Gonzo's Highly-Improbably-Yet-Too-Good-to-Ignore Scenario for the 2008 NFL Season:

Brett Favre leads a massively-revitalized Jets team into the Super Bowl against the stalwart Seahawks and Mike Holmgren's final year of coaching.

Would there be any better or more appropriate way to end this season? And try to engage your suspension of disbelief here with me for just a second while I lay this one out, and why it's at least halfway possible. (Though realistically, it's about as likely as Kellen Clemens making the Pro Bowl.)



The Jets had arguably one of the best drafts in the NFL this year. Eric Mangini got exactly what he needed - on paper, anyway - with Dustin Keller and Vernon Gholston. Outside of the draft, the offensive line got a huge boost with the addition of Alan Faneca, and Thomas Jones will be able to take a breather once in a while with Jesse Chatman running the ball with solid backup Leon Washington. The defense also got a breath of life with Calvin Pace joining the ranks, which should make the Jets' front seven more formidable than it was last year. (Which isn't saying much, I know.)

Continue reading "Dream Scenario"

But enough of that. The Seahawks' opening exhibition game in Minnesota on Friday night went as well as it ever could've -- a few expected mistakes carrying the intention of working out the kinks in the system, but largely a commanding and convincing performance.

Cause for applause:

-Seneca Wallace's outstanding performance at quarterback. This was the best I've ever seen the kid play, and he showed the fans why he's being regarded as one of the top backup QBs in the league right now. He channeled some Tom Brady in the way that he spread the ball around, hooking up with unknowns Trent Shelton and Joel Filani for touchdown receptions. Seneca was also a top reason why 15 Seahawks caught passes Friday night.

Continue reading "thoughts musings about the game future"

The Seahawks' training camp begins Thursday (July 25) at 9:15 a.m. at the Kirkland team headquarters.

Unfortunately, practices there aren't open for public viewing, but the team's annual public scrimmage will be held Aug. 2 at 11 a.m at none other than Qwest Field. Gates open at 9 a.m. that day, and tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for youth (ages 5-17.) Kids under 5 get in free. 

Personally, I'll be there as the doors open, and I can't wait to catch my first glimpse of Logan Payne, Red Bryant, John Carlson and Owen Schmitt all giving their first public performance on the team, ever.  

Is it September yet? God dammit. July 18? Really? I think I may hibernate if it wasn't for the beautiful days we're having up here lately.

Continue reading "Training Camp Starting Time and Date"

A certain rival team of the Green Bay Packers - whose name starts with "V" and ends in "lame quarterback" - has allegedly made contact with Brett Favre just a week after his announcement of unconditional release from the team he'd called home for the past 17 seasons. 

Apparently initiated by Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, the contact has been deemed "inappropriate" by the Packers, who have since filed a complaint with the NFL on the grounds of tampering. 

And since ESPN caught wind of the story , the Vikings have suddenly sunk back into playing the fool and refusing to discuss the issue altogether.

Hmm. Let's think about this one for a second. Bevell is a personal friend of Favre's, and the Vikings are in somewhat dire need of a quarterback with some semblance of confidence and competence during gametime. Because, let's face it, Tavaris Jackson might be young, but he arguably has the most dominant and intimidating offensive line in football. Stats like the ones he threw up in '07 aren't the greatest; weak receiving corps aside. Two names automatically help Jackson out to the nth degree -

Continue reading "Vikings Favre Packers Initiate DramaFest 08"

He handled this incident to the best of his ability, and because he cooperated and accepted responsibility for what he did, I think it shows even more good character traits about the guy. He screwed up, held himself totally accountable and didn't make any excuses. Lofa's the kind of player any team should be damn proud to have. 

After this, I hope the media shifts their focus to what he does on the field, as opposed to one small mishap that took place during the offseason. Chances are they will, because it's not like he went into a strip club and started a riot. Cough.  

Continue reading "Lofa pleads guilty"

It seems Ruskell's decision-making about recruiting solid citizens on AND off the field has paid off, especially with Jerramy Shithead out of the picture. Hell, I'd be willing to place a substantial bet on the possibility that at least 41 of those fouls since 2001 were because of that lumbering jackass. He was a worthless acquisition, and apparently caused his neighbors in Bellevue just as much grief as he caused the team. 

But enough about that. The Seahawks are full of players who are actually decent human beings, having spoken to a few of them in various run-ins during my run with the Seattle Times. And the numbers, as they say, don't lie. 

Continue reading "Seahawks have lowest personal foul totals in NFL"

This dissuades rumors that Schmitt underperformed at the minicamps earlier this month, and proves the coaching staff believes that they're not about to sign another Boone Stutz (which is a separate post all by itself.)

Schmitt joins RB Justin Forsett as the second Seahawk draft pick to be signed this offseason. An official announcement is expected today or tomorrow.  

Continue reading "Oh Snap Seahawks reportedly sign T Schmitt to 4-year deal"

His plea of not guilty hasn't changed, which I think is a risky move because his blood-alcohol content was already so far over the legal limit. The refusal of a breathalizer test at the time of being pulled over doesn't exactly help anything either, but the most important part is I'm just glad nobody was hurt.  It could've been a hell of a lot worse.

The only public comment about the arrest from Lofa is still his statement issued May 13.  

Continue reading "Tatupu court date set for July 7"

According to a Denver Post story recounted by Clare Farnsworth of the PI, Jackson was apparently staying after practice on a few occasions, and seemed very content to be doing so.

Maybe he'll emerge as Jay Cutler's new No.2 guy behind Brandon Marshall, and I assume that's the goal Shanahan has in mind. But who knows, really? Cutler is almost as inconsistent as Drew Brees (last year, anyway) and that exact issue ended up being the problem in San Francisco with Jackson catching passes from Alex Smith, the man who epitomizes the term "draft bust."

Now I'm hoping the Seahawks' slew of untested blood feels as comfortable here as Jackson apparently does in Denver, because Hasselbeck's trust is a key component in receiving touchdowns. But so far, so good.

Continue reading "D-Jax finds happy home in Denver"

-Lofa is probably going to plead not guilty, according to sources at the Times and PI. Not much else is being said for now, but his June 17 arraignment is still a go.

-Longtime Seahawks coach Tom Catlin died a couple days ago from complications of Parkinson's disease. He's survived by his wife and two children.

-Holmgren missed another day of workouts yesterday because the same minor medical procedure he underwent Monday. I hope this is nothing too serious, but the use of the word "minor" is encouraging of course.

-Mack Strong made a return to practice Tuesday, but just to watch, of course. He wanted to make an appearance to hang out with the players and talk to the media, and I'm sure his presence was another morale boost for the team. Maybe he taught Owen Schmitt a couple things? I liked Michael Steffes' crack about face-mask crushing. 

Continue reading "snippets update"