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Seahawks Blog |
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February 2008
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September 2007With the win over the 49ers, the Seahawks move to 3-1 and are in first place in the NFC West. Quick Inner Fan observations: Seneca was in at least three plays. The defense was huge, from the get-go. Six sacks. Two picks by Trufant. Not only was Peterson playing out of his mind, LB Leroy Hill was all over the place (keeping Gore to 79 yards). For the offense, Matt was nearly perfect. And the offensive line gave the QB tons of time. Nice win, in a "big" division game. Make sure to catch the Mike Holmgren Show, on KING5 right after Sunday Night Football. Next week? The Steelers. Who just lost to Arizona, 21-14. ...Once again the offense took its time to find the endzone. Fortunately the defense helped out. ...Rocky Bernard unblocked up the middle, smashes QB Alex Smith. Now on their second drive, ex-Seahawk Trent Dilfer is in for the Niners. Man, talk about drama. Game blog continues below... ...As Holmgren said, it's a "big, big game" today down at the Monster. RB Morris Maurice and WR Ben Obomanu are both available to play. How will Shaun perform? Can the Hawks stop Gore? It'll be interesting yet strange to see DJack (the WR leads the 49ers in catches) against his former team. Also, 49ers TE Vernon Davis is inactive (knee). ...Here we are at the fourth game already. Jean and Dennis are tied with one win each. Last week Lori was the only anchor to pick against the Hawks. This week, it's Mr. Bounds: Anchor Picks Week 4 Here we go, week four of Ask Mike. If have a question for Coach Holmgren, post it in the comments below, with your first name and the city where you live. Then watch The Mike Holmgren Show on KING5, right after Sunday Night Football. Make sure to get your question in during Sunday's match-up against the 49ers. ...K5's Chris Warren is filling in this week with Sunday's forecast for San Francisco. "A soggy Seahawk Sunday around western Washington will be perfect for watching football indoors. Meanwhile when the Seahawks take the field at Monster Park it will be a typical fall day in the bay area with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60s. Winds will be from the west around 10 mph. There will not be much change in the weather from kickoff to the end of the game. The high in San Francisco will be around 67 and this will most likely happen in the 4th quarter. Go Hawks!" Seahawks backup running back Maurice Morris did not practice on Thursday, because of the hip injury that kept him out of last week's game. Morris, who practiced Wednesday, is questionable for Sunday's game in San Francisco. After practice today, I asked Shaun Alexander how much it helps having Morris healthy. Shaun said it definitely takes pressure off of him. He also told me Morris have been a great 1-2 punch for several years now, and having Mo back would be very beneficial for the offense. ...Follow this link to see interviews from 49ers QB Alex Smith and coach Mike Nolan talking about the big, big divisional game against the Hawks (nfl.com). Smith talks about the Niner's desire to beat the Hawks twice again this year (49ers.com). Also, click on this if you'd like to watch Holmgren's press conference from Wednesday (seahawks.com). ...Noted in a post yesterday, the Hawks are favored by 2.5 points by most oddsmakers over the Niners. By the way, is SF now the divisional rival most hated the by Hawks fans? Staring to feel that way. I heard something close to I Hate The Niners Week going on at KJR. Ok, on to Expert Picks. ESPN is starting off with a slight lean for SF. CBS Spor... According to a news release from the team, the Seahawks and the Niners are logging more miles than any other team this year. The chart below includes preseason and regular season. 2007 Total Miles Traveled LB Lance Laury was named special teams player of the week for the NFC. Laury sealed the win by forcing the fumble on the Bengal's kickoff return with 56 ticks left. This is the second year player's first Player of the Week award. Just got back from Holmgren's Wednesday press conference. Coach said Maurice Morris and Ben Obomanu will practice today. Having Morris back on Sunday will allow the Hawks to change some schemes. When asked about Shaun, Holmgren said the RB was practicing blocking today with the cast. There were a couple of instances in the Bengals game where Shaun did not use his cast hand to block . D.J. Hackett is on schedule and may return close to the bye-week. ...Before I head off to today's press conference, a quick glance at this week's power rankings. First off, odds versus the Niners. The Hawks are currently ahead by 2.5 points. The Hawks are on also the rise in the national eye this week. ESPN has the team in 7th, with the Packers and Cowboys the only two teams in the NFC with a higher position. CBS ... With all the (too early, in my opinion) talk of is Shaun Alexander this and is Shaun that, the Seattle Times' Danny O'Neil puts the RB's current year in perspective in a recent blog post: "He (Shaun) now has 275 yards, the second largest total after three games in his career." We'll see what Holmgren says tomorrow, but so far the whole offensive line looks out of sync in the first half. You can read the rest of O'Neil's post at the Seattle Times. ...As you've all heard by now, the Seahawks confirmed