Three Things to Watch For in Super Bowl XLVIII

Let's be honest: we've been buried in analysis of Super Bowl XLVIII for the past week and a half and at this point the narrative is well established: Peyton Manning and the best offense of all time versus Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom. Offense versus defense. Rabble, rabble, rabble.

The last thing you need to read is anything ever written by Ayn Rand. The next-to-last thing you need to read is me rewriting what so many (who are infinitely more qualified than I) have already written. Instead, I'd like to go over some of the lesser known match ups that I think will ultimately decide this game. 

(This is when you should go grab a beer/whiskey/assorted beverage of choice. This will be here when you get back, I promise...................See, now you're back AND you have a beer. You're welcome.)

Here's what you should be watching for tomorrow so that you can sound smart in front of a bunch of people who probably don't know a damn thing about football:

Max Unger and the Seattle guards versus Terrance Knighton (AKA Pot Roast--no, I'm serious, that's his nickname, look it up.)
The bread and butter of the Seahawks offense is Marshawn Lynch running up the middle. In case you haven't heard, he's 'bout that action, boss. The Denver defense is decidedly average--they finished 19th in total defense. However, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (6'4" 350 lbs.) is very good at disrupting the middle of the offensive line. In the GIF below you can watch him single-handedly demolish the Patriots offensive line.

The key problem here is that the Hawks interior offensive line is just not that great. The guards (Carpenter, Sweezy, McQuistan, Bowie) have struggled all year and as good as center Max Unger is, he has struggled mightily with injuries this year and has always been a bit undersized. Terrance Knighton is a lot of things, but undersized is not at all applicable (as you would hopefully expect for someone named "Pot Roast"). If the Hawks hope to run successfully, controlling Knighton will be crucial. If Unger cannot handle him, it's going to be a long day for the offense.

Golden Tate versus Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
What do we know about Golden Tate? For one, he's very friendly and likes to wave at his opponents because they're all best buds and he's cool like that.

The other thing we know is that while he may lack for straight-line speed, he's very physical at the point of attack and he's very difficult to tackle, as shown by his YAC (Yards After Catch) of 8.1. Rodgers-Cromartie, the Denver cornerback, is a good player and at this point, probably the most talented member of the Broncos' secondary. He's tall, fast and experienced. He is not, however, physical with receivers and is not exactly known for his tackling ability. See below when he was with the Eagles (#23):

If Golden Tate (or Percy Harvin, who when healthy is the best YAC receiver in the NFL) can get matched up with Rodgers-Cromartie and win some of his one-on-ones, he could have a big game (sidebar: this is that last time I ever write about Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie because his name is super annoying to type).

Brandon Mebane and Clinton McDonald versus Denver's Interior Offensive Line

Guys, here's some really awesome analysis: Peyton Manning is really good. You're right, I should be more cautious about making such outrageous claims about the man that just won his fifth MVP award. But alas, back to my point--Peyton is great. One reason that he's kind of good at this football thing is that he gets rid of the ball quickly (2.1 seconds on average). No matter how great your edge rushers are--and ours (Bennett, Avril, Clemons) are great--they won't get there in that amount of time. This puts the impetus on Brandon Mebane and Clinton McDonald to get some disruption up the middle of Denver's O-line, which is a bit of a mixed bag. Luis Vasquez, right guard, is a fantastic player and it's not wise to count on beating him consistently. Zane Beatles and Manny Ramirez, the left guard and center, respectively, are beatable. Bill Parcells said earlier this week that this game would likely be decided by the five yards behind the line of scrimmage that Peyton wants to operate in. If the Seahawks can move Manning, they have a great shot of winning.


In Conclusion

You should never, ever conclude your writing with anything resembling "In Conclusion", but what the hell, it's a blog and if you're still reading at this point, you're probably a pretty forgiving reader.

Obviously there are a ton more factors that could decide the outcome of this game: Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin, Wes Welker, the referees (eight years later and we're all still pissed off...if the refs decide this game like they did in Super Bowl XV against the Steelers, Seattle might be burned to the ground by rioting come Monday), etc. Regardless of the outcome, it's been a hell of a ride and we might have a good team on our hands for years to come, which is more than we've been able to say about the Seahawks in a long, long time. Cheers!

