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For what it's worth - from today's Seattle Times:
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 12:00 a.m. Pacific
Notebook: Holliday might not fit in the Seahawks' plans after all
By José Miguel Romero
Seattle Times staff reporter
KIRKLAND — Hugh Douglas simply didn't want to play in Seattle. Vonnie Holliday still has that option, but he might get more money somewhere else.
The bottom line is that the Seahawks might not sign a defensive end through free agency, at least for the time being.
With Douglas signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Seahawks' attentions were thought to have shifted to Holliday, who most recently played for the Green Bay Packers and has good relationships with Seahawks coaches Mike Holmgren and Ray Rhodes. Holliday's agent, Brian Levy, said yesterday that he hopes to start talking about a deal for his client with Mike Reinfeldt, the Seahawks' top contract negotiator, today.
Levy also said, however, that the Arizona Cardinals have been "aggressive" in pursuing Holliday and that he is well into the negotiation process with them. League sources said the Cardinals seem receptive to paying Holliday whatever he wants, or close to it, leaving the Seahawks possible runners-up for yet another big-name free agent.
The Seahawks are still interested in signing Holliday, but they question whether he is the right player. Rhodes wants a speed pass rusher to come off the right end, and the feeling in Kirkland is that Holliday plays more like left end Antonio Cochran, who isn't known for his sack numbers.
The Seahawks seek a right end because of concerns about Lamar King's health. King has missed 12 games the past two seasons mainly because of calf and knee injuries.
King had microfracture surgery on his left knee in early December. Defensive tackle John Randle had a similar surgery early last year and didn't play at full speed until the season's final weeks.
Douglas was the player the Seahawks wanted, and they even matched the Jaguars' offer of five years and $27 million. But he opted to play closer to his hometown of Atlanta.
The Seahawks also like second-year end Anton Palepoi.
"As the season progressed, you could see him improving," said Dwaine Board, the Seahawks' new defensive-line coach. "The biggest thing going from college to pros is just learning to play with technique. He has tools. He has all the ability and the things that you like."
The Seahawks could wait until June to see what free agents are still available and whom will be released from other teams. One possibility is Jacksonville's Tony Brackens, who is expendable now that Douglas is with the Jaguars. Brackens, 28, missed all of last season with a knee injury and would save the Jaguars close to $5 million on next year's salary cap if cut after June 1.
The Seahawks are now focusing on linebackers, with inside players Charlie Clemons and Earl Holmes visiting the Seattle area this week. Clemons, who played for the New Orleans Saints last season, has already met with the Packers and is in town today. Holmes, a former Cleveland Brown, was cut on Feb. 27 to get the Browns under the salary cap, even though he led the team in tackles in 2002. He will arrive tomorrow but might not meet with coaches until Thursday.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 12:00 a.m. Pacific
Notebook: Holliday might not fit in the Seahawks' plans after all
By José Miguel Romero
Seattle Times staff reporter
KIRKLAND — Hugh Douglas simply didn't want to play in Seattle. Vonnie Holliday still has that option, but he might get more money somewhere else.
The bottom line is that the Seahawks might not sign a defensive end through free agency, at least for the time being.
With Douglas signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Seahawks' attentions were thought to have shifted to Holliday, who most recently played for the Green Bay Packers and has good relationships with Seahawks coaches Mike Holmgren and Ray Rhodes. Holliday's agent, Brian Levy, said yesterday that he hopes to start talking about a deal for his client with Mike Reinfeldt, the Seahawks' top contract negotiator, today.
Levy also said, however, that the Arizona Cardinals have been "aggressive" in pursuing Holliday and that he is well into the negotiation process with them. League sources said the Cardinals seem receptive to paying Holliday whatever he wants, or close to it, leaving the Seahawks possible runners-up for yet another big-name free agent.
The Seahawks are still interested in signing Holliday, but they question whether he is the right player. Rhodes wants a speed pass rusher to come off the right end, and the feeling in Kirkland is that Holliday plays more like left end Antonio Cochran, who isn't known for his sack numbers.
The Seahawks seek a right end because of concerns about Lamar King's health. King has missed 12 games the past two seasons mainly because of calf and knee injuries.
King had microfracture surgery on his left knee in early December. Defensive tackle John Randle had a similar surgery early last year and didn't play at full speed until the season's final weeks.
Douglas was the player the Seahawks wanted, and they even matched the Jaguars' offer of five years and $27 million. But he opted to play closer to his hometown of Atlanta.
The Seahawks also like second-year end Anton Palepoi.
"As the season progressed, you could see him improving," said Dwaine Board, the Seahawks' new defensive-line coach. "The biggest thing going from college to pros is just learning to play with technique. He has tools. He has all the ability and the things that you like."
The Seahawks could wait until June to see what free agents are still available and whom will be released from other teams. One possibility is Jacksonville's Tony Brackens, who is expendable now that Douglas is with the Jaguars. Brackens, 28, missed all of last season with a knee injury and would save the Jaguars close to $5 million on next year's salary cap if cut after June 1.
The Seahawks are now focusing on linebackers, with inside players Charlie Clemons and Earl Holmes visiting the Seattle area this week. Clemons, who played for the New Orleans Saints last season, has already met with the Packers and is in town today. Holmes, a former Cleveland Brown, was cut on Feb. 27 to get the Browns under the salary cap, even though he led the team in tackles in 2002. He will arrive tomorrow but might not meet with coaches until Thursday.
ARI @ LAR
SEA 
