Seahawks sign future hall of famer Terrell Owens

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks once again showing how they don't really care about team distractions as they just signed future hall of fame wide receiver Terrell Owens. As Owens famously would say better get your popcorn ready. The Seahawks on Monday signed Owens to a one year deal worth one million. Pete Carroll is showing once again he'll bring in guys who are hungry and ready to compete. Owens who has played previously for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals hasn't played in an NFL game since 2010. Owens was last seen being cut by an Arena  Football league team and has always been known to be a team cancer in previous stops. The Seahawks are taking a gamble and if Owens isn't buying into what Carroll wants he'll be cut just like previous players have.

Terrell Owens coming to the Seahawks is a bit of a shock for those who remember his stunt he pulled on the Seahawks during a Monday Night Football game back in 2002. When the Seahawks were going to take on the 49ers two years ago I actually talked about that incident plus some other famous games . For Owens while he was with the 49ers he also danced on the Dallas Cowboys star at midfield before joining the Cowboys later on. What the Seahawks are getting in Owens is a six-time pro bowl wide receiver and five-time first-team all-pro. Owens has led the NFL in receiving touchdowns three times in his career and has gone over the 1,000 yard mark nine times in his career. For his career he has played in 219 games making 201 starts. He has recorded 1,078 receptions for 15,934 yards(14.8 YPC) with 153 touchdowns. He has 39 carries for 251 yards(6.4 YPC) for three touchdowns. Owens has made the pro bowl with the 49ers, Eagles and Cowboys and played in one super bowl with the Eagles. In that Super Bowl loss playing on one leg he caught nine passes for 122 yards showing how special of a talent he really is. There is no doubt that T.O. despite all his other stuff that he pulls along with Randy Moss was the receiver of the 2000's.

The reality is the Seahawks aren't signing that T.O. just like when they traded for the greatest receiver of all-time Jerry Rice they got him at the end of his career. Owens was last seen in the NFL playing for the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2010 where he played in 14 games making 11 starts. During that year Owens caught 72 passes for 983 yards(13.7 YPC) with nine touchdowns. Owens at the age of 37 proved he still had game. Unfortunately for the Seahawks Owens is going to turn 39 years old this December and hasn't produced a 1,000 yard season since 2008 or made the pro bowl since 2007. Owens at this point in his career doesn't appear to be worth the head ache. He still is 6'3" 226 pounds and if anything is another guy brought in to push the youngsters. Owens will provide competition and can't afford to be a problem in the locker room as Carroll has shown with anyone that he'll cut him. Carroll is bringing in Owens because he feels Owens can still be a decent player in this league. However, if Owens attitude or more importantly his production isn't up to par he won't make this roster.

The Seahawks earlier also brought in Braylon Edwards. Edwards who has played for the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers. Edwards back in 2007 caught 80 passes for 1,289 yards(16.1 YPC) for 16 touchdowns at the age of 24 years old. It had appeared Edwards was ready to join Owens and Moss as an elite wide receiver in this league. Instead he has never found the magic despite his 6'3" frame. Recently he was cut by the 49ers last year after catching only 15 passes for 181 yards(12.1 YPC) in nine games. Edwards like Owens was brought in to compete for a roster spot. In 2007 if someone told me the Seahawks would have Owens, Kellen Winslow and Edwards I'd think this would be a really talented roster but an explosive roster as well. I doubt both Edwards and Owens make this team. Better chance neither makes this roster than both making the roster.

In the end I don't mind these moves actually. If either guy can find his old form then the Seahawks picked up a solid receiver for nothing like they have the last two years with Mike Williams in 2010 and Doug Baldwin in 2011. If either guy shows he has no game Carroll will cut him like he has already done with Antonio Bryant who was signed then immediately cut a few days later. Carroll is constantly bringing in players and constantly cutting even more players until he finds the roster he likes. That is the thing I like about the Seahawks I feel like we are maximizing our 53 man rosters better than anyone. The Seahawks may not have the best talent but they don't have scrubs on their roster either. All said and done if you survive cut day you still must compete or Carroll will still show you the door. Owens and Edwards might find their pro bowl ability once again or they might end up getting cut before week one. I like that the Seahawks are taking chances on guys and aren't afraid to cut bait if this doesn't work out. As a Seahawks fan I hope Owens is making us all say the phrase "get your popcorn ready". This was a risky signing by the Seahawks but a very solid move when all said and done.

