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July 2009
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| December 2006The Cowboys will come to Qwest Field Saturday night at 5 p.m. for a Wild Card match-up. Single-game tickets will go on sale Tuesday, January 2, at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster at (206) 622-HAWK or at seahawks.com. There will be a limit of four tickets/person. Expect them to sell like hotcakes. ...Has a meaningless win ever hurt so much? Well, the Hawks found their rhythm like the coaches wanted but at the probable cost of two defenders and possibly a wide-out. Check back later for injury updates. I can imagine some good questions for the Mike Holmgren show. Looks like Dallas may lose at home to Detroit. If Dallas does come to the Qwest, which Hawks defender do you think will cover TO? Ouch. Why are the starters still in? Really? With seven minutes left? A quarterback carry with five minutes? The TNT is reporting that DJ Hackett may have been hurt as well, earlier in the game. Haven't seen the WR in awhile. ...After Jimmy Williams gets wheeled back to the locker room (insert collective groan here), the Bucs turn the ball over on downs after the defense toughens up on the goal line. Will the starters on offense play as well? ...The Bucs ran a hurry up offense to move the ball against the starting defense of the Hawks. And...there you go. Seahawk defender, Jimmy Williams, gets hurt in a meaningless game in a meaningless quarter with a commanding lead. Let's hope he's okay. Hope and hope and... ...Julian Peterson stops a drive with his ninth sack of the season. After a punt, Seattle does a nice job of ball control and moves down the field, chewing up the clock. After a third and inches catch by Jerramy, the Hawks start the fourth quarter with a field goal. Dallas is losing to Detroit. Looks like the 'Boys could be headed to the Qwest. Time to sit the starters? ...Mike Alstott fumbles on the eleven and Seattle recovers. Three and out and Josh Brown hits a 30-yard FG. ...Well, a huge loss to Seattle's defense with Kelly Herndon out with a broken ankle (according to FOX). With Trufant already out, losing the other starting CB is a tremendous injury as the Hawks head into the playoffs. ...
Another big Bucs run. A bigger pass. Herndon gets shaken up and is wheeled into the locker room. Another Galloway catch. A couple of stops at the three yard line until Galloway gets another and sneaks in for a TD. ...A run. An end-around. Two plays where the Bucs gained plenty of real estate. Another Hawks penalty helps the Bucs but they miss a 44-yard field goal. Next, Shaun breaks a couple. Matt pump-fakes and number 18 makes a great catch. First down on the two, thanks to Jerramy Stevens. After a couple of stops, Shaun gets in. ...Bobby's back. Branch catches one. Some nice running by Shaun. Some nice decison making by Matt and then--as the year has gone--a false start stalls the nice drive. After what looked like pass interference, Josh Brown boots a field goal. ...Nice first stop, as the Bucs have to punt after their first possession. Tatupu stuffed Alstott to force the punt. Nate had a nice return. Boy, when was the last time Hawks fans looked forward to returns? ...Tampa Bay running back Carnell Williams missed his third straight practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's showdown against Seattle. Seahawks RG Chris Gray will have his team-record streak of 121 straight starts at risk this weekend, after being downgraded to questionable with a thigh injury. Pork Chop would fill in if Gray does not play (Gray has not practiced this week). Conversely, C Robbie Tobeck has been upgraded to probable following positive results in his left hip (infection). Tobeck will likely play a backup role, with Chris Spencer starting. ...With Marcus Trufant nursing a high ankle sprain, first rounder Kelly Jennings will likely start opposite ex-Hawk Joey Galloway this Sunday. Jennings seemed to do well versus the Chargers, breaking up a couple of passes. Jennings isn't the largest of players (5'11" and 176 lbs) and is in the midst of his first pro season, which we all know is a grind for rookies. Jennings was the 31st choice in last year's draft. ESPN has an article today about Jennings, and here are some words in the Times about the CB, from Mike Holmgren. ...From today's injury report: CB Marcus Trufant is doubtful with an ankle injury. DJack is doubtful as well. Robbie Tobeck is out. Probable: Rocky Bernard, Chris Gray and Niko Koutouvides. Holmgren noted Michael Boulware will remain as a starter versus the Bucs. The coach also said he would not rest his starters against Tampa Bay, desiring momentum into the playoffs. ...Looks like CB Marcus Trufant may have suffered