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Hope you’re ready for “Wallace to Weaver” on Sunday. Jose Miguel Romero has a good overview in today’s Times about the Seahawks’ reserves getting major minutes Sunday in Green Bay — not to mention a handful of Hawks who won’t even make the trip.
Hey – as long as the regulars stay healthy, and Alexander gets the TD record, Sunday will be a success, no matter what the scoreboard looks like when it’s all over.
|The Gonzaga Bulldogs are going to cruise through the WCC — to no one’s surprise — but as much as I hate to say this, they’re going to have an early exit at the NCAA Tourney. By “early exit,” I simply mean sooner than they should — it might be 3rd or 4th round, but it will be sooner than their seeding suggests they should go out.
Two reasons:
1) Not enough weapons / too much reliance on Adam Morrison and JP Batista.
AM and JPB are combining for 47 points a game. Gonzaga as a team only scores 78 per game. You’ve got two regulars scoring 47, and the other six regulars are combining for 30 points. Unless you are Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the Chicago Bulls, you cannot win a title with a two-man team. Who is going to step up the rest of the season?
Morrison and Batista are so solid, and the supporting crew is good enough, that Gonzaga will be in any game it plays against any opponent. But they just don’t have the guns to win six in a row in March against the best teams in the country.
2) Derek Raivio is not ready to lead a team to a championship.
The kid plays hard, and to his credit he’s the only other Zag scoring in double figures this season (12.3 ppg), but his overall numbers are down this year essentially across the board. Most importantly from the stats angle is his terrible 2.8 assists per game average, down from a respectable 4.8/game last year. Then there’s shooting: FG% is down from 43% to 37%, and 3-point shooting is down from 46% to 34% this season.
But it’s not just the percentages, it’s the type of shots – the almost complete lack of drives and layups. The ESPN.com scouting report on Raivio includes this: “Mixes up his offense so that he has to be defended for the drive rather than just the jumper.” But that’s not been the case this season. Here’s a list of the past four games (since Raivio came back from the back injury), showing overall FGs, 3-point FGs, and layups.
Dec. 27 vs. Memphis: 3-12 overall, 2-8 3FGs, 0-0 layups
Dec. 22 vs. St. Louis: 2-6 overall, 1-2 3FGs, 0-0 layups
Dec. 19 vs EWU: 1-7 overall, 1-6 3FGs, 0-0 layups*
Dec. 17 vs. Virginia: 5-13 overall, 5-10 3 FGs, 0-0 layups
* he was credited for missing a 2-foot jumper in this game
That’s essentially four straight games without taking a layup. How does a point guard go that long without getting to the hole? What Raivio lacks, and what the great point guards have, is the ability to drive to the basket and get a layup, or get fouled, or draw defenders and pass to an open teammate. It’s particularly important for Raivio because he’s a marvelous FT shooter, and you want him getting fouled in the act of shooting whenever possible; it’s a guaranteed two points.
The Gonzaga teams of recent years have been led by stellar point guards, from Matt Santangelo to Dan Dickau to Blake Stepp. I don’t see Derek Raivio playing to that same level and joining that group. And ultimately, it’s one of the reasons why the Bulldogs will be disappointed during March Madness.
|Even though they beat the big, bad Colts, ESPN’s NFL crew still leaves the Hawks at No. 2 in this week’s Power Rankings, while the FO crew only moves the Hawks up from 6th to 3rd. Hmmmph. Who cares….
But click that link to the FO rankings on FoxSports.com, and you’ll find an interesting nugget about the Seahawks: “Seattle allows an average of just 2.1 yards on running back carries around right end, best in the league, but 6.6 yards per running back carry around left end, 30th in the league.”
Who knew?
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“…we believe Tim [Ruskell] will solidify the football culture of the Seahawks.”
Those words were part of Paul Allen’s comments on February 23, 2005, the day the Seahawks hired Tim Ruskell as President of Football Operations — a position which has included taking over the GM responsibilities, too. Who knew how prophetic Paul Allen was, and who knew how soon his words would come true?
Here we are, just about to finish Ruskell’s first season in Seattle, and the Seahawks are the class of the NFC — and arguably the NFL — with the best record, the longest winning streak, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and all kinds of good will with new fans jumping on the Hawks bandwagon every day.
