Hawk Talk highlights: Looking ahead to free agency

By 710Sports.com staff

The latest edition of “Hawk Talk” with Danny O’Neil included some discussion about Seattle’s Week 4 matchup with Houston and plenty of questions about those Seahawks who will either be free agents or eligible for contract extensions this offseason.

The full transcript can be found here. Highlights are below.

Gantiz asked Danny to finish the sentence, “The Seahawks will lose to Houston on Sunday if …”

Danny: Red Bryant is out or ineffective and this run defense looks like it did last year in the playoffs.

Austin asked how rookie tight end Luke Willson has looked so far and whether Anthony McCoy, last year’s No. 2 tight end, will be with the Seahawks next year. McCoy, who is on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles tendon in the offseason, is a free agent after this season.

Danny: On McCoy: It would surprise if he makes the team again, but I wouldn’t rule it out. He’s a talented guy. But Willson looked good and is getting better, but as Brock said earlier this week, he needs to get his pad level down.

Easilyamused asked how wide receiver Percy Harvin is faring in his rehab from offseason hip surgery.

Danny: All signs are very positive in that regard, and he’s insistent on his belief (or more like his hope) he’ll be ready to come back in Week 7. We’ll see.

Austin asked whether left tackle Russell Okung’s injury history will deter the team from re-signing him. Okung, who is under contract through 2015, is on the injured list/designated to return with a torn toe ligament.

Danny: They’re so different, from ankle to pectoral muscle to toe, and I would say, “No.” It’s not like he has a chronic injury.

Jeff asked if cornerback Walter Thurmond, a free agent after this season, will be inclined to sign with a team on which he has a better chance to start.

Danny: There’s too much uncertainty between now and free agency. We don’t know what will happen with Brandon Browner scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent and Richard Sherman in position for an extension.

Beast asked whether the Seahawks’ offseason acquisitions of Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett will begin a trend of free-agent pass rushers coming to Seattle on short-term deals.

Danny: It’s certainly possible. I know that while everyone was shocked Seattle was able to get both Avril and Bennett at such reasonable prices. The Seahawks weren’t shocked. They thought that this stadium, the circumstances could be a huge incentive for players to come here on a short-term deal to play for a contending team that puts them in prime position to pad sack totals a then head back out on the market.

Fan asked whether players are generally more enticed by money or a chance to compete for a championship.

Danny: Money is a bigger factor the younger the player. If this is his first post-rookie contract, money is going to be the biggest difference. For a veteran who has already made his millions, contention can be a trump card.