SB Nation - Eddie Kennison

Mike Holmgren's Greatest Managerial Achievement

John Morgan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:45:48 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

Even in red, a Seahawk.

Mike Holmgren selected Steve Hutchinson 17^th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, seven picks after selecting Koren Robinson and 23 picks before he selected Ken Lucas. If Robinson could have kept off the bottle, that would have been a hell of a start to a draft. He swapped first round picks with Green Bay for Matt Hasselbeck, drafted Heath Evans, Alex Bannister, and John David Booty's older brother, Josh.

Holmgren built the 2005 offense that weekend. He won the draft. In a draft that produced someday Hall of Fame candidates: Richard Seymour, Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson, Steve Hutchinson, Casey Hampton, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne and Adrian Wilson, Holmgren won. The Panthers picked Dan Morgan, Kris Jenkins and Steve Smith with their first, second and third round selections, but still Holmgren's was better. He built the unit that would lead Seattle to its first and only Super Bowl.

Well, not quite.

The Bears cut Bobby Engram August 29 and Holmgren signed him August 31. Engram signed a two-year contract that paid him less than $500,000 annually. He was the 101^st highest paid receiver in 2001.

Engram received a 60k raise his second season and took on punt return duties to compensate. He averaged 10.7 yards per return and returned one to the house. That was the season Engram became the darling of Football Outsiders metrics. Targets to Engram ranked 26^th in total value and 13^th in value per target. He was ninth and second in 2003.

Holmgren struggled to fill out a roster and his teams were notoriously thin and talent poor defensively, but man did that man know early 21^st-century offense. He squeezed maximum value from slot receivers. Engram wasn't some schlub. He won the first ever Biletnikof trophy in 1994 and still holds most of Penn State's receiving records. Unlike Deon Butler, Engram wasn't a steady four-year starter with time to burn. Joe Paterno suspended him for the entire 1992 season after he was caught burglarizing an apartment and stealing a stereo with teammate Ricky Sayles. All charges were dropped against Engram after police determined Sayles convinced Engram the two were allowed to take the stereo.

The 1996 draft class included Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Eddie Kennison, Marvin Harrison, Eric Moulds, Terrell Owens, Muhsin Muhammad, Amani Toomer and Joe Horn. Engram was the eighth wide receiver selected, behind Johnson, Glenn, Kennison, Harrison, Moulds, Alex Van Dyke, Bryan Still and Muhammad. Engram never broke through with the Bears, struggling to receive for 38 year old Dave Krieg, Eric Kramer, Rick Mirer, Steve Stentstrom, Cade "AIDS" McNown and Shane Matthews, but he was good. Engram ended his career with Chicago with consecutive seasons of over 900 yards receiving before an ACL tear ended his 2000 season.

Holmgren didn't cash in a high pick or find a serviceable safety in the second, the kind of feats any GM can stumble into, he did that thing that separates the best general managers from the merely competent: found freely available talent and turned it into a long term asset.

Engram is a free agent after Kansas City cut him earlier this season. His time with the Chiefs was a tornado-obliterated double wide in a Rolls Royce career. Or maybe an efficient Elise is more Bobby's style. His short stop in the nation's dust mite might and probably will end Engram's fourteen-year career.

But maybe week 17, should the Tennessee Titans be out of it, Seattle can IR Patrick Kerney and sign Engram for one last perfectly-timed, Hasselbeck-to-Engram curl route for eight and the first.

Kansas City Chiefs v. Seattle Seahawks Preaseason Game Three Preview

Chris Thorman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:48:30 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

3 months ago: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck throws during NFL football practice Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday in a preseason game in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Browse more photos »

Where were you the last time the Kansas City Chiefs played the Seahawks? I only ask because I have a vivid memory of blogging about the game at Miss Arrowhead Pride's mother's house outside of Nashville, TN. The computer was in a tucked away back room on the second floor of the house, with a big window looking out onto the gravel driveway and the big, open spaces of the rural neighborhood. It was nice, calm and quiet.

The game, well, I don't have the most vivid memory the game for some reason (NFL.com has a ton of video snippets of the game if you want to re-live it) but I do remember that weekend being a relaxing time.