a high ankle sprain and his season could be on the line. We'll know more after Coach Holmgren's press conference this afternoon. The TNT is reporting that the Hawks let DE Robert Pollard go and will have another CB, Rich Gardner, in for a try-out today. ...Here is a first look at the teams the Hawks will play next season, highlighted by Chicago Bears coming to the Qwest. Also to play in Seattle next year: the Saints, Ravens, Bengals and the Bucs. Away games: the first-place NFC East team (Eagles or Cowboys), Steelers, Panthers, Hawks, and Browns (the nine of ten non-divisional games are set, a pre-set schedule of the NFC West vs the AFC North/NFC South in 2007). By winning the division, the Hawks picked up games vs. NFC divisional champs. ...The Hawks would be better served, it seems, not to look past using the Bucs as a metronome for their current woes--most of which are on the offensive side of the ball. Travelling to Florida has never been easy for this team, so the Hawks start with a minus. The early odds, however, favor the Hawks by three. So who are these Gruden-coached Bucs? USA Today has the Inside Slant on a team which is last in their division at 4-11. The four wins came against the Bengals, Eagles, Redskins and Browns. ...Here we go, bleedin' blue believers: The Seahawks will host either the Eagles or the Cowboys in a playoff wildcard match (the Hawks will face the team that ends up second place in the NFC East). After last night's game, I don't know which team I would rather have coming to the Qwest. How bizarre is this season in the NFC? The Packers, Rams, Carolina, Giants and Atlanta can all still make it (all those teams are 7-8). Who would you rather see come to the Qwest? Owens and Romo? Or Garcia and Andy Reid? For complete playoff info, check out SI.com. ...I don't know how much analysis is worth, a day after . But after reading about Boulware taking the blame -- so emotionally -- for giving up that last TD, I say bah-humbug. In this fan's eyes, the offense lost the game, not the D. The Hawks defense played their hearts out and were on the field way too much. Dropped passes, poor decision making by the QB, giving up way too many sacks. The Hawks should not feel like they lost, they should worry about finding their offense before the playoffs. ...Despite two terrific touchdowns by Shaun Alexander -- and keeping LT out of the end zone -- the Hawks gave up another one in heartbreak fashion, losing in the final minutes to the Chargers, 20-17. I'll leave it to Justin -- who's driving home from the game right now, probably cursing the wind -- to provide the analysis. Meanwhile, the 49ers lost to the Cards, which means the Hawks clinched their division anyway. So we're playoff bound. But do we deserve it? Hmmm. Game time weather, rainy and mid-forties. My inner fan would like to say he has a feeling about this one, but that same feeling registered during the Niners and Arizona games. So we'll just have to sit back and see what Santa brings. The playoffs... can you sense them? Off to the stadium soon. No DJack, no Womack, but Bobby Engram will play. Go Hawks. ...I've been thinking about this blog for quite some time now. A conversation with my wife made me rethink it. Now I want to know what fans think. Was last year a fluke? Were the Seahawks simply way more lucky than great? It's possible. Am I casting doubt only because the Hawks have had a hard time recently? Is it simply a combination of injuries, lost players, and low desire following a Super Bowl year? NFL guru John Clayton from ESPN says the Niners will challenge the Hawks next year. Ok. So the Hawks are that bad. Really? Are the Niners that good? Or are the Hawks having a cursed year? What do you think? Was last year real? Update: I finally had a chance to glance at what local sports writers are saying today. I think the PI's Art Thiel put it the best. If you get a chance, his article provides some well-written insight. ...Which Seahawk team will show up Sunday? Will the coaches stop appearing so conservative and let Matt throw downfield? If Matt opens it up, will he make the right decisions? Will that allow Shaun to hit the gaps or will the gaps even exist? Will the defense be able to slow LT, or will they simply be speed bumps on the MVP's way to the end zone? Too many questions. But I'd love to see the Hawks offense come out firing. Even if they misfire, just keep firing. Let the pass open up the run. Either way, I still intend to be at the Qwest, and I still intend to cheer. Expert picks: ESPN, leaning to the Bolts. King at SI.Com, do I even need to say? CBS Sportsline (which picks against the spread, -4.5) four for the Chargers, two for the Hawks (Accuscore says the Bolts will win 65% of the time). USA Today, all Chargers. ...
