The LA Steelers?

Tuesday’s story (July 29th) on Yahoo sports about Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys owner) dismissing the relocation of the Pittsburgh Steelers to Los Angeles appears to be smoke and mirrors. Anonymous insiders say Edward Roski Jr secretly met with Investor Stanley Druckenmiller just this past weekend in Las Vegas to discuss terms for the team’s relocation to Los Angeles.

On July 7th, 2008, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the current Steelers ownership group announced plans to sell controlling interest of the team to comply with NFL ownership regulations. Four of the five Rooney brothers that own the Steelers have decided to sell their interests in the team to further pursue their interests in the race tracks they own in New York and Florida. Because these race tracks and gambling interests have violated league rules since 2006, the league is forcing the sale.

On July 11th, 2008, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller was in negotiations for purchasing the team shares belonging to the Rooney brothers. Coach Tomlin was quoted as saying,” the situation could become a distraction for the team.”

In April of this year developer Edward Roski announced plans to build a NFL stadium 20 miles outside Los Angeles. Roski, part owner of the LA Lakers and Kings has already completed environmental impact studies with construction likely to begin as soon as the fall of 2008. Unique in stadium financing is the $800 million dollar facility will be totally privately financed requiring no public money. The Los Angeles Stadium will have a seating capacity of 75,000 people and feature all the modern amenities that current NFL stadiums contain.

Other teams mentioned in the media that could potentially relocate to LA Stadium include: the ST Louis Rams, the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the San Diego Chargers. At this time though it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers have the jump on all other teams in negotiations. The question I ask of the readers today is: if this relocation comes to fruition should the Los Angeles Steelers still be called the Steelers? If not, what new name would you suggest?

The challenger the “Kid”: Brandon Coutu

Last player drafted by Seahawks in the 7th round, 2008. Fourth kicker drafted in club history (Don Bitterlich, 1976; John Kasay, 1991; Josh Brown, 2003). Second kicker selected out of Georgia (John Kasay, 1991).

In 43 games at Georgia he scored 262 points, sixth-best total in school history. Successful on 51-of-64 field goals (79.7 percent) and all 109 extra-point tries and was good on 5-of-11 field-goal attempts from 50 yards or longer. Kicked off 221 times for a 60.68-yard distance average, as 47 of those kicks resulted in touchbacks and 167 others were returned for an 18.7-yard average.

Coutu’s senior year he had a relatively injury-free 2007 campaign, picking up All-SEC honorable mention, but re-injured his hamstring in the season finale vs. Georgia Tech. He hit on 16-of-21 field goals and 44 conversions for 92 points. Only one of his 67 kickoffs resulted in a touchback, as he had an average distance of 59.0 yards, resulting in 61 of his kicks being returned for a 19.9-yard average.

As a junior he played in just five games during 2006 before sitting out the rest of the season with a torn right hamstring. He finished the year with 47 points on 10-of-11 field goals and 17-of-17 PATs. He kicked off 15 times for a 64.2-yard distance average and six touchbacks, as the opposition averaged 20.2 yards on nine returns.

During his sophomore year he was selected All-Southeastern Conference first-team by the league's coaches. His 114 points scored rank fifth on the school's single-season record list, as he made 23-of-29 field goals and all 45 extra point tries. Fifty-four of his 7 kickoffs (61.6-yard distance average) were returned for an 18.4-yard average, as 22 of those attempts were ruled touchbacks.

As a freshman he mostly handled kickoff chores in 2004, with 62 attempts for a 60.5-yard distance average, as 43 were returned for 737 yards (17.1 avg), making 2-of-3 field goals and all three PATs for 9 points.

The Veteran the “Old Man”: Olindo Mare

Mare signed with Seattle as a free agent on March 27, 2008, originally signed by the N.Y. Giants as an un-drafted rookie free agent on May 2, 1996. Picked up by Miami the following season and kicked for the Dolphins for 10 seasons. He was traded to the New Orleans Saints on April 3, 2007, for a sixth round draft choice.

1996: Spent the season on the Giant’s practice squad.

1997: Played in 16 games and led Miami with 117 points. He was 28 of 36 on field goals and made all 33 PATs. Punted five times for a 47.0-yard average with a long of 53, with two downed inside the five.

