SB Nation - Mike Teel

2009 Season Retrospective: Darryl Tapp

John Morgan — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:30:26 -0000

Jim Mone - AP

Lowlights:

Seahawks at Cardinals October 18

Gus Bradley proves a blitz of five can cause disruption, pressure, incomplete passes, sacks, interceptions and, oh yes, fumbles returned 70 yards to the end zone. Seattle forces pressure by isolating every lineman and awaiting for one to fail. Both ends edge rush. Mebane charges. Hawthorne stunts underneath attempting to draw the left guard.

In practice, this is where Tapp swoops into the left guard gap and destroys Mike Teel playing Kurt Warner.

Reggie Wells doesn't bite.

Now it looks like a failed blitz. By that I mean: the scheme itself is not working. It's up to the talent.

Seattle has a win at right tackle. Kerney is more than enough edge rusher to rush Levi Brown. Jackson does his job, but this is not a sure win, and he doesn't win. That puts an end on a guard and a three on a guard. Mebane is good, but so is Deuce Lutui. Lutui wins this round. Wells wasn't surprised and is simply outsizing Tapp on the inside.

Seahawks at Cowboys November 1

Miles Austin responded with a beautiful catch on the right sideline. He was double covered and reached out nearly out of bounds to grab the ball. It's worth noting that Austin looked every bit the real deal, exploding out of the blocks and running tight routes.

That got Dallas out of jail. On the next play, Dallas pulled out its left side and directed fullback Deon Anderson at right end Darryl Tapp. Tapp has to win this, but doesn't and that allows Felix Jones a clean release through the hole -- Flozell Adams and Kyle Kosier blocking into the second level. Adams destroyed Aaron Curry and Jones picked his way towards the third level. Jordan Babineaux hit him before the marker but Jones twisted for the first. It could have been worse. It should have been worse.

Highlights:

Rams at Seahawks September 13

St. Louis went from an unbalanced line to an unbalanced formation. It aligned two wide receivers and a tight end right, a single receiver left and Jackson the tailback. Seattle showed off its first iteration of a pass rush line, Darryl Tapp, Redding, Craig Terrill and Kerney defensive right to left. Tatupu and Hill challenged the "A" gaps. Nickle coverage. The Rams motion Avery in tight, creating a pseudo-bunch off right tackle. Kerney exploits the bunch to rush into the backfield untouched, threading between McMichael and Keneen Burton past Smith and at Bulger. The linebackers release into hook zones. Jackson picks up Kerney. Bulger takes a seven step drop, but can barely set before Tapp rips past Barron and hits Bulger as he releases. Hill tackles Avery well short of the first.

. . .

Before he punched him, Richie Incognito held Lawrence Jackson. He hooked his right arm around Jackson's torso and pulled him from the play. To his credit, Jackson stayed in the thick and helped clear the lane for Lofa Tatupu to drop a shoulder into Steven Jackson. Jackson rushed right because Darryl Tapp had wrapped around left and sprinted down behind the line.

. . .

Give John Lynch credit. When Darryl Tapp reacted to the cut block by defending and almost intercepting the pass, Lynch was on it in a second. He pointed out the read and complimented Tapp's awareness. That is on the spot analysis that enriches the game.

. . .

If you believe in momentum, the Seahawks were a rolling ball of neutron stars after the score. In little over a minute and over the span of three plays, Seattle declared the first touchdown would stand.

Will Herring shot the gap and shot past Steven Jackson. Seattle swarmed and finished the tackle, but Herring needs to learn when to slow down and square before lunging at the ball carrier. Thankfully, Lawrence Jackson was there to contain and slow Jackson and Darryl Tapp streaked from the opposite end to tackle him.

Seahawks at 49ers September 20

The star was, is, Darryl Tapp. Tapp was playing right end in Seattle's pass rush line. Beside him was Redding. Redding got a great jump off the snap and that allowed Tapp to move forward and then laterally, stunting towards a sagging pocket. Baas dropped his double team of Redding and engaged Tapp. Or tried to. Tapp met Baas with a swim-spin-swim and ran past him and towards Hill. That flushed Hill out of the pocket and into Terrill's arms. My words don't do the move justice. It was cool.

. . .

Darryl Tapp saved a long play on the first pitch out. He was the only Seahawk who diagnosed the play and ran into the left flat to tackle Gore. Without him, that could have been another long run.

Seahawks at Colts October 4

The next play, Cory Redding wrapped around Darryl Tapp's blocker-arresting first step and pressured Manning into targeting outlet receiver Joseph Addai. The pressure placed the pass low, and as Addai scooped it from the turf, Aaron Curry lowered a shoulder and flashed prowess as a zone defender. It was shades of Leroy Hill blasting Ryan Grant into a fumble.

Bears at Seahawks September 27

Gus Bradley's play design is clearest if I knock out the offense and just show the defense. It's another little wrinkle that turns on the versatility of Darryl Tapp and Aaron Curry. The play turned into a run stuff that caught Matt Forte for a loss of one, but it would have crushed a pass too. Call it a blitz if you will, but Seattle ripped through the Bears offense with only four pass rushers. Here's how:

The white indicates a delay. Redding adjusted and ran to the ball carrier, but it was clear he was designed to stunt and run a path very similar to the one he actually ran. Brandon Mebane ran clear into the backfield untouched. That really gummed up everything the Bears were trying to do as the pulling left guard had to redirect and meet Mebane in the backfield. Bryant was single-blocked by Olin Kreutz. That was a big ol' handful of not happening as Bryant tore through him and right to Forte. Call it a loss of one and a half.

Jaguars at Seahawks October 11

Darryl Tapp was sure he had forced a false start. He stood up and pointed emphatically, but no flag was coming. He barely knelt into his three-point before David Garrard snapped. Tapp was on the ball as ever, and after making a quick move outside, he cut in and pressured Garrard. His inside move separates Tapp from a run of the mill edge rusher.

As does his linebacker like run tackling. On the next play, Tapp turned such a tight angle and flashed such pursuit speed, I couldn't be sure he wasn't Aaron Curry. He wrapped around end and caught Maurice Jones-Drew from behind after a gain of two.

. . .

Tapp was everywhere on the nine-play drive Seattle silenced with assignment-correct football at the two. He assisted on a run tackle for no gain and showed improved ability to hold the long edge on another down. He used a rip to force an incomplete and a spin to force a check down in the red zone. He went inside and nearly knocked left guard Vince Manuwai into Garrard.

Darry Tapp factored into almost every play. He hurried passes and contained. He shot behind the line and chased down Jones-Drew. Tapp isn't Cory Redding and doesn't demand double teams. Though he's bulked up, he's reasonably small. If talent came to order, Tapp might be a little lacking in so and so, but that's not the game.

If Tapp was the Tapp Seattle drafted, he could still start. That's the comparative importance of pass defense to run defense. He isn't that player though. Tapp is more disciplined. He doesn't start every play sprinting towards the edge. He can hold ground and control. He can cut in and avoid the chip. He can tackle in the open field better than many linebackers. Through fourteen plays in the first quarter, Tapp showed he is a complete end and a vital part of Seattle's future.

Seahawks at Cowboys November 1, 2009

Then, for a brief shining moment, Darryl Tapp nearly undid a half's worth of damage and put Seattle back in the lead. It was another moment where Seattle missed by inches. Tapp rushed around left end and forced back Flozell Adams enough to block out Romo's preferred throwing lane. Tapp jumped as Romo motioned and Romo tucked before taking another attempt. The ball sailed behind intended receiver Roy Williams, but where a good break nets a pick six, Josh Wilson skidded and the pass proved too errant. Ironically, an accurate pass results in a pick six.

