More photos » by J Pat Carter - AP

Peter Bradley: [Eli is on drugs while being interviewed on television] Now, your previous novel... Eli: Yes, "wildcat". Peter Bradley: Not a success. Why? Eli: Well... wildcat was written in a kind of obsolete vernacular... [long pause] Eli: ... wildcat... wild... cat... [he stares into space] Eli: ... pow... wildcat... I'm going to go.

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I was hoping Ronnie Brown would play. Brown is the most intriguing potential free agent running back in this year's always-thin free agent running back class. But Brown is injured again and, as such, might not be worth the money anyway. I guess we could instead look at Julius Peppers and dream of Seattle clearing out Patrick Kerney, Matt Hasselbeck and Walter Jones' contract and signing Peppers, but Peppers already knows failure. He wants success.

The remaining storyline, ignoring Jonathan Stewart and Chad Henne, is Pat White and the future of the Wild Cat. College is teeming with Pat White like players that excel at the college game but have no future in the pros. The Wild Cat, its establishment and moreover its long and successful run, has challenged the pass first offense. Could teams soon be building an entire offense around single-wing principles? Will David Lee soon coach the Jacksonville Jaguars and tutor Tim Tebow to NFL dominance?

A less farfetched impact of White excelling down the stretch is how it will affect the NFL draft. If White excels in Miami, tweener quarterbacks that can run a single wing could be a hot commodity in next year's draft. I love innovation and innovation is part of what I love about the NFL. I want White to achieve 100+ total yards tonight.

More photos » by Hannah Foslien - AP

Makes me want to swig ipecac so I may vomit all over my laptop.

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This is the part of the week when Brian Burke releases his objective projections and I muddy everything with opinions. Burke projects Seattle as pronounced underdogs. I am aghast to read this. Seattle is a juggernaut just finding its oars. It's a wakened monster about to rain Justin Forsett all over the Metrodome. Oh bow before us Land of a 10,000 Mosquito Ponds!

The Seahawks have one chance of not being defenestrated from the top floor of Capella tower.

Brett Favre.

If the Seahawks can somehow stop Adrian Peterson - scoff if you will, Peterson is the type of boom or bust back that Seattle has been able to shut down - it needs only Favre to provide some Favre magic for Seattle to upset. Favre is primarily a play action quarterback now, and without the run game chugging, he can be exposed.

I would have a little more confidence if someone named Colin Cole was not matching across someone named Steve Hutchinson. Perhaps, if nothing else, this is the game that dooms Cole to the bench. Or maybe Hutch will do us a solid and drive block Cole back to Green Bay. The Packers could use a nose tackle. Cole is awfully heavy.

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

Brian Brohm must slather himself with fresh venison and walk nude down the street speaking backwards Brohmese.

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30+ teams have passed on Brian Brohm. He was a highly ranked high school recruit*, a successful college quarterback at an overmatched program, that fell, fell, to the second round. The Bills acquire him for asking. Brohm turned 24 September 23. The Bills are his second team in two seasons. The Bills are in diseray. Brohm could be quarterbacking a simplified offense before the season is out.

I swear, if the Toronto Bills have a better quarterback than Seattle in 2010, this is going to be the scene at the VMAC, August 2011.

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More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

Fanatics cheer a stoning.

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Sometimes I do stupid things like click on Yahoo links. I did that a second ago and followed it to a Boing Boing article about Demi Moore and her supposed photoshopping. The link interested me because I have done touch up work before, and because the story was presented as, wait on it, the WORST Photoshop Ever. It's not. As one Boing Boing commenter pointed out, it might not even be a mistake. Her sarong bulges from her upper hip, but that could be Moore's pose. She clearly has a hip cocked.

My point: It sure looks like Darnell Dockett did something malicious and unsportsmanlike to Matt Hasselbeck, but it sure as hell is hard to know. Sometimes it's best to channel that gut outrage into inquiry.

I watch a lot of football. NFL officials are wont to error. Big surprise, huh? On the big scorecard, NFL officials are miles ahead of the casual fan in assessing penalties. I rarely, rarely find a truly bogus call.

The NFL and its officials are bound to the bottom line, and the bottom line loves fairness. Fairness creates parity and parity made the NFL. Fairness keeps games competitive and fans excited about the outcome. The NFL is the most successful sports league in the United States. It is wildly popular and profitable. The gains it would receive by fixing a game, a season, a Super Bowl, are tiny compared to the risk entailed.