And that's one weighty task, especially when the Chargers lightning bolt is streaking towards a powerless town near you--LaDainian Tomlinson. What LT has done for the Chargers thus far: Helped the Bolts to an eight-game winning streak. He's also the NFL's leading rusher with 1,626 yards. He vaulted past Shaun's 28 single-season league record for touchdowns with 31...and going. LT rushes into Seattle with eight 100-yard games in a row. He's breaking enough tackles to carry an NFL record eight consecutive games with at least two touchdowns. Oh yeah, he also snapped Paul Hornung's points record of 176, set in 1960--40 years ago--by scoring 186 points...and is still going. Side note: Not to forget their defense, San Diego leads the league with 54 sacks. And not to slight the entire offense, the Chargers are also the highest scoring team in the NFL, at 31.8/game. ...The TNT is reporting that SS Michael Boulware is back in the starting lineup, replacing Jordan Babineaux (or, as Bryant Gumble said, Jordan Babi-necks. Didn't Gumble call Frank Gore Al Gore, too?). Back to what matters: Fans can only hope Michael has had enough time to get his feet back under him and can assist in tracking down the elusive LT. I like the move. You care? ...On the injury front, following this afternoon's press conference with coach Mike Holmgren: No surprise, C Robbie Tobeck, out. DJack is still listed as doubtful. Rocky Bernard, DE Robert Pollard and Floyd Womack (groin) are questionable. Bobby Engram -- who played but had no catches in the Niners game -- should see more snaps this week. On a side note, did you know that in every Seahawks loss this year, the team has had the lead in the fourth quarter? News to muse over. ...Ok, I know some of you could care less about where the Seahawks rank in any sports writer's Power Rankings. Maybe I need to ask Dennis Bounds to start ranking teams, then maybe we'd have something to go with. But since Dennis is too busy being a big-time TV anchor, we'll have to go with what's available. ESPN has the Hawks dropping to 15th (previously 10). SI.com has the Hawks at 12th (10). CBS Sportsline also has the team at 12th (10). USA Today has the team at 14th (11). (More than one of the writers think the losses have much to do with Matt.) Odds, you may ask? Looking at the past few games, you'd think Vegas doesn't have a clue. The Chargers are only favored by 4.5. Anyone else really think it'll be that close? Anyone out there think the Hawks can win this one? Can they stop LT? Walter Jones, Julian Peterson, Mack Strong and Lofa Tatupu have been chosen to represent the NFC and the Seahawks in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii this February. It is Walt's seventh Pro Bowl as a starter, along with Mack. Peterson and Tatupu were selected as reserves. The only player I see deserving who wasn't on the list: kicker Josh Brown. ...Still not enough juice to hold practice at the Seahawks training facility in Kirkland. There was enough power for players to lift weights, one of the few ways to gear up for Christmas Eve's game versus the Charges. There was enough generator power, however, for coaches to dissect game film. ......because the Seahawks can lose the next two, the Niners can win out, and SF would end up winning the NFC West. Yup. It's seriously do or die time for the Hawks. Still, here's a look at how the playoffs are shaping up: With the Eagles winning over the Giants today, if Seattle manages to win the division, the Hawks'd host the Eagles (a victory for the Seahawks in TB is no lock, however -- the Bears barely escaped with a win against the Bucs today). With New Orleans losing and Dallas winning this weekend, Seattle is behind both teams in the hunt for a first-round bye. Chances are, if they win, the Seahawks will host a wild-card game. Another note, San Diego heads to the Qwest on Dec. 24th, but don't expect the Chargers to take the game off. The Chargers will likely be playing for home-field advantage, with just a slight lead over Baltimore over in the AFC. ...Finally got power back to the house at 4:45 p.m. I was walking my infant son around the block and I actually heard people cheering from inside their homes. Way to go, light crews! All Hawk fans should send the workers at their local power companies prayers, well-wishes, whatever. Thanks to local radio, too -- for keeping us updated. Haven't