We all as fans should burn a few images into our minds, to fuel our hopes through the offseason. Ricardo Lockette was not open when the ball was thrown, but he casually turns on a ridiculous five-yard burst to adjust to T-Jax's long ball-- and then cradles it in the softest of hands. Watch this clip, gents (and ladies) and burn it into your minds:

THERE was a brief discussion of the correct betting line for this week's game, and it got me to thinking-- I am running a 'shadow betting' contest with my friends this year, so why not run one on the board too?  I call it 'shadow betting' because the units aren't worth anything, but at some point in a few years when I have discretionary income I want to bet for real, so I consider myself 'in training'.  And it's fun, trying to guess what the upcoming spreads should be, and then taking a position.  Just another way for 'hawk fans to express their love for the game over what is likely to be another up and down year. 

We'll always have Wedgewood.

RULES:

1. Every player starts the year with 50 units.

2. You may wager up to five (5) units per game, and in as many games as you like per week.  Bets as small as one-half unit (1/2) will be booked.  No vig will be charged, but keep in mind, you need to win 52.5% of your bets over time to break even.

3. Once you go broke, that's it.

4. Post the games you are taking a position on, and for how many units.  Sometimes the spread moves.  If the spread has moved and is other than I have posted, please note in your bet the current line you are getting.

5. I will keep a running tally on the leaderboard and laud much praise to the winner.

Week 1 Betting Lines:

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I was waiting for SSreporters to do this since, you know, I don't want to rub another man's rhubarb.  But here it is, Friday night and he hasn't put it up yet.  Maybe he has a date or something? 

Most of my lineup is set but I have a couple question marks that I'll throw out. I'm in two money leagues.

Traditional:

Matt Forte (@NYG) or Ahmad Bradshaw (CHI)? 

Despite Forte shitting the bed for me last week, I'm going to run him again.  Bradshaw is better but Chicago has an impressive run defense. 

Two of the following:

Anquan Boldin (@PIT), Lance Moore (CAR) or Brandon Lloyd (@TEN)?

I really don't like starting anybody against the Steelers.  Two weeks ago Chris Johnson brought home one (1) point for me after playing Pittsburgh.  Still, Boldin had three touchdowns last week and is their top wideout.  The guy gets a ton of targets.  Lance Moore is hit and miss to say the least but with Bush out and Thomas banged up I think I go him as well. 

Touchdown:

Jahvid Best (@GB), Ryan Mathews (ARI) or Peyton Hillis (CIN)?

Best and Mathews are coming off injury.  Hillis is coming off a week of pure glory.  A couple weeks more like that and they'll build the man a ziggurat.  I'm thinking Hillis. 

Fire away.  Go hawks, etc.

Thought I might take the forum's temperature on ranking the Seahawks for fantasy football value this year.

The way I figure it there are three or four Seahawks potentially worth drafting: Housh, Tate, and Forsett in all leagues, and possibly Leon Washington.  Certainly Leon Washington, if your league gives you his return yards.

Of these players, I think Tate represents the potential best value.  Let's look at their ADPs, given a 12-team, 15 round traditional format.  These numbers are from fantasyfootballcalculator.com. Player, Average Draft Position, Ranking by position:

T.J. Houshmandzadeh:  ADP 8.05, 35th WR

Justin Forsett: ADP 6.04, 26th RB

Golden Tate: ADP 11.06, 49th WR

Leon Washington: ADP 12.09, 50th RB

Julius Jones: ADP 15.01, 63rd RB

Housh is a big wild card but I can't see drafting him in the early 8th, unless it becomes clear that he's really gonna touch the ball a lot in this offense.  The sports hernia worries me too. 

J-Force, sadly, is not gonna fall to you in the ninth round this year.  The secret is out.  His ADP of 6.04 I am sure would be a round or two higher if it were clear to all that he were the featured back.  I'm still worried Pete doesn't know what he has in Forsett.  Does Bates? 

Golden Tate in the mid-11th round is, I think, a very high-upside pick and I wouldn't hesitate to grab him there.  There's a chance he's the 2008 Eddie Royal.  He and Forsett are instant offense in Bates' 2TE sets; of the two, he could slip under the radar.   If his August seems promising, I might target him in the 9th round or even a shade higher. 

Thoughts?  Really trying to avoid homer picks this year.  I'm looking in your direction, Hasselbeck.

I have to say, I was more impressed with your team in today's loss than in last week's crush of my Seahawks.  I'm finally coming around on Singletary, he showed great judgment in going for it on 4th down (timing is everything) and appears to be for real.  Obviously he can fire the guys up like nobody else in the league but he can coach too!  I know you guys know this already, but I hadn't seen it. 

Your run defense is clearly top five in the league.  I feel better about last week seeing what you did to Peterson today. 

Hill to Davis looks lethal.  Hill is cagey and doesn't overreach-- a perfect fit for a defense that will keep the team in every game. 

The game was yours and Favre absolutely ripped your hearts out.  He does that sometimes.  Shake it off, the division is still yours to lose and you proved a lot today.