Seattle Seahawks Breathe a Sigh of Relief, but Playoffs? A Lot Has To Go Right

There seem to be mixed reactions among Seahawks fans about yesterday’s 32-20 W over the woeful Detroit Lions. Some view it as a W we were supposed to get; some, like me, view it as a nice comeback, erasing the deja vu feeling of the Arizona beat down.

I have heard a lot of playoff talk amongst Seahawks fans that are already thinking we have a playoff team in front of us here after beating Detroit.

Playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? They’re the Detroit F**king Lions!

This is a game they were supposed to win, not just win, dominate, and what they did was slide down a black hole right out of the gate. They should have never been in a position to have to come back. The only reason we had a chance to recover from that INT-fumble-failed-fourth that led to 17 points was the fact they were playing against the Lions.

We proved we can’t climb out of the same deficit we dug ourselves against a good team when we went down 17-0 against the Cardinals with the same sloppy play.

Bottom line: We just had to come back 17-0 to beat the Lions, we are sloppy, inconsistent, and can’t run the ball at all, even when we are completely healthy (minus our two best players in Lofa Tatupu and Walter Jones).

Our rushing guru might as well toss his worthless running scheme out and get a new one because even my woeful Washington State Cougars can run the ball better then the Seahawks can right now. Fact, not fiction.

For all you Hasselbeck haters, I would quit dissing him because if you actually think this team is going to have a shot at the playoffs. He will have to air it out 40-50 times every game with those broken ribs because Julius Jones is plain horrible and the coaching staff won’t start Justin Forsett.

Hasselbeck just saved our season like he has done many times since 2006 with no line, and no running game.  Give the man some respect.

Let’s break down the rest of the season

At Arizona Cardinals

At Minnesota Vikings

At St Louis Rams

Home vs. San Francisco 49ers

At Houston Texans

Home vs. Tampa Bay Bucanners

At Green Bay Packers

Home vs. Tennessee Titans

Sitting here at 3-5 just like I predicted , it means from this point forward the Seahawks have to go at least 6-2 to make the postseason.

We have to win games we’re supposed to, so if we lose to Tampa Bay, Tennessee (who is experiencing a resurgence with Vince Young at QB), or St. Louis, those hopes are pretty much dashed.

Even at 6-5 with those three “should win” W’s, we would still have to go at least 3-2 from that point, and four of those games are road games.

For a good, consistent team, going 3-2 against the Packers, 49ers, Cardinals, Texans, and Vikings, is not a tall task; for the 2007 Seahawks, this would be doable.

But for the 2009 Seahawks, a team with scoring lines of 28-0, 17-34, 41-0, 3-27, and 17-38, twice giving up 17 points in the first quarter, they are far from consistent.

We face a must-win in Arizona next week; winning that game pulls us within one game and rids the Cards of their tiebreaker with us as the series would be 1-1. I didn’t expect the Seahawks to roll over and die in the last meeting, and after getting trounced in front of the 12th Man, I don’t expect a repeat in Arizona.

Keep in mind the Cardinals are at 5-3 right now and have the Titans, Lions, and Rams twice, remaining on their schedule. If they beat us they could coast to a 10-win season if they do everything right.

As the Seahawks have proved though, not everything goes right, and sometimes, nothing goes right.

For all those Seahawks still clinging to playoff hopes, an atrocious Arizona meltdown, and a significant Seahawks surge, must ensue. We have to get consistent, stay healthy, and hope to God that Hasselbeck can stay upright for eight more games.

We have to find a running game; our 30th ranked rushing game won’t take us anywhere.

We have to get Houcaresaboutyourbitching to start making catches at the same rate he runs his mouth. I don’t mind some fiery passion, some trash talk, in fact I encourage it, but when you’re on pace to make well over $1,000,000 for each TD, eat some humble pie.

Seahawks and fans, catch your breath, feel good about erasing a potential disaster against Detroit, but don’t be thinking playoffs quite yet.

 

 

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Calling All Seahawks: Fire Tim Ruskell, Look Ahead To 2010

(Isn’t the offensive lineman supposed to be in front of the quarterback?)