had a chance to think much about the Hawks. However, Mike Sando over at the Tribnet is reporting that DJack and Robbie Tobeck likely won't see any game time versus the Chargers. Again, thanks to all the crews working so hard. It's much, much appreciated. Now I'm off to try and host a holiday party. I'm hearing alot of angered and upset Seahawk fans, who now actually believe the Hawks will "not" make the playoffs. Hawks are in the playoffs, that's my thoughts, let me know what you think. ...Vent, vent away. Batten down the hatches, and I do mean batten. Gore's coming to town and there aren't any presidential hopes to be dashed by tonight's expected high winds. We all remember the last time the teams met -- the Seahawks run defense let Frank Gore run crazy like wind gusts of 45 mph's. Can the Hawks stop the Niners this time? The defensive front four need to tie down anything that's loose around the house and get to work, because DT Rocky Bernard will play without practicing all week. Also of note: Nate B. will try to track down the ball in the swirling winds on kicks and punts, while replacing DJack in the starting lineup. Before you head to the Qwest, check KING5.com's weather for up to the minute weather conditions. And if the cable goes out, drag out those old rabbit ears and tune to KCPQ to catch the game. Update: Before you head out, check out the traffic at the KING5.com traffic center. ...It's impossible to pinpoint which injury or player loss has lead to the Season of Nothing Easy. Losing Hutch was a bitter pill, slightly sweetened by gaining Peterson--who is a beast among LB's. Losing Joe Jurevicius was just as bitter, hardly made easier to swallow because the Champ was headed home. Losing Shaun seemed, oddly inevitable, but also surmountable. Losing Bobby made losing Joe harder, and losing Matt meant chemistry between his new wideouts would take longer. Pork Chop's nagging injuries. Chris Spencer gets hurt. Mack Strong's gets beat up. His backup, Leonard Weaver, is out for the season on IR. Josh Scobey is also on IR. Now DJack is out. And that's just the offense. Before the season even started, the Hawks lost S Mike Green. The loss of D.D. Lewis seems to have hit harder than expected. The same odd decision making that allowed the Hawks to lose Hutch led to the departure of Isaiah Kacyvenski. Marcus Tubbs is yet another player on IR. The defensive front four have been steam rolled by opposing RB's. The CB's have given up big plays. There were moments when Craig Terrill shined, and now is he's out for the season. Heck, this Season of Nothing Easy has been so whacky even the long snapper Jean-Philippe Darche is on injure reserve. But any way fans look at it, the Seahawks win tomorrow and they are NFC West Champs for the third consecutive season. Fans should be giddy the Hawks are even this close. "The Seahawks are getting healthy at just the right time," a NFL scout recently said. Nine Seahawks who started with this '06 team are out. Strange, how getting healthy can be such a bitter pill to choke down. ...While one receiver goes down (D-Jack), another comes back. Bobby Engram says he'll play Thursday against the 49ers. His numbers, for his thyroid problem, are at a nice level. The 11-year vet has always been a favorite, if not consistant, target of Matt Hasselbeck. Engram credited the team's doctors and medical staff for diagnosing the problem quickly. He's back to his playing weight and has a lot of energy again. It'll be nice to see Bobby and his sure hands on the field. I'm sure it'll have a calming affect on Hasselbeck, too. ...The Seahawks released their injury report early because the game is Thursday. DJack is officially out with the turf toe. Itula Mili and Robbie Tobeck are also out. Rocky Bernard and Pork Chop are questionable. Bobby Engram is also questionable, although the TNT is reporting the wideout declared himself ready to play. There is audio available at the link. D.D. Lewis was finally moved to IR. Also, odds have the Seahawks favored by 10 points. The Niners have not won since beating the Hawks down in SF. ...What happened to all those years when it never rained on a Seahawks game at the Qwest? Even if you currently have enough power to read this blog, don't expect to sail smoothly come Thursday. From KING 5's Chris Warren: The system on Thursday will be another potentially strong storm. We