First Tanzania, Now Taiwan

The Seahawks are going global, 12's...

File this under "real weird shit"

Since I've Been Loving You

...  I'm about to lose my worried mind.

This Miami game...  it kinda makes my life a drag


If Robert Plant traded in his Wolverhampton Wanderers jersey for a Seattle Seahawks one and became a Seahawks fan, "Since I've Been Loving You" would certainly be his dedication to the team.  The kind of passion-wrapped agony he sings with sounds so much like me on more than just a few occasions this year.  Only he's wailing over finding out his girl is cheating on him, I'm doing it because the Seahawks tore my heart out again and are being accused of cheating the system in the process.  There's no getting around it, yesterday was as brutal a day as they come.  If you were Roger Goodell himself, you couldn't have scripted a worse day for the Seahawks.  It just never gets any easier, does it?


It was obvious from the get-go that this team would struggle with the formerly free falling Dolphins.  That much was clear when the Seahawks took over a quarter to get their first first down of the game.  Even the most optimistic Seahawks fan with the deepest shade of blue tinted glasses would have to admit that the Seahawks didn't come to SunLife Stadium fully prepared.  Whether it was poor game planning by the coaches or overconfidence on the part of the players, regardless the Seahawks dropped their 5th road game of the season.  As usual with the Seahawks, it's not that they lost but how they lost that makes everything so frustrating.  It's also the fact that I said I wouldn't do this to myself again.  Yeah, I lied.

Everybody trying to tell me that you didn't mean me no good. 

I've been trying, Lord, let me tell you, Let me tell you I really did the best I could. 

I've been Hawkin' from 97' to 2011 every night, I said It kinda makes my life a drag. 

Lord, that ain't right... 

Since I've Been Loving You, I'm about to lose my worried mind.

It's true, since I've been loving the Seahawks I've been about to lose my worried mind.  I actually might have already.  Everybody did try to warn me that being a Seahawks fan would be rough.  I didn't care!  I loved the uniforms and the fact that they were the underdog and the outcast.  I was a different kind of cat.  Fast forward to the present and all I've got to show for it is a memory littered with too many shitty losses to count, especially on the road.  I want to say that this Dolphins game yesterday vaults to the top of my shortlist of shitty losses but I can't.  There are just too many others that were just as bad, if not worse.  However, there can't possibly be many worse days in Seahawks history than the one the team endured yesterday.  Not only did they lose a winnable game on the road to an inferior opponent, again, but they also face the misfortune of possibly losing two of their best players.  With Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman now both staring down the barrel of a 4 game suspension gun from the NFL for allegedly testing positive for a banned substance, the shit just hit the fan.

When it rains...

Remember when I said that I wouldn't do it to myself anymore?  I'm talking about letting myself get too hyped up before a Seahawks road game.  After the Detroit game I vowed to myself that I wouldn't get my hopes up before a road game until the team proved that they could win on the road.  I guess the month gap between road games got my guard down.  There I was watching helplessly as the Dolphins moved the ball on the Seahawks at will.  I had seen this script before and I hate how the story ends.  I swear I felt like I was watching the Titanic sink.  Mental lapses, blown coverage, and tepid play, all the ingredients in a Seahawks letdown were in abundance.  An absolute roller coaster of emotions that few teams can provide on a weekly basis like the Seahawks do.  I was going nuts when Bobby Wagner got his second INT of the game, or so I thought.  The only thing crazier than that outburst was my reaction to the flag being thrown on Earl for making contact with Tannehill's helmet.  The correct call was made but what a lousy rule it is to begin with.  Thomas was airborne and made sure not to lead with his helmet when taking down Tannehill.  Regardless, it was almost predictable that there would be a flag down on the play.  My emotions swung again when Leon took the ensuing kickoff to the house for his record tying 8th career kickoff return for a TD.  I thought for sure that the football God's had trumped Roger Goodell's desire to "clean up the game."  It wasn't meant to be though because the Dolphins moved the ball down the field at will en route to a game tying score.  It was then that I really knew how this one was about to go down.

No need to rehash the specifics.  It was rough enough to watch live, no need to do that to ourselves again.  You know how it goes on the road.  Seahawks coach and play as if they're playing not to lose while the hungry opponent sees this and takes advantage.  Playing for the jugular and the win in the process.  So we'll leave it at that.  If you've seen it once as a Seahawks fan then you've see it a million times.  After the game I was an intense blend of pissed off mixed with disappointment and apathy.  I sat there for an hour just doing nothing really.  Being a Seahawks fan reminds me a lot of one of my favorite clips from the Godfather and one I've shared before in this space of internet...

Just when I think I'm never going to fall for it again, they pull me back in!  Pacino's expression here sums up my feelings entirely.  First, an overwhelming sigh.  Then, trying to hold it together and stay sane.  Finally, the frustration boils over and you end up looking nuts.  It's like I've got Battered Wives Syndrome for the Seahawks.  No matter how many times the Seahawks come home late or kick my ass, I always allow the hope for a better tomorrow to get the better of me.  We all know the familiar feeling all too well.  I guess that's part of the gift and the curse that come along with being a fan.  I always found it funny how resilient the human spirit can be.  In the moments after the tragedy at SunLife I was a wreck.  Didn't want to be seen by anyone and believe me no one would've wanted to see me with the foul mood I was in.  Hours later the news broke on Sherman and Browner and rather than slink down to an even lower state of mind, my spirit did a funny thing.  It started to fight.  It started to create hope.  I started to believe!

The jury's out whether it's false hope or not.  Homerism possibly, who knows. We'll see I guess.  All I know is that nothing would surprise me with this team.  Sure they've got their warts but who doesn't in the NFL right about now?  Look around the league and you'll see uneven performances by supposed great teams on a week to week basis.  In fact, the Seahawks consistently poor play on the road is actually one of the few consistencies in the league right now.  As twisted as that is.  Need some reasons why not to jump off your closest bridge?  Here's a pretty big one...

