Diary Of A Seahawk Fanatic

Even as I write these words I'm still in disbelief.  The Seattle Seahawks football season is over.  Right now the 206 is in such a state of depression there's a shortage of xanax in the town.  All I want to do is lay in my bed, eat clam chowder, and listen to Sade.  I'm feeling like Marcus Graham when he got dumped by Jacqueline in Boomerang.  I'm emotionally spent.  I don't want to listen to the radio, watch ESPN, or read the newspapers.  It was painful enough to watch the first time.  Why do I need to re-hash that anguish?  It's bad enough I can't pretend it didn't happen.

Since the Chicago game seven weeks ago I've been firmly convinced the Seahawks were going to the Super Bowl.  I watched the team get better every week and didn't see a more balanced  team in the league.  Aside from the injuries to Chris Clemons (which proved to be extremely costly) and Steven Hauschka the team remained relatively healthy.  I figured a dominant running game, a stingy defense, physical corners, and a talented quarterback was the formula for success.

I've been so absolute in my conviction I already made plans for the Super Bowl parade.  I took time off from work, picked out my vantage point, and made reservations at a local restaurant.  I even had tentative plans to head down to Frisco this weekend to watch them beat the Niners.  It's never occurred to me for ONE SECOND there was a possibility they could actually lose.  This all or nothing mentality inevitably lends itself to extreme disappointment when the ultimate goal isn't achieved.

For those of you that aren't die hard sports fans it probably sounds insane I could let a football game affect me to this extent.  I don't play the game, the outcome has no bearing on my day to day living, the world has more pressing issues, and my time could be better spent teaching kids to read or helping the elderly.  For those people all I can say is I am what I am.

It's too early to look on the bright side, but when I get around to it I'll realize the window of opportunity is still open for the Seahawks.  They have the 2nd youngest team in the league, a franchise quarterback, an all pro safety, and a coach the team believes in.  I'm still drunk off the Pete Carroll Kool-Aid and like Amy Winehouse I'm not ready to go to rehab.  This team isn't going anywhere and the league better take notice.

The optimistic outlook for the future doesn't help my current state of mind however.  For now I'll wallow in self pity and ponder what could have been.  Super Bowls are hard to come by so when you have a team that's capable of hoisting the Lomardi trophy you have to take advantage.  If the Seahawks weren't so good it wouldn't hurt so bad.  The gift and the curse I guess.  Time to hibernate for the winter.  Call me on draft day.

NBA B3TZ

Boston vs. Charlotte

Coming into tonight's game against Charlotte the Boston Celtics have won 5 straight and trail New York by 4 1/2 games in the Atlantic conference.  Since Kevin Garnett got into it with Carmelo Anthony the Celtics have been playing inspired basketball.  We'll see if the trend continues.  Unfortunately the Bobcats won't be much opposition tonight.

Cleveland vs. Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings seem to be distracted by the constant rumors the team will be sold and moved to Seattle.  The Kings have lost 4 straight despite the improved play of DeMarcus Cousins.  Cleveland has not fared much better losing 7 of their last 10 games.  It is apparent the injury to Anderson Varejao is more critical to their success than previously thought.  In this battle of sub par teams Cleveland should win at home.

The Seahawks Will Win The Battle Of The Birds

When listening to the national media it's pretty obvious people don't know what to make of the team from South Alaska.  They see what's going on with their own two eyes, but it doesn't equate for them.  They watch Marshawn Lynch run over people, Russell Wilson confuse defenses, and Earl Thomas cover the  field like a blanket, yet they still question the resolve of the Seattle Seahawks.  Is this fair?

Of curse not.  If the Seahawks played in New York, Chicago, or LA the media attention would be ten fold.  Russell Wilson would be hosting Saturday Night Live.  Marshawn Lynch would be on Jimmy Kimmel.  Pete Carroll would be endorsing Viagra.  The playoffs are not a popularity contest however and fans in the 206 don't care what other people think about our beloved Hawks.  Talk all the sh*t you want, but when Seattle serves up some deep fried Falcon scattered, covered, smothered, and chunked the world will see things differently.

Matt Ryan is going to get well acquainted with Bruce Irvin while Roddy White and Julio Jones get pushed around like rag dolls.  There will be coverage sack a plenty.  The loss to the Seahawks may very well cost Mike Smith his job leaving the Atlanta franchise searching for answers and new leadership.  Ordinarily I would have sympathy for someone in his position, but there's no time to get all sentimental.  The Hawks are on a mission to get to the Super Bowl and the Falcons are just another obstacle in their path.  Seahawks 26, Falcons 19.  Anyone disagree?

Is The NBA Coming Back To The 206?