Sidney Rice, Bacon, and Your 2011 Seattle Seahawks

Later tonight, the Seahawks will take the field for the first time since the unceremonious dismissal of longtime quarterback and face of the franchise, Matt Hasselbeck, in a situation that is at best hilarious and at worst…well frankly, I see no downside to this. But more on that later.

No matter what your opinion of Hasselbeck and his lack of mobility, (or his diminished accuracy, his increasing fragility, or the ongoing/decade-long abduction of his hair) Tarvaris Jackson will take the helm of Paul Allen’s most expensive toy at 5 p.m. in front of the saucer-sized eyes of a football-starved nation. The actual game is just like the points on Whose Line is it Anyway?: it doesn’t matter (on a side-note, yes I just dropped a WLIIA reference, what of it?). After all, the starters will see fairly limited action and despite the national coverage from ESPN, it’s still just the first preseason game of the season.

So what, you ask, should I, the viewer, expect from the new-look ‘Hawks? Well unfortunately for you I’m a broke college student with no credentials to make such a prediction, unlike the national pundits who have so much experience playing professional football, like John Clayton, Adam Schefter, and Chris Mortensen (if ESPN doesn’t consume your life you might not understand this, but rest assured that the rest of us are pointing and laughing at your sports-media ineptitude). But for a second, let’s assume that I’m not merely a fan, but instead a mega-analyst doing a spot on ESPN with a really flashy suit on and a case of books I haven’t read behind me (again, pointing and laughing). What would this alternate dimension version of me tell you?

 First, we’ve got some really shiny new guns on offense, and I’ve somehow stopped creepily salivating long enough to write a paragraph about it. Despite only one year of serious production, Sidney Rice is a legitimate Pro-Bowl caliber receiver. He won’t be blowing by the faster defensive backs, but he will use his 6’4” frame to physically dominate them and use his strong hands to make circus catches. In fact, think Larry Fitzgerald, but slower and with better-groomed dreadlocks. With the addition of Rice, Big Mike Williams’ production should also improve, as he no longer has to try to blow by the opposing teams’ top cornerback using his fat-guy speed (unfortunately for him the turbo button was removed from Madden). In addition, Golden “That’s-My-Goddamn-Donut” Tate is set to be the slot receiver, or as you may better know it, the “Bobby Engram” position. This is a position that he is well-suited for and I suspect he has a ceiling somewhere slightly below Percy Harvin and slightly above Jerricho Cotchery.

In other words, Sidney Rice is bacon: he makes everything he touches better (wait, was that bacon or Jesus? Maybe both…)

Also bringing his talents to The Clink (CenturyLink Field, but The Clink sounds exponentially more intimidating. And no, it was not my idea) is Zach Miller, the Pro-Bowl tight end who somehow escaped the liver-spotted hands of Al Davis in Oakland. Adding another young, physically imposing receiving threat can only help the offense improve.

Second, the offensive line, which has been much maligned since the departure of all-time great/tank Walter Jones, boasts an entirely new look and is under the leadership of a man who once broke the jaw of a subordinate for questioning his authority. Tom Cable’s status as resident badass has already been certified, and he brought some 300 pounds of attitude with him in left guard Robert Gallery. The two of them, combined with rookies James Carpenter and John Moffitt, bring much needed fresh blood to a position of weakness. Gallery, Carpenter, and Moffitt join incumbent starters Russell Okung and Max Unger. Together, this group has the potential to be the group of physical, intimidating blockers that the fan base has clamored for since the good old days of 2005.

On the defensive side of the ball, most of the starters are returning, with the huge exception being Lofa Tatupu (or should it be undersized exception? He never was quite big enough). After being told that he was no longer worth $4 million a year, mostly because he possessed the speed of a stoned snail at the end of the season, he abruptly began looking for new suitors. Of course, we found out after the season that he needed surgeries on both knees. For being a seventh year player, he’s got some real mileage on those legs. His departure means several things: 1. With his and Hasselbeck’s dismissals, 99% of Seahawks jerseys are now worthless and 2. David “The Heater” Hawthorne is going to need to step up in a big way. Physically, undrafted fourth year player Hawthorne had already surpassed Tatupu. But, playing middle linebacker requires shifting the defense around constantly, positioning the rest of your team to stop a given play. Tatupu, for all of his physical ailments, was truly a master of that. After testing the free agent waters for several weeks, Tatupu has yet to find a new home. I’d like to bring him back, but on one condition: if he ends up suffering another knee injury that slows him, we get to put him in a turbocharged Amigo scooter and send him back on the field. You know you’d watch that.

