SB Nation User Blog: lemonverbena

Beltre Declines Arbitration

lemonverbena — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:00:23 -0000

Beltre Declines Arbitration

Goodbye and good luck, King Awesome.

So You're Telling Me There's a Chance

lemonverbena — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:22:24 -0000

Dead as they look and feel after last week's debacle, the Seahawks are still alive in our boring, mediocre little corner of the league, the NFC West. Yay realignment!

San Francisco has now lost two in a row to fall to 3-3. Sando is optimistic, but a QB carousel and upcoming road game at Indy don't bode well for their future prospects. ~~Arizona will likely be 3-3 as well when they visit NYG this evening.~~ Whoopsadoodle! St. Louis was out of the race in August.

So, how hard will it be to catch AZ and SF? The remaining schedule:

Arizona seems to have the clearest road to the division title. But anything can happen in the National. Football. League. San Diego was dead and buried at 4-8 last year, then the Broncos imploded and the Chargers reached the 2nd round of the playoffs.

If we were to game out what might happen, it could look something like this:

Update: the hypothetical scenario above was just cornholed by Arizona's win at the Giants. Add another loss to their column to get the Cardinals to 9-7. Yeah, we're fucked.

In this scenario Seattle would tie head-to-head with the Cards, then win the division-record tiebreaker 4-2 to Arizona's 3-3. If you project SF going 9-7 for a three-way tie, then the Niners would probably win the head-to-head record tiebreaker by virtue of their Week 1 win at Arizona. None of this is a prediction, mind you, and the current Hawks don't look like they will make it "likely" by going 7-3 the rest of the way. It is entirely possible, however. Doable. Attainable.

A loss at Dallas next week would suck, but it would be predictable, and it would not be the end of the season. This team needs to get healthy, beat the teams it should beat, and most importantly, win within the division. If they can't find a way to win both remaining games versus the Cardinals and 49ers they lose the tiebreaker. Then the season really will be over.

Until then, I really am telling you there's a chance. There has to be a chance. September 2010 is a terrible thing to wait for.

Peoria Javelinas

lemonverbena — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:25:57 -0000

Seriously! Peoria Motherfucking JAVELINAS!!

Dustin Ackley is a vicious little fucker.

Peoria Javelinas! What a great team name. What's a Javelina? A miniature spear? Nope, it's a Peccary, a nasty hippo-pig native to the desert Southwest, and Central and South America.

Peccaries are medium-sized animals, with a strong superficial resemblance to pigs. ... By rubbing the tusks together they can make a chattering noise that warns potential predators not to get too close. Peccaries, indeed, are aggressive enough in temperament that, unlike Eurasian pigs, they cannot be domesticated as they are likely to injure humans. Indeed in recent years in northwestern Bolivia near Madidi National Park there have been reports of people being seriously injured and killed by large groups of peccaries.

Hell yeah! I love this pig-like Tayassuidae! So now I can go to MLB.com, click "Minor League Shop" and find me some motherfucking Peoria Javelinas gear, right? No? What?? NO! Nothing!! Fack!!! Why the hell not? Hello, LOST REVENUE. Check out these Arizona Fall League logos:

Peoria Javelinas

Mesa Solar Sox

Surprise Rafters

Peoria Saguaros

Phoenix Desert Dogs

Scottsdale Scorpions

I like the Solar Sox logo too, and the Surprise Rafters nickname. But I really want a Javelinas cap. How do I get one?

Fuckin' Javelinas dude.

Ackley, concerned that an actual Javelina might be on his tail.

Bucs Claim Michael Bennett Off Waivers

lemonverbena — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:05:04 -0000

I would say "Bucs steal one from Ruskell", but Bennett was waived outright and bound to be given a shot by somebody.

The Buccaneers are continuing to look for ways to upgrade their pass rush and claimed rookie defensive end Michael Bennett off waivers from Seattle on Monday. The 6-foot-3, 274-pound Bennett was waived on October 11 to make room for defensive tackle Kyle Williams after signing with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M on April 27, 2009. ... To make room for Bennett on the active roster, the team waived rookie guard Marc Dile, who played collegiately at the University of South Florida, which is in Tampa.

Shame to lose this guy because the O-line is decimated. And, Craig Terrill's good ol' boy routine saves him over a younger, cheaper, more talented player. Maybe.

Update via Sando: the 49ers also claimed Bennett, but the 0-5 Bucs had priority.

The Bucs claimed Bennett off waivers, which gave Bennett no say in the matter. A week earlier, the Seahawks made room for Williams on their roster by releasing fullback Justin Griffith. Griffith's status as a veteran protected him from waivers, allowing Griffith to re-sign with Seattle after the game.