It was on October 29th, 2006. Here's an opening paragraph of a game recap from the Chiefs media release that will take you back:

Despite piling up 499 yards of offense and holding the ball for over 42 minutes, Kansas City needed late game heroics and four TDs from RB Larry Johnson to pull out this thrilling 35-28 win over Seattle. Chiefs QB Damon Huard – who was a game-time decision to play after suffering a groin injury in practice that week – turned in a career-high 312 passing yards and a 124.1 rating.

Those were the days! Geez, start an injured Damon Huard and he throws for over 300 yards and commands an offense that puts up 35 points. Wow. Ha, that's really taking me back right now. Back to the early days of this blog, when stuff like that would happen and I would just blog about how I'm not really sure that happened.

And....Eddie Kennison had 132 yards receiving that day. Ridiculous.

Okay AP readers. We know Eddie Kennison and Damon Huard aren't walking through that door. How can the Chiefs stop the Seahawks on Saturday night at Arrowhead?

Well, at Arrowhead is a start.

I've got the recent news, stats, an overall snapshot of the Seattle Seahawks this off season and preaseason, after the jump.

The big most recent news you need to know about the Seahawks is that they signed former Chiefs G Brian De La Puente. Wait, that's true but the Seahawks signing RB Edgerrin James a couple of days ago is actually a tad more important now that I think about it. John Morgan from Field Gulls summed up one fan's feelings on the James signing:

Inch back from the edge of your seats. Cease beer-fueled daydreams about preposterous trades. Quiet nightmare scenarios about Julius Jones' health. Seattle has signed a remarkably bland player and cut another to make room.

I see your Edgerrin James and I raise you a Bobby Engram! You guys even let him go. We need to have a "Whose veteran is more grisly?" contest.

Continuing on...

One of the great things about our fellow SB Nation bloggers is that there always putting out great content too. Take for example, our Seattle Seahawks blog Field Gulls. John Morgan runs the show over there and does a tremendous job. He's a great writer and a smart dude. Read some of his stuff. It's great.

So, by me saying that, I wanted to tie in the fact that I checked out Field Gulls today and of course there is a fantastic post up there, just what I was looking for:

Seattle Seahawks Road Back to the Super Bowl

In this post, John Morgan gives five things the Seahawks need to have happen to get back to the Super Bowl. It gives some good insight into what to expect this weekend, what the team could be shooting for, during the game where teams' starters play into the second half. The most important preseason game by far, if that's saying anything.

I've summed up John's post and and after that I dive into some stats and preview stuff.

5. Grow into a Dominant Rush Defense

I am putting the cart before the horse for a reason. Rush defense dominates in the playoffs, but it won't do much to get Seattle into the playoffs. The importance of rush defense is conditional on Seattle fulfilling the following four goals. This is the most easily attainable of the five.

4. Get Lucky

Seattle has some tough games ahead. Weeks three through eight are especially grueling. Wins earn playoffs, even if they aren't always the best indicator of quality. Earning home field would be huge, but even bigger would be getting a bye.

3. Channel 2007

Seattle's dominating pass defense in 2007 wasn't all smoke and mirrors. Yes, it dominated some bad quarterbacks. No, I'm not sure Troy Smith, A.J. Feeley or Alex Smith will ever see another professional snap. But seizing an opportunity is the essence of success.

2. Complete 2007

Seattle had the defense. It definitely had the passing attack. Its special teams were strong. But, good God damn did Shaun Alexander suck. Say what you will about Julius Jones, Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett, the 2009 Seahawks could not field a rusher more inept or self-defeating as Shaun Alexander circa 2007.

And #1, Field a top 10 pass offense.

Seattle had a top ten pass offense in 2007. It built that offense on -- in descending importance -- Bobby Engram, a good pass blocking line and Matt Hasselbeck playing out of his mind. He made Engram, less than a year recovered from Graves disease, look like a Pro Bowler. Passes from Hasselbeck to Engram were the tenth most valuable connection in the NFL.

