Seahawks Needs & Draft

After going post less for a bout a week and a half, I figured it was time to post a new post. (Redundant, I know)

I got the idea to write about the Seahawks needs after they franchised their kicker Olindo Mare yesterday. http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Seahawks-Place-Franchise-Tag-on-Mare/41091c1a-f5a7-4b71-b3d5-d641eb3a28f4

(Picture from Seahawks.com)

Are they really going to franchise their kicker and let go one of our best offensive weapons in Nate Burleson? I hope Carrol and this new GM know what they're doing, if we're going to let anybody go, it should be Deion Branch. He's been nothing but a bust here. If the Hawks can get Burleson off the market, great! We need him, TJ Houshmandzadeh is great, but we need more receivers here ASAP.

Yeah, I know Mare only missed two field goals all year (Two field goals that cost us a game I might add), but kickers come and go, and are easy to find. If there's one thing NFL doesn't have a shortage of, it's kickers.

You could say that it's a good financial move for the Hawks, seeing how they only have to pay Mare $2.814 million compared to the $9 million they would owe Burleson.

So in a way it makes sense, but I still don't like it.

They also could've franchised Cory Redding to keep our defensive line more intact, but rumor has it that Carrol likes him and wants to keep him. So I'm not worried.

Now onto the draft.

The Hawks have a lot need in different areas, the mains areas people are talking about is the O-line, DE, RB, and QB. When it comes to the O-line, I'm hearing the name Russel Okung from Oklahoma State. For DE, I'm hearing about Derrick Morgan from Georgia Tech. (Although the Hawks can fill that hole by signing Julius Peppers) I've heard rumors about Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen being drafted by the Hawks too. And name that comes up the most is C.J. Spiller at RB. His kick returning abilities add to his versatility, even though he wasn't nation leading rusher in college.

Regardless of what your opinion is, the Hawks need help on the O-line now! People want to blame Hasselbeck for our offensive troubles, but I'll blame the people who's job is to protect the QB and quite frankly, they're not doing their job. So a new O-linemen would be ideal, worry about everything else later.

NBA Power Rankings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-11)

It looks like the addition of Shaq is working. Now that the Cavs have the best record in the NBA and have swept the defending champion Lakers, these guys are the favorite to win it.

2. Denver Nuggets (34-17)

Like the Cavaliers, the Nuggets have beaten the Lakers twice this season and will go for the sweep Feb. 28th on ABC.

3. Los Angeles Lakers (39-13)

Don't get me wrong, the Lakers are still contenders to win it all, Denver just has their number right now.

4. Utah Jazz (31-18)

I haven't watched Utah enough to really get a great feel for their game, but a season sweep of the Spurs and a recent win over 2nd ranked Denver, they look like contenders to me.

5. Orlando Magic (34-17)

The Magic are sort of in the same spot they were last year, kind of hovering around 2nd in the Eastern Conference with Boston just behind them, still contenders, but they have to work Vince Carter into their system a little better.

6. Atlanta Hawks (32-17)

The Hawks swept the Celtics this season, winning by an average of 8.5 points a game. Even though they have the same over all record, this is kind of a no brainer.

7. Boston Celtics (32-17)

The Celtics are starting to look like a Eastern Conference version of the San Antonio Spurs. An old defensive team that has a hard time keeping up with the younger teams in the league. Don't be surprised if they trade for some youth before the trade deadline.

8. Dallas Mavericks (31-19)

The Mavs started out strong and look like almost a lock to win thier division, unless the Spurs find some life.

9. San Antonio Spurs (29-20)

Like I mentioned a couple paragraphs ago, the Spurs look like an old defensive team that has a tough time against younger and faster teams. The Richard Jefferson trade just isn't working out at all. I think it might be a good idea to make a trade for Monta Ellis.

10. Phoenix Suns (31-21)

A solid team looking to build for the future. Not contenders, but they can make things interesting.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (29-21)

It makes me sick to hear how good these guys are doing when I know this team was stolen from Seattle. These guys will be contenders in the next couple years.

12. Portland Trailblazers (30-23)

I bet these guys wished they drafted Kevin Durant when they had the chance. These guys are solid, very good offensively. I only like them because of Brandon Roy(Former Husky). I also think it might be time for a jersey/name change. I just think Portland Blazers has a better ring to it and their jerseys are just boring.

13. Toronto Raptors (28-23)

There are only two words to describe why they are any good at all. CHRIS BOSH.

14. Houston Rockets (27-23)

No superstar to really lead the team. Yao Ming's hurt and Tracy Mcgrady is trade bait and isn't even playing. If they were playing, this team would be in the top five in the Western Conference at least.

