tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44596887644568960732024-03-05T08:23:49.972-08:00Emerald City SportsEric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-84487749919178057042013-05-15T17:31:00.001-07:002013-05-15T17:31:36.151-07:00Recovery for #Hansensarmy<br />
<div class="dropcap pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph0" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
For those of us who have been involved with the Sonics movement for even the last year, today is a setback for sure. The most cynical of us were proven correct on this day, and David Stern was able to enact his mammoth grudge to our immense pain for a second time. No bone was thrown, despite an incredible effort from our hero.</div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph1" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
But this is not the time to give up. Instead, it's time to remember just how far we have come in a year and three months. It wasn't all that long ago that there was no hope and no timeline for our hearts to be made whole again. We've bought into a narrative that this<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/sacramento-kings" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #292929; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Kings</a> deal is the all or nothing situation for bringing basketball back. That if the NBA wasn't playing in the Key in September, it was over. It doesn't have to be that way. But that doesn't change the fact that we've been spurned again.</div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
So it's time to just take a break for a while. Recharge the batteries. For those of you that have the time tonight, pop your favorite movie into the DVD player, or listen to your best album. Take your mind off of the Sonics for a day or two.</div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
Chris Hansen didn't commit to this process based on the Kings or bust. It wasn't all that long ago that Sacramento had their "shit together", with the Maloofs and Kevin Johnson pumping their fists together. And through that time, Hansen was still working. Things change quickly. They can certainly change quickly down there, and they will change here. There's a will and a way in Seattle, and there is too much basketball passion here to be ignored.</div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
Remember that summer afternoon in Occidental Park, where the Sodo Arena narrative flipped. Remember the 44,000 fans that took the time to be counted among those ready to spend money at the new arena. Remember only a few days ago, when Sonics fans rallied at Neumos in the face of incredible pessimism. We're better than David Stern, and we won't let him beat us. There's no more important time to rally than when our backs are against the wall.</div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph5" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
Now that there's no more "Sacramento vs Seattle", the Hansen group is just 600 million dollars sitting out in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/british-open" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(41, 41, 41); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #292929; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">the open</a>. Does anyone want to bet against the NBA wanting to have their cake and eat it too? Is that smart money? It's no guarantee, but tomorrow is a new day, and in three months we may have a new source of optimism. Hansen has been insatiable so far. Every option will be exhausted. The least we can do is be ready to mobilize for his cause. For our cause.</div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph6" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.59375px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
Again, just do your best to take your mind off of this. Easier said than done, I know. Take a break, and report back tomorrow. We are #Hansensarmy, and we're in this for the long haul.</div>
Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-52067809208842457922012-10-26T17:49:00.001-07:002012-10-26T17:49:07.981-07:00An Open Letter to Christopher HansenWith the news a few weeks ago that the city of Seattle and King County have agreed to the Memorandum of Understanding with investor Chris Hansen, news has been flying around non-stop on the prospects of making Seattle a true sports destination. Commissioners are asked weekly about how they feel about this new building ready to be erected just south of Safeco Field, and investors are taking tours of the existing facilities, seeing just how ready we are.<br />
Four years ago, all of this excitement seemed impossible. Seattle had been relegated by relocation, and it seemed that no one was willing or able to step up. That has now changed. And in this new time of excitement and hope, I write this open letter to you, in an attempt to share my thoughts and feelings.<br />
<br />
1. Thank you. Thank you so much<br />
Mr. Hansen, nothing can be said or done to properly thank you for what you have done for our city. Thank you for stepping up when no one else would. Thank you for allowing yourself to enter the limelight, becoming a rallying point for everyone who wants your project to succeed. Thank you for putting up with those who were so against this project that they found it acceptable to attack you personally. Thank you for handling the organizations who fought tooth and nail to prevent their new neighbors with class, staying above the fray. Most of all, thank you for sticking with it, despite the ugliness that came out and the politicians that always wanted just a little more from you. You are a great example of the best people Seattle can create.<br />
<br />
2. Obtaining Teams<br />
I may be in the minority, but if from your contacts you feel expansion is an option, please pursue that option over all others. We've already been far more involved in the culture of relocation than anyone would be comfortable with, and the last thing anyone here wants is to subject another fanbase to that same pain. For a team to be successful in Seattle, there is going to need to be some sort of connection. Some feeling of ownership on the fans part. That has been the key to success with the Sonics, Seahawks, Sounders, Storm, and even the 1990's Mariners. They were our teams, and our players. Not Sacramento's team. Not Phoenix's players.<br />
I want Seattle to be a five sport city desperately. Dearly. And yet I am unwilling to sacrifice another fan for my joy. Even if it takes five years, or ten, or twenty, if expansion seems feasible, please make that the first priority.<br />
<br />
3. Consider the NHL First<br />
The Sonics will draw in numbers no matter when they come, or what competition there is. That legacy will make the desire only stronger the longer it takes to return. The same cannot be said for the NHL. While Seattle does have a history in professional hockey, the top flight memories are long gone. Few are left on this earth who would possibly remember the 1917 Stanley Cup victory at the skates of the Seattle Metropolitans. If they enter the league at the same time as a new NBA squad, they could easily get lost in the shuffle.<br />
In the interest of all teams finding a fair share of the Seattle pie, letting the NHL get a foothold before the additional competition arrives would continue a legacy of attendance success for Seattle clubs. And if they can drop a puck on the 100 year anniversary of that Stanley Cup win, it would just be icing on the cake. Clearly the MOU wasn't designed for finding a hockey team first, but there is talk right now of NHL expansion. Expansion would allow for the arena to be built before the team begins playing, avoiding a situation where hockey is forced to play at the Key or delaying a move from another city for two years, and making bringing the sport to Seattle far easier. It is an opportunity that should not be missed.<br />
Oh, and Totems is the name to go with, for the new team.<br />
<br />
4. The Arena<br />
If Seattle has one sporting tradition, one aspect it is known for, it would have to be the noise. Every fanbase in this town has created a reputation for engaged fans and a crippling home field advantage (Though the Mariners may have lost theirs). To that end, be mindful of the design of the building itself. Centurylink Field is shaped almost like a dome, and it keeps the noise inside. It would be a travesty if some side effect of the new home somehow mitigated the decibel level at ice/court level.<br />
Additionally, there have been some musings/rumors that the roof of this building may be retractable. If that is something that can be done, I am all for it. Outdoor hockey is a wondrous thing. But just as importantly, keep the look of the two neighboring buildings in mind when mapping out the roof of the new arena. The supports for Centurylink and Safeco Fields are nigh iconic members of the Seattle skyline. A similar look would be much appreciated spanning the roof of your building.<br />
<br />
5. The Key<br />
Key Arena has been good to Seattle for a long time. From hosting the Sonics for 40 years to bringing us many events and shows, and drawing people to Seattle Center, it is an important building in our heritage. And it is still a great location for certain performances. But the building itself is in dire need of upgrade to even host lower level sports and entertainment.<br />Thankfully, you have pledged to spend money modernizing the Key. And my hope would be that that money would make Key Arena a permanent home for the Seattle Storm, Rat City Rollergirls, and perhaps even Washington Stealth Lacrosse. Because not every event needs a 500 million dollar arena, and the old Coliseum, with a reduced seating capacity, is the perfect home for teams that would otherwise play in a building too big for them, or out in Kent or Everett. These teams will be more successful in a building that fits them.<br />