Seahawks at Cardinals November 15, 2009

The decision to restructure the line around Colin Cole was stupid when made and has led to predictable results. Seattle's third down stand, in which Tapp knifed through Mike Gandy and tackled Wells in the back field, is a great example of how important Mebane was to Seattle. Mebane was on the right, beside Tapp where he belonged. Cole was on the left. Seattle was in a five man front, but Mebane was still double teamed off the snap. It was an ugly, but effective display. He hit his blockers low, getting topped and dropped, but holding ground and most importantly, freeing Tapp. Tapp took apart his single block and used his great inside move to come free to the ball carrier.

49ers at Seahawks December 12, 2009

Bad things were about to happen for the 49ers.

Darryl Tapp anchored against tight end Delanie Walker and forced Gore to cut back inside. Tapp slowed Gore and ankle tackled him into and onto prostrate non-entity Craig Terrill. Terrill, through no achievement of his own, played an essential part in the play. His was the body that kept Gore from being down.

Here's where hustle gets its due: Wilson started the play just outside the tackle box and in position to be blocked by a pulling lineman. And so he was. Right tackle Adam Snyder pulled out and put a body on Pistol, but Pistol didn't quit. He went high on Snyder and yanked him aside by the shoulder pads. Back in the scrum, Babineaux recovered and punched out the fumble. Gore was attempting to wrestle his ankle free and somewhat atop Terrill. The ball bounced forward and toward no team in particular before a streaking Wilson looped into the action and recovered for 43 yards.

It was the single most important play of the game, worth 30% of win probability, worth more than Matt Hasselbeck's late strike to Deon Butler, and more than the field goal that won it.

. . .

2010 Outlook: Good luck in Philly, Darryl. It has been a pleasure watching you work.

Evaluating My Preseason Conference Championship Predictions

T Kyle King — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:49:40 -0000

Now that the best offseason ever has settled down somewhat in the wake of all the firings, ~~resignations~~ ~~retractions~~ leaves of absence, cowardly departures from Knoxville at night amid rioting in the streets surrounding the athletic building (not unlike the frantic escape of a deposed communist dictator), and hirings, it is time for me to face the music. That’s right . . . it’s time to take a look at how I fared in my predictions. Yes, this will get ugly.

I always tell you not to bet on it, and I mean it. In forecasting every postseason contest except the Independence Bowl, I posted a truly heinous 12-21 record. How bad a record is that? It’s as bad as Lane Kiffin’s career record as a head coach . . . yep, that bad!

The only saving grace for my bowl forecasts was my strong finish. After missing six straight predictions between December 19 and 26, then another seven in a row from December 29 to 31, I posted winning marks down the stretch by going 7-3 starting with the Sugar Bowl and 5-2 beginning with the Cotton Bowl. My season-long ledger was 75-19 in games involving SEC teams, 41-51 in all other outings, and 116-70 overall. Uh-huh . . . I went 6-3 in bowl games involving the SEC and 6-18 in all other bowl games. I told you not to bet on it!

Still, I have a shot to redeem myself by revisiting my conference championship predictions from last August, so let’s take a look at what I told you before the season would come to pass last autumn:

Sun Belt: I decided not to hold you in suspense. Why save the best for last? I’m going with the Florida Atlantic Owls. They’re the ones with Howard Schnellenberger, right?

Apparently, FAU went 5-7 while Troy captured the conference crown with an 8-0 mark in league play. Don’t give me a hard time about it, though, because you know you had to look it up, too.

Mid-American Conference: I’m going with the Michigan Wolverines. I kid, I kid; everybody knows the Maize and Blue aren’t good enough to win the MAC! The Toledo Rockets return a wealth of experience and the coaching change should dramatically improve the team, which I’m picking to win the MAC. Unless, of course, I’m confusing them with the Akron Zips. . . .

Either way, I missed the mark. Akron went 3-9, Toledo went 5-7, and both had losing ledgers in Mid-American Conference play. Central Michigan and Ohio (Ohio) won the division crowns, and, frankly, I’m not going to bother with double-checking which one of them beat the other in the championship game. Move along, people; nothing to see here. . . .

Major Independents: Does it look like 1946 in here? There are no major independents remaining in college football. Next, please. . . .

I have to say, I pretty much nailed that one.

Conference USA: I think the announcement of Brett Favre’s latest return from retirement will give the Southern Miss. Golden Eagles just the encouragement they need to close the deal and win the conference title.

At least the Eagles made it to a bowl game, right? Favre seems to be having a heck of a year, though.

Western Athletic Conference: Derek Dooley is building a program in Ruston, Pat Hill should have his Fresno St. Bulldogs back in contention, and Chris Ault’s Nevada Wolf Pack looks strong with seven starters back on each side of the ball, but the league belongs to the Boise St. Broncos until they lose it. Chris Petersen’s club is like a junior varsity version of Southern California being viewed on a television set with all the colors out of whack (or, I suppose, out of WAC).

This is one of the safest bets in all of sports, although I damned Boise State with faint praise by comparing the Broncos to USC.

Big East: None of the above. All right, since it has to be somebody, I’m sticking with the Pittsburgh Panthers, who are poised to fill the power vacuum left when the Louisville Cardinals lost Bobby Petrino, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights lost Mike Teel, the West Virginia Mountaineers lost Pat White, and the Cincinnati Bearcats lost their entire starting defense. (All right, they have one guy back, but still . . .) Although no one is getting through the league unscathed and multiple tiebreakers are apt to come into play, I believe Pitt will overcome the loss of LeSean McCoy, a trio of Friday night conference road games, and the ignominy of being coached by Dave Wannstedt. Yeah, this pick is crashing and burning, isn’t it?

Yep, it was. It turns out that the Bearcats were able to overcome their personnel losses, go unbeaten through Big East play, and win the de facto conference title game with Pitt to capture the league title outright.

Atlantic Coast Conference: The one off-the-wall prediction I’ve been making all along in which I actually have confidence is that the Clemson Tigers are poised for a first-place finish in the ACC. The Country Gentlemen have settled on a quarterback, who will benefit from playing behind an experienced offensive line and being able to hand off to C.J. Spiller. Dabo Swinney salvaged a sorry season for the Jungaleers last year, getting the Fort Hill Felines to the Gator Bowl. While Coach Swinney wasn’t the marquee name many among the Orange and Purple faithful wanted, he has the pedigree for success by the shores of Lake Hartwell: Dabo Swinney is the fourth Alabama alum promoted from assistant coach to head coach in the modern history of the Clemson program, and the three who came before him were Frank Howard, Charley Pell, and Danny Ford. The Tigers will win the Atlantic and/or Coastal Division and they will defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies, winners of the Coastal and/or Atlantic Division, in the conference championship game in Jacksonville and/or Tampa and/or Charlotte and/or Baltimore and/or Boston and/or Atlanta and/or Washington, D.C. For crying out loud, could these people get their act together, already?

Well, at least I called one of the conference championship game participants correctly. How was I to know the eventual ACC champions would be the Bulldogs?