Shaun Alexander has a cranked bone in his wrist. But he'll play on Sunday. The NFL's has a laundry list of injured backs. Deuce McAllister, Steven Jackson, Ahman Green, Chester Taylor, Brian Westbrook, and Rudi Johnson could miss playing time due to injuries. All were day 1 starters. Some of those names are day-to-day. Except for Deuce. New Orleans just go the news that he's out for the year with a torn ACL. Not a fun injury...trust me. Or even ask Padres outfielder Milton Bradley. Did you see that cr... Niners tight end Vernon Davis will not play against the Hawks this Saturday (knee). For the roughed-up Rams, while you can't miss the headlines about RB Steven Jackson being out next week (groin), St. Louis' offensive line took another huge hit. After already losing Pro Bowl T Orlando pace, G Mark Setterstrom is out for the season (knee). For the Cards, while Matt Leinart is still the starting quarterback, Kurt Warner will be the "no-huddle" specialist. (anyone out there remember the two-quarterback approach working in the NFL?) And for those of you who have the NFL Network, the channel is re-airing a condensed Seahawks victory over the... Shaun Alexander had tests done and pictures taken today that confirmed the running back has a cracked bone in his wrist. Mike Holmgren emphasized that the fracture is "small" and will not change how the Hawks utilize him in the games to come. Holmgren says, "There's no need for a cast-watch." Alexander will continue to wear a cast on his wrist for an undisclosed amount of time. ...From the Associated Press: Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has a cracked bone in his left wrist, but will continue to play with a protective cast. Coach Mike Holmgren made the announcement. Alexander has been playing with a protective cast on his wrist since spraining it in the team's opener September 9 against Tampa Bay, a victory. Holmgren did not say this afternoon when the bone was cracked, but said "extra pictures" of the wrist were taken after Alexander came out of Sunday's game in the first half in Seattle, a victory over Cincinnati. Alexander rushed for 100 yards on 21 carries against the Bengals. Holmgr... Here are week three's KING5 Anchor Picks: Jean Bengals 21 Seahawks 28 The final score, Bengals 21 Seahawks 24. With Jean being the closest, Jean and Dennis are now tied with one win each (Dennis won the Bucs game, no one picked an Arizona win in week two). Lori nearly pulled out a victory yesterday, until Matt threw the 22-yard TD pass to Nate. Up next, the Niners. May the best anchor...pick. ...At the Cincinnati Enquirer, a glance at how Carson Palmer wasn't worried when Matt threw the winning TD. At the Post, the feeling in the Bengals locker room after moving two games behind the Steelers in the AFC North -- after having a second straight game with over 400-yards offense. Next week's opponent, the 49ers. Check out the SF Chronicle for details on the Ni... Hawks QB Matt Hasselbeck inched closer to John Elway with last night's TD toss to Nate B. Yesterday's game was Hasselbeck's 17th fourth-quarter comeback. The record? According to Football Outsiders, Elway holds the NFL record for fourth-quarter comebacks with 47. While Matt didn't pull off the Cardinal Sin win, his performance yesterday counted when it needed to. The QB was 24-37 with 248 yards and three TDS. More numbers of note: on Tuesday, Matt will turn 32. ...It seems like a lot of people want to criticize Shaun Alexander for his style of running and the way he takes hits. But you have to give him credit, when he runs well, Seattle is hard to beat. ...No, it's not Matt Hasselbeck's version of "Deal or No Deal" (sorry, for the NBC plug). Reporters asked the Hawks QB about the nearly 'Hasselbeck to Hasselbeck' reception. ...What a game. Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Matt Hasselbeck all had great performances. The offensive line had a tough go at it --it's difficult for any RB to run without blocking, and giving up a safety hurt. Yet they gave Matt the chance to throw when the team needed it, and then Hawks LB Lance Laury made a heck of a hit at the end of the fourth, knocking the ball out to seal the deal (the fumble was recovered by Grant). All in all, we saw why the Hawks went out and picked up Grant and Russell--superb plays by both guys against two wily WRs. Man, I would have hated to be a Hawks CB today. Palmer sure can sneak the ball into tight spots... The Hawks pull it off with a minute left in the game as Hasselbeck connects with Burleson for 22-yards in the end zone. Hasselbeck had a huge day with 248 yards and three touchdowns -- Branch, Engram and Burleson -- and two very random interceptions. Alexander cracked 100 yards on 21 carries, but it was mostly a passing game for both teams. And kudos to our special teams. Hawks are now 2-1. The game blog follows below... ...The Seahawks offense wasn't able mount a whole lot of firepower in the first half of their first two games in 2007 but the rust seems to have shaken off. ...Heading to the game soon. Make sure to enter your questions for Ask Mike below (just scroll down the blog page a bit to find the Ask Mike Holmgren post). Joel says the producers can get your questions to Paul Silvi pretty late in the game. Things I'm going to watch: Shaun and the running game, the Hawks DB's, and the linebackers. With Bentley hurt and Hill coming off injury, the team needs the front seven to pressure and keep Palmer