Remember kids... train, say your prayers, and take your vitamins

Russellmania

In America it's supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, so I'll reserve judgment on the matter of the suspensions until after it's handled with.  Until then, let's just assume that Sherman and Browner do get suspended for four games a piece.  With the defense taking such a big hit it'll be up to the Rook to step up his game even more than he already has throughout the season.  After the Miami game you can bet future opponents will break down the film and try to break down the Seahawks running game as well.  This coupled with a probable decline in production from the defense will probably mean that Russell will see an increased load.  At this point in the season, I would not be at all worried about the Seahawks letting Wilson air it out 35-40 times a game.  He's earned our trust and put in a dazzling performance against the Dolphins.  It all starts and ends with #3 and we're lucky to have him.

More Robert Turbin  

Beast Mode took a beat down from the Fins interior line on Sunday.  I think now would be the perfect time for an increased load from Robert Turbin as well.  He looked good when given a chance against Miami and looks great catching passes out of the backfield.  I think it's time he shoulder more of the load in an effort to keep Marshawn fresh.  His initial burst is pretty impressive.

Aggressive Play calling on D

Without his two best corners in his pocket, Gus Bradley will have to adapt on defense and will probably have to dial up some more pressure in order to protect the new starting cornerbacks, whomever they may be.  I look forward to more exotic blitzes that aren't as easy for opposing quarterback's to diagnose at the line of scrimmage.  There's no coincidence that the Seahawks win at home, where they create more pressure on the quarterback.  They've got to now force the issue on the road.

No need to fear, the underdog is here 

Some teams just play better as the underdog, for whatever reason.  It's true in the case of the New York Giants and I'm pretty sure it's true with the Seahawks too.  Would anybody really be surprised if this team went into Soldier Field and upset the Bears?  I wouldn't.  It would make too much sense!  Wishful thinking?  Maybe.  However, I've been watching this team long enough to know that no matter what, they'll always surprise you...

We heard countless times in camp how this team was built to "win a street fight" and that they were built to become battle tested and overcome adversity.  They've taken a few blows to the head and just went down for the second time.  Like any great fighter, they've got to dig deep and get back up on their feet.  This season ain't over yet, even with the potential lose of Sherm and Browner.  I love those guys as much as the next 12, but two players does not a team make.  We've seen guys step up and play well when needed in a bind.  We saw it with Sherm last season when he came in for Walter Thurmond III and look how that ended up.  We also saw it with John Moffitt providing excellent relief for James Carpenter yesterday and prior to Carpenter returning from injury.  The next man up has to do his job.  Let's see what some of the reserves can do when given a shot.  It's been a long, grind of a season that has somehow gone by in the blink of an eye.  The Seahawks can't afford to blink anymore or else they could be on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.  

Some Tunes: "Since I've Been Loving You" by Led Zeppelin of course.

Blue Tryptophan - A Seahawks Thanksgiving

Preach

It is important on this day to take time out and bring to light the things that one is thankful for.  Or so they say.  Usually on Thanksgiving, I just like to hang my head in shame while saying sorry to all of the Native Americans out there who got treated like they were Seahawks at a Super Bowl and got the shaft, big time.  So without further ado, these are the things that I am thankful for...

Paul Allen:  Not only does he own the Seahawks but he loves Jimi Hendrix.  Sounds like a great guy to me.  Seriously, he saved our team and now he's provided world class facilities, a beautiful state of the art stadium that we can proudly call home, excellent front office and coaching staffs, and the best part... he lets the football people make football decisions.  We love you Paul!  Thanks!

Doug Baldwin:  I am thankful that you broke 2 of your teeth for this football team.  If I were out there, I would've done the same.  You embody what it means to be a "gamer" and not the Call of Duty kind.  Keep working hard and it'll pay off.

Alan Branch:  I am thankful for the fact that you do such a thankless job.  Your name gets mentioned every once in a while but no where near the amount that Mebane and some of the other cats do.  If you were a Stealer, we'd have to listen endlessly about how you "play the game the right way."  Your demeanor is soooo "lunch pail" and I respect you for that.

Brandon Browner:  Words can not describe what you mean to me.  They will never do you justice.  So I'll just stop.  Thanks for never giving up and always chasing guys down from behind and would-be touchdowns, amongst other things.

Red Bryant:  Thank you for being the definition of a leader and for never giving up when things looked bleak for your career way back when.  You're like a giant, angry teddy bear and we love you for that.  Also, thanks for high-stepping into the endzone last season in Chicago.  Loved it.

James Carpenter:  Thanks for looking like a rock monster and somehow being on the field this season.  I honestly thought I wasn't going to see you for a while.  Glad you made it back and look forward to the future.

Kam Chancellor:  Thanks for being ONE OF THE HARDEST HITTING SAFETIES IN THE LEAGUE!!  All I want for Christmas is for you to make Vernon Davis have to eat his food through a straw for a few weeks afterwards.  Simple request.

Chris Clemons:  Thanks for not taking plays off after your big payday.  Not that I ever thought you would, but, you know.  It kinda happens a lot these days.  Also, thanks for the big hit on Sanchez with me in attendance.  It was a thing of beauty.

Braylon Edwards:  Thank you for that wonderful touchdown catch against the Patriots.  I'm hoping we'll get to see more of that later this season.

Heath Farwell:  You wanna talk about thankless?  If you look it up in the dictionary you'll see a picture of Heath.  The Heath Bar as I affectionately call him is severely underrated in the grand scheme of things.  Thank you for being you, Heath.

Matt Flynn:  Thanks for not standing out in the preseason.  If you had, we might not have gotten a glimpse of the future.  No, but seriously, here's to hoping you find a starting spot somewhere in the near future.  Once we find a comparable, cheaper alternative for a backup of course.

Breno Giacomini:  Thanks for giving me that one moment a game (sometimes more!) where I get to say "What the hell Breno?!" or "F'N Giacomini, again?!"  Your name alone makes you a legend.  Your ruthless style of play makes you one of my favorites.