Mountain West: The Utah Utes will take a step back after last year’s unbeaten run and the BYU Cougars’ stature as a prime time player took a serious hit last year, when Bronco Mendenhall’s squad lost double-digit outings against Texas Christian, Utah, and Arizona in the postseason. The Las Vegas Bowl committee can relax, secure in the knowledge that Sin City won’t be hosting a team that considers drinking a cup of coffee an act of moral turpitude; the TCU Horned Frogs are ready to reclaim the Mountain West with their fifth eleven-win season in a seven-year span.

Although I underestimated Texas Christian’s ability to make it into a BCS bowl game, I otherwise stand by every word of that forecast.

Big Ten: The Penn St. Nittany Lions have learned how to win again, the Iowa Hawkeyes should field a stout defense, Mark Dantonio has the Michigan St. Spartans moving in the right direction, and the Illinois Fighting Illini can’t go wrong with a tight end named Mike Hoomanawanui. Yeah, whatever. The Ohio St. Buckeyes will finish first in the league and earn the honor of losing a BCS bowl game for their troubles.

Except for that "losing a BCS bowl game" bit, I’d say I was pretty much spot on there.

Pac-10: The California Golden Bears are loaded, the Oregon Ducks have built a solid (if horribly garbed) program, the Oregon St. Beavers are always feisty, the UCLA Bruins are on the upswing, and the Arizona Wildcats are improving. Yeah, whatever. The USC Trojans will lose to someone they shouldn’t and win the Pac-10, anyway.

Well, Southern California did lose a game---a couple of them, actually---against teams the Men of Troy ought to have handled, but I reposed too much faith in USC. Now that Lane Kiffin is on the job in Los Angeles, there’s no risk that I’ll repeat that mistake anytime soon.

Big 12: I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the winner of the Red River Shootout will represent the South Division in the league title tilt! That would be the Texas Longhorns, who will defeat the Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas and capture the conference crown by beating some team from the Big 12 North that might as well be pulled out of a hat. Hang on . . . I happen to have a monkey with a dart board right here . . . and he likes the Nebraska Cornhuskers to get the honor of being hooked by the ‘Horns. Let’s go with that.

Bingo.

Southeastern Conference: The Georgia Bulldogs, of course! Except . . . no, not really. The Florida Gators will face the LSU Tigers in the Georgia Dome and the Sunshine State Saurians will get the better of the Bayou Bengals for the second time this season. Trust me, I’m not any happier about this fact than you are.

I totally blew this call. Man, am I glad I totally blew this call!

Coming Soon: A Look Back at Other Assorted Preseason Forecasts.

Go ‘Dawgs!

Monday Night Open Thread

John Morgan — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:17:17 -0000

I have a lot of book stuff to accomplish over the next week and so posting might be light and sporadic. The Seahawks have obliged by ending their season three weeks early and finishing their schedule with a slate of fantasy camps for fans. You see that bald bloke in a Hasselbeck jersey? Real Matt Hasselbeck could throw farther and faster from his knees, but what a fan! If I had been beat around, battered and humiliated like him, I would have dragged my corpse to the sideline and requested the kid in the Wallace jersey sub in. But Hasselbeck-guy would have none of that. He embraced his dream with foolish, almost quixotic enthusiasm. He didn't think twice about his own pride, the pride of the city of Seattle or the Seahawks franchise; was undeterred by the mocking laughter of the Green Bay Packers defenders, the Lambeau faithful and Seahawks fans across the world; He saw no reason to sit a snap for the good of the future. And Jim Mora, fat with fantasy bucks, concurred.

This is a game thread for tonight. Jay Cutler is completing as bad a season as about anyone could imagine. The Bears are bad and sacrificed their future to be so. But, deep down, I'm still a little jealous. And how sad is that? I would gladly sign and start Troy Smith. I would sign about anyone that could elevate Seattle's offense from the pit of backyard football. Seattle could start Seneca Wallace and see if Knapp has any smarts in his system. It could start Mike Teel and better understand his future and thus the team's future. It hasn't and it won't and as bad and barren and poorly run as the Bears are, they are better than Seattle this season, have a better coach, a better quarterback and a brighter future. So, boo, hiss and defame Jay Cutler if you will, because, deep down, we're jealous.

And how sad is that? Pretty fucking.

Rutgers Football: 10 Best Moments of the Decade

ibleedscarlet — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:30:09 -0000

Relive the greatest season in Rutgers football history by watching the above video....

For the first time in quite some time (and probably ever), good moments have outnumbered the bad ones in this decade for Rutgers football fans. At the beginning of the century the Rutgers football team was an afterthought. It was so bad that Sports Illustrated ran a full article entitled, "Why Can't Rutgers Ever Win". Though things haven't always come up roses for the Scarlet Knights, hopefully we can one day look back at this decade and say it was the springboard to greater things yet to come.

I've tried to narrow down the best Rutgers football moments of the decade. Some of these games and moment hold extra importance to me since I experienced them first hand, but I've tried to focus on the truly important moments which shaped the decade. Of course we won't all agree, and as always, that's what the comments section if for. So without further adieu....Drumroll please:

10. The Leonard Leap: Rutgers at Illinois (September 3, 2005)

Though they would eventually go on to lose a game they should have won (they were up 27-7), the Scarlet Knights went into Big Ten country and put on a pretty good show. In the days before Rutgers football became a common sight on ESPN, Brian Leonard gave the program airtime that it desperately needed. Early in the 3rd quarter, RB Brian Leonard took a handoff deep in his own territory and proceeded to provide a highlight reel play, still etched in Rutgers lure to this day. Leonard turned the corner, and with one Illini defender to beat, hurdled over CB Charles Bailey and raced 83 yards to pay dirt to give RU a 20 point lead. If Rutgers had been able to hold on and protect the lead, this easily would have been a candidate for play of the year in 2005.

9. The Opening of "New" Rutgers Stadium (September 7th, 2009)

After much legal battling and posturing, the vision of an expanded Rutgers stadium finally became a reality on September 7th, 2009. After months of preparation, and 102 million dollars later, Rutgers finally had a stadium worthy of some attention. The newly expanded stadium increased the seating capacity to over 55,000, and the huge video board is absolutely stunning. With the student section now situated in the new endzone, the atmosphere for Rutgers games should become among the best in the Big East. Perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle is the new recruiting lounge located in the South End Zone, where Rutgers will be able to impress and woo potential recruits. Though the opening of the stadium did not quite go as Rutgers officials might have hoped (a Rutgers blowout loss to Cincy), the new stadium itself was impressive.

Rutgers got themselves a state-of-the-art stadium in 2009...

8. Run Ray, Run: Rutgers at Pittsburgh (October 21, 2006)

Rutgers had beat a ranked South Florida team on the road, but the naysayers were still a bit leery of the 6-0 Scarlet Knights. They would be put to the test in a primetime showdown against a 6-1 Pitt team at Heinz field. Rutgers built a 13-3 on the strength of Ray Rice's running and a stout defense, but Pitt cut the score to 13-10 on an Oderick Turner touchdown catch early in the 4th quarter. With the crowd back in the game, and pinned back at their own 10, it seemed that it was only a matter of time before Rutgers would fold under the pressure. And then....(skip to the 3:14 mark of the following video, or just enjoy it all...)

Rice parted the sea of Pittsburgh defenders, and single-handedly willed Rutgers to a victory. His 63 yard run put Rutgers deep in Pittsburgh territory, and he finished the drive off with a 1 yard touchdown to put the Knights ahead for good 20-10. On the drive, Rice would account for 87 out of 90 total yards, and he would finish the day with 225 yards on the ground. Rutgers was 7-0, thanks to Ray Rice.

Read on after the jump to see the rest of the decade's best Rutgers moments....

