Seahawks Add WR Mike Hass
by Ed Thompson of ScoutNFLNetwork.com, January 7, 2009 at 9:29pm ET

Mike Hass Profile

Scout.com has learned that former Chicago Bears wide receiver Mike Hass signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.

Hass, who was released by the Bears at the end of August, had drawn early-season interest from both the Giants and the Seahawks. He was originally a sixth-round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints back in 2006.

When I saw that Seattle signed Mike Haas and 3 other guys I'd never heard of last week, I figured they were just grabbing a few guys for training camp, and maybe the practice squad.  That could be true, but I found something interesting when I looked at Haas background.

PRO CAREER: Wide receiver prospect who spent rookie season on Bears practice squad after being drafted by New Orleans in the 6th-round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed to Chicago’s practice squad (9/4/06).  Released Aug 2008.

PERSONAL NOTES: After walking-on at Oregon State team (2002-2005) he became one of the nation’s top targets and was honored as the nation’s top receiver with the 2005 Fred Biletnikoff Award…Set school record with 220 catches for 3,924 yards (17.8 avg.) and tied for OSU’s top mark in receiving TDs with 20… Became the first Pac-10 receiver and just the 10th in NCAA history to gain over 1,000 yards in three different seasons... His three-season total of 3,924 yards is 11th best in Division IA history… As a senior, played in and started all 11 games… Caught 90 passes for 1,532 yards, a 17-yard avg. with 6 TDs… Led nation in receiving yards on his way to first-team all-American and consensus Pac-10 honors…

So the Biletnikoff award that has everyone gaga over Crabtree, who admittedly won it twice, was awarded to Haas in 2005 with very impressive college stats.  And he was drafted in the 6th round, failed to make New Orleans team, was picked up by the bears for their practice squad, released in August, did not play this year, and has now come home to the NW.  Who knows, he could be the next Steve Largent.  Not to take anything away from Crabtree's talent, but makes me think the Biletnikoff award has about as much to do with NFL success as say...  the Heisman.  And further makes me wonder whether Crabtree's success might not be more a function of the system he played in, the accuracy of his QB, etc... and perhaps he is just a tad overly hyped.  Are his physical and mental skills really that much better than Darrius Heyward-Bey, Austin Collie or ... Haas?