Within minutes of the final outcome Sunday afternoon, I received this text from my girlfriend:
“Are you okay?”
Normally, I take Seattle sports losses pretty hard. When the Seahawks lose on Sundays, it usually ruins my day and sours my week. Then on Friday and Saturday I start building up hope that the Seahawks will finally prove my unwavering support is worth the heartache, and that my wish for a win-streak-inducing victory will come true.
The late, great Dave Neihaus was once asked how he managed to come to work every day with a smile on his face while the Mariners suffered through horrendous season after horrendous season. Neihaus, the diehard baseball enthusiast, said that each day he believed the Mariners were going to kick-start their season and turn the horrible losses into wonderful wins.
No matter how horrible the Seahawks performed on any given Sunday they always had a chance at redemption seven days later.
As I pondered my response to the ‘Are you okay?’ text message, I noticed something odd. I wasn’t mad and I wasn’t frustrated. I was, in fact, okay with the Seahawks loss to the Bears that ended this often-painful, yet somehow-glorious 2010-2011 season.
The Hawks were never supposed to be in this position. We weren’t supposed to win our division, let alone make the playoffs. And we definitely weren’t supposed to beat the Saints last weekend. Why then am I at peace after such a painful loss?
Because, compared to other teams’ fan bases this year, the Seahawks fans were treated to a five-course meal in a luxury hotel. Other fans were forced out of their rooms at the Four Seasons in the middle of the night and given nothing but room service leftovers to tide them over.
Not following? Let me explain.
This post season, the Seahawks won one more playoff game than the Saints and Colts (Super Bowl teams a year ago), the Patriots and Falcons (no. 1 seeds), and the Chiefs and Eagles (division winners, winning regular season records, hosted playoff games) combined. Entering the post season, Seahawks fans felt honored just to have a team to cheer for, while fans of these six one-and-done franchises watched their Super Bowl aspirations fall apart without a taste of playoff victory.
However, the pain of Sunday’s loss was numbed not just by last week’s victory over the Saints, but by the Seahawks performance in the second half and the ‘never-give-up’ attitude I saw from most of the players on the field.
Down 28-0 at halftime, the Hawks could have easily given up; thrown in the towel; raised the white flag in surrender to the Bears. Instead, the Hawks showed a resiliency I hadn’t seen all season; we never panicked. Hasselbeck, who proved to me he deserves one final year at the helm, didn’t force throws into triple-coverage just to try and make a play. He played a mistake-free game and actually had us in a position for a miraculous comeback late in the second half.
Late in the third quarter, many tweeting media-members mocked the Seahawks decision to kick a field goal, but not I. The Hawks needed points--needed to prove that they could put something on the scoreboard against the vaunted Bears defense. So the Hawks took the three points. Then, when the Hawks got the ball back, they marched down the field and put another seven on the board. Suddenly, they were attempting an onside kick with just over 11 minutes to play. Memories of Eagles-Giants from earlier this year started to creep into my head.
I could speak all day about the what-ifs in this game. What if Carlson didn’t get injured on the first drive? What if Babineaux came up with that second-quarter interception? What if our receivers didn’t drop crucial passes and Lawyer Milloy anticipated Greg Olsen’s third-and-two seam route? But, the biggest ‘what-if’ of them all: What if the Hawks had recovered that onside kick?
Three Seahawks had a chance at a recovery but all three whiffed. Had any of them recovered that kick, the Hawks would have been looking at a short field with an opportunity to turn this potential blow-out into a two-score game with plenty of time remaining. I know, playing the ‘what-if’ game is simply a way to drum up excuses to ease the pain of another defeat.
Yet, looking at the box score, the Seahawks scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. No matter what the deficit, the Seahawks kept fighting. If that Eagles-Giants game earlier this season proved anything, it’s that as long as there is time left on the clock, there is an opportunity for a comeback. Even as the final buzzer sounded, I was proud of my Seahawks for playing hard until the clock hit triple zeroes, no matter what adversity was thrown their way.
Sitting here, pondering the future for the Seahawks (if there even is an NFL season next year), I feel much better about the potential for success then I did a year ago. Hell, last year the Hawks had no coach, no general manager, had just wrapped up one of the worst seasons in franchise history and had a myriad of roster holes to fill.
