My interview with 710 ESPN Seattle's, and The John Clayton Show's producer Liz Mathews posted by Brad VanFossan

I recently had a chance to talk sports, working in sports, and even a little Arod with 710 ESPN Seattle’s Liz Mathews. Liz is “The Professor” John Clayton’s producer on The John Clayton show on 710 ESPN Seattle, an avid Seattle Seahawk fan, and she practices law. Liz was nice enough to take the time to answer every question I had for her, and did a great job in doing so.

I got a chance to stream John’s show this past Saturday, and I can honestly say I thought it was very good. My readers know I tell it like it is, so I wouldn’t just say this. Not only was the NFL insight great, but it was very cool to hear John talk about baseball and other sports as well. And not to mention the great music Liz plays coming in and out of the breaks! Overall, the show is very well done, informative, easy to listen to, and fun! Without further ado, here are the questions I had for Liz and her answers:

1. What days and time does the John Clayton show air?

The John Clayton Show airs live every Saturday morning from 9-Noon PST, on 710 ESPN Seattle.

2. You are based out of Seattle, does the show reach out of the area as well and if so how far?

710 ESPN Seattle broadcasts over a huge signal. The show can be heard locally from the Canadian to the Oregon borders and everywhere in between.

3. Where can someone from the Midwest like myself tune into The John Clayton show?

The show streams live on MyNorthwest.com at: http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=5. In addition, podcasts are available on the web shortly after each hourly segment at:

Let Vick Play! posted by jacob thacker

I really love my animals well animals in general.  I understand what Vick did was wrong, with all that hes lost money wise, property wise, image wise and so on plus his prison time served id say he's showed remorse and feels bad for his decisions.  Lets also remember this is a guy who revolutionized the QB position by rushing and passing for over 1,000 yards in the same season plus there's plenty of NFL players who get caught with drug charges and weapons possessions and assaults or DV's, most of them still are in the league or are close to being reinstated that's why I say let Vick get another shot.  Sure a lot of teams ruled Vick out such as my home town Seahawks but he could be a valuable asset to a team only being 29 and still a freakish athlete!  In prison I'm sure he occupied his time with lifting weights so he could be stronger, you never know he could be an explosive kick returner or wide-out, and if he works enough at it QB.  So look at his crime and look how he paid the time let up on him a bit and hope we can see him in uniform in '09.Continue reading "Let Vick Play!"

Predicting Seattle's Record. posted by Steven

First of all, welcome to my blog everyone! Today, I will be reviewing the Seahawks schedule and trying to forecast their record.

Week 1: St. Louis Rams

Week 2: @ San Francisco 49ers

Week 3: Chicago Bears

Week 4: @ Indianapolis Colts

Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 6: Arizona Cardinals

Week 7: Bye Week

Week 8: @ Dallas Cowboys

Week 9: Detriot Lions

Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals

Week 11: @ Minnesota Vikings

Week 12: @ St. Louis Rams

Week 13: San Francisco 49ers

Week 14: @ Houston Texans

Week 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 16: @ Green Bay Packers

Week 17: Tennessee Titans

Looking at this schedule, Im a firm believer that Seattle will get off to a strong start. Opening with 4 home games out of the first 6 games will do that. I can see them starting off 4-2 here.

After the bye week, they get the Dallas Cowboys. Id say this is a push as I believe Seattle has the talent to contend with them. They get the Lions at home, then play 3 trecherous road games in a row. I see Seattle going 3-2 here.

In the later half of the season they get the 49ers at home, they then play what could be a trap game at the Texans, then go back home to play the Bucs, then play in the harsh elements against Green Bay and close out at home with the Titans. I see them going 3-3 here.

Based on the schedule, I have the Seahawks going 9-7 which is a significant improvement over last year. If they can stay healthy they might even surpass my prediction.

 What is your take on the schedule and how do you forsee the Seahawks doing? Hit up the comments section and let me know!

Cleveland Browns: Molding a New Team posted by Edward Stefanyak

Well, the first wave of free agency has passed, and the Browns didn't jump in. It appears to me that the Browns don't have a lot of room under the cap to sign high-priced free agents.

Leaving: Kellen Winslow, Joe Jurevicius, Jason Wright, Audra Davis. Is Braylon Edwards next? Next year is a contract year, and it appears that Braylon doesn't want to sign with the Browns again. So, why keep him around when we could get something for him this year? I know...we don't have a lot of quality WRs on the roster. But, if we rely on Braylon's potential, we might as well trade him for draft picks. And if I remember correctly, Braylon couldn't even catch a cold last season. Is Donte Stallworth leaving? After his accident, no one knows his future. Lastly, many experts believe that one of the QBs will be traded. Well, stay tuned.