7. "America, We Have Arrived": Rutgers vs. Michigan State (September 4, 2004)

After finishing the 2003 campaign 5-7, the hopes were optimistically high for Rutgers to earn their first bowl bid since 1978 heading into 2004. And the first roadblock standing in the way was a Big Ten team that had gone bowling the previous season: Michigan State. To make things even bigger for Rutgers, the game was sold-out and would be televised to a national television audience on ABC at 3:30, prime football time. With the cameras rolling and the lights burning bright for the first time in the Greg Schiano era, the defense made the pivotal play as Ryan Neill returned an interception 31 yards for a TD, and freshman kicker (Jeremy Ito) came to the rescue with 4 field goals in a 19-14 Rutgers victory. Fans were also introduced to bruising tailback Brian Leonard who ran for 150 yards. Rutgers fans rushed the field to celebrate the win, and Neill's play was named the "Pontiac Game Changing Performance" of the week. All of a sudden with one victory, Rutgers was thrust into the limelight as a team to watch.

6. Getting the monkey off our back: Rutgers at Temple (October 25, 2003)

Rutgers had lost 25 straight Big East games, and was approaching the record for conference futility (still held by Temple). Then Brian Leonard took over. The freshman scored 3 touchdowns as Rutgers rolled to a 30-14 victory at the Lincoln Financial Center. The victory marked Greg Schiano's first Big East victory, and lifted the team to a .500 mark on the season, raising bowl hopes in Piscataway. Rutgers would go on to beat Syracuse in the season finale and finish with 2 conference wins, but it was the victory against Temple that got it all started.

5. Climbing the Ranks: September 24, 2006

Though the coaches and media polls are arbitrary in nature, and don't really mean much in the long run, being ranked among the Top 25 in the country earns you a measure of respect, and the free publicity that comes with it. Rutgers was finally able to call itself a ranked team on September 24, 2006 after beating Howard 56-7, and checking in at #23 in the AP Poll. The ranking was the first for Rutgers since the final poll of 1976, a span of 30 years. Rutgers would eventually rise to the #7 ranking in the AP Poll after beating Louisville.

4. Upsetting of the Bulls: Rutgers vs. South Florida (October 18, 2007)

Rutgers started the 2007 by climbing into the Top 10 of the polls, but consecutive home losses to Maryland and Cincinnati would knock the Knights from the realms of the ranked. South Florida, behind QB Matt Grothe had taken full advantage of the complete chaos that was college football in 2007 and quickly climbed to #2 in the polls heading into a Thursday Night throwdown with the Scarlet Knights. Grothe single-handedly kept the Bulls in the game by accounting for over 300 yards of total offense, but the Scarlet Knights used some gadget plays to upend USF. Andrew DePaola's touchdown pass to Kevin Brock off of a fake field goal provided the Knights with a comfortable 10 point cushion late in the 3rd quarter, and the Knights held off a last ditch effort by the Bulls to win 30-27. After the clock ran out, the Rutgers fans rushed the field to celebrate the defeat of the highest ranked team ever in Rutgers history.

3. Texas Stars: Rutgers vs. Kansas State (December 28, 2006)

Though they probably deserved better after a 10-2 season than the Texas Bowl, Rutgers rolled into Houston with unfinished business on their mind. In 2005 they had played in Rutgers first bowl game since 1978 in the Insight Bowl, but they were turned away by Arizona State 45-40 in a highly entertaining game. This year, Rutgers wasn't "just happy to be there", they were there to win. And Ray Rice, Tim Brown and the Rutgers defense did just that, leading Rutgers to a 37-10 victory. The Rutgers 'D' held K-State to a measly 162 yards and forced 3 turnovers, while Tim Brown scored 2 touchdowns off long passes, and the rout was on. The MVP of the game would be Ray Rice, who scored a touchdown and ran for 170 yards as he set himself up for Heisman Hopes in 2007 with a strong final performance in 2006. In his final game, Brian Leonard would ride off into the sunset knowing that he had helped this team rise from the bottom of the NCAA to winners of a bowl game for the first time in program history.

Ray Rice and Co. celebrate their 1st Bowl victory

2. "Pandemonium in Piscataway": Rutgers vs. Louisville (November 9, 2006)

There really is not much left to say about this game that has not been said already. In the greatest game in Rutgers history, #15 Rutgers took the field against #3 Louisville in a battle of the unbeaten. The Thursday night game was televised on ESPN, and gave the nation an opportunity to see the Scarlet Knights make a statement against the favored Cardinals. But the Louisville offense was on point in the 1st half, and a big kickoff return for a touchdown left the Knights trailing at the half 25-14. And that's when the game changed. Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano threw caution to the wind and sent the dogs after Heisman contender Brian Brohm. The result: Louisville failed to record a first down for the first 26 minutes of the 2nd half, and Rutgers stormed back behind big plays from Kenny Britt, and Ray Rice to tie the score at 25 with 10 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. With the game tied, and 5:28 left in the game, Rutgers had the ball at it's on 9. Teel and the offense went to work recording 2 first downs, before facing 3rd and 5 from their own 35. Teel dropped back and found Leonard in the right flat, and Leonard took off up the right sideline for a 26 yard gain into Louisville territory. On the very next play from scrimmage, Ray Rice broke free for 20 yards, and all of a sudden Rutgers was in field goal range with under 2 minutes remaining. After 3 running plays, K Jeremy Ito came on for the most important kick in Rutgers history. It was a good snap, a good hold, and.....HE MISSED IT. But UL's William Gay had jumped offside, and given a reprieve, Ito knocked his 2nd chance straight through the uprights. Given one last chance, Brian Brohm was sacked before he could get off a throw, and the celebration was on. A sea of red canvassed the field, and swallowed up the Rutgers players. Strangers hugged and carried Jeremy Ito off on their shoulders. For one night, Rutgers was truly the center of the college football universe.

1. Keep Choppin': December 1, 2000

"We're going to win at Rutgers and we're going to do it the right way."--Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano

After years of embarrassing losses, and terrible hiring decisions, the Rutgers administrators, and in particular AD Bob Mulcahy got it right in December of 2000. Rutgers hired a bright, young, defensive coordinator from the University of Miami named Greg Schiano. And from the moment that Schiano was introduced as head coach he vowed to win at Rutgers, and to do it right. Rutgers goal was to put up a wall around New Jersey for recruiting and create a "State of Rutgers". For years the best players from the state would get snatched up by schools like Penn State and Syracuse, but not on Schiano's watch. Over his first 4 years, he would compile a 12-34 record, but the record didn't tell the whole story. Rutgers was starting to win recruiting battles, and was able to do so without affecting their ability to succeed in the classroom. Over the last 5 years Schiano has averaged nearly 9 wins per season, and in 2006 led the Knights to a #12 final ranking. His teams have also ranked in the Top 5 in the national APR Rankings for the past 3 years, and he has produced numerous NFL players drafted on Day 1 of the NFL Draft (Leonard, Rice, Britt, and Anthony Davis). Most importantly, Schiano seems to embrace Rutgers the same way that Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden embraced their schools. Schiano has already spurned offers from Miami and Michigan to remain at Rutgers, and all signs point towards Schiano coaching Rutgers for a long time. Like they say: There's 3 Bosses in New Jersey: Bruce, Tony, and Greg.

Honorable Mention: Rutgers lands Anthony Davis; Tim Brown's Miracle TD vs. UConn ('09); Kenny Britt drafted in the First Round of the NFL Draft; Ray Rice reaches 2000 yards rushing; Insight Bowl; Rutgers Comeback vs. Vanderbilt in 2004.

