The Sports Xchange

Controversy continues to follow the Seattle Seahawks from that final, fateful offensive play in the Super Bowl through the draft and beyond as the team tries to takes steps to maintain a quality roster in 2015.

Biggest step in that direction was the acquisition of outstanding tight end Jimmy Graham in a trade that sent center Max Unger and a first round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints

Although losing Unger is significant, quarterback Russell Wilson certainly should benefit with Graham as a huge target.

However, Wilson is himself mired in negotiations regarding his contract, which can now be extended after he completed three of the four years on his rookie deal. It is reported that Wilson is seeking a deal that will make about $20 million a year.

Head coach Pete Carroll sidestepped the issue, saying “We don’t want to talk much about it because there is just a lot of stuff, it’s such a crucial thing. We are so excited to get Russell and keep him here forever. But it’s a big deal and there is a lot of work to be done.”

The draft controversy began when the Seahawks used their first pick, No. 63 overall, to take defensive end Frank Clark, who was kicked off the Michigan team following a domestic violence incident in which he allegedly punched his girlfriend.

An interesting pick considering NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seems intent on establishing a zero tolerance level for domestic violence, regardless of how situations are settled by the judicial system. The NFL appears to be pursuing its own higher level of accountability.

Carroll said the franchise was comfortable it had all the information available on Clark, who was kicked off his college team two days after the domestic violence arrest.

Clark, 6-foot-2, 277, was accused in a police report of punching his 20-year-old girlfriend, Diamond Hurt, in the face at their hotel room at a water park in Ohio. Hurt’s younger brothers said the same thing. The Seahawks said Monday they did not talk to witnesses who found Hurt, yet the team’s final assessment was that Clark did not punched the woman.

Technically, legally, judicially and probably financially, Clark settled the case with a plea deal.

Carroll said there are two sides to every story, and because he has four older sisters, the coach is sensitive to the strong backlash against the pick. General manager John Schneider said the Seahawks did do a “ton of research” before selecting Clark.

“We can’t tell you how much time we spent researching Frank,” Schneider said. But the Seattle Times reported that the Seahawks’ research project did not go much further than Clark’s version of events.

Carroll said there was a big-time investment made in Clark’s character, but allowed that the rush to be the first team to Clark was a factor.

“Holy smokes, I can’t even get into it — several, several months of talking to people, and making sure in talking to other clubs and making sure everybody’s stories hold up, and talking to the school and all of those stories hold up,” Carroll said.

Schneider said that any player who “punched a woman or struck a woman” would not be on the team’s draft board. The Seahawks, in a statement Monday, said their own investigation provided the “organization with an in-depth understanding of the situation and background.”

Meanwhile, there seems to be discord in the ranks of the roster as defensive lineman Michael Bennett, in the second season of a four-year, $28.5 million contract, may or may not want to be traded, depending on which report is accurate. CBS’ Jason LaConfora reported Wednesday that Bennett is sending mixed messages and the player’s agent is doing his bidding behind the scenes, although the team has not officially granted permission to talk trade.

When asked on a Seattle TV show if he wanted to be traded, Bennett said “no,” but admitted he wanted, if not demanded, more money.

“People assume when you ask for a little more money, they assume that you want to be traded or something like that. But that’s not what I’m trying to go for,” said Bennett.

Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, who did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the May 3 deadline, added more acrimonious attitude on the next day in a series of tweets, some laced with profanity.

“Worked for everything I got in my life this s— will b no different!” Irvin tweeted. “I earns my keeps!” and added “Faced way tougher adversity getting outta them streets coming up! That’s s— is nothing!” and, finally, “(EXPLETIVE) THAT OPTION!”

So Irvin is scheduled to play this season at $1.5 million and become a free agent at the end of the year. If they picked up the option, the Seahawks would have been on the hook to pay Irvin $7.8 million in 2016

In one feel-good moment after the draft, the Seahawks signed long snapper Nate Boyer, a 34-year-old former Green Beret who walked on at Texas and made the team after learning how to snap while deployed in the service.

Nevermind that the Seahawks recently re-signed Clint Gresham, the team’s long-snapper since 2010. With all the negativity that bubbled up since that fateful interception when the team was one yard away from a Super Bowl victory, the Seahawks needed some upbeat publicity.

“I think he’s going to hit somebody,” Carroll said. “He’s going to be able to hit somebody. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a guy come to the program with his background, and all that.

“We cherish competitors, we cherish tough guys, we cherish guys that can overcome odds, and he’s done all of that. And, he’s done a good job, too. He’s even snapped a football. We’ll see what happens. Gresh (Gresham) better get ready.”

The Seahawks get a look at their new players during a rookie minicamp this weekend. Meanwhile, here is a look at the team as it heads into the 2015 season.

