It wasn't too long ago that Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell was using the press as his puppet, telling the P-I's Clare Farnsworth to not expect Seattle to be "big players" in free agency.
Two weeks later and famed free agent wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh was hoisting his no. 18 Seahawks jersey in front of a press conference in Renton.
In other words, if Ruskell says one thing in the offseason, expect the opposite. It does him no good to tip his hand to the media.
That's why NFL commissioner Roger Goodell might be calling wide receiver Michael Crabtree's name fourth overall come draft day.
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In NFL.com's peak into the Seahawks' war room, Ruskell and player personnel head Ruston Webster talked draft needs and where they see filling them come April 25.
"Guys, I think the receiver group is a strong group," Webster said. "Especially within the first three rounds and should be able to find somebody that can help us."
Either the Seahawks just tipped their hand as to looking past Crabtree or something else is at work.
Could the Seahawks be feigning disinterest in the double Biletnikoff winner to shield trade downs below the Seahawks?
Of course, if that were true Seattle would have to highly value Crabtree and that might be difficult at this point without combine numbers. However, many Crabtree supporters are quick to point out that the wide receiver has a vast arsenal of game tape showing his 41 touchdowns and more than 3,000 receiving yards at Texas Tech.
The wide receiver just went off his crutches and has reportedly set up visits with four teams this week. The only team named in the report is the Cleveland Browns. He appears to be on track to be fully recoverd from stress fracture surgery on his foot two weeks after the draft.
Update: It also looks like Crabtree will visit the 49ers.
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