How on earth did all this happen?
First, we have to give credit to Paul Allen, who finally came to his senses on January 14 by firing Bob Whitsett. That was the move that started everything in the right direction. Just as he’s trying to do with the Blazers, Allen decided it was time to bring character and accountability, and professionalism into the front office — and then hope it would permeate through the whole organization. (It did.)
On the same day Whitsett was fired, Allen allowed VP Ted Thompson to leave for Green Bay to become the Packers’ new GM. How has that worked out? Just look at their record. Sure, it’s not Thompson’s fault that the Pack has been decimated by injuries, but he is being blamed for a lot of questionable personnel decisions — not adding depth to offset the inevitable injuries, not improving the Packers’ woeful offensive line, etc.
A day before Ruskell came on board, GM Bob Ferguson “resigned” … cough, cough. That’s three key members of the front office gone — Whitsett, Thompson, Ferguson — in the span of about a month. This is what you call addition by subtraction.
On his arrival February 23rd, Ruskell shared some of his philosophy:
“I believe one of the keys that doesn’t get talked about enough is unifying. People working together where there are no walls, where there are no agendas, where everybody has a common focus on the goal, and that’s winning.”
That philosophy was explained in more detail a month later when Ruskell sent a letter to season ticket holders:
“We will look at the character of this team. We want players who are not only good team players, but good citizens.”
And that’s where Ruskell’s best moves have come in to play. Let’s look at some of the guys who were not brought back for the 2005 season:
I’ll leave out guys like Ken Lucas and Chad Brown, who are not here more because of salary issues / injury issues than anything else, but those four listed above say a lot about the “new” type of Seattle Seahawk player. We all know about K-Rob’s issues, and for his sake, let’s hope he stays clean and continues to do well for the Vikings. But let’s also be thankful that distraction was removed from the Hawks’ locker room. Simmons and Terry – neither one has played a down this season in the NFL. Simmons had injuries, but also an attitude problem. Terry had his share of off-field problems. Okeafor seemed like a hard-worker and good guy, but on his departure from the Hawks, he blasted his ex-teammates for being selfish. Maybe he was talking about the likes of Simmons and Robinson, etc., but it’s pretty clear the locker room is a lot more harmonious without him. Talk about irony….
Of course, it’s not just about addition by subtraction. We’re all familiar with some of the other great moves Ruskell made last off-season — signing Joe Jurevicius, Chuck Darby, Bryce Fisher, Kevin Bentley, and Jimmy Williams among others; drafting Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill, etc. Thanks to these additions, the Seahawks have prospered despite losing both starting WRs, despite missing two of their top three CBs for the past month, despite losing Jamie Sharper for the season and getting very little from DD Lewis.
The Seahawks are deep, young, and talented. They have one of the best coaches in the NFL, and a fine staff around him. And no less importantly, they now have a smart and classy front office, where everyone is on the proverbial same page, all led by Tim Ruskell – who had damn well better win NFL Executive of the Year when the dust settles on this amazing football season.
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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc., etc. from me and the Seagals.
(Image shamelessly stolen from Seahawks.com)
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Much will be made about the Hawks beating a distracted Colts team, and a Colts team that was going with a lot of 2nd-stringers. Then again, the Hawks were also going with a lot of 2nd-stringers, too … what with the likes of Dyson, Herndon, Sharper, Hamlin and others not playing. Heck, the Hawks ran 2nd string WRs out there for the entire middle of the season without losing a game.
Nonetheless, it’s hard to think that this game meant as much as it could’ve meant in normal circumstances. The win is great for the Hawks — clinching home-field advantage thru the playoffs is a great accomplishment. But it’s not the most satisfying win. It’s a game that leaves you hoping these teams will meet again in the Super Bowl – no distractions, no resting players, just full-throttle football.
The first quarter was what you hoped for — both teams moving the ball, all kinds of action at a high level. The Hawks’ defense did its regular bend-don’t-break thing, which ultimately I think sealed the win early on — it was 14-3 Seahawks 20 minutes into the game when it quite easily could’ve been 14-14.
Bottom-line: The Seahawks have home-field advantage thru the playoffs. And, technically speaking, they now own the No. 1 record in the NFL.
