Morning Links: Will Hawks get shut out of Pro Bowl?
Posted By Eric Williams on November 20, 2009 at 9:55 am
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AP Photo/Ben Margot
It hasn’t happened since 2000, largely due in part to the presence of future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Walter Jones on the roster, but the Seattle Seahawks are in danger of being shutout of the Pro Bowl for the first time in almost a decade.
Currently, no Seahawks is among the top five in their position in fan voting, with five weeks remaining. Players are voted into the Pro Bowl Pro the coaches, the players themselves, and the fans. Each group’s ballots count for one third of the votes.
With the Seahawks at 3-6 and not meeting expectations made at the beginning of the season, there’s reasons why no Seahawks are on the list. But that doesn’t mean that there are not some deserving candidates.
For the second straight season, kicker Olindo Mare is performing at a high level, but is being overlooked because of Seattle’s struggles. After being called out by head coach Jim Mora after missing two field goals in Seattle’s 25-19 loss to Chicago in Week 3, Mare has made 13 straight field goals. He’s currently 16 of 18 in field goals with a long of 47 yards. His 89 percent on field is good enough for fourth overall in the NFC. And Mare is 19 of 19 on extra points.
Mare also leads the NFC among kickers who are not kickoff specialists in touchbacks with 15, and is 33.3 percent in touch backs overall. Mare made the 1999 Pro Bowl with Miami in 1999.
Other potential candidates include T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s who 50 receptions is third in the NFC behind Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina’s Steve Smith.
There’s been a lot of talk about Seattle’s lack of pass rush. Defensive ends Lawrence Jackson and Patrick Kerney are tied for 16th overall with four sacks each, although ESPN’s Mike Sando points out that Kerney collected 10 of his 14.5 sacks after Week 10 in the 2007 season.
David Hawthorne is playing well. He leads the team with 56 tackles, has three sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions in four starts. But there are more talented middle backers under consideration.
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane has been solid against the run, but only has one sack. Am I missing anyone? Let me know in the comments section.
There are five weeks lefts for fans to vote, which you can do so here.
Seahawks tight end John Carlson, a Minnesota native, returns home to face the Vikings this week. Carlson said he’s not concerned with his lack of touches of late.
A preview of the Hawks-Vikings game.
ESPN Page 2 columnist DJ Gallo takes a tongue-in-cheek look at what the 17 grievances are that Mora said to the league officiating office this week.
Count ESPN 710 Seattle’s Dave Wyman as one of the few Hawks followers that doesn’t blame team GM Tim Ruskell for the departure of beloved offensive guard Steve Huthinson.
Wyman:
“So here’s the deal: If you want to say that the Hawks should’ve resigned him during the ‘04 or ‘05 season... fine. I have no quarrel with you there. But, I want to ask everyone this question: Did you recognize how good he was at that time? Be honest with yourself because I really believe that Hutch didn’t become great in everyone’s mind until he signed that $49 million deal. Remember in the ‘05 Redskin game when Shaun Alexander didn’t pick up that first down? That play ended a game winning drive and lead to a loss in overtime. Yeah, that play was run over the left guard.
“Sure we all knew he was good but were we ready to spend $49 million on... A GUARD?!”
Greg Johns of the Seattlepi.com talks to the Nate Burleson about returning to Minnesota, who was on the Seahawks end of the poison pill in part as a revenge tactic for the Hutchinson maneuver.
Jim Moore of Seattlepi.com talks to defensive end Patrick Kerney about his lack of production off the edge. Kerney: “I wish I had the answer. I’m having great practices, it’s just not translating (to the games) right now.”
TNT’s Dave Boling joins the Seahawks Roundtable at KJR-AM in this audio link.
Safety Lawyer Milloy, who’s been a starter his entire NFL career, tells John Boyle of the Everett Herald that sitting on the sidelines is still something he’s not comfortable with.
Amen on the Hutch article. I contend the mistake Ruskell made was trying to do right by Hutchinson. It seems most Franchise tagged player complain that they are prevented from getting their true market value and are forced to settle for "only" the average of the top 5.
