Blogger KING Sports

Notre Dame off. coordinator to interview with Huskies

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:40:17 -0800

Rivals.com is reporting that Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood will interview for the Huskies head coaching job. There is a connection for Haywood.

Huskies athletic director Scott Woodward, who took over the job in mid-September, is the former director of external affairs in the Office of the Chancellor at LSU, where Haywood served on the Tigers' coaching staff from 1995-2002. - rivals.com

Haywood even calls UW A.D. Woodward "a very good friend." I guess I would to if I wanted the job. Anyway, after the M's filled their managerial job, this should be the next hot topic in the area. For the sake of Husky fans, you hope they make a big splash with the school's next hire. Here's rivals.com article on Haywood. Here's his bio from Notre Dame.

Kerney to IR

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:22:22 -0800

The Seahawks have placed defensive end Patrick Kerney to the injured reserve list. Kerney had his left shoulder surgically repaired by Dr. James Andrews about a couple weeks. Apparently the surgery didn't work. It's very possibly that he'll have to have another surgery to fix the previous surgery. You can see the Seahawks official press release after the jump.

Wakamatsu press conference live

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:34:59 -0800

You can watch the M's live press conference introducing new manager Don Wakamatsu right now on Northwest Cable News or just click on the front page of KING5.com -- it's streaming live on the web. We'll have complete coverage of the presser tonight on KING 5 news at 5pm, 630, 10, & 11...plus, on Northwest Sports Tonight at 9:30pm, 11, 11:30.

Seahawks vs. Redskins game release

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:49:31 -0800

I know, for many fairweather fans playing this game as spoilers is as irrelevant as Shaun Alexander's return to Qwest Field as a backup and Jim Zorn as the Redskins's head coach. Still, the drama exists on the sidelines. The FOX crew calling the game is Matt Vasgersian (play-by-play), J.C. Pearson (commentary) and Nischelle Turner (sidelines). Here's this week's game release, put together by Seahawks staff:

The Seahawks host the Washington Redskins this week, led by former Seahawks quarterback and quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn. Kickoff is slated for 1:15 p.m. (PT) and the game will be televised on FOX (channel 13 in Seattle) and broadcast on 97.3 FM in Seattle. This week marks the first game of back-to-back NFC East opponents for Seattle. The Seahawks travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day next week. This year, Seattle is 0-2 vs. the NFC East, losing at New York, 44-6 on October 5, and 26-7 vs. Philadelphia, on November 2. In its last 10 meetings against the NFC East, Seattle is 8-2, including 3-0 in the postseason. In the regular season, Washington holds a 9-4 series lead and has won four consecutive games dating back to the 2001 season, three coming in Washington, D.C. and one in Seattle on November 3, 2002. The two clubs have met in two of the last three postseasons. They met in the 2005 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 14, 2006, won by Seattle, 20-10, en route to its first Super Bowl appearance and in last postseason's Wild Card Game on January 5, with Seattle winning 35-14 at Qwest Field. Zorn's Redskins have a familiar look to Seattle fans as he is joined by former running backs coach Stump Mitchell and former running back Sherman Smith on his staff, as well as former players in running back Shaun Alexander, end Phillip Daniels (injured reserve), safety Mike Green, guard Pete Kendall, punter Ryan Plackemeier and cornerback Shawn Springs.

Wakamatsu the right choice?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:42 -0800

As you first heard from KING5 news last night and then the confirmation on the KING5.com and as we broke in on Dr. Phil, the Mariners will name Don Wakamatsu as the team's next manager. Wakamatsu was one of seven candidates, including former Mariner Joey Cora. The M's new skipper had a cup of coffee in the majors as a catcher. He played 18 games in 1991 with the White Sox as Charlie Hough's personal catcher. Plus, he's been a minor league manager or coach and a major league coach for the past 12 seasons. By the way, he played college ball with Barry Bonds.

