In a post for the Seattle Times Tuesday, Danny O’Neil examines how the uncertainty of the current labor situation makes it tough for the Seahawks to deal with prospective free agents defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and linebacker Will Herring.
If the Seahawks let Mebane get to free agency, whenever it comes, it could prove tough to retain him.
NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi writes that teams have told him Mebane will be “highly sought after” if he makes it to free agency. There just aren’t many disruptive interior linemen that reach the open market with so much experience at a young age.
We wonder if the Seahawks will strongly consider using the franchise tag on Mebane. That could cost them close to $8 million in 2011, but it would also give them more time to work on a long-term agreement with one of their defensive cornerstones.
That seems like a fine deal for a team in serious transition, looking for some young players to build around.