Why We Should Be Happy About The 49’ers Success  

While I’m not exactly happy about the 49’ers taking our spot in the playoffs, I am happy we aren’t going into the playoffs at seven and nine with no chance of anything but knocking our draft pick higher. The point is the 49’ers deserve to be there. Our record this year was seven and nine again, bad enough to earn us third place in the dreaded NFC West. However, the record of seven and nine was good enough last year to win the division, making the title of dreaded well deserved. We had about as much competition and rivalry as your local racket ball court. Yet this appears to be changing, things are on the up and up and the NFC West appears to be developing into a respectful division. By not being as easily won by anyone it will make everyone stronger, especially the new millennium Seahawks. This era brought new found success to a team badly needing it. However, it also brought shame and disappointment in the post-season. The reason we continue to traditionally see the same east coast teams have success in the playoffs is that year after year their divisions stay highly competitive. If any of these teams became complacent, the Browns being a good example, it would mean total embarrassment.

This upcoming season things are looking great for our division and great for the Seahawks as well (providing some sliver of hope at quarterback, I mean it’s all we need with our run game just look at the 49’ers). The Rams have hired Jeff Fisher and unlike Josh McDaniels Fisher is the real deal and not some overhyped offensive mind. The point is Fisher knows how to win and he has the stats to prove it. With 17 seasons as head coach of the Titans Fisher has led them to one super bowl appearance, where they were one yard short of forcing overtime, one conference championship, and three division championships, as well as boasting eleven winning seasons in his 17 year tenure as head coach. Nobody can argue that with Jeff Fisher at the wheel, Sam Bradford riding shotgun, and Steven Jackson sitting behind him the Rams will be driving one dangerous car soon enough.

The Cardinals were looking pretty good at the start of this season, but an injury plagued Kevin Kolb and a lack of an off-season really hurt their chances. With all the games missed by Kolb, disregarding the lockout, he was never really able to find his niche and develop chemistry with his receivers. Later in the year the Cardinals defense came on strong and they were able to run the ball effectively. The play of John Skelton also improved greatly and he started to perform at a higher level than most people had come to expect from him. Going into the off-season the Cardinals have one of those good problems, they have two quarterbacks who are going to battle for the starting spot next season. They also will probably be keeping their eyes open in the draft for a quarterback, but I don’t expect them to take one unless very late in the draft if at all. The Cardinals’ season really mirrored that of the Seahawks in that they did not find their identity until midway through the season, by the time both teams were able to make a run it was too late in the standings. I really am expecting great things for the Seahawks next season just as I am with the Cardinals.

This is a tough question for fans.  On one hand, he was a huge part of our Super Bowl defense and an instant leader in the locker room.  I remember when the Hawks practiced at EWU, Tatupu was more likely to be spotted with coaches than other players.  I believe that he came into the league with a chip on his shoulder trying to prove anyone who passed on him in the draft wrong

He did just that becoming a dominant linebacker in the NFL.  His intelligence was his most valuable asset as he rarely over pursued  and had a knack for picking the right angles on opposing ball carriers.  There was a span of years were Lofa Tatupu was easily the most popular player on the field in the eyes of fans and coaches alike.

So what happened?

He got paid, injured, and arrested.  (more…)

Remember in the Peanuts cartoon when Lucy used to talk Charlie Brown into kicking the football only to remove it at the last minute leaving an embarrassed Chuck laying on his back contemplating the reasons why he keeps making the same mistake over and over.. 

After the Bears game, I felt like Charlie Brown. 

Disappointment is a strange emotion.  Too much can force a fan to abandon a team, and not enough can turn fans into obnoxious elitists (see any Cowboys or Patriots fan). 

The Seahawks have been a disappointing franchise for well over half of their existence.  That’s why they have been moved from the NFC to the AFC and then back to the NFC.  Fans are used to getting kicked in the teeth by players, owners, and the league.  Nothing really seems to surprise us as far as disappointment goes.

At the beginning of this season, the only thing that would surprise me was success. (more…)

If you haven’t, check it out after the jump. Tony Dungy calls the Seattle Seahawks the “best team in the NFC.” Immediately following his statement, both Dan Patrick and Rodney Harrison drown his opinion with laughter and criticism.

