Will the Real Luke Willson Please Stand Up

If you haven’t heard of Luke Willson, then you better start paying attention. No, I am not talking about the actor, the one that’s the brother of Owen Wilson. I am referring to the backup tight end for the Seattle Seahawks, who was the fifth round draft pick in 2013 and has exceeded expectations during his rookie year.

All Canadian Seahawks fans should know about the real Luke Willson. Willson grew up in LaSalle, Ontario and was a natural athlete as he played many different sports. He played high-level ice hockey, but decided to quit when he got offers for football. Willson also played for the junior national Canadian baseball team and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. And, of course, Willson played football at Rice University.

At Rice, Willson was overshadowed by San Francisco’s 2013 second round draft pick tight end, Vance Mcdonald. But, the Seahawks saw something in Willson that they really liked and made a great decision by drafting him. In fact, this year Luke Willson’s numbers are superior compared to Mcdonald’s. Willson has 20 receptions for 272 yards and 1 TD. Mcdonald, on the other hand, has only 8 receptions for 119 yards and 0 TD. This is a true testament to the hard work that Luke Willson has put in and it is most definitely paying off.

Anthony McCoy, who was this season’s projected number 2 tight end for the Seahawks, went down with a torn Achilles tendon before the season had started. Willson, all of a sudden, had to step up and learn the playbook quickly while still playing at full speed. He did just that, and Seahawks fans have been pleasantly surprised by the production that Willson has put up. He has made many excellent catches and has blocked very well. His first touchdown came in a huge game against San Francisco. On that play, Luke Willson used his top notch athleticism to beat pro bowl linebacker Patrick Willis and caught a nicely thrown ball by Russell Wilson, and didn’t stop running until he reached the end zone.

After that game fans got to see a bit more air time on Luke Willson. He responded well to all the attention and stayed humble throughout the process. He dressed for success in interviews and he stayed positive, even after the disappointing loss to the 49ers. Willson also has been actively involved in the community, recently volunteering at Tent City 4, which is a homeless encampment. Luke Willson is a great role model for young fans and continues to put smiles on their faces through his play, both on and off the field.

Pete Carroll has been impressed with the production of Willson. “To play so early and contribute in such a variety of ways, and he’s really just getting started. He’s a tremendous prospect for us for the years to come.” Carroll is obviously excited to watch Luke Willson as he continues to improve throughout the years in a Seattle Seahawks uniform.

Watch as Willson plans on quickly coming back from his high ankle sprain that he suffered in the last game of the season. Luke Willson tweeted this on January 1, “I’m all about the Canadian quick healing blood.” Seattle fans can count on Willson being a difference maker as the Seahawks continue to compete for the final prize. So, will the real Luke Willson please stand up, and put all of your fingers on each hand up. And, catch another touchdown pass, from your quarterback, Russell Wilson. Touchdown Seahawks! Wilson passes to a wide open Willson! A last name worth mentioning twice, in one sentence.

Go Hawks!!!

Twitter: @dstobbe11

NFL Wild Card Predictions

It’s the eve of the NFL Playoffs, so here are some predictions to get you ready for the big games.

CHIEFS AT COLTS (Sat., 1:35 p.m. PT, NBC)
The Chiefs lost to the Colts 23 to 7 in week 16. But, this game will be different. It’s tough to beat the same team twice in a season. Jamaal Charles is sure to have a monster game and the Chiefs defense is going to step up. Andrew Luck is going to miss having Reggie Wayne in this big playoff game. The Colts run game is going to struggle and the Chiefs will put the pressure on Luck early and often.
Chiefs 24 Colts21
GAME MVP: Jamaal Charles

SAINTS AT EAGLES (Sat., 5:10 p.m. PT, NBC)
This should be a fun game to watch. Two high powered offenses will be going at each other all game. The Saints have struggled on the road this year and this game will be no exception. The Eagles are hot and have had great success with Nick Foles as their quarterback. LeSean McCoy won the rushing title and will continue to run with success. This will be a high scoring game, but the Eagles will pull this one off.
Eagles 33 Saints 24
GAME MVP: LeSean McCoy

CHARGERS AT BENGALS (Sun., 10:05 a.m. PT, CBS)
The Chargers barely squeezed into the playoffs, but they won the games that mattered. They have a fiery quarterback in Philip Rivers who knows how to win and a star rookie wide receiver in Keenan Allen who continues to make plays. The Bengals have played very well this season, but Andy Dalton has been inconsistent. Philip Rivers will make more big plays than Andy Dalton and that will be the difference in this game.
Chargers 21 Bengals 10
GAME MVP: Philip Rivers