<br />6. Again, thank you<br />
<br />Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com01911 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, USA47.58607863936345 -122.334222793579147.580723639363448 -122.34409329357911 47.591433639363451 -122.3243522935791tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-38040554570238166322012-06-16T14:42:00.003-07:002012-06-16T14:42:49.186-07:00Fences not to blame for Mariner's offensive offenseThe cries can be heard for miles around. The Mariners go out of town, score 40 runs in a series, come home, and struggle to avoid shutouts. Immediately, a thousand voices shout in agony, and they grow louder with seemingly every at bat.<br />
<br />
"MOVE THE FENCES IN!"<br />
<br />
Look, I love the long ball as much as the next guy, and it is frustrating going to the ballpark just to see how inept the Mariners can be this week.<br />
<br />
But the problem isn't the fences. Yeah, the game would probably be slightly more entertaining, a few more fans would go home with souvenirs, and the Mariners would be losing 3-5 instead of 2-4. Because (insert name of visiting team here) is probably more likely to benefit from those new dimensions than the Montero-Ackley-Smoak-Seager-Saunders Mariners.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong; I'm satisfied with the development of these players, but none of them are looking like 40+ home run guys. They aren't Miguel Cabrera, or Albert Pujols, or Prince Fielder, or Josh Hamilton. This team is built on players that project to have solid averages, strong plate command, and the OCCASIONAL dinger.<br />
<br />
(more after the break)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Yeah, Smoak came close a few times this past week. But even though he hit both to the deepest parts of the park, the defense was there to catch them. My point is this: Smoak, and the rest of the team, have failed to really hit the ball on the screws.<br />
<br />
Because of the long fences, the outfielders have more ground to cover, and finding grass out there should be far easier than in smaller bandboxes. If he had really hit that ball, it would have made it to the fence before the outfielder did. It might have gotten there on a hop, but it would have cleared any runners that might have been on base, instead of being nothing more than an out. Short of that, his shots were just really, really long pop-ups. He got under the ball, and that's something that the entire team has been guilty of for most of the year. I have to imagine everyone has noticed the weak pop-ups the team has hit, especially in clutch situations. For whatever reason, squaring one up has been beyond this team. (And the few times it has happened, it has been straight at the defense).<br />
<br />And just for clarification, the ball doesn't need to head over the fence to represent good contact. If Smoak hit it in the same direction but had the head of his bat just a little higher, he would have coasted in to second base with an easy standup double... Or he would if he had the speed of any normal human being. (I'm KIDDING Smoak, you know I love you).<br />
<br />
If it's not mechanical (which I find hard to believe considering the number of hitters it is affecting) it almost has to be mental. I mean, the cool Puget Sound air probably doesn't help, and who knows if there's something distracting about the park outside of the cavernous outfield, but it's just as likely that our Mariners are convincing themselves that they can't hit here. Or they're psyching themselves out, trying to hit a home run when the bases are loaded. That is a tall order in Seattle.<br />
<br />
The most frustrating thing is that they are all getting the occasional pitch to hit. But their execution is poor enough at the moment that Saunders is the only one making them pay. I'm no psychic; I have no way of knowing what's going through Dustin Ackley's head when he takes a fast-ish fastball down the middle of the plate for a strike two. I remember him talking to the media after he got called up last year, mentioning that his approach was based on looking for a fastball he could take care of, and taking care of it. That hasn't been happening. (In fact, there appears to be something very wrong with Ackley's stance right now, but I digress).<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm at the game tonight, and I'm hoping to see the M's perform with a little more authority at the plate. There's been a lot of talk about getting the young guys to swing the bat like they mean it. That will come from experience and confidence. I'm hoping that the sweet spot shots will follow.Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-9535875149666403082012-06-13T22:21:00.002-07:002012-06-13T22:21:51.280-07:00Take everyone you know (by force if necessary) to the Arena rally Thursday.<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Four years ago, Seattle lost its oldest professional franchise, the Seattle Supersonics. And when they were gone, a void opened up in the sports landscape of the Puget Sound. The Sounders did a nice job filling part of that void, but the fact is there is still a period of time from the day the 12th man flags are lowered until the scarves rise up, where our scene is as barren and dreary as our winters. And for this period of time, we have no recourse but to either just shut things down, and go into hibernation, or look to out of town teams without a rooting interest. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
But all of that could change before the end of the decade. By 2017, this city could build a third jewel south of Safeco Field to house two more teams worthy of bearing the name "Seattle' on their chests, our crests on their sleeves. We've being offered a wonderful gift, and we have the opportunity to become one of a handful of cities (a club not including LA) to host a team in each of the five major sports. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
We have the size. We have the interest. We have the resources. But, like anything in Seattle, we have to give an extra effort to get anything done. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
And so I implore all sports fans in and around the Emerald City who have the ability to attend, please make time for the Sonics Arena rally in Pioneer Square Thursday at 4 PM. There are going to be a ton of <a href="http://www.sonicsarena.com/" mce_href="http://www.sonicsarena.com/" style="color: rgb(200, 24, 29) !important; text-decoration: none !important;">guests and musical artists</a>, and the more who attend, the louder the message will be to the professional sports leagues looking to see just how badly we want it. The images from this day will be burned into the images of the naysayers, and fans across the country. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Over 8,000 have already submitted RSVPs. We can go even higher. Submit your notice here, and join thousands of your brothers to help NBA/NHL happen.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
<a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1092703/AvOoEhFCEAEtEuM.jpg" mce_href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1092703/AvOoEhFCEAEtEuM.jpg" style="color: rgb(200, 24, 29) !important; text-decoration: none !important;"><img alt="Avooehfceaeteum_medium" class="photo" mce_src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1092703/AvOoEhFCEAEtEuM_medium.jpg" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1092703/AvOoEhFCEAEtEuM_medium.jpg" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 5px auto; padding: 3px;" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
via <a href="https://p.twimg.com/AvOoEhFCEAEtEuM.jpg" mce_href="https://p.twimg.com/AvOoEhFCEAEtEuM.jpg" style="color: rgb(200, 24, 29) !important; text-decoration: none !important;">p.twimg.com</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em;">
Occidental Park is two blocks north of the Centurylink Field parking lot. Free parking can be found under the viaduct and four blocks east of Safeco Field, near the BMW dealership.</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-5025878938126269362012-06-03T13:03:00.002-07:002012-06-03T13:03:56.631-07:00The folks at the Port of Seattle are a bunch of hypocrites<a href="http://crosscut.com/2012/06/01/mossback/108945/sports-arena-seattle-port-sodo-district-jobs-/">http://crosscut.com/2012/06/01/mossback/108945/sports-arena-seattle-port-sodo-district-jobs-/</a>
<br />
<br />
The link above is to an article detailing the port's extracurricular projects over the last decade or so. After reading it, one would be surprised to hear that they are fighting a new SoDo arena tooth and nail.Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-3929802722583468442012-05-16T15:29:00.004-07:002012-05-16T15:30:21.445-07:00Article #1007 on "The Sounders Phenomenon"<br />
<a href="http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7929299/soccer-seattle-sounders-prove-mls-put-fans-seats-espn-magazine" target="_blank">They like us! They REALLY like us!</a><br />
<br />
(via The Seattle Times)Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-64475201339543392982012-05-10T20:26:00.000-07:002012-05-10T20:26:03.736-07:00Seahawks batting .900 on draft picks, Mariners to inquireWith Seattle's signing of Jaye Howard today (via Field Gulls), the Seahawks will have at least nine of their ten draft picks in town for... rookie minicamps? rookie otas? Is there even a "rookie" in the title? They should just call all of these VMAC get-togethers "PRACTICE". Nice and simple.<br />
