My Look at Sports

Hello there everyone I want to continue for this blog to evolve when it comes to sports.

I primarily am writing about the Seattle Mariners, the Seahawks, and the University of Washington Huskies football and basketball teams.

I want this to be different than other blogs or the writers that follow teams locally and nationally. I am not how exactly it will work all together especially that I see there are those who are reading this in other countries as well.

I want to write primarily as a fan of the teams but in my own perspective. It is easy to write about each game that is being played but you can get that anywhere you want. I will write some about the game that will be played. I can give an example where the Seahawks will be playing against the Rams in St.Louis in just a few minutes. If you have been a longtime fan you likely know the Seahawks have had some difficulty playing the Rams since they have been in the same division so they could have some trouble in this game and could lose it. I believe what makes this game interesting is how Jimmy Graham will play and how the offense will work him in along with Tyler Lockett at both receiver and return man. On the defense it will be how the Seahawks play without Kam Chancellor. Of course these coming days I will give you my look at it however I am sure it won’t be much different than some others opinions. I just hope you will read it here because I will write it from a fan perspective. I hope though to add more things into it as well. How that works we will see.

The Seattle Mariners will be finishing their season up very soon and we all know it has not been the season we all expected. I hope to write about certain players that may come back next season and who may leave as well. The off-season will be interesting to see the hiring of a new general manager, and what he may do to shake up the roster to make it a better team in 2016. It would be nice to have good surprises going into spring training. I am sure we will all speculate as fans.

In college football the Huskies won their first game of the season routing Sacramento State 49-0. It could be the only victory they have this season bring in a freshmen quarterback Jake Browning. What I found interesting this week is that he wears the same number as Russell Wilson. Of course, he is not the same type of quarterback that Wilson is. The Huskies had more of a passing attack against them than they did against Boise State. I expect that has something to do with Sacramento State’s passing defense than the Huskies passing offense; however we will see in the weeks ahead. In men’s basketball the Huskies had a poor season last year after staring off good. It is hard to see right now if they will improve this season since they lost a few players to not only graduation but transferring out. We get to that when we get into October. Maybe!

Anyway, I hope you continue to read while I evolve this blog. I would like to write primarily about individual players along with positions; for example, the bullpen for the Mariners, and the receivers for the Seahawks. Another would be any key new players or not so key players to the teams. So enjoy your sports, and look forward to you reading this. I hope to make it enjoyable for sure.

This Weekend in Sports

The Seattle Seahawks start the regular season playing against the Rams in St.Louis while the Mariners take on the Colorado Rockies at Safeco Field in Seattle.

The Seattle Seahawks will still be without one of the legions of boom in Kam Chancellor who is still holding out. Also, we will see how Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman will do coming back from injuries. Knowing them it will be no problem at all. I am sure the Rams will start off testing the Seahawks secondary to see how good shape they are actually in. It would be nice to get a turnover early since it likely will be a close game.

The Seahawks running game will be different this season behind Marshawn Lynch since both backs are gone.  Christian Michael was traded to the Dallas Cowboys while Robert Turbin was released because of injury; however, he was signed by the Cleveland Browns. Beast mode’s primary back up will be Fred Jackson who will come in on third downs in the same manner as Turbin has done in the years he was with the Seahawks. Obviously the Seahawks felt that neither Michael’s or Turbin were the heir apparent to  Lynch. Jackson is older than Lynch so he is a stop game to help out the running game this year. Depending on Lynch the Seahawks most likely draft a running back early in next year’s draft, sign or trade for a veteran running back like in the same manner getting Lynch. I figure they most likely do both sign a veteran and draft a running back. Also, this may depend on how third running back Thomas Rawls does as well. He could be a real find like the Seahawks have found since Pete Carroll has been coach.

Continue on the offense is how the Seahawks will use Jimmy Graham at tight end, and outside as a receiver along with Tyler Lockett as the return man and receiver. Those two will play a big part of the Seahawks improved offense. The Seahawks should be better on third downs and the red zone. All we can hope for is that the offensive line can protect Wilson much better. This being Wilson’s fourth season I believe we should see even more improvement from him since he is maturing as a quarterback, and has more weapons as well.

