Allen costs us $7.5M this year against the cap; if we cut him, we save $3.5M this year. If we sign Hutchinson to a 5-7 year contract costing more then Seattle could pay him this year, we probably can get him w/o further compensation. I think Hutchinson earned $6.4M last year, so he certainly looking for about $7M a year and a large upfront signing bonus in the neighborhood of $10-12M. Don't know terms Carolina paid Wahe (except it $1M per year then Riveria getting) but Hutchinson certainly will expect at least same amount.
I just don't know how his signing would affect our ability to pick up a few other FAs we need like Vinetieria. We'd still need to add at least a RT. I'd also like to see an upgrade at center but addition of Hutchinson, assuming he can play in our OL scheme (whatever that may be), might help Johnson enough that it not necessary. Don't forget we must pay Allen $2M on 3 March so decision on him must be made soon. Certainly if we can bring in Hutchinson, sign Mawae & add Fabini, we will have made major OL improvement. Throw in Vinetieria and that's a tremendous FA upgrade. I just don't think we can afford all 4 of those signings, but of course it would really give us lot more flexibility in the draft.
A lot will depend on whether we go after Vinetieria or cheaper kicker like Longwell or Nedney.
