Gene Upshaw Passes

by: Michael Steffes

In in an incredibly shocking story, Gene Upshaw has passed away this morning at the age of 63. Upshaw was a HOF lineman with the Raiders and most recently has served as the Head of the Players Union.

No one was aware that Gene was even ill, but he was battling pancreatic cancer. As someone who has had close friends who dealt personally with this, it all happens very suddenly.

This is a sad day for the NFL, despite what you may have thought about Gene (as a Raider) or as head of the union, he was one of the key figures in helping football become what it is today. Rest in peace, Gene. Seahawk Addicts sends its thoughts and prayers with the remaining members of the Upshaw family. ~END~ Read More!

Red Bryant Returns, but "Doesn't Do Much"

by: Mike Parker

DT Red Bryant returned to a limited portion of practice today, and reportedly "didn't do much."

At this point, I'll take whatever I can get from the big guy. I'm not horribly concerned about his injury anymore because of the depth the defense has already displayed, but I can tell you this right now - Bryant is going to make his presence felt this year. Especially if your name happens to be "Kurt Warner," "Alex Smith" or "Marc Bulger." It'll bring a whole new meaning to the term "it's crunch time."

Also, it should be noted that Charlie Frye has been listed as the official starter for Monday night's game in San Diego. It doesn't appear anyone's taking this game very seriously, which is fine for now. It should be more about seeing what the new blood can dish out and resting the injured. Though I have to say it already feels like the exhibition season has already gone on for about five months. -END- Read More!

My Best Guess

by: Michael Steffes

It seems that most of those leaving comments, both here and other places, are resigned to the fact that if Justin Forsett stays, then TJ Duckett goes. I am not sure I agree with this sentiment, especially after hearing what Mike Holmgren said today. Not about Justin Forsett, but about Deion Branch and the young receivers....

"I was hoping we'd have him for the first ball game. And I said it before, the important thing is how he feels about it. You come off that particular surgery and it's a bugger, it's tough."

Not very inspiring about Deion being ready. Reports were that he was running backwards up the berm in Renton, but no one has seen him work on lateral movements yet. On the youngins, coach said in his interview...

When the light goes on in Buffalo, which is different. I suspect they will be absolutely be able do what we ask them to do, but we haven't seen em do it yet.

Where does this leave the running back situation? Well for the first time I really think the team is going PUP Deion Branch. Holmgren told Frank Hughes it is a possibility but too early to decide. The only problem there is that Deion won't be allowed to practice with the team, and will still require, probably, two weeks of practice to get him up to speed in Oct/Nov. However, getting Deion back in say week 8 makes a lot of sense. Week one has always seemed like a long shot. I understand them wanting him on the field, but PUPing him just makes alot of sense. Especially if Bobby is really going to be ready after the bye. The receiving core could be solid and deep by the time Branch returns in Week 8. To continue....

In the meantime, the Hawks have a gluttony of running backs. Lets use them. Lets emphasize the run, the screen, the tight end, and a controlled passing attack. If the team PUPS Branch, and then keep 6 Wr's, Nate & Bobby plus the young 4, there could then be room for 6 backs. There would also be some benefits in focusing on the running game.

First off, this approach helps keep Matt Hasselbeck upright and healthy heading into the second half of the season. It also requires a deep faith in the talent on the defensive side of the ball, something most of us have. One thing that will also be key is a good kicking game. You can't give away points when you have a chance to put them on the board.

One thing that becomes a bit counterproductive here is that usually teams are more comfortable throwing in the early part of the season, before rain and cold set in. However, for the Hawks, it could work. The team really doesn't have a bad weather game. Qwest field will most likely provide the worst. And when the weather does hit, the running game will have hopefully sorted itself out.

In reality, Tim Ruskell spent a considerable amount of time and effort revamping the running game. Whether he says it was because he was too good to pass up or not, Justin Forsett was part of that. So was TJ Duckett. And as much as all of us recognize Holmgren for his elaborate passing attacks, he is the same guy who relied so heavily on Shaun for a 5 year period. Taking 8 weeks to fully expand the passing attack will allow John Carlson more time to get up to speed, time for the receivers to get healthy, and most of all time for the running backs to sort themselves out.

The real question then becomes, how will the line perform? Something people seem pretty positive about.

That is my take. Make of it what you will. Read More!

Holmgren on Forsett and Duckett [UPDATED]

by: Chris Sullivan

So, Frank Hughes has got a nice piece over at the TNT blog about some of Holmgren's responses re: the Forsett and Duckett conundrum.

I think as fans we tend to understate the difficulty of this decision. It seems for the most part people are divided at the polls -- Forsett is amazing and has proven a lot or Forsett has proven nothing because he's running against 3rd stringers. The answer, as always, probably lies in the middle. I hope to see J-Force getting more carries earlier on come Monday, so we can see whether or not his performance in the last two games were representative or not. We might not see that.

Holmgren did say that he believes Forsett will be picked up off waivers if we cut him, which is something we've been saying for awhile. I believe he makes the team as the special teams back. I do not, however, necessarily buy into the idea that Duckett gets cut, though at this point, I think its better to take the upside of Forsett than TJ. That could, of course, change over the next two games. Just for fun though, here's Forsett's combine profile.