<br />
Point being, there aren't any holdouts this year. Bruce Irvin was the first of Seattle's picks to sign, and the first first-rounder (which I'm sure caused a number of double-takes among ESPN readers). Then, they signed seven others the next day, leaving only the DT Howard and Sea-Hulk halfback Robert Turbin.<br />
<br />
Upon googling Sea-Hulk, I was surprised to find that Turbin will not be the only creature to be referred to with that name. The first was a boss from a video game. Final Fantasy of all things! The other was this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Eric_Inniger/Superbowl40/SeaHulk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f310/Eric_Inniger/Superbowl40/SeaHulk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Which you could say was from Seattle's Final Fantasy. Although, it'd probably be more accurate to call it the "Most Recent Fantasy". Because Final implies that it will never happen again, and I'd rather not believe that even if it is true. I'm not sure how well a game called "Most Recent Fantasy" would sell, but there it is.<br />
<br />
While I'm concerned that Turbin hasn't signed yet (you're the last guy dude! What's the holdup? Even the <a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXQW0as19nbd-uUOZxAxPCf3jLlCPvnalb_nfkeX8_yYj_HYnEaQ" target="_blank">Turtle</a> guy has signed already! We drafted some weirdos didn't we...) it probably won't make a bit of difference. From what I understand, these guys can still participate even without having signed a contract, and Turbin seems like a good kid. For all I know, he could sign on the dotted line between now and when the security guard opens the gates to Seahawks headquarters tomorrow morning.Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-9883661544961563552012-05-10T20:09:00.006-07:002012-05-10T20:09:53.071-07:00If you can't get enough "Sounders"Then please click on over to <a href="http://seattle.theoffside.com/">http://seattle.theoffside.com/</a>, for whom I am supplying Sounders-related content. Lots of it.Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-83125304649846718842012-05-03T22:02:00.002-07:002012-05-10T21:07:00.046-07:00Mark and Eric GOOD SHOW GO! Episode 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uQIU9eCSdQI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
This week we talk about the draft, the Mariners, and spend just a few seconds on our green-clad soccer team.Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-13338682044103249322012-05-03T19:07:00.001-07:002012-05-03T19:07:37.870-07:00How will the Sounders juggle the rest of their crowded schedule?<img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2lxvJl39Iq87Gk_lsmD1y1YWjd1PBq5Dfq_atR1AzOeCGS3ZQ" />
<br />
The Seattle Sounders are two games into the most crowded section of their 2012 schedule. They've already passed tests in Chicago and against LA, but they have three more matches by next Sunday, and two more before the end of the month. That includes Seattle's closest Western Conference competitors Salt Lake and Vancouver, as well as Dallas, Philadelphia, and Chivas. The next three games in particular will require some creative roster maneuvers to keep everyone healthy, while still trying to claim the nine points that are up for grabs.<br />
<br />
I was somewhat surprised at how many minutes Sigi played the regulars against the Galaxy yesterday. The concern is that there will be some tired legs or an excessive number of reserves in at least one of these matches. The most difficult match of the three would seem to be Salt Lake based on their points per game. The Union are only looking at a single point per match, and will be without coach Peter Nowak for his part in a mid-game fight a few weeks ago. FC Dallas hasn't won in three weeks.<br />
<br />
Below is a list of the Sounders that have played significant time in the last two matches.<br />
<br />
John Kennedy Hurtado, 180 minutes<br />
Jeff Parke, 180 minutes<br />
Leonardo Gonzalez, 180 minutes<br />
Osvaldo Alonso, 180 minutes<br />
Brad Evans, 180 minutes<br />
David Estrada, 180 minutes<br />
Fredy Montero, 180 minutes<br />
Eddie Johnson, 170 minutes<br />
Michael Gspurning, 135 minutes<br />
Mauro Rosales, 125 minutes<br />
Adam Johannson, 90 minutes<br />
Zach Scott, 90 minutes<br />
Marc Burch, 55 minutes<br />
<br />
Alonso has played every minute of every match so far. He needs a day off one of these games. This weekend versus Philadelphia might not be a bad time to do it. The following week in Dallas may be smart as well. Either way, I'm sure Schmid will want Alonso at full fitness against Salt Lake a week from Saturday. He may very well play all 90 minutes in every match this month, but it would seem prudent to be careful with Seattle's most important player, especially when he took such a "shot" early in the Galaxy match. He is the Honey Badger, but sometimes, he does care.<br />
<br />
Also in need of a day off are both of our central defenders. I was shocked when both Hurtado and Parke were announced as part of the starting 11 against the Galaxy. Clearly I underestimated Ianni's back injury. Looking at the roster from Wednesday, Johannson and Burch were the only defenders available on the bench. Which begs the question; what does Seattle do if Parke or Hurtado get hurt? Right now, Ianni is Seattle's most important reserve player, and he almost has to play some minutes in these coming games. Our defense will not continue to post shutouts if Partado (TM) have to play every minute.<br />
<br />
The situation at forward is more fluid. There is depth, and players that haven't barely spent time on the field. This is a good time to give Cordell Cato and Sammy Ochoa longer looks. Halftime subs in lead situations would give those players some needed experience as the Open Cup approaches while also keeping Johnson and Montero fresh for upcoming games against stingy defenses.<br />
<br />
This strategy should also be used in the midfield, as Fernandez returns, Rosales attempts to build on his fitness, and Evans just attempts to stay on the field. Sivebaek should make a start, and an early sub in or two for Caskey would be prudent.<br />
<br />
Theoretical lineups:<br /><br />
vs Philadelphia<br />
GK: Bryan Meredith<br />
RB: Adam Johannson<br />
RCB: John Kennedy Hurtado<br />LCB: Patrick Ianni<br />LB: Marc Burch<br />RM: Christian Sivebaek<br />CDM: Osvaldo Alonso (sub Carrasco)<br />CM: Brad Evans<br />LM: Alvaro Fernandez (sub Estrada)<br />WFW: Fredy Montero<br />FW: Sammy Ochoa, Roger Levesque (sub Johnson)<br /><br />
vs Dallas<br />
<br />
GK: Michael Gspurning<br />
RB: Zach Scott<br />
RCB: Patrick Ianni<br />LCB: Jeff Parke<br />LB: Leo Gonzalez<br />RM: Mauro Rosales (sub Sivebaek)<br />CDM: Osvaldo Alonso<br />CM: Alex Caskey<br />LM: Estrada (sub Fernandez)<br />WFW: Cato (sub Montero)<br />FW: Eddie Johnson<br />
<br />
<br />
vs Salt Lake<br />
<br />
GK: Michael Gspurning<br />
RB: Adam Johannson<br />
RCB: John Kennedy Hurtado<br />LCB: Jeff Parke<br />LB: Leo Gonzalez<br />RM: Mauro Rosales (Sub Burch)<br />CDM: Osvaldo Alonso<br />CM: Brad Evans<br />LM: Alvaro Fernandez<br />WFW: Fredy Montero<br />FW: Eddie Johnson (sub Sammy Ochoa)<br />
<br />
This roster finds rest for every player while still fielding a threatening lineup. This is the last time they'll have five games in such a short amount of time, at least when it comes to MLS play by itself. If Open Cup and Champions League force further congestion, this sort of lineup shuffling should keep the roster healthy.<br />
<br />Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-31337140543651081962012-05-03T17:32:00.001-07:002012-05-03T17:32:45.311-07:00Two (or more)Thoughts from a repeat viewing: Sounders v Galaxy<br />
<ul>
<li>Rosales is putting great through balls in to stretch the defense, and his deadly accuracy and timing is meshing really well with Eddie Johnson, who has a great sense for the onside run and the speed to back it up. Of all the players on the Sounders when the Johnson trade was announced, Mauro had to be the most excited. They go together like Felix and Larry. </li>
<li>Ross Fletcher made a... can I say splendid without sounding ironic? whatever... SPLENDID call on Montero's shot. He turned a basic, run of the mill run in space and spun it into goal-scoring gold with a completely natural transition. I'm looking into broadcasting for my major, but I'm not sure I could pull off a call like that if I planned the events myself. I watched the goal 10 times, and then I listened to the goal ten more times. More of that please Mr Fletcher. "Montero, with plenty of options, one of which is the ABSOLUTE FANTASTIC STRIKE FROM DISTANCE!" Honestly, I'm not sure whether the goal or the call was better. </li>
<li>The Seattle Times put up a poll wondering whether Montero or Johnson would finish the year with more goals. It's an interesting question, one that could be a toss up, assuming both stay healthy and productive. My gut says Johnson, whose size and speed mesh well with Rosales' assists and who will benefit from Montero's style of play. Montero obviously wants to score, and loves scoring, but I think he has realized this year just how good he is in the role he has been playing, which isn't necessarily as the biggest goal producer. </li>
</ul>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-5402241611851122632012-05-02T23:36:00.000-07:002012-05-02T23:58:53.110-07:00Sounders 2:0 GalaxyFirst of all, let me just say, HOLY CRAP WHAT A GOAL.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tgGMBTgoA2E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
