The Seattle Seahawks 2010 Preview: We don't know 'em but we still love 'em!

I can't be the only Seahawks fan feeling like they don't know  the players they are rooting for this season. There have been so many roster changes in the last week, some of our favorites are out, and have been replaced with....well...strangers. Players from all over the league that I've honestly never heard of. If Pete Carroll's goal is to erase any memory of Jim Mora Jr. then I'd say he has succeeded. If his goal is to win games then he has the next 17 weeks to get the Seahawks to the playoffs. "Playoffs!? Playoffs?!" (Jim Mora Sr. voice) Yes I said it! Playoffs, seems a distant memory now, but it wasn't long ago that Seattle was atop the NFC West, going deep into the playoffs. Is there method to the madness, that is the current state of our Seattle Seahawks? Lets break it down and preview the 2010 season.

OFFENSE: The good: A healthy Matt Hasselbeck, and a young talented and excited receiving core. Mike Williams used training camp to not only win a place in the starting line up, but to take an entire roster spot away from T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Williams provides a big target for Matt, something he has never had. I can't wait to see if they can develop rapport, if training camp is any indication, I'd say they are well on their way.Along with other young talented receivers like Deon Butler and Golden Tate.  The running game also seems to be improved. Word is Forsett will get the start, and rightfully so I feel, but he will be splitting carries with Leon Washington who has impressed me this preseason. He seems to have fully recovered from his leg injury suffered last year with the NY JETS.

OFFENSE: The bad: The offensive line, is once again makeshift. With  Russel Okung suffering from a dreaded high ankle sprain, the Seahawks are having to piece together a line, with Polumbus and Pitts sharing the burden. The blindside. We've all seen the movie, we all know how important it is to protect the QB, especially and again, injury prone Matt Hasselbeck. I wonder if the Seahawks suffered some version of the Madden Curse when the directors of The Blindside decided to feature Matt and *Sigh* Walter Jones in the opening of the movie? We need  Okung back as soon as possible, if we want  any hope of having a winning season. We need Matt healthy.

OFFENSE: The ugly truth: Hasselbeck is a rhythm player, when that rhythm is disrupted by dropped passes, wrong routes and interceptions, he loses his head. If he has no protection, no time to find a man down field, and no one coming back to the ball, the offense can sputter.We have never had the threat of the deep ball, and if the running game doesn't produce, it will be really easy for teams to defend against the mid to short length passes that can define our offense.





DEFENSE: The good: Improved play from the D- line. Mebane, Bryant, Clemmons all seem faster, stronger, and more effective in the 4-3 defense. Our linebackers have all the potential in the world to be elite, hopefully with the return on the defensive leader in Lofa Tutupu, Aaron Curry and Will Herring can perform up to expectations. Also, rookie Safety Earl Thomas is a play maker, look for him to improve the play of the entire secondary.

DEFENSE: The bad: The secondary. Seattle finished 30th last year in opponent passing yards. Kelly Jennings has no business being a starter in the NFL, and it makes me sick that rather than giving the position to Josh Wilson, they cut the only hope we had at that position. Jennings may be listed at 5'11" but he plays like hes 5'6". I know they kept him because they feel he has more speed than Wilson, but what good is speed when you are constantly being beat over the top? My biggest concern in whether or not we can stop anyone from eating up yardage through the passing game. It seems as though the middle of the field between 12-20 yards is always wide open. Hopefully a healthy Tutupu and the emergence of Thomas will change that.

DEFENSE: The ugly truth: We never know what defense is going to show up. Each game, each series..hell even each play. We have no consistency in our defensive play. The defense have proven to be unreliable, but glimpses of genius, keep us wishing, hoping, praying that they can turn it around. I don't know what to think about Wilson and Babineaux being cut,as far as playmakers go, they were all we had in the secondary,in years past.I like the trade of Lawrence Jackson however, so I'm going to trust that the coaching staff has a plan.

SPECIAL TEAMS: We have one hell of a punter in  Jon Ryan. ESPN did a story called " The Indispensables" Where they profiled the most indispensable player besides the QB on each team, and while they chose Okung, I would be pressed to find another player who has more impact on the game then Jon Ryan. Olindo Mare is a solid 48 for 53 in his 2 seasons with the Seahawks, and the return game should improve with Golden Tate and Justin Forsett as the main kickoff and punt returners. I hope to see Leon Washington return to that role as well once they feel comfortable his leg injury is no longer holding him back. Washington was a Pro Bowl punt returner with the JETS before suffering the injury.

2010 NFL Rankings; All 32 Teams

Where does your team land on the NFL rankings going into the 2010 season?