1998: Played in 16 games and both playoff contests. He converted on 33 of his 34 PATs and 22 of his 27 field goals. Had a stretch of seven games where he connected on 14 straight field goals.

1999: He had the top season for a kicker in Miami history. Converted 39 of 46 field goal attempts (84.8 percent), with a long of 54, and scored 144 points. His 39 field goals and 84.8 percent accuracy mark were team records at the time, and field goal total was an NFL single-season record and 20 of 84 kickoffs were touchbacks, second in NFL. Mare made the Pro-bowl.

2000: Converted 28 of 31 field goals and 33 of 34 PATs for 117 points. Point total ranked fourth in AFC and ninth in NFL. Conversion rate of 90.3 was fifth in NFL. Connected on first 11 field goals, and following first misfire, made next 16.

2001: Played in 16 games and hit 19 of 21 field goals and 39 of 40 PATs for 96 points. Conversion rate of .905 was best in the NFL and marked a new Dolphins record. Of 73 kickoffs, 12 went for touchbacks, tied for second-highest total in the NFL. Mare converted each of his first 13 attempts of season.

2002: Played in 16 games and made 24 of 31 field goals and 42 of 43 PATs for 114 points, ranking sixth in AFC. This was the fourth time in six NFL seasons that he surpassed 100 points. Of 84 kickoffs, 12 went for touchbacks, ranking fourth in NFL. At Denver (10/13) drilled a 53-yard field goal with six seconds remaining for the win. The kick followed a 55-yard FG by Denver K Jason Elam with 45 seconds left, the first time in NFL history that a kicker from each team had a field goal of 50 yards or more with less than a minute to play.

2003: Played in all 16 games and was 22 of 29 FGs and 33 of 34 PATs for 99 points, ranking sixth in AFC. Of his 74 kickoffs, 24 went for touchbacks, best in NFL and highest total by a kicker since advent of the K-Ball in 1999. Hit a career-high four field goals of 50 yards or longer.

2004: Played in 11 games and led team with 54 points on 12 of 16 FGs and 18 PATs. Olindo sat out the New England game with a calf injury, snapping a string of 116 consecutive games played.

2005: Played in 16 games, led Miami with 108 points, made 25 of 30 field goals and all 33 PATs. Of his 71 kickoffs, 16 were touchbacks, ranking third in NFL. Drilled 200th career field goal with a 53-yarder at Tampa Bay (10/16).

2006: Led the Dolphins in scoring with 100 points, going 26 of 36 on field goals and making all 22 extra points. He finished season by making his final nine field goal attempts, and had 24 touchbacks on kickoffs, leading the NFL. Kicked a 22-yard field goal vs. Kansas City (11/12) put him over 1,000 career points, one of 39 players in NFL history to reach the milestone.

2007: Mare played in 13 games for the Saints, connecting on 10 of 17 field goals in an injury riddled season, placed on injured reserve (hip) on December 12.

Well, there you have it the “kid” versus the “old man”, a classic confrontation sure to give Seahawk fans plenty to squawk about this pre-season. Let the kicking begin!

He guns down the field blowing by the LB snags Matt Hasselbeck's pass, does a juke move on the CB, then stiff arms the Safety as he scampers into the End Zone. Ahhh yes, one of Seattle's young guns.

Setting the stage: in 2007 the Seahawks traded away their leading receiver Darrell Jackson to San Francisco, next in 2008 they let DJ Hackett leave via free agency to Carolina. What happened in 2007-2008 to make these two solid wide outs expendable?>
The answer is fourfold: Logan Payne, Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu, and Jordan Kent. Obomanu was drafted in 2006, Taylor and Kent were drafted in 2007, and Payne was signed as an un-drafted free agent in 2007. They are Seattle’s new young guns and a perfect fit for Holmgren’s West Coast Offense.

First off, they all have height (all over 6’) making them large targets for Hasselbeck. Secondly, they all have size (all are over 200lbs) making them durable and hard to bring down after the catch. Thirdly, they all are excellent blockers. Finally, they all have exceptional hands, which is critical in Coach Mike’s system. (Jackson and Hackett were both part of the 2004 Seahawk receiving corp that continually dropped 3rd down passes killing drives. Ouch!)