 

Don’t tell me you’re not shocked, Seahawks fans.

We reeled in one of the prizes of free agency in WR TJ Houshmandzadeh.

We picked the most dynamic player in the 2009 draft when we lock up Aaron Curry at No. 4.

Julian Peterson’s replacement even added a new starting defensive end after a trade for Cory Redding, along with a fifth round pick that allowed us to trade up to draft speedy WR Deon Butler in round three. 

We grab ex-Seahawk cornerback Ken Lucas, which allowed us to shift playmaking cornerback Josh Wilson to the nickel role.

Everything was looking good. Don’t tell me you weren’t thinking playoff contention; we all were, whether or not you have the balls to admit it. 

Even after we lost a game with half the team out in a grinding game against the Bears, things looked hopeful, we looked to be competitive in the face of adversity.

We even trounced the Jaguars by a score of 41-0 on some nicely timed plays and  had what looked to be a resurgent offense—Hasselbeck shined.

But the Seahawks’ glaring weakness was exposed: the pathetic offensive line.

Injuries or not, these are the guys blocking. And because the Seahawks cut fourth string tackle Kyle Williams, it means they will be starting their fifth string LT after the bye week if Walter Jones does not return. 

Even with the quick rhythm created by the Seahawks’ passing game that still features plenty of short routes, the line could not hold up for the mere 2-3 seconds it was supposed to.

Matt Hasselbeck got sacked five times. I saw Hasselbeck’s blindside get rushed every other play, and at least one Cardinal in close on any given play.

Sure, Hasselbeck didn’t do great, but Michael Vick couldn’t have even escaped the relentless pressure. (Although, my roommate made the comment that “Yes, he could have. He would have just released his pit bulls on the defense.”)

In contras to the seven wide receiver injuries of 2008, the offensive line has crumbled, and opposing teams are very aware of that gaping hole they can run through and ransack our “backs.”

I’m tired of the “what ifs” from this team. The fact is, this team is made up of a bunch of old, injury-prone players. Point the blame at the man who assembled the team, who chose to take on injury-prone, high-quality characters instead of playmakers that will simply stay healthy. 

Patrick Kerney, Marcus Trufant, Walter Jones, Matt Hasselbeck, Chris Spencer, Sean Locklear, Mike Wahle (retired), Rob Sims, Brandon Mebane, Cory Redding, Deion Branch, Ken Lucas, Josh Wilson, Travis Fisher, Leroy Hill, Lofa Tatupu, Justin Griffith

Those are the Seahawks’ starters who have missed at least one game due to injury this season, which means that Deon Grant, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Aaron Curry, and Julius Jones are the only starters who have escaped injury. 

No other team has the injury problems that the Seahawks have, and I blame the General Manager for assembling a bunch of injury-prone players.

What first round pick has Tim Ruskell hit spot-on? His great picks, Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill, and Josh Wilson have all spent significant time (or in Tatupus’s case, will spend even more), on the sideline.

Chris Spencer

Kelly Jennings

Deion Branch

Lawrence Jackson

Aaron Curry

Those are Ruskell’s five first round picks, he has already had to replace Chris Spencer by drafting Max Unger this season. Kelly Jennings should be a dime back and is only starting because of injury. Deion Branch has 12 catches for 94 yards and is earning $6.5 million in the exchange. Lawrence Jackson has doubled his 2008 sack total, but he and rookie Aaron Curry have both looked inconsistent at times.

It’s too early to judge the last two on this list—I think Curry is on his way to become a top LB in this league—but I think it is safe to say that the three first rounders have been massive duds.

Compare this to former general manager Mike Holmgren, who brought us Steve Hutchinson, Matt Hasselbeck, Robbie Tobeck, Marcus Trufant, Shawn Springs, Shaun Alexander, Darrell Jackson, Rocky Bernard, and Ken Lucas.

With the exception of Shawn Springs and Ken Lucas, they were all starters of our only Superbowl team in 2005 (which Holmgren coached), and Ken Lucas is currently the No. 1 cornerback. Matt Hasselbeck and Marcus Trufant still remain cornerstones of the franchise.

