Seahawks Notes for July 22

by John Morgan on Jul 22, 2010 11:01 AM PDT

T.J. Houshmandzadeh retro will follow a little later in the day.

The Matt Hasselbeck retro has generated five FaceBook "likes" and not a single "retweet." That would seem to be a generation gap in action.
Regarding Matt, he faces two top ten pass defenses and San Diego in the first three weeks of the season. I have never seen a coach acknowledge opponent adjustment, short of a perfunctory tip of the hat to a better team, and so the pressure might be on Hasselbeck right away. If he can survive Denver and San Francisco, both in terms of health and performance, Hasselbeck should avoid being benched, at least.
A lot of people requested that I look at Charlie Whitehurst during training camp. I am not sure that is productive. I think I will see an athletic player that can sling the pigskin a mile, but will not gain much insight into his ability to read cover, make quick decisions or avoid pressure. We will probably just have to wait until the preseason to assess Whitehurst's future.
I went to Powell's to ask about doing a book reading. I got the high hat from some aged failure. This whole process of chasing my dreams has left me wanting a steady job, a six-pack and a subscription to X-Box live.
Isaiah Ekejiuba (grazie, B.B.) has been linked to the Seahawks. Seattle is making a concerted effort to improve its special teams. On the one hand, great, leave no stone uncovered. On the other, can Seattle afford to horde special teams talent while it's rebuilding? Some fans believe that fringe players are forever fringe players, but presumed starting running back Justin Forsett was cut and passed to the Colts before luck passed him back. He was the very definition of a fringe player and an example that fringe player does not mean fringe talent. The process of talent evaluation is not perfect, by any stretch, and a smart team, a team in need of talent, should not sacrifice long term potential for short term gains.
Though, it would be nice to watch an exceptional special teams unit, and with Olindo Mare and Golden Tate on board, it is possible for Seattle to field an exceptional special teams unit. I will not criticize cycling through players until someone of value is lost.
The real value of signing Ekejiuba is that Eke was released and does not count for purposes of supplementary picks. Maybe Seattle could sign him and release Sean Morey. (Sorry, Morey, it's nothing personal (you Cardinals scum (kidding (you Steelers scum.))))
I said I would buy a jersey of the rookie that scouted best. Russell Okung undoubtedly scouted best, but I think I might play a hunch and buy a Tate jersey. Kid looks special to me. Okung is safe, Earl Thomas is loaded with potential, ditto Walter Thurmond, love Kam, but Tate looks singular and I love singular talents. Never know which way unique players will fall. Some just don't fit, but buying an overpriced team jersey is an irrational thing and my irrational side is leaning Tate.
My irrational side has a perilous road to my wallet.
I never root for failure, by any stretch, never, never root for failure, but there is an allure to Seattle playing well, losing a bunch of close games and being rewarded a draft pick that doesn't reflect their ability. I hate to be so pessimistic, and I know some of you hate the attitude that Whitehurst is DOA, but even if Whitehurst wildly exceeds our expectations, can he be championship caliber? I doubt it. Sooner or later, this team needs to take a big risk and pin its hopes on a franchise quarterback. I have been as resistant as anyone to the Jake Locker hype, but there is simply no denying the storybook marriage of region, talent, system and team.
And so, to that end, this year at SB Nation Seattle, I will post week by week scouting breakdowns of Jake Locker's performance.
Now, can anyone refer me to a good cable provider?

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Comments

Nice Miller's Crossing reference.

So rare to see that these days.

by sideshow bob on Jul 22, 2010 11:13 AM PDT reply actions

"And I'm sick of the high hat!"

Man that’s a good movie. Probably my favorite by the Coens. Tom Reagan’s sardonic voice is pitch-perfect, and Gabriel Byrne was an inspired choice for the role.

Here’s a bevy of great lines from the film. I really should bust out that “song of solomon” line next time I piss off a woman.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100150/quotes

inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

by shams on Jul 22, 2010 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I started rewatching some of the old Cohen bro's movies this year

I’d forgotten how amazing Barton Fink was.

by B.B.Finnegan on Jul 22, 2010 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok, I confess--

I haven’t the foggiest what that film was about.

inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

by shams on Jul 23, 2010 2:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Go rent it. Now.

You won’t be sorry. Easily one of the best mob flicks of the last 30 years.

by sideshow bob on Jul 24, 2010 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions

The mob is in Barton Fink??

Wow I did miss a lot.

inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

by shams on Jul 24, 2010 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions

"Bar-ton Fink! Bar-ton Fink!"

by John Morgan on Jul 24, 2010 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Whoops - sorry

I misread that – thought he meant he didn’t know what Miller’s Crossing was about.

Actually, he’s right, no one knows what Barton Fink was about. I sometimes wonder if the Coen brothers decided “you know, there are too many people out there who love our stuff, let’s come up with something totally incomprehensible to shake a few of them off the bandwagon.”

by sideshow bob on Jul 26, 2010 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

As an amateur-and-one-time-aspiring screenwriter, it seemed to me to be just about writing, and Hollywood.

But I think Barton Fink was, through Lebowski, the beginning of the passionate Coen bros. following.

by jacobstevens on Jul 26, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

"This whole process of chasing my dreams has left me wanting a steady job, a six-pack and a subscription to X-Box live."

They hate you if you’re clever, and they despise a fool… ‘till you’re so crazy you can follow their rules… a working class hero is something to be… a working class hero is something to be…

by Anticitizen_One on Jul 22, 2010 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

There is no such thing as a good cable provider

The entire business model is based on fraud, every month breaching their contractual prices that induce you to sign up int he first place (i.e. each bill is seemingly 20-30 dollars more than you contracted for), placing numerous layers of bureaucracy between you and the price they agreed to every month (email or electronic contact is worthless, and every phone call has multiple automated and live person interactions each designed to get you to give up and pay their outrageous, fraudulent, and rent-seeking bill.