Clint Gresham:  I never notice you.  My heart thanks you for that.

Winston Guy:  Mitt Rooney?  Seriously guy?  It's all good.  Hope your suspension stems from you wanting to beat out Jeron for his job next season. Thanks for the comic relief.

Steven Hauschka:  Are you Polish?  My Polish buddy always says that you're not.  I need to know.  I think you are.  Thanks for not being Josh Brown.

Leroy Hill:  Thanks for defying all logic and every analyst by still being on the team in 2012.  You still hit like a freight train and you're one of the Seahawks I'd hate to run into in an alley.

Jaye Howard:  Thanks for finally getting into a game this season.  May there be many, many more to come.

Bruce Irvin:  I'd like to personally thank your mother for naming you Bruce.  It makes for a cool thing to yell at a game.  Also, thanks for stickin' it to Mel Kiper and co.  I am forever indebted to you.

Lemuel Jeanpierre:  Thanks for having an amazing name, for allowing me to potentially sound sophisticated while watching the Seahawks at the same time, and for being rock solid whenever your number gets called.

Jeron Johnson:  I wish you were a Vandal instead, but I still like you.  You have a certain "Je ne sais Babs" air to your play.  Thanks for always being around the ball.

Rishaw Johnson:  I always think of Rickshaw when I hear your name.  You're a big dude.  Thanks for not committing accidental homicide on the field, yet.

Jason Jones:  If you were a comic book character you'd be called "Metronome Jones."  You allow the defense to truly execute exactly what it wants.  Please stay healthy.  Thanks for picking Seattle.

Jermaine Kearse:  I appreciate your sense of humor after that dropped pass against Minnesota.  Thanks for the laugh.

Jeremy Lane:  We here (me) at Seafense are big fans of Jeremy Lane, as you can tell.  Nobody seems to want to share their intimate Seahawks moments (I blame it on the Seattle Freeze) but some day I'm sure they will.  Thanks for having a name that plays off of "trip down memory lane" so well.  Oh, and I'm expecting you'll make a fine nickel or dime corner for us someday.

Marshawn Lynch:  You had me at "what it do?"  One of my favorite players of all-time.  Thanks for being exactly what the Doc ordered after years of yearning for a smash mouth running back.  No offense to SA37, but after years of watching Shaun, Marshawn is a refreshing change of pace.  I'll never forget where I was for your earth shattering run against the Saints (Carlow East!)

Chris Maragos:  Are you Greek?  My Greek friend wants to know.  Sounds like it.  Very well then, thanks for being a demon on special teams and throwing your body around like you want to destroy it.  Good times.

Charly Martin:  Thanks for collapsing your lung for the good of the team.  Bevell really hung you out to dry on that one.  Here's hoping you start making some plays like you did in the preseason.

Byron Maxwell:  See Chris Maragos, minus the part about being Greek.

Anthony McCoy:  Your block in the preseason against Denver was amazing!  Thanks for that one.  Otherwise, I hate that you have the dreaded "p" word...  potential.  I'll now give you an insane amount of time to cash in on it before giving up on you completely as a player.

Clinton McDonald:  I love that you remind me of Chartric Darby.  I wonder what Chartric Darby is doing now?  Thanks for guiding my mind down that path, Clint.

Paul McQuistan:  Thanks for whatever that is you do with your hair.  You not only accept the hair situation, but you embrace it.  Seriously though, thanks for playing anywhere needed, at any time.  Chris Gray 2.0 and that's a damn good thing.

Brandon Mebane:  Me!  Bane!  Thanks for rewarding my unwavering confidence in you with a mammoth start to the season.  I'm so proud of you.  Keep up the good work, stud.  Pro Bowl?  I'm also thankful for the fact that there's a dude at Carlow East who wears your jersey.  That's awesome.

Zach Miller:  You are the consummate professional.  If Kellen Winslow were you, he would've bitched and moaned his way out of town, but you haven't.  You've just soldiered up (see what I did there?) and kept on truckin'.  I appreciate that and want to thank you for being an excellent 6th Lineman.  I get the feeling that sooner or later you're going to break out.

John Moffitt:  You seem like the funniest guy on the Seahawks.  I like funny.  I heard a rumor that your uncle has been to Carlow East and told you about it and that you want to go there one day.  That's awesome.  Thanks for making it easy to root for you on Sunday's.

Evan Moore:  Thanks for not being Kellen Winslow.

Mike Morgan:  You flashed some skills in the preseason but you looked like a turkey against the Vikings in relief of K.J.  It's okay though, everyone gets their shot at redemption, and you made the most of yours.  Thanks for the great play on 4th and 1 against the Jets.  Greene never stood a chance.

Ben Obomanu:  A loyal servant to the Seattle Seahawks.  Thanks for always being classy, Ben.  I never thought that you'd last this long when the team drafted you under the Holmgren regime but alas, you've made it.  Here's to a quick recovery and a valiant return next season.

Russell Okung:  I won't jinx you and say anything about your health.  What I will say is that, penalties aside, you've been nothing short of amazing this season.  Thanks for putting in the hard work necessary to being on top of your game.

Frank Omiyale:  I'll be honest Frank, I thought you were a poor signing and an even poorer selection for the 53 Man Roster.  Funny thing though, I love crow!  You've been solid as hell whenever needed and that deserves a heaping plate of gratitude.

Mike Person:  Thank you for being a real Person.  You also graduated from Montana State.  There's a guy who comes to my bar who graduated from there.  He's cool, so you must be cool too.

Josh Portis:  I honestly thought you had a shot at being the Quarterback of the Future.  I don't know if that says more about you or me, but whatever.  Thanks for giving me that hope with your quarter of inspirational football in a preseason game in San Diego two seasons ago.  You looked like Randall Cunnigham.