So is Wakamatsu the right choice? He interviewed for the A's & Rangers opening in 2006. But this will still be his first managerial job in the majors. Last week, GM Jack Zduriencik made the comment that everyone needs their first job. I guess you could say he's right. Look at what Joe Maddon with the Rays. They didn't do so bad. But for every success story, you could probably find five or more failures. So is Wakamatsu the right choice?

Cross Muschamp off Huskies list

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:46:50 -0800

Texas has named defensive coordinator Will Muschamp as the team's head coach in waiting. So whenever Mack Brown decides to retire, Muschamp will take over. By the way, Brown is only 57. So it could be a decade or more before Brown steps down. I guess Muschamp will make more money. He more than doubled his salary to $900,000 at Texas. But why commit to a college when he probably could get a head coaching job this year or next year? At any rate, if the Huskies really want him, I'm sure they could pony up enough money to pull him to Seattle. Here's a little more on the story.

Obama calls for NCAA football playoffs

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:53:14 -0800

Can President-elect Barack Obama get rid of the Bowl Championship Series? Twice in recent television interviews, the President-elect has called for an eight-game college playoff series. Once during his interview with Chris Berman from ESPN at halftime of MNF the night before the election, and most recently in Sunday's interview with 60 Minutes' Steve Kroft. Here's the BCS part of that interview:

Today the deal was done, taking TV rights for five BCS bowl games from Fox to ESPN, including the national championship by 2011 (the deal would also take the Rose Bowl to cable TV). What do fans think? Is the current BCS deal worth it, even with the big games on cable? Or would an eight-game playoff series be better for the sport?

Wakamatsu Next M's Skipper?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:04:56 -0800

KING5 has learned from sources close to the Mariners that A's bench coach Don Wakamatsu is likely the next M's skipper pending approval from the owners in Japan. Wakamatsu spent five season with the Rangers organizations. He's also worked with the Angels. Here's a link for more info on Wakamatsu.

Hasselbeck sorry

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:09:24 -0800

Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck apologized for his comments after Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He said he expected some fines to come down for some of the hits he took yesterday. Today, the quarterback says he regrets saying that and he probably owes someone an apology. He continued to say they played hard, physical, within the rules, and with class and hopes nobody gets fined. Hasselbeck called it a physical game and thought he probably shouldn't have talked so soon after the game. He even joked he may have needed a nap first. Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt didn't think there was any foul play. Here's a couple of Whisenhunt quotes from profootballtalk.com. Today, Hawks head coach Mike Holmgren says there's a rule stating quarterbacks can't be hit in the head. Holmgrean called the Adrian Wilson play as being close to that and it could have gone either way. I'm sure both Holmgren and Hasselbeck are trying to play nice avoid any fines.

Seahawks season done. What now?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Let's put you in the coaches/GM seat. The Cardinals win put the Seahawks at 2-8 and basically ended the Seahawks chance at getting the NFC crown. Hasselbeck was rocked more than once. No. 8 went for one TD and three INTs with a bulging disk in his back and nerve issues in his leg. Should Matt continue to play out the season? Should Holmgren step back and let Mora transition in now? While I cannot fathom the latter happening, the question will surely be asked. And looking ahead to the draft, what would the 12th Man pick with the first selection? A corner? A WR in the likes of Boldin or Fitzgerald? An offensive lineman? The next Seahawks QB? Plenty of questions that need to be addressed by this team in the offseason. Whatever happens, you have to give it up to the Seahawks. Down the line, I didn't see a single player in blue and green stop playing.

Cougars women hoops add 2 more recruits

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:45:28 -0800

Wazzu's women's basketball team adds two more recruits for 2009-10. Head coach June Daugherty signed 6'4" Australian Razz Muir and 5'10" German Ireti Amojo. You might remember Amojo from two years ago when she played with Auburn-Riverside in 2006-07 as a foreign exchange student. Amojo will join former teammate Katie Grad at WSU. I don't know much about Muir. According to her bio, she's won titles on numerous levels. Plus she was named a defensive player of the year and a female sports person of the year. Coach Daugherty will have added 11 new players in two years when this class enters school next year. Expect them to be a top 25 team within a few seasons. The whole press release and more on Amojo & Muir is after the jump.