Arriving: If you don't know by now, we have signed plenty of former NY Jets. One sports writer actually called our team the Cleveland Jets. For instance, we signed David Bowens, LB; Eric Barton, LB; Hank Poteat, CB; and C.J. Mosely, DE. In addition, we signed former Raven, Corey Ivy, CB; Noah Herron, RB; and Bills, Robert Royal, TE. We even bolstered our "O" line with the Bears, John St. Clair, and Seattle's Floyd Womack. Quietly, our team is coming together. Or, is it? Shaun Rogers did not show up for a mini-camp/workouts.

Who's Left: Well, there are plenty of free agents left, and we could use the help at DB, LB, and at WR. Here are some free agents who are still available: Lawyer Milloy, S; Mike Brown, S; Mike McKenzie, CB; Rosevelt Colvin, LB; Brandon Lloyd, WR; Shaun McDonald, WR; and Michael Boulware, S. I'm sure that I missed some names, but these guys caught my eye.

CROWN OF ZORNS posted by Geoff Partel

With all that’s going on in Washington this week with the steroids hearings, it’s no wonder the Redskins got second billing when they announced Jim Zorn as their new head coach.   This isn’t really what the Redskins are about of course, and if Daniel Snyder had his way, even a presidential assassination would take to the back pages behind what’s going on at Redskin Park.   But Zorn’s quiet press conference, which already is best remembered for his flubbing the team’s colors, is proving more and more that Dan Snyder has become the incarnate of Al Davis with a larger bank account.   It’s also an indication of how much owners are willing to gamble…or settle…on coaches with marginal experience at best.

Personally, I like Jim Zorn.  He represents a sentimental time when I was first starting to follow football.   Zorn, of course, was the starting quarterback for the expansion Seattle Seahawks in 1976.  For me there was always a fascination about this team, being that they were tucked up on nation’s northwest corner…in a galaxy far, far, away.   Considering that I was living outside of Rochester NY at that time, I assumed that I’d just as likely step foot in Damascus before ever doing so in Seattle.  The Seahawks were also the lower key of the two expansion teams that came into the NFL that year.  The other team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, grabbed much of the attention with their Creamsicle jerseys and winking pirate for an insignia.  Add in the self-deprecating wit of Bucs’ coach John McKay and their historic futility, the Seahawks remained the mysterious new team from a provincial land known for its overcast skies and serial killers.

To Miss Pro Bowl: 2007-08 All-Pro Team posted by Nicholas O'Malley

    I understand that football's a rough game, I played it. But damn, can anyone that's good at it stay healthy? Take a look at the players missing this year's pro bowl, it looks like the 2015-2020 Hall of Fame inductions.

Jamal Williams-DT, San Diego Chargers
Randy Moss- WR, New England Patriots
Antonio Gates- TE, San Diego Chargers
Tom Brady- QB, New England Patriots
Brett Favre- QB, Green Bay Packers
Jonathan Ogden-OT, Baltimore Ravens
Walter Jones- OT, Seattle Seahawks
Patrick Kerney-DE, Seattle Seahawks
Lance Briggs-OLB, Chicago Bears
Tommie Harris-DT, Chicago Bears
Willie Parker-RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ladainian Tomlinson-RB, San Diego Chargers
Jason Peters-OT, Buffalo Bills
Jason Taylor-OLB, Miami Dolphins
Troy Polamalu-S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bob Sanders-S, Indianapolis Colts
Sean Taylor-S, Washington Redskins

Of course, there are legitimate reasons to miss the pro bowl (See: Sean Taylor, who's questionable with a mortal bullet wound), but then there's the case of Randy Moss who wasn't even listed on the Super Bowl injury report and got outplayed by 2'5" 15 pound Wes Welker.

This list of players is basically the same thing as a team in Madden 08 with fair trades turned off. You got:

- The 2 New England Patriots that broke touchdown records in their respective categories

- The league's leading rusher and 4th leading rusher (and in all honesty, he would have gotten it if not for a leg fracture)

-Two future hall of fame tackles

NFL Conference Championship Picks posted by Mike Dussault

Welp this is it, the last football weekend before the endless hype of the Super Bowl. Personally I find the conference championships to be much more enjoyable to watch than the actually Super Bowl. They are played at a team's homefield, in front of their fans, often in difficult weather conditions. The Super Bowl on the other hand is more like an exhibition game. It's a neutral site, usually in a dome and the real fans of the teams playing are most often stuck up in the 300s. Sure, the Super Bowl gets all the glory, but the conference championships are for the real fans. And, as it's been for most of this decade, the AFC Championship has been the real Super Bowl anyway. On to my picks...