Also worth noting on defense is that longtime Seahawk cornerback Marcus Trufant has grown a third arm and he still cannot catch errant passes. OK, so maybe that hasn’t actually happened, but Trufant is another player to watch this year. After beginning last season on the disabled list, he never really flashed the Pro-Bowl form that he was formerly known for. As a result, the Seahawks pass defense enraged fans everywhere all year. How many third-and-longs did the ‘Hawks have converted on them last year? After hours of research (read: none) I estimate that number to be about 350 million times. If he, along with Walter Thurmond, a rookie who impressed last year, can ramp up the coverage, the Hawks may be able to win more than six games this year (last year’s victory against the Chargers doesn’t count, Leon Washington got that one by himself).

If you’re reading this and you have a brain, you probably know the last aspect of the team worth watching from the get-go. However, if three years of honing my writing skills in college has taught me anything, it’s that closing with the strongest argument is a powerful method of getting into your readers’ minds (not that that’s anyplace I’d particularly like to be).

Without further delay, as beneficial as that may be to my cause of brainwashing you, I present to you: Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson is the quarterback now, and his previous five years in the league have been more underwhelming than new, Mark Wahlberg-less Planet of the Apes. Why would coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider think that this year would be any different? Darrell Bevell, Jackson’s offensive coordinator from Minnesota, played a large part in convincing the bosses that Jackson could be a legitimate starting quarterback, despite serious accuracy issues and concerns about his mental make-up.

What he does have, however, is a strong arm, good mobility, and a quick throwing motion. If he can become even a moderately more accurate QB, the Seahawks offense will be much improved this year.

Despite all the nostalgic disappointment over the departure of Matt Hasselbeck, let’s not forget the production, or lack thereof, that he has provided over the last several years. For the last three seasons, he boasted a QB rating of 75 or lower, which is really bad in case you aren’t familiar with the stat. In fact, Hasselbeck has had more interceptions than touchdowns since 2007 and he has missed 14 games over the past three years. Granted, he did some good things during his time in Seattle, leading the team to the Super Bowl and transforming a perennial loser into an annual contender. But he’ll also turn 36 in a few months, and he’s not getting any more durable.

We in the Northwest have a problem: we’re all hoarders, if not with possessions or rotting fruit, then with sports stars. We are a nostalgic bunch and instead of optimizing a team for rebuilding, we cling to the remnants of past glory because we fear that we won’t see it again given the dismal history of our sports franchises. Hasselbeck isn’t the first example of this. Consider the Ken Griffey Jr. fiasco of last year. The Mariners brought back a player who had no business being a part of that team simply for sentimental value to the fans. Hasselbeck, while he may still have something to offer, does not belong on this team any longer. In the past two seasons, the Hawks have become significantly younger, cutting ties with nearly everyone involved with the 2005 season. A 36-year-old quarterback at the end of his career is not going to help the development of the team at this point.

I’m not suggesting Tarvaris Jackson is the answer, but why not take a shot on him? The Seahawks have positioned themselves perfectly for the future. After failing to see any quarterbacks they really liked this offseason, whether through trade or the draft, they instead built up the other aspects of the team and positioned themselves to go after a quarterback next offseason if Tarvaris really is as terrible as he’s looked the past few years.

Say what you will about the departure of two all-time great Seahawk players, but I’m excited about the moves that Carroll and Schneider have made to make this team competitive for the long haul.