I expect the Seahawks defense will stay about the same but if it does not the offense should help out enough to compensate for the defense. Most likely the offense will be at top speed in the middle of the season while starting off slowly. I see the Seahawks going back to the Super Bowl.

The Mariners should be looking at sweeping the Rockies at home this weekend since they are one of the worst teams in baseball. I know funny thing to say when the Mariners have been struggling most of the season; however, they have been doing much better in September as far as the offense goes. The starting pitching has continued it’s up and downs but generally been good. The Mariners primarily split the series against the Rangers because they could not score enough runs.  The bullpen seems to be doing better since the designated for assignment and then the trade of Fernando Rodney to the Chicago Cubs, and Tom Wihelmsen made close again.

The season is coming to a close pretty soon with about three weeks remaining. It will be an interesting off season with the hiring of a new general manager. I guess we will see if the Mariners will hire the new general manager in these last weeks of September or in October. In either case I am sure we will see some changes happening to the roster before spring training. Could be in the same manner as when the Seahawks brought in Pete Carroll and John Schneider. At this point we have no idea whether Lloyd will return as manager or not. It will depend a lot in the general manager and who he may know and like to bring in. He may decide to keep Lloyd for one more season depending on the results. One thing for sure the Mariners management expects a quick turnaround from this season. So we say now Go Seahawks! Go Mariners!

Mariners Come Home Fall Flat

It is quite something the Mariners win seven out of ten on the road and first game home they fall flat. They not only don’t score any runs they get picked off the bases.

Whatever chances the Mariners had to make at least .500 or back in the playoffs will be more difficult if they don’t win at least two of these games in the series again the Texas Rangers. Actually the remaining three would be ideal. It is sort of interesting to think after averaging over five runs a game in the ten games on the road they can’t score one at home. They didn’t have either Nelson Cruz or Frankie Gutierrez available though you would have thought they may have used Cruz in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter. I don’t understand the idea of what Lloyd is doing with pinch hitting; he pinch hits when someone is needed from the other side of the bat. I believe he has pinched hit way to much this season; however, when he could use Cruz he doesn’t. Makes me really scratch my head; we can hope the players can rebound things despite Lloyd.

I am really glad that Elias was able to rebound in this game and pitch a really good game. The Mariners will need him to pitch in the rotation next season especially if James Paxton continues to have arm issues. Besides resigning Iwakuma the Mariners need to go out and get another starter. The bullpen will need to be done all over again. I won’t rehash about it though.

It looks like Sean O’Malley will be a good player for the Mariners coming into next season. It seems he could play the role the Mariners had planned for Brad Miller. In the off-season the Mariners could either trade Miller in a package deal or start him in the outfield. O’Malley like Miller will be able to play either infield or outfield. Along with Marte he gives added speed in the lineup they can use. Playing in Safeco Field speed can help out quite a bit for the Mariners along with hitting a lot of doubles. Home runs still come as a premium in Safeco Field though it can happen because I see the other teams having little problem  hitting home runs there.

With the new general manager coming in soon we will see what kind of changes will happen with the Mariners. We need the pitching and the hitting working together instead of one or the other. Go Mariners!

Seahawks Have Their 53 Man Roster Set

We see the Seahawks have set the roster right now; however the word set is a misnomer because it could change some more before they go to St.Louis to play the Rams on Sunday.

Though he made the initial 53 man roster Christian Michael was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a conditional pick in 2016. This couldn’t have been a big surprise since Michael has not lived up to his draft status of being picked first by the Seahawks in 2013. So this means right now the Thomas Rawls has made the team as the third running back. Depending what happens he could at some point be put on practice squad. We haven’t heard an official signing of Freddie Jackson as the backup to Marshawn Lynch. There is a possibility that the Seahawks could go out and get another running back who has experience to be the third running back to cover any injuries that might occur to Lynch or Jackson.