There aren't a lot of better ways to get off the snide than that. It's a goal that's going to be seen around the world through the weekend, perhaps even up for a spot in ESPN's "Play of the Year" awards (much like Hassli's shot last year, not that I give two blanks about what ESPN likes).<br />
<ul>
<li>We only won 2-0, but I am struggling to remember a match in which the Sounders felt so flipping dominant. Seattle supposedly lost the possession battle 48%-52%, but I heard that it was more like 60%-40% at half. </li>
<li>I'm unable and unwilling to name a man of the match in this one. Everyone had their best games of the season, from a back line that seemed impenetrable to a free-flowing midfield and a consistently dangerous forward attack. Everyone had a signature moment. Everyone touched the match in a big way. And it was brilliantly entertaining. If this were the Seahawks, they'd have to cut the ball up into 11 equally sized pieces. Not sure who on the team is the best mathematician, but I suspect it's Levesque. Something about that beard suggests there's a professor underneath. But it's times like this that you miss the Harvard grad Mike Fucito. </li>
<li>LA's lineup today was the flipside of Arena's strategy to spend the entire team's salary cap on frontline starters, leaving little for the Galaxy's second line. The only major injury they sustained last year in their MLS cup run was to Donovan Ricketts, and it was the one position they had depth at. This year, they've already sustained a major injury in Omar Gonzalez, and tonight the drop between Buddle, Keane, Beckham, Magee, and Saunders to their backups was great. Healthy, they were the best team in the league. Not healthy, they're trying to start rookies at key positions and fall apart in the process. </li>
<li>On the other hand, Seattle has used a more rounded strategy to roster creation, making sure they have great depth (which has been a hallmark of the rave green in their short MLS existence). It has paid off so far, with only Alonso playing every MLS minute so far and even Michael "Cerberus" Gspurning having to leave today with what sounds like a tight hip. Bryan Meredith stepped in for Gspurning unexpectedly at halftime, and while the back line kept him clean, the second year player looked confident and comfortable, playing balls with authority. With the way Seattle's back line has played so far in 2012, I'd feel relatively comfortable with our backup keeper in goal, and that's not something I'm sure I could have said in past years. </li>
<li>Landon Donovan was by far the highest-paid player on the field tonight, but you wouldn't know it by watching him. He created perhaps a single legitimate chance in goal, didn't make good possession decisions, and was stymied by the Honey Badger all day. Donovan wasn't Donovan this week. I think even Donovan would tell you that Donovan didn't have his A-game. He'd probably say it just like that too, in first person and everything. "Donovan doesn't think Donovan had a good game today. Donovan will plan on being better with his touches in the next game, try to involve Donovan's teammates more." He probably doesn't talk in first person, but I'm just asking questions here. </li>
<li>Alonso took a shot to a sensitive area in the first half. As a friend so aptly said later, clearly "The Honey Badger DOES care". Wonder what a conversation between Alonso and Adrian Beltre would sound like these days. "So, contused testicle huh? I know a thing or two about that". </li>
<li>Here's me, or anyone else, after taking the shot that the Honey Badger took:</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ6sqqiLrUDdBJMx05zztjW1AQmapEnvT2vRh86SbZRl8J7o-NT" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ6sqqiLrUDdBJMx05zztjW1AQmapEnvT2vRh86SbZRl8J7o-NT" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>The postgame team on the radio threw out a stat near the end of their show tonight. It was a stat that I found interesting. The Sounders have lost once in the last 19 matches Brad Evans has started. It's an obscure stat, and one that is hard to draw much meaning from (considering the Sounders don't lose many games in the first place) but it's definitely interesting. I've been unnecessarily harsh on Evans in the past, especially before I really started "seeing" the game. If you're reading, Brad, consider this something of an apology. Keep up the good work.</li>
<li>I also owe an apology to Leonardo Gonzalez. Coming into the year, I was panicking at the thought of Gonzo as our starting Left back, and I felt legitimized in that thought after the Santos disaster. Since then, he has started the majority of Sounders matches and been a key piece of the best defense in MLS. You still make me darn nervous sometimes, but I'm going to attempt to be man enough to admit I was wrong. </li>
<li>I just found out Penny Arcade Expo 3-day passes sold out in a matter of hours.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQEjLsgYkC9tN2IOx9b7FdS6Sjk2EOPEVVMQhGzWLQYd1AOmpeyEg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQEjLsgYkC9tN2IOx9b7FdS6Sjk2EOPEVVMQhGzWLQYd1AOmpeyEg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This has little to do with soccer, but it's upsetting nonetheless. After all, if I hadn't played Fifa 12 at last year's show, I probably never would have bought the game.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-65120385723578053562012-04-30T20:51:00.001-07:002012-05-03T17:33:00.305-07:00More on the Sounders vs Fire, not involving skirmishesSo there was a game beyond the final four-ish minutes (by Mr. Kennedy's watch) and it turned out pretty favorably for Seattle.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Estrada... that guy just needs to keep kicking it in the box. I mean, it's almost as if he's kicking the ball so hard that he's magnetizing the ball (real physics not included in this post). I don't know if you've noticed, but there's a Sounders employee that has been rather conspicuous standing behind the opposition goal this year:</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ88D5q9DSGqoTYl0ciGOSrOjPSUHad0ufXrLi6p6VtAmYxVDwG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ88D5q9DSGqoTYl0ciGOSrOjPSUHad0ufXrLi6p6VtAmYxVDwG" /></a></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>That giant magnet may or may not also explain why the ball was always eager to head to the right of the screen during the match, regardless of the direction the ball is kicked in. That goal Chicago hit on the corner kick doesn't even come close without the ridiculous wind. There was a shot in the second half from beyond midfield, and it could have easily meant a goal if it had been on frame (and it didn't miss by much). </li>
<li>Michael Gspurning, in MLS play this season: three shutouts, two nearly indefensible goals (possibly neither of which were intended to be shots), and one penalty kick allowed. He's quickly turning me into a believer, with the help of that back line. Even without Johannson and Rosales, the unit has been remarkably sharp on defense. If they keep this up, and Johnson/Montero get it going... their ceiling is a dynasty team, one of the bets in the short history of the league.</li>
<li>On the second goal, Montero had a terrific service into the box, and Johnson did well to put it away, but Hurtado's flick to keep the ball in front of the goal will stick out in my memory from some time. It took great reaction and top insight to get that done, and Johnson was able to start his account thanks to it. </li>
<li>Johnson and Montero got SO close minutes earlier in the box. I think if they had been headed towards the opposite goal one of them might have scored, because the wind was probably as key a factor as any in denying Montero's poke (clearly caught in a gust) and Johnson's header off the woodwork (couldn't have missed by much more) from sending the Sounders off to a commanding lead.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
This win felt more dominating to me than the score suggested. Chicago had some fast breaks, and they beat themselves a few times, but there was only one chance that the Fire felt legitimately dangerous on. Montero and Johnson still have some meshing to do, but the sky is the limit for this unit. </div>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-47393869540293255432012-04-30T20:23:00.000-07:002012-04-30T20:23:56.672-07:00Sounders, Fire make Pay Per View Fight Night<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">
Previously posted on the <a href="http://seattle.theoffside.com/" target="_blank">Seattle Offside</a>. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">
Despite the Sounder’s sterling record against the Fire of Chicago, matches between the two teams have always had a good little spark there. (HAH.) That culminated last year with the US Open Cup, a thoroughly decisive win that upped the ante for all future matches.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">
The Sounders battled and came out of Bridgeview with what felt like a decisive victory. But tempers were running hot (AGAIN! I’m ON……FIRE!) and stoppage time of Saturday’s “Battle in Chicago” (not the same ring to it) resulted in a number of… let’s call them incidents for now. There’s a lot of he-said she-said going on, and it’s a little tough to know what’s true and what’s the Timbers Army influence (ever going to live that down? Probably not).</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">Gonzalo Segares took up what now appears to be becoming a tradition of trying to make Mauro Rosales permanently disabled. Each of Mauro’s previous three matches had been called short by notably poor tackles, and Segare’s were no exception. A yellow card was easily warranted. I don’t want to be in favor of special protection for notable players, but when teams start targeting them, the referee has to do something. Even if that means giving immediate yellows for tackles that are borderline.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><a name='more'></a></span></span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">Jalil Anibaba took a two-footed slide at Leo Gonzalez that was probably worth a card, but he didn’t receive a red until continuing shenanigans in the following tussle. I felt bad about misspelling your name on the match card before, but not now. Now you shall forever be known as Anibala. TAKE THAT.</li>
