Seahawks Improving, But Not Enough For Atlanta
I’ve taken the “let’s wait and see” approach when evaluating the Seattle Seahawks and so far, and I’m not surprised at the results. I thought the offense would show more fireworks with the addition of Sidney Rice and Zach Miller, but injuries, the inexperienced offensive line, and Tarvarias Jackson has slowed progress.
Seattle Seahawks 2011 Season Preview
Year two under head coach Pete Carroll figures to be as interesting as year one. Who could forget what happened last year? The 7-9 Seahawks won the division, and then beat the defending world champion New Orleans Saints in front of the 12th man. It was a fitting end to the season, and to Matt Hasselbeck’s time under center in Seattle.
Sidney Rice and the Seattle Seahawks Reach Deal
Wide Receiver Sidney Rice has agreed to a five-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks according to NFL.com. Rice, who missed most of last season with the Vikings due to hip surgery, is a great signing for Seattle, but may not be as productive as people may think. With Seattle signing Tarvaris Jackson earlier this week, the Seahawks still have a lot of questions at the quarterback position. Rice will be the No. 1 wide receiver in Seattle, but fantasy owners shouldn’t bet on Rice having a year like he did in 2009 with Favre at the helm. NFL.com writer Michael Fabiano writes, “In 20 career games in which Favre wasn’t with the Vikings or didn’t play the majority of the team’s snaps, Rice has averaged 2.9 receptions for 37 yards.” Not a good sign.
Hasselbeck Gone!
It’s confirmed. The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with former Vikings quarterback Tavaris Jackson. That means Carroll and company are moving forward without, arguably the greatest quarterback in franchise history, Matt Hasselbeck.This is clearly a business decision and one that shouldn’t surprise the 12th Man.
Seattle’s General Manager Schneider was in Green Bay when the organization and Brett Favre divorced. Plus, Hasselbeck (36) is entering the twighlight of his career, and apparently the Seahawks are in rebuilding mode. Tavaris Jackson is (at best) a backup quarterback and spot starter. The move indicates Charlie Whitehurst is going to start the season under center.
9:45 A.M. – It is being reported that Matt Hasselbeck has agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans. It is said to be a multi-year deal with the financial terms currently not being disclosed. Hasselbeck should take rookie quarterback Jake Locker under his wing over the next year or two and show him the ropes.
Dear Seahawks Fans, Maybe It’s Time To Let Matt Hasselbeck Go
He is the best quarterback in franchise history outside of maybe Dave Krieg, but maybe it’s time to say goodbye to Matt Hasselbeck (if that is what he wants). For months, I’ve wanted Hasselbeck to come back and that can still happen. But as the off-season has dragged on with little movement in the NFL labor talks between the owners and players, I’ve come to realize maybe it’s better Seattle does not resign Hasselbeck and just go with Charlie Whitehurst.
It’s not like Hasselbeck didn’t go out on top. He guided the team to an improbable upset against the Saints last year. He will always have the hearts of Seahawks fans everywhere for that and more. He is the only quarterback to lead the franchise to the Super Bowl. He has nothing else to prove. Give Hasselbeck a chance to win elsewhere, like Minnesota. I think he is more likely to sign with a team that is a Super Bowl contender and not somebody like the Cardinals.
Then Seattle, go with Charlie under center. How else are you going to know what you have in Whitehurst if you just don’t give him the job and say go for it? Whitehurst has never had a legitimate shot to start and lead this team. In spot starts last season, Whitehurst did not light it up, but he did not play bad either. Do I think Whitehurst is the long term answer? No, but he can be at the very least, the short term answer.
How scary is the NFC West division anyway? Not really all that scary, right?. The 49ers are a mess and so are the Cardinals. Outside of the Rams maybe, I think Seattle can win the division without Hasselbeck. Does number eight give the Hawks a better chance to win the division? Sure! But, maybe it’s time for a change.
Seattle is building a foundation with the eye on winning. You saw that in this years draft. Seattle pretty much rebuilt it’s offensive line by grabbing James Carpenter in the first round and John Moffitt a couple rounds later. It’s a delicate balancing act and a big reason why Carroll and Seahawks brass get paid the big bucks; build for the future but keep the fans happy with winning seasons. Trent Dilfer and the other “experts” didn’t like the teams draft. They thought Seattle should have taken a quarterback, maybe Andy Dalton. But really, if you go with a rookie quarterback, you might as well concede the division for a year or two, maybe more. I think Seattle would have picked a quarterback if there was one worth taking where they picked. They’re just wasn’t. So they went for the next best thing, picking guys that can protect Hasselbeck or Whitehurst.
Whenever Hasselbeck leaves Seattle via free agency or retirement, I’ll be sad. He has done so much for the franchise and the community. He has a chance to leave on top and it will be interesting to see what happens when the NFL lockout ends. Make no mistake about this again, I want the team to resign Hasselbeck. I’m just now to the point where whatever happens works for me. I know at some point Hasselbeck will leave Seattle, and I think it might be better to move on now rather than later.
The Way I See It… The Seahawks Draft Needs Are…
Put aside the battle between NFL owners and players for a second. Whether or not a deal gets done or not, the league will still going to hold a draft. In my humble opinion the Seahawks have roughly five needs to fill in the NFL draft starting at the quarterback position.
You know I like Matt Hasselbeck. Drafting a quarterback is not necessarily telling