I think this is the applicable rule (pdf):

...any veteran who has acquired four years of pension credit is not subject to the waiver system if the club desires to release him. After the trading deadline, such players are subject to the waiver system.

Griffith Re-Signed, Kyle Williams Released

lemonverbena — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:14:50 -0000

Griffith Re-Signed, Kyle Williams Released

Make paper: By cutting Griffith as late in the week as they did, the Seahawks still gave him a pay check for the week.

Williams could be re-signed to the practice squad provided he clears waivers.

Seahawks proudly unveil their new "4th Alternate" jersey, to be worn December 6 against San...

lemonverbena — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:37:39 -0000

Seahawks proudly unveil their new "4th Alternate" jersey, to be worn December 6 against San Francisco.

Seahawks Wearing Green Alternate Uniforms, World Ends *Scruffy Survives Wearing New Jersey **Jersey Crushes Scruffy Under Its Fire-Breathing Smokestacks, Squalor and Corruption

lemonverbena — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:29:57 -0000

As has been long feared and recently forewarned, our beloved Seahawks are going with a... *urrphgh* ...green alternate jersey tomorrow against the Bears. Mega-tweeter Matthew Hasselbeck confirms the awful truth:

MatthewHass008

http://twitpic.com/j9dcl - @Nate81Burleson & Co. "Going Green" tomorrow #nfl #seahawks #bears (you saw it here first)

Seriously. Could there be anything worse? By a slim margin... yes. But this is truly an abhorrent development, from which hardcore fans and TV color balance settings may never recover.

God help us all.

*Scruffy's edit - *WORLDS BIGGEST FIST PUMP*

Just what is this abomination exactly? At a glance, the Seahawks first official 3rd/alternate jersey looks like a combination home pant/road jersey (the original-new "road" jersey, technically) with the white replaced by neon motherfucking green:

Upon closer inspection, however, we see that the pants have been tweekered as well:

~~A white stripe with a green border~~ "Seahawks Navy" pantlegs (same color as the top stripe of the logo) with the lighter "Seahawks Blue" bordering the neon green stripe--the opposite of the standard home pants. Whatever. That green top is a waking nightmare. In a season featuring a host of "legacy" games commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the American Football League--right down to the officials' uniforms, no less--would this have been so terrible?

Of course not. That's the uniform we grew up with, screaming our brains out in the Dome for the old Blue, Silver and Green. Oh yeah...SILVER! Silver, as in the pants, the helmets, even the end zones on occasion. Green was an accent for chrissakes. Yeah, the Sounders FC are great, cross-promotion yada yada, I hate these like the plague.

Update: Prior to posting this I had not yet seen (honestly!) this Uni Watch post (scroll to the bottom) decrying as "the end of the world as we know it" Chris Berman's warning of these hideous togs. But obviously I concur wholeheartedly, and tip my BLUE Seahawks hat to you, good sirs.

You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good.

lemonverbena — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:21:22 -0000

You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good.

The Poor Man's Roster Analysis

lemonverbena — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:56:58 -0000

Submitted for your approval or otherwise, a Roster Analysis compiled in light of two preseason games and the latest moves/injuries. I claim no inside access or expertise so take it for what you will. Hat-tip and humble gratitude to Tacoma News Tribune beat writer Eric Williams, who continues Sando's tradition, and from whom the numbers and template I have lifted nearly whole cloth.

Quarterback
Last season: 3
Currently on roster: 4
Average number kept since 2002: 3
Locks: Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace
Solid: Mike Teel
Camp fodder: Jeff Rowe

Seneca = Wildcat. Teel rhymes with Steal.

Running back
Number kept last season: 6
Currently on roster: 8
Average number kept since 2002: 5.5
Locks: Julius Jones, Edgerrin James, Justin Forsett, Owen Schmitt, Justin Griffith
Long odds: David Kirtman, Devin Moore
Camp fodder: Dan Curran

Weird fact: Edgerrin James is a Seahawk. Replacing Duckett with Edge is a low-risk, medium-upside shakeup to an RB corps that clearly needed it. I assume they go 3 RB and 2 FB with other loaded positions (WR, DL) vying for roster space.

Wide receiver
Number kept last season: 6
Currently on roster: 10
Average number kept since 2002: 6
Locks: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, Deon Butler
Solid: Ben Obomanu
On the bubble: Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent, Mike Hass
Camp fodder: Logan Payne, Michael Bumpus.