49ERS AT PACKERS (Sun., 1:40 p.m. PT, FOX)
This is the most anticipated game this weekend. The 49ers are travelling to chilly Lambeau Field. The cold weather gives the Packers an advantage. The Packers also have their franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers playing and he’s ready to go. Green Bay lost to the Niners last year in the playoffs. In fact, they got embarrassed. And this year they lost to the 49ers in the regular season. The Packers won’t let the 49ers beat them up again and Green Bay’s defense will step up for this game and make enough plays to slow down Kaepernick.
Packers 28 49ers 24
GAME MVP: Aaron Rodgers

twitter: @dstobbe11

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Part 2

Seahawks fans also have something to feel good about on the defensive side of the ball. Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman are arguably the top two defensive players in the NFL. Either one of these players could receive the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The Seahawks organization made a great decision when they drafted Thomas as the 14th pick in the 2010 draft. Expectations from Seahawks fans came from comparisons to Ed Reed, the fact that he attended the University of Texas, and was rated as the number 2 safety in the draft. He exceeded expectations and has given Seahawks fans something to cheer about. Thomas will continue to fly around the field making spectacular plays and will keep making the Seahawks defense a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

Richard Sherman has a very loud mouth, but he backs up every word and has had a spectacular year. This season he leads the Seahawks, and also the NFL, with 8 interceptions. The Seahawks got a bargain when they selected Sherman in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. Richard Sherman has quickly become a fan favorite and a villain to other teams. Richard Sherman leads the exciting brand of football that the Seahawks defense plays, and will continue to lead the Seahawks for many more years.

Both of these players are very smart, confident and, at times, cocky. But, in every game this year they have backed up all their talk. They have achieved greatness already in their young careers. Thomas and Sherman keep improving every single game, and if they continue to compete and stay healthy, then by the time they are done playing they will be known as the best ever at their positions.

NFC West Champs!!!

twitter: @dstobbe11

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yesterday was Christmas, which means a time to be happy, spend time with family and eat delicious food. While we are indulging in chocolate and eggnog, the Seattle Seahawks are preparing for a long postseason run. This is the most wonderful time of the year.

As a Christmas gift, Russell Wilson generously gave all offensive players one of those fancy devices called the Xbox One. This is a great present to ensure that your offensive lineman will keep blocking for you and that your receivers will continue to run good routes. The Seattle Seahawks have done great things so far this year, and a big part of this success is Russell Wilson.

Russell Wilson has accomplished many great things in his first two years in the NFL. Recently, he accomplished the feat of having the most wins as a quarterback in his first two seasons at 23 wins. This broke Ben Roethlisberger’s record at 22. Seattle Seahawks fans are blessed to have a young quarterback that knows how to win and has played very well his first two years. If it wasn’t for Peyton Manning and his unstoppable season, Russell Wilson could very well be the front runner for the MVP. All this guy does is make plays and provide outstanding leadership for a young and talented Seahawks team.

The story that came out after the Seahawks lost a heartbreaker to the Arizona Cardinals was absolutely fantastic. On Monday morning Pete Carroll told ESPN 710 that he went to the practice facility at 4:45 to watch film. But, Russell Wilson beat him there; he had arrived at 4:30 to start watching film on the previous game. This story shows Seahawks fans how dedicated and how competitive both Wilson and Carroll are, and we can expect greatness from this duo in the very near future. Who knows, maybe Russell Wilson will give his teamates and the city of Seattle something even better than a Xbox One, a SuperBowl. Go Hawks!

twitter: @dstobbe11

10 Seahawks Predictions for Week 16

1. Seahawks win 30 to 13 and win the NFC West.
2. Cliff Avril gets 2 sacks
3. Century Link is gonna be LOUD
4. 12th man forces Cardinals to commit 3 false starts.
5. Marshawn Lynch goes over 100 yards.
6. Zach Miller scores one TOUCHDOWN.
7. Russell Wilson throws for 3 TOUCHDOWNS.
8. Golden Tate returns a punt for a TOUCHDOWN.
9. Bruce Irvin gets a forced fumble sack.
10. Byron Maxwell keeps his interception streak going.

Can the Seahawks Get The “Beast Mode” Going?

Recently the Seattle Seahawks have struggled to get the running game going against their opponents.  Marshawn Lynch hasn’t rushed for over 100 yards and has averaged less then 4.0 yards per carry the past four games.  This is a concern for a Super Bowl bound team, because they depend on the run game, to set up the passing game for Russell Wilson.  The Arizona Cardinals are the number one defense against the run.  Will the Seahawks be able to get Lynch going against a strong Cardinals front seven?  If they are able to, then that will be a big statement to the rest of the NFL.  If the Hawks show that they can run against the Cardinals, then they should be able to run successfully against any team.

