Do to the recent Seattle SuperSonics situation, animosity has developed between citizens of Seattle and Oklahoma City. The past year or so alot of derogatory terms have been thrown at each other. Which both sides have childishly pointed fingers each others way saying, "You started it!". Well I thought I'd go ahead and define some of these terms and clear the air in some other areas while I'm here.
First, let's look at the definition of a "Red*neck".
RED*NECK: This was the name used by a gang of coal miners. The West Virginia Coal Miners March or the Battle of Blair Mountain when coal miners wore red bandanas around their necks to identify themselves as seeking the opportunity to unionize. (Nothing Oklahoman there.)
Second, we'll take a look at what a "Hillbilly" is.
HILLBILLY: The term hillbilly in the United States was conferred during the early 18th century by the occupying British soldiers as a carry over from the Irish term, in referring to Scots-Irish immigrants of mainly Presbyterian origin, dwelling in the frontier areas of the Appalachian Mountains. (Nothing Oklahoman there either, but I'm a Scottish-American that lives the shadows of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges here in Seattle. Does that make me a hillbilly?)
Third, we'll look at the term, "Treehugger".
TREEHUGGER: An environmentalist, especially one who supports the preservation of forested land and the restriction of logging. (Hold your breath fellow Pacific Northwest Treehuggers. Located in Federal Way, Washington, Weyerhaeuser is one of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world; the world's largest private owner of softwoodtimberland; and the second largest owner in the United States, behind International Paper. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have identified Weyerhaeuser as the 42nd-largest corporate producer of air pollution in the United States, with roughly 17 million pounds of toxic chemicals released annually into the air. Major pollutants indicated by the study include formaldehyde, sulfuric acid, acetaldehyde, manganese compounds, and chlorine dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency has named it a potentially responsible party for at least 18 Superfund toxic waste sites. So much for being a treehugger!)
So with all that aside, let's talk about this current situation. I see many folks from Oklahoma like "ThePurplePrincess4u" and "OKCGirl" acting as if they are victims of some kind of identity theft because of some outraged Seattle fans. I currently tried to post facts on "ThePurplePrinces4u's" blog post's, but she has screened the comments and denied my comments. I understand some people from Seattle have said some disrespectful things, but my comments on her blog was nothing more than facts.
Many people seem to think that the folks in Seattle don't support our teams. Seattle taxpayers are currently paying for:
Kingdome: Does not even exist anymore
Coliseum: 1995 renovation, now Key Arena
Safeco Field: I still believe this is the most exspensive ball park in baseball.
Qwest Field: Quite possibly the loudest football stadium in the NFL.
Now, things Seattle taxpayers have avoided paying for.
Highway 99 Viaduct: This thing is routinely shut down for earthquake inspections, as it is sinking an inch almost yearly. This highway supports at least 100,000 automobiles daily.
Highway 520 Floating Bridge: Now the funding is finally coming for this bridge, but it has been too long for this funding to take place. But roughly 115,000 people use this bridge daily.
Monorail: Though this is now terminated, the Seattle taxpayers were being charged for this mess while Howard Schultz was demanding funding.
Seattle Public Schools: No matter where you're from, public schools are always an issue. So spare us your jokes.
University Of Washington: 300 million dollars in renovations to Husky Stadium.
These are just a few issues Seattle taxpayers were facing while Clay Bennett was asking us for the 500 million dollar "Taj Mahal" of NBA arenas. We in Seattle learned that our State Legislators were not going to have last minute arena proposals rammed down their throats by Clay Bennett because he couldn't come up with anything in a reasonable amount of time for Legislation to review. And Seattle elected officials lied to the fans in the end and did nothing to guarantee any kind of future.
A couple other facts people seem to forget.
-The City of Seattle proposed a 230 million dollar renovation plan for Key Arena to Howard Schultz, but he wanted 300 million.
-Muckleshoot Indian Reservation offered Clay Bennett 23 acres of free land for an arena, but Bennett quickly dismissed this plan and never had his lobbyists look into it.
-Howard Schultz sold to the HIGHEST bidder, not the lowest. The 350 million dollar price tag on the Sonics was inflated and deferred many buyers. Clay Bennett bit though and the Seattle fans suffered. Howard Schultz made a 69 million dollar profit from the sale of the Sonics.
In the end, Seattle SuperSonic fan's could do nothing to prevent this from happening, thus making us the victims. If you're to naive to see this, just wait when your team needs a new facility and you have other pressing issues to contend with.
My list of who is at fault in my opinion, from greatest to blame, to least.
1. Money-The root of all evil.
2. Howard Schultz-Horrible coffee and for making a profit off the fans loss.
3. The NBA-Allowing such ransoms to accure. "We'll move, if you don't build it!"
4. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels-Giving me false hope that he actually cared about the fans.
5. Clay Bennett-Hard for me to blame him totally, but he did lie and he made it virtually impossible for any kind of deals to be struck with his GINORMOUS demands.
