Seattle Seahawks Preview

The Seattle Seahawks come off a disappointing and injury plagued 2008 with what appears to be an improved team that should have an excellent chance of winning the NFC West.
New coach Jim Mora Jr has some wrinkles that he is adding to the Mike Holmgren playbook and here hopes that a new shine helps some possibly fading players.

Matt Hasselbeck fought off back injuries much of last season and claims to be healthy.
He better be as Seneca Wallace returns as the main backup after some less than impressive outings as the quarterback replacement last year.
Mike Teel was drafted out of Rutgers to be the third string clipboard carrier.
Wallace brings versatility to the offense with the various things that he can do,but as a pure QB,he lacks the ideal numbers that you need from a backup quarterback.
Once again,the season could hinge on the health of Hasselbeck.

Julius Jones returns as the teams leading rusher and hopes to solidify himself there after an erratic 2008.
Jones averaged 4.4 yards a carry for a career high,but only carried the ball 10 times a game as Holmgren seemed to lack confidence in him.
Edgerrin James was signed to back up Jones and possibly take his place if needed.
James had his issues last season with the Cardinals,but played well in the Arizona playoff run,giving hope that he may have a little left in the tank.
Justin Forsett is back as the change of pace back and brings valuable special teams play.
Owen Schmitt was drafted in 2008 as the long term fullback,but one year later is the backup as Mora brings in his former Falcon starter Justin Griffith to start.
Griffith is a solid lead blocker and fair pass catcher to boot.

The Seattle strength should be the receiving corps.
Between injured players returning and two top notch acquisitions,Seattle should have little problem finding targets.
T.J.Houshmanzdeh arrives as a free agent from the Bengals and brings his excellent hands to Seattle as he looks to finally escape the shadow of the more publicized Chad Johnson.
Nate Burleson returns from injury to provide the Seahawks with a legitimate deep threat.
Deion Branch may return to form as the slot receiver,which is a role that he may be better suited for and speedy rookie Deon Butler adds to the quality of the unit.
Ben Obomanu completes the excellent group.
John Carlson had an excellent rookie season and with a similar jump in production in 2009 could become one of the top pass catching tight ends in the game.
Journeyman John Owens is the top backup,but watch for rookie Cameron Morrah's development.
Morrah surprisingly entered the draft early and could be a late round steal for the Hawks.

The offensive line is a question mark as future Hall of Famer Walter Jones continues to struggle with injuries and to cover for the ailing Jones,Seattle is forced to shuffle positions.
Jones starts when healthy at left tackle,but with his injury,Sean Locklear moves from right tackle to left,Ray Willis from guard to right tackle,rookie Max Unger from center to guard and Steve Vallos takes over at center.
With Jones,this is a pretty good line,without? We will have to see.
Former first round center Chris Spencer is also injured,so the Seattle line could improve quickly once things get better on the physical front.
Veterans Mansfield Vrotto and Brandon Frye are the backups.

Seattle attempted to fortify the defensive line by bringing in players with top of the talent that had disappointed after big contracts.
Cory Redding was acquired from the Lions in the deal that cost the Hawks Julian Peterson.
Redding has been pedestrian for the last two seasons after an excellent 2006.
Patrick Kerney attempts a return after missing nine games last season.
The 32 year old veteran still managed 5 sacks in the seven games he played and his intensity is never questioned,only his age and durability.
Darryl Tapp and 2008 top pick Lawrence Jackson will see plenty of action in the defensive end rotation as well.
Colin Cole arrived from Green Bay as Seattle attempts to replace the up the middle pass rush that was lost when Rocky Bernard signed with the Giants.
Replacing Bernard is a tough task and I doubt that Cole can completely do that,but he will need to provide some sort of rush.
Brandon Mebane was one of the few Seahawks to have a top year in 2008,showing power and potential as a future stalwart.
Mebane shows the possibility of being a future star in Seattle with continued progress.
Veteran Craig Terrill and second year man Red Bryant are the other parts of the tackle rotation.