It's difficult not to rank the Rutgers-Louisville game #1, but you have to wonder if that game would have even been possible without the hiring of Greg Schiano. Hopefully in the next decade our #1 moment will include a BCS Bowl win, and perhaps a national championship.

What do you guys rank as your #1 Rutgers football moment of the decade. Can you think of some moments that I missed? Let me know in the comments section below.....

Poll

What do you think was Rutgers Football's Best Moment of the Decade?

Rutgers Hires Greg Schiano (December 2000)

31 votes

Rutgers Upsets #3 Louisville

88 votes

Rutgers wins the Texas Bowl (1st Bowl Win)

2 votes

Rutgers Shocks #2 USF

2 votes

Rutgers is ranked in AP Poll (1st time since 1976)

2 votes

125 votes | Poll has closed

Rutgers Football 10 Worst Moments of the Decade

ibleedscarlet — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:45:54 -0000

Mike Teel reacts to James Townsend's dropped TD against WVU

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's been a hell of a decade. Rutgers football has seen the lowest of lows, and the highest of highs (well almost) during the 00's. Hopefully when the calendar turns into the 2010's it will be the decade that Rutgers truly emerges as an elite college football program.

Today we'll be counting down the 10 worst games/moments in Rutgers football over the past decade. I'm sure that there will be moments that I miss, or that you disagree with, but hey, that's what the comments section is for. So without further ado:

10. November 8, 2003 The Muff: Rutgers at UConn

A week after defeating Temple to break their 25 game Big East winless streak and get to 4-4 on the season, Rutgers traveled to Storrs to face a 7-3 Huskies team with bowl hopes dancing in their heads. Rutgers raced out to an early 17-7 halftime lead, but UConn stormed back to take the lead with a little over 4 minutes left. But Brian Leonard responded with a 35 yard TD run with just under 2 minutes remaining to tie the game at 31. The Rutgers defense held and forced UConn to punt, but then the big blunder came. Special team star Tres Moses fumbled the punt inside the 6 yard line, and UConn punched it in 3 plays later for a touchdown and 38-31 victory. Rutgers would go on to finish the 2003 season 5-7.

9. November 21, 2009 Knightmare in the Dome: Rutgers at Syracuse

Greg Schiano would say afterwards the team was never prepared for this game, and boy was it evident. 9 days after blowing out South Florida and grabbing the #25 ranking in the AP Poll, Rutgers was throttled 31-13 but the Orange at the Carrier Dome. The game was never close, and Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage was sacked 9 times. The total yardage differential said it all: 424-130 in favor of Greg Paulus' Orange. The loss eliminated any hope of a 10 win season for the Knights, and removed them from national attention, and a better bowl game.

8. September 10, 2007 The Curse of Navy: Rutgers vs. Navy

#15 Rutgers did what it was supposed to do and beat a tough Navy team 41-24. But the real story came afterwards as the behavior of the fans, especially those in the student section was criticized nationally. Honestly, I thought the story got blown way out of proportion, and if you asked each individual student their opinions of the Navy players, they would have nothing but respect for the heroes who would soon be trolling the front lines to defend America. But the damage was done, and the reputation of Rutgers, and their fans took a big hit.

For the rest of the Top 10, read on after the jump....

7. September 7, 2009 The Deafening Sound of Silence: Rutgers vs. Cincinnati

It all seemed to be set-up perfectly. Rutgers would open their newly expanded 102 million dollar stadium in front of a sold-out home crown on a nationally televised showdown with the defending Big East Champs. The Labor Day game would be a coming out party for Dom Natale against the depleted Cincinnati defense...except no one told Tony Pike that. The Bearcat quarterback shredded the Rutgers defense for 362 yards, and the game was over by halftime. The new stadium was empty by the start of the 4th quarter. Not the way the Rutgers administration had envisioned their unveiling.

6. October 16, 2004 Football Takes A Backseat

Just hours after beating Temple in 2004's homecoming game, Rutgers and Head Coach Greg Schiano faced a near tragedy when three Rutgers football players were seriously injured in a crash on Route 18. Three defensive backs were injured in the crash that occurred when a drunk driver was going the wrong way on Route 18. The most seriously injured of the 3 was safety Dondre Asberry, who suffered head injuries and a spinal fracture. Though all three would be alright in the end, it was a sobering remind that these players do more than play football.

5. November 11, 2005 The Stomp: Rutgers at Louisville

News to Rutgers: Just because you're bowl-eligible doesn't mean that you're better than Louisville. Well at least in 2005. Rutgers went down to Louisville after becoming bowl eligible for the 1st time since 1978, and made the worst decision possible. They decided to stomp on the Louisville logo before during pregame, and from there, the rout was on. Brian Brohm threw for 3 touchdowns, and the Cardinals taught the Knights that they had a long way to go before being concerned a big boy in the Big East.

4. September 11, 2004 America: We have Left Rutgers vs. New Hampshire

A week after the huge victory against Michigan State on national television (and declaring "America, we have arrived), Rutgers was still riding high heading into a home date with 1-AA New Hampshire. Rutgers fell behind 7-0, but came back to take a 24-14 halftime lead. And that's where the scoring ended for the Scarlet Knights. The defense made UNH QB Ricky Santos look like Johnny Heisman, as he threw five touchdowns and lead the Wildcats to 21 2nd half points and a 35-24 victory over Rutgers.

Rutgers made UNH's Ricky Santos look like a Heisman Candidate

3. A Decade of Futility: Rutgers vs. West Virginia

Rutgers did not beat West Virginia this decade. Not once. 0-10. There were bad moments: the '06 triple OT loss, the '08 loss on the final drive. But none was as bad as the 2001 loss. West Virginia beat Rutgers in every possible way, blowing the doors off the Knights in an 80-7 rout. Rutgers had 8 total turnovers, and West Virginia ran for nearly 450 yards on the ground in handing Rutgers it's worst loss in 100 years. This was probably the low moment of Greg Schiano's Rutgers career, though it was still very early.

2. November 18, 2006 Unbeaten No Longer Rutgers at Cincinnati

A week after recording the biggest win in school history over Louisville and rocketing the Scarlet Knights up to #7 in the polls, Rutgers came back to Earth courtesy of the Bearcats. Mike Teel had one of his worst outings in his career as he was intercepted 4 times (including one which was returned for a touchdown). Behind back-up QB Nick Davila, the Bearcats used a balanced offensive attack to squash the Knights faint National Championship hopes, 30-11. It would turnout that if Rutgers could have won against Cincy, they would have been in the Orange Bowl, regardless of the outcome against......

1. December 2, 2006 So Close, Yet So Far Rutgers at West Virginia

#13 Rutgers vs. #15 West Virginia. The stakes were as high as they get for Rutgers: Win and go to the BCS. In an absolutely phenomenal game, Rutgers came up just short. The remaining image for me from this game is James Townsend in the endzone dropping a potential game clinching touchdown pass in the 4th quarter. But instead Rutgers had to settle for a field goal, and WVU was able to convert a late drive to send the game to OT. Both teams converted on their opportunities in the first 2 overtimes, and in the 3rd overtime, West Virginia was able to score and convert the 2 point conversion. Ray Rice was able to answer the touchdown, but Mike Teel's 2 point conversion attempt to Rice fell incomplete, and Rutgers dream season was dashed. That games marks the closest that Rutgers has come to getting to a BCS bid and Big East title. Though it was a great game, for me, that is the worst moment of the decade as a Rutgers football fan.

