Northwest Edge

After a Gut-Wrenching Defeat, a Bright Future for the Seahawks

Posted by Tom E on January 15, 2013 at 11:21 pm Sports No Responses »

Jan 152013

Seahawks logo

After the painful first half of the Seahawks – Falcons game on Sunday, I thought this exciting season for the Seahawks was going to end on a big thud. Down by 20 points, their offense was futile and their defense probably couldn’t stop a high school running back. But with every touchdown they scored in the fourth quarter, I started wondering if I was watching the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history.

When the Seahawks took a one point lead with 31 seconds left, I was convinced that Atlanta’s winless streak in the playoffs was safe. But, the highs of Seahawks fans were quickly dashed by a couple of excellent passes by Matt Ryan (and poor pass coverage by the Seahawks) followed by a game-winning field goal by Matt Bryant. What a painful finish.

As depressing as the game was on Sunday, many Seahawks fans realize that this team’s future is extremely bright. With the second youngest roster in the NFL, the Seahawks have almost all the talent needed to be an elite team for years. The biggest factor for this surprising season is undoubtedly our rookie QB Russell Wilson who broke several NFL and franchise records. It is so refreshing to see an athlete with physical skills, intelligence, humility, and an extreme work ethic.

It’s been many years since Seahawks fans have fielded a team that is competitive with any other NFL team. A team that will always compete and never give up. By addressing just a couple of missing pieces in the draft or free agency, most notably some decent pass-rushers, the Seahawks can be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. I’m already looking forward to the 2013 season.

Seahawks under Russell Wilson Stomp Colin Kaepernick’s 49ers

Posted by Tom E on December 24, 2012 at 6:53 am Sports No Responses »

Dec 242012

Seahawks game at CenturyLink

I thought the hyped-up duel between the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick was going to be close last night. Boy, was I wrong! Instead, Wilson and the Seahawks totally washed out Kaepernick’s 49ers on a cold rainy Northwest evening in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football. In doing so, Seattle clinched a playoff spot and stayed in the hunt for the NFC West division title.

Wilson went 15/21 (71%) for 171 yards with 4 passing touchdowns. Kaepernick was 19/36 (53%) for 244 yards with one touchdown. And Wilson clearly showed more poise and had a much better clutch performance than Kaepernick. The duel clearly went to Wilson who needs one more touchdown to tie Peyton Manning’s record for most touchdowns by a rookie QB.

With the Seattle defense AND offense showing up big time last night, the Seahawks made it look easy in dominating the number one ranked team in the NFL. The Seahawks are surging at the right time and can play against any team right now. With their playoff games likely played on the road, however, they will need to put together complete efforts like they have in their last few games. Under Wilson, I think they have a shot in the playoffs. It’s going to be an interesting post-season.

Russell Wilson Vs. Colin Kaepernick: Who Will Win?

Posted by Tom E on December 22, 2012 at 10:42 pm Sports 1 Response »

Dec 222012

Seahawks game at CenturyLink

Tomorrow is the big showdown between the 9-5 Seahawks and the 10-3-1 49ers at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The whole city seems to be pumped up and looking forward to watching the showdown between these two playoff-bound teams. The NFL agrees that this game will be a classic showdown and flexed the game to Sunday Night Football.

Both the Seahawks and 49ers are red-hot and led by young QBs with amazing promise. Arguably, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick are two of the best young QBs in the NFL. Based on their stellar play and leadership this year, the Seahawks and 49ers have found their franchise QBs for the next several years.

Kaepernick toasted the New England Patriots last week with four touchdown passes. Since he started in place of Alex Smith, Kaepernick’s Total QBR is 79.5, only trailing Peyton Manning. He has led the 49ers to a 4-1 record since he was named the starter in Week 11.

Not to be outdone, Wilson threw one touchdown and ran for another three TDs last week in a total domination of the Buffalo Bills. Wilson has 21 touchdown passes as a rookie tying him for second place with Cam Newton. He will surely pass Newton with two games remaining.

Who will win tomorrow? It’s a toss-up according to the betting odds. All I know is that it will be great physical game. But with a perfect record at home this year, I am hoping that the Seahawks will claim their playoff spot tomorrow.