Steve Raible:  Before I was old enough to drink and watch games at bars and before I could watch them at home, I listened to games on the radio while following NFL GameCenter simultaneously.  There goes that word again.  Steve Raible taught me how to love the Seahawks.  His passion for the team and the game is contagious and I love it when he loses his shit.  Thanks for the memories, Steve!

Sidney Rice:  See part about health with Russell Okung.  You've stepped up your game this season and good for you.  You deserve it.  You've been through a lot and the time in the weight room is paying off.  Keep it up Sid.  Thanks.  You are also remarkable at spinning a football.

Michael Robinson:  The Real Rob Report helped get me through the off-season.  I don't know if I could have done it without you.  Wanna talk about thankless job?  How about using your body as a battering ram on every single offensive play.  Often times taking on the biggest, fastest, or hardest hitting player on the opposing team head on.  I'm sure Marshawn and Russell Wilson would say thanks a lot, big fella.

Jon Ryan:  What can I say about Jon that hasn't been said before?  The Ginger Bomber holds a special place in my heart right alongside the likes of Jeff Feagles and Isaiah Kacyvenski.  For some reason, I'm just drawn to the dude.  Could be the ginger locks or it could be the monster leg.  Or it could be the fact that he's Canadian or the fact that he dove into the pile trying to recover a fumble during the preseason.  Whatever it is, thanks Jon.

Greg Scruggs:  Coolest athlete ever?  Potentially.  You asked 12's around the great State of Washington to hang out with you and show you around the city.  If that's not cool, then I honestly don't know what is.  Thanks for breaking down the 4th wall and being a real person.  And for the awesome sack dance.

Richard "Ringworm" Sherman:  Ohhhh Sherman, Sherman, Sherman!  What a beast!  The only thing more impressive than your meteoric rise to the top of the NFL is your legendary smack talk.  You back it up every week, which is no small task.  Thanks for reminding me of Muhammed Ali whenever I see you talkin smack out there.  It's supposed to be a fun game and you keep it that way, while also layin' the smackdown.

Malcolm Smith:  Your tireless work ethic is appreciated around these parts.  You've endured a lot to even be in this position.  Hopefully you're ready to seize the day when you get a chance to start on this team.

J.R. Sweezy:  It ain't easy bein Sweezy!  Thanks for punching an elderly man in the face and thanks for turning Tom Cable into a God!  The sky's the limit!

Tanzania:  Need I say more?  I'm thankful for Mount Kilimanjaro and the inspiration it provides our players and fans.  I'm thankful for Paul Allen giving a fudge about Tanzania.  I'm thankful that the team is undefeated with the Tanzania banner up and especially thankful for the fact that whenever it makes an appearance on screen, something good for the Hawks usually follows.  Tanzania All We Got, Tanzania All We Need!

Golden Tate:  It's been a rollercoaster ride cheering for you.  I loved you at first, then I hated you, then I loved you again, had hope, hated you...  good work so far this season.  Don't let it get to your head though.  There's a ton of the dreaded P word in you, let's tap into all of it!  Thanks for hurdling Kyle Wilson on the Jets so that I got to laugh at my friends.

Earl Thomas:  You have the speed of a Jedi.  You make the insane look routine.  Watching you close down on an airborne pass is poetry in motion.  A marvel to behold.  I'll never get tired of watching you play, Earl.  Despite your penchant for dropped interceptions, you are one of the most exciting players on the team.  Thanks.

Walter Thurmond III:  Thanks for having the balls to rock a high top fade.  Seriously, respect.  May your return be filled with pass deflections and interceptions.

Marcus Trufant:  TRUUUU!!!  I should, can, and will write more about you at length at some point because you deserve it.  No joking around here, Tru deserves a giant thank you from everybody for all the work he's done with the Seahawks and the State of Washington.  If he were a New York Yankee people would be lauding the fact that he's played in his hometown state for his ENTIRE LIFE.  Think about that.  That's unheard of in this day and age in sports.  That's why I was so nervous when he was being courted by the Broncos to play safety.  Please, never leave us Tru.  Having a solid season as well, really great to see when many thought he was done.

Robert Turbin:  I can't wait to watch you fully take off, Turbo.  I love everything I've seen so far.  I'm hoping that we'll get to see more of you as the season continues, since you'll be relatively fresh in comparison to the defenders that will be trying to stop you.  Your arms are the size of my head and probably bigger actually.  Thanks for being a freak of nature, Hulk.

Max Unger:  There's something comforting in the fact that your center sounds like a robot.  You are the anti-Tobeck, good sir, and I mean that in the most loving way possible.  Thanks for taking your game to the next level and for persevering through the injuries that held you back early on in your career.  This team wouldn't be the same without you.

Bobby Wagner:  HOLY SHIT!  I mean, I thought you'd be okay and everything but HOLY SHIT!  I won't lie, I was disappointed when the Eagles swooped in and selected Mychal Kendricks with the pick before us.  Can I take that back?  I WAS WRONG.  Wags is the real deal and will only continue to progress, in my opinion.  Thanks for making me look like an ass clown, Bobby.

Leon Washington:  You took the time to give me a shoutout on Twitter.  That's pretty genuine and I'm extremely thankful for that.  Plus, you've always been one of my favorite players, dating back to your time at Florida State.  I always knew you'd have a better career than Reggie Bush.  Can't wait for you to take one to the house!  It's comin!

Russell Wilson:  I could go on and on about #3 but I'll try and keep it as brief as possible.  Everything I ever wanted in a quarterback.  A leader, calm and collected, severely undersized, big arm, mobile, and you wear Levi's.  That makes you a hero in my book sir.  Now go out there and hoist some Lombardi's!  Thanks in advance, sincerely the 12th Man.

K.J. Wright:  What a steal you turned out to be.  I'm all about overgrown linebackers, so when I saw that the Seahawks drafted you I had hope that you'd stick to the 53 Man Roster.  You did that and much much more.  Amazing potential.  Thanks for making me forget about the existence of He Who Shall Not Be Named, Caaron Aurry.