I like Hass, based mostly on his nice route and catch for a TD against the Chargers. He could fill that hard-workin' scrappy WR role a la Wes Welker. Plus "Hasselbeck complete to Hass" has a certain lyrical symmetry. Hass does have practice squad eligibility and my guess is Taylor gets the sixth spot. Jordan Kent, we hardly saw thee do a damn thing.

Tight end
Number kept last season: 3
Currently on roster: 5
Average number kept since 2002: 3
Locks: John Carlson, John Owens
On the bubble: Joe Newton, Cameron Morrah
Camp fodder: John Tereshinski

Newton has impressed; late-rounder Morrah would be headed for the practice squad.

Offensive line
Number kept last season: 9
Currently on roster: 14
Average number kept since 2002: 9
Locks: Walter Jones, Sean Locklear, Chris Spencer, Ray Willis, Rob Sims, Max Unger, Mansfield Wrotto, Steve Vallos.
On the bubble: Kyle Williams, Na’Shan Goddard
Camp fodder: William Robinson, Andre Ramsey, Cory Withrow, ~~Grey Ruegamer~~ Brian De La Puente

Ugh. At best, Big Walt returns just in time for the opener and Spencer comes back in Week 3. Maybe they add somebody (Levi Jones?) plus Williams/Goddard and keep 10. Maybe not, since most of these guys back up multiple line positions. Max Unger, please save us.

Defensive line
Number kept last season: 9
Currently on roster: 13
Average number kept since 2002: 9
Locks: Darryl Tapp, Brandon Mebane, Patrick Kerney, Lawrence Jackson, Red Bryant, Colin Cole, Cory Redding, Craig Terrill, Nick Reed.
On the bubble: Baraka Atkins, Michael Bennett
Camp fodder: Kevin Brown, Derek Walker

Kerney is a huge ? and LoJack is invisible, but Nick Reed is fucking awesome and Michael Bennett may be this year's undrafted steal. Maybe the "extra" spot saved by keeping 5 RB and/or 4 CB leads to keeping 10 from this deep group, with Reed and Atkins making the 53 and Bennett on the PS. Or better yet, Bennett on the roster and the Atkins Diet on waivers. Dare to dream.

Linebackers
Number kept last season: 6
Currently on roster: 9
Average number kept since 2002: 6.6
Locks: Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill, Aaron Curry, D.D. Lewis, David Hawthorne
On the bubble: Will Herring, Lance Laury
Camp fodder: Dave Philistin, Shane Simmons

Mr. Williams had Hawthorne "in the hunt" but Heater is a lock. Herring and Laury will have to play it out unless they keep seven, Herring maybe with a slight edge.

Cornerbacks
Number kept last season: 4
Currently on roster: 7
Average number kept since 2002: 4.5
Locks: Marcus Trufant, Ken Lucas, Josh Wilson, Kelly Jennings
Whatever: Kevin Hobbs, Travis Fisher, Marquis Floyd

I have no way of knowing who of Hobbs/Fisher/Floyd is in the lead for a hypothetical fifth CB spot. I can only offer the occasional animal sacrifice to the football gods for the health of Tru's disc. What offerings have you made for the health of Tru's disc?

Safeties
Number kept last season: 4
Currently on roster: 6
Average number kept since 2002: 4
Locks: Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Jordan Babineaux
On the bubble: C.J. Wallace, Jamar Adams, Courtney Greene

C.J. Wallace is closing down a roster spot, Adams and Greene are PS-eligible. Wallace brings the lumber, I'll give him that, but his punt-coverage forced fumble on Kenny McKinley should have been a personal foul. He speared the returner in the facemask with the crown of his helmet. In other news: prepare to be driven batshit crazy yet again by Brian Russell's assignment-correct pile of suck.

Specialists
Specialists kept last season: 4
Currently on roster: 4
Average number kept since 2002: 3
Locks: Jon Ryan, Kevin Houser
On the bubble: Brandon Coutu, Olindo Mare

Mare has a sore knee, while Coutu keeps drilling every kick. You have to think he now has the edge and just hope the ol' boy can be learned on touchback distance. Mare healthy is the better short-term option but they didn't carry the kid last year for no reason.

All corrections, critique and scorn are welcomed. Go Hawks.

Update: Grey Ruegamer waived, OL Brian De La Puente signed.

Comic-Con, Sunday 7-26 Doppleganger or bizarre-hobby-hiding Blogger? We report, you decide.

lemonverbena — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:59:24 -0000

Comic-Con, Sunday 7-26

Doppleganger or bizarre-hobby-hiding Blogger? We report, you decide.