Coffee and Cigarettes: Seahawks Links for Saturday

College Gameday yo. Before that, read this.

Grounds for optimism
The Seahawks' so-far stout run defense will be tested this week by the Giants' 1-2 punch of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, so the key will be getting to them before they can get started.

Mac's Football Blog: Seahawks WR Sidney Rice Fined $7,500
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice has been fined $7,500 for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Hasselbeck off to career best at age 36 | National Football Post
When the Seattle Seahawks decided to part ways with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck shortly after the NFL lockout ended, the Tennessee Titans quickly pounced. Even during the lockout, Hasselbeck was a guy who had been on Tennessee's radar as a potential solution to their quarterback issues once free agency finally began. Through the first four games, the Titans have been handsomely rewarded by going after Hasselbeck, who is as offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said, has sipped the "Fountain of Youth" at age 36.

Five candidates for NFL head coaching jobs in 2012 | National Football Post
Yes, I know the season is only four games old, but reality is if this year is like most others, there may be about five or six head coaching jobs available for 2012. With that in mind, here is a list of five coaches who I feel has what it takes to be a head coach in the NFL. Some of these names will be obvious to you and others may be a surprise.

Thiel: Time for Seahawks to hit rush hour in NY | Seattle Seahawks
Lynch says the boys up front have become men in four short weeks — enough that playing the Giants in New York is a winnable proposition.

Russell Okung has to man up against Giants' D-line - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
Brock and Salk say Russell Okung has to man up when the Seahawks take on the Giants and their talented defensive line on Sunday.

10/7: Can the Seahawks keep it close on Sunday? - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
Mike Salk says he doesn't see the Seahawks winning their Week 5 game against the Giants in New York on Sunday.

Bright lights of New York still reach New Jersey | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
Pete Carroll is in a New York state of mind. Or, maybe it’s more like New Jersey?

Mike Williams won’t play Sunday against the Giants | Seattle Seahawks & NFL News - seattlepi.com
It’s going to be even harder for Tarvaris Jackson to get the ball to Seahawks receiver Mike Williams now. Williams has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Giants with a concussion after sitting out practice the entire week. Ben Obomanu will start in his place.

Seattle Sports - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll speaks to the media on Friday regarding the latest injury updates and who is expected to play verses the Giants on Sunday.

Seahawks.com Blog | On the road again "
The Seahawks will be spending the weekend in the New York/New Jersey area. Following this morning’s practice, the team will depart this afternoon for New Jersey and spend the next 48 hours there. Here’s a look at the itinerary for the trip:

RB Jacobs likely out Sunday with sprained left MCL - Forbes.com
The New York Giants backfield went into "next guy up" mode Friday as Brandon Jacobs was deemed doubtful for Sunday's game against Seattle with a sprained left MCL.

Giants Seed Need for Intensity Against Seahawks - NYTimes.com
As a rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 2000, Deon Grant spent the entire season on injured reserve with a fractured hip, but he still recalls a lesson he learned then that he has made sure to impart to his younger Giants teammates this week.

Three-and-out: Seahawks-Giants preview
A brief lookahead to Week 5's Seattle-N.Y. Giants game:

Seahawks | Pete Carroll's Seahawks will take risks for big payoff | Seattle Times Newspaper
The past few days haven't made Sunday's 61-yard field-goal attempt any more makeable. That doesn't mean Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been kicking himself over the attempt, though.

Giants-Seahawks: A look ahead to Sunday's game | NJ.com
I don't know why, but for some reason this game reminds me of the Giants' win over the Lions last year. They were favored by 10 points but won by only 8. I wouldn't be shocked if that's the kind of game we see on Sunday.

Talent department "key" to winning | Razz Report Blog
The common denominator of winning teams at any level, from little league, to high school, college and all the way up to the Professional ranks is having outstanding talent. Everybody knows it, but few actually say it, especially ex coaches who get on TV and constantly promote the talents of their coaching peers.

Tuck’s injury could be blessing for Seattle – Audibles
Only two teams have allowed more sacks than Seattle this season (14) and only four teams have recorded more sacks than the Giants (12). So, the Seahawks’ offense, which has shown some signs of life the past two weeks, could use any break it can get.