Holmgren was never the best general manager, but he laid the foundation that yielded five straight playoff appearances from 2003-2008. Ruskell has not and never will lay a foundation for a team to make a playoff run of that longevity.

We thought Ruskell fixed the roster, but obviously, he has done nothing more than assemble a bunch of injury-prone players.

One year is a fluke. But two years is the start of a nasty trend—a trend that should end with the firing of Tim Ruskell and the letting go of offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.

In addition to working with a short roster, Knapp has not helped the cause with his dreadful offensive play calling.

He tries to run with no line, he tries the deep ball with no time in the pocket, and he is responsible for the lowest rushing total in franchise history, with 14 yards gained against Arizona. 

He was supposed to be a rushing guru, a stark contrast to the rushing result we saw a couple days ago in the 27-3 uber-fustercluck.

Sure, he is relying on his fourth string tackle, but the obvious weakness at this position just exposes a roster that was assembled by the brain trust.

He still has a bevy of wide receivers and an experienced quarterback—despite their tattered offensive line—the offense should be able to muster more than three points against what was the league’s worst pass defense in the Arizona Cardinals.

Sure, we’re getting Leroy Hill and Marcus Trufant back, but both haven’t played in a while, and Trufant hasn’t played a down this season.

Same goes for LT Walter Jones. But even the Hall of Famer will probably take a game to get up to speed.

By then we will have been blitzed in Dallas with our team reeling, and the injured will still be getting back on their feet.

After a win at home against Detroit, we will be 3-5 at the halfway point. I see three games they should win against the Rams, Buccaneers, and Titans. Even if we managed to go 6-5, that still leaves us with road games against the Cardinals, Vikings, Packers, and Texans, and a home game against the NFC West leading San Francisco 49ers.

So, we would have to go at least 4-2 to reach the likely 10-6 we would need, which means from this point on, the team would have to go 8-2 for a playoff appearance.

Get any potential fantasy out of your head because that is just not going to happen. This team is not going to go 8-2 down the stretch with five road games against quality opponents.

Instead look forward to 2010. This team has some solid pieces, but they still have plenty of holes, especially along the offensive line. With two first round picks and what looks to be a high second-round pick, there are some gaps on the roster that can be filled nicely for the future.

We should be looking at offensive line and quarterback in the first round. A guy like OL Russell Okung makes a lot of sense with one of the first two picks.

Marcus McNeil, Logan Mankins, Randy Thomas, and Michael Roos, are all set to be free agents. All are proven starters and we would be foolish not to at least inquire about getting them this offseason

The quarterback prospects would likely boil down to Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Jevan Snead—the usual suspects when it comes to 2010 Draft rumors for the Seahawks.

Jason Campbell is the only quarterback of interest I see who is set to hit the market, and I would prefer Seneca to him anyway.

With Julius Jones coming closer and closer to bust free agent status, a guy like Jahvid Best makes a lot of sense in round two.

Darren Sproles and Willie Parker are both set to be free agents too; both burners would be an upgrade over Julius Jones.

If we can repair the offensive line, upgrade our pedestrian RB situation, and begin grooming our QB for the future, this team can begin to lay a foundation in 2010.

I still think Hasselbeck can be a quality QB if his line can block for him. He showed that with time against Jacksonville he can show flashes of Peyton Manning from time to time.

Regardless, unless we can assemble a roster that can stay healthy, protect the quarterback, and block for the running back, we are going to keep going down this bad downward spiral. With some solid names on the market, and some high draft picks, we can still turn this ship around this coming offseason.

If you look at Sports Illustrated ’s new power rankings, they say:

“It’s not fair what has happened to Seattle for a second consecutive year, but the truth is, nobody really cares when injuries determine the fate of a team’s season. The clubs that get wiped out and lose because of it are just seen as losers. Period. There’s no asterisk applied to your record to denote a plague of injuries. Sorry, Seahawks. But that’s reality.”

You know, they are absolutely right. No one cares. You still strap up, put your helmet on, and play with what you got. We can’t be looking at “what ifs” and “could haves” anymore.

Point the finger at the man filling the roster with all of those injury prone players. The coaches work with what they have, but it’s the brain trust that gives them the pieces.