The Seahawks have their first practice this week on Wednesday so it would not surprise me if more changes to the roster are made before or on Wednesday. It wouldn’t make any sense to do any after Wednesday unless you take someone off the practice squad.

Another question we have is will Kam Chancellor report to the Seahawks by Wednesday or will he continue his holdout. Of course, if he does report there will be another change to the roster. If he does continue his holdout it certainly puts more of a work load on free safety Earl Thomas. The Seahawks did trade for a veteran strong safety with the Kansas City acquiring Kelcie McCray. If Chancellor doesn’t report how long his holdout will depend a lot on McCray, and the defensive backfield does against the Rams. If they poorly the Seahawks could strike a deal with Chancellor soon, or if they do real well the holdout might last longer unless Chancellor sees the writing on the wall, and losing pay checks as well.

 Continue on the defense side of the ball top Frank Clark looks like the real thing. Pre-season he showed that he could be the solution to the problems that Seahawks had last year with the rush. He can be a good duel to go along with Bruce Irvin. If he has an outstanding rookie season it mean the end of Irvin with the Seahawks as well since it will be the end of his contract, and the Seahawks may not resign him because of how much more money they would have to sign him to and affect the salary cap. The Seahawks already spend a lot of money on the defensive side of the ball. It will be interesting to see how Clark can do against the run as well though the primary reason they drafted him was for his pass rushing ability.

On the offense side of the ball kept two quarterbacks though BJ Daniels made it as a receiver he can be added insurance to the quarterback position in case of injury. Also, he can be the backup to Tyler Lockett as kickoff and punt receiver as well. Depending on how much Lockett will be used as receiver it would not surprise me if we see Daniels receiving punts at least once or twice in the game. Lockett and Daniels both will likely be used on end around plays as well. Daniels could also throw the ball down field on the end around plays too. It would not surprise me if we see a few where Daniels will throw down field to Lockett. Another one we could see on those type of plays is Ricardo Lockette who has great speed and has a big body as well.

At the tight end position I am sure that there will be more plays with two tight ends in the game or all three in some downs. Likely we will see Jimmy Graham out a lot as a wide receiver as well. This could happen often on third downs with Doug Baldwin playing the slot position or better known as the third receiver. This year the Seahawks have so many more options at the receiver position.

 When the Seahawks run the ball we will see beast mode, Jackson, beast mode, Jackson, Rawls, beast mode, Jackson, and more beast mode. Whether Lynch starts the game will depend on his health, and how Jackson and Rawls both are doing. We could see Jackson starting and Lynch come in the second or third series depending on how the offense is rolling.

Coming Sunday we will know how the Seahawks will do. Often they have trouble playing in St.Louis, however, whatever the results are we don’t have a lot to worry about except that they do play at Green Bay in the second week of the season. Go Hawks!

Seahawk Rookie Tyler Lockett

Like I have with some of the Mariner players I like to write about what I think about some of the Seahawk players as well. Last year in a bowl game that Kansas State played I saw Lockett. I don’t remember seeing him play before and I don’t watch many bowl games because there are so many of them. I thought it would be interesting to watch Kansas State because I heard they were pretty good. Outside of the Pac-12 I don’t watch many other games except maybe some traditional ones like Michigan vs Notre Dame or Michigan vs Ohio State. When I saw Tyler Lockett in that game I thought it would be nice if the Seahawks could draft him. I figured where the Seahawks were drafting the chances were not great for them to get him. Though I know traditionally wide receivers are not drafted in the first round, and the ones that do usually end up failing.  I thought he was good enough in my mind to be taken in the first round; however, the Seahawks would be drafting at the end of the first round. Of course, it was before they traded the pick to New Orleans for tight end Jimmy Graham. Also, I am not an expert on who will go where in the draft either.