Seattle let a team walk with Kevin Durant on the roster for $350,000,000 5 years ago.  5 years later they have to spend half a billion dollars to build an arena and another half a billion to buy a team with DeMarcus Cousins as their best player.  OUCH!

Derek Duckworth

Although my friend has a very valid point I won't let the stark reality of basketball economics curb my enthusiasm.  It looks like the NBA is returning to Seattle and that's all I care about.  It's not my money and the ownership group is capable of making the necessary financial adjustments.  Nordstrom can sell more penny loafers.  Microsoft can sell more smart phones.  Hedge funds can dabble in insider trading.  They will get our Sonics back by any means necessary.

The Sacramento Kings are nothing to write home about, but beggars can't be choosers.  The Kings are the only NBA team currently looking for a new home and the opportunity to purchase an NBA franchise is rare.  In this scenario you take what you can get.  Never mind the Kings roster looks like a D-League all star team, that situation can be rectified in a few short years.  Besides, who says a change of scenery, a better fan base, and a seafood diet won't turn these kids into better players.  I know dungeness crab and fresh halibut does wonders for me and maybe it can help with the attitude of #15.

 

The most important thing is for the fans of the 206 to embrace the team with open arms regardless of the results on the court.  This shouldn't be hard considering the factors surrounding the team's departure and the inexcusable amount of time Seattle has been without professional basketball.  Once you get it back you'll appreciate it more and the support will be there.  Can't wait to see yellow and green all over the place once again!  What about you guys?

Texas B3TZ

Houston vs. New Orleans

The Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Hornets are two teams going in opposite directions.  Houston has won 8 of their last 10 games while the Hornets have the worst record in the Western conference.  So far this season James Harden is proving he's worth every penny averaging 27 points a game.  Rookie Anthony Davis is quickly realizing he's not in Lexington anymore.  When you don't have the most talented team it's hard to dominate on your own.  Houston should win this game rather easily.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio

The Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs have a lot of playoff history, but the way things look right now the rivalry will be put on hold this year.  Kobe Bryant is doing his best to keep the Laker ship afloat, but it's taking on water at an alarming rate.  Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard are out of the line up for an extended period of time so things are less than optimistic right now.  By the time they return it might be too late for the Lakers to make a playoff run.  We're not even to the halfway mark of the season, but I'm hitting the panic button now.  The Lakers will lose tonight and I'm not sure when they will win again.

Should Chris Clemons Sue The Washington Redskins?

Although the national media focused on the injury to RGIII following the Seahawks victory over the Redskins on Sunday it was not the only significant injury sustained during the game.  Seahawks defensive lineman Chris Clemons suffered a torn ACL and meniscus which will cause him to miss the remainder of the playoffs.  Clemons led the team with 11 1/2 sacks and anchors the defensive line so the loss is far from trivial.  Rookie Bruce Irvin will try to fill his shoes, but the Seahawks are now very thin at the position.  How could this injury been avoided?

By all accounts the turf at Fed Ex Field was in horrible condition.  It's the same field Adrian Peterson shredded his knee on last year so there's a bad history associated with the playing surface.  Redskins owner Dan Snyder is responsible for the maintenance and the up keep of the facility so there's no excuse or explanation as to why the field wasn't up to NFL standards.  It seems odd that a billionaire would decide to cut corners and act in a miserly fashion when it comes to player safety.

If I was Chris Clemons I would sue the Washington Redskins organization.  The average career for an NFL player is 3 1/2 years and the contracts aren't guaranteed.  If a player suffers a serious injury the economic ramifications can be dramatic.  What if Chris Clemons doesn't recover from knee ligament damage?  What if he gets an infection during surgery?  What if the Seahawks decide he is no longer the player he was and cuts him?  Shouldn't someone take responsibility?

 

There's no way to determine the full impact of this injury.  It may cost the Seahawks a Super Bowl.  It may cost Chris Clemons longevity in his career.  It may cost Chris Clemons in excess of $15,000,000.  Whatever the case may be someone should be held accountable for this travesty.  It is up to the owners to provide a satisfactory work environment for the players and that starts with the surface they play on.  Dan Snyder should replace the grass at Fed Ex Field before someone else gets hurt.  If Chris Clemons can't return to form Snyder should compensate him for the damage his negligence has caused.  It's not like he can't afford it right?

South Beach B3TZ

Miami vs. Indiana

The Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers have both won 7 of their last 10 games coming into tonight's game.  The heat have the best record in the Eastern conference while Indiana is a mere two games out of 3rd place.  The Pacers gave Miami all they could handle last year in the playoffs, but that was with a healthy Danny Granger.  Without the all star forward Indiana has little or no chance of defeating the reigning NBA champs.  Look for LeBron James to have a big game as Miami rolls to victory.