If you want to point fingers at anyone, aim your blame at Tim Ruskell.

 

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Seahawks Near Deal With Former Cardinals Cornerback Eric Green

 

With Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant out the next five games, and dime back Travis Fisher out with a hamstring injury, the Seattle Seahawks brought in former Arizona Cardinals nickel back Eric Green for a visit today.

Green was part of the 2008 Arizona defense that played in last year’s Super Bowl. 

He played a limited role throughout his four seasons at Arizona, recording an average of 41 tackles, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions.

If signed, his role will likely be dime duties behind nickel corner Kelly Jennings. When Trufant gets back, a decision will likely be made between Fisher and Green for the team’s fifth cornerback. 

Looks like I picked the wrong former Cardinals cornerback, but my speculation was close though:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/245927-seattle-seahawks-sign-cornerback-roderick-hood

 

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My College Essay On The Horrid Officiating Of Superbowl XL

Now I know this topic has been talked over as many times as it can, but in my English class, this became a viable topic for our first rough draft of a major essay.

I was originally going to do it on expanding the content allowed in rated R movies (idea inspired after watching Tarintino’s terrific Inglourious Basterd’s). As ideas were tossed around in class this one clicked in my head, and many of the students wanted to see one done on the topic, so I went ahead and did it.

I already did not have any homework, so this would be a breeze, having to do very little research, here is my first draft of “The Ultimate Superbowl Fustercluck”. 

This is not an attempt to piss one side off or the other, this is just a formal paper that the students in my class enjoyed so I thought I would share it on Bleacher Report.

Make sure to read the disclaimer! 

 

The Ultimate Superbowl Fustercluck

(Disclaimer, Steelers fans may not like the harsh reality and truth behind what is being divulged in this article, if you are one of these delusional characters who claim to have not had help from the officiating crew in the 2005 Superbowl en route to the biggest fustercluck in Superbowl history, please either discontinue reading now, or keep an open mind while you read through the honest unbias view (required for this essay), of the points of contention discussed in this paper. Both the Seahawk’s calls, and Steelers calls will be examined in this essay)

The Seattle Seahawk’s were at an all time high in 2005, a league best 13-3 record, an 11 game win streak, six Pro Bowl starters on offense alone, and owner of the NFL’s MVP in record setting touchdown machine (28 total) RB Shaun Alexander.

Having just beaten the Washington Redskins 21-10 in the Divisional playoff round (without the aforementioned MVP RB I might add), they were on their way to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 21 years.

In attendance, I got to watch my team throttle the Carolina Panthers 34-17, en route to our first Superbowl berth, our time had finally come. The memories of that game still give me Goosebumps, it was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Maybe I would not have been so thrilled if I knew what was about to go down two weeks later.

I knew our matchup with the AFC representative, the Pittsburgh Steelers, would be tough, they had a great defense, and we had the leagues best offense, a great matchup indeed.

“I didn’t think we would have to play the guys in the striped shirts as well”

-Mike Holmgren, Seahawk’s rally, February 5th, 2005

The above statement could not have been said any better by anyone who watched the biggest robbery in Superbowl history. He surprisingly did not end up drawing a fine for the obvious “shot” at the referees, headlined by Bill Leavy.

Going into the game, we were definitely looking like the underdogs, we were not favored (minus 7 spread), 3/5 of the broadcasting crew picked the Steelers (good for you Chris Berman and Chris Carter). Because the game was in Detroit, Michigan, a five hour drive from Pittsburgh, it was obviously littered with far more black and yellow, then green and blue.

I always like being the underdogs, so this was of no concern, still, Seahawk’s fans had absolutely no clue what was about to smack them in the face.

First Quarter, 2:03 left: 

We moved the ball at will on this so called “Steel Curtain, Iron Curtain”, whatever you prefer, with our high-powered offense and drove to the redzone (inside the opponents 20 yard line). Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck flung a 16 pass to WR Darrell Jackson in the endzone for a TD, which would have put us up 7-0 going into the second quarter

 

This is the first point of contention.

He was guarded by Steelers S Chris Hope, both of whom were going for the ball. League rules state that if both players are jostling for position, both have an equal right to the ball. Jackson was flagged for Pass Interference pushing off of Hope, WITHOUT gaining any significant separation.