Julian Peterson will be missed.
Peterson was sent to the Lions and took the best all around backing play that Seattle has seen in years with him.
Peterson's pass rush from the outside will be very difficult to replace,but top pick Aaron Curry will try to do just that.
Curry was rated as the top overall player in the draft and Seattle was fortunate to steal him with the fourth pick.
Tackling machine Lofa Tatupu was down a bit in production last season,but still ranked among the leagues top tacklers and Leroy Hill is solid enough at the other outside position.
Health is paramount here as the backup crew of Will Herring,David Hawthorne and Lance Laury leaves much to be desired....

The secondary took a huge hit when Pro Bowl corner Marcus Trufant went down in training camp.Trufant was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list and is ineligible to return until after the bye week.
Josh Wilson and veteran Ken Lucas will be the starters for now with former starter Kelly Jennings as the top backup.
Wilson came along very well last season and continues to develop into a top notch corner.
Travis Fisher is the depth corner.
HURRAY! Brian Russell was released and the secondary improved with that move only.
Jordan Babineaux (who never seemed to do anything,but make big plays) will finally get his chance to start for Russell.
Seattle brought aging veteran Lawyer Milloy to backup Babineaux and hopefully teach him a few things as well.
Milloy still hits as well as any safety and was a nice pickup.
Deon Grant returns as the safety on the other side after a nice season.
C.J.Wallace backs up Grant.

Olindo Mare replaced Josh Brown better than I would have expected last season and missed just three of 27 field goal attempts.
Not sure if Mare can do that again,but it is certainly possible.
Canadian Jon Ryan is back after averaging 45 yards a boot last season.
Josh Wilson and Justin Forsett will be the kick returners again,while Forsett along with Nate Burleson and Deon Butler will all see punt return action.

I think the Seahawks will bounce back after a fluky 2008 with a vengeance.
The schedule isn't overall all that tough and I think Seattle has stepped forward and I don't see any huge steps forward from the other three division foes.
Our Prediction
11-5 NFC West Champions

Cleveland Browns Preview

Here is one of our two football previews for the upcoming NFL season.
With time at a premium,I decided to do the Browns first,so the one that was more important was guaranteed to be finished before Sunday.

Eric Mangini continues his Bill Belichick impersonation with his silly refusal to announce the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Vikings.
Word has leaked out that Brady Quinn was given the nod over Derek Anderson and I can see why.
It is well known that I am not a Brady Quinn believer,but after spending a first round pick on Quinn and seeing him play very little over the first two seasons,it is clear that now is the time to give the Notre Dame product his opportunity to fish or cut bait.
Quinn seems a better fit with the Browns receivers and a better fit into the offense that Mangini wants to run.
Also,starting with Quinn and then going to Anderson if things go badly is a better plan than leading with Anderson and then going to Quinn.
Brett Ratliff comes over from the Jets to fill the third string spot.
The Browns running game was quite a disappointment last season and if any turnaround is possible in Cleveland,the ground game will have to improve.
Jamal Lewis looks to be about done to me and would be best suited for a "Jerome Bettis" type role that not only would improve his effectiveness but also prolong his career.
Sixth round pick James Davis from Clemson has been very impressive in pre-season play and should see plenty of action,while Jerome Harrison might get the most snaps of all when you consider his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Cedric Peerman was claimed off waivers from Baltimore after the Ravens released the sixth round pick.
Peerman is the low man of the depth chart.
Lawrence Vickers will see the most playing time at fullback since he is the only fullback on the roster.

The pass catchers start with the enigmatic Braylon Edwards and end with a lot of questions.
When Braylon Edwards is the guy you need to count on,you have issues.
The long striding speedster led the league in dropped passes last season and was near the top in whining,over-inflated ego and excuses as well.
Edwards should be motivated to shape up as this is a contract season for him.
Joshua Cribbs wants a new contract and in an unusual move in today's NFL is attempting to earn it on the field.
The special teams ace has won the WR position opposite Edwards as the Browns attempt to get the ball into the hands of their most electrifying player more often.
Veteran Mike Furrey comes over from the Lions as the slot possession reciever.Furrey had some solid season in that role in the past as a Ram and should be the hot read for Quinn if he is being pressured.
Second round rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi complete the Browns receiving corps.