UPDATE: Also from Hughes, a bit on Forsett from the eyes of Mr. Bruce Dehaven, special teams coach extraordinaire:

DeHaven really likes Justin Forsett as a returner. He runs hard, doesn't go down on the first hit, is sometimes difficult for opponents to see and is very tough. He said Nate Burleson is definitely out as a returner if he is going to be No. 1 receiver.

END POST Read More!

Hasselbeck Not Likely to Play in SD

by: Michael Steffes

Mike Holmgren was on KJR this morning talking with Mitch Levy. I didn't hear it, but Danny O'Neil has a good summary of it.

The highlights are that Chris Spencer should play week 1. Locklear might play week 1, and the team isn't taking the third preseason game as seriously as previous years. Holmgren does not feel obligated to play his starters deep into the game like most teams. This is partly due to the large number of injuries suffered this preseason. ~END~ Read More!

Veteran Wide Receiver Talk

by: Michael Steffes

I really didn't want to do this. I would think that many of you have already reached this conclusion. However... there were a lot of comments about Joe Horn. Several people emailed me as well. So let me put this out there, Joe Horn isn't going to be a Seahawk.

First, there is a talent issue. This isn't the Joe Horn you saw torching the NFC South 4 or 5 years ago. He has long since lost that ability. He hasn't played a full season since 2004, his receptions have declined each of the last three years bottoming out last year at 27, and with this his average yards per catch declined to a career low 9.0. More after the jump....

On top of this, I saw it suggested that Joe Horn was a "character" guy. He is not a bad guy, but a character is a better way to describe him. This guy once pulled a cell phone out from under the goal post after a touchdown. Lame! Also, all he has done since being given a sweetheart deal in Atlanta is moan and whine about wanting to get released or traded. Granted, he expected to be playing with a different QB, but still, Seattle has worked hard to keep those guys out of the locker room.

Finally, for those who would sign Joe Horn, or any vet, who do you want to get rid of? Right now, it seems almost certain that one of Obamanu, Kent, or Payne will have to be included in the final cuts. If not, an NFL quality player at another position will be. This team is already trying to find space for a guy like Justin Forsett. The Hawks need to be worried about how to keep all our good young players, not how to add another over-the-hill vet.

Hope this clarifies my position on the subject. As I have said all along, it would be irresponsible for Tim Ruskell not to be looking to improve the roster if he can, but he will only be adding a veteran WR if it is a too good to be true situation.

One that would qualify would be Anquan Boldin, but I have seen fans emailing Mike Sando and heard them calling Sirius NFL Radio, and let me tell you that ain't happening either. AZ makes bad moves from time to time, but that would be epically poor mismanagement. The fans would never forgive them if Boldin ended up in Seahawk Blue. Read More!

Tiger Mountain

by: Michael Steffes

If some of you want more detail on the story of Tiger Mountain, the mountain Jim Mora likes to have his players run up, Danny O'Neil did a nice story on it. Here it is.

And who says Mora goes too easy on his players? ~END~ Read More!

11 years of progress

by: Chris Sullivan

On August 19, 1997, the National Football League approved the acquisition of the Seattle Seahawks by Paul Allen. The move was recieved with little fanfare at the time, with some still grumbling over the recently approved football stadium for a team with a history of losing. Where would we be without Paul Allen's purchase?

The most obvious answer, of course, is Los Angeles. Let's ignore that likelihood though... fill the comments with things, good or bad, that came to the Seahawks through Paul Allen. For me, the most obvious, is our new attitude -- not only can we get it done, but we will get it done. Qwest Field, the premiere stadium in the NFL, came to us because of Allen, and did so at a lower-than-typical cost to taxpayers. What else? There's a lot, but I want to give you guys time to reflect too, hah.

(Hat tip to my brother, Tim, who shot me a text regarding the anniversary). END Read More!

Great Picture

by: Mike Parker



(Taken by Ted Warren of the AP during Saturday's game.)


I'm filing it under the category of "Seahawk Linebackers Sitting on Top of Rex Grossman." There seems to be a new one of those every year, doesn't there? -END- Read More!

Forsett: Colston or Dorsett?

by: Michael Steffes

In the matter of one little blurb, Don Banks of SI manages to put Justin Forsett in the company of two very good players. Check it out....

This year's early nominee for the Marques Colston out-of-nowhere award goes to Seattle rookie running back Justin Forsett, a seventh-round pick out of Cal who so far has looked like a young Tony Dorsett -- if you'll excuse the rhyme.

I post this at the risk of causing another uproar about Justin Forsett, but I am willing to do so if it helps temper expectations a bit. Forsett is having an unbelievable preseason, but this has happened before. Guys like Amahad Bradshaw and Pierre Thomas were 7th rounders who had big preseasons last year, and then they ended up contributing to their teams. However, they didn't put up Adrian Peterson (or Barry Sanders) like numbers. And there is some validity to the idea that Forsett has been getting his carries late in the preseason games. The level of play is just not the same.

There is a QB for the Jets named Brett Ratliff who has lit up opposing defenses for 400 yards passing as a third stringer, but I assure you no one is suggesting that he ready to become the next Brett Favre. Young guys are playing for a job, while vets are doing what they think is best to get themselves ready for the season, there is a big difference. While I really like Forsett and what he is doing for this team, I caution all of you who are getting swept up in Justin-mania. He still has a long way to go to be a star in this league. ~END~ Read More!