Due to Deion Branch’s absence with an injury until September (possibly mid-season) an opening at the wide-out position is setting up a training camp shootout between these young guns. It started heating up during mini-camp when Bobby Engram sat out in a contract protest giving the youngsters more opportunities. With Nate Burleson and Engram entrenched as the #1 and #2 receivers, expect the bullets to be flying all through training camp as the young guns elevate their game a notch or two for the third wide-out spot. Even the coaches have no idea which one will win out in the end. It all adds up to an exciting pre-season for Seahawk fans.

Below are a few college highlights of these stars in waiting:

Logan Payne

At 6-2, he has been described as a taller Steve Largent. His senior year at the University of Minnesota he led the team in catches, yards, and touchdowns.

Courtney Taylor

At 6-1, he set school records at Auburn for receptions and is fourth all time in receiving yards.

Ben Obomanu

At 6-0, he is second all-time at Auburn in touchdowns, and led the team in receptions and touchdowns his senior year.

The Prototypical West Coast Offense Running Back

There has been a great deal of debate about whether or not Seattle improved its running game with the free agent acquisitions of Julius Jones and TJ Duckett. The doubters contend they are has-been running backs and that they should be considered backups. Their supporters contend they were not getting a fair shake with their previous teams and their numbers prove they can still get the job done. The doubters miss the biggest difference; the offensive systems in which they played.

 Neither Dallas (where Jones came from), or Detroit (where Duckett came from) run a West Coast Offense (WCO).  Why should that matter? What is the WCO? The WCO simplified is 60% pass/40% run: spreading the defense over a much bigger area of the field, both horizontally and vertically; creating mismatches in the speed, size, or number of receivers defenders try to cover. While potentially throwing on any down and any distance to avoid tendencies that defenses could key on; simultaneously maintaining possession through the air instead of solely on the ground.

Well in the WCO to catch passes and block are valued equally with a running back’s ability to run the ball. These abilities haven’t been combined in a Seattle tail back since Ricky Watters. In the recent past with Shaun Alexander at tail back Holmgren used a balanced attack with 50% run/50% pass. Alexander was a power runner who was a terrible blocker and poor receiver. He just didn’t fit the WCO. Mo Morris did a better job in all these areas last year while filling in for Shaun Alexander; but without a backup to spell him he wore down as the game and season progressed. Last year proved Morris just doesn’t have the size (he is 20 lbs lighter than Jones and 40 lbs lighter than Duckett) to be an every down back for more than a game or two.

 Now with the additions of Jones and Duckett the Seahawks have three tail backs that can pass block for Hasselbeck, or slide into the flat and catch the short dump off pass. Rotating these three backs will keep them fresh all season, and most importantly they’ll be able to run whatever play coach Holmgren calls.

 What is a prototypical WCO running back? This is a back that might break 1,000 yds rushing if he was the feature back; but would also be one of the teams leading receivers. In fact, he could even lead in both categories as Roger Craig did in 1985 (1050 yds rushing & 1016 yds receiving).  They have to be able to pick up any blitz with a good solid block, otherwise the QB can be blindsided.  Sure hands and the ability to run after the catch are essential. They frequently turn a short pass reception into a big gain. Stamina is very important especially if the team only has one feature back. Over the course of the season they typically would have more pass receptions than rushing attempts. All of these qualities with even stronger blocking ability are also required of the fullback. John L. Williams comes to mind here. TJ Duckett is a possibility to move to fullback as has been suggested by coach Holmgren.

In conclusion, is Seattle’s run game improved? Probably, my previous blog explained zone blocking and how it will also help the run game. Even more importantly for the first time in years (except for a part of last season when Morris filled-in) Holmgren will have all the tools to properly run his much loved WCO. This year the advantages of running a true WCO will make Holmgren’s play calling less predictable and harder to defend.

How does zone blocking work

Zone blocking involves the center, guard, tackle and tight end working in combination to block an area with an emphasis on double-teaming the defensive linemen who are aligned on the line of scrimmage.

