Sunday, January 27, 2013
I'm Back!
I took a long break from the blog, for numerous personal reasons, but now I'm back. There will be some big changes and more opinions on the way!
Friday, February 10, 2012
NBA & NHL Bound for Seattle?
Celebrate! Seattle! Your dreams may be becoming a reality!
By: Evan Haines
I find myself being infatuated by all the arena talk on sports talk radio, and around the metaphorical northwest sports water cooler. The rumblings turned into rumors and the rumors turned into reports about the city of Seattle building a new arena in the SoDo district. The land which is occupied currently by warehouses was purchased by Tacoma native and wealthy hedge fund manager Chris Hansen. This percolated my interest even further when reports which were confirmed by Mayor Mike McGinn’s office that they have been negotiating for 8 months about a new multipurpose arena that could house a NBA franchise along with a NHL franchise. This is truly great news considering that the typical Northwest/Seattle sports fans have a deep seated hatred of all things David Stern and still feels hurt by the Sonics moving to OKC. The scars are deep and you just can’t forget the way the Sonics were violently ripped away from the city of Seattle, and not to mention the 40 plus years of history. The franchises that could relocate to Seattle would be the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. Who both have serious ownership issues, but the Kings have an old arena that is unsuitable for modern NBA. The Coyotes have a state of the art building but a fly by night fan base and have owned by the NHL for 3 years.
My euphoria abruptly turned to absolute joyful hysteria to the brink of balling like a child, when I heard Seattle Times reporter Steve Kelly on the Kevin Calabro Show say that Sacramento Kings could be playing in Seattle as soon as fall of 2012. The Seattle Sonics and the NBA were my first sports love a child, I remember going to Sonics exhibition games in the Spokane Arena. Glued to the TV when they were on, and crying when they got beat by the Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the finals in 1996. I dreamed of throwing down a tomahawk jam like the Reignman Shawn Kemp (even though I can’t jump and stand 5’11”!!!!), and Gary Payton could do no wrong. So this talk of a NBA team returning to Seattle is very near and dear to my heart. The NHL on the other hand is exciting but it doesn’t mean as much to me as the Sonics did.
The NHL in Seattle would great, because it would exposes kids to what I know is already a great sport. Seattle’s proximity to the Vancouver Canucks would breed a tremendous and fearsome rivalry. The NHL product has everything you want in a sport, big hits, offense, speed, and so much more. Remember the feeling the country had about the 2010 U.S. Olympic team almost defeating the juggernaut Canadian team in the Vancouver winter games? That feeling of passion and excitement will return to the city, if a NHL team is relocated to the Emerald City. I love hockey and I love the NHL, but I’m not sure if I will embrace the new team as quickly as others will. The primary reason being, that I already have a team that I root for, and I am emotionally attached to. That team is the Buffalo Sabres, which I have been a fan of since the mid-1990s. For the diehard NHL fan like me it’s not as exciting as the casual fan, but I’m going to down play the significance of the NHL possibly coming to the Seattle.
All in all, I am very excited and somewhat optimistic for a new arena and two new Seattle franchises. Basketball and the NBA have very rich tradition in the city of Seattle, and Seattle deserves a team. The Sonics were the first team in Seattle to win a major sports championship (1979), while the Mariners and Seahawks were still trying to hit their stride. The Sonics were part of my childhood and probably most Washington sports fans as well, it’s not just about a team but about a bound we shared with the team, and happy childhood memories that remind us of a simpler time in our lives. I’m not proud of taking away a franchise from another city, but it is a necessary evil that should be done. We'll know by March 1st the future of the Sacramento Kings, because that's the NBA's hard deadline for them to get an arena financial plan in order.
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn on Kevin Calabro Show via. 710 KIRO AM
CBC's Eliot Friedman on Buffalo's WGR550 Howrd Simon Show discussing NHL in Seattle
King 5's Chris Daniels Story about Sacramento's mad dash to save the Kings
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Seahawks Quarterback Quandary
I'm not sure what going in the picture, but I think Tarvaris Jackson
doesn't have much of an idea either.
