Win the West

James Carpenter called a bust by Dave Grosby, confirmed by Brock and Salk

2011-09-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

I can barley listen to the radio anymore with all the chuckleheads that populate the Seattle airwaves, but something I heard yesterday irked me more than usual.

"The Seattle Spots Guy" Dave Grosby has declared James Carpenter to be a bust because he was moved over to left guard to replace the injured Robert Gallery. Brock and Salk on 710 ESPN mostly agree with the assessment, adding insult to injury by saying that Carpenter was not a bust because we never should have expected him to be good. In their minds, he was always destined to suck. Most of the callers in the area seemed to agree. This assessment is typical, lazy, and more importantly; hogwash.

Dave Groz Myth #1:
Drafting a guard in round 1 is a reach; and Carpenter will ultimately play guard. Carpenter playing guard will never give the 'Hawks 1st round value.

FACT: The Seahawks drafted Steve Hutchinson 17th overall in the 2001 NFL draft (8 spots higher that Carpenter) to play (drumroll please): Left Guard. Is this pick considered a reach in retrospect? Obviously not. If Carpenter turns out like Hutchinson the Seahawks faithful will be weeping for joy.

Dave Groz Myth #2:
Andy Dalton would have been a better pick at 25.

FACT: Andy Dalton is not viable starter in the NFL. In all likelihood, he never will be. In his first preseason, Andy went 36 of 60 for 328 yards with 3 INT and 1 TD with a mean passer rating of 59.6. I can only imagine what kind of bust talk there would be if we had picked Dalton at 25. Bruce Gradkowski will be starting by week 8.

Seahawks Speed Bumps

2011-08-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

When Tom Cable was asked about how his offensive line performed in Denver last week, he used a hilarious double entendre to describe their performance:

"Will we have some speed bumps? Sure."

My only question is; was Cable referring to the challenges of working with a young line, or was he talking about the lineman themselves. Carpenter, Polumbo and Unger certainly resembled speed bumps as they got rolled over time and time again.

I think we need to replace Unger with some veteran talent in the middle and Polumbo is a joke. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. If Okung comes back, he locks down the left side with G Robert Gallery. I'm not worried about Moffit, He's actually looked pretty solid in pass protection. If we replace Unger with 5 time Pro Bowler Andre Gurode and then have Zach Miller line up on the right side for every snap; we can become a much more effective line in a hurry.

Gurode is only 33 and he could be an immediate stabilizing force in the middle. What do you guys think, should we sign him or is there another player in the mix?

Carson Palmer: If you want to play this season, JUST SHOW UP

2011-08-31T09:21:00.000-07:00

Carson Palmer can force a trade by showing up to work next week. By heading into the office, Palmer forces the Bengals to account for his guaranteed salary of $11.5 million in 2011. Under the new CBA, the move will force Mike Brown to make a choice; pay Palmer and cut some players to clear the cap space or cut Palmer and move on.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk spoke about the possibility on the Brock and Salk show (710 ESPN) yesterday where he stated: "I think he specifically hasn't retired because he wants to retain the ability to show up out of the blue next week... and if he shows up out of the blue next week -- Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday; the Bengals have to decide pretty quickly to keep him and pay him what will become as of Week 1, a guaranteed salary of $11.5 million."

Get on your twitter account and tell Palmer to show up next week. If we get him in a Hawks uniform, we instantly become serious contenders in the short and long term.

Seahawks finally trade the worst starting corner in the NFL to the Bengals (Bungles):

2011-08-29T17:52:00.001-07:00

Pete Carroll strikes again and turns trash into gold by trading perennial punching bag Kelly Jennings for rising star Clinton McDonald from the Cincinnati Bengals. McDonald is only 24 years old and having a fantastic preseason. Assuming the Seahawks can beef him up to around 311 pounds or so, this pick could pay huge dividends in the future. He's an explosive pass rusher and superior athlete boasting a 38 inch vertical leap at near 300 pounds. He is also extremely strong (36 reps of 225 on pro day), and agile (former linebacker). This combination could make him an early impact player for the hawks on passing downs; especially when the other big boys start to wear down (as we all saw during the 3rd quarter in Denver a few days ago).