The idea is for two adjacent linemen to simultaneously come off the snap and attack the defensive line toward the play-side or to the side the running back is going. The advantage, as opposed to man blocking, is that you create a double-team with two players blocking one defensive lineman. This allows the offensive linemen to be aggressive, knowing he has assistance if his defensive lineman was to pinch inside. It also provides movement at the point of attack, which can create creases for the running back.

Zone blocking initially starts out as a double team at the point of attack on the down defensive linemen, but the beauty of it is that one of the offensive linemen will leave to attack the linebacker while one stays to take over the defensive lineman. The diagram below shows the offensive line starting the initial double team on the defensive lineman.

It appears that they have doubled the defensive end and defensive tackle, and allowed the linebackers to go free, but both offensive linemen on the double team have all four of their eyes on the linebacker while the double team is taking place. One of the linemen will come off the double and block the linebacker.

There are several keys to this technique:
1. The linemen stay hip to hip.
2. The linemen keep their shoulders square.
3. Most importantly, all four of their eyes are on the linebacker.
4. Knowing when and who takes over the defensive lineman and who leaves to block the linebacker.

The next diagrams show the technique of going from the double team to taking over the linebacker. If the end pinches inside, the guard will take over and the tackle will leave for the linebacker. (See below)

If the end stays outside, the tackle will take over and the guard will leave for the linebacker. (See below)

What's next?
During training camp we will see if the Seahawk's expand zone blocking to include pass protection. I think it will remain with the run game only for now, because protection for Hasselbeck has been very good in the past. Zone blocking is a simple concept, but it takes a lot of practice to perfect because it involves offensive linemen working in unison and decisions that have to be made while the play is taking place. In zone blocking there's a lot of technique and it takes many repetitions to get the feel of working together as a unit. For this system to be successful it must begin in training camp on day one . There you have it, if the Seahawks have a prosperous training camp they once again return to the championship game.

2008 Holmgren’s Last Dance

the Run for the Big Show

Not since 2005 has there been this much excitement in Seattle. The legendary Coach Mike Holmgren announced that this year would not only be his last year of coaching, but it was going to be a no punches pulled, full out give it everything possible push for the Super Bowl.

"This will be my last year. We are going to make it the best year ever. "

Mike Holmgren the “gambler”, (If I were you I’d put good money on him) is going to throw caution to the wind and line up his coaches and players alike with a single mindedness. One goal and one purpose, win the Super Bowl. The playbook for offense as well as defense will be wide open and totally jazzed up, the Seahawks will be flat out “unpredictable”. Every opponent every week will face a different and special game plan.

The new mix of players brought in by the Seattle front office added new and different options. Opposing teams will be at a loss on how to prepare for such an unpredictable team. Team chemistry is at an all time perfect mixture with the last of the malcontents long gone. There are no more Me-Jacks or Pay-Me-Now-Browns the team is united in purpose and spirit.

Seahawk fans are coming out of the woodwork around the nation and Qwest field will remain the loudest stadium in the NFL.

“Qwest Field has established itself as the loudest stadium in the NFL. Its 2.83 false starts per game is the highest average in the National Football League since 2005. One gameday the 12th MAN produces as much as 112 dB, nearly as much noise as a Boeing 747 when the opposing team is on offense, but quiets down to an amazing 87 decibls when the Seahawks' offense takes the field”

New records will be set and even the mighty Patriots will fear Qwest field. The thundering noise of 60,000 plus fans screaming at Qwest field will echo through the sky scrappers of the Emerald City.

Other NFC West division opponents are already running with fear. The Forty Niner’s tried to tamper with league rules to steal Lance Briggs away from the Bears, which in turn cost them a draft pick. The Ram’s were accused of tampering in the Josh Brown free agent deal by Herm Edwards of the Chiefs. All their efforts legal and illegal will be in vain. The Cardinals on the other hand are still partying and have not noticed the 2008 season is about to come crashing down on them.

In Seattle if you mix the legend and the genius with: hard work, great team chemistry, excellent players, outstanding coaches, and then throw in the best and loudest fans in the nation, you have "magic". Mark my words the 2008 Seattle Seahawks will be that magical team that makes history. The Emerald city’s magic is growing brighter by the day and it revolves around that special bird of prey the "Seahawk".