<li style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">Eddie Johnson allegedly swore at fans in Section 8 at one point. I’m not sure what the context was, or if he even is guilty of the accusation, but if he is, it’s not something I’m okay with. However, if they’re just being chicken-ish, calling him a m-er f-er and then being offended when he returns it, then fine. Athletes take a lot of verbal abuse, and I’d rather they express it that way than pull a Ron Artest. And I think the handful of fans in the stands would prefer Johnson didn’t hop into the stands as well. Though, instead of going straight for the target, he’d probably run off to the side while doing some fancy but ineffectual right-stick maneuvers.</li>
<li style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">Johnson also was kind of an ass coming off the field in stoppage time, which likely resulted in the crazy amount of time added by Michael Kennedy. I hate this sort of gamesmanship. It’s not Sounders soccer. It doesn’t help the team. And this time, it clearly HURT the team.</li>
<li style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">Brad Evans was allegedly slapped in the face by a Fire player. Brad accepted the challenge, and proceeded to win the ensuing duel at ten paces (it was supposed to be five paces, but Michael Kennedy was in charge of the duel).</li>
<li style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">John Kennedy Hurtado allegedly tried to strangle a Fire player, the way Toronto was allegedly a playoff team this year (hearts go out to loyal TFC fans for the sixth year in a row). There’s a Fire blog out there that has “photographic evidence”, but review of the game tape makes it clear that John “teddy bear” Hurtado was doing nothing of the sort. Taking a picture of a half-second event and declaring it evidence of a crime committed is equivalent to Fox News taking audio of Obama quoting Bin Laden and running the headline “Obama ‘wants the death of all Americans’”.</li>
<li style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;">Frank Klopas was also suspended for a few games for “language”. Not sure what language he was speaking, or why he’ll be missing two games for it, but I can only assume he was speaking in “Exoricst”-style tongues, and Kennedy believed in his heart that showing him a card would make it stop. Wait, do referees show coaches cards?</li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">
I think that’s everything, though I could be wrong. The cards that were given were mostly warranted, though another for those tackles on Rosales would have been nice. Too bad more people didn’t see it in person. I mean, I always figured wind in Chicago was like rain in Seattle; not something that would keep fans away from the game. Then again, if both my winter teams were out of the playoffs (let’s face it, the Bulls aren’t going anywhere without Rose) I’d probably want to stay home too.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;">
*as always, this post was made in jest, and doesn’t contain any content worth getting offended and/or butthurt about. If you take offense to anything written here or plan on making blanket conclusions about my green-wearing compatriots, kindly write it on a hundred dollar bill and sent to *address redacted by The Offside*.</div>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-11451036593609274002012-04-28T21:39:00.001-07:002012-04-28T21:39:58.909-07:00Seahawks draft 10 in '12 + Depth Chart<b>Round 1:</b><br />
Bruce Irvin, DE<br />
<b>Round 2:</b><br />
Bobby Wagner, MLB<br />
<b>Round 3:</b><br />
Russell Wilson, QB<br />
<b>Round 4:</b><br />
Robert Turbin, RB<br />
Jaye Howard, DT<br />
<b>Round 5:</b><br />
Korey Toomer, MLB<br />
<b>Round 6:</b><br />
Jeremy Lane, CB<br />
Winston Guy, S<br />
<b>Round 7:</b><br />
JR Sweezy, G<br />
Greg Scruggs, DT<br />
<br />
It's finally over. FINALLY. And like every other sucker, I watched nearly every minute of it. I don't know how these guys are going to turn out. You don't know how these guys are going to turn out. No one does. But I know that there's a few of the 10 new members of the Seahawk's roster that I'm rather excited about.<br />
<br />
First and foremost on that list for me is Russell Wilson. There are few names in college football that I knew before the draft process started. That list is mostly populated by Huskies, Cougars, Ducks, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin, and some guy that stole the Honey Badger name.<br />
<br />
The only other one was Wilson. I've got a Wisconsin alumni as a parent, so when the Badgers were on, they were typically also on. And I couldn't give you the name of anyone else on that squad, but I could tell right away how good that quarterback was. Accurate, mobile, an all-around playmaker. He's like Tebow, but with the ability to play qb. And he played behind one of the biggest offensive lines in the country (INCLUDING the NFL)<br />
<br />
For those who are vocally adamant that the Hawk's made the wrong choice (I'm looking at you Hugh Millen, you annoying bastard) based solely on his height... Do you reeaallllllllly think that the Hawks didn't notice he was short? Or do you just think they're going to try and put him in high heels to raise his eye level? I'm pretty sure Schneider himself (roughly the same height?) has pulled out the measuring tape himself to get a first-hand look at his 10 5/8 altitude. And if they plan on playing him, they're going to game plan to his strengths, the way they have for every other player on their roster.<br />
<br />
Frankly, I see no reason why, with the Seahawks specifically, Wilson won't be able to succeed. The only question will be if or when he can outplay Matt Flynn and Tavaris Jackson to take the starting job at some point. He may not be ready to go in year one (though I think he's smart enough to do so) which is fine, because I want to see Flynn get a chance at the helm, or for Jackson to get a full training camp. But Wilson COULD be the quarterback of the future, and I'm okay with that. Because if he were a few inches taller, he would have been the third pick in the draft.<br />
<br />
For the same reasons, I am optimistic on Michael Irvin. I didn't know who he was when his name sprang from the speakers at the Seahawks draft party, but listening to Mike Mayock talk about him I immediately called Chris Clemons to mind. The fun thing is that Irvin can be even better than Clemons has been the last two years, and for far longer. Even though he's raw, he was still about as productive a rusher as anyone in college ranks. That wouldn't necessarily be valuable to other teams in the league, the way Clemons wasn't valuable when the Seahawks traded Darryl Tapp for him and a fourth rounder. Even though Clemons has had double-digit sacks each of the last few years, he probably couldn't replicate that if he went back to Philadelphia. He doesn't fit their scheme. He is built for Pete Carroll's Leo position. Irvin is even more perfect. So no wonder he wasn't mocked higher than the second round. His skills are specialized in such a way that they're only really valuable to Seattle.<br />
<br />
The last player I'm quite bullish on is Robert Turbin, the runningback out of Utah State. That's not to say I think Seattle's other picks were bad, just that I won't have an opinion on them until I see them don one of Seattle's spiffy new uniforms. Check out Turbin's story <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/08/SPKC1NI3BS.DTL&feed=rss.sports" target="_blank">here</a>. It's about time something went right for this guy, and now the "Hulk" gets to back up the "Beast". For such a big guy, he's surprisingly shifty. I don't know if he'll be another Marshawn Lynch, but he should be a good replacement whenever Lynch needs a breather.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping that Wagner and Toomer are good enough to start in year one next to KJ Wright. It's time to start a new chapter in Seattle's linebacking corps. Additionally, hearing Mayock just GUSH over Jeremy Lane was exciting, though my first impression was that he seemed a little slow (4.5 isn't that fast for a CB). He's got that Carroll size though, and sounds like a playmaker. Just like me playing my copy of Madden 07, Carroll likes to stockpile cornerbacks. In fact, he runs a team like I do! I need to start making some money off this...<br />
<br />
Wake me up when the rest of the picks make the roster, because after three days of watching the draft, the Mariners, and Sounders, my head hurts.<br />
<br />
The new projected depth chart:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; clear: both; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Arial Regular', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; width: 620px;"><thead style="background-color: #93a4ba; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;">
<tr><th class="col-pos" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">POS</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">FIRST</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">SECOND</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">THIRD</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">OTHER</th></tr>