The tight end spot was given to former Bill Robert Royal over veteran Steve Heiden and second year man Martin Rucker.
Royal is the best blocker of the bunch and that seems to be the attribute most valued by Mangini from a tight end.
Royal specializes in the 2 yard TD flip to the tight end,so don't expect huge numbers with the hands.
Rucker is the pass catcher of the group,but plays soft and I was mildly surprised to see him make the team at all.
Heiden is the most complete player of the three,but has battled injuries over the last few seasons.

The offensive line is anchored by the excellent left side of Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas and guard Eric Steinbach.
The pair ranks among the best in the game and gives the Browns a solid anchor in attempting to pick up the ground game.
I wish that I could say the same about the right side with journeyman John St.Clair and former Seahawk Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack.
Both are better suited as backups,especially St.Clair,but will have to step their game up in order to compete.
Rex Hadnot backs up both players,but better suits as a guard.
The starting center also has not been announced as undersized veteran Hank Fraley attempts to hold off the challenge of first round pick Alex Mack.
Fraley may be the better player now,but Mack better suits the style of play and needs to get experience as soon as possible....

The Browns continue to run the 3-4 defense and I do not see a huge improvement over last years version for the most part.
Shaun Rogers returns to anchor the defensive line from the nose tackle spot.
Rogers was and is the Browns only impact player on the defense and will need to continue his play of last season for the Browns to have any chance of success.
Ahtyba Rubin backs up the Pro Bowler.
Former Jet Kenyon Coleman man one end with Robaire Smith returning from injury on the other side.
High priced bust Corey Williams and yet another former Jet C.J. Mosley are the backups.

D'Qwell Jackson returns as the Browns top linebacker after a breakout season last year.
Jackson led the team in tackles and seemed to be one of the few Browns that was a good fit in the 3-4 defense.
Disappointing first round pick Kamerion Wimbley keeps one of the outside spots in what is likely his last chance to turn around a flagging career.
Two more former Jets hold the remaining starting spots as Eric Barton and David Bowens move in from New York.
Barton is an excellent tackler and Bowens knows the system.
Rookies David Veikune and Kalava Maiava are the long term hopes for those spots and they are the main backups along with 2008 pre-season sensation Alex Hall,who will mainly be used as a pass rusher and returning Leon Williams adds depth as well.

Three of the four starting spots from 2008 stay the same as Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald hold down their corner spots with Brodney Pool back at free safety.
Former Jet Abram Elam replaces the departed Sean Jones at the strong safety slot.
I like Wright,but McDonald would be better as the nickel or dime corner and his starting shows the weakness of the Browns secondary.
Well traveled vet Hank Poteat leads a collection of young unproven backups at corner.
Pool has been average during his time in Cleveland and Elam seems to be about the same.
Veteran Mike Adams and special teamer Nick Sorensen are the depth providers.

Josh Cribbs will be the main kick and punt returner with Jerome Harrison taking a few as well.
Phil Dawson and Dave Zastudil keep the solid core of the kicking game together for another season.

Frankly,this team doesn't look very good and even worse,they don't even look interesting.
James Davis could be fun to watch and seeing if Brady Quinn develops adds something worth paying attention to,but the Browns could be bad and boring and that is not very entertaining viewing and really not getting any bang for my Sunday Ticket buck.

Our Prediction-Giving the Browns every benefit of each game that looks close and we all know that will not happen.
5-11.
However,expect worse......

On the Signing Front-Rome Braves

Working our way back through the pile of autographs,we will start with the Rome Braves.
Rome brought a few high picks to Hagerstown in the first visit to the Hub City from the Atlanta affiliate in years.
Manager Randy Ingle was a really nice guy as he spent time speaking before the game.
Ingle signed everything and chuckled when his wife called as he signed and his coach Bobby Moore told her that Ingle was busy signing autographs!

