Seattle Seahawks

ALL
OUTSIDER

Season Preview 2009 Minnesota Vikings

By Richie Denis | July 1, 2009 | Vikings War Cry

Anthony Chergosky from DailyNorseman.com gives us a look at the 2009 Minnesota Vikings. When you think of the 2009 Minnesota Vikings, two words probably enter your mind: Brett Favre. But when taking a look at the team, its chances of repeating as NFC North champs, and its opportunity to go further in the playoffs than it did last season, Favre is just the tip of the iceberg. All over the field and on both sides of the ball, the Vikings are a team built for success this season. This team's bread and butter is still its ability to run the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings, Vikings

Will 9 wins be enough to win NFC West?

By Samuel Lam | June 22, 2009 | Mining the Gold Rush

Over the past three seasons, the division winners of the NFC West have had mediocre records entering the playoffs. In 2006, the Seahawks entered the playoffs with a 9-7 record. The following year, the Seahawks made it back with a 10-6 record. Last year, the Cardinals made it with a 9-7 record.Obviously, it looks like that the division is really winnable. Unlike divisions like the NFC East, a 9-7 record could win the division.However, even though the last three years have been filled with mediocre division winners, could the competition be a little tougher this season?The Cardinals will definitely be a challenge. After almost winning Super Bowl XLIII, the Cardinals look like they haven't missed a step this off-season. They retained Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald looks to be a bigger beast than ever before. The team still might not be with Anquan Boldin, but their running game has gotten stronger.The Cardinals have gone through some coaching changes, but overall, they are the team to beat. Can the Cardinals produce another 9-win season?The other team that I feel the 49ers have to watch out for are the Seahawks. A healthy Matt Hasselbeck, running game and defense could make it tougher for the 49ers.Remember that Hasselbeck didn't play for a good portion of last season. With Jim Mora, Jr. now as the head coach, the Hawks will definitely preach defense. Rookie LB Aaron Curry would be a beast if all the hype around him meets up top the expectations. The Hawks also signed free agent stud TJ Houshmandzadeh. The 49ers will have their hands full trying to cover him.I don't know if the Seahawks can finish 9-7, but they are no pushover team. They can definitely decide the fate of the 49ers' quest to win the division.The 49ers might need 10...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, NFC West, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

Broncos Should Re-Build

By Shawn Zobel | June 18, 2009 | Zobel's Corner

In just his third year in the league, Jay Cutler threw for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns. While he also threw for 18 interceptions, Cutler's aggressive mentality at the quarterback position is what makes him such a good player. Nearly the definition of a franchise quarterback, Cutler's gritty, competitive attitude has brought him up the the elite status as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. So when the Denver Broncos decided to give in to Cutler's trade demand this offseason, and ship him away to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and Kyle Orton, it really made you wonder what they were thinking and what their new plan was for the future.While Cutler owned a 17-20 record as a starter, you have to remember that he's only entering his fourth year in the league. Stars don't grow overnight. It takes time to develop into...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Jay Cutler, NFL

Raiders coaching staff creating a buzz

By LDizzle | June 6, 2009 | Thoughts from the Dark Side

Tom Cable speaks to the press

I have been pleasantly surprised with the moves the Raiders have made in the coaching staff this offseason, whether that be the many coaching additions or the additions by subtraction -- <cough>Rob-Ryan<cough>. But little did I know, and certainly little did I expect, they would generate such a positive response from around the sports world. We are all extremely quick to point out those media outlets that spew negative press about the Raiders, or what we call "Raider haters." So now that I have been taken aback by the good press in regards to the Raider coaching staff, it is only proper that we take notice of that as well....

Read more | 25 Comments | Tags: AFC, AFC West, Al Davis, Alex Flanagan, Cal, Cam Inman, Charlie Joiner, Chicago Tribune, Dan Pompei, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Eddie Robinson, ESPN, Foxsports.com, Fresno State, Grambling State Legends Hall of Fame, JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Jerry McDonald, Jim Michalczik, John Gruden, Kelly Skipper, Khalif Barnes, Kwame Harris, Lane Kiffin, Lorenzo Neal, Los Medanos Community College, Louis Murphy, Mike Holmgren, Miramonte High, NFL, NFL Network, NFL.com, Oakland Raiders, Oakland Tribune, Paul Hackett, Peter Schrager, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Realscouts, Rich Gannon, Rob Ryan, Samson Satele, San Jose Mercury News, Sanjay Lal, Seattle Seahawks, SIRIUS Blitz, SIRIUS NFL Radio, Skip Wood, Soloman Wilcots, SportingNews.com, St. Mary's, Super Bowl, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ted Miller, Ted Tollner, Tom Cable, USA Today, Willie Brown, Willis Reed

NFL Top 10: Most Valuable Seattle Seahawks

By Greg Trippiedi | June 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Playing in the NFC West, it's easy to forget that the Seattle Seahawks have enjoyed their strongest run in team history over the last six years or so, but they have been one of the NFL's eight most successful franchises of this decade. Looking at this roster, a lot of top level talent is still there, but not on the side of the ball that you would think. During the Mike Holmgren years, the Seahawks built their identity around offense. Names like Hasselbeck, Alexander, Hutchinson, and Jones typified the type of unit the Seahawks were. But now that Jim Mora holds the keys to the franchise, it's fitting that the Seahawks will remain competitive around their defense, which is fittingly where all the star power on this team can be found. NFL Top 10 demonstrates:10) DT Brandon MebanePound for pound, Mebane is the Seahawks' most effective interior lineman. He was...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: NFL Top 10, Seattle Seahawks

NFL Top 10: Most Valuable Seattle Seahawks

By Greg Trippiedi | June 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: NFL Top 10, Seattle Seahawks

NFL Great Debates: What to Do with Michael Vick?