Mike Brown's so cheap, he has never retired a player's number. Ponder that for a second. Mike Brown is the worst owner in the NFL. He and Kelly Jennings deserve each other. Just one more trade Mike, give us Carson Palmer for a third rounder and salvage what's left of your dignity.

Last years prediction: Earl Thomas

2011-08-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

I wrote an article last season about Earl Thomas after a preseason game last year. I thought he shined and was my pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He did end up coming a bit short, but the potential is there.

UPDATE:

One play sticks out in my mind from last Sunday's match-up at San Francisco that show's Earl's growth in 2011. Thomas hit Frank Gore for a 3 yard loss in the 2nd half. The hit was incredible. Thomas came streaking down from his prevent position deep and was able to close 15 yards in an instant. Gore was so surprised by the closing speed, he literally froze and was dropped in a vicious collision. Thomas has such great speed that he is able to bring the hammer like a much larger man than his listed 202 pounds (202 pounds is probably not his real weight. my guess: 209-212 lbs).

Quote from a 49ers fan:

"Speaking of Earl Thomas, that guy is going to be a thorn in the 49ers side for a LONG time. It seems like everytime it was third down that guy was making the play preventing us from getting it. He's a good one and needs to be accounted for."

Here is my original article on Earl (posted September 21st 2010):

Earl Thomas, the Seattle Seahawks rookie safety had seven solo tackles in a loss Sunday against the Denver Broncos. One of those tackles was a touchdown saving stick on the slippery Denver back Knowshon Moreno after Moreno left ten other Hawks hugging air. As Moreno hit full speed with a convoy of blockers heading up the sideline, Thomas made a diving hit reminiscent of Troy Polamalu. Scouts have often made this comparison because they both have similar physical & athletic attributes, ball hawking ability and aggressive nature. Thomas is 5'10, 210 pounds, has 4.3 speed, tremendous feet, acceleration and instincts. He was one of the youngest players in the 2010 draft and is already playing at an extremely high level for Seattle.

Thomas intercepted a tipped pass in pre-season and took the ball 87 yards to the house. His crushing hit on Percy Harvin in the same game showed his ferocious nature. Harvin had to leave the game after getting chewed up and spit out by the Hurricane Earl crosswind. This is a grown man's game and Earl is the boy who would be king. Already with 15 tackles in two games, he should have many opportunities going forward because of the Hawks apparently stout run defense and when this guy has the ball in the open field, he has a little "Primetime" in him as well. Pick him up in your fantasy leagues as a IDP keeper.

The sky is the limit for the young safety in Seattle. Look for Earl Thomas to be Defensive Rookie of the Year.

East Coast Bias

2011-08-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

The reason I created this site is because there is no decent coverage of the Seattle Seahawks other than a few local guys (most of whom I disagree with 80% of the time). In general, these cowards are desk jockeys who would sooner piss their pants in public before stepping on the gridiron at any level. They regurgitate the same tired platitudes like an bitter public relations rep from Halliburton. In other words, even they don't believe the crap coming out of their collective mouths. Here you'll find insightful (hopefully) commentary, scouting, predictions and discussion on the current and future state of the Seahawks.

Above all, I want hold the national and local media accountable for their lazy analysis and blatant disrespect. We need to shut these guys up, plain and simple. The only way to do that is win. Win the West and make opponents play us at home, where we have the most influential home field advantage in recorded human history.

The bottom line is: WE OWN THE NFC WEST.

2004	Seattle Seahawks	9-7-0	Lost NFC Wild Card Playoffs
2005	Seattle Seahawks	13-3-0	Lost Super Bowl XL
2006	Seattle Seahawks	9-7-0	Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2007	Seattle Seahawks	10-6-0	Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2008	Arizona Cardinals	9-7-0	Lost Super Bowl XLIII
2009	Arizona Cardinals	10-6-0	Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs
2010	Seattle Seahawks	7-9-0	Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs

-Win Forever (here that's kinda like saying "amen").