And there is no competition, either you go with a satellite provider and are stuck with a long-term contract/hardware cost, or with the local cable monopoly which is equally as bad.

by vooodooo84 on Jul 22, 2010 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

I take it this post is not sponsored by Comcast?

by Menthu Ra on Jul 22, 2010 12:06 PM PDT reply actions

I have never paid for cable, as, even apart from the exorbitant bill, I fear bringing that evil into my house.

Obviously, there’s some good stuff on cable, but the big package of channels is daunting in its raw stupidity and I fear having the opportunity, I would waste much time watching. But, be that as it may, I want to watch the Huskies and Cougars this season and have good reason to, because I will be covering them to some extent. I was hoping someone had some idea of how to avoid the worst parts of cable but still get that which I need, but I think probably not. As it is, I may just spend another year not watching my favorite college football teams.

It’s sad too, because I would gladly pay UW and WSU, plus the Mariners/MLB and the Blazers for the right to watch their teams, if we could only cut out the middle man.

by John Morgan on Jul 22, 2010 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I doubt you'd waste much time watching.

The only thing outside of sporting events that I use my cable for is Futurama or South Park late at night on comedy central. The rest is terrible and most of the mildly interesting channels are somehow omitted from the 500 channels I do get.

by Nate Dogg on Jul 22, 2010 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Dunno what's offered in Portland.

But I pay $13 for the first 30 channels. It’s all crap but I get the networks for football, and my wife gets the local news. Then pay $5 extra for the sports package to get NFL Network. We Netflix stream all other entertainment.

by jacobstevens on Jul 23, 2010 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions

That's not a bad deal.

We constantly have TCM on but all I need is FSN, basic channels, and NFL Network.

Though they sink through the Sea, they shall rise again...Death shall have no dominion...

by Cheddar28 on Jul 23, 2010 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Mine is Comcast, and I don't believe it's advertised, anywhere.

I think everywhere you look, the packages start at $30 for “standard” and you have to call and ask for “basic,” which is what we did. Did someone say something about evil?

Wen the signal was analog, it was inexact where they put the crossover. At my old house, I could get FSN and ESPN1, but with static. FSN was watchable but ESPN really wasn’t.

When I moved, same package, I got both FSN & ESPN1 in beautifully, and ESPN2 & 3 where unwatchable. But then the signal went digial and it’s hard and fast. Univision comes in great, but FSN, next channel in their lineup for this region, is nada.

by jacobstevens on Jul 23, 2010 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Can't we be considered a fringe playoff team as well as a playoff team?

I know everyone can say “If all goes right” But if Hasselbeck can stay Healthy / WhiteHurst be our white knight – This team has some talent.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Jul 22, 2010 12:28 PM PDT reply actions

I was referring to this John - Sorry I'm out of practice.

" On the other, can Seattle afford to horde special teams talent while it’s rebuilding?"

I would say yes.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Jul 22, 2010 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Gotcha.

I mostly meant in the sense that though Seattle could win this season, it has no realistic chance at the Super Bowl, and is in the phase where it should be keeping whatever talent possible and not mortgaging the future for marginal value.

by John Morgan on Jul 22, 2010 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Got it.

Also why is it everytime I type out “John” it has a condescending tone?

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Jul 22, 2010 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Well the name is synonymous with toilets, whore patrons and unidentified bodies,

but I assume it’s because I make gurgling sounds when I breathe.

by John Morgan on Jul 22, 2010 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

and I know some of you hate the attitude that Whitehurst is DOA, but even if Whitehurst wildly exceeds our expectations, can he be championship caliber?

My expectation is Whitehurst is championship caliber (feel the pressure Chuck). If he is not then I don’t know why we would even take a look at him as the heir apparent for the price paid. Basically he has no where to go but up with the doubters, but a long way to fall for the one’s who believe in Aragon.
Okay, maybe he is just there to push the competition angle, but if that is the case I think we could of had Losman do the job for less.

by Bad Mayo on Jul 22, 2010 1:00 PM PDT reply actions

Sorry forgot subject line above. Whitehust is a champion!

by Bad Mayo on Jul 22, 2010 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I believe it's spelled

Whitehustle*

Though they sink through the Sea, they shall rise again...Death shall have no dominion...

by Cheddar28 on Jul 22, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

"I have so little experience

and it’s a long way to go. But gosh durnit Bad Mayo EXPECTS me to be championship caliber!"

Though they sink through the Sea, they shall rise again...Death shall have no dominion...

by Cheddar28 on Jul 22, 2010 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions

If every football player doesn't expect to be a champion,

then why play? Oh yeah, the money.

Seriously, maybe that is why he was a third stringer, he does not have the mental game and believe in himself.

by Bad Mayo on Jul 22, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm excited to get to know the guy.

His personality and style are pretty vague as of now. There’s so little footage of him on the sideline, field, or behind a microphone.

Though they sink through the Sea, they shall rise again...Death shall have no dominion...

by Cheddar28 on Jul 23, 2010 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I've been holding out for a Tate jersey, myself.

Though, I have yet to find one. It’s really the same hunch; I think he’ll be electric if he can catch the ball consistently. If nothing else, he can be electric on special teams – which could be our strongest unit.

Red Bryant: surprise us!

by Misfit74 on Jul 22, 2010 1:07 PM PDT reply actions