12 thoughts on the Seahawks Offseason

1. Re-signing Michael Bennett was Huge. He even took a bit less money to play for the Seahawks, and one of the main reasons was the 12th Man.

2. It’s sad to see Golden Tate leave and play for a different team. He did so much for the Seahawks. But, the Seahawks can’t afford to pay Tate big money. Especially given the fact that the Seahawks are a run first team. If Percy Harvin can stay healthy, this loss should not be a problem next year.

3. If Sidney Rice re-signs, then I think the Seahawks are set at WR. I don’t think they would need to draft a WR. I think the WR’s will have some serious competition come Training Camp. Lots of depth.

4. Henry Melton (Rated the #2 Free Agent at the DT position) is visiting the Seahawks. This would be a huge addition for the defense. Vance Walker DT is also visiting the Seahawks. He started for the Raiders last year.

5. Jermichael Finley would help stretch the defense and would give Russell Wilson a receiving TE. It would be nice to be able to keep Miller. Might have to restructure Zach Miller’s contract for that to happen.

6. We could use a veteran DE to replace Chris Clemons. Maybe Jared Allen. But, don’t forget that Bruce Irvin could be playing a lot of the DE/LEO position.

7. O’Brien Schofield’s contract didn’t work out with the Giants because of a failed physical. It would be great if the Seahawks could bring him back. Good special teams player and can also rush the passer.

8. Re-signing Tavaris Jackson was big. One of the best backup QB’s in the league. If RW ever goes down, Jackson can step up and play without losing too much.

9. Watch for these 12 players to have breakout seasons for the Seahawks next year: Gregg Scruggs, Jordan Hill, Bruce Irvin, DeShawn Shead, Benson Mayowa, Christine Michael, James Carpenter, JR Sweezy, Ricardo Lockette, Taylor Price, Chris Mathews, Michael Bowie

10. Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport know everything about the NFL and Free Agency.

11. It would be nice if we can sign Doug Baldwin long term.

12. In Pete and John we trust. They have a plan that will make sense in a few weeks. I think they will be able to sign a few players for good prices. Players want to play for Pete Carroll and will take a bit less money to get a great opportunity to get a SB ring. Watch for a DT, WR and possibly a DE to get signed in the next couple weeks.

Go Hawks!

12 Predictions for Super Bowl XLVIII

1. Doug Baldwin makes a clutch catch to convert on a third and long.
2. Percy Harvin returns a kick for a Touchdown.
3. Marshawn Lynch scores 2 TD’s.
4. Walter Thurmond intercepts a pass.
5. The 12th Man out numbers the Broncos fans at the Super Bowl.
6. Richard Sherman shuts down Demaryius Thomas.
7. The Seahawks D-line shuts down Moreno.
8. Golden Tate is the Seahawks leading reciever with 80 yards.
9. KJ Wright shuts down Julius Thomas.
10. Russell Wilson struggles in the first half, but finds some rhythm in the second half.
11. Golden Tate has a big punt return in the 4th quarter.
12. And finally… Seattle wins. 24 to 17.

Media Day

Well I won’t be at Media Day, but many more reporters from all over the world will be. There will be 17 Seahawks players that have there own podium to answer all sorts of questions. Marshawn Lynch won’t have a podium and is questionable to even show up. Do you think he needs to talk at Media Day? I don’t think so. The NFL can’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do. Lynch is a team player and never has made his success in Seattle about himself. I encourage you to read Michael Silver’s article titled “Marshawn Lynch’s quiet power behind Seahawks’ Super run.” Here is the link: http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/story/0ap2000000318651/article/marshawn-lynchs-quiet-power-behind-seahawks-super-run

Here is my prediction for the Seahawks that will have there own podium to speak on tomorrow:

Offense: Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin, Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Russell Okung, Max Unger, Michael Robinson, Zach Miller, Derrick Coleman

Defense: Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Mebane, Red Bryant

Soak all of this Super Bowl fun in. It’s great to see the Seattle Seahawks achieve so much this season! Maybe one day I will be one of the reporters at Media Day. Go Hawks!