are still working out the details with this storm to see what the exact wind factor will be, but the main difference with this one will be the colder air moving in once the cold front passes on Friday. This will mean a much cooler weekend with highs in the lower 40s and lows back into the 30s. Keep checking back to KING5.com for expected weather conditions. And once again, double check travel plans. We don't want anyone needing six hours to get back to Tacoma. ...Adding injury to insult, coach Mike Holmgren had some bad news on the injury front. In today's press conference, the coach said DJack is likely out for Thursday's game with turf-toe, as is the often-injured LG Floyd Womack (groin). Even worse, DT Craig Terrill will be placed on IR with a knee injury, out for the season. WR Nate Burleson will move into the starting line-up against the Niners, and Bobby Engram may be healthy enough to see some action. With the short week, Holmgren gave the players an unexpected day free from practice. Side note: For those fans without the NFL Network, the game will air locally on KCPQ. ...What is the consensus Seahawk fans? Is there a way to bottle up the energy and intensity and success the Seahawks display in the confines of Qwest Field to win the next three games? And there is no magical panacea for the same-old woes that follow this team. Strange, how mediocre this defense is compared to last year's. My inner fan was aghast at the bad tackling. There was success throwing down the field, but for some reason the Hawks didn't until they had to. The team came out flat, seemingly uninterested. Players made mistakes, acting like they didn't want to to win as bad as the Cards did. Shaun came up short. Deon came up short. Defenders were out of their gaps. But...the week is just as short and the NFL is unforgiving. The 49ers will be here Thursday. The NFC West title is in the Hawks hands. As Mike says, players control their destiny. And I'll be there, rooting them on. Because, other than the Saints, no team in the NFC looks beyond beating. I've seen a little confusion over where to go, in order to ask Mike Holmgren a question. If you look at the top of the blog you'll see a little Mike Holmgren, next to a blue link that reads: "Ask Mike a question on the Mike Holmgren show. After Sunday Night Football on KING 5." Click that, and you'll be take the page where you can Ask Mike. Sorry for those who had a hard time finding it, or accidentally left a question as a response. I usually try to copy and past questions over for people, but last night I was at a family dinner. ...Nuff said. (But Matt did a heck of a job. And credit the Cardinals game plan.) ...Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris could miss the rest of the season. He sprained his knee tackling Vikings running back Chester Taylor last Sunday. Later we learned that he pulled a hammy, too. The hammy is the big one. Da Bears are talking about putting him on the IR. Chicago Pro-Bowler Mike Brown is already on the IR (foot surgery). Add Rex Grossman's recent passing woes (18 turnovers in 7 games) and is Chicago even in the conversation on "Who's the best in the NFC?" Or does it center on the other teams leading their respective divisions. The Saints (leads the NFC South) and Cowboys (leads the NFC East) mix it up on Sunday. The NFC West leading Seahawks are finally getting the bulk of their injured players back. So does the winner of the 'Boys/Saints game become the favorite or does the defending NFC Champs fill that bill? In a battle of "King of the Hill", I think the Hawks are still the team to beat until someone knocks them out of the playoffs. Especially with Shaun Alexander back, that means more ball control, that leads to less time for the defense to play and mistackle opposing players. By the way, it looks like the D is rounding back into shape of bending but not breaking (like the 2005 defense). Still they've gotta tackle better, but they give me reason to be encouraged. So I digress, tell me who you think is the "Best in the NFC" and your reasons why. ...Okay, okay. Do or die time. The Hawks need to show the league they're for real. And healthy. Locklear moves back into the starting lineup. Matt and Shaun are back together, and when they're together they're 5 and 0. Didn't many preseason pundits pick the Cards to win the NFC West? Well, here they go