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

A couple of great story lines for this game. First and foremost is Brett Favre. I have to admit prior to this season I was in the crowd who just wanted him to retire. But watching him play this season has been an absolute joy. He's surrounded with a young team that has rallyed around him. They showed the poise of a veteran team by bouncing back last week after getting down 14-0 to the Seattle Seahawks. Ryan Grant looks like a legit keeper for fantasy football players and the Packers passing attack might even be able to stick with the Pats should they both advance.

The Giants have faced the same issues they've always faced since Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin took over. But this year Eli has finally delivered in a few big games, and has all the media pundits asking if he's finally "turned a corner". I don't know about that. He still kind of looks like a deer in headlights to me. Nothing about him screams leader of men. But right now he's getting the job done. Kudos Coughlin for playing his starters against the Pats. They earned the respect of the league and set the tone for the playoffs and their upset of the Dallas Cowboys.

NFL Divisional Playoffs posted by Jim Beviglia

Well, the Divisional playoffs are upoon us and I thought I'd tell you what will happen so you won't have to watch.

First up is Seattle and Green Bay, and a lot is being made about the weather being a big factor.  Well, I think it will be a factor for both teams, because, Ryan Grant's late season success notwithstanding, I think both teams will have to fling it.  I think Seattle has been playing well enough to habg close in here, and if you're looking for an upset this weekend, look no further.  (Don't let my Viking affiliation make you think I'm biased here.  Would it amuse me to see Mike Homgren getting the Gatorade shower in Lambeau?  OK, maybe just a little.)

Next up in the Saturday night game, it's the Pats-Jags.  Personally, I'll be taking in an 8:00 showing of Juno at the local cineplex, because I think this one is blowout city.  Am I the only one who isn't compelled by the Pats quest for an unbeaten season?  I think it's dull the way they're plowing through everyone.  But I can't see the Jags staying close, especially if the Pats score 21 quick ones in the first quarter.  (Full disclosure:  I have Tom Brady in my postseason Fantasy pool, so I've crossed over to the dark side.)

The Chargers-Colts game is the one I can't get a handle on.  Is Vegas trying to bait people into taking the Chargers with that big 9-point line.  After all, the Chargers beat the Colts only a few months back.  Everybody's talking about how the Chargers opassing game came to life against the Titnas, but it produced only 17 points.  If they only put up 17 against Indy, they'll get waxed.

Seattle Seahawks back to Championship form posted by Chris Garrett

The Seattle Seahawks have, in my opinion, solidified there season run to the championship with a great win against the Washington Redskins.  The Redskins had played on pure emotion from the time their teammate died and it finally caught up to them.

The Seahawks played most of the game in a controlled manner, not allowing emotion to cloud the gameplan.  Matt Hasselback managed the game well and although he didn't play his best, he did just enough to get the win.  

The real stars of the game were the Seahawk defense.  No matter the situation they played some of the best defense of the weekend.  Only showing about two minutes of momentary mental mistakes that allowed the Redskins to get back into the game but other than that they completely disected the Redskin offense to near uselessness.  

The Seahawks' maturatiy won the game and now they move on to Greenbay and face the Packers.  

The Yoffs Are Here! posted by Mike Dussault

It's the best time of year and, for those who lose, the worst time of year. For fans lucky enough to have a bye this weekend it will be one of the most enjoyable, relaxing weekends of the football season. No pressure. Just sit back and watch to see who you'll be playing. My personal recommendation is make something in the crock pot (like Jambalaya). It will simmer all day and be ready just about the time the games are starting. Some random thoughts on the games and my Pats-biased picks..

Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks

Yawn. The kind of game that you put on in the background. Making the playoffs was this seasons major accomplishment for the Skins after the tragic loss of Sean Taylor. Seattle's the loudest stadium in the league. Seahawk fans are true football fans - you've got to love their 12th Man flag raising and how they keep track of false start penalties. I think that's the difference here. Todd Collins... come on. Seattle 24, Washington 13.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers

General consensus seems to be that the Jags are gonna steamroll the Steelers. Seriously, the media hard-on for the Jags right now is bordering on ridiculous. The whole "built for cold weather" thing has been a talking point of every football talk show for weeks now. Granted an unproven QB has come in to Heinz Field and dispatched the Steelers before (see Pats '01) but this one's gonna be a whole lot closer than anyone thinks, especially if the Steelers can score first. No question the Pats would prefer to see Pittsburgh in the AFCDG and I think it will happen. You just can't write off a team with a Super Bowl QB at home in bad field conditions, getting zero respect. No one thinks they can win. That's why they will. Pittsburgh 20, Jacksonville 17