COACH: Pete Carroll

6th season with Seahawks

57-33 overall; 7-3 postseason

10th season as NFL head coach

91-66; 8-5 postseason

2015 CAMP SCHEDULE

Rookie minicamp: May 8-10

OTA dates: May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4, June 8-11

Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-18

GRADING THE DRAFT — B-

Per Rob Rang, NFLDraftScpout.com

With Pro Bowl center Max Unger traded away and starting left guard James Carpenter signing with the New York Jets, the Seahawks were widely expected to focus on the offensive line. Instead, they reinforced the defensive line with top selection, Frank Clark and sixth round pick Obum Gwachum, a bulked up former wide receiver. Clark comes with significant character red flags, but his talent is clear and coach Pete Carroll has a soft spot (and proven track record) with troubled focusing their aggression onto the field. Contrasting Clark’s off-field questions was Seattle’s next pick, NFL legacy and Kansas State team captain Tyler Lockett, who lacks size but not toughness or playmaking ability, offering immediate help at both receiver and returner. Former West Virginia right guard Mark Glowinski could compete for early playing time with fellow fourth rounder Terry Poole and defensive line convert Kristjan Sokoli (he’ll be asked to switch to the offensive line for the Seahawks) offering offensive line coach Tom Cable toys to develop.

SCOUTING ALL DRAFT PICKS

–Round 2/63 – Frank Clark, DE, 6-2, 277, Michigan

The Seahawks made a controversial decision to take Clark, who had been kicked off the team at Michigan following a domestic violence incident. But the team believes he will stay on the straight and narrow and viewed him as one of the best pass rushers in the draft.

–Round 3/69 – Tyler Lockett, WR/KR, 5-11, 175, Kansas State

Seattle made the rare move of trading up in the draft — swapping third-rounders and giving three more to Washington — to get a player they regarded as the best returner in the draft.

–Round 4/130 – Terry Poole, G, 6-5, 310, San Diego State

Poole played tackle for the Aztecs but the Seahawks want to use him at guard. He’s a former high-school basketball player and the team likes his athleticism and upside.

–Round 4/134 – Mark Glowinski, G, 6-5, 312, West Virginia

Glowinski also played tackle in college but the Seahawks want to move him to guard. Like Poole, he began his college career at a junior college and the Seahawks believe he is just scratching the surface.

–Round 5/170 – Tye Smith, CB, 6-0, 195, Towson

Seattle needed to add some help at cornerback, and view Smith as able to play on the outside.

–Round 6/209 – Obum Gwacham, DE, 6-5, 236, Oregon State

Gwacham was a receiver his first four years at Oregon State before moving to defensive end. He was a standout high jumper at OSU and the Seahawks believe they can turn his athleticism into being a productive speed pass rusher.

–Round 6/214 – Kristjan Sokoli, C, 6-5, 302, Buffalo

Sokoli played defensive tackle at Buffalo. But the Seahawks saw him at an all-star game and approached him about moving to the offensive line. Seattle was impressed by his numbers at his Pro Day and will initially try him at center.

–Round 7/248 – Ryan Murphy, S, 6-1, 214, Oregon State

A cousin of Marshawn Lynch, Murphy was a productive starting safety for the Beavers for three seasons. The Seahawks need depth at safety after losing Jeron Johnson in free agency.

NOTABLE VETERANS ACQUIRED:

–CB Will Blackmon: FA Jaguars; $950,000/1 yr, $80,000 SB.

–TE Jimmy Graham (trade Saints).

–DT Ahtyba Rubin: UFA Browns; $2.5M/1 yr, $1M SB.

–CB Cary Williams: FA Eagles; $18M/3 yrs, $3.5M SB/$7M guaranteed.

NOTABLE PLAYERS LOST:

–G James Carpenter: UFA Jets; $19.1M/4 yrs, $2.5M SB/$7.5M guranteed.

–S Jeron Johnson: UFA Redskins; $3.5M/2 yrs.

–CB Byron Maxwell: UFA Eagles; $63M/6 yrs, $6M SB/$25M guaranteed.

–TE Zach Miller (released/failed physical).

–TE Tony Moeaki: UFA Falcons; $745,000/1 yr.

–C Steve Schilling (not tendered as RFA/retired).

–LB O’Brien Schofield: UFA Falcons; $4.7M/2 yrs, $500 SB/$1M guaranteed.

–T Garrett Scott (released/non-football illness).

–LB Malcolm Smith: UFA Raiders; $7M/2 yrs, $2M SB/$3.75M guaranteed.

–C Max Unger (traded Saints).

–WR Bryan Walters: Not tendered as RFA/Jaguars; terms unknown.

PRESEASON PEEK — Mark that calendar

All times Pacific

Aug. 14: DENVER (Fri.), 7:00

Aug. 21: at Kansas City (Fri.), 5:00

Aug. 29: at San Diego (Sat.), 5:00

Sept. 3: OAKLAND (Thu.), 7:00