So Rutgers fans, what's your worst moment of the decade? Would you have picked something else #1? What else am I forgetting? Let me know in the comments section below....

Poll

What was the Worst Rutgers Moment of the Decade?

Rutgers Loss to New Hampshire

32 votes

A decades worth of embarrassment vs. WVU

78 votes

Rutgers Loss to Cincy '06

24 votes

Rutgers loss to WVU '06

59 votes

Other

9 votes

202 votes | Poll has closed

The Future of Matt Hasselbeck is the Future of the Seattle Seahawks, Pt. 2

John Morgan — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:26:51 -0000

There is no third-year wide receiver rule and no single path a quarterback takes to competence. The Seattle Seahawks could employ any strategy this offseason and still not start a competent quarterback in 2010, 2011 and 2012. If it sticks with Matt Hasselbeck, it will commit itself to Hasselbeck's decline phase, starting him in his age 35, 36 and 37 year-old seasons. For perspective, a quarterback performs at 83.2% of total capacity at 34, but historically, that capacity drops to 76.8, 69.9 and 62.9% from 35 to 37. The Seahawks could attempt to offset that decline through building a better team.

Whoever drafts Hasselbeck's replacement, whoever that replacement is, and however that replacement is integrated into the offense, the Seahawks will most likely decline as a passing offense in 2010. Old quarterbacks lose ability in chunks. Young quarterbacks gain ability in leaps. The two cross paths sometime around an old quarterback's age 36 season and a young quarterback's age 24 season.

Hasselbeck will turn 35 next season. Seattle can retain him through the end of his contract while simultaneously adding the quarterback of the future. Hasselbeck would be the presumed starter and presumably better than his young replacement, help transition Seattle towards its future, and potentially resurrect his own career, should he desire.

That's why I dub this the "Graceful Exit Plan." Seattle could draft a quarterback in the top ten, but is less likely to with Hasselbeck under contract and costing $10 million against the cap. In the last ten drafts, two quarterbacks have been selected in the top ten five times. In the last twenty drafts, two quarterbacks have been selected in the top ten ten times. It's difficult to project a draft so early in the process, but it is likely Jimmy Clausen will join Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Tony Pike, Dan LeFevour and Sean Canfield atop this year's quarterback class.

Clausen is the most likely top-ten pick. The impact of keeping Hasselbeck is that Seattle is unlikely to select a quarterback within the top ten, and therefore we will assume Clausen is unlikely, Bradford could likewise be unlikely, but the remaining five will be available. The remaining five represent the most likely pool of replacements for Hasselbeck.

Canfield's age is not publically listed, Rotoworld lists him at 108, but he is a senior now and graduated from high school early to attend spring drills. It's most likely that Canfield is 22, and like most of the rest of his class, will be a 23 to 24 year-old rookie.

It's ridiculous to discuss a quarterback prospect's upside. Every legitimate prospect is capable of making Canton or selling Cadillacs in five years. Likewise, the age guidelines presented by Pro Football Reference evidence that quarterback development is initially about experience. The greatest single delta is between age 21 and age 22, when a quarterback jumps 22.2%, and the second greatest is between 22 and 23, when a quarterback jumps 18.5%. Most 22 year old quarterbacks are rookies. All 21 year old quarterbacks rookies. After the sophomore sprint growth is more gradual.

The Plan Might Be Enacted Thus:

Hasselbeck is a lame duck. The media loves to pick on such situations and tease out whatever controversy possible. The ownership, management and Hasselbeck must agree to bury the subject and unite behind a common plan. That starts the day after the draft, when the team provides a unified front: Hasselbeck is the starter, but his drafted replacement, the future.

If Greg Knapp is still Seattle's offensive coordinator, Seattle's pick will most reflect his personal preferences in a quarterback. Tim Ruskell has deferred to his coaching staff, sometimes smartly, and sometimes, like when re-signing Shaun Alexander, stupidly. It will reflect Knapp's system and Ruskell's eye for talent. Let's quickly vet potential candidates.

Knapp Approved:

McCoy

Tebow

LeFevour

Canfield

Ruskell Approved:

McCoy

Tebow

Tebow could fall off Knapp's list and Canfield appear on Ruskell's. The most likely candidate is McCoy. He fits Knapp's system and passes Ruskell's standards. Tebow is the second most likely candidate and then maybe Canfield. I'll run with Tebow and McCoy, because the two are similar types and would be built around in a similar fashion.

We'll assume Seattle's spends its first overall pick on McBow. Seattle would not likely spend additional early picks on the offensive line. Knapp would protect the quarterback by moving the pocket, establishing the run and extending the short passing attack. It would want a top receiver to pair with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, replace or eventually replace Nate Burleson (2010 is voidable), grow with McBow and one day power the McSeaBow's offense. Or, should that talent be unavailable, an elite running back prospect to lead Seattle's developing committee of backs.

Knapp likes speed and Ruskell likes polish. The two might settle on Brandon LaFell. Many players are faster than Lafell, but few are more polished. Lafell does not satisfy Knapp's desire for speed, but he can be a deep threat. He's a big player, known for his blocking ability, that passes Ruskell's standards and can fit within Knapp's system.

If Seattle retains or re-signs Burleson, or postpones its need at wide receiver, it could address its defense or add a running back. The one thing it will not likely do is invest heavily into its offensive line. Another GM might.

Seattle will face a difficult free agency before it reaches the draft. Retaining Hasselbeck means a major chunk of its salary cap is invested into a player very unlikely to contribute to its future. It could cut Patrick Kerney and Walter Jones, either, but it would be hard pressed to retain all three. It must cut someone or be dragged down by sunk cost.

That period will determine who Seattle targets in the draft, but skill position and defense should populate their prime targets.

How it Works: Seattle's coaching staff and executives buy themselves a stay of execution. Emphasis is on the future and Seattle's existing offense is culled for talent. One of Chris Spencer and Rob Sims will join Deon Butler, Max Unger, Justin Forsett, John Carlson, McBow and Sparkly New Skill Position Player to form Seattle's offensive core going forward.

McBow starts for most of the preseason and subs if Hasselbeck is injured or grossly ineffective. Hasselbeck endures his victory lap with statesman-like aplomb and tutors his young understudy, to whatever undetermined effect. Seattle is not a true contender in 2010, but it could contend for the NFC West. The defense gels and Seattle's young offense shows flashes.

How it Fails: If Seattle cannot sooth Hasselbeck but feels compelled to retain him, it will struggle to keep the media hounds at bay. Management accepts 2010 as a season spent towards its future, but the media exploits the fanbase's impatience, growing dissatisfaction and entitlement, and not so subtly splits the franchise between Hasselbeck and management; The past and the future; winning and the losing it takes to win again.

McBow struggles in the preseason and is stuck behind Mike Teel or Seneca Wallace on Seattle's depth chart. The offense, built to be cheap and good, versus expensive and dominating, like the Seahawks of yore, is cheap and bad. The defense does not pick up the slack. The Seahawks spiral towards their third straight losing season, a little older, and further wedged between a full rebuild and mediocrity.

The Future of Matt Hasselbeck is the Future of the Seattle Seahawks, Pt. 1

John Morgan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:47:55 -0000

Last post for a few days. Enjoy the holiday if you celebrate. I know I can't count my blessings with every bone in a newborn baby's body.