Roster Snapshot

More good stuff from the Chiefs media release. I didn't block quote it because it's a lot of text. Here's a snapshot of the Seahawks:

Offense

The Seahawks finished 4-12 in 2008 and will be led in 2009 by head coach Jim Mora.

Three-time Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck enters his 11th NFL season and ninth with the Seahawks. He started seven games last season and owns 103 career starts with Seattle. QB Seneca Wallace (D4-03) made eight of his 12 career starts in 2008.

RB Julius Jones returns for his second season with the Seahawks after leading the team in rushing with 698 yards a year ago.

Nine-time Pro Bowl T Walter Jones (D1-97) enters his 13th season anchoring the offensive front. He is
joined by T Sean Locklear (D3-04), C Chris Spencer (D1-05), as well as Gs Rob Sims (D4-06) and Mansfield Wrotto (D4-07).

WR Nate Burleson has 200 career receptions for 2,735 with 24 TDs. Former Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, ex-Patriots WR Deion Branch and second-year TE John Carlson (D2-08) round out the receiving corps.

Defense

Two-time Pro Bowl DE Patrick Kerney and DT Brandon Mebane (D3-07) anchor the defensive front, combining for 10.5 sacks in 2008. They are joined by DT Colin Cole and DE Cory Redding.

Three-time Pro Bowl LB Lofa Tatupu (D2-05) led the club with 94 tackles (69 solo) in 2008. LBs Leroy Hill (D3-05) and LB Aaron Curry (D1-09) join Tatupu in the linebacking corps.

Pro Bowl CB Marcus Trufant (D1-03) owns 17 career INTs. S Deon Grant has started 128 straight NFL games. Veteran CB Ken Lucas returns after a sabbatical in Carolina, while S Brian Russell enters his eighth NFL campaign.

Former Pro Bowl K Olindo Mare, in his second season with Seattle, is the Dolphins all-time leader in field goals, scoring and fi eld goal accuracy. Second-year P Jon Ryan set career highs in average (45.6) and net average (37.9) in the 2008 campaign with the Seahawks.

The Seahawks First Two Preseason Games

How have the Seahawks been doing this preseason? Well they're 2-0 after taking down the Chargers and the Broncos.

In their first preseason game, the Seahawks beat the Chargers on the strength three turnovers in the second half by third-string Charger quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. I'm sure it also helped that LaDainian Tomlinson only played two series.

The Seahawks had 92 yards rushing and 158 yards passing, so it's clear that the three turnovers helped out quite a bit. Whitehurst's two picks and one fumble lined the Seahawks up at the San Diego 42, 37 and 39-yard lines.

The Seahawks won 20 to 14. Stats are here.

Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck is (still) got a few back issues but that appeared to not really bother him much in the Seahawks second win this preseason against the Broncos last week. It was Hasselbeck's second start. He threw five pass attempts in the preseason opener. He had sixteen last week.

Again, the Seahawk offense wasn't spectacular but effecient. They had 72 yards rushing and 178 yards passing. Their defense recovered two Bronco fumbles (I still think Chicago because I read Kyle Orton's name. That's going to take some getting used to.) and gave up 81 yards rushing and 201 yards passing.

The Seahawks won the game 27 to 13. Stats are here.

Chiefs/Seahawks Connections

And because I know you just eat up knowledge about the opposing teams in preseason, here are some Chiefs/Seahawks connections and some TV and radio info, courtesy of the media guide.

Kansas City WR Bobby Engram played eight seasons with Seattle (2001-08).
Chiefs LS Thomas Gafford spent time with Seattle in 2007.
Seattle offensive coordinator Mike Solari served as the OL coach
(’97-05) and offensive coordinator (2006-07) for Kansas City. He also
coached at Kansas (’83-85).
Seahawks offensive coordinator Greg Knapp attended training camp
with the Chiefs in ’86.
Seattle scout Mike Yowarsky was an assistant at Kansas (’84-88).
Seahawks scout Derrick Jensen is a native of Oswatomie, KS.
Seattle strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark worked at Kansas
(’77-78, ’82) and Topeka HS (’79-80).
Seattle TEs coach Mike DeBord coached at Fort Hays (’85-86).
Seahawks special teams coach Bruce DeHaven is a native of
Trousdale, KS and coached at Kansas (’79-81).
Seattle CB Travis Fisher played at Coffeyville Community College.
Former Seattle WR D.J. Hackett worked out for the Chiefs this off season but wasn't signed.

