Notes from the 2009 NFL Draft April 25, 2009
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Sports.Tags: draft, NFL, Sports
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With the start of the draft minutes away, the Detroit Lions have already made their selection. Matt Stafford will make a ridiculous $41 million guarenteed.
These contracts are getting out of hand. In a draft with a weak quarterback class, Stafford will be laughing all the way to the bank. Detroit should have drafted a left tackle because without one, Stafford will be making his $41million guarenteed on his back or in the medical ward. I guess Matt Millen is back running the show in Detroit.
This pick was decided before the draft even began. Now the real drama begins!
The Rams select Jason Smith! Good job St. Louis. With this pick, both Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger will benefit. While I was hoping Smith would slide, you could not pass on his talent if you were the Rams.
The Sanchez saga continues!
Kansas City should be selecting Aaron Curry. Could they possibly be in the mix for a trade with a team that wants Mark Sanchez? We’ll see.
Get your real estate agent on the phone Tyson Jackson, you’re going to Kansas City. The Chiefs had to go defense. With the signing of Mike Vrabel in free agency, I guess they figured their linebacking core was good enough. Time will tell.
The Seahawks are a huge question marks. They have needs, but none of those are glaring. Taking Sanchez would be a mistake. That I know. Get a tackle, put him on the right side until Walter Jones retires.
Aaron Curry it is. I do not like this pick. We have Tatupu and Hill already studs in your corp, you needed a offensive tackle. Your line is old and getting older. Will Curry be good? Of course he will, but a tackle would have helped the team across the board.
Nice photo op with the family though. Those lime-green hats are the bomb.
There has been a trade. The Jets have picked Sanchez with the fifth pick in the draft. A solid line, a rising star at runningback, this is a good pick for the Jets. What did they give up in order to move up? Is it worth it? Jet fans think so.
Apparently Sanchez can hit open receivers. Good work! Those are the worst highlights I have ever seen. Good video for how not to cover a widereveiver though.
The Bengals select Andre Smith. While I would have gone with Monroe, Smith will be a good addition to the Bengals if he can keep his focus. Carson Palmer should be happy. I thought an interesting pick here could have been Crabtree. Johnson/Crabtree would have been a solid duo. Only in my dreams I guess.
What does Oakland need? A new owner! Can you draft those?
Crabtree not the first widereceiver off the board. Will Al Davis’ insanity ever end? This man is so blinded by speed. It makes me want to cry. Darrius Heyward-Bey is good, but not seventh pick overall good.
Jacksonville is on the clock and has some interesting options. Go with Crabtree.
Eugene Monroe is going to Jacksonville. I like Monroe. He can establish the line and set the tempo. David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew will benefit immediately.
The Packers could use help at receiver. Crabtree here? Help Aaron Rodgers help your franchise.
So much for that. Ted Thompson and the Packers go with DT B.J. Raji. With the departure of Colin Cole, the Pack need a big nose tackle to be the cornerstone of their new 3-4 defense. Do not worry Rodgers. A good defense is the best offense.
Nice hair Mel. Always classic and shiny.
Crabetree and Singletary. Has a nice ring. The Nines have some playmakers on defense. If anyone can bring those guys together to form a solid unit, it is Singletary. With that said, Crabtree had to be the pick and he was. This is a good pick in a division where the opposing corners are undersized. Nice work San Francisco.
I am signing off for the time being. I will be back later to recap the rest of day one! Keep your chins clean.
NBA Playoffs Set to Begin April 18, 2009
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Sports.Tags: Basketball, NBA, Playoffs
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The NBA playoffs are only a few hours away. That means it is prediction time. The first round is going to be a good one. It is hard to downplay the dominance the Lakers and Cavaliers display, but I think they’re gonna have a fight on their hands full with the Jazz and Pistons respectively.
For the conference finals, I predict Cavs vs. Magic and Lakers vs. Nuggets. In the end, it will be Kobe and Lebron facing off for NBA supremecy. Buckle up, the playoffs are going to be great!