again...with SI.com's Peter King picking the Cards to beat the Seahawks in the upset of the week! King thinks Leinart will out-duel Hasselbeck. Leinart's good, but not Romo good...yet. Back to what feels like reality, CBS Sportsline is picking the Hawks, 5 to 1. USA Today is all Hawks, 6 to 0. Accuscore -- the model that runs the game via stats 10,000 times -- has the Hawks winning 64% of the time. I don't know why, but as the week's gone on my inner-fan has felt better about the offense. It's the defense he worries about. ...Nate Burleson has found his place on the team, winning the NFC's Special Teams Player of November award. If you're a stat person, you've watched Nate explode in the return column. In the month, Burleson had an NFC best 13.8 yard punt return average. Versus the Rams, Burleson averaged 31.7 yards per return, including a 90-yard touchdown -- the second-longest in franchise history. Burleson also returned five kickoffs, including a 45 yarder against Green Bay on MNF. It's Nate's first Player of the Month Award. Way to go no. 81. ...In case you've been too busy to pay much attention to the Cardinals since they blew that lead against Chicago, here's a quick update: Since Leinart took over at QB, the team is 2-6. He has 8 TD's and 8 INT's. Edge is 17th in the NFL rushing, with 810 yards and 3 TD's. The Cards are 27th in total offense and 30th in total defense. They finally won on the road, beating the Rams 34-20 last week. Leinart threw for 186 yards and Edge had his first 100-yard game this season. Oh yeah, and the Cards haven't won back-to-back games since 2004. Coach Mike Holmgren is holding his Wednesday presser right now and he's talking about the Hawks injuries. Robbie Tobeck is back in-house and rehabbing his hip. Holmgren says he's 15 pounds lighter than his playing weight. Don't expect him back for next week's game. Sounds like he has to get back into playing shape. As all you Hawk fans have noticed, the Seahawks are notorious for bringing back injured players very slowly. Good news for Bobby Engram. His "numbers" are up for his thyroid condition. Coach Holmgren thinks he can return when Bobby says he's ready. That could be Sunday or the following Thursday night against the 49ers. No word on Mack Strong's condition. If his ankle sprain is better by the end of this week, he could play in Arizona. Holmgren didn't rule out bringing Mercer Island native David Kirtman off the practice squad to fill-in for Mack. Keep tuning in today for more Hawks info. Coach says there are more roster moves on the way, but he didn't want to say anything until the moves were final. Plus, we'll have video on-line from today's practice, including interviews from the players. So check back later this afternoon. ...If the Hawks win and the Niners lose, they grab the division and are the NFC West Champs once again. But odds only have the Hawks winning by three and a half in AZ (forecast calls for 68 degrees and sunny). Why such a narrow thread? The Cards whomped the Rams in St. Louis last week. Leinhart seems to be getting more comfortable, and Edge is running (although Shipp had three rushing TD's last weekend). So in all fairness to the three point spread, let's compare the Hawks to the Cards in the Power Rankings around the league. ESPN: Seahawks 8th, Cards 31st. Si.com: Seahawks 7th, Cards 30th. CBS Sportsline: Seahawks 7th, Cards 27th. USA Today: Seahawks 11th, Cards 28th. Pretty big spread handed down by the sports writers. So who's right? Oddmakers or wordsmiths? Part of me thinks Vegas. I just haven't seen enough of the offense to feel any better. ...The Seahawks make a couple of moves today. They've put return specialist/running back Josh Scobey on the disabled list. Scobey broke a bone in his arm or shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Denver game. The Hawks also released 4th-string quarterback Gibran Hamdan. That's a sure sign that Matt Hasselbeck's knee is much better. ...The Hawks are in the playoffs with a win this weekend versus the Cards. Did you know the opening line favors the Seahawks by a meager three points? While Holmgren admitted to restraining the offense in Denver, I think it'd be fair to expect a more wide-open approach to throwing down the field in Arizona. ESPN's Power Rankings are out, with Seattle slipping to ninth. The Cowboys are No. 3. (Anyone else still not sold on Romo? I