off-rhythm. And if Shaun and the running game are effective, good Hawks clock management will keep Ocho Sinco and Houshmanzadeh (the WR is probable) on the bench. Go Hawks! ...Oh yeah, it's that time of week again. Have a question for the coach? Post it in the comments below, with your first name and the city where you live. Then watch The Mike Holmgren Show on KING5 after Sunday Night Football. Make sure to get your question in during Sunday's match-up against the Bengals. Paul Silvi interviews the coach immediately following the Hawks game. ...Saw this on the Seattle Times and it was too good to pass up: Microsoft and the Seahawks are teaming up to kick-off next week's release of the insanely popular video game for the XBox 360, Halo 3. The midnight Monday release party will happen at the Best Buy in Bellevue. Kelly Jennings and Warren Moon will play with fans at 12:01 a.m. Head to the Seattle Times to check out the schedule. ...“Sunday won’t be a fair weather day so much as it will be a day in between bad weather days. Showers from one disturbance should taper off Saturday morning; rain from a second one isn’t likely to begin until Monday. So Sunday looks dry, and I expect skies will be partly to mostly cloudy. Temperatures should be in the upper 50’s to low 60’s for kick off, warming into the mid 60’s by the end of the game. Not a bad day to watch the ‘Hawks, and not a bad way to begin Autumn. Sunday is, after all, the first day of fall, with the equinox occurring at 2:51 in morning. I wouldn’t set your alarm clock-sleep in and save your energy so you can rock Q... Well, Lori, Dennis, and Jean each picked the Hawks to win in Arizona, so no one gets a win for that prediction. But this week, Lori and Jean may make up ground on Dennis, who is currently in the lead with a single victory (Mr. Bounds won the Tampa Bay game). And as you can see, Lori is the only anchor this week to pick against the Hawks. Here are week three's KING5 Anchor Picks: Jean Bengals 21 Seahawks 28 Arizona: Is this the last season for WR Larry Fitzgerald? A report out there says the tall wideout wants out of Whisenhunt's offense. Here's the link to tell you where he might end up. I'm sure Hawks CB Kelly Jennings would be happy after last week's jumpball catch. What a tough matchup. LB Gerald Hayes caused "the fumble" last Sunday. He's always craved attention. More after the ... Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander met with the media this afternoon at Hawks headquarters. Matt says the offense talked alot this week about starting fast and getting rid of penalities. After Sunday's tough loss in Arizona, Matt told me he's hungry to get back on the football field. He says part of the measure of this Seahawks team is how they handle the Arizona loss and take care of things against the Bengals. Shaun is also feeling a little excited about this Sunday's game because the Bengals are the team he watched growing up. ...Oddsmakers think the Seahawks have the edge, by three and a half. Over at ESPN, the experts are leaning toward a Bengal victory. CBS Sportsline is all Cincinnati, all the time (CBS's Experts pick against the spread--don't they always seem to choose against the Hawks?). And at USA Today, Jeff Zillgit says t...
Hill is a high-motor guy who hopes to help increase the pass-rush production, which was severely lacking last weekend. The Hawks did not register a sack and were credited with just one quarterback hurry against Arizona. The photo shows Hill bringing down Bucs QB Jeff Garcia on Sept. 9. ...Here's a video clip worth checking out, as the NFL Network's Alex Flanagan and coach Jim Mora analyze the NFC West (and the Card and 49ers chance to win the division). It's a six-minute spot, with the Hawks' stuff at the mid-point. There's also today's press conference, where Bengal's QB Carson Palmer talks about the Hawks defense...and trying to prepare for the hostile 12th Man. ...
In today's press conference, coach Holmgren said LB Leroy Hill was likely to practice later this afternoon. However, RB Morris Maurice, WR D.J. Hackett and WR Ben Obomanu will not. More from today's presser... ...Mike Holmgren said he's addressed his team about keeping Chad Johnson in check. Of course, the defense is game planning for on-field activity, but Johnson (a.k.a. "Ocho Cinco") furthers his name with sideline antics. Holmgren says he likes Chad, "he's cordial and a good guy." But the coach is clear he's not a big fan of the other stuff. And he doesn't want his players egging Johnson on. ...Ok, how many fans out there actually tailgate before kickoff at the Qwest? A good friend who lives on the East Coast tells me that Seattle has a lame rep for not knowing how to tailgate NFL games. (He's never been to a Husky game, mind you) What do you think? The Seattle Times has an article about tailgating Seahawks games. From regional food choices, to ranking dead last in a national survey, you can check out the entire article here. Any fans out there planning on tailgating this weekend? ...I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Mike Holmgren's comments yesterday at his press conference. Taking a stand, putting the responsibility of the fateful play Sunday squarely on his shoulders, followed by his QB taking responsibility, followed by his RB standing accountable. What a great example to any business, any relationship, any team effort striving to handle adversity and build comraderie. Understanding that pointing