Back and better than ever! April 17, 2009
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Sports.Tags: Jason Peters, NBA, NFL, Sports, walter jones
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I just downloaded the WordPress app on my iPhone in an effort to revive The Sportsmaster 8000. So here is my first post. Take it in and enjoy it like a fine wine.
There is a trade in the works between the Bills and the Eagles. This trade involves LT Jason Peters and a package of draft picks. Anyway, when I read the headline on Yahoo! Sports it read “All-pro left tackle traded to the Eagles”. As I read the headline, I actually thought for a brief moment the Seahawks traded Walter “Walt” Jones. Further investigation proved me wrong.
While I was relieved, the wheels in the back of my mind started spinning. What an interesting situation trading Jones would create. The Seahawks would get a solid pick and would free up some cap space at the same time. Jones’ replacement would have to come via the draft. There would be a hole to fill that no rookie ever could, but it would make the draft all the more interesting!
Sunday Aftermath: The Charlie Frye Era Has Begun, Re-Begun October 13, 2008
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Charlie Frye, Football, NFL, Packers, Seahawks, Sports.Tags: Charlie Frye, Football, NFL, Packers, Seahawks, Sports
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Some would say his play was inspiring. Some might say it was downright poetic. Either way, one thing is clear. The Charlie Frye Era has begun (or re-begun if you follow the Browns). With mobility like the late Michael Vick and an arm like Brett Favre, Frye racked up 83 yards on 23 pass attempts, finishing the game with a 53.4 QB rating. Some would say, “Wow, that is some pretty horrible QB play.” I say, “Thank you Charlie Frye.” I say thank you because I was beginning to wonder what we were going to do once Matt Hasselbeck decided to retire. I think I speak for Seahawk’s Nation when I say we’ve found Hasselbeck’s successor.
Frye’s emergence couldn’t come at a better time seeing how Seattle only likes to carry three QB’s and two of them are complete vaginas. Vaginas are great, but being the sworn enemy of all sports other than volleyball and tennis, they tend to make better kickers and punters than they do QB’s. If Seattle’s thinking about signing a QB who is NOT a complete sissy, I say they model their next signing around Aaron Rodgers. One word for this kid, baller! While Seahawks fans watched as Hasselbeck laughed and smiled, and crawled around on the bench like a damn two year old, Rodgers was tossing the rock like he was playing against 11 fat kids signed up for NFL PLAY 60: The NFL Movement for an Active Generation, all with a dislocated shoulder. I wouldn’t be able to wipe my ass or play pocket Yahtzee, let alone throw a football, with that diagnosis.
If Frye does have the occasional slip-up at some point in the Charlie Frye Era, Seattle fans do not have to worry. Seattle’s Paul-Walkeresque “Fast and Furious” defense will pick up the slack. Seattle’s defense has been dubbed undersized but quick by some, and while many watching Sunday’s game might call them undersized and overpowered, I know they’re just waiting to get their feet under them. No better time for that to happen than seven weeks into the season. Watch out Tampa Bay. First, Seattle’s defense lets you push them around and impose your will on them. Then, when you least expect it, they start playing worse and scuffling with your players like this is the Ultimate Fighter. Then, BAM, before you know it you’ve been Deep Fryed (meaning Frye just starts throwing deep balls in hopes of making up the 30 point deficit the Seahawks find themselves in).
Unfortunately, while many fans in the Seattle and Green Bay metropolitan areas were lucky enough to witness Frye go from bust to bling in 60 minutes, most of the nation missed out. Seeing how there were enough Frye highlights to fill an entire 120 minute Sports Center, I can only assume any post-game highlights of the game didn’t do Frye’s play justice. No worries America, Seattle’s (and Frye’s) next game is slated for Sunday night in front of a national TV audience. Unless NBC negotiates to start flex scheduling earlier, but I’m sure they already tried that. So get ready for QB play that will make you sick to your stomach because of its shear greatness. Get ready for the Charlie Fry Era! *que Metallica’s Enter Sandman*
Sunday Aftermath: Seahawks Face Toughest Challenge Yet, The New York Giants September 29, 2008
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Football, Giants, NFL, Seahawks, Sports.Tags: Football, Giants, NFL, Seahawks, Sports
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The NFC West fared about as good as the global economy this weekend. The Rams fired their head coach. The Cardinals got downright embarrassed, and most likely will lose WR Anquan Boldin for at least a game or two. The 49ers could only muster three field goals in the first three quarter of a tough loss to the Saints. One could surmise the NFC West team that performed the best this past weekend was the Seattle Seahawks, who were given a Week 4 bye.