One of the top players was highly touted pitcher Julio Teheran.
Teheran looked very strong in his outing against the Suns and was a good signer as well.
Julio signed more cards than I could count in the parking lot and had a nice signature as well.
Second baseman Joel Campusano was a nice addition as well.
Power armed pitcher JJ Hoover signed,but we missed two highly touted pitchers as Brett DeVall was on the DL and Zeke Spruill was sent to Florida before the road trip for personal issues.
I finally was able to get third baseman Adam Coe after waiting three years for him to sign his 2006 Bowman.

The Braves first round pick Mike Minor was traveling with the team,although Minor was still on the reserve list.
Minor was very engaging and signed his Team USA card along with the Rome Braves logo card from the team set.
Outfield prospect Luis Sumoza signed cards that I had missed him on when he signed in Frederick as a Myrtle Beach Pelican and Moises Hernandez signed card from two years ago from his stint with the Pelicans.

Around this time,our friend Tom O'Brien helped us with a large chunk of the Connecticut Defenders,the AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
The biggest catches being pitcher Tim Alderson (who was traded to the Pirates during the series against Bowie when Tom was there),and three quarters of a fine Defender infield in Brandon Crawford,Brett Pill and Brock Bond.
I would get more help on the Defenders later in the year from Bill Cover.
Tom also worked on Oriole top pick Brian Matusz on his Frederick card (Matusz was said to have gotten worse as the season went on,but my experience with Brian was fine),Brandon Erbe from the Bowie set and many cards of Phillie prospect Joe Savery.
Savery was one of those players that I missed a lot and his cards piled up.
Thanks to Tom for his help.

Next time on the Signing Front will be more help from our friends from other places and the Augusta Greenjackets visit to Hagerstown...

Update

President Obama has just announced that mandatory health insurance will take place if his plan passes.
Obama made this announcement before the full session on Congress.

Obama's decision to implement this plan goes against his campaign position of not having mandates.........

Health Care and other thoughts

As the debate of health care reform continues to escalate,a proposal by Senator Max Baucus of Montana to reform health care has alarmed me.
The Baucus plan includes a segment that will fine Americans that do not have health insurance.
The plans will fine people costs that range from a maximum of 950 dollars for an individual to an astonishing 3,800 for families.
Families that cannot afford health care now could have almost 4,000 dollars taken away from them.
Look,I am probably more liberal than most on this topic,but this seems to be one of the dumber ideas that I have heard.
The issue with health care is that people struggle to pay for it and the insurance companies don't always want to pay you for you paid for and the answer is forcing families to purchase things that they cannot afford?
Sorry,but that dog does not hunt.
One person compared this idea to being similar to the mandatory auto insurance that we must carry.
That comparison doesn't carry water.
Auto insurance is mandatory because of the possibility of your car damaging another innocent person on the road,health insurance is a decision based gamble on your part.
The Democrats have bungled this whole thing badly from not making their goal clear to having people not understand much of what the hell they are talking about.
Public Option?
Sounds like a college football offense to me.
On the other side,the Republicans have made every attempt to change the system in the way that it needs to changed sound like the tanks are rumbling into Prague.
Medicare for all.
How bad can that be?
Socialistic?
I highly doubt it.
Do a google search for Lyndon Johnson,Medicare and Republican and take a look at what was being said before arguably the most successful government program ever was passed.
Sounds hauntingly familiar,doesn't it?
I think the health care system needs a major change,but fining people that cannot afford large payments each month is the answer,I'll take the current broken system any day.


Bullpen Notes

Once again,the man that does the best job in explaining the crisis in the country isn't the President,he isn't a Senator or even a Congressman.
He isn't even an elected official,but Jim Cornette hammers every point,covers every base and does it in language (albeit very salty language) that every person can understand.
My question is this-why doesn't HBO pick up Cornette as guest host of Real Time when Bill Maher is off?
Or MSNBC add Cornette to their liberal lineup or Fox giving their critics a shot by adding a Democrat to their grid.......

It's Brady Quinn over Derek Anderson for the Browns starting quarterback job.
I don't think that it will matter much,but it had to be one of them,I guess.