</thead><tbody style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<tr class=" loop-first loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td class="col-pos" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">WR1</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Sidney Rice</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Mike Williams</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Ricardo Lockette</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Kris Durham</td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">LT</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Russell Okung</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Paul Mcquistan</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">LG</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Deuce Lutui</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">JR Sweezy</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">C</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Max Unger</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Lemuel Jeanpierre</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">RG</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">John Moffit</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Lemuel Jeanpierre</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">RT</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a class="player-card-tooltip" href="http://www.seahawks.com/team/roster/Breno-Giacomini/8d7ab3ef-d8fd-4d11-b52b-a624de7b95b4" rel="/cda-web/person-card-module.htm?mode=data&id=8d7ab3ef-d8fd-4d11-b52b-a624de7b95b4" rev="Player" style="color: #2a5980; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" title="Breno Giacomini">J</a>ames Carpenter</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Breno Giacomini</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Frank Omiyale</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">TE</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Zach Miller</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Anthony McCoy</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Cameron Morrah</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">WR2</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Golden Tate</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Doug Baldwin</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Deon Butler</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Ben Obomanu</td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">QB</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Matt Flynn</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Tavaris Jackson</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Russell Wilson</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Josh Portis</td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">FB</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Michael Robinson</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd loop-last " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">RB</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Marshawn Lynch</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Robert Turbin</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Leon Washington</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; clear: both; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Arial Regular', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; width: 620px;"><thead style="background-color: #93a4ba; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;">
<tr><th class="col-pos" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">POS</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">FIRST</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">SECOND</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">THIRD</th><th style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">OTHER</th></tr>
</thead><tbody style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<tr class=" loop-first loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td class="col-pos" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">LDE</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Chris Clemons</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Bruce Irvin</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Dexter Davis</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">LDT</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Jason Jones</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Alan Branch</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Jaye Howard</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">RDT</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Brandon Mebane</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a class="player-card-tooltip" href="http://www.seahawks.com/team/roster/Lazarius-Levingston/1d36c266-a4ba-44fb-846b-770c49db8ab6" rel="/cda-web/person-card-module.htm?mode=data&id=1d36c266-a4ba-44fb-846b-770c49db8ab6" rev="Player" style="color: #2a5980; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" title="Lazarius Levingston">L</a>azarius Levingston</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Greg Scrubbs</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">RDE</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Red Bryant</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Anthony Hargrove</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">OLB1</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Korey Toomer</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Leroy Hill</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Malcolm Smith</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">MLB</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Bobby Wagner</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Barrett Ruud</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Heath Farwell</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">OLB2</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">KJ Wright</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Heath Farwell</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">LCB</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Richard Sherman</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Marcus Trufant</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Walter Thurmond</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">RCB</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Brandon Browner</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Byron Maxwell</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Jeremy Lane</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-even " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">SS</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Kam Chancellor</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Jeron Johnson</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Winston Guy</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
<tr class=" loop-odd loop-last " style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #edf4fa; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">FS</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Earl Thomas</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Chris Maragos</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Or something like this. I'm worried about Michael Robinson being our only fullback. Robert Turbin has the size for it, but his profile says that pass blocking is a weakness. Otherwise, it looks like Seattle has a full and respectable lineup. Next year, Seattle may not have any needs to draft, and "best player available" sounds pretty good.Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-46695720933252159082012-04-26T14:13:00.003-07:002012-04-26T14:13:51.094-07:00Don't forget to catch the TV premiere of Sonicsgate, Friday on CNBC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oI3Noj6HlBo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
The television premiere of a terrific documentary detailing the theft of our Sonics. It'll air at 7:00 PM Friday on CNBC, and again on Sunday at the same time. Be sure to tune in, even if you've seen it before. There will be new content debuting for the television version.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.supersonicsoul.com/" target="_blank">Also, be sure to visit this guy's blog for all things Sonics.</a>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-84450263775952142142012-04-26T13:57:00.000-07:002012-04-26T21:38:56.668-07:00Mariners sweep Tigers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://image.spreadshirt.com/image-server/v1/compositions/19953924/views/1,width=178,height=178,interlace=true/mariners-king-felix-crown-34_design.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://image.spreadshirt.com/image-server/v1/compositions/19953924/views/1,width=178,height=178,interlace=true/mariners-king-felix-crown-34_design.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Mariners took a much needed sweep of the Tigers over the last few days, showing the potential of their young core in the process. Each of the youngsters contributed with their bats over the three game stretch, from Saunders to Liddi (can't wait till he puts some Italian sausage on that "Grand Salami") to Smoak (what a three run blast!) to Ackley to Montero. Ichiro bounced back from a tough week to get his average back up at Ichiro levels. Felix was amazing again, and Noesi and Vargas did their jobs. In short, it was a fun team to watch again.