David Hawthorne (above) is
is reportedly the man to beat at
OLB during Carroll's competition-driven
practices. Where does that leave Hill?
It didn't take long for OLB Leroy Hill to fall from grace in Seattle. Due to a pending domestic violence charge, Hill has been ordered by head coach Pete Carroll to stay away from mini-camp and organized team activities until he gets his affairs in order.
Now Seattle appears to be operating as if Hill, who signed a six-year $36 million contract a year ago, isn't even a starter, according to linebacker coach Ken Norton Jr.
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Norton said he thinks Hawthorne is the front runner to win the starting spot at OLB.
"I don’t even consider him a backup," Norton said. "He’s a starter until someone unseats him."
This, of course, puts into question Hill's future with Seattle. Hill is making $6 million a year on average. He could make as much as $8.5 million in 2010. That's a lot for an injury-prone player who will likely be suspended multiple games for his latest transgression.
The Seahawks could offer up Hill for a trade, although demand for a player with that type of baggage paired with the inability to play 16 games isn't high. Seattle drafted Hill in the third round of the 2005 draft but would likely receive a fifth-round pick or higher, unless they traded for another player. In that case, Seattle would be well served to pick up a defensive end.
Hill was first arrested during the 2009 offseason after being found in possession of marijuana and asleep at the wheel in the middle of a Georgian intersection. A year later, Hill pleaded guilty to that marijuana possession charge. Days later, Hill was again arrested for suspicion of domestic violence.
Hill had his best season in 2008, when he notched 63 tackles on 12 games during a contract year. He then regressed badly in 2009 with 37 tackles.
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