Finally with a little over a month to go in the Rita's Italian Ice season,I was finally able to get my first Green Apple of the season!
Plus with a special,they were doing,I was able to add three quarts to the freezer for under ten bucks!

Now that my Rita's fetish has been taken care,I can look forward to only two months before Ashland/Wooster Drive In Coneys,chicken sandwiches and deep fried dill pickles and Donna D's Pizza!
Living here is rough in this pizza wasteland!

I am working overtime again this week,so I hope to get the Browns and Seahawks preview finished along with the first of a few On the Signing Front posts that will cover the last six weeks of the season...

Why you don't take your foot off the gas pedal

Ohio State held off a furious Navy comeback to escape with a 31-27 win in the Buckeyes opener in Columbus.
I know the Mark May's of the world are taking their shots and I certainly am not very comfortable with USC coming to town next week,but the news was not all bad and I am not nearly as upset as most OSU fans.

Buckeye Branches

1) A win is a win and there are concerns to be sure,but the game was not as close as the score indicates,Ohio State dominated most of the contest,but simply became complacent in the fourth quarter.

2) Many are harping on Jim Tressel making the decision to go for it on 4th down with a 15 point lead instead of kicking a field goal to make the lead a three possession one.
Those are the same people that would have likely stuck to Tressel for kicking a field goal to run it up on poor Navy.

3) I liked the decision to go for it,but I hated the play call.
Navy had stuffed the last two running plays and you call a similar play for the 3rd time?
You have the best quarterback athlete in college football taking the snap,get him out in space!
Space with Terrelle Pryor gives you three options and all of them fit well in that situation.
Pryor around end or a option pitch would be good calls or a play action that leaves the tight end open all made more sense than the play that was called.

4) Brian Rolle's interception and return for two points put the game away,but Rolle was having a solid game before that as he was in on nine tackles with one for a loss.
Between Rolle and Ross Homan,the Bucks are better at linebacker than one thinks...

5) Wish I could say the same for the Buckeye secondary(Kurt Coleman being an exception) which shockingly struggled against Navy.
Anderson Russell was cleanly beat by Marcus Curry for a long TD pass and the corners were nothing to be excited about either.
If one worry came out of this game-it is the Buckeye secondary...

6) Kurt Coleman had a huge day at safety though as he forced a fumble and intercepted a pass along with nine tackles.
The senior played like one and he may need to continue to play at that level with the secondary issues....

7) One overlooked fact on Navy is their six bowl appearances in a row.
Granted they were all smaller bowls in the age where any 6 win team seems to get into one,but still.
Their offense is fun to watch and they battle you for 60 minutes,this game made me want to see more of the Midshipmen!

8) Upset special-two Saturdays from now-Navy over Pittsburgh and if the kickoff was a normal noon kickoff-I would think about attending....

9) I thought Terrelle Pryor played well (1 TD each rushing and passing),although his one interception was simply a poor pass.
The Buckeyes need to let Pryor do what he does best,move and improvise and not try to make him something that he is not....

10) Want another concern?
Boom Herron is the biggest Buckeye back and he didn't get the job done on short yardage.
That has to change and soon.
Look for the Buckeye to recruit a bigger back for next season's freshmen class....

11) If you don't like Chris Spielman in the booth-you don't like football.
I know he is an OSU guy,but his passion for the game (putting Ohio State aside) is so evident and his preparation for the game gives the viewer everything they could want from an announcer...

12) Wish I could say the same for Bob Griese,who was lost yesterday.
Between calling Daniel Herron "Tim" with his name on the screen and calling Ohio State the Buccaneers,Griese seemed more likely to be in a rest home than the press box.

13) Liked Brandon Saine's game a lot and the Buckeyes need to find a way to get Saine 15 touches a game.

14) Can you find anything better sportmanshipwise than the two teams running on the field together?
A great sight and credit to both teams for such a clean game and great day in Columbus...