Seattle Seahawks 2012 schedule is released!

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks 2012 NFL schedule has officially been released. This year the Seahawks will begin the season on the road against a divisional opponent like they did last year as they begin the year against the Arizona Cardinals. Their home opener will be the second week of the year as they take on the Dallas Cowboys. The Seahawks have two national T.V. primetime games as they take on the Green Bay Packers at home on Monday Night on week three. Then later on in week seven at San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night football. In this following post I'll give my two cents on each game while examing more games more deeply.

‎1 Sun, Sep 9  @ Arizona Cardinals (0-0) 1:15 pm PDT 

Previous meeting: Arizona Cardinals won 23-20 in 2011

These teams split the season series last year each winning on their homefield. The Seahawks last year went 7-9 while the Cardinals went 8-8. Both teams are hoping to return to the playoffs as Matt Flynn will be making his first start in a Seahawks uniform going up against Larry Fitzgerald and Cardinals offense.

2 Sun, Sep 16  vs Dallas Cowboys (0-0) 1:05 pm PDT

Previous meeting: Dallas Cowboys won 23-13 in 2011

This will be the Seahawks home opener as they take on the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have won the last three meetings against the Seahawks all down in Dallas. The last time the Cowboys played the Seahawks in Seattle was the memorable 2006 Wild Card playoff game. The Seahawks won that game 21-20 in a wild finish. That game is most memorable because the Cowboys were in position to win the game with a field goal. Instead holder and starting quarterback Tony Romo fumbled the ball and was tackled short of the goaline.  Romo's miscue still haunts him to this day as the following year with the #1 seed the Cowboys lost their first playoff game. Romo being called a choke artist started that night in Seattle. This will be Matt Flynn's first home start of his career for the Seahawks as well.

3 Mon, Sep 24 vs Green Bay Packers (0-0) 5:30 pm ESPN 

Previous meeting: Packers won 48-10 in 2009

This is an interesting matchup as Matt Flynn takes on his former team as the Seahawks take on reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have won three in a row against the Seahawks. Although last time these two teams played on Monday night it was in Seattle as the Seahawks won in the snow 34-24. The Seahawks have won five games in a row on Monday Night and have the best record in the NFL on monday night. This will be a special game as every game on Monday night is special.

4 Sun, Sep 30  @ St. Louis Rams (0-0) 10:00 am PDT

Previous meeting: Seahawks won 30-13 in 2011

The Seahawks have dominated this series losing just one time against the Rams since 2005 posting a 13-1 record against the Rams. This is a key divisional game as the Seahawks prepare for the Rams on the road. The Rams will be having a new head coach as Jeff Fisher takes over the Rams hoping to lead them to some wins as they have been horrible lately.

5 Sun, Oct 7 @ Carolina Panthers  (0-0) 1:05 pm PDT

Previous meeting: Seahawks won 31-14 in 2010

The Seahawks get their first taste of Cam Newton the electric quarterback. The Seahawks have never won a game at Carolina in franchise history as they are 0-2 all-time. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers to go to the Super Bowl in the 2005 NFC Championship game. That was then and this is now. The Seahawks will have a hard time containing Newton as most teams have.

6 Sun, Oct 14 vs New England Patriots (0-0) 1:05 pm PDT 

Previous Meeting: New England won 24-21 in 2008

The Seahawks host the defending AFC Champions New England Patriots as Tom Brady makes his first appearance at Century Link Field. Brady missed the meeting in 2008 as he was out for the season as the Patriots rallied to defeat the Seahawks during Mike Holmgren's last season. Brady however did defeat the Seahawks back in 2004 at home 30-20. This will be another fun game for Seahawks fans as the day before the USC Trojans who are expected to contend for a national title will be playing the Washington Huskies on the same field. For fans of Seattle the SODO area will be packed for that 48 hour run. This will also see the return of Deion Branch back to Seattle where he played with the Seahawks from 2006-2010 and was regarded as a bust. This will also be Pete Carroll's first game against his old team. He was the head coach of the Patriots from 1997-1999 before being fired for Bill Bellicheck. That worked out well for both as Bellicheck won three super bowls while Carroll became a legend at USC.