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Damn it Figgins, can't you just make things easy for us? You haven't hit the ball for the better part of two weeks, and Ackley comes in and hits leadoff like it has a crush on him, and then you come back the next day and get three hits? STOP IT. Just suck for a whole month so we can let you go and play one of the young guys at third/left field. It's hard enough as it is finding playing time for Seager, Liddi, and Wells, and Mike Carp will be back soon. Get in a bare-knuckle brawl with Wedge. We all know you'd lose, so you wouldn't have any shame having to claim injury for a while. Then, in a month or so when the Mariners are in the driver's seat for the wild card, Jacky Z can throw out a press release 11:00PM on a Tuesday saying you've been designated for assignment. And you can take the millions of dollars the Mariners gave you to play competently and flip that towards a house in France, where there aren't any baseball fans that know how much you have sucked. <br /><br />Seriously, the Figgins era is over. We've got three third base prospects ready to go. Get out of here. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Of course, it'd be so much easier to find playing time for everyone if Montero was catching more often. I understand that they are working him in gradually, and that Miguel Olivo brings a level of leadership to the clubhouse. But at the very least, use the DH slot on someone other than Olivo when Montero is behind the plate. I mean, if he can't CATCH a ball with a GLOVE, why would you expect he can HIT a ball with a BAT? He's been a black hole both behind the plate and beside it (his home run today notwithstanding). I defended him last year because, frankly, he was the Mariner's best option, but at this point I'd just as soon see Jaso be our everyday receiver.</li>
</ul>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-56555103166369861262012-04-25T23:20:00.002-07:002012-04-25T23:20:39.555-07:00At last, the draft process is almost over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sports.cbsimg.net/u/photos/football/nfl/2002/draft/img16937706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://sports.cbsimg.net/u/photos/football/nfl/2002/draft/img16937706.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Sparring some sort of terrible disaster, tomorrow will be the end of the 2012 draft process. And with it, we will have the end of the daily draft commentary from people who may or may not know a damn thing about football or the people who play it. I'm looking forward to seeing who the Seahawks draft only SLIGHTLY more than I am to the end of the daily rehash of the same draft topics every hour of every day. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That said, allow me to be a hypocrite for a quick second. I won't pretend I know all that much about the draft (I don't give two squats about college football). But I think I get a good sense of how good these players are just by digesting thousands of opinions on them (informed or not). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
TAKE HIM TAKE HIM TAKE HIM NOW!</div>
<div>
Trent Richardson:<br />Marshawn Lynch had some winning over to do when the Hawks traded for him in 2010. I didn't think much of the trade. But win me over he did. Beast Quake made him a legend, but since then he has also become a pretty darn good running back. The Skittles shower run just added to his legacy, but his numbers were fantastic in the second half of the season. </div>
<div>
That said, he can't do it by himself, and having a competent backup could make Seattle's running game something to be feared. Imagine a split backfield with Lynch on one side and Richardson on the other. And picking Richardson, at the very least, would keep some miles off Lynch's tires. </div>
<div>
He's not likely to fall to 12, but I don't see Cleveland picking him up at number 4. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
David DeCastro</div>
<div>
Or just imagine Lynch running behind three first round picks, including an Okung-DeCastro duo plowing open holes big enough for stampedes to clear through. Of the players likely to fall to number 12, I want DeCastro the most. He seems like a sure thing (though that doesn't exist in the draft) to be a pro-bowl lineman, and he did an excellent job protecting Andrew Luck. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Justin Blackmon: </div>
<div>
He probably won't be falling to 12, and there is invariably one wide receiver expected to be an elite no.1 wideout, but the the chance persists that he could be that player. And Blackmon's potential across from a healthy Sidney Rice is really nice to think about. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sure, I guess:</div>
<div>
Luke Kuchily:</div>
<div>
Before the national media realized that the Hawks had a need at linebacker, Kuchily was an early second round pick. He is a product of the draftnicks, not a rise in stock. He might be good, and I like his combination of smarts and physical ability, but guys that shoot up like that scare me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Quentin Coples:</div>
<div>
There's been so much talk about whether this guy has the work ethic to be a true NFL blitzing badass like Jason Taylor. If he can, Carroll and Schneider will know that, and they'll pick him. If not, they'll know, and he won't be picked. He's an intriguing pick, but there's probably been far too much talk linking him to Seattle for it to actually happen. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Chandler Jones:</div>
<div>
Like Kuchily, Jones came out of nowhere to suddenly occupy Seattle's draft spot. It would be a very Chris Carpenter-esque pick, someone who had only sparingly been mentioned as a first rounder, let alone so early. He sounds like a good player, but if he's really that good, why wasn't he a first rounder before three days ago?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ryan Tannehill:</div>
<div>
I didn't believe the story about Carroll's giggling for a second. It reeks of smokescreen, and if it works, it could force someone to trade up into the top 11 picks to get him, which could cause another player to fall to 12 who otherwise wouldn't. No reason not to try. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But. BUT. If it is true, and Seattle drafts him, I'll still be happy. Because it will mean that Carroll really likes this guy. And if we learned anything watching USC over the last decade, it's that Carroll knows what he wants in a quarterback. It won't happen. BUT IF IT HAPPENS. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Trade Down:</div>
<div>
Melvin Ingram:<br />Something about this guy just screams "Lawrence Jackson" to me. Which isn't really an insult, since I liked Lawrence Jackson. But, at number 12, the Hawks probably won't find the value they're looking for. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the end, I think I'll like whoever the Hawks draft. If they trade down, great. If they trade up, great. If they get Tannehill, great. I believe these guys know what they're doing, and even if they do somehow screw up the pick, they'll make up for it with later picks. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By the way, if they don't pick Tannehill, I'd like to see them give a chance to Russell Wilson in the third round. He's got so much talent and is already used to playing in front of NFL-sized offensive lines. He can do professional football. </div>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-60210151753366253562012-04-25T17:21:00.001-07:002012-04-25T17:21:29.767-07:00Some times, a picture comes around...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/250976/ichirohitch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/250976/ichirohitch.png" width="193" /></a></div>
How're you feeling about hitting third in the lineup, Ichiro?Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-4190479205321558292012-04-25T14:34:00.000-07:002012-04-25T16:09:50.781-07:00Mark and Eric Good Show GO! 4/24/12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx28OlMFIwKZc9qzR1zCfPsl8oHhUo_3xc4cHcAHZ0Ys0alFY1csQmv2ijGH00r800314JCkJbBn5Icu7m8Ug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-10223240640699556672012-04-25T13:24:00.000-07:002012-04-25T16:10:10.227-07:00Mark and Eric Good Show Go! 4/18/12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxHbOYx0rF0MVG8KX1lgGSmdO_wUBlX_BjuRCTzBRkodyJuEyJStuUmleZzd52svomKcqfqxSQi9cyfXOUJ-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-76872881029546988582012-04-21T15:29:00.003-07:002012-04-21T15:29:41.236-07:00Mariners victim of a perfect game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/ryan329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/ryan329.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
Well that sucked.Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-51456907553388984092012-04-15T22:41:00.000-07:002012-04-15T22:41:45.555-07:00Mariners win series 3 over OaklandI'm sure Oakland's bloggers are saying the same things about us (do the A's HAVE bloggers?) but I'm so happy we won't be seeing the balancing Elephants again until mid June. Baseball's 162 game schedule is exacerbated when it feels like you're playing every single game against the same team. And for the last month, that statement has been nearly true. <div><br />