Shoutout to all the guys on the Practice Squad as well.  You deserve more ink but that will come in time.  Keep workin' hard and the 12th Man appreciates the dedication and hard work.  As for the 12th Man, I'm especially proud and thankful to be a part of you.  What an amazing group of fans made up by an amazing group of people.  It's going to feel so good when we finally win the big one, and I think it's going to happen sooner rather than later.  There's just too much positive energy emanating from within for it not to.  Most of all though, I'd like to thank Pete Carroll and John Schneider.  We are so lucky and spoiled to have these two guys in Seattle.  Without them and the rest of their amazing staff, NONE of this would be possible.  We're 6-4 and competitive in every game, a far cry from years prior.  You could even assess that we're hitting our stride at just the right time in the season.  This team was built tough, fast, and physical and was built to withstand the marathon of an NFL season.  The sky really is the limit with this team.  Now enjoy your Thanksgiving and the time with your loved ones (or hated ones if you're with the in-laws, suck it up!) , eat a ton of turkey, and get ready to cheer your balls (or lady parts) off on Sunday!  Oh, and I hope you leave some room for the Dolphin that will be served!

I Got a Seahawks Jones

Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
Got a Seahawks Jones, oh Walter, oo-oo-ooo

Yes, I am the victim of a Seahawks Jones
Ever since I was a little baby, I always be Seahawkin
'In fac', I was de baddest Seahawk in the whole neighborhood
Then one day, my mama bought me a Seahawks jersey
And I loved that Seahawks jersey
I took that Seahawks jersey with me everywhere I went
That Seahawks jersey was like a Seahawks jersey to me

I even put that Seahawks jersey underneath my pillow
Maybe that's why I can't sleep at night
I need help, ladies and gentlemens
I need someone to stand beside Mebane
I need, I need someone to throw a block for Beast

At the goal-line of life, someone I can pass to
Someone to hit the open man in the endzone
And not end up in the coffee machine
So Seagals, help me out

Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
I got a Seahawks Jones, oh Walter, oo-oo-ooo

Oh, that sounds so sweet, sing it out
C'mon coach Carroll, Red Bryant, sing along with me
That be bad, hawky, yeah
I want everybody in the whole CLink
To stand up and sing with us

Oh yeah, sing it out like you're proud
All right, nobody watchin' coast-to-coast
Sing along with us, Brian Russell, sing along with us
Steve Raible, sing along with us
Peter King, don't sing nothin'

Oh, it feels so Golden, give Marshawn the damn ball
We'll go one on one against the 49ers, left-handed
K.J. could stuff Smith from midfield with his toes
E.T. could jump on top of the goal posts
Take off a quarter, leave fifteen cents change
Russ could, Russ could Statue of Liberty behind his back
We got more moves than Ex-Lax We bad

Reggie could tackle with his Tongue
Here we go down field, try to stop us
You can't stop me 'cause I got a Seahawks Jones
Here I come that's my fade pass with my eyebrow
Yeah, Sid could catch passes with his nose
We're, we're bad as King Kong, give Marshawn the ball
I'm hot, I'm hot as, I'm hot as, I'm hot as, uh uh, uh, uh, uh

Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
I got a Seahawks Jones, Seahawks Jones
Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
I got a Seahawks Jones, Seahawks Jones

Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
I got a Seahawks Jones, Seahawks Jones
Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
I got a Seahawks Jones, Seahawks Jones

Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
I got a Seahawks Jones, Seahawks Jones
Seahawks Jones, I got a Seahawks Jones
I got a Seahawks Jones, Seahawks Jones

Yeah Walter, I'm dead serious.  And what you gonna do about it Jason?  When I said I got a Seahawks Jones I meant the deepest sort of blues a sports fan could get from missing their team in action.  I mean, I miss you and all Walter, but I'm perfectly fine with watching Russell Okung develop in front of my eyes.  And Jason, while you've been the metronome of the Seahawks defense, I don't miss you too much.  I'm talkin about the Seahawks Jones.  Every year the bye week swoops through and I just build an utter contempt for the rest of the NFL.  My friends tell me that this was "one of the craziest weeks in NFL history."  I just laugh.  That's crazy to you?  Browns/Cowboys goin to overtime is "crazy?"  Bucs/Panthers???  Jags/Texans?!?!??!?!  Damn our standards are low as a collective...

Look, I understand, Americans love free shit, so OF COURSE overtime games get the blood flowing!  However, what we saw last Sunday was not jawdropping stuff here.  It was just another week in the NFL, and a week where the Seahawks weren't playing.  Nothing new here, even when the Seahawks do play I'm used to them getting the coverage that would be the equivalent of a Division 3 High School Team.  But such is life.  I'm used to it by now.  And I could care less that I just used but to start a sentence.  It works here. 

I guess what I'm saying is...  I don't give a shit about the rest of the NFL.  At all.  I used to care.  I grew up a HUGE fan of the NFL.  Then, I became a Seahawks fan and the NFL gave me nothing.  My friends and enemies alike are probably reading this thinking, "what a hater!"  You're right.  I hate the NFL and everything it stands for nowadays. 

I hate Fantasy Football.  Yes, I'm in a fantasy football league.  My team name you ask?  Seattle Seahawks.  Silly abbreviation?  SEA.  My roster?  The entire 2012 Seattle Seahawks roster, including team defense.  My record?  2-9.  Amount of money on the line?  $40.  Nothing crazy, but when you consider that I just gave away a win to some random opponent who I don't even care to know the name of, you can clearly see that I don't give a shit about fantasy football.  Look, my team has had a rough season so far, they deserved the week off...  Fantasy football has created an army of mindless football drones who know nothing about the actual game but only care to project what said meaningless player they don't give two shits about will do next week.  Bravo.  No more valuable internet space will be wasted here about fantasy football.