fingers and assigning blame accomplishes nothing, and instead, accepting the challenge of accountability that comes with the demands of their team game. Kuddos to Mike and Co. and I am guessing the fruit born of this ... Ok, last week oddsmakers had the Seahawks by three over the Cards. Presumably what the score would have been without the botched hand-off. So what are they predicting this week? (Not to condone betting.) Hawks, by 3.5. Could be another close game. Okay, now a quick look at Power Rankings. ESPN has the Hawks sliding to 8th in the NFL. Makes sense. CBS has the team falling to 16th... ESPN and the Times are reporting that Jordan Babineaux has or will soon sign a five-year extension worth $10 million. Reports have the deal worth a possible $15-17 million, if incentives are met. $3 million is also reportedly guaranteed. Babineaux would have become a free agent after the season. The 25-year-old plays mostly in the nickel package for the Hawks. ...It seems Matt Hasselbeck was to blame for the fumbled exchange with Shaun Alexander that lead to the loss. Danny O'Neil at the Seattle Times is reporting that Matt audibled a fake play -- trying to fool the defense. Fooled the offense, too. Shaun thought he was supposed to block. Mack Strong was running a different play. Holmgren said even a couple of the wide-outs thought the QB had changed the call. Fumble or not, a complete game would have kept the Hawks out of such a situation. Credit the Cards offensive line. ...The Seahawks announced that Marcus Tubbs underwent successful ACL reconstruction surgery in his knee. Dr. Ed Khalfayan and Dr. Lawrence Holland performed the surgery. Tubbs will miss the season. ...Two positives: After the team collectively woke up, the Hawks did a great job battling back from 17-0. And two: Branch finally looked like the Super Bowl MVP stud Russell landed from the Pats. Get the man the ball. Sheesh. Alot of Shaun bashing going on, of the What Have You Done For Me Lately variety. Well, mea maxima culpa. The team has to get over the loss. Mistakes happen. The Hawks (as a team) should never have let the Cards be so close, so late in the game, at home, against a division rival who, frankly, owned them... The Hawks lost to the Cards 20-23 after a botched hand-off between Matt and Shaun. Was it the cast? I'm sure we'll hear more this week about the play. One question. Instead of putting all the pressure on the defense, why not use the two time outs at the end of the game? Make sure to watch the Mike Holmgren show tonight after Sunday Night Football on KING5. ...Way to fight for it, Nate. Number 81 has had a bounce in his step all season. Other than that, Matt was pressing for most of the first half, Fitzgerald and crew are picking on Jennings, Leinart has way too much time to throw and special teams aren't all that special. Oh yeah, and Edge falls over and get's five yards. Shaun has, what, 8 rushes for 10 yards? And the O and D lines need to step up. But the Inner Fan isn't worried. The Hawks are veterans, and the Cards have crumbled with big leads at home. One last note: did anyone notice the clock keep running after Mack's run with 4:00 or so left? Didn't the FB run out of bounds? >> Continue reading: Halftime, Hawks 7 Cards 17 Here's the inactive list for today's game, care of the Seattle Times: D.J. Hackett, Maurice Morris, Hill, Ben Obomanu, Jason Babin, Mansfield Wrotto and Tom Ashworth are out. It'll be interesting having Morris out with Shaun hurt (wrist) and carrying more of the load. From the Times and TNT: LB Leroy Hill (foot), RB Maurice Morris (hip) and WR Ben Obomanu are doubtful for Sunday. Obamanu will be a game day decision. Brandon Mebane practiced today and is listed as probable. Rookie WR Courtney Taylor will be the fourth receiver if Obomanu can't play. Shaun is a go (sprained wrist). It's that time of week again. Have a question for the coach? Post it in comments below with your first name and your city. Then watch The Mike Holmgren Show on KING 5 after Sunday Night Football to see if we throw the question at the coach (usually we ask three questions from readers every week.) Keep in mind, get your question in before Sunday's Hawks game against Arizona so we have time to add it to the list. ...The Ram starting left CB Tye Hill is out indefinitely, after last year's first round pick was injured (back) in Thursday's practice. Lenny Walls will start in Hill's place against the 49ers. Last week, the Rams lost Orlando Pace for the season (shoulder). Here we go, week two of the KING5 anchor picks. Dennis Bounds took the early lead last week, winning the call for the Bucs game. This week, things are heating up in the K5 newsroom. Getting serious, even. Here are this week's picks: Jean: Hawks 24, Cardinals 17 And the folks are even getting in the mix. As one anchor's dad pointed out: "It is a road game so anything can happen---They (Seahawks) will have to overcome the home field distractions and play a solid game." ...KING5 meteorologist Jeff Renner's Game Day Forecast: “The Seahawks will be playing the Arizona Cardinals at the new University of Phoenix Stadium. That raises the possibility of two forecasts; one if the roof is left open, the other if it’s closed. If it’s closed, expect temperatures in the low 70’s with an overcast sky of metal and “Bird-Air” fabric. If it’s open, look for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s at kick off, rising to over 100 by half time. My