This is the first in a multipart series examining how Seattle can determine its future by determining its quarterback of the future. The second part should be up on black Friday.

The Matt Hasselbeck Plan

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Matt Hasselbeck started the season 25 of 36 for 279 yards. He wasn't well ahead or living on RAC. He wasn't Admiral Checkdown commanding the Y-wings to martyr themselves against the turrets of the opposing defense's Death Star. Hasselbeck was a capable quarterback, leading his team back from his own blunders to a shutout slaying of the St. Louis Rams.

Then Hasselbeck dropped his deflector shields and threw himself bodily down the 49ers exhaust shaft and towards the team's reactor core. He was stopped short by Patrick Willis' superlaser elbow smash.

Everything that has followed has sucked. Broken down Hasselbeck is not much more valuable than General Sack-Himself, Seneca Wallace. Hasselbeck has had broken ribs, and still suffers from a throwing-shoulder injury of unknown origin. The injuries, we must conclude, have taken their toll.

When Shaun Alexander slowed, his decline was inexorable. The smartest, most skilled back in the world can not overcome zero burst and swampfooted cutting ability. Hasselbeck and his fans are enduring a more complicated but no less painful decline. Unlike Alexander, Hasselbeck is not cooked, done, debilitated and embarrassing himself.

Matt Hasselbeck could recover and be a good quarterback again. His marginal arm strength is likely to decline, but not so badly he can no longer make his bread and butter mid-range throws. Hasselbeck can not do that today, but when he's healthy, he can.

In this plan, Seattle accepts what it has and does not have at quarterback. It sticks with Hasselbeck and attempts to build itself around what he can do. It improves the line and run game to keep Hasselbeck healthy and keep Hasselbeck viable when he is inevitably injured. Tim Ruskell continues to build the defense towards elite.

The plan might be enacted thus:

Rework and extend Hasselbeck's contract in the offseason. This will free immediate cap dollars and preempt a quarterback controversy.

Cut Patrick Kerney and Walter Jones.

Be players in free agency and in the trade market. Target undervalued backs from teams with depth, and attempt to buy elite free agents like Julius Peppers, Elvis Dumervil, Carlos Rogers and Richard Seymour. Seattle is no longer an attractive destination for players that want to win, but Paul Allen's money is no less green.

Approach the draft from a best talent available standpoint, but understand the need for talent at offensive line, running back and potentially wide receiver.

Tap Mike Teel as the long term replacement, or acquire young talent to contest him for the position.

How it works: Hasselbeck regains arm strength as his health improves, but, more importantly, Hasselbeck the signal caller comes to fore as Hasselbeck the quarterback recedes. The team builds around Hasselbeck's intelligence at the position and compensates for his deteriorating tools.

The Seahawks continue to redefine themselves as a defense-minded team. It doesn't panic and pour resources into the offense, attempting to remake an elite offense around a quarterback not capable of helming such an attack, but buttresses the offense and improves and stabilizes the offensive line. The Seahawks young talent gels, perhaps pushed over the top by a Peppers, Berry or Dunlap, and begins a run of dominance over a still very weak NFC West. If things break right, one February night in the coming decade, Robert dies of joy. We spread his ashes accross Qwest hiding our barely stifled smiles.

How it fails: Hasselbeck is never fully free of routine football abuse and therefore never free of debilitating injuries. The team invests in Matt Hasselbeck's skills and leadership and get Trent Green, Jake Delhomme, Mark Brunell, etc: A once very good quarterback at his body's end. The discord on offense prevents major gains by a talented defense, or, what gains are made, are wasted because of the Seahawks untenably bad offense.

Having invested in Hasselbeck and otherwise ignored the quarterback position, the team is stuck between stations, improving on defense as the offense crumbles--seasons away from any chance of renewal. Seattle spends its coming seasons betwixt good and bad, often settling into mediocre, but never a true contender. The upshot: The Seahawks can't collapse enough to rebuild.

Winning with Seneca Wallace Part 3: Punchline

John Morgan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:37:48 -0000

Seattle adds an offensive tackle and transforms its offensive line. It adds a superstar rusher and pairs him with Julius Jones and Justin Forsett in a three-headed hell dog of a rush attack. Cerberus if you will. It takes all pressure off Seneca Wallace. It attempts to make him a franchise quarterback by reducing the standards for franchise quarterback to almost nothing. The Seneca Plan is executed and aided by impeccable scouting and tremendous dumb luck. The Seahawks add a return ace and cybernetic punter. Its defense clicks and coalesces into a rampaging monster. The Seneca Hawks are built and ready to storm the NFL.

They back their way into the playoffs and get blown out in the Wild Card round. When they can't get ahead early, they lose. When injuries run in and weaken the defense or rushing attack, they lose. When Seneca's unruly style meets his 30 year old body, they lose Seneca and slip out of contention. They become the Bears, the Titans, the Vikings or the Jaguars; they tease, they lose, they don't lose enough to rebuild and the franchise is mired in boring mediocrity.

Seattle cannot afford the Seneca Wallace Plan. It's as flawed as the thinking that landed them Brian Russell. This is a quarterback's league and that fact becomes more entrenched each passing season. Seattle has a talent on the out and it needs a talent on the in. Tim Ruskell has backed himself into an unenviable position. He has pressed his quarterback resources to exhaustion and failed to restock.

The Seneca Wallace bluff revealed, what can Seattle do? Free agency is thin. Seattle could sign Jason Campbell or Kellen Clemens and attempt to develop a young, but not yet prime quarterback prospect. It could patch with a reclamation project like Daunte Culpepper or David Carr. I can hear your heart beating with anticipation. It could draft a talent and hope he develops quickly. Or Seattle could attempt to do what Mike Holmgren did and trade for a promising looking quarterback talent stuck behind an entrenched veteran. Vetting that list is a lengthy process, but before we cannibalize too much of the offseason, let's brainstorm names to target.

Erik Ainge: Ainge was suspended for steroid use and that put a black mark on an already fringe prospect. I've always liked Ainge from a pure prospect standpoint. He was a four-year starter on a rather miserable Vols team that improved steadily from his freshman season. Ainge is 6'6" and a pure pocket passer. He was once considered a very good college prospect after shredding the PNW at Glencoe. Ainge is heavy with intangible red flags, but those flags may have little substance.

Brady Quinn: Quinn is a sack machine and well on his way to full bust status. His raw passing stats don't look bad, but he still has the sheen of quarterback prospect and that could make him expensive. There's little reason to think he'll shake the sacks that have plagued him for his entire career. Seattle could acquire him but they'll pay too much for a prospect never as good as many, including myself, thought he was.

Kevin Kolb: Kolb would have been a fine and dandy addition until he knuckle-slapped Kansas City and put himself into Matt Schaub country. Houston exchanged two second-round picks for Schaub and moved down two places in the first round. That is a lot to give for an unproven prospect, but it has worked for the Texans as Schaub has proven capable of top-ten production. Schaub has a slightly better scouting profile than Kolb, but never attained Kolb's regular season heights before being traded. It might take up to or even including one of Seattle's first round picks to swing a deal with Philadelphia, but it might just be worth it.

Brian Brohm: Brohm has faded as fast as any elite quarterback prospect in recent memory. He isn't controversial or speculated over. Brohm is buried. He was compared to Drew Brees by NFL Draft Scout and looked like Brees in college, completing a high percentage of throws and carrying a Louisville offense almost bereft of pro talent. The best receiver he played with was Harry Douglas, now a Falcon. The only other notable pro talent is Michael Bush and Bush missed most of Brohm's career.