I can’t say I completely agree with Tony Dungy, but the Seahawks are an improving football team capable of winning their division. At this point, would it be too much to expect a home playoff game this season?

Either way, it is always nice to hear someone with a national perspective praise the Seahawks for their accomplishments. Regardless of Dungy’s opinion, however, a champion is never crowned by talking heads on the television. The Seahawks must continue to improve and win football games every Sunday.

What do you think of Tony Dungy’s bold opinion?

Continue reading to view the video.

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Matt Hasselbeck, the current starting quarterback, has been mostly ineffective through the first quarter of the season. At 35 years old and with a contract that expires at the end of the season, critics will point out that Hasselbeck is obviously not a part of the team’s future. With Hasselbeck on the field, it could be argued the team’s long-term growth is inhibited.

Regardless of your opinion, Matt Hasselbeck is still the starting quarterback. But I’m still glad Charlie Whitehurst is a part of the football team.

No matter how good or bad Whitehurst may end up, it is hard to argue his potential. He possesses excellent size, mobility, and a strong arm. As a football prospect, his tangible assets are superb.

Whitehurst’s intangibles are difficult to assess, but I’m happy his potential is in Seattle.

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12. All eyes will be on Rams’ running back Steven Jackson’s injured groin. This is very distracting for any man.

11. If Steven Jackson out, Sam Bradford will have to shoulder the load, and you know how his shoulders are.

10. If the Seahawks can give up 500+ yards AND win, then surely they can beat the lowely Rams.

9. Pete Carroll calling plays like he’s at USC doesn’t bode well, unless you’re playing the Rams, who could probably lose to the 2009 Trojans.

8. The Rams have added former USC running back Chauncey Washington. Not only does Carroll know how to game plan against his former players, but there’s no way a guy named Chauncey is going to put up big numbers.

7. When was the last time the Rams won two in a row?

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In fact, don’t do anything. Don’t leave town, change your schedule, or forget your playbook.

Seattle’s new front office enjoys shuffling the roster so much it has become routine. Every week, players are added, dropped, and reacquired.

This week, the Seahawks announced they had cut offensive lineman Chester Pitts, who had been struggling to return following a serious knee injury suffered last fall. Last July, Pitts agreed to a one-year contract with Seattle that could have been worth up to $2 million if certain incentives were met.

Pitts, however, did not participate throughout training camp and has not practiced with the team until recently. Up until yesterday, the team seemed confident Pitts would be able to start contributing soon; his departure was sudden and somewhat unexpected, and only proves the coaching staff may have been too optimistic.

To replace Pitts on the roster, the Seahawks brought back Mike Gibson, who was released earlier this week as well. Gibson started earlier in the season for Seattle but was eventually replaced by Ben Hamilton. Gibson’s return to the roster will probably be short-lived, as the team only needs an interior lineman familiar with the system to replace Pitts.

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I can’t help but wonder which Seattle defense will show up for this weeks match up against the Chargers. If it’s the week 1 defense, I think the Hawks might have a chance. This defense held the 49ers to 1-15 on 3^rd downs, a meager 77 rushing yards, had 2 sacks , and 2 interceptions. One was for a touchdown courtesy of Marcus Trufant. This is the defense that held one of the elite rushers in the NFL, Frank Gore, to a harmless 2.2 ypc. Red Bryant stood out on this defense picking up a sack and hitting the qb on 2 more occasions. Chris Clemons made contact 4 times, and even Curry managed to make a ripple collecting 2 hits on Alex Smith. This defense was like an avalanche that chased, caught, and eventually engulfed a 49ers offense. It was a suffocating force drenched in a chaos of decibels created by the 12^th man. It was a defense I would love to grow accustomed to.