When the Seahawks announced that they were moving up in the third round in the draft it came to my surprise that they drafted Tyler Lockett. In my mind I had figured he would be gone before then especially when the Seahawks drafted defense lineman Frank Clark in the second round. We all know now that General Manager John Schneider and Coach Pete Carroll always like to fine gems in the draft. So far Tyler Lockett is not an exception.

In the four pre-season games he has turned out to be most of the offense the Seahawks had. In the first game he ran back a kick off for a touchdown. In game three he ran back a punt for a touchdown, and in the final pre-season on the second play of the game for the Seahawks he caught a pass for a touchdown. It will be interesting to see how he fares during the season in scoring touchdown; however, one thing we know at this time the Seahawks will be placed in better field position. The Seahawks have not really had a threat when running back punts. I am sure Lockett has made other teams a where already what he can do. I am sure they will try to kick the ball deep enough or away from Lockett. What makes it especially interesting is that in those circumstances other teams could make mistakes like kicking the ball off the sides on punts. Whatever the case the Seahawks will be in much better field position; usually when they win the coin toss at the beginning of the game they like to receive the kickoff at the beginning of the second half, and this year it will be even more important.

I am sure the Seahawks will use Lockett as the third or fourth receiver as well. He will not only be a good deep threat they will use him sometimes doing end a rounds as well. Right now it would not surprise me in the least if Lockett is rookie of the year. He certainly will help the Seahawks hopefully get back to the Super Bowl. Lockett we look forward to see a lot of good excitement from you in the season ahead. Go Hawks!    

September Means Football

Usually I want to enjoy watching baseball through October with some interest in football; however, like a lot of recent years except last year the Seattle Mariners have done so poorly I start looking at football earlier.

I am more than a casual fan I just don’t put in one hundred percent into it like those who love football a lot and stay tuned even during the off season. I know there are those who watch every pre-season game and don’t miss any of the action. I only watch a portion of those games; however, when the season starts I do see all the games. If the Mariners are playing at the same time I will watch them during commercial ads and then switch back to the Seahawks when action starts again unless it is a year like last year when the Mariners were in the running to make the playoffs. In those cases I will watch more of the Mariner game still keeping my eye on the Seahawks.

Besides the Seahawks I am a UW Husky fan as well so opening season again Boise State starts on Friday night Sept. 4. I will watch most of that game switching to the Mariners during commercial breaks. I know some people may find that odd thing to do. When I was a kid I usually listen to a football game on the radio and watch a baseball game on television; this was before the Mariners came into existence. I loved watching Saturday baseball on television each week. At that time the Husky games were not on television very often; of course, if they were on television then I would do the same as I do now switch back and forth during commercial breaks. I call myself a sports freak not just a baseball or football fan.

This season the Huskies have a young team on both offense and defense so at this point it is hard to know how many games they will win over the season. My guess is that they will six games; most likely I am being optimistic but being a fan you have to be. They likely will be starting a freshman quarter- back named Jake Browning though Coach Peterson has not named a quarterback as of yet. We may not know the quarterback starting until before game time.

The Huskies defense will be starting a brand new group of guys on the line so it is real hard to know how they will do. Last year with an experience line it took them at least a couple games to get a rush on the opposing teams quarterback so I expect it will take them even longer this year.  The important thing though for the line is to be able to stop the running game so the defensive backs can use their job when the opposition throws the ball. I would not be surprised if Boise State will try to run the ball against the Huskies a lot before throwing the ball. If they are able to run the ball with success then the passing game will open up as well.

On the offensive side the Huskies will be starting with Dwayne Washington at running back along with a couple of backups. The Huskies success against Boise State will depend on the running game since they also have inexperience as far as their receivers go and of course the quarterback. In the same way if they are able to run the ball with success it will allow Browning to be able to feel comfortable to throw the ball from the pocket. The first game will give us more of an idea what kind of team the Huskies will be.

Besides the Huskies I am sure the Pac-12 season will be another exciting season. I believe the Oregon Ducks have to be favored to win the North again while in the South it will be tougher competition. USC should be expected to be at the top with the Arizona schools along with UCLA to try and knock them off. Do not expect a lot out of Colorado and Utah.