15. New Orleans Hornets (27-24)

I had these guys going to the playoffs before they fired Byron Scott(bad idea) and Chris Paul got hurt. Not to say they don't have a chance, but without Paul, they'll probably end up being a sub .500 team.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (26-24)

A young, fast team that can keep the contenders on their toes, but lack some maturity. They'll get maturity within the next couple years.

17. Chicago Bulls (24-25)

There seems to be a spark missing from last years playoff series with the Celtics. They just seem to have a easy going vibe sometimes. They probably just figure that they'll make the playoffs anyway.

18. Charlotte Bobcats (24-25)

Another example of a young team that's not quite there yet when it comes to title contention.

19. Miami Heat (24-27)

The Heat and the fans in Miami better enjoy Dwayne Wade as best they can. Because he's gone after this season.

20. Milwaukee Bucks (23-26)

Right behind the Heat for playoff contention, Brandon Jennings is going to be a superstar.

21. Los Angeles Clippers (21-29)

I think they would be in the playoffs if Blake Griffin was playing, they're already doing much better than season's 17 win disaster.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (19-31)

These guys had another slow start like last year. Allen Iverson adds a little spark. Don't be surprised if these guys go on a win streak and somehow make the playoffs.

23. New York Knicks (19-31)

David Lee and Nate Robinson are a couple of the few bright spots on this team. I honestly don't think Mike D'antoni has the right personel to run his "run and gun" system in New York.

24. Indiana Pacers (18-33)

Other than Danny Granger, I have no hope for this team.

25. Detroit Pistons (17-32)

I can't believe how much this team has tanked. It just show's how much Chauncy Billups really does for a team. That was probably the worst trade in NBA history.

26. Washington Wizards (17-32)

They weren't very good when Gilbert Arenas was playing, his suspension just makes things worse.

27. Sacramento Kings (16-34)

I remember when this was one of the funnest teams to watch. The memories of Weber, Bibby, Turkoglu, and Stojakovic are all but dead.

28. Golden State Warriors (13-36)

Monta Ellis is this team's best player, they would probably be doing as bad as the Nets if it weren't for him.29. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-38)

This team is obviously pretty bad, but they have provided a couple of exciting upsets over Dallas, Denver, and Utah.30. New Jersey Nets (4-46)

I actually feel bad for this team, I thought this team was going to make the playoffs, not have the worst record in the league.

Super Bowl XLIV & NFL Season Thoughts

Congrats to the New Orleans Saints on their Super Bowl win! It was well deserved as they outplayed the highly favorited Indianapolis Colts. I'm sure they're still partying it up on Bourbon Street, this is the best that's happened to this city in long time. I have never cheered more for any other team except my hometown Seahawks. (Now it's their turn)

As for the Colts, you can tell that the long term effect of Tony Dungy is still there, a very classy team with a class act quarterback and coach. And don't worry Peyton, you'll get another ring before you're done.





As for my thoughts on the season, it's dissapointing at best. My Seahawks played well below expectations and fired their head coach Jim Mora. (I would've given him one more year, but Pete Carrol is definately a step in the right direction) The Seahawks played bi-polar at best, on both sides of the ball. You blow out the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-0 and then get blown out by Minnesota and Green Bay. Whether it was an effort issue or a coaching issue, they have no excuses for next year.





Now comes the long 7 month wait til next season, but 7 months isn't that long, just ask Conan O'Brien. :)

My Senior Project/Super Bowl Pick

Hello Everyone! I'm writing this blog for my Senior culminating project for my high school.

This blog will be written about sports. I've always liked the idea of being a sports writer and I hope you like my work. You'll hear my take on certain issues in sports; like football, basketball, and baseball. You'll hear my predictions for big games, season previews and reviews, and power rankings. (Which are based on record and opinion)






So let's get started!

My pick for the Super Bowl: Indianapolis Colts

This pick is based on my opinion that the Colts are best team in the NFL. Even though I don't really care for this team since Tony Dungy retired, this team seems poised for another championship. Even though the stats don't show it, this team can run the ball and play good defense when they need to. I do think the Jets would've beaten them in the AFC Championship game, but they just fell apart.

I do prefer the Saints over the Colts, but I have this sick feeling I get before every Super Bowl. Ever since Super Bowl XXXVI, when the Rams lost to the Patriots by a last second field goal. Every team I wanted to win ends up losing. (Rams, Raiders, Panthers, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears, Patriots, and Cardinals) So sorry Saints, I guess you're cursed. I do have an emotional attachment to the city of New Orleans though, I've been there twice help people there with clean-up and rebuilding the city after Hurricane Katrina and I do know how much the people love their football team. A Super Bowl win would bring a lot of hope to the city, they don't have much else down there. So I do hope the Saints win, in fact I'll be rooting for them and cheering for them if they win.

So best of luck Saints! I hope you win.

Joel Dinius