. I would have rather signed Hamlin back, that guy is WAY better than Grant
That's our weakness. The fact is it's been our demise with both of them and they must not wanna chance leaving it up to chance again. We are too close and have to seize the opportunity now. Paul Allen has money and isn't afraid to spend it. Hamlin is good but he's very similar to Boulware. He's a big hitter and strong against the run. Since he did get injured and has an extra year in the league and was gonna get paid. They must feel that a FS that can cover can hide Boulware's weakness, allowing them to keep his strength which is against the run and sure INT hands. If Grant is a big time cover safety, then it could be a good signing.

[mardigan]

That's our weakness. The fact is it's been our demise with both of them and they must not wanna chance leaving it up to chance again. We are too close and have to seize the opportunity now. Paul Allen has money and isn't afraid to spend it. Hamlin is good but he's very similar to Boulware. He's a big hitter and strong against the run. Since he did get injured and has an extra year in the league and was gonna get paid. They must feel that a FS that can cover can hide Boulware's weakness, allowing them to keep his strength which is against the run and sure INT hands. If Grant is a big time cover safety, then it could be a good signing.

Well I can see that I guess because Carolina and the Jags both did the same thing with him and I think right now Boulware is probably better than Darius and Minter, so it might work out pretty well. If not the Russell signing will help, he is slow, but a ballhawk that is a big hitter.

[Purple & Gold]

Yeah it basically looks like a move to cover Boulware and then they are signing insurance pieces. I wouldn't be surprised if they also make a move for big name WR either in a trade or some type of signing.

[mardigan]

Yeah it basically looks like a move to cover Boulware and then they are signing insurance pieces. I wouldn't be surprised if they also make a move for big name WR either in a trade or some type of signing.

I read that they are actively shopping Jackson, and that Hackett would play a bigger role. Is that because of Jacksons health issues or is it because of Hacketts emergence?

[Purple & Gold]

I read that they are actively shopping Jackson, and that Hackett would play a bigger role. Is that because of Jacksons health issues or is it because of Hacketts emergence?
Jackson's hands. He drops way to many passes.

[mardigan]

So you think they will be taking a reciever in the first? They could also use a new running back, Alexander isnt getting any younger

[Purple & Gold]

Probably receiver, but they will more than likely just take best available. They will definitely draft a RB, but I'm not sure if they will with their first pick. New England has the Seahawks first rounder so we don't draft till late in the second. So I'm guessing with that second rounder they will draft best available with extra looks at the RB, WR, and O-Line positions. I also wouldn't be surprised if Jackson gets moved for picks.

[mardigan]

Probably receiver, but they will more than likely just take best available. They will definitely draft a RB, but I'm not sure if they will with their first pick. New England has the Seahawks first rounder so we don't draft till late in the second. So I'm guessing with that second rounder they will draft best available with extra looks at the RB, WR, and O-Line positions. I also wouldn't be surprised if Jackson gets moved for picks.

Well their should be some pretty damn good recievers and rbs left in the second, good luck to your team in the draft my friend, even though Im a Boys fan. I dont think the Hawks are very far away from being back in the Super Bowl, and I loved the Kerney signing

[Purple & Gold]

Well their should be some pretty damn good recievers and rbs left in the second, good luck to your team in the draft my friend, even though Im a Boys fan. I dont think the Hawks are very far away from being back in the Super Bowl, and I loved the Kerney signing
Cool, thanx all good luck is appreciated. I see them in the running again. If we could just get somebody to catch the ball, it would solve a lot of our problems. As for the Cowboys they will also be very competitive. That was a damn good game in the playoffs. Romo has a bright future.