Robert Turbin has contributed well this year, but there is still improvement to be made.  The Seahawks Thursday’s injury report noted that he was suffering from a sore groin.  If that continues to bother him, then Seahawks fans may be able to see the rookie Christine Michael in game action.  He is a running back that has a lot of potential, but fans have only been able to see flashes of his talent.  Michael has struggled in pass protection, and that is a big reason why he has been inactive for much of the season.

This upcoming game though, will be a big test for the offensive line.  Will they be able to create big enough holes for Lynch to run through, or is Lynch going to have to go “Beast Mode” and run over numerous defenders.  A key to achieving success against the Cardinals will depend heavily on if the Seahawks can get their running game going.

twitter: @dstobbe11

Walter Thurmond III

Walter Thurmond III came into the league when he was drafted in the fifth round in the 2010 NFL draft. He is a cornerback who went to the University of Oregon. Some fans know him because of his flashy outfits that he wears to games and has on during post-game interviews. Others know him because of the many injuries that he has battled. Or maybe you have heard of Thurmond because of the 4 game suspension he is serving right now, due to substance abuse. But, Seahawks fans need to turn their attention to Thurmond and realize how talented he is.

Thurmond has dealt with injuries throughout his Seahawks tenure, but this season he has come and played like a pro bowl player. Unfortunately he was suspended 4 games, but will be back for the Seahawks last regular season game. He is still young at age 26 and we should be forgiving of his mistake. He has quickly become a fan favorite, and his contribution in the Legion of Boom has not gone unnoticed. Even with Browner out, Thurmond played at a high level against the Minnesota Vikings and scored a TD after intercepting a pass in the second half. He has come up in big games and made plays in pass coverage and also has providing excellent tackling when defending the run.

It is quite impressive that he is playing at such a high level considering the injuries that he has had to come back from. In Oregon he had torn three ligaments in his knee and then once he got to Seattle he was put on injured reserve with a broken fibula and high ankle sprain. But, he didn’t give up and the Seahawks organization stuck with him. You can see right away from a post-game interview with Thurmond is that he is a very confident individual, but also a polite and classy person.

Once the Seahawks get Thurmond back from his suspension he is going to be ready to go. Having Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane playing at a high level, Thurmond will be able to step right back and excel at the nickel spot. Watch out for him as we enter the playoffs, he will come back with a chip on his shoulder and play at a high level. Go Hawks!

twitter: @dstobbe11

Russell Wilson is Everything Seattle Needed

When the Seattle Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson in the third round, most Hawk fans wouldn’t say they were absolutely convinced or confident with this draft pick.  The topic on the minds of so called “draft experts” was that he was too short in stature.  But, as we have learned over the past 4 years, Pete Carroll and John Schneider have a plan and know what they’re doing.  After the draft, though, I already had put Wilson as an afterthought and focused on how Matt Flynn was going to bring us to the promise land.

When Russell Wilson was named the starter, I was surprised but excited after seeing him play in the preseason.  I was able to go to his first regular season game in Arizona; this is a game that he played like an average rookie.  This makes sense though, because he was only working with half the playbook.  As the year progressed he improved rapidly and became a fan favorite.   Pete Carroll opened up the whole playbook for Wilson and let him go.  He was a rookie player that was able to capture the city’s heart in only a couple of months.   I even got his jersey at Christmas and I’m sure that item sold quickly at the Seahawks Pro Shop during Christmas time.

Now it’s year two and he hasn’t just left off where he was, but he has improved even more, he has helped Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse have career seasons.   As of now the Seahawks are 12-2 and that is in big part due to the excellence and consistency that Wilson has shown. He has a command on this offense and it is sure fun to watch him scramble out of a sack and make a play.  Pete Carroll loves him and he is grateful to finally have a franchise quarterback that has the potential to lead his team to the Super Bowl.

Besides the great stats, Wilson is a great leader and role model.  Every Tuesday he visits the Seattle Children’s Hospital to show them love and put a smile on their faces.  He is someone that both kids and adults can look up to.  He works so hard at what he does, but still puts God and family in front of everything else.  He takes life day by day and realizes the importance of having a championship day and week in order to be successful your entire life.

The Seahawks had struggled for many years prior to Wilson coming to Seattle.  It is a blessing to have Russell Wilson in a Seahawks jersey.  We know that when he steps onto the field on a Thursday, Sunday or Monday that he will play to the best of his ability.  Fans can trust that he has watched a ton of film and worked his butt off in order to be the best ever.  And, we can be proud that he lives in Seattle and represents the Seahawks in a way that all athletes across the world can take note of.

twitter: @dstobbe11