By: Evan Haines
The Seahawks finished with the same record in 2011 that they finished in the 2010 season, at 7-9. They finished with the same record back to back years but yet the general consensus is that the 2011 team is remarkably better than the 2010 version, thanks to Carroll, Schneider, and company. The position that is in dire need is the most important and most overhyped in all of sports. That would be the quarterback, two different seasons and two different quarterbacks same results. Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Hasselbeck are very different QBs, with different strengths and weaknesses. They may be very different players but they do have something in common, they pose the same problems; inconsistent and sometimes erratic play at times.
Which QB is which?
CMP ATT CMP% YDS AVG TD LNG INT FUM RAT
A. 271 450 60.2 3,091 6.87 14 61 13 5 79.2
B. 266 444 59.9 3,001 6.76 12 87 17 6 73.2
First off, I would like state for the record I will criticize a player’s toughness, Jackson demonstrated his grit playing through a couple of performance hindering and not to mention painful injuries. This year I found myself yelling angrily at the TV for Tarvaris to get rid of the ball quicker, and he would also stare down receivers. The Seahawks need a game changer, a guy who isn’t just a game manager. Usually, a team with a great or an “elite” quarterback can put a team over the top and take them to the promise land. The NFL has transformed into a passing league and you need a an able QB back there to be assertive, and make a play, lead the team down field in the final minutes to win a game. Tarvaris has not shown the ability to do any of that, it’s nothing personal; it’s just the reality of the situation. Seattle has not had a truly elite big time quarterback; Matt Hasselbeck, was a good quarterback but not great. When the Seahawks were a great team they relied more on their outstanding run game that was anchored at the time by league MVP Shawn Alexander.
Tarvaris couldn’t ever get the Viking over the top with his 36 games played at Minnesota, he had the best rushing attack in the league with Adrian Peterson, and you would think having such an outstanding run game would take the pressure off him and so he could flourish without bearing the entire load. It’s obvious that I’m not a fan of TJack’s play but what are the available options of the Seahawks? Should the Seahawks draft a Quarterback, or pursue one via free agency? Here is my master plan for the Seahawks, hey John Schneider are you listening?
Option #1
Draft Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill
Texas A&M
6'4"
222 Lbs
Senior
23 Years Old
I'll admit it I have a huge man crush on Texas A&M's signal caller Ryan Tannehill, he is an attractive option for the Seahawks. He may not be a top tier or once in a generation guy like Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, but he is no slouch. The asking price for the first and second round will be too steep, and I don't think the Seahawks will mortgage their future like that. Tannehill is an intriguing prospect at least from my vantage point, he is a stud athlete. He started two years at A&M as a QB. He was actually recruited to be a wide receiver at Texas A&M, so that shows how much of a great athlete he is.
The problem with a drafting a prospect is that he needs time to develop, with that being said if you draft Tannehill; there is a good chance that we will have to endure another season with Tarvaris Jackson at the helm of the Seahawks offense. Tarvaris is a great bridge quarterback, but you must be patient so Tannehill can develop. You don't want what happened with Blaine Gabbert and the Jacksonville Jaguars who was rushed into a bad situation, and now he is seriously struggling. The Seahawks are picking at number 11 or 12 and Tannehill projection is anywhere from a mid/late first rounder or 2nd rounder. You don't have to pick a QB in the top ten to have a great QB. The Saint's Drew Brees (pick 32), Bengals rookie Andy Dalton (pick 35), was a 2nd round pick and both have been highly successful.