This year, they’ve clearly found the coach and general manager to bring us back to the top of the NFC West and have slowly but surely started filling out their roster with quality, competitive players. Of the 283 roster moves made this year, none are bigger for the Seahawks’ future than the acquisitions of Leon Washington, Mike Williams and Marshawn Lynch. Now, all we need is for Pete Carroll to continue his roster-shaping magic so the Hawks can repeat as NFC West champs.
So, in response to my girlfriend’s question: Am I okay? Well, is Colt Luger gun-happy? The answer: of course. Besides, we are only 32 weeks away from the start of the 2011 NFL regular season.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Keys to the Game: Hawks vs. Bears
Sunday, Seahawks, Soldier Field…Super Bowl?
Yes, the Seahawks are two wins away from The Big Game (sorry Cal and Stanford, the Super Bowl is way bigger than your Bay Area football rivalry). Sure, it’s going to take some historic efforts for the Hawks to continue this improbable run, but weirder things have happened.
Did you know that the last five teams to make the playoffs with a regular season record of .500 or worse are 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs? After all the talk of the Seahawks not deserving a home playoff game, they just happened to be the only team to win at home on Wild-card Weekend. In fact, the last time three home-teams lost on the Wild-card Weekend was 2005…when…the Hawks made the Super Bowl.
It’s not a far-fetched idea to think the Seahawks can knock off the Bears, come home to beat the Packers in the NFC Championship and then travel to Dallas. Of course we’d need a little luck and A LOT of hard work, but this team is hitting its stride at the perfect time.
Hey, it could happen...
Key Match-up: O-line vs. D-line
Mark my words; the big boys up front are going to determine the outcome of this game. We can’t dwell on the first match-up between these two teams because it was week 6. The Hawks were coming off a bye, Lance Briggs didn’t play and the Bears were still trying to figure out how to fix a porous O-line. That being said, the first match-up did show us one thing: Russell Okung can hold his own against Julius Peppers.
One of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL, Peppers was held sackless as Okung, in the first complete game of his young NFL career, played out of his mind. Not only did the Seahawks O-line adequately protect Matthew, on the defensive side the Hawks sacked Cutler six times. That’s reminiscent of the year we led the NFL in sacks. What year was that…oh yea 2005.
If the Seahawks hope to win this game, they NEED to win the battle of the trenches. Last week against the Saints, the Hawks allowed New Orleans to drive inside the Red Zone seven times. Yet, each time the Saints were at or inside the 5-yard line Seattle held them to field goals. Offensively, the Seahawks allowed only a single sack, and when it mattered the most (third downs) our healthy O-line provided Matthew with enough time to find open receivers and convert.
Obvious Match-up: Third-down conversions
It’s widely noted that during the Seahawks nine regular season losses, opponents converted third downs 51 percent of the time. During victories, conversions were down around 33 percent. During the first half last week the Saints converted 4-of-7 third downs … 57 percent. In the second half (including the fourth down fail) they converted only 2-of-7 attempts … 28 percent. Clearly third-down conversions are pivotal to the Seahawks chances to win games.
Three-and-outs don’t just hinder offensive momentum, but in this matchup they will provide an opportunity for each team to get the ball into the hands of their electrifying players. When the Hawks force a punt, Neon Leon has an opportunity to take another kick to the house. But when the Bears force a punt, Devin ‘100 speed in Madden’ Hester is waiting 40 yards downfield ready to add to his NFL record for return TDs.
In the first matchup, the Hawks somehow prevented the Bears from converting a single first down … they were 0-for-12. I guarantee this won’t happen a second time. Nevertheless, Cutler has shown a propensity to melt down under pressure faster than Frosty the Snowman in 100 degree weather. The Seahawks need to capitalize on Cutler’s inexperience and bring the heat.
Often Under Rated Match-up: Special Teams
As much as I’ve read about the Seahawks chances to win this week, I can’t remember reading much about Special Teams being a significant factor in the outcome of this game. Last week, the Saints chose to pooch kick it to avoid putting the ball in Neon Leon’s hands. The result, nearly every first-half possession for the Hawks started at or near their own 40-yard line. When the Saints finally did kick it deep, Leon rarely made it past the 30.
As we’ve seen all year, the Seahawks have an electric return game which has helped them win at least two games, against San Diego and Carolina. However, with Devin Hester, the Bears have the most feared return man in NFL History. Last week, Seattle routinely kicked the ball to the right corner.