Most times, a mistake is a mistake. The officials are not biased or corrupted. Maybe Dockett did something dirty and no one saw it at the time. Maybe it wasn't dirty. Fans of all stripes have become habitual victims, sure their team is screwed over on travel schedules, penalties and primetime games. I embrace skepticism but not cynicism. Next time something looks questionable, off or wrong, try giving the officials the benefit of the doubt. The impartial professional, standing feet from the play, that is as expert in his field as the players at football, might just be right, and we, the partial fanatics, sitting at home and maybe a little buzzed, might just be wrong.

More photos » by Ross Franklin - AP

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• Matt Hasselbeck threw the ball 38 to 40 yards in the air to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Dick Stockton said that his shoulder and rib injuries had previously prevented Hasselbeck from airing it out. That's an interesting point. The pass was high angled and accurate, but slow. The angle gave Housh the best shot at catching it and unlike some Hasselbeck deep passes, it did not succeed solely because the defender did not anticipate it. Part of the value of the deep pass, beyond the inherent yardage, is that a deep pass can isolate a receiver on a defensive back, even a safety. 40 yards is not always enough to accomplish that isolation. Instead, a 40-yard pass risks arriving just as the safety and corner converge. However if Hasselbeck could consistently throw the ball 40 yards with as much arc and accuracy as he did this pass, it would open a whole new element to Seattle's passing attack. If injury prevents Hasselbeck from achieving even a 40 yard deep pass, then like Shaun Alexander before him, we are not dealing with one quarterback, but a potential and a beat-up reality.
• Max Unger had perhaps his best game as a pro.
• Justin Forsett was better at finding holes against Arizona than Julius Jones has been at finding holes against any opponent. We will see if that is Forsett or the line. In 2007, fans complained about Seattle's offensive line, claiming it could not open holes for Alexander. I countered that Alexander was slow enough and hesitant enough into the hole that good holes were wasted and anything but a good hole was certain lost yardage. I am not ready to say the same of Jones, but I am ready to say Forsett looks more forgiving.
• He walked almost untouched into the end zone. It was zone blocking at its best. The play turned on three factors: the line call, John Carlson's ability to contain the end and Ray Willis' ability to dominate a linebacker. The line call directed Willis to pull straight ahead and engage and shove the Cardinals inside linebacker towards the right sideline. Carlson took on the end and held him long enough for Force to hit and run through the hole. Justin Griffith hit the hole and punished the defender's overpursuit, blocking the left outside linebacker right and extending the hole. From there Forsett was able to run north-south and behind Willis into the end zone.
• The run featured end around motion that drew the corner away from the play.
• I should count how often Colin Cole is shoved three or more yards back from the line of scrimmage. Brandon Mebane subbed out for the fourth play of the Cardinals second drive. Cole was shoved back three yards and through the resulting hole, Tim Hightower rushed almost untouched for eight. Hightower gets eight. Adrian Peterson batters his way to a touchdown.
• Forsett's smallness shows itself in surprising situations. I noticed he struggled to fight his way through and pull out to receive. He's powerful for his size, but 190 is 190.
• Seattle stopped Arizona at the one and scored on the ensuing drive. Marcus Trufant powered into and under the fullback to stack the pile and stop Hightower. It was an impressive display of stoutness from a corner. The unheralded catalyst was Cory Redding. Redding drove off the snap and churning, twisting and eventually running backwards, drove into the Cardinals right side, forcing the rush outside and disorganizing the offensive right. The big man got low and leveraged his way into the pile like a defensive tackle.
• Louis Rankin was bowled over attempting to pull out on a screen right. Hasselbeck threw it towards his downed body.

You all hankering for some Sean Locklear love? Didn't think so. Locklear did not have a very good first quarter. He wasn't moving well and was routinely overpowered by Calais Campbell. Campbell is enjoying a sophomore surge, so I do not discount the level of competition, but routinely beat is no way to play left tackle.

Locklear looked a touch gimpy to me. The significance of the contest might have forced him into action a week too early. He'll face an elite competitor next week. Jared Allen could expose a never nude. Locklear does not need to beat Allen to be good, but he does need to stand toe-to-toe against his divisional foes.

My notes start when Fox deigned to switch from its morning publicity stunt to an actual contest: Seattle's second offensive drive. Lock started with an okay mirror slide. He was slow shading blitzing linebackers but compensated by grounding them at their turn point. He was able to pancake the Cardinals linebackers with ease, but only after they pressured the edge.