You are allowed to initiate contact like Jackson did if both are going for the ball at the same time and are not attempting to create significant separation in doing so.

Lets say Hope was looking away not going for the ball, and Jackson had shoved him out of the way, created separation, en route to the TD catch, then that would be grounds for a P/I call. This play was not that case, contact is allowed when going for the ball by both parties with the exception of pulling someone’s hands down, face masking, tackling, etc.

We settle for a Field Goal and take a 3-0 lead, the team is clearly dejected, but still has the lead, but the drive would have to be considered a failure, although there is not much the Seahawks could do about that.

 

Second Quarter: 2:00 left, second point of contention.

On a third down and one at the Seattle one-yard line Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger was tackled short of the endzone, and then extends his hand across the white plane of the endzone when he was already down, head linesman Mark Hittner, a Pittsburgh native, called it a TD.

Despite being challenged by Seahawk’s coach Mike Holmgren, the play stood. Ben stated on the David Letterman show that he did not think he got in, and that the team was ready to go for it anyways.

My point of contention on this play is the Seahawk’s had been 7/9 on stopping goal line conversions during the regular season, and with that percentage, could have potentially stopped a play, and gone into the half with a 3-3 tie.

 

Third Quarter: Call against the Steelers.

Seattle Cornerback Kelly Herndon picks off a pass for a Superbowl record 75-yard return all the way to the Steelers 20 yard line. On the play there is controversy as to whether a block in the back penalty should have been issued. The ball would have been placed 15 yards at the spot of the foul, around midfield. For the sake of my comparison later in this essay, lets say this cancels out the Hasselbeck cut block penalty.

 

Fourth Quarter: 12:35 left, third point of contention.

Matt Hasselbeck completes a pass to TE Jerramy Stevens to the Steelers one-yard line. A yellow hankie is immediately thrown for a holding call on Seahawks RT Sean Locklear.

Now FYI for anyone reading this who does not know football, holding happens on every play, it is just a matter of when they call it or when they blatantly see it.

Going back and watching the game film, this is an awfully grey matter call. He has his hands up in the shoulder pads of the defender, knocking him if balance, and honestly, the call could have gone either way.

Except for the fact that Steelers LB Clark Haggans IS offsides at the beginning of the play, stopping the game at the exact moment the ball is snapped, his foot is over, barely, but over the line of scrimmage, the proper offsides call would have given the Seahawk’s the ball at the one yard line, or would have nullified the play, and moved them forwards five yards, in great position to take the lead.

It was because of Haggans early jump that likely forced Locklear to hold him in the first place

Regardless, the play is called back, and a ten-yard penalty is added on. Three plays later, Hasselbeck throws an interception, (after what should have been a TD, and a 17-14 Seattle lead).

This next part is what I call a triple whammy (the nullified TD, an INT, AND…), you would have to be sorely addicted to hardcore drug to not see this horrible call).

 

Fourth Quarter: 12:35 left, fourth point of contention.

On the play of the intercepted pass, Hasselbeck chases down the ball carrier, Ike Taylor, and does what I call a “chop tackle”, which pretty much means he rolled over and let the ball carrier trip over him. This is not an illegal action and is quite common by undersized players, and QB’s.

Another yellow hankie gets pulled out, I’m going out of my mind at this point.

“Illegal block in the back, defense, No. 8 (Hasselbeck) 15 yard penalty, automatic first down”

Even the announcers are speechless, now, this call does not seem like it would have serious repercussions, it was just a terrible call.

What people don’t seem to think about when this call is discussed is the play that comes after it. At the Steelers 44 yard line, instead of around their own 29-yard line, the Steelers run a gadget play (QB pitches to WR, WR becomes QB and throws it), exploiting our practice squad safety Etric Pruitt, who had never played an NFL game before being thrust in on the games biggest stage.

They burn us for a TD, I give them props, a good play exploiting our obvious weakness at that point.

Do you really think the Steelers would have run this gadget play had they not gotten the dreadful chop blocking call? No, they would not have, it would be too much of a risk so deep in your territory, but nonetheless, they take a 21-10 lead, and the game is pretty much over at that point.