For the Mrs: The player to watch ( Best looking players on each team)

The NFL season is set to begin Thursday September 9,2010 when the Minnesota Vikings face off against the New Orleans Saints, in what will be a rematch of the NFC Championship game last season. A game in my opinion that was NOT won by the better team. That being said, both teams enter the season with great chances of returning to greatness. Preseason rankings are always the hardest, so much can be determined from the first game of the season, that why I start my list at the bottom; Here are my 2010 NFL Rankings from 32-1.

32.) BUFFALO BILLS The Bill's have one hell of a secondary, they finished 2nd last year in passing yards allowed. I wouldn't mind trading their defensive secondary for Seattle's.Their offensive and defensive lines however are somewhere between rebuilding and junior varsity. We all know games are won (and LOST) in the trenches.
Player To Watch: Dwan Edwards #98 Position: Defensive Tackle AKA big guy on the line ( its rare for a linemen to make this list, but its slim pickins' in Buffalo)

31.) DETROIT LIONS As Matt Stafford continues to develop and develop rapport with Calvin Johnson, and Nate Burleson, who was acquired thru trade from Seattle in the off season, the offense should be improved. Unlike Buffalo however, the Lions finished dead last in 2009 in opponent passing yards.

Player To Watch: Jerome Felton #45 Position: Fullback AKA the guy who leads the running back..

30.) ST. LOUIS RAMS I like Sam Bradford, I really do. I think he will be a great QB of the future for the Rams.....Future being the key word. The Rams are the worst team in the worst division in all of football, Bradford bring a some hope however, which is why they aren't number 32 on this list.

Player To Watch: Quincy Butler #36 Position: Cornerback AKA the guys to intercepts the ball.

29.) CLEVELAND BROWNS This team will get better with Mike Holmgren as their President of football operations, but it won't start to show for another few years. This team lacks talent.and has a tough schedule ahead of them this year.
Player To Watch:Seneca Wallace #6 Position: Quaterback AKA my super biased pick as he was my biggest crush when he played for the Seahawks and  Brian Robiskie #80 Position: Wide Receiver AKA the guy who catches the ball.

28.) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS The Buccs were 32nd against the run last year and the Defensive front 4 continue to be their biggest weakness. This team was all over the place last year with a new head coach in Raheem Morris, they are still solidifying schemes and search for an identity as a team.

Player To Watch: Kellen Winslow #82 Position: Tight End AKA the guy who catches the shorter passes.

27.) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS  The combination of  veteran and rookie players is well balanced on this team. Young prospects should come in and make a difference under the guidance of veteran leaders. The offense looks to be much improved.
Player To Watch: John McGraw #47 Position: Safety AKA....aw hell if you don't know where they play there's no way i could explain it so you do. Sometimes they intercept the ball.

26.) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS The fact of the matter is, their schedule is heavy with games where the opponent is flat out better than they are. The head coach is on the chopping block before the season even begins, and another late season collapse or losing season could bring an end to the Jack Del Rio era in Jacksonville.

Player To Watch: Tyson Alualu #93 Position: Defensive Tackle AKA the guy pressuring the QB.

25.) CHICAGO BEARS The defense isn't what it used to be, and Brian Urlacher is still suffering from a calf injury. Cutler hasn't proved to be any improvement from the dreadfully unpredictable play of Rex Grossman, as Cutler led the league in interceptions in his first year with 26.
Player To Watch: Eddie Williams #43 Position: Fullback

24.) OAKLAND RAIDERS Getting rid of draft dud JaMarcus Russell is what has given this team the best chance to win. While Jason Campbell is far from an elite QB, hes decent, and he's not going to be the reason they lose games. Some people are high on the Raiders this year...I say they are still the Raiders.

Player To Watch : Jason Campbell #8 Position: Quarterback AKA the guy throwing the ball.

23.) CAROLINA PANTHERS The Panthers are a team on the fence. If they could put it together they could end up the year around the #10 slot. They have perhaps the most wiggle room in terms of ability to move up in the rankings. I just don't know what to expect from new QB Matt Moore.

Player To Watch: Tony Fiammetta #42 Position: Fullback

22.) DENVER BRONCOS This team is worse on offense, worse on defense, and they didn't make nearly the strides as other teams in their division in the off season. That said they are still more talented than their division opponents and Kyle Orton has stepped up his game at quarterback.. Interested to see how injury affect the team.
Player To Watch :Champ Bailey #24 Position: Cornerback AKA he intercepts the ball A LOT.