projection; the roof will be closed.” - Jeff Renner ...After Seahawks practice today, the media had the chance to catch up with Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander and get his thoughts on the protective device he's wearing on his left wrist. Shaun didn't have much to say about his wrist. ...Well, Hawks' backup RB Morris did not practice today. Neither did LB Leroy Hill (foot) or DJ Hackett. Bentley practiced in Hill's place. ...Okay, now for the weekly glance at the nat'l Expert Picks. Oddsmakers have the Seahawks with a slim three point edge over Edge and Leinart. While the Cards are starting a rookie center, Lyle Sendlein, he played well during their loss to the 49ers. But the O-line is still suspect. ESPN's experts are leaning towards the Hawks, but not CBS. Sportsline's experts are taking the Cards, 4... Earlier today the Seahawks did not disclose why running back Maurice Morris was held out of practice today. As the day went on, Morris was listed in today's injury report with a hip injury. How long he'll be out is still unknown. Like earlier posted, Shaun Alexander may also be ailing. Today at practice Shaun was wearing a black wrap or brace on his left hand. The Seahawks PR did not disclose exactly what if anything is wrong with Alexander but we should know more tomorrow (Thursday). ...Frank Hughes over at the TNT is reporting that RB Shaun Alexander practiced but was wearing a cast (or brace) on his left hand. Hughes doesn't know what the injury may be, and no comment from Shaun. Also of note: Alexander's backup, Maurice Morris, was on today's injury report (hip). ...Besides D.J. Hackett who is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, two other players occupied the sideline today. LB Leroy Hill and RB Maurice Morris did not dress in pads, instead opting for sweats while watching the team go through drills and sequences. Hill was seen on crutches Monday and Tuesday as precaution for a foot sprain incurred in Sunday's game. He was without those crutches today but still did not practice. Holmgren said he does have a chance to play Sunday in Arizona. Still waiting for word on exactly what's wrong with Morris. We should know more when practice concludes. ...Mike Holmgren describes the 53 man roster as a living, flexible, on-going group of people. Once the team gets the roster down to the league mandated 53 players, he advises his players that it's not a time to relax. The multiple moves the front office made in the past couple of weeks proves to the players that they're never safe and have to "stay on their toes." Holmgren says if players are available that can better the football team, then they will make a move. Holmgren also said he expects that, barring any injuries, the team is set for the season. ...D.J. Hackett's high ankle sprain is expected to keep the number two receiver on the sideline for at least the next couple of weeks--but probably longer. Holmgren says the trainers couldn't give him any better idea of how long Hackett will be out. With ankle injuries it's just hard to tell. That leaves Nate Burleson starting at split end in place of the injured Hackett. But with the added responsibility of starting opposite Deion Branch, Holmgren says Burleson will still maintain his punt return responsibilites. ...The move yesterday which sent veteran Bryce Fisher to the Tennessee Titans was inevitable considering the log-jam on the defensive line. Today, Mike Holmgren said Bryce is no doubt a starting defensive end and there just wasn't room left for him with the progress of Darryl Tapp (who won the starting job on the right side) and the quick development of rookies Baraka Atkins and Brandon Mebane. The coach seems extremely high on the rookies, especially Atkins, a fourth round draft choice in the Spring. ...Okay, here we go. What do the national media experts think of the Seahawks so far? After week uno of the season, ESPN is ranking the Seahawks 10th, and think last week's win needs to be put in perspective. The gurus over at CBS Sportsline think Holmgren's team is 9th, but aren't convinced about the team's playoff ability. What? Huh? After week one? Playoffs? And lastly, USA Today has the team 7th. The... I just got off the phone with Bryce, who is enroute to Tennessee this evening, and he says he was shocked by the move. He was laying in bed this morning when his cell phone rang and his wife, Bobbi, told him he needed to answer it. Both his agent and the Seahawks had tried calling. After he got the news, he went to Seahawks Headquarters in Kirkland, cleaned out his locker and talked to his best friend LB Kevin Bentley. ...New Seahawks quarterback Charlie Frye is on his way to Seattle. WKYC in Cleveland caught up with Charlie at the Cleveland airport. Check out this interview on KING5.com. Frye says excited about coming to Seattle to work with coach Mike Holmgren. One other note to pass along. There are a couple of reports out there saying the Seahawks will give up a 6th round pick for Frye. Not bad when you look back at every 6th round pick by Seattle. Here's a few of them... ...
Fox Sports and ESPN are reporting that Cleveland has traded Charlie Frye to the Hawks for a undisclosed pick. The move will allow the Browns to move first-round pick Brady Quinn to the starting position. Rumor has it that backup QB Seneca Wallace could be moved over to WR, although it's difficult to imagine the normally conservative Holmgren making that call. ...