True, the first kickoff of the game went out of bounds, but following that mistake, Olindo Mare did a magnificent job putting the ball outside the numbers, near the goal-line. The result: the Seahawks kickoff unit rarely allowed the Saints to reach the 25-yard line, making it increasingly difficult to move the ball down field to get into scoring range.
Pete Carroll has publicly stated he plans to kick the ball to Devin Hester. This could be the deciding factor in a game with potential to come down to the wire. If the Hawks really do plan on kicking it to Hester, every man on the special teams unit need to stay in their lanes and not try to be a hero. When Hester returned a punt for a TD that almost cost the Hawks that week 6 victory, every Seahawk was in his proper lane, except for one. Where did Hester run? Right through the hole that should have been filled. Discipline is key to a successful Special Teams. The Hawks need to stay disciplined.
Prediction
Hawks shock the world … again. 31-26 victory!
Yes, the Seahawks are two wins away from The Big Game (sorry Cal and Stanford, the Super Bowl is way bigger than your Bay Area football rivalry). Sure, it’s going to take some historic efforts for the Hawks to continue this improbable run, but weirder things have happened.
Did you know that the last five teams to make the playoffs with a regular season record of .500 or worse are 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs? After all the talk of the Seahawks not deserving a home playoff game, they just happened to be the only team to win at home on Wild-card Weekend. In fact, the last time three home-teams lost on the Wild-card Weekend was 2005…when…the Hawks made the Super Bowl.
It’s not a far-fetched idea to think the Seahawks can knock off the Bears, come home to beat the Packers in the NFC Championship and then travel to Dallas. Of course we’d need a little luck and A LOT of hard work, but this team is hitting its stride at the perfect time.
Hey, it could happen...
Key Match-up: O-line vs. D-line
Mark my words; the big boys up front are going to determine the outcome of this game. We can’t dwell on the first match-up between these two teams because it was week 6. The Hawks were coming off a bye, Lance Briggs didn’t play and the Bears were still trying to figure out how to fix a porous O-line. That being said, the first match-up did show us one thing: Russell Okung can hold his own against Julius Peppers.
One of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL, Peppers was held sackless as Okung, in the first complete game of his young NFL career, played out of his mind. Not only did the Seahawks O-line adequately protect Matthew, on the defensive side the Hawks sacked Cutler six times. That’s reminiscent of the year we led the NFL in sacks. What year was that…oh yea 2005.
If the Seahawks hope to win this game, they NEED to win the battle of the trenches. Last week against the Saints, the Hawks allowed New Orleans to drive inside the Red Zone seven times. Yet, each time the Saints were at or inside the 5-yard line Seattle held them to field goals. Offensively, the Seahawks allowed only a single sack, and when it mattered the most (third downs) our healthy O-line provided Matthew with enough time to find open receivers and convert.
Obvious Match-up: Third-down conversions
It’s widely noted that during the Seahawks nine regular season losses, opponents converted third downs 51 percent of the time. During victories, conversions were down around 33 percent. During the first half last week the Saints converted 4-of-7 third downs … 57 percent. In the second half (including the fourth down fail) they converted only 2-of-7 attempts … 28 percent. Clearly third-down conversions are pivotal to the Seahawks chances to win games.
Three-and-outs don’t just hinder offensive momentum, but in this matchup they will provide an opportunity for each team to get the ball into the hands of their electrifying players. When the Hawks force a punt, Neon Leon has an opportunity to take another kick to the house. But when the Bears force a punt, Devin ‘100 speed in Madden’ Hester is waiting 40 yards downfield ready to add to his NFL record for return TDs.
In the first matchup, the Hawks somehow prevented the Bears from converting a single first down … they were 0-for-12. I guarantee this won’t happen a second time. Nevertheless, Cutler has shown a propensity to melt down under pressure faster than Frosty the Snowman in 100 degree weather. The Seahawks need to capitalize on Cutler’s inexperience and bring the heat.
Often Under Rated Match-up: Special Teams
As much as I’ve read about the Seahawks chances to win this week, I can’t remember reading much about Special Teams being a significant factor in the outcome of this game. Last week, the Saints chose to pooch kick it to avoid putting the ball in Neon Leon’s hands. The result, nearly every first-half possession for the Hawks started at or near their own 40-yard line. When the Saints finally did kick it deep, Leon rarely made it past the 30.