I hate Roger Goodell.  The pussification of the game is getting downright embarrassing, and for what?  Every time the league tries to act like it gives a damn about "player safety" it somehow manages to shine through how little they actually care.  I told everyone who would listen that "Bounty Gate" was a sham from the get go.  Other football fans tried to convince me how it was for "the good of the game" but deep down I always knew that it was for the good of the league's wallets.  Everybody knew deep down inside, but everybody loves living in make believe so it's understandable why people didn't want to believe at first.  Goodell continues to implement nothing but bullshit, but he seems to be pretty good at it.  Everyone continues to eat it up, without ever REALLY questioning his authority. 

I hate the way games are broadcast now.  Any time there's even the slightest possibility of showing a big hit, the networks shy away.  They'll show you the entire play in majestic slow-motion, up until the knockout blow!  That, well, that gets hidden under the rug.  I'm continously frustrated by NBC's ability to avoid major contact at all costs.  And while we're on the matter, anyone notice the absense of "Jacked Up?"  I honestly don't, because I haven't watched ESPN in a long time, but people tell me it's gone!  And the Ed Reed "suspension?"  Utterly laughable on so many levels.  The fact that if he were a Cleveland Brown, he'd still be suspended.  The fact that he shouldn't have been "suspended" in the first place.  It's all just a sick, sad joke.  Why even wear helmets at this point?  If you're so adament about helmet to helmet hits, why not just let the players wear leather caps again?  I guarentee you headshots would go down if helmets went away.  It works in Rugby, for those who actually decide to wear the caps.  What's especially ironic about the NFL nowadays is that you have to win while being a good guy on the field, or else your image is tarnished.  However, like Ben Rapelisberger has proven time and time again, you can be the greazy scumbag you aspire to be off the field, no problem.

This isn't all angst and sadness though, because there IS something I love.  The Seattle Seahawks of course.  I love that the Seahawks are a throwback to a bygone era.  I love that they try, AT LEAST TRY, and impose their will on their opponent.  That's what football is all about, at least to me, and it's something I definitely admire.  They might not be all the way there yet, but these things take time.  And time is something I think I have a lot of, maybe.  I also love that they sparked this kind of emotion inside of me and the fact that they always have and always will.  The Seahawks get me feeling like the kid singing this song.  They get me feeling like I'm ready to take on the world.  I'm probably not, but they inspire me to feel that way and that's all I can ask for in this life. 

As you can tell, it was a tough week without the Hawks.  I went through my withdrawals but now I'm focused on Miami.  We've got a legit chance at getting off to a 7-4 start without anyone really giving a flying fudge and I absolutely love that.  I used to care about fantasy football and playoff pictures, but now I just don't give a damn.  I'm just focused on what the Seahawks will do from week to week and it's not only because I'm an extreme sort of Diehard.  It's because I care about and believe in the players and identity of the this team.  I'd love to meet everyone that's a part of this, from Russell Wilson all the way on down to the equipment manager.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I'll just say my peace on the matter.  I'm thankful that I'll never have to watch any other teams play for the pure sake of "entertainment" or for the simple matter that it's better than doing nothing while I work.  I'm thankful that the Seahawks pay homage to the warriors who came before them by playing balls to the wall from whistle to whistle.  Sure, I'm thankful for real life things..  of course, however, the Seahawks are about as real as it gets for me.  It's like the Basketball Jones.  A week away from the Hawks is too much for me, especially when it's full-on football season.  Except for the fantasy footballers of course, their season is coming to an end soon.  Maybe this means I won't have to endure mindless fantasy football jargon and the cheesy cliches that go along with it...

Nah, probably not.

Bittersweet Symphony - A Seattle Experience

Is there anything better?

I never really cared much for the song 'Bittersweet Symphony', especially as the Seahawks entrance music back when.  No, I've always been a fan of 'Voodoo Child' by Seattle's own legendary son, Jimi Hendrix as the song that sets the tone for the beautiful destruction that's about to follow.  This is not about music, however.  It's about how the title of a semi-related to the Seahawks song can so ironically relate to the life of a Seahawks fan.  My recent trip to the Pacific Northwest was the definition of a "bittersweet symphony."  The Seattle experience, if you will, was just as magnificent as I had remembered years ago.  The realization of coming back home to the reality that now existed was the opposite of magnificent.  In short, humans suck, but enough with the cryptic messages about life and humanity, let's get down to the nitty gritty!  The meat and potatoes if you will.  The trip that changed my life! 

If you've ever seen the movie The Rules of Attraction, you'll remember the scene where the beautiful Shannyn Sossamon's character Lauren's feux-boyfriend Victor describes his trip through Europe in a blur.  I could do the same here but I'm not a douche, at least I don't think.  You can find that clip on Youtube by searching The Rules of Attraction montage and I almost posted it in this very space before realizing how NSFW it really is.  Warning, it's not safe for work, at all!  Anyways, I'll breeze through the stuff about Cowgirls Inc., Showgirls, and the Amsterdam Cafe in Vancouver.  I'll also keep it brief about the apparent bet to see which woman has the biggest balls in Vancouver.  30 degree weather and yet the dresses kept getting shorter and shorter as the Saturday evening progressed.  Hats off to the bold women of Canada.  Hats off to the architects and construction workers behind the work at BC Place, the lovely soccer stadium for the Vancouver Whitecaps, as well.  I'll have to make it back for a game someday.

This is a Seahawks post however, so I'll get on with it as I'm sure 50% of you reading this have probably already clicked the X in the upper right hand corner.  Those of you who haven't will now get to read me gush about the Seattle Gameday Experience!  No, not the drones walking around in the yellow jackets that you see at the CLink on Sunday's...  I'm talkin' tailgating!  In short, it was magical.  Shoutouts to my boy Doug and his buddy Storm and the rest of the fine people on 8th Ave and Mass.  Red Hook IPA, Fat Tire, and Rainier for days only to be outdone by the grill masters!  I never thought I'd be cracking open a Giant Oyster while tailgating but I can now cross it off my bucket list.  Quite the experience and delicious as well.  We made the walk to Safeco for a piss, so I can now say that I know what it feels like to be a Mariner, by pissing on Safeco of course.  Ultimately, we missed out on the raising of the 12th Man Flag, the flyover, and most importantly the debut of Paul Allen's bands entrance music.  Sad stuff but what's a guy flying over 3,000 miles for the game to do?  NOT get a pregame buzz goin?  Fat (Tire) chance!  Now, on to the game!

