SB Nation User Blog: abender20

Scott Thorman -----> Brewers

abender20 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:14:26 -0000

We've heard a lot from the guys at USSM about how getting Brad Nelson from the M's would make a good deal of sense. Now with Thorman signed to a minor league deal, the Brewers have two mid-level prospects at first base, both blocked behind Prince. To me, this reeks less of a pending Nelson deal than a pending Fielder deal. The Brewers are bolstering their 1b depth for the probably loss of both Sheets and Sabathia, paving the way for a Prince for Matt Cain type deal that the blowhards have been blowing hard about for quite some time. However, with Zduriencik in place, he is definitely in a good position to work the Brewer's farm system based on what he knows. Let's hope for the best.

The recipe: how should the Hawks draft?

abender20 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:31:42 -0000

Look at the successful teams in the NFL this year. The model for success for several of them is quite clear. The Giants, Titans, Jets (you can argue the degree of their success), Panthers, Ravens, and Steelers all have a pretty similar makeup, varying mostly in degrees of talent.

Run Game

Each team has a solid or spectacular run game, indicating a good offensive line for the most part. The Steelers apparently run block reasonably, although they clearly don't pass protect well. Giants and Titans headline this category with both depth and talent. The Ravens have an oddball running game in that the most consistent contributor is built like Red Bryant, but they are getting the job done for the most part.

Stout, stout defense

All of these teams, with the exception of the Jets, are in the top 11 in YPG allowed. The Jets are 4th in run defense, however. Look at the D Lines of these teams though. Haynesworth, Jenkins, the entire Balty and NYG lines, and you find dominance at the line of scrimmage. 5 of these teams are in the top 8 in DVOA.

Competence at QB

No one here will put up Warner numbers, as their offenses are predicated on running the ball and executing when they need. Each of the guys here, although Flacco is still without a sample size, can lead a good drive.

So how does this stack up for Seattle?

Competent but aging and unspectacular running game. Adding an impact rookie to replace Morris' carries would be helpful. However, adding dominance along the O-Line is way more important.

Solid D- line, but in need more dominance. Giving Red and Mebane a year of development / health may be enough to start that process. We all recognize the need for a safety.

Hasselbeck is competent. He is also aging. Adding another wideout will help.

The verdict:

Draft early on big time O-lineman. Nab a safety on the first day and running back to boot. Then get the developmental QB for the future. Find a good route running wideout that isn't getting big time press due to a poor offense. You can always sign a guy like Antonio Bryant. Sign T. Suggs or draft some late round pash rush help. Win.

Viciedo ----> White Sox

abender20 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:33:11 -0000

Cross one potential first round talent off the list of free agents. Viciedo is apparently headed to the White Sox where he can eat delicious ropa vieja, chicharones de pollo, maduros, tostones, congri, and maybe even some picadillo with Contreras and Alexei Ramirez. I was hoping one fat Cuban middle infielder could attract another.

Yes, I just listed random cuban food to help fill the 75 word requirement. Now I'm hungry for some Cuban food.

Cubs looking at Teahen?

abender20 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:14:00 -0000

According to MLBtraderumors.com, the Cubbies are interested in Mark Teahen. Ignoring for the time being whether or not this is true, two things jump out at me:

1.) Mark Teahen is available? He's still relatively young, hits lefty, walks, and can play first. And he hit an inside-the-parker last year, so he must be one of the 3 fastest players in baseball. He and Prince Fielder.

2.) The Royals want middle infield help. Yuni for Teahen. Ship it.

More free talent!

abender20 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:04:29 -0000

The Jets cut Justin Miller today to make room for Ty Law. At the very least, he is a very good return man. I know the Patriots will snap him up as they are currently playing foxboro Postal Service employees at DB due to injuries and depth problems, but, as I wondered with DeAngelo Hall, what harm is there in bringing this dude in for cheap?

To finish off the word requirement, I offer the word of the day from Dictionary.com:

Cadaver:

a.) a dead body; especially that of a human to be dissected

b.) Brian Russell

Raider's stupidity, Seahawks fortune?

abender20 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:12:26 -0000

I may as well target this mostly towards John, but: The Raiders will release (or already have?) DeAngelo Hall, are looking to cut Javon Walker and there are faint whiffs that Tommy Kelly might be laying his neck in the guillotine as well. The Hawks are depleted badly at Wideout, have been suffering in the defensive backfield, and are thinning on the D-Line as well.

What value, in any, would there be in trying out Javon Walker, a guy who had unbelievable talent and put up great numbers in Green Bay? Is DeAngelo Hall worth taking a flier on? He can't command huge money, though he likely won't be a bargain either. He's still extremely young and at one point had a reputation as a good corner, deserved or not.

Lastly, the benching of Michael Huff. Al Davis, being the gremlin that he is, has somehow forced Huff to the bench. Could he be acquired for something like a 3rd or 4th rounder? He would immediately step in and be an improvement over White Hustle.

Get me those f****** shoes

abender20 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:39:40 -0000

Sure, sports isn't going so great in Seattle right now. Sure, the Huskies are the NCAA equivalent of the Bengals, and the Soni.. right.

So I am on a quest. I want a pair of Leonard Weaver's awesome shoes, or at least a pair of Branch's awesome gloves, which he clearly doesn't need while taking ice baths and wearing street clothes. If anyone, say, has a sister who's hairdresser is married to a dude who went to college with the girlfriend of Branch's butcher, let me know. I want those fucking gloves.

Chad Jackson cut by the Pats

abender20 — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:38:15 -0000

The Pats have just annouced that they are cutting 2nd round pick from 06 Chad Jackson.

The guy clearly has the raw tools, but never had the chance to play in New England and must not mesh well with the Pats brand of offense. Is there any reason for the Hawks to give him a look, considering that the receiving depth is in trouble right now? I understand that Jackson is likely similar to Kent, although 2 years in New England can't be a bad thing.

What else is available to give Hass some real weapons who can play in the Holmgren offense? I just can't see the combination of Burleson, Taylor, and Kent being wildly productive. Maybe Burly has made strides, but I've never been a fan of his style. Taylor and Kent are both raw.

Cedric Benson kicked to the curb...

abender20 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:03:38 -0000

Let's just hope he can make it there without falling down. What kind of market is there for an underachieving 4th overall pick with some off the field issues?

And in lieu of useless verbiage to fill this... here is a brief introduction to a vital hormone in the human body (thanks Wiki)

Arginine vasopressin (AVP), also known as vasopressin, argipressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a hormone found in most mammals, including humans.[1] The primary effect of vasopressin is to increase water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Vasopressin is a peptide hormone. It is derived from a preprohormone precursor that is synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored in vesicles at the posterior pituitary. Most of it is stored in the posterior pituitary to be released into the blood stream; some of it is also released directly into the brain.

Vanderjagt to the CFL?

abender20 — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:39:54 -0000

I found it strange last year when Mike Vanderjagt was suddenly cut by the Cowboys, but I find this even stranger: he just signed with the Toronto Argonauts after being unable to find work in the NFL. What happened to him? After being a premier kicker with the Colts and signing a big deal with the Dallas Jerry Joneses, I'm still stunned about this. If Seattle signed Mare over him, then obviously someone out there knows something that I don't. Is his leg done, or did he just get booted from the NFL fraternity after running his mouth a few too many times?