Looking at the tape:Seahawks smack Rams

Back after a few slow days.
Will be posting twice to catch up on things.

Watched the tape of the Seattle Seahawks 34-13 pasting of the Rams and have some thoughts on the win.

Shawn's Thoughts

1: Julius Jones seems to be back to the runner that many people thought was going to be an elite back in the league.
Granted,his last two games were against two pretty bad teams,but for me it wasn't the yardage as much as how he did it.
Hitting the hole and shooting through it instead of tap dancing behind the line.

2: Jones could be on the way to salvaging his career in the same way his brother (Thomas) did after being considered a bust in Arizona.
Thomas was worthless in Arizona,but has been a reasonably talented performer ever since.
The good news for Seattle fans is the Julius is the more talented of the two.

3: Jones and T.J. Duckett enabled the Seahawks to not have to rely on the passing game and therefore not counting on rookies (John Carlson and Michael Bumpus) and new acquistions (Keary Colbert and Billy McMullen) to have to make game changing plays.
Usually for Seattle,the pass sets up the run,but for now the opposite will have to be the case for the Seahawks to be successful.

4: Here is hoping the Seahawks keep rookie Michael Bumpus around after the veterans starting marching home again.
Not just because he grabbed a TD pass in the game,but because he seems to have long term potential and I really like his hands,despite a fumble in the contest.

5: The offensive line kept the Rams off balance and gave all aspects of the offense time to make plays.
Again,it was just the Rams,but a nice job nonetheless....

6: Leroy Hill often gets overshadowed by Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson,but he was the standout against the Rams with ten tackles.
Hill is the type of steady backer that teams need to funnel runners towards Tatupu and can stay home while Peterson goes after the quarterback.
Now if he could just cover his area better in zone coverage,he could develop into a top notch backer!

7: Deon Grant intercepted one pass,but I was more impressed by one that he didn't pick off.
On a fourth down in the final quarter,Grant had an easy pick far down field,but instead batted the ball away and that resulted in about 30 yards of field position.
Smart and heady play by the veteran.

8: Josh Wilson gets better every week at one corner and is showing the type of toughness shown by the Browns Josh Cribbs in returning punts.

9: The Seahawks use their bye week this week and return against the Giants in New Jersey on OCt 5th.
Looks like a tough test.
I would rather have the Giants this week without Plaxico Burress..

10: The 1-2 start is disappointing,but can you imagine 0-3?
Oh,wait,I can-Think about the Browns!

Bullpen Notes

Sorry to hear about former Viking all-pro Wally Hilgenberg passing away last week at the age of 66 from the effects of Lou Gehrig's disease.
As a fan of the Bud Grant era Vikings,Hilgenberg was a important part of the Purple People Eaters from 1968 to 1979 after spending his early career with the Lions.
Condolences to his family.

A poiganant column on Hilgenberg over last winter as he battled ALS is well worth reading here.
Great job by Patrick Reusse of Minneapolis Star-Tribune....

Kudos for the Detroit Lions for finally firing Matt Millen as their football head..
Wait a minute this isn't 2005????
Never mind.

Will try to be back later with a baseball catchup

Photo Credits
Jones and Team:AP Photo
Hilgenberg:Topps