Brohm sits on Green Bay's practice squad. Seattle could acquire Brohm simply by signing him to their 53 man roster. He could displace Mike Gibson, Mansfield Wrotto, rarely used and practice squad eligible Cameron Morrah or even Mike Teel. I try not to stump for everything I believe, but this one confounds me. Unless Brohm hides razor blades in Halloween apples, no team with a quarterback need should think twice about adding him and figuring out his potential for themselves.

And that is about it. Seattle could inquire about Jim Sorgi, but Sorgi is already 28. Quarterback is the most essential single position perhaps in all of sport. A great one like Peyton Manning can make his team a perennial contender. Teams that lack a quarterback must conceive farfetched plans that lead from failure to postponed failure. This need is overdue and my tenuous faith in Tim Ruskell is tested each offseason he ignores it. It is time Seattle becomes aggressive about finding the successor to Matt Hasselbeck, because no one wants to see the Seneca Wallace Plan enacted.

Winning with Seneca Wallace Part 2: Idiot Proofing

John Morgan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:04:40 -0000

Why Seneca? Does Seattle have a choice?

Matt Hasselbeck has entered that agonizing phase of his career where injuries are around every hit. Seattle could sign Jason Campbell, but maybe they can't. Campbell is a restricted free agent in an uncapped season. If the NFL hashes out that problem and Campbell becomes an unrestricted free agent, there's still no certainty he signs with Seattle or Seattle signs him. Seattle could draft a quarterback, but developing a quarterback is a lengthy process. One reason Detroit selected Matthew Stafford is that should Stafford develop, he will be entering his prime just as the Lions are finishing their rebuild.

Wallace, for all his flaws, is learning the Greg Knapp system, has game experience in the Knapp system, is developed or as developed as he'll be (and a good bit better than Stafford or Mark Sanchez) and has a certain floor. Wallace has a certain expected minimum performance.

Why Seneca? Because like it or lump it, Seneca Wallace might be the best quarterback available in 2010.

A player like C.J. Spiller adds new dimensions to the offense and reduces Wallace's burden. It won't work if Spiller is regularly fighting his way out of the backfield. That means Seattle needs to add primetime talent to their line. It doesn't need a full rebuild of its line, but it does need better, healthier depth and another premium talent to play alongside Chris Spencer. Adding a left tackle improves depth, improves the right tackle position, where Sean Locklear can play, and actually saves the team some scratch.

It's a lucky coincidence that what Seattle needs to run the ball is exactly what Wallace needs to protect himself from himself. The infinity drops won't stop, but a long limbed, natural left tackle that can mirror his man and continue to control the edge all the way through the back end can help shield Wallace's abysmal pocket presence. We're not talking a road grader. Seattle will be in the market for a Charles Brown, Selvish Capers type. Someone that can kick out, cut and has the foot speed to keep up with our loony tunes signal caller.

Adding a tackle is a start, but Seattle needs to improve its depth and specifically, depth that can excel in Knapp's system. The Seahawks should pursue Daryn Colledge, Marshal Yanda, Chris Kuper or even someone like Khalif Barnes and Alex Barron, two players that have flunked out at tackle but could improve as guards.

The idea is to turn Seneca Wallace into a David Garrard by improving the talent around him and creating a system that is run first, strict, and powered by play action. You do not create the Wallace system because it's ideal, but because it satisfies basic needs and deemphasizes the quarterback. Ideally, the system that can work with Wallace can work with Mike Teel, Zac Robinson, Case Keenum or Tim Tebow, allowing Wallace to be the crash test dummy, and the kid Seattle drafts, the driver. Wallace keeps the team competitive enough to add free agent talent and avoid the high stakes pit of perennial top ten picks. Teams do not win Super Bowls with Seneca Wallace, but Wallace could be Seattle's Jim Harbaugh or Drew Bledsoe.

Saturday Scouting Runneth Over

John Morgan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:30:06 -0000

Football is precious. Today it can seem there is too much for to watch, but come spring I will be putting in DVDs of old games and rewatching Brandon Mebane blow something up. It's the bye week and that is a nice break from wall-to-wall Seahawks. But how better to spend the bye than watching football? And what a week to watch.

Seattle is, maximum, two years from starting over at quarterback. It might be cautious in the offseason, bring in a retread like Jason Campbell, rely on Hasselbeck for contention and have Campbell and Mike Teel battle it out for backup/successor. That would put it out of this year's quarterback class. A once heralded class is now looking shaky, but while 2010 droops, 2011 begins to look legendary.

At 1pm PDT, Jimmy Clausen and Jake Locker take the field. We'll have a gamethread for that. At 1pm PDT, someone named Eric Berry takes the field. Same thread. Actually, the thread might be a bit overstuffed. Seattle fans can watch no less than:

DL

Stephen Paea (Oregon State)

Everson Griffen (USC)

Brandon Deadrick (Alabama)

DB

Taylor Mays (USC)

Eric Berry (Tennessee)

Kareem Jackson (Alabama)

Javier Arenas (Alabama)

Justin Woodall (Alabama)

Josh Pinkard (USC)

OL

Charles Brown (USC)

Matt Tennant (BC)

Kristofer O'Dowd (USC)

Zack Heberer (USC)

Anthony Castonzo (USC)

FB

Stanley Havili (USC)

QB

Jake Locker (Washington)

Jimmy Clausen (ND)

TE

Colin Peek (Alabama)

WR

Golden Tate (ND)

Damian Williams (USC)

LB

Malcolm Smith (USC)

Rico McCoy (Tennessee)

Chris Walker (Tennessee)

P

Will Mahan (Washington)

And that list resulted from a quick survey of NFL Draft Scout. If you're around, I'll be around, watching football while I can.

SB Nation - Mike Teel

2009 Season Retrospective: Darryl Tapp

2007

2008

Lowlights:

Seahawks at Cardinals October 18

Seahawks at Cowboys November 1

Highlights:

Rams at Seahawks September 13

Seahawks at 49ers September 20

Seahawks at Colts October 4

Bears at Seahawks September 27

Jaguars at Seahawks October 11

Seahawks at Cowboys November 1, 2009

Seahawks at Cardinals November 15, 2009

49ers at Seahawks December 12, 2009

Evaluating My Preseason Conference Championship Predictions

Monday Night Open Thread

Rutgers Football: 10 Best Moments of the Decade

What do you think was Rutgers Football's Best Moment of the Decade?

Rutgers Hires Greg Schiano (December 2000)

Rutgers Upsets #3 Louisville

Rutgers wins the Texas Bowl (1st Bowl Win)

Rutgers Shocks #2 USF

Rutgers is ranked in AP Poll (1st time since 1976)

Rutgers Football 10 Worst Moments of the Decade

What was the Worst Rutgers Moment of the Decade?

Rutgers Loss to New Hampshire

A decades worth of embarrassment vs. WVU

Rutgers Loss to Cincy '06

Rutgers loss to WVU '06

Other

The Future of Matt Hasselbeck is the Future of the Seattle Seahawks, Pt. 2

The Future of Matt Hasselbeck is the Future of the Seattle Seahawks, Pt. 1

The Matt Hasselbeck Plan

The plan might be enacted thus:

Winning with Seneca Wallace Part 3: Punchline

Winning with Seneca Wallace Part 2: Idiot Proofing

Saturday Scouting Runneth Over

DL

DB

OL

FB

QB

TE

WR

LB

P