While the bye was a good opportunity to heal an injured starting lineup, fans hope that wasn’t all the week was used for. The Seahawks head into Week 5 with a chance to turn some heads for something other than terrible luck with wide receivers. The Seahawks will play the defending Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants.
With both the Cowboys and Eagles losing this past Sunday, the Giants won’t just be playing for peanuts either. They’ll be playing for a seemingly commanding lead in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. The Seahawks could be playing for a 2-2 division lead of their own with a win and both a Cardinals and 49ers loss. All signs point to a game with more action than a Michael Bay movie.
If you’re more into a heartfelt drama than an action flick, Seahawks vs. Giants has the makings of a soap opera too. The return of oft-troubled Seahawks WR Koren Robinson will be part of the drama. As will the likely return of both Deion Branch and Bobby Engram.
In the words of Barney Stinson, suit up boys and girls. Let’s go play some football.
Sunday Aftermath: The Seahawks Down, Not Out September 15, 2008
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Football, NFL, Seahawks, Seattle, Sports.Tags: Football, Motivational, NFL, Seahawks, Seattle, Sports
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The Seattle Seahawks haven’t started a season 0-2 since the 2002 season. In 2002, Seattle started the season 0-3 and stumbled to a 7-9 record. 2002 was the season that marked the beginning of the Matt Hasselbeck era (Week 8). Interestingly enough, 2002 was the last year that San Francisco won the NFC West. 2002 is in the past though. The 2008 Seattle Seahawks are better than the 2002 version. Are they not?
With only two games played in a 16-game season, it would appear as if a lot of the Seattle faithful are jumping ship faster than Billy Zane from the Titanic. The post-game hysteria isn’t uncalled for by any means, but we must temper panic with composure. We’re the four-time defending NFC West champions for Pete’s sake! This isn’t the first hole the Seahawks have had to dig themselves out of. In 2005, Seattle started 2-2 and looked more than a bit shaky in losses to Jacksonville and Washington. Seattle won the next 11 games and finished the season 13-3. Oh yeah, and they went to the Super Bowl that year. The NFL is full of surprises.
If ever there was an excuse for an 0-2 start, the Seahawks have one. Going into the game yesterday, Seattle had four healthy receivers out of nine total (including Wallace). Four has been quickly reduced to three after Logan Payne went down after a vicious take-em-out-at-the-knees tackle. Two starters from Seattle’s offensive line are on the mend. Subsequently, the right side is comprised of guys who coaches deemed just not good enough. Obviously it is a skeleton crew out there. This is the NFL however, injuries are to be expected.
Despite a banged up bunch, Seattle was still optimistic because of the division they played in. Optimism went out the window with San Francisco’s win. The division is truly up for grabs now. If Seattle does make it to the playoffs, a closer division could turn out to be a good thing. Look at last year’s Super Bowl, Giants vs. Patriots. Dare I say battle tested vs. cruise control? For too long Seattle has played the part of cruise control. Defeating division opponents without a second thought. The NFC West is becoming the division I imagined, excluding St. Louis of course. A division that will challenge Seattle to be more than they are. The Seahawks don’t understand the challenge yet, but they will.
Regardless the tough loss and amidst the new challenge, there are a few bright star for Seattle. Sunday’s game against San Francisco proved a few things.
- John Carlson can catch.
A consistent tight end that can catch the ball has been on Mike Holmgren’s Christmas wish list for sometime. Entering his last season, Holmgren finally has one.
- Julius Jones and the offensive line just bought a chemistry set, and the running game is coming together.