The Seahwaks first four picks are at 12, 43, 76, 106
Ryan Tannehill's Stats:
SEASON CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT
2011 327 531 3744 61.6 7.05 79 29 15 9 133.2
2010 152 234 1638 65.0 7.00 64 13 6 12 137.0
Option #2
Sign Matt Flynn
Matt Flynn
6' 2"
225 Lbs
LSU
26 Years Old
Matt Flynn is the newest sensation and is the Matt Cassel of 2012. A backup quarterback that got his shot and now will the be the hottest free agent in the 2012 off season. Flynn who led LSU to a national championship in 2007 comes from a big time college football program has the pedigree. He has had two career starts and shinned in both games, he threw for six touchdowns and 480 yards in week 16 against the Detroit Lions. He is the only Packer to throw for six touchdowns in a game, and considering who the starter is and the Packers greats of the past that's no small feat.
Option #3
Trade for Mark Sanchez???
Mark Sanchize? I think not.
I don't know about this one, it's just rumor and conjecture. It appears all isn't well in Jets land players calling out Mark Sanchez's work ethic, and the Jet's locker room being called a terrible place to be. I seriously doubt the Jets would trade Mark Sanchez, and do Seahawks fans want him? I'm not sure I would want him, but who knows? Perhaps his former college coach spark something in him and get the best out of him.
Other options (via Draft):
Boise State's Kellen Moore
Wisconsin's Russel Wilson
*stats courtesy of ESPN.com*
*stats courtesy of ESPN.com*
Monday, October 10, 2011
Winnipeg Jets Bring Back Many Emotions, and Not Just Hockey Related
New uniforms, new city, unfortunately for the Jets are still that bad
hockey team that used to play in Atlanta.
As an NHL fan and as a fan who lost his team to the another city I sympathize with the great city of Winnipeg. The team that I lost is the of course was the Seattle Super Sonics, that team was very near and dear to my heart and so many fans. Seattle is a basketball town and deserves a NBA franchise, just like the city of Winnipeg is a hockey city and deserved an NHL franchise. I see a lot of parallels between the two teams being relocated both were passionate markets for their teams, both cities lost there team to a questionable professional sports markets (Winnipeg to Phoenix, Seattle to Oklahoma City). As an NHL fan I'm a traditionalist I think cities like Winnipeg, Quebec City, Hartford, aka traditional hockey markets should have teams. I have nothing against Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, or any other of these "non-traditional" markets for the NHL. Ok, enough of this wishy washy nostalgia it's time for the game. The Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in attendance, along with the NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and there was a grand celebration of all things Winnipeg Jets. I also would like to mention I really enjoyed the great tribute to former Manitoba Moose, and ex-Vancouver Canuck Rick Rypien who passed away tragically over the summer. Rypien is name very familiar to Washington State Cougar fans, Rick was Cougar great and Super XXVI MVP Mark Rypien's cousin. Despite all the celebration and a full MTS Centre the NHL world was reminded that the Winnipeg Jets are the same bad team that left Atlanta. The Jets gave up the first goal to Canaidens sniper Mike Cammalleri at the 3:05 mark in the first period, that seemed to let the air out of the fans at the MTS Centre. It was 1-0 but you almost felt that the Jets weren't in the game considering Montreal was controlling the play and has just missed on a slick passing play that missed Brian Gionta's stick. Overall really excited for Winnipeg and the Jets, but it's going to be a rough and very cold (Thanks Winnipeg Winters!) winter for the Jets and their fans.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Play Clipboard Jesus! It couldn't get any worse!
Give Charlie a chance! Win Forever!
I find myself in a sad state as I write this, after this last weekend of bad football. Where should I start? The Cougars 2nd half implosion versus Sand Diego State, the Seahawks laying an egg in Steeltown, and BYU just falling apart and wetting themselves with EIGHT FUMBLES and a embarrassing 54-10 loss to the much hated Utah Utes. As I'm watching these events unfold on the couch and the misery of my favorite college teams transpire in front of me Saturday night, I reassuringly tell myself it will get better. I don't know why I told myself that it would be better tomorrow, I'm really off my rocker. I must be really naive or, maybe because I usually am hopelessly optimistic or just an idiot! I didn't have much hope because of the Seahawks pitiful performance last week against the San Francisco 49ers and the daunting match up with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks couldn't be much worse against the Steelers, they got steam rolled 24-0! All I can say is that was a really rough weekend for my teams. After this I came to the conclusion that Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer, he is horribly indecisive and seems rather uneasy in the pocket, and not to mention holds on to the ball too LONG! It was so depressing to watch the hawks on Sunday, I must have been in a delirious state induced by losing and despair. I was flipping between the Seahawks game and NFL Red Zone, and I found myself saying Wow! Ryan Fitzpatrick is really good! Sad? Huh?
