BRADY HENDERSON

Carroll shares Seahawks’ thinking on Ryan Tannehill

May 8, 2012, 12:47 PM | Updated: 1:34 pm

By Brady Henderson

We may never know exactly how much the Seahawks liked Ryan Tannehill or whether they would have taken the former Texas A&M quarterback had he still been available when Seattle made its first-round pick.

Coach Pete Carroll didn’t offer any definitive answers on the subject during his appearance on “The Kevin Calabro Show” last week.

9eb67904-f55f-42d2-b2ee-ecdaf30b5da4
Pete Carroll says the Seahawks would have considered taking Ryan Tannehill, who went eighth overall to Miami. (AP)

Well, except for one.

Did Tannehill’s performance during his pro day workout really leave Carroll “giggling like a schoolgirl” as Peter King’s report suggested?

“Well, first off, I don’t know who the guy is that wrote that and I don’t know what giggling like that would look like,” Carroll said, seemingly a tad amused by the notion. “I can’t imagine how he interpreted that. I might have been having fun with John Schneider, telling some stories or something like that but it wasn’t about the workout. So that’s a bunch of garbage.”

Carroll’s assessment of Tannehill matched up with his reputation as a supremely talented but raw prospect.

“This is a really exciting player. He has all the right makeup to be just what you’re looking for because of his stature, his arm strength and his running ability and [he’s] a smart kid,” Carroll said. “He did not have a lot of play time behind him. He started something like 16 games or whatever it was, and he didn’t finish as well this past year as he had played the year before. So there was some question marks there.”

There were some who thought — or in King’s case, were certain — that the Seahawks would have taken Tannehill if he were still there. The fact that the Seahawks took Russell Wilson in third round shows they were open to the idea of drafting a quarterback despite not having an overriding need at the position.

Seattle never got the chance. Tannehill went eighth to the Dolphins, a team that had plenty of familiarity with him. Mike Sherman, Miami’s offensive coordinator, was Tannehill’s head coach at Texas A&M. The Seahawks traded back from 12 to 15 and took pass-rusher Bruce Irvin, a player they said they targeted.

“It wasn’t a lock that we would take [Tannehill] but he was definitely a guy that we would consider. Miami, they have the background with the same coach and all that from his college days,” Carroll said. “We didn’t think he’d ever get past [the Dolphins]. We thought that would really be a big sign that we would have to interpret during the draft if they didn’t take him because we thought it was just a lock that they would.”

Wyman & Bob

Brady Henderson

Rees Odhiambo, a 2016 third-round pick, will compete with Matt Tobin to start at left tackle. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Tom Cable: Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin are Seahawks’ preferred LT options

Tom Cable brought a bit of clarity to the Seahawks' plans at left tackle in the wake of George Fant's season-ending knee injury, saying Tuesday that Rees Odhiambo and newcomer Matt Tobin are the top two options.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks injury updates: George Fant set for surgery, K.J. Wright returns

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday that left tackle George Fant is expected to be back by next season from the knee injury that will sideline him in 2017.

7 years ago

Matt Tobin, 27, started 21 games over seasons with the Eagles. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks acquire OL Matt Tobin in trade with Eagles

The Seahawks have acquired offensive tackle Matt Tobin in a trade with the Eagles, making another move to shore up their offensive line after losing left tackle George Fant for the season.

7 years ago

Luke Joeckel played left tackle for his first three NFL seasons. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Luke Joeckel? Rees Odhiambo? A look at the Seahawks’ LT options with George Fant out for the season

The Seahawks need a new plan at left tackle with George Fant out for the season. Moving Luke Joeckel there is one option, writes Brady Henderson.

7 years ago

Michael Bennett on Justin Britt standing by his side during the national anthem Friday night: “I ...

Brady Henderson

Justin Britt stands by Michael Bennett during national anthem: ‘A very emotional moment’

Seahawks center Justin Britt showed his support for teammate Michael Bennett Friday night, standing by him as Bennett remained seated during the national anthem.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks’ George Fant needs ACL surgery, likely out for season

The Seahawks' offensive line was dealt a massive blow with left tackle George Fant suffering a knee injury Friday night that will likely keep him out all season.

7 years ago

Carroll shares Seahawks’ thinking on Ryan Tannehill