In the NFL the Seahawks have one remaining pre-season game on Thursday against the Oakland Raiders before starting the season on the road at St.Louis on Sunday September 13^th. The Seahawks likely will play a lot of players who are on the bubble to make the season opener roster.

So everyone let football season begin and let your favorite teams win. Go Seahawks and Huskies!

 

Funny to Say Mariners Down the Stretch Run

This season the Mariners are not the team we expected to see going into September. Everyone thought the Mariners would have at least the same record as last year or greater instead they fell back to what they were for a decade. I am sure everyone was like me looking forward to seeing them playing in the playoffs. All they had to win only a few more games; instead they will be lucky to break even if they have a real good September.  

I just heard on the radio that Austin Jackson was traded to the Chicago Cubs. How about this up to the minute news; I had a pretty good idea that he would be traded because I believe the Mariners would have mentioned about signing him to a new contract. It is possible that the Mariners will trade other players that are not expected on the team next year in the month ahead.

With the trade of Jackson I would see the Mariners bring up James Jones to play some time in center field along with Brad Miller. I am sure the Mariners will look to go and find a centerfielder unless Brad Miller wins the spot; however, he likely will be super utility player. Looking at shortstop Marte seems to be the choice for next season. I am sure Chris Taylor will play some at shortstop in September as well. I see that Taylor will be extra infielder next season unless the Mariners decide to trade him. I don’t see the Mariners looking at him playing triple A any longer.

Right now I see the Mariners outfield looking next year as Brad Miller, Seth Smith, Franklin Gutierrez, Mark Trumbo, and Nelson Cruz. Saying all that the Mariners may trade Seth Smith and Trumbo during the off season; there is a possibility that Brad Miller could be traded too if he is involved in a multi-player trade. I am sure Trumbo and Cruz both will play designated hitter when not in the outfield. Trumbo will play some first base as well. Unless the Mariners go out and get another first baseman Trumbo may play more first base than outfield. One thing for sure Cruz and Trumbo will not be in the outfield at the same time because of defense limitations. I am sure the Mariners will go out and get a proven centerfielder with Brad Miller as the backup. I could see Seth Smith starting in either left or right field just like now against right handed pitchers and Gutierrez again playing left field against left handed pitchers.  It would be really nice if the Mariners could go out and get two regular outfielders but the chances are slim that will happen.

When it comes to the infield Kyle Seager and Robinson Cano will return playing third and second base. Shortstop could be a battle again during spring training between Marte and Taylor. The loser likely will be the extra infielder unless they decide that Brad Miller will play the infield some as well as outfield. At first base the Mariners may use either Mark Trumbo or Jesus Montero if they don’t trade for an experience first baseman. Both of them will be the designated hitter as well when Cruz is not. There is a good possibility that the Mariners may trade Logan Morrison; he does not look good as the everyday first baseman. If on the team he would look like a part-time first baseman and outfielder. He would come into the game late as a defensive replacement at first, and start against some tough right handed pitchers that either Trumbo or Montero could hit well against.

Last week sending Mike Zunino down to triple A makes me believe that the Mariners may go out and get another catcher. If Zunino is on the roster out of spring training he won’t play almost every day like he did this year.  He needs to spend time on the bench learning the pitchers on the opposing teams. I could see him back catching regularly in 2017. Remember he is still only 23 years old.

The starting pitching rotation will begin with Felix Hernandez and TaiJuan Walker. I am sure the Mariners will resign Iwakuma to a new contract. It is hard to say who the fourth and fifth starters will be. I would not be surprised if the Mariners trade Logan Morrison along with another player for a starting pitcher.

When it comes to the bullpen anything can be a guess. We could flip a coin to see who the Mariners will do for relief. Right now September will be real important for those in the bullpen right now. Those who do well maybe retained while the rest will be told good luck somewhere else. In the mean time we will say Go Mariners!