It's a pretty wet day here in Columbia, SC and throughout much of the Eastern US. I am supposed to be at a groundbreaking ceremony today that was moved indoors because it has rained cats and dogs all morning. Moving a groundbreaking--a made-for-photo-op* event if there ever was one--indoors really does strip it of whatever dignity it ever had, doesn't it? So suffice it to say, I am writing this instead of bearing witness to an appalling fashion-don't. Business suits and hard hats: Just Say No.

*Whatever happens to the photos at these alleged photo-ops? I see plenty of flash bulbs but I never see any of the shots in newspapers. Does anyone ever display these photos in their own offices? Anyone? Ever?

I figured I'd take a moment to pen a few (random) thoughts on why it's still good (for me at least) to still love the Seahawks two games into what looks like a "one step back before a step forward" season.

1. 2011 is the Step Back Before the Step Forward -- I suppose I foreshadowed this one. I just don't see reasons to expect the 2011 Seahawks to win more than 5 or 6 games max. To be clear, I am not hoping for Seattle to lose. Rather, I am choosing not to be bitterly disappointed about the prospect of a losing season.* It is part of the price of building the right way for the long term. Big picture: PC/JS were right to "Order the strike" a la Agent Jones on the roster they inherited and do a total rebuild. Now that's not a blanket endorsement of never-ending roster churn, but all else equal I like their strategy of rebuilding from the 53rd man forward, as well their bias towards younger, bigger, faster, and cheaper. I also like that in most respects they are not dogmatic. They have their little mantras, but they also make exceptions they feel are warranted and where opportunities arise.

*Of course, game-to-game it's an entirely different matter. I'm still pissy about SF but not overly bothered about Pittsburgh.

2. There are Enough Things to Watch to Keep Me Interested -- I will confess that I won't make it out for a game this season, something I've done regularly since 2002. Still, I will be watching or listening week-to-week. I like most of the team's decisions about who to keep from the previous regime and who to bring in (at what price). I'm prepared to acknowledge that it will be painful to live through a young, talented core coming together, taking its lumps, and seeing some thrive (e.g., Doug Baldwin) while others who piqued our interest and hopes not work out (e.g., Mark Legree). I must admit for the record though, one thing I am not particularly interested in is what currently passes for a QB controversy. I can't help but see it as tweedle-dee vs. tweedle-dum.

3. The Seahawks Blogosphere -- This team has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to passionate and insightful fans who love to write about it. I know that this point has been made in this forum recently, and I wish to reiterate it. Embarrassment of riches. I say that as a transplant to the South, where football is soooo king. Though, not pro football. And even in college, the game is really just part--sometimes a surprisingly small part--of a much broader social event. People bring passion by the boatload, but not always much insight. I have come, somewhat grudgingly, to appreciate regional differences in how people "consume" football. But what I really enjoy is Sunday afternoons on the couch with Raible and Moon in my ear and Fieldgulls at my fingertips. Win or lose, that right there is pretty doggone sweet.