Let’s ignore the Hasselbeck call, and focus on the two calls that nullified the TD’s. If those calls had been done correctly, it would have tacked on an additional 11 points, and potentially taken away 7 Steelers points, making the game at minimum a 21-21 tie.

 

Changes

There are several changes that should have been made due to the officiating of this game. The Hasselbeck block in the back call should have  resulted in a re-written rule to ensure that it does not happen again.

Because as per a loophole in the rulebook, stating that regardless a chop block below the waist is considered illegal on a play in the open field, regardless of the intention (i.e. tackling). it still should not have been allowed to happen on the games biggest stage.

Another obvious change that needs to be made is that no officiating member of the game can be a native, or reside in the cities of the two teams playing, The headlinesman, Mark Hittner, is a Pittsburgh native, and ironically was involved in one of the controversial calls, (Roethlisberger goal line play).

A third change should be more reviewable plays, in a nutshell, teams are given two “challenges” to attempt to overturn bad calls. What my proposed change is would allow more “booth reviews” which are initiated by the referee group, to allow for controversial calls such as the one in this game to be reviewed to their fullest extent.

What is done, is done, it will never be changed, and we have accepted that. All Seahawks fans seek is that Steelers fans can actually admit they were given some help at crucial points in the game by referees, the title in theirs, and we can give them that.

We can only ponder what could have been, and even today, having your one shot at glory stripped from you, still twinges a little, like it should.

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Seattle Seahawks: Sign Cornerback Roderick Hood

The Cleveland Browns let go of former Arizona Cardinals starting Cornerback Roderick Hood. Hood never made it onto the field during the regular season for the Browns, a causality of the looming five required roster cuts by Tuesday

Hood is a six year veteran who has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and has a decent amount of starting experience as a No. 2 CB. 

Deion Branch: Who Replaces Him If He Gets Cut, Courtney Taylor?

That rumor mill has been swirling again with a lot bloggers from other teams hoping the Seattle Seahawks cut WR Deion Branch.

Sure, he has not been that great here, he has a 44 catch, four TD average in his three seasons with the Seahawks. His best season was sadly the one he was not even here at the start of in 2006, hauling in 53 catches for 725 yards, and four TD’s.

Sure, he has missed 15 regular season games since he has been here, five a season average.

Sure, at $5 million this season, he is overpaid for what amounts to being a third option with marquee Free Agent addition WR TJ Houshmandzadeh looking fabulous in Seahawks blue and Nate Burleson ahead of him on the depth chart.

The question I pose is, if he gets cut, which, could happen, who the f*** do we get to replace him on our roster?

The other Deon has been looking good in the preseason, but asking him to step up as a primary receiving option could prove disastrous in a rookie season, the little guy is better suited as our “secret weapon” anyways.

While teams are busy doubling Houshmandzadeh, and trying to cover John Carlson, Nate Burleson/and or Deion Branch, he can just slip out and blaze downfield as the fourth WR.

I like having that option.

As injuries proved last year, the guys below the aforementioned bunch, plain and simple, suck.

If they were any good, we would not have been 4-12. 

Out of the bunch of Ben Obamanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne, Jordan Kent, Mike Hass, Michael Bumpus, their NFL totals amount to 17 receptions, 186 yards, and one TD.

Seahawks fans, I do not know about you, but choosing between a group of WR’s who average 2.4 receptions, 26.5 yards, and 0.14 TD’s over their careers is not exactly an ideal situation when trying to get back to the playoffs.

Branch may be overpaid, but at this point it is better to keep him, let him try and show he can stay healthy, and produce (which when he is on the field, he has been a quality WR).

If it is the same old show again, and he misses half the year, catches 35 passes, then cut him next offseason, don’t disrupt what is looking like a very good passing game with a No. 3 WR who on most teams is still a solid No. 2 option. 

Throwing Courtney Taylor, the best of the rest of the bunch with nine grabs, and 98 yards, into a role where he has to produce (which he has not proved he can do), is not going to help lead this team to the playoffs.