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Outsider's Greg Trippiedi and Anthony Brown debate the issue: Which team is the best spot for Michael Vick if he overcomes the enormous hurdles necessary to get on the field this year?Greg Trippiedi says Vick shouldn't be a starting quarterback:It's pretty clear that Michael Vick is not going to have a job waiting for him when he gets back. He's 29 years old -- too old and too young in different ways. Vick's open field running abilities were already in decline when we last saw him, and that was in 2006. But that doesn't mean he won't stick somewhere. He's still got a good five or six seasons ahead of him as an effective athlete. The question though remains: Where will Michael Vick fit in, and who will take a chance on him? I don't think Vick is a good fit on a team with a clear need...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: NFL

Derrick Williams, Jarron Gilbert, Jared Cook Lead Round 3 Recap

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Process points become negligible after the first day, so lets look at round three and the players that each team got in the middle of the draft.65. New York Jets -- Shonn Green, RB, IowaThe Jets traded up for this pick, so the Green pick was really disappointing. I didn't think he was anywhere near the best available, and with this being the first pick of the day, I expected a great pick here.66. St. Louis Rams -- Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa67. Kansas City Chiefs -- Alex Magee, DE, PurdueThe Chiefs pick their second 3-4 DE of the draft. So what does this mean for Glenn Dorsey? Will he split time with Magee and Tyson Jackson, or is he already on his way out?68. Chicago Bears -- Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose StateChicago moves forward looking for best player available, while making sure to add a defensive lineman every year. ...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: NFL, NFL Draft

Alphonzo Smith Trade, Rey Maualuga, Pat White Highlight NFL Draft's Second Round

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The second round of the 2009 NFL draft was fronted by some high profile trades. Both the Panthers and the Broncos traded first round picks in 2010 for players they had first round grades on, but drafted in the second round. Pat White ended up getting drafted by the consummate "Wildcat" offense, which seems like a good fit, if not a reach. Inside linebackers Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis slipped through the first round, but got drafted by teams in the second with defensive issues. They'll step in right away and help those situations.However, it was some lesser known prospects who will be the story of the second round in a few years.33. Detroit Lions -- Louis Delmas, S, Western MichiganDelmas is a local product who was clearly head and shoulders above all the other safeties in this draft. After going with the QB with a steep developmental curve in...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: NFL, NFL Draft

Matthew Stafford Highlights Top Five Picks

By Greg Trippiedi | April 25, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The NFL Draft is under way.Pick 1, Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaThe Lions get their franchise Quarterback. Supposedly. What is more promising is how well they performed the process. The Lions had a deal in principle agreed to with LB Aaron Curry. It was reportedly for $30 million in guaranteed money. But the Lions spent $41 million on the guy they believe will be the next great passer. The Lions are making a stand: they are not going to waste the best years of Calvin Johnson's career with below expectation QB play.How the Lions develop Stafford is more important than who he is coming out of Georgia. He's not a very solid prospect right now, but he's "toolzy" and loaded with potential. The Lions are getting all the process points.Detroit Lions: 5 pointsPick 2, St. Louis Rams -- Jason Smith, OT, BaylorThe best OL player in the draft...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

NFL Outsider Mock Drafts: Trippiedi's Final Call

By Greg Trippiedi | April 24, 2009 | MVN Outsider

As promised, this will be my best attempt at figuring out how the NFL draft will go on Saturday. I'll try to project all logical trades in this space, but certainly won't be able to chart all the action that will happen. Put simply, I'll be satisfied if I nail team intentions correctly in the draft.It seems like the media is catching up to teams in terms of figuring out smokescreens. That should help me a lot in this process. We'll check back on Sunday to see how accurately this two round mock really was (don't get your hopes up).Round 11. Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaJim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford. And if Jim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford, then I agree with him. I'm still not convinced that he's worth the money though. Stafford is a deadly accurate passer who might...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: NFL, NFL Draft

NFL Top 10: 2008 NFL Draft Process Points from

By Greg Trippiedi | April 18, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Last year, I wrote this following introduction while introducing "process points", a refreshing way to grade a draft before we know how good the players will be. By grading the process, not the overall haul, I hoped to be able to see if teams who draft the "right" way end up with better drafts than teams who act impulsively and out of desperation. Here's what I said while introducing the system:"Which teams are showing desperation? Which teams are calm, collected, stick to the plan, and land their guy when they should? These are the kind of questions that will be answered over the next eight hours. We will use a simple points system as follows and see who has the best first day: 5 points for a "smart" first round selection 3 points for a "smart" second round selection 2 points for a "smart" trade No points for a desperate...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles, Process Points, Seattle Seahawks

NFL Top 10: Immediate Impact 2008 Draft Picks

By Greg Trippiedi | April 17, 2009 | MVN Outsider

This list might seem familiar to you. If it does, it's likely because you've seen people vote on the rookie of the year award. That's essentially the same thing. But just before NFL Outsider hits the final stretch run prior to the draft, I'm going to spend a day or two looking back at 2008. What were we right on, and where did we miss the most?This article will look exclusively at players who were drafted last year, and helped to turn potential into wins right away.10. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Buffalo BillsMcKelvin made an instant impact in kick and punt returns, returning the Buffalo special teams unit to the top of the league. This year, he'll look to make an impact on defense.9. Jonathon Stewart, RB/Jeff Otah, OT, Carolina PanthersIt's hard to say which one had a bigger impact on the Panthers' running game, but since I can't give this...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

MVN: Most Valuable Network