By giving the Transition tag, Ruskell let Hutch hit the market and come back with a "fair" price, which Seattle could match. That could be MORE than the Franchise tag price! Ruskell was being a good guy to Hutch and Hutch screwed him and the Seahawks - period and end of case.
No Pro Bowl selections....exhibit D as to why Ruskell should be let go. Get Holmgren before he becomes a Brown.
I'm sorry but the Hutch deal was the biggest blunder to happen to this franchise since Rick Mirer. There's NO EXCUSE for losing Hutch, none whatsoever. I understand how and why it happened, but there is no excuse for it. He should have been resigned the year before period.
Mare is definitely in the running for NFC kicker. Neil Rackers and Shaun Suisham have slightly higher percentages but many fewer attempts. Rackers because his team rarely needs to kick field goals and Suisham because his team can't get past mid-field. On top of Mare strong kick-offs he is arguably the best choice right now in the NFC.
Ironic, isn't it? Considering he was the one Seahawk player who has been publicly called-out it will say a lot about him if/when he makes the Pro Bowl.
Seriously, whatever happened to Brandon Coutu? Is he kicking in the UFL or Canada?
"Ruskell was being a good guy to Hutch.." That is absolute revisionist history. I'm not going to get into it again, there is another thread with 100+ comments from yesterday that has hashed and rehashed this. I will leave it at this; Hutch did not think Ruskell was being a "good guy" and neither do I.
Wyman points to a week 3 game in Washington, that Josh Brown doinked one off the uprights in OT, and the failure to pick up 1 yard as proof that Hutch wasn't considered great yet? Can't get much more myopic than that. The reason people were up in arms about him being given an opportunity to walk was because he was looked at a great, then.
I cannot believe I've been drug into this whole re-hash. Enough is enough. (Bobby must be in heaven right now. This is his favorite pet subject.)
Pro Bowl Smo Bowl
The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest for players on winning teams.
The Seahawks could have 4 or 5 players in the Pro Bowl if injuries had not happened to Matt, Lofa, Locklear, and Tru. I don't think that has anything to do with the quality of our roster or management, it has to do with our record which is the direct result of our best players not being on the field for weeks at a time.
I'm all for being open minded and allowing everyone to share their views but I am totally sick of the subject, just as I'm sick and tired of our terrible offense on short yardage situations. There's a reason for it and it's in Minnesota. I'm also sick and tired of watching the Vikings on short yardage situations. I know Hutch isn't a savior... but he is on 3rd and 1 (something we suck at). Anyone who thinks Ruskell was being a "nice guy" to Hutch, and that it wasn't a two way street... well, I have no respect for them, nor their thoughts with respect to Huch (didn't say I didn't respect them overall as fans... just not concerning this subject.)
Ha, the ESPN Page2 punking of Mora is pretty funny. I still give our coach the benefit of the doubt at this point, but sometimes ya just gotta have a good sense of humor and laugh at yourself!
I don't think there is 1 player on our team who is worthy of the Pro Bowl. We have some players I really like (Carlson, Matt, Unger, Mebane, Wilson, Hawthorne, etc.) but none who deserves to go to Miami for the Pro Bowl. This is sickening for me to write, as all of us usually drink kool aid for "our" players.
Stevos, I agree... Gallo's article is good...
I love how Kearny says he has great practices but it does not translate into the game. Here's a hint as to why: YOU DON'T PLAY AGAINST OUR SUCK ASS O-LINE IN A REAL GAME!!
And some people still wonder why most vehemently want Ruskell hanged in effigy and ran out of town.
FRN... Somewhere along the line, we'll have to see if Eric or Ryan will poll the bloggers.... see what the overall feel is.... It wouldn't be scientific, but could provide some insight.... probably put a minimum on the number of prior posts to make it closer to legit... eliminate those just attempting to skew the results.... either way...
BobbyK... all set for the one to one meeting this weekend????
Dude the punter will make it! Relax!
That Wyman guy is wrong, everyone and their goat knew how good Hutchinson was. That whole last season, that's all the Brian Balldinger would say, over and over, "the best left side in football, the best left side in football." Hutch was routinely considered the best guard in football in this town.
That was some pretty hack-ass analysis by the good radio man.
ARe we suprised by the No pro bowlers?