TELEVISION: The Chiefs Television Network will broadcast Kansas City’s preseason contests to 10 markets across the Chiefs Kingdom. Kevin Harlan calls the action, while former Chiefs CB Jayice Pearson provides the color commentary with sideline reports from former Chiefs T Rich Baldinger.

KCTV (Kansas City) KWCH (Wichita)
KQTV (St. Joseph) KSFX (Springfi eld)
KWBT (Tulsa) KMIZ (Columbia)
KMTV (Omaha) KCWI (Des Moines)
WIBW (Topeka) KODE (Joplin/Pittsburg)

RADIO: The Chiefs FOX Football Radio Network, anchored by KCFX-FM (101.1) in Kansas City, carries all Chiefs games. Eight-time Kansas Broadcaster of the Year, Mitch Holthus, is in his 16th year handling the play-by-play duties, while Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson adds color commentary with sideline reports from former Chiefs Pro Bowl long snapper Kendall Gammon. The KCFX pregame show begins at 6:00 PM.

Let us know where you're watching the game.

And please, nobody say man cave. Just don't. I can't stand that phrase. It makes me think of Mike Golic.

Poll

Where are you watching the Chiefs game this Saturday night?

At the game!

58 votes

Home

259 votes

Bar

23 votes

Friend's house

30 votes

Try to find some feed of it on the internet

91 votes

Recording it and watching it later

50 votes

Radio only

13 votes

Not watching it but I'll be on AP

13 votes

Not watching it at all

27 votes

Other (Leave a comment, introduce yourself)

11 votes

575 votes | Poll has closed

NFC West looking more like AFC West...circa 2005

VanRam — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:49:57 -0000

Ah, mid-decade. Credit was still easy to get, YouTube was born, and all the kids were talking dancing to songs about humps, lovely lady humps. Across the state, the high flying Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs despite a 10-6 record. Fans of the old days may not be able to shake their humps to the similarly titled song anymore, but they can watch the NFC West if anyone's interested in keeping up with the diaspora of former Chiefs from that year.

Already having Dante Hall on board and Al Saunders in house to coordinate the offense, the Rams tried to capture a little more of that magic by signing WR Eddie Kennison.

Now, comes news that the receiver-challenged Seahawks got in on the retro fun and added former Chiefs WR Samie Parker to their roster.

Nobody's going to argue that the NFC West is the most exciting division in football, but nostalgists might appreciate it a little more now.

Rams looking for veteran receivers

VanRam — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:58:59 -0000

UPDATE: The Rams will sign Eddie Kennison and release David Vobora by the end of the day, according to PD's Jim Thomas.

With Bennett out, the Rams will take a close look at veteran free agents still floating around on the open market.

Possibilities include former Rams and long-time Chief Eddie Kennison. The biggest advantage the 35-year-old Kennison brings is his familiarity with Al Saunders' offense. Kennison suffered a hamstring injury in his first game last season, and watched his career descend into oblivion before being released by the Chiefs this year. The PD story linked here cites team sources who say that Kennison will visit Rams Park today, most likely taking a physical.

Other veteran free agent receiver possibilities include Joe Horn, 36, and Keenan McCardell, 38(!). McCardell played for Saunders in Washington last season. The Seahawks are desperate for receiving help too.

While I do understand the Rams need for a veteran to round out their depth at WR, I remain convinced that the best option for the Rams is to throw Keenan Burton into the fire right away. He was a better option than Bennett from the start, showing a better grasp of the playbook than Bennett and better rhythm with Bulger through the preseason. More importantly, as I said this morning, Burton's young and hungry, eager to cement his place in the NFL. That would give the Rams something they desperately lacked this weekend, players with a little fire in the belly.

Poll

Should the Rams elevate Keenan Burton to a more prominent role in Bennett's absence?

Yes.

120 votes

No.

7 votes

127 votes | Poll has closed