Photo Credits
Rolle,Pryor:Terry Gilliam-AP Photo
Saine:Tracy Boulian-Cleveland Plain Dealer

Buckeye Football

Ohio State kicks off the 2009 season at home against the visiting Midshipmen from Navy.
The Buckeyes do have some holes to plug on both sides of the ball,but should be at least in the hunt for a Big Ten title and BCS bid.
On offense,Terrelle Pryor returns to pilot the offense with a year of experience under his belt.
Pryor might be the top rushing threat as well with the loss of Chris Wells at running back.
Pryor needs to continue to work on his passing,but should be the Buckeyes outstanding offensive player.
Former Pirate farmhand Joe Bauserman will back Pryor up and will get most of the garbage time snaps.
Ohio State has questions at running back with Wells gone,but both Daniel "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine bring some experience to the table.
Herron,a sophomore,is more of a power runner,while Saine has struggled staying healthy,but has shown explosive elite level speed at times in his past two years.
Both should see plenty of action along with highly touted freshman Jamaal Berry.
Berry has been reported to show lots of promise in practice and the Florida native was one of the highest rated recruits among running backs in the country.
All three will share carries,until one separates from the pack.
Three Freshmen are battling for the starting spot as Zach Boren and Justin Homan appear to have gained a small edge on fellow freshman Jemil Martin.
The key is blocking for fullbacks in the Tressel system and any freshman in that spot will be tested quickly.
The wideouts lost lots of experience when Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline moved to the pros.
Ray Small has the most experience as a senior,but his OSU term has been marked by various off field issues,while junior Dane Sanzenbacher has shown good hands and most likely to replace Hartline as the possession receiver.
Sophomores Devier Posey and Lamaar Thomas should see time as well and freshman Duron Carter could be the best of the group by the time the season ends.
Massive senior Jake Ballard will be the tight end.
Ballard should be a huge target by the goal line and with a fast start could be a big part of the offense.
The offensive line lost the left side from last years line in tackle Alex Boone and guard Steve Rehring,but returns the other three starters.
Michigan transfer Justin Boren should be an upgrade over Rehring at guard and two huge tackles in Andrew Miller and JB Shugarts are battling for Boone's spot.
Hopefully,the winner can remember how to block in a bowl game.
Mike Brewster,Jim Cordle and Bryant Browning all return as starters....

The defense took some hits from the graduation bug,but should be an excellent unit by seasons end.
Ends Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson give OSU experienced and yet young starters,with hard luck senior Lawrence Wilson seeing lots of time as well.
Senior Doug Worthington is the top tackle and Dexter Larimore starts beside him,but if there is weakness on the defense,it is line depth.
Someone will need to step up over the course of the season....
All three linebackers moved on to the NFL,most notably James Laurinaitis,but Marcos Freeman was highly underrated as well.
Ohio State has tons of talent at backer though as Ross Homan should seamlessly transition into the spot vacated by Laurinaitis.
Senior Austin Spitler has waited a long time for his chance to start and junior Brian Rolle is no slouch either.
Two talented sophs are pushing for time in Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat,so either could move into the starting lineup before long.
Both corners vacated spots as 1st and 3rd draft picks Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington left for the pros.
Junior Chimidi Chekwa brings the most experience and will start on the top corner,senior Andre Amos and junior Devon Torrence will both spend time at the other corner spot.
Experience is not an issue at safety as seniors Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman both return and could threaten for All America honors.
Jermale Hines should be the nickel safety.
Aaron Pettrey finally gets the kicking job to himself as Ryan Pretorius graduated.
Pettrey had split time for the last two seasons.
Jon Thoma looks to be the punter as a senior that has waited his turn.
Look for various players to return kicks and punts,but Brandon Saine and Ray Small should see the most opportunities.

Ohio State doesn't rebuild,so one would think they should be solid again and with a win over USC could be in position for another BCS title game.
There are questions though,although the non-conference is not rough other than the Trojans games.
Let's say 10-2,7-1 in conference and a BCS bid.

Today's game against Navy is not a gimme.
The feared triple option is in town and teams so rarely see the offense run and that could be a problem early.
But,this should not be too tough.
OSU 34-14.