Link: NFL.com Recap
Game ball: Just to be different, I think the whole special teams unit deserves a game ball. Josh Scobey averaged almost 30 yards per kickoff return — including that long one when the Hawks first touched the ball in the 1st quarter. And the FG defense came up with that block on Vanderjagt in the 1st quarter, too. Only downside on special teams was giving up a couple long punt returns to Troy Walters.
Play of the game: The blocked FG was big for momentum, I think, but I’ll take Hasselbeck’s TD pass to Jerramy Stevens in the 2nd quarter. For impact, it’s the score that put the Hawks up comfortably at 14-3. And for prettiness … it was run to perfection, starting with the fake to the right that got the Colts’ safety moved over, and then MattHass’ perfect strike to Stevens in the end zone. Just gorgeous.
Next up: At Green Bay in a thankfully meaningless game. Packer fans may be fired up by the prospect of seeing Brett Favre for the final time, but all that matters for Seattle is 1) getting out of there healthy, and 2) getting Shaun Alexander one TD if circumstances allow it. There will be questions this week about how much Seattle’s starters will play, and it would be a mistake on Holmgren’s part to keep Alexander on the shelf completely. The approach next week should be similar to what the Colts did today — a couple series for the starters, and get ‘em out.
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That title looks great.
After a stellar 13-year career clearing paths for thousand-yard rusher after thousand-yard rusher (Warren, Watters, Alexander), Mack Strong is finally going to the Pro Bowl. No one is more deserving. I never watch the NFL Pro Bowl, but this might be too good to pass up.
Alexander, Hasselbeck, Jones, and Hutch are also going – just about half of the NFC’s No. 1 offense.
|Well, drive away would be more accurate…
The Fan is being placed on the 5-day DL starting tomorrow. I don’t expect there will be any posts until the middle of next week or thereabouts. If you’re desperate for some n’west sports commentary, plenty of links in the left column.
See ya next week…..
|Really, I don’t expect the roster to consist of 25 lily-white do-gooders, but it also doesn’t need to have anyone with a track record like Everett has — on the field and off it. He’s never lasted more than 3 years with one organization. The crotch-grabbing thing with Moyer several years is about the least offensive thing on his personal resumé. You know much of the other stuff he’s done, but if you can’t remember, just read the Seattle papers tomorrow morning. Oh, man, the columnists are gonna have a field day with this one. Don’t you just know Art Thiel is banging on his keyboard with extra enthusiasm tonight?
Some other opinions:
Can’t find much more yet. If anyone finds a post or article praising this move, please post in the comments. Please.
|It only took a 9-game winning streak and a 2-game lead for home field advantage in the NFC for the national media to start finally waking up to what the Seattle Seahawks are doing.
First and foremost, Shaun Alexander is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated. Crap! Someone make sure Mo Morris gets plenty of reps with the first team this week, please? (BTW, Adam Morrison is also on the cover – tiny picture – and profiled in the magazine.)
Second, Michael Rosenberg writes a kinda funny column in today’s Detroit Free Press, introducing the Seahawks to the sports fans who live in the home of Super Bowl XL:
The road to the Super Bowl goes through Seattle, which means it also goes through like 39 other states, since Seattle is way, way out there. But then again, it’s safe to assume that playoff teams will travel from city to city, so perhaps the road just goes through Seattle after all. The Seahawks are 11-2, which gives them a two-game cushion on the rest of the NFC. Of their remaining three games, one is against Tennessee and another is against Green Bay. Those teams couldn’t beat Seattle if they merged.
Heck, even Kathleen Nelson is writing about the Seahawks in today’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
They not only have gained supremacy in the NFC West, but no one comes close to them in the conference. Let’s take it a step further and herald Seattle as the favorite to represent the NFC in Detroit in the Extra Large Super Bowl (XL).
She goes on to list eight reasons why our Hawks are the Super Bowl favorites, all of which are good points, except the one where she talks about the starters staying relatively healthy. As if. The defense is missing 4-5 starters* from the first week of the season: Ken Hamlin, Jamie Sharper, DD Lewis, Kelly Herndon, Andre Dyson. At sme point, doesn’t that catch up with the Hawks? If so, hopefully after they’ve clinched home field advantage and before the playoffs begins.