I hate to say that injuries are good, but the injury to Maurice Morris might have been just what the doctor ordered. With Morris out of the picture for a bit, Jones is the guy. Being the featured back is what Jones signed up for. He didn’t sign up for split carries. He had that in Dallas. Jones is the man. He and the offensive line should excel now that the onus is on one back, one style.
- Billy McMullen is better than Courtney Taylor.
While McMullen’s fumble was inexcusable, I’ll give him a pass due to the fact that he wasn’t even in the NFL this time last year. That said, McMullen is averaging 16 yards per catch. He is a big target for Hasselbeck (at 6′4″, tallest receiver on the roster), and the two might be able to develop some chemistry. A receiving corp comprised of McMullen, Deion Branch, and Bobby Engram sounds good to me.
- The sack attack is back!
The Seahawks recorded an amazing eight sacks against the 49ers. No matter how bad an offensive line is, eight sacks is still impressive. As some of you might remember, Seattle were fourth in total sacks last season. The attack that at times last year resembled a piranha frenzy struggled more than a fat guy at Gold’s Gym in the opening game against Buffalo. With Patrick Kerney and rookie Lawrence Jackson both recording two sacks, the attack is back on track. The reemergence will lead to bigger and better performances by the entire defense.
With both good signs and bad signs, there is still a cloud of mystery hanging over Seattle’s 2008 season. Parody really is good for the NFL and for Seattle. If we knew the outcome of every season, we wouldn’t be entertained. Long-time Seattle fans have seen the Seahawks go through far greater trials and tribulations than the ones faced this season. These are the kind of struggles that separate the true fans from the wagon jumpers, and as the true fans know, the Seahawks are down, but they are not out. Go Hawks!
With Burleson Out, The Sportsmaster 8000 Offers Seattle a Few Suggestions September 9, 2008
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Football, NFL, Seahawks, Sports.Tags: Football, Michael Phelps, Michael Vick, NFL, Seattle Seahawks, Sports, Usain Bolt, Wide Receivers
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With the latest news that Nate Burleson will be placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season, the need to bring in some receiver help becomes all the more critical for Seattle. The subsequent release of WR Jordan Kent and rookie RB Justin Forsett does nothing to alleviate the situation. With Kents departure, Seattle is left with two healthy receivers going into Sunday’s game against San Francisco. Don’t get me wrong, I think a team could go in a beat the 49ers with a Cub Scout and a homeless guy as the leading receivers, but I’d rather not take that chance just yet. So, it is time for Seattle’s front office to mull over some possible free agent pickups, and I thought I throw in a few suggestions to help out Tim Ruskell and company….
1. Steve Largent.
Don’t fault me for getting people’s hopes up. It was Matt Hasselbeck who made this suggestion. While he is better than anyone we currently have one the roster, I just feel like the game has probably passed him by. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Get Largent on the phone and if he wants his old number back, take it out of retirement.
2. Koren Robinson
Assuming he’s sober right now, this could be an interesting pickup. I’m sure it wouldn’t take long for Robinson to start right where he left off, dropping passes and frustrating Seahawks nation! Not only can he drop passes, I’m sure he’d be able to muff punts too which would be a great addition to the leagues most formidable “special” teams.
3. Usain Bolt
When there was a lot of chatter about bringing Bolt in for an NFL tryout, I laughed. That laughter was replaced with that strange undulation that is something between laughter and crying as Seahawk receiver after Seahawk receiver went down with a serious injury. That is when I devised a checklist Seattle can use to weed out possible replacement receivers. Let’s see how Bolt checks out. Pulse. Check. Alright, he could be a good option. Plus, how sweet would a Bolt jersey be? Shouldn’t that be how we make front office decisions anyway?
4. D.J. Hackett
Oh, that’s right! We decided not to pay him in free agency because we had concerns about his ability to stay healthy. WTF! What is every other Seahawk receiver doing on the roster then?!