Why Not Us

After an electrifying win over the defending Super Bowl champion Saints, the much maligned champions of the NFC West shocked the world and earned a trip to the Windy City for a rematch with the Bears. After the Packers won and sent the 'Hawks to Chicago, fans in both cities were thrilled: Seattle, because they had already beaten the Bears at home earlier this season and Chicago, because they had drawn the worst playoff team of all time.
The 'Hawks are once again double digit underdogs. It's clear that nobody (with the possible exception of T.O.) thinks the blue and green have a shot. They'll say that we exploited an awful Saints defense and got lucky. They'll say that the pass rush of the Bears is just too much for a patchwork offensive line to pick up. They'll say that the Tampa 2 coverage will suffocate a Seattle receiving corps lacking a deep threat and that Matt Forte will beat up on an overrated defense.
But we in Seattle know better. We know that the earlier victory over the Bears was no accident. We know that it was more than just shoddy defense that allowed the 'Hawks to advance. Throughout the season, we were granted tantalizing looks at a teaming exploding with possibilities. After making over 200 roster moves during the off-season, nobody knew what to expect. In the early parts of the season, we saw a team brimming with confidence, a team that was afraid of no one. As the season progressed, the 'Hawks regressed. That swagger that Pete Carrol had instilled was lost along the way. By the end of the year, it seemed as if the right thing to do was to roll over and get a better draft pick, a viewpoint reinforced by a Seattle Times poll (I was among those who agreed).
But then, in a game that truly emphasized the drastic changes that had taken place over the last season, the 'Hawks came to play against the Rams. What could better highlight the massive amounts of roster turnover more than a 61-yard completion from Charlie Whitehurst to Ruvell Martin? After earning their playoff berth, the 'Hawks offense flipped on "Beast Mode" and beat the Saints.
The bottom line is, these Seahawks are not the same ones that staggered through the regular season. No, you're not crazy for thinking the 'Hawks have a legitimate shot. Here's a position-by-position preview for Sunday's match-up:

Quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck has made 11 career playoff starts. Jay Cutler, on the other hand, has a few less (zero, to be precise). Two QB's with a penchant for turnovers will be on display Sunday. Which ever one makes fewer mistakes will win the game. Although I do not expect Hasselbeck to match last weeks stellar effort against the Saints, I can't see Jay Cutler outplaying him. Advantage: 'Hawks


Running Back
Matt Forte finished with over 1,000 yards rushing this season after essentially being ignored for the first half of the season. The guy is good, no doubt about that. However, he should not strike fear into the hearts of Seattle fans. He's not overly quick or strong. Despite being 6'2" and weighing in at 220 lbs, Forte does not run defenders over. In contrast, Marshawn Lynch (a.k.a. Beast Mode) most certainly will use his strength. The 'Hawks' running game has really came into its own over the past several weeks, and nobody in the league is hotter than Marshawn Lynch. Advantage: 'Hawks


Wide Receiver
This is, without a doubt, an area of weakness for Chicago. Featuring Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, and Earl Bennett, this is a unit with a lot of speed and no size. The Seahawks, although they aren't great either, are certainly better, with Mike Williams leading the way. Williams torched the Bears in Week 6, catching ten balls for over 120 yards. The emergence of Ben Obomanu and Brandon Stokley as legitimate targets will also help this time around. Advantage: 'Hawks


Tight End
I'll keep this brief: this game features two talented, underused tight ends. Olson, however, is the better of the two. Advantage: Bears


Offensive Line
A few weeks ago, this would have been an easy decision. Then again, a few weeks ago, we wouldn't be talking about the Seahawks playing in the divisional round of the playoffs. After struggling all year, the 'Hawks line has really come together recently. Led by rookie tackle Russel Okung, they've paved the way for Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch, while also stepping up their pass protection against the Saints' vaunted blitz scheme. The Bears have struggled with pass protection all year, although their run blocking has been fairly good. Although this is close, because of their recent play, the 'Hawks get the nod. Advantage: 'Hawks


Defensive Line
The Seahawks have a good defensive line, to be sure. With Chris Clemons, Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, and Raheem Brock, the 'Hawks have found a group that creates pressure and stuffs the running game. However, they cannot compare to the Bears' defensive line. Julius Peppers is very, very good and will surely occupy two blockers on every single play. The other three are solid, complimenting Peppers nicely. Advantage: Bears


Linebacker
Again, the 'Hawks have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, linebacker is a position of strength, with Lofa, Curry, and Hawthorne. However, Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher are two of the best in the game. Advantage: Bears


Secondary
Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings are just not very good. Lawyer Milloy does not have the speed he once did and Earl Thomas....well actually Earl Thomas is fantastic. If only he had some help (read: Paul Allen, go sign Asomugha!). The Bears, on the other hand, are solid. Advantage: Bears


Special Teams
Two outstanding special teams units will clash on Sunday, as Leon Washington and Devin Hester put their talents on display. Both are top-end return men, although Hester is now officially the best to ever do it. Advantage: Bears


The Pick
Although I have the Bears winning more categories, I'm going to go with my heart and pick the 'Hawks to win. If there's one thing I've learned from years of being a sports fan, it's that you don't pick against a hot team in the post-season. I think Hasselbeck will play well enough to propel the 'Hawks to the NFC Championship game (say it out loud and try not to sound like a crazy person). 'Hawks 27, Bears 19

