Seahawks use new brochure to pitch prospective undrafted free agents
May 6, 2014, 5:21 PM | Updated: May 7, 2014, 2:21 pm
While most of the football talk this week is focused on who the Seahawks will take in the draft, the Super Bowl champs are also gearing up to make a hard sell to potential undrafted free agents.
You’d think winning the Lombardi Trophy would be enough of a draw for any player looking to get into the league. But the Everett Herald has gotten a copy of a recruiting brochure the Seahawks have sent out to the agents of potentially undrafted players, touting all the reasons players should sign with Seattle.
Read the Seahawks pitch to agents of prospective undrafted free agents
The brochure opens with a message from head coach Pete Carroll espousing the team’s philosophy: “We wholeheartedly believe in competition in all aspects of our program, and the only way to compete is to show it on the field. We’re dedicated to giving all of our players a look to find out who they are and what they’re all about so we can field the best team possible.”
The Power Point deck emphasizes the opportunities to get on the field in the preseason, with the Seahawks ranking first in the NFL in total offensive playing time by undrafted rookies.
“If your client doesn’t get on the field in the preseason, he’ll have a tougher time making that team’s roster or any roster at all,” it says.
The presentation also underscores the number of undrafted rookie free agents earning a spot on the Seahawks 53-man roster, with 22 percent making the team since 2010, ranking eighth in the NFL over that span.
In a unique twist, the brochure also emphasizes the team’s willingness to cut draft picks and create more opportunities for undrafted free agents to compete for roster spots.
The Super Bowl champs make a pretty compelling case, pointing out eight current Seahawks who came to the team as undrafted free agents contributed to the 2013 season, including standout wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, who combined for 12 touchdown catches last season including two in the Super Bowl.