The following week in Denver the same defense, the chaotic, high energy defense fueled by it success starved fans, seemed to forget how to play. They could not get off the field giving up 14-20 third down conversions, and only made contact with the qb once. It was on a sack by Raheem Brock. Ya I know. Me either. Although the defense looked impressive against the run it gave up over 300 yards passing. Jennings looked like a fat kid chasing an ice cream truck, and the pass rush was virtually non existent. Kyle Orton and a rookie wide receiver who was playing his first regulars season game made the defense look sluggish and confused. On the bright side Curry’s number was called a couple of times as he collected 2 tackles for a loss as did Mebane, but outside the run defense this performance will not cut it against the Chargers. The Chargers have the potential to make the Hawks look worse than they did in the Denver game.

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12. In solidarity with Vincent Jackson, the whole Chargers team goes out and gets drunk, leading to multiple DUIs and other alcohol-related arrests. The Seahawks easily beat the hungover Chargers.

11. It’s an old school AFC West rivalry. Nostalgia is stoked, Qwest Field will be electric, and the Seahawks break out some vintage smash mouth defense. Dan Fouts has a flashback of Jacob Green crushing him, and he ends up wetting himself in his Lazy-Boy.

10. The Chargers got smoked by the Kansas City Chiefs while playing in a downpour. Seahawks fans: start your rain dances.

9. Ryan Mathews has two fumbles and no touchdowns so far this season. Keep them coming Ryan. It’s better to give than to receive and giving the ball to the Hawks’ defense is the greatest gift of all.

8. Qwest Field remains the loudest place in the NFL and Qualcomm Stadium is the quietest. The Chargers will need earplugs and the refs will need extra flags for all the false start penalties.

7. Shawne Merriman has had his head up his ass for a couple years. Imagine how distracted he’ll be when his ex-girlfriend Tila Tequila raises the 12th Man flag before the game. Make it happen Seahawks brass!

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McLoughlin will replace Tod Leiweke, who is leaving to become a part-owner and executive of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. In his new role, McLoughlin will be responsible for all business operations, sales and marketing, sponsorship, administration and operations of Seattle’s football and soccer franchises.

Seahawks fans shouldn’t notice any difference on Sundays; McLoughlin will not influence football-related decisions and will likely follow the blueprint left by Leiweke.

McLoughlin has spent the past four years working with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and has known Tod Leiweke for roughly 15 years. Leiweke assisted in the search for his replacement.

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In Kolb’s absence, Vick played well enough to lead the Eagles to a victory in week two. Against the Detroit Lions last Sunday, Vick completed 61.7 percent of his passes and threw for 284 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also added 37 rushing yards on eight attempts.

Now that Michael Vick is a starting quarterback in the National Football League, people from all over are openly protesting his promotion. Their reasons for protest are obvious – and somewhat justified – but Vick deserves this opportunity in Philadelphia.

People don’t have to be radical, crazy, or members of PETA to be angry at Michael Vick. A lot of lingering resentment comes from dog owners and average people, still upset at Vick for his participation in the dog fighting case.

Michael Vick, however, deserves a second chance. What he did was wrong, illegal, and probably immoral on some levels, but he still should be given a new opportunity.

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The 49ers, despite an 0-2 record, looked much improved against the New Orleans Saints. And despite a defeated season through two weeks, the media is prepared to admire Mike Singletary and friends once again.

Prior to the season opener, the San Francisco 49ers were considered by many to be the class of the NFC West. That isn’t saying much, but on paper, they seemed to be primed for a breakout season in a weak division.

Everyone conveniently forgot Alex Smith is still San Francisco’s starting quarterback.

Mike Singletary, a clown not worthy of his apparent prominence, is still the head coach – and still “great” despite a 13-14 coaching record without any postseason appearances.

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Leroy Hill strained his calf and was wearing a boot following the game. According to reports, Hill is going to need some time to completely recover.

Hill, however, was barely noticeable prior to his injury. Combined with his suspension and previous injuries, he was an unreliable asset entering this season anyway. David Hawthorne is expected to remain a starter for now and his position with the first team has been earned.

Continuity on the offensive line remains a concern, especially following Max Unger’s season-ending injury. Stacy Andrews was less-than-impressive as a replacement, but mostly because of ill-timed mistakes and needless penalties.

Ben Hamilton returned to the starting lineup after the team briefly experimented with Mike Gibson at left guard. Hamilton was the projected starter throughout the offseason, but Gibson outplayed him in training camp and was given the starting nod in week one.

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