Cutting Branch would only save the Seahawks so much, and watch, he will get signed the day after we cut him, and he will go onto have a 1,000 yard season for someone, and we will be here kicking ourselves in the face over it.

If they were to let him go with the Motus Operandi of getting some Offensive Line help, then that makes more sense, but if they can get additional help (why isn’t Levi Jones in Seahawks blue?), without cutting him, then I see no reason to do so. 

I would not even mind trading him, but letting him go for nothing when we coughed up a first round pick and ultimately let go of Darrell Jackson because of him is not acceptable (think about it, we really did swap a first round pick AND Darrell Jackson for a fourth round pick and Deion Branch). 

It’s not like this team is broke, we have one of the richest men in the world as our owner in Paul Allen, so money is no factor here.

I say keep him, or trade him for some OL help if they really do not want him there, but do not cut him, we do not need to save money.

Don’t eliminate a solid target for Matt Hasselbeck who is throwing like his 2005 self again. 

Seattle Seahawks Close To Signing Former All Pro Running Back Edgerrin James

The Seattle Seahawk’s are nearing a deal with former All Pro Running Back Edgerrin James on a one year, $2 million contract.

The Edge, formerly of the Seahawks’ chief division rival, the Arizona Cardinals, is a four-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time first team All Pro selection at Running Back.

He put the Cardinals’ rushing attack on life support during the postseason, with a 4.0 YPC average, and was the main reason why they were able to fight and claw their way to their first ever Super Bowl berth after garnering only four playoff appearances in the franchise’s history. (You can only pass so much.) 

The potential deal was first announced by the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

This signing is going to send mixed signals. GM Tim Ruskell signed Julius Jones to be the feature back for when now head coach Jim Mora was to take over.

Jones has not played in the preseason yet, and with Edge now imminently in Seahawks blue, his job may be in jeopardy. 

Edge has by far the best pedigree on the roster at the running back position, with eight 1,000+ rushing seasons to Julius’ one. 

This move likely means Devin Moore’s chances to make the roster are nil, and it could mean TJ Duckett will be gone as well.

It’s an intriguing move going for an over-the-hill 31-year-old running back. I’m not sure how much impact he will have, but we will see.

After the rushing I have seen in the preseason, they did need to make a move. It was either Edge or former Mora protege Warrick Dunn, in my opinion. 

Now that he got his wanted ticket out of Arizona, let’s see if he still has some gas left in the tank for the upcoming season. (Hell, rest him, and let him loose during the postseason?)

Yet another move I called awhile back… 

 

http://www.gnome-girl.com/nfl/an-edge-in-seattle/

Are the Seattle Seahawks going after All-Pro RB Thomas Jones?

Rumors abound that the New York Jets are looking to offload last season’s AFC-leading rusher, Thomas Jones.

Previously, the rumors had the ‘Hawks possibly trading disappointing WR Deion Branch straight up for the feature back. The trade made sense because the Jets had cut former No. 1 WR Laveranues Coles and had a need to fill a starting WR slot.

The National Football Post, as well as Yahoo Sports, have now stated that the Jets have placed a call to a NFC West team to gauge interest in acquiring Jones.

Now that doesn’t mean it is automatically Seattle, but let’s breakdown the current state of the rushing affairs within the division:

The St. Louis Rams have All-Pro, top rushing RB Steven Jackson. End of story.

The San Francisco 49ers have All-Pro RB Frank Gore. They also drafted Glen Coffee in the third round. End of story.

The Arizona Cardinals just drafted Beanie Wells in the first round, and also have Tim Hightower. It’s a possibility, but after drafting a RB in the first round, it’s highly unlikely.

Now the Seahawks do have Julius Jones, but he has one career 1,000 yard season; while big brother Thomas just won the AFC rushing title. T.J. Duckett is the best short-yardage back in the league, but he is hardly anything more than a role player.

So if a call was placed to an NFC West team, it was likely the Seahawks, and the Deion Branch rumors are likely to come up again.

With the preseason almost here in Hawkville, Thomas could still learn the offense in time for the regular season, and would be the clear-cut No. 1 RB option. He is more of a power runner than Julius, despite the two still meshing well together. Almost like “Thunder and Lightning.”