</div><div>Since opening day in Japan, the Mariners have played seven games over two series with the Oakland A's, going 5-2. By this time next week, the Mariners will have played over 1-10th of their games in the 2012 season, and almost have of them will have been against the A's. To which I say, at least our opponents can only get more interesting from here. I mean, outside of Yoenis Cespedes, I'm not sure there's a single interesting player on that team. Okay, Eric Sogard is interesting, but that's just because you don't usually see ballplayers wearing prescription glasses. He's interesting in the same way that Nascar is interesting, in that you watch to see if something terrible is going to happen. If it were me, I'd be constantly terrified that a wayward pitch or a funny bounce is about to lodge both baseball and shards of glass in my eyes. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Which is one of the many reasons why I haven't posted about the Mariners much over the first few weeks. I don't know how stat-oriented guys like Jeff Sullivan and Dave Cameron make posts on baseball after every game (sometimes MULTIPLE posts!) because in effect, these guys (who are clearly allergic to small sample sizes) are forcing themselves to find even a little bit of meaning in 1/162nd of a season. Even after two weeks, it's not clear</div><div><ul><li>Whether Chone Figgins or Ichiro have truly bounced back (my gut says the latter has, but the former has not)</li>
<li>Whether Michael Saunders or Justin Smoak are going to take that next step</li>
<li>Whether Kyle Seager is legitimate</li>
<li>Whether we should be worried about Felix (no?)</li>
<li>What the hell the Mariners are going to do with the rest of their starting rotation when the phenoms are ready</li>
<li>When the Mariners will drop Olivo (I like the guy, but three catchers on the roster is like two kickers on a football team).</li>
</ul><div>Sullivan, Cameron, and Baker have tough jobs, and only one of those guys is getting paid to do what they do (I think?). I find it remarkable to say the least. </div></div><div><br />
</div><div>But anyway, what Seager and Jesus Montero have done so far this season has been encouraging. While having two rookies leading your team offensively isn't typically a good sign, It's nice that the Mariners finally have multiple players hitting .280 or higher. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure the Mariners had anyone like that last year, at least over a full season. Interesting to note that Jesus' OBP is lower than his average right now, thanks to his lack of walks and a sac fly or two. But if he keeps having eight-game hitting streaks and home runs to dead center, I'm not sure the free bags are going to bother me too much. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I didn't think much of Seager prior to this year, and he could just be having a hot streak, but right now he's the best hitter on a Mariners club that isn't last in hitting. He doesn't seem to have the traditional corner power expected of a third basemen, but then again, he's already hitting the ball much harder than his size would suggest. I hope and believe that the Mariners will ride his train as long as he keeps conducting it. I assume he's playing 3rd base because he doesn't have the range for SS, but if he continues at his pace, I don't know what the Mariners will do if Alex Liddi or Vinnie Catricala start knocking at the MLB door. Perhaps Ackley to the outfield, Seager to second, and Liddicala at third? But as usual, I'm getting ahead of myself. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It's true that a traditional batter to bat third in your lineup would be someone that hits 30 hrs a year, but Ichiro has looked like a natural in the role so far in 2012. Not that he was a stranger to hitting in an RBI spot (it was his position in the order for nearly his entire career in Japan) but he has had no trouble finding the outfield grass and has four extra base hits on the season. If Ichiro manages another 200 hits this year, I'll be disappointed if the Mariners don't sign him for another two or three years. The Ichiro hate wagon has been riding strong for more than five years now, but he stuck with this team through thick and thin, and he deserves another playoff appearance in a Mariners uniform. Ichiro may be a first-ballot hall of famer, which would be a first for a career Mariner. Unlike other past Seattle icons, maybe this time we don't have to drive them out of town, instead letting him retire on his terms. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Brandon League, 5 for 5, 0.00 ERA. Hard to take any meaning from it, but if he learned anything from those rough stretches last year, he could be the game's best this season.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Next up is Cleveland. I feel like the Mariners will take two of the three and retain second place in the west. And on that note, I don't know if I put it in writing on this blog, but if not, I'll say it here for everyone to see: The Angels aren't going to compete for the AL West this year. They weren't that good in 2011, and they didn't get much better in 2012. Their core players are mostly old, and Pujols is simply blocking a roster spot that Trumbo or Trout could be taking. I wouldn't be surprised if they lost 80 games this year. </div>Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-26302757164839323192012-04-15T21:44:00.000-07:002012-04-15T21:44:19.422-07:00Sounders 1-0 Rapids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/p/sp/getty/92/fullj.f5c8c23991bfbe8b17d011d0551fc055/f5c8c23991bfbe8b17d011d0551fc055-getty-142893668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/p/sp/getty/92/fullj.f5c8c23991bfbe8b17d011d0551fc055/f5c8c23991bfbe8b17d011d0551fc055-getty-142893668.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Under normal circumstances, Saturday's match would be pretty forgettable. Other than an excellent header by Zach Scott in the final third of the match, the Sounders faithful were treated (or...not...) to a game lacking a lot of excitement or close plays. Scott had another chance on goal in the first half that missed just left, Fredy Montero came close with a few free kicks, and Eddie Johnson almost found his first assist in a near-perfect service to Montero, denied only thanks to a great read from Colorado keeper Matt Pickens. Outside of those plays, and a couple of cards, it was about as lackluster a win as the Sounders will take all season.<br />
<br />
But this matchup, which sent the Sounders into a tie for third place in the west with 10 points, had added significance, especially for the near 40,000 standing at attention on the sunny Saturday afternoon. It was the return of public enemy number 1, Brian Mullen, for the first time since his horrific tackle on Steve Zakuani about a year ago. And as was to be expected after 350+ days of hate and vitriol were unleashed on the internet in the aftermath, and with Zakuani himself in attendance, the crowd let Mullen know how they felt about him with their voices. Every time Mullen touched the ball (which seemed to become less frequent as the game went on, perhaps out of pity from his teammates), something between a smattering and a cacophony of boos rained down upon the pitch (though not quite to the effect of the weather in Sunday's Chicago-Houston matchup).<br />
<br />
On top of that, the game had even more meaning for myself, inviting an old co-worker and friend to his very first Sounders match. In town for a week from him home in St. Louis, we had a few drinks before the March to the Match, before I treated him to a Sounders gameday. He came away impressed, and I fully expect the Sounders population in Missouri to grow by one. Few things bring me more joy these days than creating new fans of Sounders and the "Beautiful Game".<br />
<br />
Back to the game itself... The finishing is still a concern, but the coming week off should do wonders for this battered team. When Seattle next takes the pitch at Toyota Park in Illinois, they should have their best 11 on the pitch, with Rosales, Johannson, Fernandez, and Hurtado all returning to duty, and Johnson ready to play the full 90. Assuming Rosales doesn't get hacked down for the fourth straight game, it will be our first look at the true potential of our team.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere in Cascadia:<br />
Vancouver-Bye<br />
Portland 1-3 LAEric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459688764456896073.post-77574782233447945652012-04-07T19:35:00.000-07:002012-04-07T19:35:10.683-07:00Sounders tie DC in frustrating matchThe Sounders came close to pulling out a victory at dilapidated RFK Stadium in Washington DC today, as substitute Marc Burch nearly scored the winner on a diving header in stoppage time. But that shot bounced harmlessly away off the post, and Seattle now flies home to Seattle in a game that easily could have gone either way.<br />
<br />
Michael Gspurning used his frame well in punching away a number of threatening balls brought in by Chris Pontius and crew, and the woodwork did it's fair share as well in keeping intact Seattle's second clean sheet of the year.<br />
<br />
As good as the Sounders back line has been over the first month of the season, it's a little frustrating watching the team send long ball after hopeless long ball up the side lines in hopes that a Rave Green will win it, frequently to no avail. Scott and Levesque simply can't play ball possession the way Johannson and Rosales can (not that the left flank was free of guilt). It's equally frustrating that the Sounders haven't been able to field a healthy lineup yet this year. But I assume the goals will come, and as long as the defense continues to play well, Seattle's destined for big things.<br />
<br />
(watching the Mariners while I type this; Smoak, I like you, and expect you to be a Mariners cornerstone for years, but you are a TERRIBLE base runner. Just saying. )Eric Flatnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01622344413494691086noreply@blogger.com0