Seahawks’ Unbelievable Rally to Edge Patriots

Posted by Tom E on October 15, 2012 at 9:58 pm Sports No Responses »

Oct 152012

Seahawks rally to beat the Patriots 24-23

Yesterday, I witnessed one of the best Seahawks comeback victories (I know, there hasn’t been very many of them) in recent memory at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks, down by 13 points in the fourth quarter, came storming back to beat the Patriots 24-23.

Two of the most impressive aspects of the game were the Seahawks defense coming through with clutch stops under pressure and the long passes by QB Russell Wilson. The Hawks’ defense has come through time and time again this year, keeping the Seahawks competitive in every game this season.

Russell Wilson looked good with some long completions early in the game. And he made a clutch pass at the end to win the game. Wilson finished 16 of 27 for 293 yards, his best performance of the year. But it was clear that Russell Wilson is no Tom Brady. The Patriots QB was extremely impressive to see in live action. Super poised in the pocket, he simply picked his targets and delivered a laser pass for a completion. He made it look effortless. It was only when the Seahawks finally pressured him late in the game did his smoothness and accuracy fall apart in the final minutes of the game.

Just like they did when in the final seconds of the recent Seahawks-Packers game, the stadium went berserk when Sidney Rice caught a deep ball from Wilson for a touchdown with about a minute left in the game. The fans, myself included, were in utter disbelief. Yes, we imagined the home team could win after the previous touchdown but few of us thought they would actually pull it off.

Seahawks fans are not used to big come back victories. Maybe we should get used to them?

Seahawks Defense Sends Packers Packing on MNF

Posted by Tom E on September 25, 2012 at 3:19 am Sports No Responses »

Sep 252012

What an amazing game and finish for my first Monday Night Football game last night. I’ve been to many loud Seahawks home games but this one may have been the most sustained volume throughout an entire game.

I was somewhat surprised by how many Packers fans were at the game. In fact, I was surrounded by dozens of yellow cheesehead hats.

In the first half, the Seattle defense was incredible making eight sacks of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers simply did not have a chance to play his usual passing game. With the Seahawks leading 7-0 at halftime, I thought we were headed for a comfortable victory. The beginning of the second half quickly reminded me that we were playing the Green Bay Packers.

After the first few successful drives by the Packers and the weak offense of the Seahawks in the third quarter, I was very worried that the Seahawks were destined to lose the game. Aaron Rodgers was incredible in making clutch third down passes. And when the Packers took the lead 12-7 with 8 minutes to go, many Seattle fans started leaving. Little did they know what would transpire with seconds to go.

On 4th down with only eight seconds to go, Russell Wilson throws a Hail Mary pass to the end zone. As the ball sails through the air, the crowd is almost completely silent. Then a crowd of Seahawks and Packers swallow the ball and, seconds later, an official raises his hands to signal a touchdown. That’s when the stadium goes berserk! The eruption reminded me of the great Marshawn Lynch run during the Saints game that caused an earthquake in Seattle.

Only when I get home and listen to coverage do I realize the touchdown with zero seconds left was a controversial call. With all the bad calls against the Seahawks during the game, I’ll take the call at the end.

It was probably the most exciting Seahawks game I’ve been to. Let’s see if they can keep us fans excited this entire season. Go Seahawks!

Both QBs Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson Look Good So Far

Posted by Tom E on August 15, 2012 at 11:41 pm Sports No Responses »

Aug 152012

Seahawks game

I missed the first Seahawks preseason game last Saturday but did watch a recorded version yesterday. I was a little anxious to see the Seahawks’ QB hopefuls, Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson, in a “real” game scenario. Granted, preseason games don’t mean much, but I was pleased with what I saw from both of them.

Flynn looked like he could drive an offense with short crisp passes and decisive play-making. He completed 11 of 13 passes for a 85% completion rate and Wilson was 12 for 16 with a touchdown run. Wilson looked like the closest thing the Seahawks have had in a double threat (pass-run) in many years. Do we now have a mini-Cam Newton?

Matt Hasselbeck, in his return to Seattle, looked pretty bad for the Titans. He made some awful passes like he did for the Seahawks during his last years.

True to last year’s form, the Seahawks first string defense looked very good even without the opening interception and defensive touchdown. I’m confident that the Seahawks will be a top 10 defense this year. If so, they may have a shot at winning the NFC West.