How much damage could putting Charlie Whitehurst in the game do? When your at the bottom there is no where else to go but up, one would think. I have been saying this phrase to myself a disturbing amount of times during the last three plus years (thanks Cougs, Mariners, & Seahawks!), God, being a Northwest fan sucks sometimes! I know the Seahawks have a bad O-line and can't protect the Quarterback backside to save their lives, but I don't care. Frankly at this point I'm just tired of seeing TJack out there! Yes! Only two games, and I'm tired of number seven. Now I know why Minnesota was so eager to ditch him for Brett Favre. I also feel for Charlie, I think he got a raw deal.What happened to Pete Carroll's mantra of always compete? Jackson was just handed the job for reasons unknown to me, the starting job when he signed in August. Charlie is not Peyton Manning or even Matt Hasselbeck, but I honestly think he's better than Jackson. Hope will be restored when the Hawks beat the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday, considering the Cardinas let Rex Grossman carve their defense up. I like the Seahawks chances! At this point I would rather have Mike Kaftka than Tarvaris Jackson! I wonder how long it will take Seahawks fans to start chanting Charlie next week? The first series if the offense goes three and out, is my guess. At this rate if the Seahawks continue the play this bad, they could be staring at the top pick in next spring's NFL Draft. Which means! Andrew Luck! Hallelujah! At this point I would say the Seahawks could win maybe three games, not looking good at this point. It's going to be a really really really long season, unfortunately. I'm just glad I have the NHL to boost my spirits, thank you Gary Bettman!
Andrew Luck would look damn good in Seahawks Blue!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
I'm have two Cougars in my life and I'm quite happy
about it, just as long as there are no huskies or purple!
By: Cougz4Life509
It's almost here! Another exciting season of college football is about to kickoff! In little more than a week we start with games on Thursday night, mostly powers playing patsies. As a Wazzu fan I'm cautiously optimistic for Paul Wulff's fourth year at the helm, returning studs like Junior QB Jeff Tuel, Sophmore WR Marquess Wilson, and Senior WR Jared Karstetter make me hopeful. Considering the last two and a half to three years have been a hellish nightmare record at five and thirty two, and two of the wins coming against FCS opponents; I'm a little gun shy! Newcomers like Henry Eaddy, Rahmel Dockery, Ian Knight, just to name a few. It also looks like the Cougs finally have some depth on both sides of the ball, and not to mention Pacific Twelve Conference talent and speed. Finally! I can't believe Jared is a senior already! That tall skinny freshman back in the 2008 Apple Cup making a great grab assist Kevin Lopina, to set up the game tying field goal. Our defense is young but experienced, and that scares the hell out of me. I think we can put up the points on our opponents, but can we stop them from dancing into the end zone? If the Cougs "D" plays like it did last season against Oregon State in Corvallis, we will be in good shape. I like our young secondary, especialy Deone Bucannon and Nolan Washington. Our Linebackers in the beginning of the year and in the Apple Cup were suspect to say the least, I hope Senior Alex Hoffman-Ellis can lead our young Linebackers and improve and stop the running attack. I still have nightmares about the UCLA game from last year!