No Apologies

With their victory over the St. Louis Rams last night, your Seattle Seahawks became first team in the storied history of the National Football League to waltz into the playoffs with a losing record. The team, in clear rebuilding mode after several years of futility, would have had the seventh pick in the draft had they lost. Instead, they'll now have a pick somewhere in the low 20s, well beyond their competition in the NFC West. As I write this, ESPN is openly ridiculing the Hawks, comparing them to the two 10-win teams that didn't make the playoffs and the San Diego Chargers, who had the best offense and defense in the league statistically, yet failed to reach the post-season. The Seahawks finished last in the league in rushing offense and don't have a clear answer at quarterback, as career backup Charlie Whitehurst and injured veteran Matt Hasselbeck shared the position for the second half of the season. This foray into the post-season may cost the Hawks a shot at the talented QB class of 2011, as Luck, Locker, Mallet, and Newton are all likely to be off the board by the time GM John Schneider gets a shot at making a pick.

However, the Seahawks' victory yesterday provided something that no amount of ridicule or draft consequences can diffuse: hope. How long has it been since fans in Seattle have been treated to a meaningful game? The Seahawks were the last to provide such excitement, but that was back in 2007.The Mariners haven't been to the playoffs in 10 years. Worse, the Thunder, who's final days as the Sonics were marked by horrible teams and high draft picks, are now fielding a young, talented team with real playoff aspirations. 

Although I've been doubtful and cynical about the Hawks all year, last night something changed and I found myself pulling for them to make the playoffs, if for no other reason than to bring some excitement to Seattle. The upcoming match-up with the Saints, who pummeled the Hawks earlier, is troubling and unlikely to yield positive results for Seattle. Frankly, I, along with many other fans, do not care. One of the joys of being a fan is believing that your team has a chance, no matter how slim, to make it to the big game. Will the Hawks lose to a far superior team led by an all-time great quarterback on Saturday? Probably. But that's not the point. The point is, they get the chance to compete in front of 80,000 of the loudest fans in football at Qwest Field in the most meaningful game they've played in three years. The players have already come to the realization that fans are now coming to: we, as the fans, coaches, and players of Seattle, don't need to apologize to anyone for anything.

My Triumphant Return

Yes, the rumors are true, I have begun writing my autobiography titled The Most Interesting Man in the World. In it, I'll discuss my titillating, terrifying tales of white, middle-class suburban life and chronicle my struggles with caffeine addiction and over-usage of, ironically enough, commas. I've also created a special section at the end that can only be decoded using a Pokedex.
I've been gone these past few months, contemplating my existence, paying to learn writing techniques that I've already mastered, and discussing the merits of fine cheeses and chicken pot pies with sailors. Suffice to say, I traveled to dark recesses of my mind and came back stronger.
Well, by now you've surely had enough of my egotistical rant, so let's not waste any more time. Here are the awesome happenings in the world of sport that have transpired since I last graced the internet with my satire.

1. First Place Seahawks
As I boldly predicted several months ago, the Seahawks are currently leading the NFC West with 5 wins and 4 losses. That said, they've not accomplished it in the way that I, or most others, imagined. Instead of getting wins against the Rams and Raiders, they got crushed. On the flip side, instead of rolling over and citing irreconcilable talent differences, they somehow defeated the Chargers and Bears, leading me to believe this team is about as emotionally stable as Christian Bale in a room of full of amateurs.
I'll be the first to tell you that most of our victories thus far (and for the rest of the season) are more attributable to the Hawks' opponents than anything, especially wins over division opponents. How disgustingly terrible is the 2010 edition of the NFC West? Well, bad enough that The Onion reported a story about the NFL sending volunteers to revive the division. You know you've made it big when The Onion takes a shot at you.
That said, there can be no doubt that Pete Carroll has brought enthusiasm to a once downtrodden Hawks squad, mostly by sharing his stock of hyper-6-year-old essence with the team. This mediocre team now faces a frightening possibility: they might host playoff game. Even more frightening, they might drink some more liquid courage (Felix Felicis for you Harry Potter fanatics) and actually win.

(Also, in Seahawks related news, I'm glad we picked up Marshawn Lynch, AKA the ugliest guy in the league.)