5. Michael Vick
With every Tom, Dick, and Harry calling for Seattle backup QB Seneca Wallace to step in and play I say Seattle gets Vick. Isn’t Wallace just a poor man’s Vick? Imagine the possibilities. Of course, this would all require some intricate prison-escape plan. The escape could be spun into a hilarious Harold and Kumar-type buddy comedy. Have Vick go incognito, and sign him as a receiver. Make sure you put a no dog, no rooster clause into that contract. Sit back and enjoy.
6. Matt Millen
I’m not suggesting we sign Millen as a receiver, but if there is ever a time this guy might be of some use, the time is now. A man who dafted four receivers in four consecutive first rounds displays the kind of foresight that Seattle obviously lacked. Look at Detroit. No receiver shortage up there!
7. Michael Phelps
I think this Olympic theme has promise, so hear me out. He wins gold medals like Ken Jennings wins Daily Doubles. He hangs out with a NFL receiver (Braylon Edwards). He’s tall. He’s hot like wasabi right now, so Seattle games might enjoy a wider market. Finally, football pays way better than swimming so just flash some benjamins in front of him and it is on like Donkey Kong.
There you go Seattle. I just did all the hard work, all you need to do is pick up the phone and make it happen. By the end of the week, we could go from two healthy receivers to nine. Think of the possibilities then!
Gored and Bloody, the Seahawks Will Move On September 8, 2008
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Football, NFL, Seahawks, Sports.Tags: Football, NFL, Seahawks
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The Seattle/Buffalo game was an ugly affair (if you are a Seahawks fan), but there are still many reasons for optimism.
Initially I was worried after all three phases of my beloved Seahawks laid a big fat goose egg, but then I started to calm down and look at all the factors that lead up to the “Blight in Buffalo”.
More than any other single factor, the greatest is our depleted receiving core. If you were like me, you thought that these young receivers actually had a chance. Hell, I’d heard a lot of good things about them in training camp and saw some good stuff in preseason. They could be the stop-gap for a game or two, right? Wrong. The addage that preseason is just that took on a whole new meaning for me Sunday. The good news is that Burleson shouldn’t be out too long (so saeth Holmgren). In the sort of good news pile, receivers Deion Branch and Bobby Engram are making progress with Branch being back as soon as next week and Engram shooting for an early October return. Tossed in the optimistic pile, Rookie tight end John Carlson started his NFL career off well with four receptions for 52 yards. As important as the tight end is in Holmgren’s system, sit TE Jeb Putzier on any play that there is a snowball’s chance in hell that the ball could be thrown. The season has just begun, and with a receiving corp at full strength, the Seahawks will be a better team than the one that showed up in Buffalo.
With renewed hope in the receiving corp, the next factor is the offensive line. Offensive is the only way to describe the way Settle’s big men played in Buffalo. I wish I could say that as soon as Sean Locklear returns from his one-game suspension next week things will get better, but football isn’t that simple. The answer to our line woes is not as evident as the one for our receiving woes, but one has to believe that with a man like Coach Mike Solari running the show an answer can and will be found. In the end, we always have Walter Jones, and that helps me sleep at night.
If Solari gets some time, maybe he can help out Coach Bruce DeHaven and the boys on special teams. When they say special, they…. No, I’m above that joke. Kidding aside, Seattle’s “special” teams needs something special. Punter Ryan Plackemeier showed both good and bad, neither of which made me feel particular good about the punting game. Kicker Olindo Mare was far from spectacular with a 45-yard field goal that limped over the crossbar. Punt coverage was terrible as it appeared Seattle had been practicing arm tackling all off season. Of all the miscues, the biggest is awareness or lack of in this case. Never was the lack of awareness more evident than on the Moorman to Denney, make Seattle look like a bunch of jackasses, play. While I probably should be more worried than I am, I’m not losing any sleep over our special teams play. This could be because we’ve never had stellar special teams play. More importantly, I’m not worried because this had to have been a slap in the face and a wake-up call for the unit.
