NFL deadlines

The deadline to designate franchise players is a little over a day away, and there's still no word on a contract for Hasselbeck. If they don't finish the deal, he may get the franchise tag, thus releasing Alexander to free agency.

I agree with other writers that the QB Franchise amount of 8 million is more than Hasselbeck is worth. He's good, but he's not among the best three in the league. On the otherhand, he works well with Holmgren and Holmgren's offense and is definitely a first rate QB that we're lucky to have.

I'm sticking with conventional wisdom: Hasselbeck will get a conventional contract, either within the next few days, or during free agency. Alexander will get the franchise tag. The Hawks will use an early round pick to draft an RB who will then be groomed for the '06 season. Assuming they do find a way to keep Alexander around for another year (which is a big assumption), I suppose anything can happen. His skin may thicken, he may repair his relationship with local media (if Hasselbeck can do it, anyone can), he and Holmgren may finally bond the way Holmgren and Robinson seem to have bonded.

Eh, who am I kidding. The Alexander / Seahawks relationship is on borrowed time.