In the past week Seattle sports have been busy beginning with the Seattle Seahawks making moves with their coaching staff. It started with the firing of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and then followed by offensive line coach Tom Cable. Not a big surprise because of how the Seahawks offense played last season especially the running game which used to be near the top with Marshawn Lynch being the primary running back. Since he has left the Seahawks the running game has gone downhill year by year. The offensive line got a lot of the credit for the demise of the running game however the running backs have to take some credit as well. What running backs will return next year and what changes happen on the line we will know in the weeks ahead.
It was reported on the weekend that Brian Schottenheimer would be named as offensive coordinator to replace Bevell. Some believe that Schottenheimer is not much improvement if not a downgrade from Bevell. What I have heard is the follows orders very well from the head coach so other words he will do what Pete Carroll will want to do next season which is mainly to get back to running the ball consistently to set up the passing game instead of depending on Russell Wilson to get things done. The reason the Seahawks had nine wins was that Wilson was involved in over 80 percent of the scoring. Without Wilson the Seahawks likely would have been lucky to win eight games and most likely would have won like six games. Also the reason the Seahawks need to make changes to get back into the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.
On Monday January 15 news came out the Seahawks were bringing back Ken Norton Jr. now as defensive coordinator. There had been rumors that something was going to happen with defensive coordinator Kris Richard who took over the job when Dan Quinn became head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. I am sure that Norton had been considered for the job but instead Carroll decided on Richard. Carroll has felt that Richard will make an outstanding head coach someday. He did apply for the job with the Indianapolis Colts but they haven’t named who have the job as of yet. I wonder if Carroll knows something we don’t. If he doesn’t get the Colt job will he stay with the Seahawks or move on. I would expect that he will move on otherwise he likely would go back to his old job as defensive back coach.
News came out on January 15 that Mike Solari will become the offensive line coach of the Seahawks after leaving the New York Giants. This is a question mark as well since the Giants offensive line was poor as well in some people's minds but they did rank in the middle having the 15th best offensive line while the Seahawks was 31st. I am sure if he can move the Seahawks offensive line up to the middle of pack the running game will be back in good standing. Solari coach previously with the Seahawks as line coach under Mike Holmgren and Jim Mora.
I am sure news coming up next will be who the Seahawks keep on the roster and who may go. I am sure we can guess who probably won’t return in Lacy and possibly Thomas Rawls. Also question whether the Seahawks will bring back tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receiver Paul Richardson who both will be free agents. The salary cap will decide whether the Seahawks will bring either or both back.
In other sports news the University of Washington Huskies men’s basketball team split games winning against the California Golden Bears and losing to the Stanford Cardinal. The Washington State Cougars men’s team did the same thing splitting games between the Cardinal and the Golden Bears. Tough for the Bears who lost to both Huskies and Cougars. The Cougars have an overall record of 9-8 with a Pac 12 record of 1-4 while the Huskies have a record of 13-5 with a Pac 12 record of 3-2 including a win over the Cougars. The Huskies are playing much better this season compared to last season when they won only nine games and Lorenzo Romar lost his job after having a long career in Seattle. Regardless how the Huskies play the rest of the season new coach Mike Hopkins has put his foot print on a team that will be playing much better defense. Though the Huskies had a really good offense last year they couldn’t stop anyone.
Pac 12 could be difficult for the Huskies however they could end up going to the NCAA tournament if they stay on good course. They have thirteen games remaining in the Pac 12 so if win seven of them they will have twenty wins for the season which might be enough. Whatever the case it is already a successful season under a new coach and makes the future bright.
In baseball the Seattle Mariners spring training starts in twenty-nine days. Nothing has happened since the first of the year in regards of picking up more players especially a starting pitcher. It seems that free agency signings have been slow this off-season among the top starters. We should be hearing soon about pitchers like Yu Darvish. It would be nice to pick up Darvish to keep him away from the Rangers, Astros and Angels if for no other reason. The Mariners payroll at this time most likely they won’t sign him however Dipoto is good at surprising us. At least on the positive side if they don’t sign another starter the bullpen seems to be in good shape. The importance is that the starters can go at least six innings each time out so the bullpen won’t be taxed. The offense should be able to score enough runs on a regular basis as well. Please don’t go on any long losing streaks. The Mariners should be able to win between eight-six and ninety games long as the starters can stay healthy unlike last season.
The next couple months should be interesting with college basketball, spring training and the Seahawks making moves all over the place. John Schneider once again will have to keep up with Dipoto in making moves. He was the king here for moves until Dipoto showed up. Go teams!
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