21.) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES I know Eagle fans are going to be maaaad at me, but I'm sorry this team has gotten rid of most of its talent. Dawkins, Gone. McNabb, Gone. Westbrook, Gone. Experts are toting Kevin Kolb as the next Aaron Rodgers, but I still feel like "Show me." Not to mentions they face a tough schedule in 2010.

Player To Watch: DeSean Jackson #10 Position: Wide receiver

20.) ARIZONA CARDINALS It doesn't matter who your WRs are *cough Fitzgerald cough* if you don't have someone to throw them the ball. Matt Leinart going into training camp was ,once again, supposed to be their man, and ,once again, he seems to have lost not only his job but his team as well.. The quarterback always has been and always will be the most important player on the team. They will suffer with Kurt Warner's retirement.
Player To Watch: Daryl Washington #58 Position: Linebacker

19.) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS A lot of changes for the Seahawks who have struggled to match talent and performance in the last few years. It is truly a new era under head coach Pete Carroll, and he has wasted no time shuffling players in and out , assessing talent, and making personnel changes. They are still rebuilding however, but do have the best QB in the division in a HEALTHY Matt Hasselbeck.

Player To Watch: I can't choose...its like picking a favorite kid. They are all hot!

18.) MIAMI DOLPHINS Ill be looking to see if the wild cat will still remain effective, or if teams have finally figured out how to stop it. QB play will be key as well.
Player To Watch: Koa Misi #55 Position: Linebacker

17.) SAN FRANSISCO 49ERS As much as it KILLS me to put them ahead of the Seahawks, They are well coached, and have a strong defense. They need to give it up when it comes to QB Alex Smith, he's not the #1 draft pick he was meant to be, and he's holding them back.
Player To Watch: Tarell Brown #25 Position: Cornerback

16.) NEW YORK GIANTS This team has potential to be much better than the 16th ranking i'm giving them, but they seemed plagued with injuries.

Player To Watch: Michael Boley #59 Position: Linebacker

15.) PITTSBURGH STEELERS If you sexually assault woman in bathrooms you deserve to be 32nd on this list, however the other 50 players on the roster bring the Steelers up to the 15th rank. Their biggest hurdle is themselves. Ben Roethlisberger being out for the first 4(6) games leaves  potential to go 0-4 to start the season.

Player To Watch: Antwaan Randle El #82 Position: Wide receiver

14.) TENNESSEE TITANS Now that Young has earned back his starting position with the team, how will he handle the pressure? The defense is questionable , and it may be up to the running game to carry this team to victories.
Player To Watch: Cortland Finnegan #31 Position: Cornerback

13.) HOUSTON TEXANS This is the year they finally put it together...hahaha..(its funny cuz everyone says this every year about the Texans) Well, I would like to see what they can do. They finished the year 1st in the NFL in passing yards last season.
Player To Watch: Joel Dreessen #85 Position: Tight end

12.) CINCINNATI BENGALS I think the combination of Ochocinco and Owens can either be dynamic or devastating. They both demand the ball, and it will be Carson Palmer stuck with the pressure of pleasing both show-boating WRs. That said they face a tougher schedule than in years past.

Player To Watch: Chris Crocker #42 Position: Safety

11.) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS This is not the same team that won 3 Superbowl's earlier this decade. Brady and Moss have at times looked to have lost their connection, and Wes Welker is coming off of an injury. The strength of the team ,which is their passing game, seems to be losing its edge.
Player To Watch: I don't know who it is, but I know who its NOT! Tom Brady..have you seen him in the new Comcast commercials...what a dork!




The top 10 Players To Watch will be featured in a later post!! Stay tuned for that ladies!!
....... and now my friends the top 10!

10.) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS This is a fairly well balanced team. Phillip Rivers continues to impress me with his play. He's a solid player and a strong leader for his team. They will win their division, but its the playoffs that test this teams ability to win.

9.) WASHINGTON REDSKINS I'm high on the Redskins this year, as you can see. For the last few years I've felt they were just a few key people away from really contending. McNabb's health is key, and what Coach Shanahan brings to this team is immeasurable.

8.) NEW YORK JETS According to their defensive play they should be higher, but their passing game isn't up to par. Mark Sanchez in his first year managed to not lose games for his team, but now he need to prove that he can win them for his team. They are my pick to win their division once again.

7.) ATLANTA FALCONS I Love Micheal Turner, and I really LOVE a healthy Michael Turner. He takes pressure off of Matt Ryan and the passing game, which is developing quite nicely as well. Often overlooked is the speed they have at linebacker. this team is poised to take its division.