As long as the concierge is holding the phone, maybe he/she should give Seattle’s defense a call. Fox play-by-play man Ron Pitts couldn’t stop calling out Seattle’s self-proclaimed “elite” defense. He often uttered statements akin to, “If they are going to call themselves elite, they need to make a play here.” By the end of the game I thought about calling up the FCC to see if Pitts could be fined for his belittling use of the elite Seattle/Seahawks defense. If there is ever a factor that I think Seattle has the best chance of addressing and changing, it is the defense. Seattle has a good defense. We have defensive superstars. The game in Buffalo was an aberration, no question. However, actions speak louder than words, so I’m calling on the Seahawks to live up to their billing. Make Ron Pitts eat his words!
The season has just begun, and there is plenty of time to write the ship. The way I see it, both the Chargers and Colts lost opening week, and no one will write them off. So don’t write off the Seahawks, not just yet!
The 2008 NFC West Preview To End All 2008 NFC West Previews July 1, 2008
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Arizona Cardinals, Football, NFC West, NFL, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Sports, St. Louis Rams.Tags: 2008 Season, 49ers, Cardinals, NFC West, NFL, Rams, Seahawks
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I did a quick Internet search and came up with a few 2008 NFC West Previews for your viewing pleasure. Here they are…
Arizona wins the division?!
Seattle takes the cake!
Seattle is king of the f’n mountain.
ESPN on board the Seattle Seahawks’ bandwagon!
I’ve perused the links above and now it is time to compile my own 2008 NFC West Preview. A far more superior preview than any you have ever read. Let us commence…
Seattle Seahawks
Record: 11-5
Pros: While there are a multitude of reasons why Seattle will dominate the division, the main reason Seattle will dominate is because of their quarterback play. Year after year, Matt Hasselbeck shows the poise and determination that it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback. Some would say, I happen to agree, that Hasselbeck is the best quarterback in the NFC. The 2008 season is just another chance for Hasselbeck to display his dominance and show the rest of the NFC West how to play the game.
With Hasselbeck lining up behind center, the Seahawks look to be a dominate force on the offensive side of the ball, but Seattle’s defense is by no means a barrel of monkeys. With talent at every position, Seattle’s defense is looking to pick up right where it left off last season. Players like Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu, Patrick Kerney, and Marcrus Trufant are ready to turn their division titles into championship titles.
Cons: Seattle is good, but if anything is going to hold them back, it is going to be their wide receivers and their new implementations at running back. Currently, Seattle is looking at a Bobby Engram holdout, a serious injury to one of their playmakers (Deion Branch), and the loss of one of their better pass catchers last season (D.J. Hackett). All that said, Seattle can really only count on one receiver at this point, Nate Burleson. Do not fear, the season is not totally lost. Seattle has young talent in Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor that could become standout wideouts. Only time (and training camp) will tell.
The other Achilles’ heal for Seattle is the running game. While the running game has the ability to be much better than last season, it is just to early to tell what kind of product Seattle will put on the field come season opener. There is potential, no doubt, but there are far more questions. Can the line solidify under the tutelage of O-line coach Mike Solari? Can Julius Jones be a consistent ball carrier that puts up 100+ yards each game? Can T.J. Duckett pick up the short yards that Seattle could not last season? As you see, there are a number of questions. We won’t really get a good idea of what the running game will be like until we see the players in training camp. Until then, the running game remains a con.
St. Louis Rams
Record: 9-7
Pros: Looking back on last season, St. Louis had only one real pro, and that was Steven Jackson. Even though he had a few minor injury set backs, Jackson continued to show that he is one of the best running backs in the game. Jackson’s versatility is unmatched in the NFC West, and he just continues to get better.
While Jackson remains the biggest pro for St. Louis, Marc Bulger is not to be underestimated. If Bulger can stay healthy this season, he will be one of the main reasons St. Louis posts a 9-7 record and possibly a playoff berth. With targets like Torry Holt and Randy McMichael (if he lives up to his potential this season), Bulger can only succeed. With that said, I think this is the year the NFC West sends two teams to the playoffs.