7 Thu, Oct 18 @ San Francisco 49ers (0-0) 5:20 pm PDT

Previous meeting: San Francisco won 19-17

Last year the 49ers won swept the season series from the Seahawks. This will be the second primetime game for the Seahawks as they travel to play at the defending NFC West champions 49ers on a Thursday Night game. This will be a short turnaround for the Seahawks who are 1-1 on Thursday Night games in this recent format. If the Seahawks wish to compete for a division title they'll have to beat the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh dating back to his days at Stanford is 4-1 all-time against Pete Carroll including last years season sweep.

8 Sun, Oct 28 @ Detroit Lions  (0-0) 10:00 am PDT

Previous meeting: Seahawks won 32-20 in 2009

The Seahawks take on a Detriot Lions team fresh off of making their first postseason appearance since 1999. The Lions last time they played the Seahawks blew a 17-0 lead as then rookie Mathew Stafford threw five interceptions. Now Stafford is no longer a rookie in fact he is a pro bowler who has led his team to the playoffs. This game is on the road at Ford Field the site of Super Bowl XL the place that gave the Seahawks the most heart breaking loss in franchise history.

 9 Sun, Nov 4 vs Minnesota Vikings (0-0) 1:05 pm PST

Previous meeting: Vikings won 35-9 in 2009

The Seahawks will be hosting the electric Adrian Peterson who still remains as one of the leagues premiere backs. The Vikings are in a transition right now unlike the NFC championship game bound squad the Seahawks faced back in 2009. Tarvaris Jackson the Seahawks backup quarterback also played with the Vikings. This will also be a homecoming for John Carlson who just signed a five year 25 million dollar deal with the Vikings.

10 Sun, Nov 11 vs New York Jets (0-0) 1:05 pm PST

Previous meeting: Seahawks on 13-3 in 2008

Tim Tebow will be playing at Seattle for the first time as who knows if he'll be the starting quarterback by then. Mark Sanchez the quarterback the Seahawks passed on will be entering a make or break season as will his loud mouth head coach Rex Ryan. The Jets who went to back to back AFC championship games in 2009 and 2010 are hoping to get back there. This will be the teams first meeting since Mike Holmgren coached his last game in Seattle as the Seahawks defeated the Jets in the snow 13-3 back in 2008.

11 Bye

12 Sun, Nov 25 @ Miami Dolphins (0-0) 10:00 am PST 

Previous meeting: Dolphins won 21-19 in 2008

Matt Flynn will be taking on the team he passed on to go to Seattle. The Dolphins were very much in the Flynn sweepstakes before losing out. This will be a cross country flight for the Seahawks who in the past haven't done very well in 10 a.m. games on the east coast. The last time these two teams played the Dolphins were enjoying an AFC divisional championship debuting the Wildcat. They have fallen on hard times since then because they still have yet to replace Dan Marino at quarterback.


13 Sun, Dec 2 @ Chicago Bears (0-0) 10:00 am PST

Previous meeting: Seahawks won 38-14 in 2011

In what will be the fourth trip to Chicago for the Seahawks in the last three years. The Seahawks have owned the Bears in the regular season winning the last three matchups including twice in Chicago. In the playoffs though the Bears have ended the Seahawks season twice. Last year the Seahawks crushed the Bears in Chicago behind a strong defensive outing. The Bears were banged up without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. The Bears are always a tough match up especially on the road in Chicago.

14 Sun, Dec 9 vs Arizona Cardinals  (0-0) 1:15 pm PST
This will be the second matchup of the season for the Seahawks. In a strange scheduling by the NFL this will actually be the Seahawks first home game against a divisional opponent. The Seahawks have defeated the Cardinals the last two years at home and hope to do so again.