Lock was at his best run blocking. He showed good power and ability to stand up and redirect his man. He also moved well enough if slower than usual. His greatness weakness was handling Campbell's inside move. Locklear was twice beat to his inside shoulder.

Overall, in twelve snaps, I have Locklear down for: Three failed blocks, two good jumps off the snap, two knock down blocks, one turn, one missed assignment, one great cut block and a handful of mixed plays.

More photos » by David Richard - AP

Bison Xavier Omon powers through two Oil Derrick tacklers.

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Xavier Omon tore up Division II college football. In four seasons, he led the Bearcats to four national title games, losing all four. Omon wasn't a player I tracked, but from my brief viewing, he has good footwork, good power, good decisiveness, a good first and second gear, and no third gear to speak of. That sounds like the running back I expected Edgerrin James to be.

Decide for yourself:

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More photos » by Paul Connors - AP

Tyson thanks the Big Guy for his ability to legally assault pretty-boy bras.

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Since we are talking about optimizing Seattle's defensive line, let's look at a talent it could add to help that process: Tyson Alualu. Alualu is a four-year contributor and 36 game starter. He has played mostly end at Cal, but is built like a three-tech tackle. He has a great frame and overall build. My writing that may surprise some. Alualu is not hulking like Taylor Mays or cut like Patrick Kerney, but instead has broad shoulders, wide hips and smooth musculature. It's a frame that could add weight with ease and will add muscle with age.

He has five sacks and six tackles for a loss this season and 20.5 and 14.5 for his career. Alualu (pronounced Ah-loo Ah-loo) is a good mix of young, experienced and peaking at the right time. Note: The below was created before his monster senior season. Alualu is #44.

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More photos » by Ross Franklin - AP

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Mebane should have Cole's job. The decision to restructure the line around Colin Cole was stupid when made and has led to predictable results. Seattle's third down stand, in which Tapp knifed through Mike Gandy and tackled Wells in the back field, is a great example of how important Mebane was to Seattle. Mebane was on the right, beside Tapp where he belonged. Cole was on the left. Seattle was in a five man front, but Mebane was still double teamed of the snap. It was an ugly, but effective display. He hit his blockers low, getting topped and dropped, but holding ground and most importantly, freeing Tapp. Tapp took apart his single block and used his great inside move to come free to the ball carrier.

Mebane had two more nice looking pass rush moves, but neither effectively freed him. He hustled into a play off end and forced the near interception by Marcus Trufant. Mebane was good, good enough to make those around him better, but not as good as he has been at the one-tech. Cole needs to be worked down in the rotation. His presence stops Seattle from starting an optimal line.

That idea was on my mind as I notated Mebane's day: The Seattle Seahawks optimal, starting defensive line. This season is about next season and this offseason about adding talent where it's needed. Seattle traded for a three tech in his prime and turned him into a defensive end. It's not a bad idea, but with Lawrence Jackson's development, Seattle has options at end. Redding should bulk back up and move inside. He has the motor, length and repertoire of rush moves to be a very good inside pass rusher, but he isn't contributing much from the outside. Mebane should bulk up and reassume the one-tech. Cole would be his rotational partner, what he always should have been, a better Howard Green.

The key to forming this line is complementary skills. Mebane has helped free Jackson, but Jackson is not a great pass rusher. Mebane should be keeping blockers off Tapp. Redding's major weakness is getting high in his stance and subsequently pushed back. Jackons pairs nicely with him because Jackson is very stout for an end and a very good run defender. When Redding sags back, Jackson can drive his man into the hole, narrow it, and even disengage and make the tackle. Seattle might cede some stoutness in the middle, but it fields an elite corps of linebackers. Building this defense to defend the run has, predictably, done just that. When it must defend the pass, be it third and long or playing ahead, it has crumbled.

Seattle could add interior line talent through the draft. A player like Tyson Aluala is a natural complement to Mebane. It doesn't need to though. I think Redding wants to stay and if Seattle can pony the bucks, he will. He shouldn't be outrageously expensive. Concerns about health have passed. He has appeared once on the injury report and not for a knee or groin, but a shoulder. Seattle can not continue to sink over $20 million into Walter Jones, Matt Hasselbeck and Patrick Kerney. The Seahawks could retain their best talent and be players in free agency with that money.