If acquired, no one could point and laugh at the running game, even though Seahawks fans think Julius can carry the load, (we never gave him much of a chance), not many of those East Coast biasers’ do. 

With the potent aerial assault, adding a top rusher would make the offense that much better, simple as that.

It is unlikely the ‘Hawks would give up much for him; likely nothing more than a fourth rounder and a mediocre player tops.

But if they can steal him for a good price, I say why not? He’ll improve’s the team and bring us back into contention.

So if the price is right, GM Tim Ruskell has no choice but to go after Jones. It could be one more important acquisition, in an already great offseason by the Seahawks.

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Seahawks Position Battle: Offensive Line

The Seahawks do not feature what one would call a premier offensive line. This unit has been unstable since the departure of All Pro G Steve “Poison Pill” Hutchinson following 2005’s Super Bowl season.

In addition to the retirement of Pro Bowl C Robbie Tobeck (2006), and the expected retirement of G Chris Gray. The three aforementioned players were starters on the 2005 Super Bowl team; during which the Seahawks fielded perhaps the best OL unit in the league.

Every single starter on the Seahawks OL finished the 2008 season on IR. The backups came close to beating the New England Patriots, losing 24-21. They beat a playoff hopeful New York Jets at home 13-3 in Week 16. In that game the makeshift line did not give up a sack in the beloved walrus’ last game.

The Seahawks had an impressive free agency and drafting period. To shore up the OL, they traded up to grab C/G Max Under with the 49th pick. They re-signed promising 26-year-old T Ray Willis to a two-year, $6 million dollar contract. Willis could have landed a starter job on the open market; the Seahawks were smart to retain him.

Along the OL, the two locked positions are future Hall of Famer LT Walter Jones and RT Sean Locklear. Both are bouncing back from season ending injuries: shoulder, and toe respectively. Locklear has been labeled as the heir apparent to Jones’ LT position when he retires.

Rob Sims will likely be getting the nod at LG after former starter Mike Wahle retired after a failed psychical. He has been solid but largely unimpressive. He does not carry the bust label as Spencer does among Seahawks fans. He was a fourth round pick and was not hand fed a starter position like Spencer.

A new zone-blocking scheme should give these two underachievers a fresh opportunity to prove they can make an impact at the NFL level.

C Chris Spencer has a lot to prove. The four year pro was GM Tim Ruskell’s first ever pick for the Seattle Seahawks. He has battled mediocrity and injuries for the duration of his career (missed 14 games in four seasons). He has not even come close to fitting into the shoes of former C Robbie Tobeck.

Practice squad C Steve Vallos started in relief of Spencer’s injuries, and put on a blocking clinic while playing at C. Spencer is an impending free agent after the 2009 season; this will likely be his last audition to prove he is the Seahawks’ future at C.

Newcomer C/G Max Unger will be the starting RG with Sims’ moving over to the left side after the retirement of former starter Mike Wahle.

Promising T Ray Willis will certainly be prominent factors in the starting discussion. Willis started ten games in 2008. Unger could very well supplant incumbent C Chris Spencer as well.

He started 52 consecutive games for Oregon, and was one of the top three interior lineman available in the 2009 NFL Draft behind Centers Alex Mack and Eric Wood. He will also give Rob Sims a battle to keep his starting RG spot.

Barring any bust potential, we will see Unger at the G position this season and could slide in at C in the future if Spencer does not step it up this season.

Ray Willis also has a chance to slide in and take Sims’ “vacant” G spot. He proved he can be a competent starter, playing effectively in his 10 starts last season.

When Walter Jones retires, Willis appears to be the choice at RT when current starter Sean Locklear shifts to LT. This appears to be the plan unless something new develops in future offseasons.

The T positions appear set but the inside is up for grabs. It will be a five-man scrap for the three interior positions. A fierce scramble will ensue for the C and G positions.

Competition can only be healthy for a team coming off of a 4-12 season. There can be no feeling of complacency and contentment on this roster. There needs to be a hunger unlike any recent season and a drive to make 2008 an aberration; restoring some pride to the nation’s most miserable sports scene in 2008.

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