mean can any team game-plan for this guy, with so few starts under his belt?) Either way, the Hawks are still ahead of "America's Team" in the playoff picture. And the verdict is in, at least for this blog. The Iceman it is, for Josh Brown. Just ask Lofa Tatupu. ...The good news: in today's press conference, coach Mike Holmgren said Mack Strong did not suffer a high ankle sprain in the Denver win. Strong will likely practice and may play in Sunday's game in Arizona. The bad news: Special Teams captain Josh Scobey is out with a broken bone in his shoulder. No word how long it will be before Scobey will return. Center Robbie Tobeck continues to respond to medication, and will likely be back before the season is over. ...Or how about MVP? An earlier reader suggested Josh Brown deserves a nickname for all of his late heroics this season. Any suggestions? Steve Kelley from the Times is calling Josh the Ice Man. Mr. Clutch? Best Down Brown? 003--Brown. Josh Brown. His tackle may have been the best hit by a Seahawks kicker, ever. Maybe Chris Cornell can croon a theme song for the soon-to-be free agent. While the injured QB was anemic early, you have to give it up for Matt staging yet another fouth quarter comeback. And as far as the awful tackling from the opportunistic defense, the Tribnet's Dave Boling has a column worth checking out. As an earlier reader, Jodi, said: Thank God for small miracles. First win for Seattle in Denver since 1995, thanks to some Mile High efforts like Josh Brown's fourth game-winning field goal this season. Thanks to that 50-yard boot, Josh Brown's mug is on NBC's The Rock, baby -- Player of the Game! First kicker ever, according to the NBC crew (even counting the ol' horse trailer). Brown also, according to ESPN, tied an NFL single-season record. Other than some awful tackling that made the game hard on fan's hearts, it was a great job of pressure by the defense. Grant Wistrom's tip. Tapp running an interception in for a TD. Peterson flying in Cutler's face. Way to step up when needed, D. And way to go, Josh. Now we just hope Mack Strong's okay. Mack had two drops before he was hurt. DJack had two drops. Stevens had one, as well. Tatupu had a great game last week, this week he seems out of position, over-running the RB at the line. Matt seems as rusty as he did in last week's first half. Walter Jones was hurt, but he came back. Shaun has something like 15 yards in nine carries. Brown has missed two field goals. Yet the game is still well within reach. Despite missed tackles, the defense has kept this team in the game.
NBC just reported Mack Strong is questionable for the game, mid-way through the second quarter with an injury to his ankle. Ouch. What hurts just as much? Three delay of game penalties. Not being able to stop the run. Too many dropped passes. Matt seems out of sync. Update: p.s. Thank you Cutler. Thank you Hawks D.
Update: NBC is reporting 16 degrees before kick-off. No changes in the playoff outlook as the Hawks gear up for a chilly game in Denver (it's currently fair and 36 degrees). With the Niners and Rams losing, the Hawks have a nice NFC West cushion. But as far as home-field advantage, with the Bears clinching and the Saints winning, the Hawks would be third in the NFC -- with a victory. That leaves the Hawks chasing the Saints for a first-round bye (if the playoffs started today, the Hawks would face Carolina in a wildcard game). While it's hard to imagine the Hawks catching Chicago, they could catch New Orleans. The Saints still face the Cowboys, Redskins, Giants and Panthers. Don't forget to click here to leave a question for the Mike Holmgren Show. It's on KING5, right after tonight's game. Matt took snaps today in practice. Holmgren reiterated he did not believe the left hand injury would be an issue come Sunday. DJack (knee) also practiced, as did Chris Spencer. The right tackle may play this weekend, but Tom Ashworth will likely start. CB Jordan Babineaux missed practice and was listed on the injury report as probable. So was Rocky Bernard. Game balls for the MNF game went to Shaun, Trufant, and Lance Laury (LB) for special teams duty. The Hawks also honored Duc Dinh, the field maintenance guy, for his job keeping the field clear of snow. The team gave him a framed photo of game action, and one with Duc shoveling.
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