Update: Danny O'Neil at the Seattle Times is reporting he confirmed the deal with Fisher's agent, Peter Schaffer. ...Heck of an end to the game. Overall, I don't know if the offenses weren't in sync or the defenses are just that good, but neither the new-look Cards or the newly anointed Niners looked sharp in tonight's MNF game in SF. The young QB's both had happy feet. Alex Smith didn't wake up until the last drive. Gore looked good, making up most of the Niner's offense. Edge did, too. Man, he can cut. Also of note, the Cards starting center, Al Johnson, sprained his knee in the beginning of the second half and did not return. His backup, rookie Lyle Sendlein, played well. His first snap was from the shotgun. Gutsy call. And ex-Hawk DJack dr... Hawks' LB Leroy Hill was using crutches today at Hawks HQ in Kirkland. No word on the injury, or if it will keep Hill out of Sunday's game. The Times is reporting that the crutches are 'precautionary'. ...Both the Times and the TNT are reporting that Hawks WR D.J. Hackett has a high ankle sprain and will be out for several weeks. Reports have WR Ben Obomanu hopeful to practice this week. Obomanu has been nursing a sore hamstring. ...From the Associated Press: St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Orlando Pace tore the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder in the season opener Sunday and will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowl player who was the first overall pick of the 1997 draft, was injured on the first play after the two-minute warning while pass-blocking against Julius Peppers. Before last season, Pace had been to seven straight Pro Bowls. Adam Goldberg, who made two starts in 2006, replaced Pace in Sunday's 27-13 loss to Carolina. The Rams allowed one sack, but the offense struggled without the anchor of a young li... Did you know yesterday set a record at the Qwest for an opening day audience? Represent, 12th Man. Also, Mama Blue raised the 12th Man flag, blue wig and all. A quick glance at what other's are saying about your Hawks this a.m. At ESPN, Mike Sando writes about the change around for the Bucs when the D took Garcia out of the game (14 points surrenders san Jeff). At the NFL.com the stats has Shaun 5th in rushing and Matt 10th in passing. What ... Don't forget to tune in and watch the Mike Holmgren show, on KING5 right after the Giants-Dallas game. Paul Silvi sits down with the coach and discusses tonight's victory over the Bucs. I just spoke to the sports department, and they tell me Patrick Kerney and Shaun Alexander will also be on the show. ...More thoughts on today's victory. Shaun ran for 105 yards and a TD, a nice beginning. Matt Hasselbeck connected with his wide-outs for 222 yards and a 34-yard TD. The Hawks had 343 total yards on offense. The Bucs had 284, but the Hawks defense allowed no touchdowns. And all in all, special teams looked sharp for the first game of the season. Oh yeah, and that flea-flicker. We may not see that again all season. The formation changes were interesting. And I can't remember the last time I saw a Holmgren offense use the shotgun that many times in one game. ...
It didn't look pretty in the first half. The Hawks offense couldn't get anything started, and the Bucs were leading 6-0. That is, until Nate Burleson ran 56-yards on a punt return that set up Shaun Alexander for the score. The Hawks defense came out swinging in the second half, sending both Buc's RB Cadillac Williams and QB Jeff Garcia -- the team's top two offensive starters -- to the locker room with injuries (Garcia returned to the game in the fourth quarter) and forcing the second of two turnovers. The offense back in gear, Morris Morris pulled in a 34-yard touchdown pass, and the defense held the Bucs scoreless in the second half.... Less than a minutes remaining in the Hawks home opener versus Tampa Bay. But, to this point, the Hawks have one injury reported. Wide receiver, D.J. Hackett, left the game in the first half with an ankle injury. His status was reported as questionable. I'll keep you posted with any changes or additions to the injury report. ...So the Buc's punter stopped mid-play in the third quarter, holding the ball, while the rest of both teams continued on. The refs called him down as the Hawks quickly surrounded him. Which means we'd get possession on downs, right on the spot. But nooooo. The refs decided to let the punter replay the down -- essentially a do over -- because of a "loud whistle" from the fans. The 12th Man penalized for being too loud? Ridiculous. ......finally. Heading to the game soon. Finally, we'll get a chance to answer the questions that have plagued the Hawks all week. How healthy is Walt. Who will start at DE. Will D.J. or Nate get the nod. Go Hawks! Game on. Update: Tapp and D.J. Hackett have started. ...Mike Holmgren is keeping quiet on who will start at right defensive end and split end when the Hawks open the season Sunday against Tampa Bay. D.J. Hackett and Nate Burleson both put on good shows in the preseason and are fighting to start opposite Deion Branch at wide receiver. Right now, Hackett is listed atop the depth chart. Wide Receiver, Ben Obomanu (hamstring injury) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game. Darryl Tapp and Bryce Fisher are battling it out at right defensive end. Tapp has been running with the first group throughout practice this week and appears to have the edge on Fisher, who hasn't shown as well throughout the... Sunday night on the The Mike Holmgren Show, we'll read selected questions from you Hawk fans. Questions posted right here on the Seahawks Blog. So how can you "Ask Mike?" Post your question in the comments section below, along with your first name and the city you live in (we'll keep your email address private.) Then watch The Mike Holmgren Show after Sunday Night Football on KING5, and see if we've picked your question. The first show airs Sunday, so make sure to get your question in before then! ...Positive national Hawk spin is so rare these days, I have to post what ESPN's Page Two Sport's guru Bill Simmons is saying about the Hawks chances this year. He's picking the Hawks as the number two team in the NFL, ending with a 13-3 record, and losing in the Super Bowl to the Patriots. Here's a tidbit: So why can you currently get 25-to-1 Super Bowl odds for them in Vegas? Because it's no fun to pick the Seahawks. They've been there before, they play in a smaller market, they have a bald quarterback, their uniforms are boring, their best player is boring, their coach looks like he should be wearing a sheriff's ou... As you probably know, ex-Husky, ex-Hawk and current Tampa Bay TE, Jerramy Stevens was found guilty of drunken driving today in Arizona. A spokesperson for the NFL said the league was not going to release a statement about the verdict. No sentence was imposed, and sentencing won't happen until October 2nd. And no word -- yet -- if Stevens will play this Sunday against the Seahawks. Gruden said previously this week that Stevens would play. We'll update it word changes. Man, can you hear the boo-birds if Stevens trots out onto Qwest Field? ...Every week, K5 anchors Jean Enersen, Dennis Bounds and Lori Matsukawa will make their picks for the upcoming Seahawks game. We'll see who has the best record come December. Good luck, guys! Here we go. Game one, Bucs at Hawks: Jean Buccaneers 16, Seahawks 21 KING5 meteorologist Jeff Renner's Gameday forecast: Year number three of the NWCN Seahawks Fone Zone is upon us! Win, lose, or tie, when it comes to opening day of the NFL season... fans have something on their minds. This is will be your chance to talk about it! ...Gotta love NFL football, everybody seems to be the expert. Time to walk the talk and lay down those predictions for this Sunday's season opener at Qwest Field. I think Jeff Garcia has some weapons and will get hot on Sunday, but it will be too little, too late. Seahawks Win, 28-17! Don't forget, right after the game, the Seahawks Fone Zone is back on Northwest Cable News. It's your chance to sound off about your bold predictions and talk about what went wrong or what right! ...