My hope was to sit in the Hawks Nest for the awesome experience, however, my 'New Yawk' buddies let down the state's great reputation for producing tough guys and refused to sit there due to the potential for rain, "a bad view", and the potential harassment from rowdy Hawks fans.  Lame, I know.  What can ya do though, right?  So I ended up in 309 with some pretty cool 'Hawks fans around me, so I can't complain.  No one told me to sit down and everyone was down for high fives and fist bumps, good times.  I even met a dude who had lived in NYC and knew one of my favorite restaurants in my neighborhood, small world.  Speaking of small world, I bumped into a fellow Hawks fan on the subway ride to JFK airport.  He too was flying to Seattle for the game.  That would set the tone for the awesome Seahawks fans I'd meet on this trip.  You all rock!

I'm not gonna lie, I got a little nervous midway through the 1st half.  The Jets were bringing pressure early and often and just owning our Offensive Line.  However, unlike their pregame predictions, Russell Wilson DID NOT get rattled!  Wilson was fantastic in the 2nd Half after a rough beginning to the game and once again showed why we're all so damn excited about the prospects of him only getting better.  And those designed runs?  Music to my eyes.

Richard Sherman gets a shoutout here.  I felt that his interception in the endzone changed the entire game.  Things were looking a little shaky before he baited Sanchito perfectly and made the pick.  I honestly thought that he didn't step out of bounds, but what do I know, I was in 309.  Regardless, "Tricky Dick Sherman" was today's gamebreaker in my opinion.  He was all over the place as his statline would indicate and he made big plays whenever the Hawks needed them most.

I also loved the minor contributions of countless Hawks like Irvin, Tate, Rice, Wilson, Lynch, and Miller.  I also enjoyed watching Bobby Wagner in person, as well as seeing Brandon Browner chase down another player to save a touchdown.  I know folks have talked about it already, but it's a sight to behold.  He just gets into top speed so quickly and then brings down his man with such authority, it's such a beautiful sight!

You know what else is a beautiful sight?  Those Rugby-like scrum plays where the Offensive Line helps push Marshawn forward for an extra 4 or 5 yards.  The first time I ever saw it was on this play, against the Giants a few years ago..

Now it seems to happen every few games or so.  Absolutely love it.  I also love all the trick plays that Darrell Bevell has brought over with him.  We had the game with the Rams last season where we ran two halfback passes, two beautifully thrown passes from Sidney Rice in the past two seasons, and now the TD pass from Golden to Rice.  I'm all about the trickeration, so this is something that I certainly can get used to.

As the Seahawks run game and defense continued to smother Tebow and his buddies, the rain began to fall.  I really got the Seattle experience this time!  I couldn't help but get distracted by the sight of the Big Wheel getting swallowed by the cloudy mist in the distance.  I don't think I have to tell you all how amazing the CLink is.  Whether it's day or not, the thing is just a masterpiece and will always be relevant and never outdated, unlike other modern stadiums which are clearly prisoners of the moment if you will. 

So the Seahawks won and I finally had the bragging rights among my friends.  Funny story, this same group went to watch the Jets smother the Hawks at the Meadowlands in 04, the same game where Jerry Rice cought a TD pass.  Somehow, as fate would have it, that ended up being a trivia question at Sunday's game.  Fun stuff.  The fun continued at Alysium after the game for some more awesome local beers before heading towards the UDistrict for the Sounders game!  Although the Sounders got smoked, the singing and cheering from the fans was incredible.  It certainly got the Spaniard/Argentinian blood flowing in yours truly.  Great participation, the fans from Athletic Bilbao would certainly be proud of you all!

All in all, an excellent time had by all.  Any time the Seahawks win it's a day that's better than the rest but the victory teamed up with the great people of Seattle (don't worry, the Seattle Freeze WAS in affect throughout the weekend.  I completely understand the initial cold shoulder, I was proud of you guys for showing it to my friends!) and great friends made this past week legendary.  I'll definitely make it out before another 5 years pass by and we'll all get to know each other much better when I'm not playing sherpa.  The Seahawks now sit pretty at 6-4 with a perfectly placed bye week before heading back to the NFL doldrums of the East Coast AKA Sun Life Stadium.  After dropping a pretty penny I could use the week off from football to pick up some shifts at work.  The universe and the Seahawks all acting as one.  Thanks for the memories, Seattle, I love you!

P.S. And on the 7th Day, God created Dick's Drive-In.  $4.60 for a Deluxe and some fries?  You can't beat that!  Especially a burger that's better than most of the crap you'll find anywhere else!   So good, you never catch yourself laughing at the name like you're a teenager. Cause the food is serious! Damn good.

 

 

The Inspiration:  Nothing's more fitting for this weekend, for me at least, than 'Hey Joe' by mah brotha Jimi!  Take it away Jimi!

 



Shootin' for the Moon like Warren

"Late night shooting for the moon like Warren" - Hoodie Allen

I saw a leader, poised and blessed with savvy.  While his teammates around him struggled with assignments, tackling, and catching passes, I saw a man who kept his cool.  He had ice water running through his veins.  To borrow a phrase from Andre Lauren Benjamin, he was "smooth like a hot comb on nappy ass hair."  The level of his game never dipped when his team needed him most and that's starting to become a trademark of his.  His name is Russell Wilson and this was a signature performance.

Let's go back to a time when things weren't quite so rosey for the Seahawks 3rd round draft pick out of Wisconsin.  October 2nd, 2012.  The 'Hawks had just dropped a tough one in St. Louis.  It was a game that many expected the Hawks to win, themselves included.  It was a game that featured 3 interceptions, all of the fluke variety, from #3.  A large group of Seahawks fans had their torches and pitchforks out and wanted blood.  They wanted Matt Flynn.  In the words of Lee Corso, not so fast my friend!  No, not everyone wanted Russell Wilson's head on a stick, certainly not me and certainly not former Seahawks QB Warren Moon.  Moon had this to say after the debacle under the arch..