I’m looking forward to watching this Saturday’s game against the Broncos and Peyton Manning. Matt Flynn will get the start again and I expect Wilson will play the second half again. If they play like they did last week, I suspect Tarvaris Jackson’s days in Seattle will be short. Maybe the Seahawks will finally have a QB who can command the offense?

Matt Flynn, the Next Seahawks Franchise QB?

Posted by Tom E on March 21, 2012 at 7:18 am Sports 1 Response »

Mar 212012

Seattle Seahawks game

I am totally stoked that the Seahawks finally got a QB who looks like a franchise QB. That hasn’t happened since Matt Hasselbeck became a starter almost 10 years ago!

For a while there, I thought the Dolphins would sign him over the weekend but apparently Miami didn’t think Flynn was worth the money. I don’t know if he is worth a three-year, $26 million contract but Flynn is already my kind of guy because he apparently went fishing to celebrate this signing with the Seahawks!

True, Flynn is still an untested signal caller with only two starts under his belt. But his two games against the Patriots and Lions were better performances than we saw from any Seahawks QB in recent memory. Flynn threw 9 TDs in his two games whereas Tarvaris Jackson threw only 14 TDs for the entire 2011 season!

The signing of Flynn takes a lot of pressure off of the upcoming draft. Now they can focus on beefing up their pass rush, maybe a big RB, and some insurance WRs in case Rice doesn’t heal completely. I’m looking forward to see what happens in the April draft.

Goodbye Peyton, Hello Matt!

Posted by Tom E on March 15, 2012 at 6:49 am Sports No Responses »

Mar 152012

Seattle Seahawks game

The Seattle Times is reporting that Matt Flynn will be visiting Seattle today. When free agency started Tuesday, I got a little worried when there was no news about the Seahawks talking to Flynn. I really hope we get Flynn now that Peyton Manning is obviously not Seattle bound. Manning didn’t even want to visit us. Maybe Peyton took a look at the weather in Seattle this week and decided that QBs and rain don’t mix well?

Matt Flynn may well be the best QB hope for the Seahawks this year. Since the Seahawks pick 12th in the NFL draft, I don’t see a QB prospect available at that point in the draft who has more promise than Flynn. The best of all worlds would be for Seattle to sign Flynn AND draft a QB in Round 2 or 3 just in case Flynn doesn’t shine like in his first two NFL games. If he plays anything like he did in the Packers – Lions game last year, the 12th Man will go crazy this season.

I am relieved to learn that Chad Henne signed with the Jaguars last night so he will not be visiting Seattle after all. I just didn’t see the point; Henne is a mediocre QB at best who hasn’t blossomed after three years. A sudden turnaround in year four would be very unlikely.

May the Manning sweepstakes end and the Flynn sweepstakes begin!

Will the Seahawks Sign Peyton Manning?

Posted by Tom E on March 11, 2012 at 8:23 am Sports No Responses »

Mar 112012

Seattle Seahawks at home

Now that Peyton Manning is officially an unrestricted free agent, one of the most exciting free agent periods in recent memory will commence. Possible teams interested in signing him include the Cardinals, Dolphins, Jets, Redskins, and Seahawks. If (this is a big IF) Manning’s arm strength has returned and he can throw like his usual self, he could turn a losing team around on a dime. To gauge his potential impact, just look at how the Colts totally imploded from a 13-3 record to a dismal 2-14 team without him last season.

Provided that he is healthy and can still throw, should the Seahawks try to sign Peyton Manning? The image of Manning in a Seahawks uniform seems odd but imagine him throwing to Sidney Rice, Zach Miller or Doug Baldwin downfield! Most Seahawks fans recognize that Tarvaris Jackson will never be a Pro Bowl QB. He simply doesn’t have the skills or leadership ability to engineer a winning drive when the game is on the line. Jackson needs to be replaced for the Seahawks to become a division contender again.

What are the chances that Seattle could land the coveted #18? The Seahawks have the necessary salary cap space this year to get it done. They also have a resurrected running game thanks to Marshawn Lynch. Thirdly, they have an owner, Paul Allen, who has money to spend. Personally, I prefer that the Seahawks go after a younger QB, either Matt Flynn or drafting a QB in the second round.

Regardless of what happens, the next couple of weeks will be interesting.