Start fast. Those two simple words will be echoed by every head coach around the NFL locker rooms. For Tatupu and Co. on the defensive side of the ball, it is a mandate. This Seahawk defense is built for speed, built to rush the passer, and built (along with the 12th Man) to cause havoc on opposing quarterbacks. If the offense does their part and gets this defense to a lead early, it allows this defense to maximize their strengths. It allows Tapp, Kearney, Hill and Peterson to pin their ears back and rush the passer. It will mean hits on Jeff Garcia and not allowing he and Gruden and the Buccaneers to get into rhythm and tempo. ...Mike Holmgren scripts his first 15 plays every game, and heading into Sunday afternoon his greatest challenge in doing so will be sharing the wealth. Alexander, Branch, Hackett, Burleson, Pollard, the weapons abound, and yet there is just one football to go around. Add in the intensity and anxiety of the season's first game, and the play-makers will be clamoring for their touches early and often. Tune into the first 15 plays, watch the mix of formations and personnel, and appreciate Mike Holmgren's abilities to satisfy his players demands and to put his team into the best plays possible. ...Even Ben Cartwright would appreciate the bevy of Seahawks related artlices in today's newspapers. The Times released their mondo Seahawks Preview, with everything from dubbing Walter Jones the best Seahawks ever (better than Largent?), to five questions that face the team. Over at the TNT, you can check out articles covering the new-look Hawks defense, nicknames for the players, to the current window of opportunity. I don't know, is Jones the best Hawk ever? ...Think what you will, but the argument over whether Matt and Mack should have made an appearance with President Bush (and given the Prez a Seahawks jersey) won't go away. There is an article about the debate in the Seattle PI today. In the piece, you can see what some PI readers thought. I know KING5 received plenty of angry emails from viewers. What do you people think? Can politics and football be kept separate? ...Mike Holmgren called his quarterback situation flexible and hopes to add a third quarterback soon. Coach joked about it today in his weekly Wednesday press conference. Holmgren said if Matt goes down, then Seneca goes in. If Seneca goes down, then he'll probaby just grab the guy standing closest to him on the sideline and throw him in there. Of course, he wasn't serious but here's the latest with that pending search... The Seahawks named their captains today. After a meeting where Mike Holmgren lined out the responsibilities of a captain, the team voted and settled on six. Deon Grant and Lofa Tatupu are the defensive captains. Matt Hasselbeck and Mack Strong are the offensive captains. Niko Koutouvides and Josh Brown are the special teams captains. Holmgren spoke further about Grant, saying this is the first time in his head coaching career that a new guy to the team was named captain. ...News to use going into Sunday's big game: First, the Bucs are reportedly going to start rookie Arron Sears at left guard. The second round pick won the starting job. As far as injuries, Tampa Bay's DE Patrick Chukwurah will miss the game (knee). Another rookie--Gaines Adams--will start. One last thing, according to Coach Gruden, Jerramy Stevens will play. The ex-Seahawk's trial for allegedly driving drunk begins today in Arizona. Also of note: reports say QB Ken Dorsey visited the team on Monday. ...There are some positions of concern heading towards the first game for the Seahawks, none of which will hopefully be of any issue. But the roster still feels in flux. One, is Walter Jones healthy? The Hawks need the tackle to play and play well, or Matt may have a repeat of last year. Jones will practice for the first time today, since early August. Also of concern, Chris Spencer. The center had off-season shoulder surgery. How healthy is he? Third string quarterback may not be an issue, but I'd rather have Holmgren's mind on other matters. And here we go with the same questions on defense again. It's my assertion that t... My Inner Fan got such a kick out of these picks, I had to post them on the blog. Some of the experts don't have the Seahawks making the playoffs. While this year the Cards aren't the anointed preseason favorite (which worries me), some think the 49ers and Rams will fair better in the upcoming campaign (is DJack practicing yet?). One expert even has Green Bay beating the Hawks for a wild-card berth. The link is right here. Update: I found an expert picking the Cards higher than the Hawks. Over at >> Continue reading: '07 Expert Picks? Want to know what the NFL.com thinks of the Seahawks chances this go-around? Or why they pick the Hawks to go 9-7? (NFL.com picks the 49ers to go 8-8, Card's 7-9 and Rams 9-7. In fact, check out the links to the Bad Guys' previews