2. The Rangers Didn't Win the World Series
The Mariners had a rough year. You know, I know, everybody knows. They did not want their rival Rangers, led by Cliff Lee, to be the best team in the league. It would have been like Quentin Tarantino directing a Smurfs movie: you love Tarantino and his utter madness, but the Smurfs make you want to gouge your eyes out and eat them. We love Cliff Lee and his awesomeness, but not when he's with the dreaded Rangers.
Cliff, if you're reading this, please don't sign with the Yankees, because if you do I will cry. Hard.

3. King Felix Crowned by Cy Young
In a shocking turn of events, an East Coast establishment actually recognized a West Coast hero. After leading the MLB in every relevant statistical category, Felix Hernandez certainly earned his American League Cy Young award, although there were some doubters out there.
Some were upset, claiming that his win total (13 wins, 12 losses) was too low to be named top pitcher, claiming that C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees or David Price of the Rays, with their higher win totals, were more deserving. What they don't take into consideration is the fact that the offense behind Felix was about as intimidating as local gardener/Wisconsinite Ciscoe Morris.
Consider the fact that the Mariners' offense was the worst since the creation of the designated hitter. Not horrible enough for you? They scored 11 fewer runs than the 1994 California Angels, who played 47 fewer games in a strike shortened season. Winning 13 games with a historically bad offense at your back is nothing short of amazing, and it's nice to see the King get some recognition.

4. A Competent Sports Team Emerges From the Pacific Northwest
Let's face facts: the last few years have been tough for sports fans in this region. Fans in the North West haven't been able to place much, if any, confidence in their sports teams. That's about to change.
Say hello to your 2010-2011 Husky basketball team. These 12 guys might be a bit undersized, but they make up for every millimeter with swagger.
Led by Isaiah Thomas, Justin Holiday, and Matthew Bryan-Amaning, these Dawgs are in position to dance deep into March. They have depth unrivaled by any team in the nation and coach Lorenzo Romar is not afraid to use it. Like Romar teams of the past, they will turn games into track meets and run their opponents into the ground.

5. The Cowboys Tripped Over Their Spurs
Granted, this has nothing to do with our little corner of the country, but I really hate the Dallas Cowboys.

What We've Learned

After three intense weeks of NFL action, we can come to one definitive conclusion about the new-look 2010 Seattle Seahawks: We know nothing.

Against the San Francisco 49ers, fans saw a team that exuded confidence and energy on defense, making key defensive stops at every significant junction of the game. The offense show big-play ability, something that's been sorely lacking for some time in this corner of the country. The 'Hawks knocked off a team who most had predicted would win the NFC West and made a statement, showing that they were not the Seahawks of '08 and '09.

Then they flew to Denver. (I had planned on writing a post about that fiasco, but I found that nothing the 'Hawks did in that game warranted any kind of discussion.) Yeah, I don't really want to revisit that either. In essence, they forgot they could win once the 12th man didn't have their back. Apparently losing games is like riding a bike, because the Seahawks remembered very quickly how to lose a football game. Poor secondary play and a lousy (yet familiar) performance by Hasselbeck ultimately doomed the 'Hawks.

Sunday, they returned home and played a fantastic half of defensive football against the San Diego Chargers. Their performance was reminiscent of the San Francisco game, forcing turnovers left and right, looking the part of a division champion. 'Hawks fans everywhere watched, convinced that their team wasn't the lackluster squad that showed up in Denver.

Then there was the second half.

Suddenly, the 'Hawks stout defense was reduced to swiss cheese. The secondary that had been so good was brought to its knees by the surgical precision of Philip Rivers. In all fairness, the Chargers feature the top ranked offense in the NFL thusfar. Despite the ongoing holdout of start receiver Vincent Jackson, San Diego's offense is still full of weapons and they found their rhythm in the second half.

Thanks to several electrifying kick returns by Leon Washington, the Seahawks were able to hang on and win. But don't make the mistake of giving the 'Hawks credit for the win. Anyone who watched the second half knows that they were basically trying to hand the game to San Diego. The Chargers lost a game that was theirs to win.

To recap, the true identity of this Seahawk team remains an enigma. Every flash of potential on offense, defense, and special teams was met with an uninspiring performance down the line that led fans and analysts alike to doubt the legitimacy of the team. It's too early to proclaim the Seahawks champions of the NFC West, that is for certain. It's a team with an inconsistent quarterback, cornerbacks that are apt to get torched on any given Sunday, and a patchwork offensive line.