15 Sun, Dec 16 @ Buffalo Bills (0-0) 1:05 pm PST

Previous meeting: Bills won 34-10 in 2008

This game will be played out of this country as the Seahawks will be actually playing in Toronto which spoils what should have been the return of Marshawn Lynch to his old team the Buffalo Bills. The Seahawks traded for Lynch during the 2010 season and so far have been very happy with that trade.  Lynch provided a memorable playoff run to defeat the bounty hunting New Orleans Saints in the 2010 Wild Card playoff round. Then last year Lynch ran for over 1,000 yards first time a Seahawk did that since MVP Shaun Alexander did it in 2005. Lynch also made the pro bowl last year as the Seahawks sent five guys to the pro bowl. The Bills are a hurting franchise having not made the playoffs since 1999 when the music city miracle happened. The Bills are a decent team but as a Seahawks fan I'm thankful this december game is in Toronto in a dome and not in the horrid temperatures that Buffalo can produce in late December. This will also be the Seahawks last road game of the season.

 16 Sun, Dec 23 vs San Francisco 49ers (0-0) 1:15 p.m PST

This game has a chance to be very huge as the Seahawks take on the 49ers for the second time. Like year during the Christmas week the Seahawks will be hosting the 49ers in which will be pivotal game in the division title race. The Seahawks also might be developing a rivalry with the 49ers. There is no secret Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh don't like each other. I actually like that our head coach doesn't like another coach in our division. I always hate how Steve Sarkisian is so nice to every coach after getting his butt handed to him it's refreshing to see. With the addition of Flynn the Seahawks are hoping to take over this division. Beating the 49ers would be a nice start to doing just that.

17 Sun, Dec 30 vs St. Louis Rams (0-0) 1:15 pm EST

Two years ago these two teams played on the last game of the regular season and it came down to the division title which the Seahawks won the game 16-6. Can the Seahawks repeat history by clinching the division title on the last week of the NFL season? We'll sure find out. The Seahawks have won seven in a row at home against the Rams as they hope to continue this domination of the Rams. I like that the Seahawks have all three divisional games late in the year at home. If the division race is close you have to like the Seahawks.

Seahawks trade WR Deion Branch back to Patriots for 4th round pick

By Kshell

The Seahawks have finally ended the Deion Branch marriage trading him to the New England Patriots for a fourth round pick. Branch when he had came to Seattle brought with him tons of hype but after four disappointing years plus part of a fifth year the Seahawks decided to get something for him.

Both teams have been in the news lately with mid season trades which doesn't happen much in the NFL. The Seahawks last week traded their fourth round pick in 2011 and a fifth/or a sixth in 2012 to the Buffalo Bills for Marshawn Lynch. While the Patriots made the controversial move of trading Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings for a third round pick.

The Patriots have to be excited considering they traded a fourth rounder for Randy Moss after the 2006 season and now received a third round pick for him. In 2006 they traded Branch to the Seahawks for a first round pick and now have acquired Branch for a fourth rounder. Tim Ruskell made a mistake back then so don't fault Pete Carroll and John Scheinder for getting a fourth rounder for someone who has not fulfilled his lofty expectations.

When the Seahawks acquired Branch they were coming off of a Super Bowl appearance so giving up a first round pick didn't appear to be that bad. Branch was just a season removed from winning the Super Bowl MVP. Despite not ever having a single 1,000 yard receiving season or ever catching more than five touchdowns in a season Tim Ruskell traded away a 2007 first round pick plus gave Branch a 6 year/39 million dollar deal. Branch was supposed to be the piece that got the Seahawks over the hill but instead has been nothing.

Branch in 2006 learning the offense played in all 14 games plus two playoff games and had 53 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns. Not bad for a guy learning a new offense and moving to the other coast. Unfortunately for Branch and Seahawk fans this was the best Branch would do for Seattle. This year in four games Branch has a solid 13 receptions but has just 112 yards receiving.

Pete Carroll is continuing to blow up this roster and rid himself of Ruskell busts. Burlson, Houshmandzadeh and now Branch the three leading and costly receivers are all gone. Instead the Seahawks will turn to Golden Tate, Mike Williams, Brandon Stockley and the lone holdover Deon Butler. At the end of the day the Seahawks received a fifth round pick for Josh Wilson and a fourth for Branch. Essentially if someone said the Seahawks could get Marshawn Lynch for Deion Branch and Josh Wilson I'd be excited as should you. This is a great trade for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks.