We have months before those decisions are made. Until then, Seattle needs to stir things up and experiment. It needs to test roles and figure out its offseason needs. Seattle had the right game plan against Warner, but used the wrong personnel. It can't start Cory Redding - Brandon Mebane - Colin Cole - Patrick Kerney and expect a persistent pass rush. That line features, arguably, two to three players that are below average pass rushers for their position. And yet, by moving Redding inside and Mebane over center, the resulting Lawrence Jackson - Cory Redding - Brandon Mebane - Darryl Tapp line has three, even four above average pass rushers for their position.

Jim Mora said he was encouraged despite the loss. I would be more encouraged if Seattle did something about the loss. Seattle had zero sacks. It continues to excel against the run, but at what cost? The NFL is a passing league. The Seahawks have a great linebacker corps and three corners that can tackle. It shouldn't need to optimize its line for run stuffing, but it nearly has. It can allow long runs and win. It allowed over 200 yards to Frank Gore, but would have been in the thick of it against San Francisco if not for Matt Hasselbeck's injury. It can not allow another quarterback to sit back and pick apart its zones. Seattle shot of the gates like a contender, but without pass rush, it crumbled, allowing Kurt Warner to become just the latest quarterback to fatten up against the Seahawks zones.

More photos » by Ross Franklin - AP

Seattle took an early lead and implemented a smart strategy to defend Kurt Warner. The scheme was right, but the personnel wrong. It has the talent to field an above average pass rushing line, but it needs to sit Colin Cole.

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Has Brandon Mebane struggled to transition to the three tech? That is something I will explore deeper this week, but if he hasn't struggled, nor has he proven himself the force he was at the one tech.

Seattle has three players that are nominal three techs: Mebane, Cory Redding and Craig Terrill. Redding plays end, but is very much more a 3-4 end than a traditional 4-3 end. He influences and collapses the pocket rather than disengages and makes plays. He just isn't quick enough to edge rush and though he has been good and great at what he does, he hasn't provided much pass rush. Terrill is the standard organizational soldier type that is in turns under- and overappreciated. Seattle could upgrade but does not have to upgrade.

It has two one-tech types: Colin Cole and Red Bryant. Cole is the most reliable of the two and one of the most active tackles in Seattle's rotation. He can square against most single blocks, but that's his skill set almost in its entirety. Three tech used to be the feature tackle position in a 4-3, but the proliferation of 3-4 schemes has made the nose position in demand and three tech types less popular.

Signing Cole was a mistake. He hasn't proven much as a Seahawk and his ridiculous contract practically forces Seattle to start him. When Seattle needed its front four to provide pressure, it was exposed. Seattle's ends are average. Lawrence Jackson is developing, but is unlikely to ever be a great pass rusher. Darryl Tapp is a good speed rusher, but aside Cole, he isn't getting the one-on-one matchups he thrives against. Patrick Kerney still has burst around the edge, but his spate of injuries have sapped his upper body strength and he is as much a situational pass rusher now as Nick Reed. It's a nice foundation, but it won't strike fear into this season's opponents.

Seattle had a better front four last season, even minus Kerney. Mebane was a better one-tech than Cole, and though Rocky Bernard had little left to give, Mebane and Bernard were better collectively than Mebane and Cole. Mebane is supposed to be making plays and Cole stuffing tacklers, but Cole can't and so Mebane is again doing both. Bane does not get off blocks exceptionally well and his pass rush arsenal isn't developed. He established himself in this league as the type of punishing bull rusher that two blockers struggled to stop.

Anatomically, it's easy to see why: Mebane has an exceptionally low center of gravity, gets lower in his stance than almost anyone and erupts off the snap with such violence that many blockers are beat before they can defend themselves. As a three, a popular way of combating Mebane's explosiveness and exceptional leverage is to fade and draw his weight from over his feet. He gets ahead of himself, so to speak, and can be blocked whence unbalanced.

My notes on Mebane are mostly positive. He ran through a pulling blocker and tackled Beanie Wells for a loss of four at the start of the Cardinals second drive. He then played nose twice in a three man rush and performed ably, but wasn't able to separate. That's the problem for Brandon: He is great off the snap, but he does not consistently separate from blockers. As a one tech, Mebane was able to collapse the pocket into the quarterback and bull rush into sacks. As a three tech, he needs to be able to fight off a single block and show quickness to the ball carrier. That might not be within Mebane's ability.