I took a lot of positives out of that 49ers game (BTW, I picked the Niners to win in OT before the game started.....I hate being right all of a sudden), the running game has returned, Bumpus played well, and while I don't wish harm to Logan Payne, it was probably the football gods way of telling management that Payne should've been cut. I loved the front 4, and Patrick Kerney should add to his sack total with that invisible Rams offensive line. I thought the offensive line did extremely well to protect Hasselbeck and pull block for the running game. I think I'm in love with Mike Wahle..er....his blocking.

Now to the topic at hand. I know this article may get flagged and I may be banned forever, but these are risks you have to take. Mr. Morgan told me to research more, and I did.

What happened on Sunday was 2004 all over again, and it is kinda fitting that we got Koren Robinson back. Let me show you:

• I counted about 4 or 5 drops last week, and probably 6 in the Buffalo game. In 2004, we were tied for 2nd in drops with 38, and if the stats hold true, we're on pace to eclipse that with such ease. It was a dropped pass that ended hopes of beating the Rams in the playoffs.
• Another blown lead. A 14-0 lead is a bad thing in Seahawks football, because that's when Seattle just fades. In 2004, we blew leads against the Rams, Cowboys, Vikings, Cardinals, and 49ers, and went 2-3 (off the top of my head)....the Vikings win was only because Randy Moss throwing the football is a bad idea but you get the point.
  
• Field goals. I'm sorry, you can't kick 3 field goals, and as soon as Seattle kicked the FG to go 30-27 up my heart sank. You don't just pass over and over again, go with Duckett, go with Jones, don't make your nicked up QB throw to receivers who can't catch! Oh yeah, 2004 was a year to kick field goals and lose for Seattle, which included 4 in a 23-12 loss and 30-20 loss to the Rams and Seahawks respectively.
  
• Inability to win the close game. In '04, 6 of those 8 losses (including the playoffs) were decided by 11 points or less, with 2 blowouts to Buffalo and the Jets. 
  
• Poor secondary play. It's easy really, in '04 we had Boulware, in '08, we have Brian Russell. Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson have been less than average IMO in these first 2 weeks, and I tell ya what, I miss Ken Lucas. They are 70% the reason why 3rd and 14 is like an automatic first down for the other team (the other 30% being John Marshall's genius playcalling). JT O'Sullivan picked us apart like Vinny Testaverde did in the Dallas game, and like Drew Bledsoe did in that 38-9 Buffalo disaster.
  
• Mediocre special teams. Remember that Arizona game I mentioned? The undoing came when Arizona took the lead on a blocked punt, and the longest return (punt or kick) was 48 yards from Bobby Engram. San Francisco got a big return once that set up their first field goal, a blocked punt that saw Babs run for a first down, and Josh Wilson's inability to just settle for a touchback.

There are probably more examples, but here is one thing that has stood out to me in 2 games that has ZERO to do with 2004:

• 15 accepted penalties. I thought we were the most disciplined teams in the league? Some of those calls were BS mind you, but still that is too much. That's not Mike Holmgren football at all.

Enough negativity, time to beat the Rams, and if you're reading this stlcardinalsfang, is this part of the 12-4 process?

And a plea to Seattle, your 2004ness is showing, I want last year's team and the Super Bowl team back, don't let this season go bust because of it.

We have a Pro Bowl QB who will return to form once Engram and Branch are back, a revamped running game and a devastating defensive line, this season will not die despite what hacks like Steve Kelley think and/or imply.

GO HAWKS!