12 Thoughts on Last Night’s Game

1. Doug Baldwin is clutch and above average.
2. Steven Hauschka is both smart and productive.
3. Kam Chancellor had yet another HUGE hit on Vernon Davis.
4. Cliff Avril = strip sack.
5. Michael Bennett has mastered the skill of being in the right place at the right time.
6. Lynch showed that he can out run defenders while stumbling.
7. L.O.B. Sherman, Thomas, Chancellor, Maxwell, Thurmond and Lane all played fantastic.
8. Ricardo Lockette is a beast on special teams.
9. Alvin Bailey provided an excellent block to break Lynch free for his TD.
10. How about Warren Moon’s shriek when Malcom Smith got his big time interception
11. Richard Sherman somehow always makes a play when a play needs to be made.
12. Coach Pete Carroll and John Schneider have put together one heck of a team.

Go Hawks!!!

The Impact of the 12th Man

This weekend I was able to go to my first Seattle Seahawks playoff game. I got to the stadium nice and early and went as close as I could to the field where the Seahawks were warming up. I was able to cheer on the Seahawks players and shake backup center Lemuel Jeanpierre and famous rapper Macklemore’s hand. I was even fortunate enough to take a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk. It was a great day and it made me realize how much of an impact that we as Seahawks fans, better known as the 12th man, have on each game.

The 12th man has a huge impact in many ways. First off, the Seahawks players get a lot of encouragement before the game. I mean, who wouldn’t want to play football when you have people wanting your autograph, a high five or even a simple hand shake. The Seahawks players also have fans snapping pictures of them and yelling phrases such as, “Golden Tate, you da man!” It’s like the good feeling when you have friends and family waiting for your arrival at the airport. The Seattle Seahawks know that their fans will be at the stadium early, no matter what the weather is like. The 12th man has commitment and they love their team. Fans that come early to encourage the Seahawks give the players an extra boost and pump them up to play their best.

<NFL players have a ton of pressure that comes with the job. But, something I saw on Saturday was the fun that fans bring to the players. There was Golden Tate playing catch with the fans in the stands. And then you had Doug Baldwin pumping up the crowd. You even had KJ Wright grinning from ear to ear, letting his mind wander away from being slowed down from his injury, for the moment. You had the defensive line dancing to a song on the loud speaker and loving the crowd atmosphere. Cliff Avril was quoted in his press conference today talking about the joy of playing at Century Link Field. “This place is unreal. It’s a blast (to play here).” The 12th man is loved by the Seahawks players and a big reason is because we help them have fun. And, when you have fun at your job, you maximize your potential.

And then we have the obvious, Seahawks fans make the opposing offensive players lives more difficult with all the sound that is made. It’s harder for opposing teams to communicate and to think clearly. It’s easier to get flustered when the stadium is so loud. The 12th man wreck their vocal cords in order to make a difference in the game. My voice is still recovering from Saturday, but it was definitely worth it. The Seahawks defensive ends can also get a better jump off the line when the crowd noise is in full effect. It is nationally known that the 12th man are the loudest fans in the NFL. They have caused numerous earthquakes and have produced the most false starts in the NFL since 2005.

Hawks fans also help out the Seahawks organization by making Seattle an attractive place to play. Free agents know that the 12th man is very supportive of their team and that the Seattle Seahawks love playing in front of their fans. Just like Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, many more free agents will settle for less money in order to play in Seattle. >

The 12th man is a big part of the Seattle Seahawks success. The Seahawks have lost only one game at home in the past two years. The fans bring lots of noise and encouragement every home game. This coming Sunday will be even louder in Century Link Field, as Seahawks fans know what the stakes are. If they win, the Seahawks are headed to New York for the Super Bowl. So drink your beer, coffee and water and continue to make an impact in the Seahawks season. Go Hawks!!!

twitter: @dstobbe11

A bunch of questions that I have for Saturdays game.

1. How will Percy Harvin play and how much will he play? Also, will he be returning kicks?

2. Will Marshawn Lynch have another ‘Beast Quake’ type run?

3. Who is going to defend Jimmy Graham? Will they miss KJ Wright during the game when covering Graham?

4. Will Golden Tate have another big day? And will the presence of Harvin help the other wide receivers get open?

5. Will the free agent acquisitions in the offseason, Michael Bennet, Cliff Avril and Tony McDaniel make a difference in the game?

Go Hawks!!!

twitter: @dstobbe11

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

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.