Even though I'm a die hard WSU fan, there is another team in my life that I have a "sports crush" on and that is the other Cougars, The Brigham Young Cougars! Since I was raised in a WSU household there was period when I strayed from the crimson and the gray ( and wanted to find a team that I could call my own) and starting following another team by the same mascot. I remember those god awful uniforms BYU had in the late nineties and early two-thousands. I have always been drawn to the picturesque back drop of LaVell Edwards Stadium, the BYU "Air Raid" offense, and to pull out a 8 year old's reasoning they are Cougars too! As a kid I always dreamed suiting up for the Crimson and Grey Cougs or the Blue and White for BYU on the grid iron To answer the next question, I'm not a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. The first thing I'm looking for this year is how BYU will handle it's newly aquired independent status, it seems they have the resources to make a successful transition. Personally I was secretly wanting BYU to join the Pac-12, even though I think the California schools would object (especially the folks in Berkeley). Bringing the Utah and BYU Holy War rivaly to the Pac-12 would be a thing of beauty! It's one of the best rivalries and that is just downright nasty at times, it's not just school vs. school, city vs. city, it's religion vs. religion. I would consider myself a rational person, and I think Colorado is a better fit and would benefit the conference more than bringing BYU into the fold. Speaking of conferences, how about that Texas A&M SEC rumors?
Tired of being in Texas's shadow A&M is really steamed at Texas (can you blame them?) and wants desperately to to jettison the Big-12 as fast as possible. I can see why Nebraska said #@$! you to Texas and bolted for the Big 10. I'm quite shocked that Oklahoma has not been more of a vocal opposition against Texas's greed. As a Coug fan I really hate what Texas is doing to the Big-12, they are giving everyone in that conference finger and saying look at me! This IS OUR CONFERENCE! They signed the mega twenty year television deal with the evil four letter network and will launch the Longhorn Sports Network this fall. They have alienated their Big-12 brethren and left off with a huge cash cow. Unfortunately the SEC did not vote to extend an invitation to Texas A&M, bud didn't rule it out for the future. Texas's reaction to A&M being snubbed by SEC, NOW YOUR STUCK WITH US! This brings up the super conference deal again, and the speculation will rampant about who is going were. According to ESPN's cracker jack reporting A&M was joining and the SEC along with Florida State and Clemson (who are in the ACC). What does this mean for our conference? I think we should keep as is, for now. Commissioner Larry Scott should be commended for his grand efforts in elevating the Pac-12, which has long been thought of as USC and everyone else. If we were expand to sixteen schools who would you invited? Well first off, definitely not Texas! Maybe TCU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma & Oklahoma State? Were does that leave the Kansas schools, or Baylor and Iowa State, or even Mizzou? Isn't it fun the speculate? The super conference circus will continue in this arms race for television exposure, money, and football facilities. In the long run I'm OK with that, just as long as they don't make the Cougs drop down to FCS, or do something that doesn't make any sense!
Finally, heading down to God's Country for the Idaho State game on September 3rd, pretty jacked up for the season! I hope to have reports from Pullman for every home game, really looking forward to the Oregon State game at Century Link Field on the 22nd of October. My expectations are 5 to 6 wins for the Cougs. I know the offense is going to be pretty good but I'm still quite worried about our defense, especially our D-Line. I'm not in the camp of bowl of bust for the Cougs, I'm rooting for coach Wulff and hope he will be our coach after the season. I don't envy our fearless leader Athletic Director Bill Moos, and that's all I'm going to say about that.
Pac-12 Sizzle Video for your enjoyment!
GO COUGS!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
NHL Realignment
Since Winnipeg's return to the NHL, here is my proposed division re-alignment after the 2012 season of course.
Western Conference
Northwest Division
-Edmonton
-Colorado
-Vancouver
-Calgary
-Winnipeg
Central Division
-Chicago
-Minnesota
- St. Louis
- Detroit
-Columbus
Pacific Division
-San Jose
-Los Angeles
-Anaheim
-Dallas
-Phoenix
Eastern Conference
Northeast Division
-Buffalo
-Boston
-Montreal
-Toronto
-Ottawa
Atlantic Division
-New York Rangers
-New York Islanders
-Pittsburgh
-Philadelphia
Southwest Division
-Nashville
-Carolina
-Florida
-Tampa Bay
-Washington
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