Seahawks acquire Bills running back Marshawn Lynch for 2011 and 2012 draft picks

By: Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks have acquired running back Marshawn Lynch from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for their 2011 4th round draft pick and a 5th or a 6th round pick in 2012 depending on how well Lynch performs. The Seahawks rushing game currently ranks 27th in the NFL and with Lynch the former first round pick in 2007 being unhappy the move makes sense.

Marshawn Lynch is asked to fill the need in the running game. The Seahawks are just one of four teams in the NFL to not produce a 1,000 yard rusher since 2005 when Shaun Alexander won the MVP. Tim Ruskell decided it be best to draft more fullbacks(3) than running backs(Forsett). The team then decided to bring in aging veterans like Julius Jones, T.J.Duckett and then Edgerin James to fill the rushing void. Julius Jones was a bust and because of the Lynch trade his Seahawks career is over.

The Seahawks are using Justin Forsett primarily and with a weak offensive line and given he is kind of a scap back he has had mixed results on the year. Forsett on the year has 215 yards rushing on 51 carries which is good for 4.2 YPC but he has zero touchdowns and is averaging just 53.8 yards per game. In the last contest in a 20-3 loss vs the Rams he had 65 yards on 19 carries(3.4 YPC) and the previous week in a win over the Chargers had 17 carries for 63(3.7 YPC). Safe to say Forsett wasn't getting the job done. He is still useful as he has 9 receptions on the year and had 41 last season. He will split time with Lynch. This should come nothing new to Forsett as Forsett sat behind Marshawn Lynch at the university of California for two seasons.

Marshawn Lynch was a heralded running back from Cal where he was the 12th pick overall in the 2007 draft. In his rookie year in only 13 games Lynch ran for 1,115 averaging 4.0 YPC and had seven rushing touchdowns. He followed that up in 2008 with a pro bowl season where he ran for 1036 yards averaging 4.1 YPC and had eight rushing touchdowns and also caught 47 passes that year. After his second year in the NFL people were nicknaming him "Beast Mode" he looked like he was the future of the Bills franchise. Then it all fell apart for Lynch in 2009. He got in trouble with the law and found himself suspended the first three games of the 2009 season. Fred Jackson had played so well when Lynch came back he found himself in a time share and towards the end of the season found himself second string. Lynch would have a very dissapointing 2009 season rushing for just 450 yards averaging 3.8 YPC and had just two rushing touchdowns. Then the 2010 NFL draft happened.

In the 2010 NFL Draft C.J.Spiller was regarded as the best running back and most exciting player in the draft out of Clemson. When Spiller fell to the Bills at the 9th pick overall the Bills took Spiller. With Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch still on the roster that meant both were going to have to share with a third back. Both Lynch and Jackson were hurt during the first preseason game which allowed Spiller to emerge as the guy. Which meant Lynch wasn't very happy. Lynch on the year has just 164 yards rushing for a 4.4 YPC average but no touchdowns. Seattle needed a back, Buffalo is struggling at 0-4 so they are in rebuilding mode and they pulled the trigger to trade him out of conference.

Lynch despite playing in the NFL for four seasons now is only 24 years old. For his career he has 2,765 yards rushing and a 4.0 YPC average and 17 touchdowns. Lynch hasn't exactly played on good offensive lines or have a quarterback which defenses have to respect. In Seattle he still doesn't have a good offensive line and the jury is still out if Matt Hasselbeck can beat you. Lynch will be a free agent at the end of the 2012 season. I think this is a great medium risk/ high reward. The Seahawks just got a 24 year old running back who has been to the probowl and gives them that power running they lack. Don't think this will hurt Justin Forsett's feelings. Remember these two were teamates at California and Forsett will still get his touches. With Forsett and now Lynch along with Leon Washington the Seattle rushing game should be vastly improved and ready to win this division. Thats one thing about Pete Carroll he has proven so far he isn't afaid of taking risks. Well he just took a big risk and lets hope it pays off.