As we’ve seen all year, the Seahawks have an electric return game which has helped them win at least two games, against San Diego and Carolina. However, with Devin Hester, the Bears have the most feared return man in NFL History. Last week, Seattle routinely kicked the ball to the right corner.
True, the first kickoff of the game went out of bounds, but following that mistake, Olindo Mare did a magnificent job putting the ball outside the numbers, near the goal-line. The result: the Seahawks kickoff unit rarely allowed the Saints to reach the 25-yard line, making it increasingly difficult to move the ball down field to get into scoring range.
Pete Carroll has publicly stated he plans to kick the ball to Devin Hester. This could be the deciding factor in a game with potential to come down to the wire. If the Hawks really do plan on kicking it to Hester, every man on the special teams unit need to stay in their lanes and not try to be a hero. When Hester returned a punt for a TD that almost cost the Hawks that week 6 victory, every Seahawk was in his proper lane, except for one. Where did Hester run? Right through the hole that should have been filled. Discipline is key to a successful Special Teams. The Hawks need to stay disciplined.
Prediction
Hawks shock the world … again. 31-26 victory!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Seahawk Magic
I haven’t been this excited about professional sports in Seattle since the Seahawks went to the Superbowl in 2005. Before that, my excitement peaked in 2001 with the 116-win Mariners who naturally flamed out in the postseason. And, if you jump in the way back machine, nothing has ever matched the magic of the ’95 Mariners.
Growing up as a Seattle sports fan, I’ve gotten used to heartbreak. Sure the ’95 Mariners had a magical run through September and into the postseason. They beat the Yankees on The Double (RIP Neihaus), but then lost easily to the Indians in the ALCS (it’s okay Cora, I was crying too).
In 1996, the Sonics had their best year ever, only to face off against the 72-10 Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals and, wouldn’t you know it, they lost. Fast-forward five years to 2001. The Seattle Mariners tied the all-time record for most wins in a season, but come playoff time we needed five games to escape the pesky Indians and then failed miserably in the ALCS to the Yankees. Do we even need to discuss the 2005 Superbowl? I think not.
I was only eight years old in 1995; I was a foolish sports fan who lived and died with Seattle teams. Heck, during the ’96 Mariners season opener I ran around the house waving the ‘Refuse to Lose’ signs The Seattle Times gave out the year before. So you can see how foolish I was.
Yet, as I got older, my passion for Seattle sports never waned; even amidst all the failures and mediocrity I still supported my teams. You see, a poor sports season in Seattle is as common as a mid-November wind storm. They happen every year, but people are never fully prepared for them.
That is what makes this 2010 Seahawks post-season run so damn exciting. I was beginning to prepare for the inevitable November wind storm when I realized this year it might not be necessary. I had given up; I was ready to bunk up for the winter when BAM! The Seahawks train comes roaring into the station ready to whisk everybody on a magical journey through the NFL post-season.
How did this happen?
In November, I moved to San Diego for work and was unable to watch Seahawks games unless they were nationally televised. It was right around this time the Seahawks, and Matt ‘the Hassle’ Hasselbeck, began their inevitable regressions toward mediocrity -- back to what was expected of this team.
They lost six of eight heading into week 17 against the Rams. As trees swayed in the wind and Seattle sports fans looked toward the off-season, we got a reprieve. The Seattle Seahawks had a chance to win their division on the last day of the NFL regular season. What a sight for sore eyes!
Sure the NFC West might be the worst division in the NFL. It’s true that all NFC West teams were outscored by opponents in the regular season. I know, none of the four teams had winning records on the road in the regular season. And yes, the division champ had a 7-9 record in the regular season.
But in the past five years, the NFL has seen two separate NFC West teams make the Super Bowl. Regardless of the final outcome, the NFC West has more playoff wins since 2005, nine, than any other division in the NFL.
Isn’t the emphasis on the regular season what we all hate about the BCS? Aren’t we all pining for a playoff? The reason: in a playoff anything can happen. When a team gets on a role that’s when magic happens, just like the ’95 Mariners.
This is why Kevin Calabro’s recent comments are so perplexing. Calabro, in a recent radio show, said it wasn’t worth it for Seahawks fans to travel to Chicago. Um…WHAT?!