While Jackson and Bulger will undoubtedly score points, the majority of St. Louis’ scoring will off the foot of K Josh Brown. The Brown signing was an under-the-radar pickup that could tip the balance of the NFC West ever so slightly in St. Louis’ favor.
Cons: No matter how good their offense may be, St. Louis will only be as good as their defense. Unfortunately St. Louis’ defense isn’t very good. Last season St. Louis allowed 27.4 points per game. Not a good number if your offense is only scoring 16.4 points per game. Adam Carriker was a great selection in the Draft, but there are still holes that need to be filled. Until those holes are filled, we won’t see the Seattle versus St Louis battles of old.
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 8-8
Pros: Wait, just give me a second here. I know there has to be a pro, somewhere. Oh yeah, Frank Gore. I’m sorry San Francisco, but you need help. Mike Martz will help and offense that was ranked dead last in yards per game last season. While Martz’s presence will no doubt help, it will still be up to the unproven Alex Smith to show he’s a NFL quarterback. With free agent acquisitions Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson, the San Francisco aerial attack should improve. With Frank Gore running strong and an improved passing attack, San Francisco could finally turn the corner.
Along with the improving offense, San Francisco will also look to LB Patrick Willis, and they won’t be disappointed. Willis put up a phenomenal 174 tackle season for San Francisco. Willis will continue to improve his all-around game and will be a force in the league for some time. If he had even an ounce of help, that defense make some noise.
Cons: I am going with defense, minus Patrick Willis. Looking at the stats from last season, San Francisco was dead last in the NFC with a -12 give/take differential. All this after spending big money on Nate Clements. While they did make some moves in the off season, I really don’t feel like they addressed their critical needs. In a pass-happy NFC West, San Francisco could have invested a draft pick in a top-notch corner. Walt Harris isn’t getting any younger. The free-agent addition of DE Justin Smith was a decent move, but he won’t scare anyone in the NFC West with his current skills. Mike Nolan can work miracles, but I just don’t think he’ll pull it off this season.
Arizona Cardinals
Record: 7-9
Pros: When considering pros for Arizona, two names come to mind. The powerful WR tandem of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. These two pass-catchers are two of the most dynamic in the NFL, and any team would be lucky to have just one of these players on their team, let alone both of them. That being said, I feel this is the only pro for Arizona on the offensive side of the ball.
Along with a solid aerial attack, Arizona can look to their defense for some inspiration this season. Arizona’s defense was nothing to write home about last season, but the front office spent some money in the off season upgrading an already respectable unit. Three of their top four picks in this years drafts were used to acquire defensive players. The majority of Arizona’s free agent pickups were defensive players. While none of the free agents are game-breaking players, they are they type of players that will provide quality backup as attrition takes it toll throughout the season.
Cons: If Arizona wants to make an impact this season, it needs to revamp its running game stat. Arizona ranked 29th in the league in rush yards per game, yet they did nothing to address this problem in the off season. Offensive line coach Russ Grimm succeeded in making Arizona o-line a respectable pass-protection unit, but it is evident that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Despite the o-lines struggles, the rushing woes cannot be placed solely on their shoulders. Edgerrin James was only able to muster 3.8 yards a carry last season and only racked up seven touchdowns. Arizona may want to pick up one of the remaining NFL-caliber backs left in free agency. May I suggest Shaun Alexander? Could make things interesting if nothing else.
Hot Summer Days and Crazy Summer Nights June 28, 2008
Posted by thesportsmaster8000 in Football, NFL, Seahawks, Sports.add a comment
The time has come for me to start writing again. While my return to the blogosphere is no doubt very exciting, we must contain ourselves. I’ve been out of the game for a little while, and it is going to take some time for me to get back “in the game”. Add in the fact that there is a shortage of Seattle Seahawks’ news and we have ourselves a real problem. Do not fret though. July 29th (the beginning of Seattle Seahawks’ training camp) is only a month away!
With training camp only a month away, there is still time to give my in-depth analysis of the division and the conference, however, that will be another day. So sit back and tune in on a regular basis. If you care about all things football, or if you’ve exhausted all the other football-related resources on the Web. then this is the spot for you!