if you get a chance, it's worth the visit). But the best reason to check out NFL.com's Seahawks season preview? The video preview from NFL Total Access. The link is here. ...DT Ellis Wyms signed a one year deal, according to the Seattle Times. Russell Davis was waived to free space. Davis played for the Hawks for one season, coming last year from Arizona. Also, no movement today on the third-string quarterback situation. ...The Cards also claimed former Seahawk WR Jehreme Urban off waivers. Urban, an undrafted free agent out of Trinity University, played 11 games in three seasons with Seattle, then was signed by Dallas last October and spent the rest of the season on the Cowboys' practice squad. ...Reports have DT Ellis Wyms in Seattle, and could sign with the Seahawks by today. If the Hawks ink the 6-3, 290 lb veteran, he'll fill a gap made when Tubbs went on IR. The team will also need to make a spot on the roster. Also of note, ESPN is reporting that the Rams picked up RB Antonio Pittman off the wires. And with Chike Okeafor moved to the Cards IR, Arizona picked up DE Quentin Moses. Moses was a third-round choice fr... The Seahawks set their eight-man practice squad on Sunday. WR Logan Payne, WR, Jordan Kent, FB David Kirtman, TE Joe Newton, OL Steve Vallos, CB Kevin Hobbs, DT Nu’u Tafisi and LB Cameron Jensen. No news on a third string QB, although their are rumors that the Seahawks are trying to sign a former Buc's DT-- Ellis Wyms. On the same day the Hawks trimmed their roster down to 53 players, they acquired RB Alvin Pearman from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Hawks traded a 2008 undisclosed conditional draft choice in exchange for a 2008 undisclosed conditional draft choice and Pearman. Jacksonville drafted Pearman in the fourth round (127th overall) in 2005. In 29 games with the Jags, he racked up 238 yards on 58 carries for an average of 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 34 passes for 252 yards for an average of 7.4 yards per catch. ...The Seahawks released third-string quarterback David Greene today. The move was nearly imminent after Greene failed to show improvement in passing accuracy, game management, and decision making throughout training camp. The third year QB (Georgia) finished the exhibition season going 6 for 17 for 68 yards with three interceptions against Green Bay (Greene's only preseason game appearance). ...Former Husky C.J. Wallace made the final cut, following the Seahawks release of Michael Boulware. With the defensive backfield pretty set with Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Mike Green, and Jordan Babineaux, Wallace had been battling Boulware for the final spot. Wallace had a great exhibition season. The rookie safety racked up five tackles and one interception as the Hawks beat Oakland. ...The Seahawks cut the roster down to the league-mandated 53 players. That means 21 players (Marcus Tubbs was placed on injured reserve) of the 75 player roster in place against the Raiders on Thursday had to be cut. So here's your list of guys who did NOT make the team... ...The Seahawks have traded S Michael Boulware to the Houston Texans for DE Jason Babin. According to Lisa, Babin is second on the Texans all-time sack list with 13. He also led Houston, with 5 sacks last season. |
Linebacker Leroy Hill (foot) practiced today after sitting out last Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Hill ran with the first team and is expected to play this Sunday against Cincinnati. 
To follow-up on Lisa's comments about Chad Johnson, the Bengal's WR is certainly going to be in many sets of binoculars at the Qwest this Sunday. Even better, Ocho Cinco has a trash-talking 
The three year vet, Charlie Frye, was the starter in Cleveland this year before being traded. The former Akron QB was pulled from last week's loss to the Steelers in the second quarter. The 26-year-old was taken as the third pick in the third round. Before Frye was pulled, he was 4-of-10 for 34 yards, had thrown a pick and had a QB rating of 10.0. His stats? 3,490 yards, 14 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. 
Seahawks DE Bryce Fisher is on his way to the Tennessee Titans. Fisher spoke of the deal over the radio this morning, talking to KJR's Dave Mahler. Fisher lost his starting job this year to Darryl Tapp. We'll likely hear more on this deal later.
Well, it was a slow start but the Hawks won, and won well. All around complete game. And talk about defense. The linebackers were flying around, hitting like nobody's business. And nice pressure on Jeff Garcia. Welcome Patrick Kerney. And welcome back, 12th Man.
The NFL has changed the rules on kicking balls this year, likely due to Cowboy's QB Tony Romo's flubbing of last year's winning FG attempt. Now, the league is responsible for introducing the kicking balls, not the home team. To get more on the scoop, check out this article at