To me, that’s the equivalent of saying Seahawks fans shouldn’t care about this upcoming playoff game; that we should all pack it in and start preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft. Basically, what Calabro is saying is that we are going to lose, and it’s a waste of money to support a Seattle team on the road.
Well I say NO! Mr. Calabro. With a victory we could potentially host the NFC Championship Game. We could continue to buck expectations by knocking off the No. 2 seed in the NFC on the road.
After watching the Seahawks knock off the Rams and then witnessing the biggest upset in NFL playoff history, I can’t help but think this is the newest example of Seattle postseason magic.
This, Mr. Calabro, is why I follow Seattle Sports.
Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, the Seahawks go and do something like this…..and TOTALLY REDEEM THEMSELVES.
Hawks, thank you for the playoff excitement. I’ll see you on Sunday.
Growing up as a Seattle sports fan, I’ve gotten used to heartbreak. Sure the ’95 Mariners had a magical run through September and into the postseason. They beat the Yankees on The Double (RIP Neihaus), but then lost easily to the Indians in the ALCS (it’s okay Cora, I was crying too).
In 1996, the Sonics had their best year ever, only to face off against the 72-10 Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals and, wouldn’t you know it, they lost. Fast-forward five years to 2001. The Seattle Mariners tied the all-time record for most wins in a season, but come playoff time we needed five games to escape the pesky Indians and then failed miserably in the ALCS to the Yankees. Do we even need to discuss the 2005 Superbowl? I think not.
I was only eight years old in 1995; I was a foolish sports fan who lived and died with Seattle teams. Heck, during the ’96 Mariners season opener I ran around the house waving the ‘Refuse to Lose’ signs The Seattle Times gave out the year before. So you can see how foolish I was.
Yet, as I got older, my passion for Seattle sports never waned; even amidst all the failures and mediocrity I still supported my teams. You see, a poor sports season in Seattle is as common as a mid-November wind storm. They happen every year, but people are never fully prepared for them.
That is what makes this 2010 Seahawks post-season run so damn exciting. I was beginning to prepare for the inevitable November wind storm when I realized this year it might not be necessary. I had given up; I was ready to bunk up for the winter when BAM! The Seahawks train comes roaring into the station ready to whisk everybody on a magical journey through the NFL post-season.
How did this happen?
In November, I moved to San Diego for work and was unable to watch Seahawks games unless they were nationally televised. It was right around this time the Seahawks, and Matt ‘the Hassle’ Hasselbeck, began their inevitable regressions toward mediocrity -- back to what was expected of this team.
They lost six of eight heading into week 17 against the Rams. As trees swayed in the wind and Seattle sports fans looked toward the off-season, we got a reprieve. The Seattle Seahawks had a chance to win their division on the last day of the NFL regular season. What a sight for sore eyes!
Sure the NFC West might be the worst division in the NFL. It’s true that all NFC West teams were outscored by opponents in the regular season. I know, none of the four teams had winning records on the road in the regular season. And yes, the division champ had a 7-9 record in the regular season.
But in the past five years, the NFL has seen two separate NFC West teams make the Super Bowl. Regardless of the final outcome, the NFC West has more playoff wins since 2005, nine, than any other division in the NFL.
Isn’t the emphasis on the regular season what we all hate about the BCS? Aren’t we all pining for a playoff? The reason: in a playoff anything can happen. When a team gets on a role that’s when magic happens, just like the ’95 Mariners.
This is why Kevin Calabro’s recent comments are so perplexing. Calabro, in a recent radio show, said it wasn’t worth it for Seahawks fans to travel to Chicago. Um…WHAT?!
To me, that’s the equivalent of saying Seahawks fans shouldn’t care about this upcoming playoff game; that we should all pack it in and start preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft. Basically, what Calabro is saying is that we are going to lose, and it’s a waste of money to support a Seattle team on the road.
Well I say NO! Mr. Calabro. With a victory we could potentially host the NFC Championship Game. We could continue to buck expectations by knocking off the No. 2 seed in the NFC on the road.
After watching the Seahawks knock off the Rams and then witnessing the biggest upset in NFL playoff history, I can’t help but think this is the newest example of Seattle postseason magic.
This, Mr. Calabro, is why I follow Seattle Sports.
Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, the Seahawks go and do something like this…..and TOTALLY REDEEM THEMSELVES.
Hawks, thank you for the playoff excitement. I’ll see you on Sunday.
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