 

"This kid is in his fourth football game in the National Football League, his team is 2-2, right in the thick of their division, he had one bad outing which wasn't even a bad outing – some of those things were out of his control – and people are ready to pull the plug,"

 

"Just be patient with the guy, let him fight through this and hopefully we continue to keep winning football games as we do it."

 

 

I found this quote from Moon even more interesting..

"If you want to get the most out of Russell Wilson, get him more involved in what you're doing offensively, let him throw the football, let him play action, let him get outside, let him do some of those things that he does best, that he was doing in the preseason," Moon said. "They're not doing that right now."

Turns out Moon was right.  Turns out that Moon might know a thing or two about good ole' #3.  Part of that comes with having decades of experience in professional football under his belt.  The other part of it stems from something more human.  My feeling is that Warren Moon sees a lot of himself in Russell Wilson.  Forget the physical similarities for a minute, because there aren't many.  Moon wins the eyeball test and the tale of the tape hands down save for mobility.  You could make a case for arm strength and even then it's a bit of a stretch to say that Russell Wilson has a "Warren Moon" type arm.  Moon is known as one of the game's all-time great gunslingers so it'll be a while before Russell can state his case, although I feel the potential is there.  Where I think they are extremely similar is in the intangibles area.  Now we all know it's tough to quantify the intangibles and exactly how important they are but there's no denying their existance.

Moon at UW

Hard worker, cool as a cucumber, overlooked, underappreciated, and told to change positions coming out of college.  Sound familiar?  Much like Russell Wilson, Warren Moon followed a similar path to the NFL.  After leading the Huskies to a Rose Bowl victory over the Wolverines in 1978, Moon found that the only interest any NFL teams had in him was not at Quarterback, the position he had played and excelled at his entire life, but instead at Tight End since NFL teams were still racist?...  and did not believe a black quarterback could start and succeed in the NFL.  And while people have evolved in certain areas and Russell Wilson wasn't subjected to this same outlandish outcasting, he did face his own "color barrier" of sorts.  His height.

Lucky for Russell, John Schneider didn't give a damn about height.  Lucky for Pete Carroll and the 12th Man too.  Warren Moon wasn't so lucky.  He spent 6 seasons north of the border with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL before heading back down to the States to play in the NFL.  So the man knows a thing or two about going through adversity.  It's in this area that Warren Moon is a wise choice to help mentor the former Wolfpack and Badger.  Warren Moon has faced all the challenges that Russell is going through right now.  He's been through it all, and worse, and managed to keep a cool demeanor all while becoming the first player (Bud Grant did it as a coach) enshrined in both the Pro Football Half of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.  Moon also silenced all the critics by becoming the first black Quarterback ever in the Hall of Fame.  The case could be made that Warren Moon is the original Russell Wilson. 

Moon said that Wilson could handle more and we've seen that come true in the past few weeks.  We're starting to see some of the things that got us thinking Super Bowl in the preseason.  What impresses me so much about Wilson is his cool demeanor under pressure.  He just never seems to react to anything that happens during the game with too much emotion.  We've seen him frustrated (Arizona game) and jubilant (Green Bay game) afterwards but during the heat of the moment he's as focused as they come.  I genuinely love the fact that I know I won't ever have to worry about him throwing a tantrum like Cutler or throwing teammates under the bus.  What also impresses me is his ability to step up in the pocket and just throw absolute lasers to his receivers, as well as his uncanny ability to feel and avoid pressure.  This blend of abilities makes me feel like I'm watching the love child of Fran Tarkenton and Warren Moon on a weekly basis.

 

 

 

What's next for #3?  We'll see.  When watching his highlight videos before the draft and from having watched him play for both NC State and Wisconsin, what always amazed me was how many incredible catches his receivers were able to make.  Normally this would be used to detract from a quarterback's abilities but with Russell it's different somehow.  We even saw it in the preseason with some of the catches Braylon Edwards was able to make on throws from Wilson.  Call it luck, call it determination, call it fate, call it whatever.  We'll just have to agree that Russell Wilson, when given the keys to the cadillac, has the ability to make everyone around him better.  Guys like Brady, Brees, Rodgers, the true elites in this league, have an ability to make their receivers better.  They have the confidence to go to less heralded receivers consistently and this confidence is contagious.  Russell Wilson has that quality and we're beginning to see it put out there on display.  Something tells me that if Jermaine Kearse gets a mulligan for his inexcusable drop against the Vikings he'll make the most of it this time, since he now knows that as long as he continues to get open #3 will continue to look his way.

 

 

 

 

Finally, what's most impressive about Wilson to me, is his ability to cater his game to the type of game his team needs from him with little to no drop off in performance.  He can be the efficient game manager, the gunslinger, the escape artist, the leader, and whatever else this team needs him to be on a play by play, game by game basis.  He is that versatile.  Minnesota came out fast and the Seahawks needed Wilson to keep them in the game and he did just that and with excellent proficiency.  He nearly single handedly weathered the early storm for Seattle and kept them competitive until the defense and especially the running game were able to take over and milk this one away.  All of this is not to say that Russell Wilson is perfect, no, he still makes his share of rookie mistakes.  He still has that throw or two per game that sails high on him and he still has to develop some chemistry with guys like Doug Baldwin but these are minor issues that can be corrected and achieved through time.  Hey wait, isn't that what his mentor Warren Moon told us to give Russellmania, time?  In the words of Dave Gahan, "gonna take my time, I've got all the time in world" if it means letting Russell Wilson mature into a franchise quarterback.  It seems he's well on his way. 

 

The Inspiration:  The smooth sounds of "Spottieottiedopaliscious" by Outkast