At the same time, it's too early to say the 'Hawks won't win their division. They have shown an insatiable desire to win, massive improvements along the defensive line, and new found explosiveness from the likes of Mike Williams and Golden Tate. Pete Carrol and his staff have provided something that fans here haven't had in far too long: hope. If they can foster some consistency, the Seahawks will be a force to be reckoned with once again.

Now let's hope they can deliver, because the better they play, the better we can all ignore the crushing futility of our beloved Mariners.

Impressions from Week 1

"Wow."

That's what came to mind during the Seahawks victory over the San Francisco 49ers. However, during the early minutes of the game, the word was used in a decidedly different manner.

The first offensive play of the season was a completion to Nate Clements. Now, as every fan knows, the 'Hawks have gone through a lot of personnel changes in recent weeks. In fact, the team has the fewest returning players of any team this season. That said, Nate Clements was wearing a 49ers jersey. Not exactly the ideal play to begin the "Win Forever" campaign. The defense came onto the field, featuring a revamped defensive line and an odd couple at safety with 15-year veteran Lawyer Milloy and rookie Earl Thomas. 

If you opened your window and listened at that moment, you probably would've heard a collective groan drifting through the atmosphere as 'Hawks fans were reminded of the woeful defense fielded last year, finishing 24th overall in yards yielded. Already, the cloud of negativity that had haunted the 'Hawks for the last two years was returning, gliding through the air to reclaim it's long-time residence at Qwest Field. 

At that moment, the team could've easily crumbled. They could have listened to the media, who had already appointed the 49ers as the heirs to the NFC West throne. They could have remembered that the organization is in rebuilding mode. They could have set a negative trend for the entire season. But they didn't.

By holding the 49ers to a field goal, the defense set the tone for the rest of the game. The offense took awhile longer to get into a groove, but they did not fail to impress once the wheels were in motion. Matt Hasselbeck, who had been kicked to the curb by some (ahem, me) played magnificently after the initial interception, completing 18 of 23 passes with two touchdowns. He even showed off some surprising athleticism running in another touchdown. The touchdown pass to Deon Branch was nothing short of perfection, bringing back memories of years past when Hasselbeck was among the top quarterbacks in the league and the 'Hawks were and offensive juggernaut. 

Keep in mind that the 49ers defense is no slouch. Any defense with Patrick Willis (AKA Ray Lewis West) is going to be difficult to crack. The 'Hawks offensive line, which was patched together in the last two weeks from players such as Stacy Andrews, Chester Pitts, and Tyler Polumbus, performed very well, allowing Hasselbeck to stay upright, a rare sight over the last couple seasons. The return of much heralded rookie Russel Okung should help in the coming weeks.

The receiving corps, which lost its top receiver from last season less than a week ago, stepped up, showing some explosiveness that certain players (Houshmanzadeh) lacked. Mike Williams, other than a few drops, looked like a dangerous weapon, showing the strength and speed that made him the 10th overall pick. Deon Branch, who had never really clicked with Hasselbeck, made several nice plays. Lastly, Deon Butler validated all the claims made about him being the most improved player in the offseason, making a nice touchdown catch.

Shifting to defense, the secondary looked revamped, despite the presence of many familiar faces. Kelly Jennings, who was pushed into a starting role after Josh Wilson was traded several weeks ago, looked much improved, making key tackles. Trufant, who never came close to resembling his All-Pro days last year, looked healthy and ready to regain his status as a shutdown corner. Earl Thomas also looked great, roaming all over the field and wreaking havoc.

The area of most improvement was in the front seven. The linebackers, led by a healthy Lofa Tatupu, looked much better than last year. Although Aaron Curry still made some boneheaded plays, he also used his amazing athleticism to cause pressure on Alex Smith. The defensive line, which was hardly recognizable because of all the new faces, made huge strides and was largely responsible for shutting down Frank Gore and getting key stops on 3rd and 4th down.

The 'Hawks were expected to lose with dignity and show signs of improvement, not knock off the trendy pick to win the division. It was an impressive win, but it will mean nothing if they don't keep improving. They're far from the most talented team in the league, but they showed Sunday that they have something no amount of talent can create: heart. This team, led by Pete Carroll, must never lose its resilient character if they have any hope of a winning season.