Seahawks Win; Cougs Win; and Huckin' Fuskies LOSE!
I have to admit, I was sweating during both games.
At the end of the first half, I saw old Mo' swinging towards the Redskins, as the Hawks offense started to sputter.Thankfully, they were able to overcome the muffed kickoff, the Skins kicker came through for us, and Hasselbeck was able to put a go ahead drive together. Then, Tru was able to nail down the lid.
I do have to say, though, the Hawks have to play better on the offensive side of the ball next week in Green Bay. If they don't, they're toast.
I was then treated to the Cougs winning their PAC-10 opener. It was a nail-biter until the final two minutes. The good guys win in the end, though. The game was actually not as close as the score, however. The Fuskies could not shoot worth a damn from the charity stripe, and could not turn the very questionable calls, always going their way, into a 'W.'
That's because they suck.
Now, for the awards.
Mack Strong "Shut Up and Get it Done" Award: Marcus Trufant. I'm not just being a Coug Homie here. His "Pick 6" put the game out of reach of a Redskins comeback. Let's face it. The defense has been winning the games for the Hawks this season. As long as the offense can find a way to average at least 10 plays per drive, and rest the defense, the Hawks must be considered contenders. They're 1-0 in the REAL season.
The Mack Strong Award is given to the player who shuts his pie hole and does a hell of a job, not letting anything stand in his way.
Discussion questions for todays sports:
What the hell was Santana Moss thinking in gift wrapping the pick and return for Trufant?
Why were the Fuskies fouling a great free-throw shooter like Kyle Weaver, instead of Aron Baynes or Caleb Forrest?
When will the Hawks realize that Morris and Weaver (Leonard, this time) are the future of the Seattle ground game?
Hey, TheRealWildcats. How 'bout them Ducks and Wildcats? :D
Just saw the score of the other wildcard game. Sorry, Steelers fans. You have to wait at least another year to remove that asterisk from SB XL. :D
Oh, in case Aron and Caleb read this, no disrespect. You guys are MONSTERS in the paint, but have the old "Hack-a-Shaq" difficulty at times.
. . . what to say in this post. I alternated between gawping like a goldfish and screaming obscenities during the Seahawks 33-30 OT loss to the Browns.
I have to take my hat off to the Cleveland Browns. In fact, I did just that several times during the second half, if only to throw it at the T.V. Man, I'm starting to hate being right, though. If you read my previous blog, I stated that the Seahawks had to get the running game going and get the stops on third down. They didn't do the first until it was largely moot, and couldn't do the second at all in the second half. And guess what? They lost.
Seahawk's Week 9 Grade Card:
Defense: C- Started off strong. Forced a 3-and-out after the INT, Held Cleveland to a FG after a First and Goal on the 2, despite the lack of penetration they largely stifled the Cleveland offense. Then Halftime came and not one Cleveland punt for the rest of the game. The game is 4 Quarters long, guys.
Offense : C- What's it going to take? You can't say poor blocking when MoMo and Weaver surge ahead with every touch, while SA goes down in the backfield. Here's a nickle's worth of free advice: You have two home games coming up against relatively weak opponants (that's right, I went there, Da'Bears are weak this year). Let Shaun sit out (including practice) and heal. Work on developing the younger guys. The passing game is still producing, but the Browns were able to exploit the fact that you weren't even considering the run, covering receivers like ugly on Pittsburgh cheerleaders.
Special Teams: A IDK how much the rush had to do with Dawson missing the PAT, but it deserves a mention. And once again, Burleson hands the kick coverage their own ####, this time on a 94-yard punt return. They looked like Clevestone Cops falling all over themselves. One of the best moments in the game, from the Seattle perspective.
Mack Strong "Shut Up and Get It Done" Award: Nate Burleson
I swear, he must have read how I was tempted to give it to him after the St. Louis game, and decided to get it this week. Like I said, his 94-yard punt return was one of the best moments the whole game, especially since he stood on the six yard line for about 3 seconds and gave about 6 guys a chance to bring him down, then burned them like Presto Logs. The Mack Strong Award is given to the player who gives 110% to do his job, not letting anything stand in his way.
All that said, the Hawks did not pass this week. They let a15 point lead slip away, could not force a punt in the second half, and really had no ground game (although MoMo damn near put the game away with seconds left >sigh< If Only).
The next game is MNF against the 49'ers (even I think that's a bad MNF game, why not the Bears game?). It looks like a good time to run some running game experiments.
Along with the rest of the Seahawk fans, I have had little to smile about this season. But, lest we give in to the gloom that has nothing to do with the clouds coming in from the Puget Sound, I find at least three players that constitute a silver lining, even in the last two games.
Julian Peterson. Whatever the Seahawks gave to get this guy from San Francisco, it would have been cheap at twice the price. He is among the front runners in tackles and sacks this season. He is fast, agile, and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He is also a nasty, hard-nosed S.O.B.
Seneca Wallace. What will it take before the Hawks sign someone else to back up Hasselbeck and make this guy a wide-out full time? If you take into account the fact that 90% of the time when he comes into the game, the play will be designed to involve him, he is playing at a much higher level than his stats would indicate. Since defenses know that he is a primary target whenever he lines up in a receiver spot, he gets better corners on him, double-teamed, whatever else the D can come up with. He still makes the catch.
Leonard Weaver. Has anyone else noticed that his rushing yardage from the Saints game is only 3 yards short of Alexander's total for BOTH the Saints and Steelers games? You cannot give this guy the ball enough. He could be the best hope for the resurrection of the roadkill running game.
Despite the humiliation in Seahawk Stadium (before you post, gleefully, that I'm wrong about the name: I know the name, I just refuse to say it), These three players were able to provide a gleam of light in the darkness, and show us what the future of Seahawk Football could be . . . I just hope we don't have to wait until next September.
I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for my entire life. People say that I can't dislike other areas of the country unless I have been there, to which I reply, " I've never had ebola, either, but I'm pretty sure that it would suck."
In this area, you can say "hi" to people you don't know without getting pepper sprayed, and that's a good thing.
I graduated from University of Idaho, then went to work 10 miles away at Washington State University.
I think football is the greatest game ever invented, other that that which my wife and I play at night behind closed doors and is NOYB.
I love College Basketball, but hate the NBA.
I can't stand hockey, so don't try to engage me in a discussion about it. eh, hoser?
If I want to watch NASCAR, I set up a lawn chair by the freeway. It looks the same, is a lot cheaper, and I don't have to wade through pools of tobacco spit and vomit.
In closing, I will welcome you to the Pacific Northwest, and I will help you pack up to go back home... and... GOSEAHOX.