Hockey: A look at the AHL

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:30:56 -0800

Here in Western Washington, we sport WHL pride. I mean, how can we not? We boast two teams: the Seattle Thunderbirds and Everett Silvertips. If you go down I-5 to Portland, you've got the Winterhawks. Travel east and you run into the Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs.
But today, we focus on the AHL (American Hockey League), which features 29 teams connected to NHL teams, including the Vancouver Canucks' farm team, the Manitoba Moose and the San Jose Sharks' farm team, the Worcester Sharks.
Regular contribute Joanne Klever recently traveled to Worcester to check out the AHL.
Here's what she uncovered.

NHL: Torn between two teams? Maybe not.

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:28:36 -0800

My friends and I have had a lively discussion lately about liking more than one NHL team. It seems to be more prevalent in hockey than other sports. Why is that? I have two teams I follow faithfully: the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouer Canucks. Yet, I find myself watching other teams, mostly because of one or two players.
Regular contributor Joanne Klever wrote an eye opening and extremely persuasive article about her absolute favorite team, the San Jose Sharks, and another team that's caught her eye, the Philadelphia Flyers. Here, she explains the attraction.

Cardinals vs. Seahawks 4th qtr. log

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:41:54 -0800

Hawks ball. Kind of a weird play. Karlos Dansby intercepts Hasselbeck in/near the end zone. As he runs it out, John Carlson forces a fumble. Walter Jones recovers. Seattle gets a new set of downs. TJ Duckett ends up scoring on a 1 yard run. They go for two points but fail. Cards lead, 26-13.

-- Cards ball. Brandon Mebane forces Warner to fumble. Darry Tapp recovers. Hawks ball.

-- Hawks ball. Duckett scores his second TD of the game from 2 yards out. Cards lead, 26-20.

-- Cards ball. After they move the ball a little bit, the Hawks defense gets stout and forces them to punt.

-- Hawks ball. They go 3 and out. That's not what they needed.

-- Cards ball. The Hawks D allow one first down then forces Arizona to punt again.

-- Hawks ball. First play, Hasselbeck throws an interception to Dominque Rodger-Cromartie. That's his second INT of the game. Third one thrown by Hasselbeck. That pretty much ends the game.

-- Cards ball. Warner just takes a knee game over. Cards win, 26-20. That probably means the Hawks are done for the year. They fall 5 games back of the Cardinals with 6 games left in the season. Holmgren is 2-8 for the first time in his NFL head coaching career.

Cardinals vs. Seahawks 3rd qtr. log

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:36:57 -0800

Seattle needs to keep the Cards offense off the field. Arizona had the ball 18 minutes to Seattle's 12. Cards have 263 net yards to Hawks 64 net yards.

-- Hawks ball. Deion Branch catches the ball and makes a nice move for 33 yards. Two plays later, Jones fumbles the ball, Darnell Dockett recovers. Coach Holmgren challenges. The play stands.

-- Cards ball. Anquan Boldin is wide open for a 44-yard gain. Marcus Trufant was shaken up a few plays later. No word on his injury yet. Arizona settles for a 26 yard field goal. Cards lead, 19-7. The Hawks better get going or this season will nearly be over.

-- Hawks ball. Announcers just said Trufant has a concussion and his return is doubtful. Holmgren makes a puzzling call on 3rd & 9. He called a running play for Mo. He didn't come anywhere near the first down. Hawks punt.

-- Cards ball. After four plays of gaining 10 yards or more, the Cardinals score on 6 yard screen pass. Arizona leads, 26-7.

-- Hawks ball. After a nice return by Josh Wilson, Seattle is marching down. End of the third quarter, Cards lead, 26-7.