I'm done for now...........let the Seattle bashing begin again.
Well with this being possibly Mike Holmgren's last year as a Head Coach, at least for the Seahawks. Mike has said he is willing to go all out this season and break from his usual conservative coaching style. Everyone familiar with Bill Walsh's legacy should be familiar with Holmgren's history as well. So I'm not here to give a history lesson on Mike. What I'd like to discuss is some play's Mike might want to consider pulling off during the upcoming last HOO RAH.
So farting around on the web, here are some trick plays I thought we might see this coming Seahawk season.
1. The Statue of Liberty, Boise Style
This play won Boise State the Fiesta Bowl in OT. The QB drops back with both hands on the ball while the RB hovers in the backfield as if he's there to block. Meanwhile, the C and WRs draw the rest of the defense up the right side of the field.
The trick: In one motion, the QB fakes a pass with his right hand and slips the RB the ball with his left. The RB then dashes downfield.
2. The Hook & Ladder
The middle-right WR runs a slant to the left as the wide-left WR runs a 15-yard flag route. The QB throws to the wide-left WR.
The trick: After catching the ball, he pitches it to the slanting middle-right WR, and it's off to the races as the left WR throws blocks.
3. The Flea Flicker
The C snaps the ball and then starts running straight downfield. The QB hands off the ball to the RB.
The trick: Before reaching the line of scrimmage, the RB pitches the ball back to the QB. The RB then picks up the rush- ing defender norm- ally blocked by the C. This gives the QB time to aim and fire to the wide-open C.
4. The Cross Pick
The right WR runs a shallow cross as the three left WRs run right slants.
The trick: As the right WR comes across, the middle-left WR stops, turns, and blocks the right WR's defender (like a basketball pick). The QB hits the open right WR. Touchdown.
5. The Hitch & Go
The far-wide WRs run short post patterns and the QB throws to either one. On the next down, let it slip that you're doing the same play. The WRs run the same posts. As each WR turns, the QB fakes and the defender -- tasting an interception -- will cut to the middle.
The trick: When the defender bites (the "hitch"), the WRs run upfield (the "go") and await the QB's pass.
After a dismall rushing season in 2007 for the Seahawks, the 12th Man and the Seahawks own defense was left wondering what is going to be done in the offseason to remedy this? Something had to be done to curb our lack luster 3rd down conversion rating and help keep our defense on the bench to rest.
Enter Tim Ruskell's answers for 2008.
First was the signing of 2-time Pro-Bowler LG Mike Wahle. Mike was acquired from Carolina quickly after he was released by the Panthers for cap space. Wahle was just the beginning of our puzzle.
Now we needed that guy who would pound the ball that one yard we needed soooooo many times. Hello, TJ Duckett! TJ has always been used in conditional situations. He has been sidelined watching Dunn and Vick compete for the team rushing title. Atlanta dubbed these three D.V.D., but it turned out to be more of a V.D., if you know what I mean? The Redskins used TJ for a cheerleader as Portis came up short many of times. And well Detroit was just a road bump on his way here to Seattle where he is expected to get the ball on 3rd and 1.
Now the draft. Tight End has been a very elusive position for the Seahawks. John Carlson demonstrated great rush blocking and pass protection at Notre Dame. While doing so, he proved great offensive skills running his pass routes and actually catching the ball. He also played basketball his freshman year at Notre Dame helping his versitility. But the key thing about him is his blocking abilitity.
With the loss of Mack Strong, everyone hoped Leonard Weaver would step in and pick up where Mack left off. It's kind of like a Mariners fan comparing Jose Vidro to Edgar Martinez at DH. You just can't make it happen. Mack is HARD to replace, but with our 5th round pick we grabbed the pyscho FB Owen Schmitt. This guy takes pride in leading the way for his RB's so much that he takes opponents face masks for trophys. Owen owns face masks of 11 players that have dared to step in front of him.
These were just four of the pieces I wanted to talk briefly about in Tim Ruskell's skeme of things. There is no question in my opinion Ruskell is doing what he can to get us that Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tim has made many interesting moves this offseason and has given the coaching staff many new options.
Maybe Weaver and Carlson in a Double TE roll. Bring the FB David Kirtman into the game plan for those times we might do a Double TE. Kirtman was only the FB at USC that led the way for Bush and White. Then Schmitt could back-up Kirtman for the time being.
So many choices, I know J. Jones is foaming at the mouth from what he is seeing. Jones may have just set himself up for a Priest Holmes type situation, when Holmes came out from under Jamal Lewis' shadow in Baltimore to sunny days in KC. Yes I know Holmes was injured and was never the same there. But Priest had a couple good years in KC.
Anyways, this might be one of the most physical Seahawks teams assembled in my memory, on both sides of the ball? I like what I see and I don't give predictions. So I am not calling for the trophy yet. Just a little excited to see how this all pan's out.