6.) MINNESOTA VIKINGS I don't foresee Farve making it thru the entire season with his ankle and wrist issues. Although they have several other very talented players I don't feel they believe they can win without him, and so they won't. It all depends on the health and performance of #4.

5.) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS I suspect a small drop off from last seasons Super Bowl performance. I don't see them keeping up the amount of turnovers they caused last year. That said they return many of their starters and the drop off should be minimum.

4.) DALLAS COWBOYS This team is stacked. They have so much talent of both sides of the ball and perhaps the best offensive and defensive lines in the NFL. For one reason or another they can't put it together when it counts the most, the playoffs. Wade Phillips will be fired after this season, and rightfully so.

3.) GREEN BAY PACKERS Aaron Rodgers is the real deal. The entire team is strong on both sides of the ball. The one big concern seems to be their defensive secondary, but their front 7 is as solid as they come,and were #1 against the run last year.

2.)  BALTIMORE RAVENS There are concerns with the secondary as well as at right tackle for the Ravens, but Flacco's development and performance has been fun to watch. The defense is still the strength of this team, however the solid front 7 on offense makes this a very balanced team.

1.) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Peyton Manning.

Seattle Seahawks 2010 Schedule

The MLB Season is Upon Us!!!

The Seattle Mariners 2010 At-A-Glance

There hasn't been this much excitement going into a season since 2002, the year following the 116 win season for the Mariners. With the acquisition of Cliff Lee (LHP)and key role players like Chone Figgins (2B) and Casey Kotchman (1B) from Anaheim, and the controversial Milton Bradley(LF), GM Jack Zdureincik has added some key pieces to a team who won 85 games last season.

For now we will have to wait to see how Cliff Lee performs as he starts the year on the DL with an abdominal strain, and injury he has had in the past. Lee is expected to return this month and will throw a full BP session this week. Also on the DL is pitcher Eric Bedard, whose been plagued with injuries since joining the Mariners in 2008. If both pitchers are healthy, and performing to their previous standards,joining Felix Hernandez in the Mariners starting rotation will easily give the Mariners the best rotation in the Major Leagues. That's a big "If" however.

The Mariners started their regular season last night in a 5-3 win against the Oakland Athletics. Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez got a No Decision after leaving the game with 2 outs and 2 on in the 7th while the Mariners were up 3-1. Hernandez looked great on the mound, he did have 6 walks which was uncharacteristic of Hernandez,and was probably more due to the fact the umpire wasn't giving any strikes low in the zone all night. Overall, I thought Felix looked sharp,calm and collected on the mound. It is a treat to get to watch him mature and improve every year, last year finishing second in the AL Cy Young voting, look for him to be among the contenders this year as well.

Most noticeably was the speed and small ball Manager Don Wakamatsu set out to play. He took advantage of having Ichiro and Figgins 1,2 in the line up and sent them every time they were on base. Ichiro got caught twice, but Figgins advanced to third twice as well on wild throw from OAK catcher Suzuki. Even Milton Bradley was set in motion (and caught stealing), none the less when you run that often you will get caught, but you are also going to be successful alot. The Mariners are not built for power so taking advantage of the speed at the top of the order is going to play a big part in their ability to win games.

New comers Figgins and Kotchman looked great. Figgins scored 2 runs and had 2 stolen bases while Kotchman excelled driving in 4 runs in his Mariner's debut. Catcher Rob Johnson added a solo home run.

The bullpen which was strong last year, did well, Aardsma struck out 2 in the 9th to get the save, while reliever League got the win. All in all, it was a good game and I saw alot of thing I liked.

The Mariners had the best defense in baseball last season, while we no longer have gold glove 3rd baseman Adrian Beltre, Lopez seems to be transitioning well,and the new double play tandem of Figgin to Wilson to Kotchman (4-6-3) turned 4 double plays in the opener. The infield looks sound again this year.

Sports Illustrated picked the Mariners to finish 3rd in the NL WEST, which is exactly what we want people to think. The stellar starting pitching and super sonic speed (shout out) and golden glove defense up the middle will sneak up on the MLB this season. I look for them to excel, and win the West this year. Seattle should be excited for this season, I know I am.

**FINAL NOTES**

I have not forgoten about the incident with Milton Bradley, then a Texas Ranger and our beloved Jaime Moyer, where Bradley hit a homerun and proceeded to grab his crotch and spit at Moyer while crossing home plate. This is just one example of the many (MANY) controversial actions and remarks made by our new LF. I am all for forgiving and forgetting, as long as he is producing. Bradley went 0-3 in the season opener....it could be a long season for him.

Chone Figgins' name is pronounced Shawn or Shaun or Sean, but it most definelty is not pronounced Chone.