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Archives: 2011

Dec.
31st

Morning links: The Butler’s doing it


Seattle Seahwks receiver Deon Butler. (AP file photo)

In my story today, with one game left, players like Seattle Seahawks receiver Deon Butler know they have one last opportunity to make a lasting impression heading into the offseason.

After beginning the season on the PUP list, Butler has been active the past four games, slowly working his way back into the receiver rotation after recovering from a broken leg.

Butler’s been active the past four games. And although he only has five catches for 40 yards, the Penn State product says he’s starting to feel more comfortable out on the field, and earning the trust of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

“Every game I feel like I’m just getting back to being myself,” he said. “It was good for me to actually get a good hit in last week like that, so that was the next step. And just knowing that I feel like I’m fully back right now, and I feel comfortable out there.”

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Dec.
30th

Carroll says Obomanu ready to play

The one question mark for the Seattle Seahawks in terms of injuries was the status of receiver Ben Obomanu heading into Sunday’s game against Arizona.

But after taking most the week off, Obomanu eased coach Pete Carroll’s concerns by making it through the team’s 90-minute workout today without any issues with his strained knee.

“He ran well today,” Carroll said. “He looked fine.”

If Obomanu can play, the Seahawks should have five receivers available on Sunday. Obomanu would start at split end, and Golden Tate would start at flanker.

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Dec.
30th

Morning links: Flynn showcase on Sunday


Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn (10) looks for a receiver during an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Some NFL observers, including a few of the frequent contributors on this blog, believe that Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn could be a team’s franchise quarterback of the future. And according to Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Gazette, you’ll get a chance to see his skills on display this Sunday against Detroit.

Because the Packers already have locked up home field throughout the NFC playoffs, Green Bay likely will rest starter Aaron Rodgers.

Flynn, who will become a free agent in 2012, has only one start to his credit. But because he showed promise in that one start – almost beating New England on the road last year – and has been groomed in Green Bay’s quarterback-friendly system, some folks anticipate he could be a target during free agency for teams like Seattle looking to upgrade the quarterback position.

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Dec.
29th

Jackson says surgery not needed to repair injured pectoral muscle

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said that even though his team is no longer in the playoff hunt, there’s still plenty to play for against Arizona in the final game of the season on Sunday.

“The record doesn’t show it because we’re a 7-8 team,” Jackson said. “But I feel like we’re a better team this year, and it’d be good for the record to show that, too. I feel like we improved a lot throughout the whole season. So it’d be nice to end at .500 instead of a losing record.”

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Dec.
29th

Morning links: Thomas all about business


Earl Thomas puts pressure on Baltimore’s Torrey Smith. Thomas was chosen to start in this year’s Pro Bowl, Seattle’s first player to start since 2008. (Dean J. Koepfeler/TNT)

Dave Boling of The News Tribune profiles Seahawks safety Earl Thomas after Tuesday’s announcement that he made the Pro Bowl as a starter at free safety.

Thomas said while the interceptions numbers aren’t as much as last year, more film study and a commitment to playing sound defense has led to less big plays given up by Seattle’s defense.

“We always know what we’re going to get out of Earl,” defensive end Red Bryant said. “He’s the hardest worker. He studies hard. He’s all about his teammates and he’s all about business.”

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Dec.
28th

Hawthorne, Obomanu miss practice; Cable not concerned about job offers

Seattle Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne and receiver Ben Obomanu did not practice today because of knee issues, as the team practiced inside in jerseys, sweats and no helmets.

Cornerback Kennard Cox (hamstring), defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (concussion) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (concussion) returned to practice this week after missing last weeks’ game at San Francisco.

Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) is listed as a full participant on the injury report.

We talked to Seattle offensive line coach Tom Cable about the success of his offensive line against the best run defense in the league last week, running for 126 yards against San Francisco.

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Dec.
28th

Carroll says Jackson the QB for 2012

Amid all the conversation on talk radio and on the comments section here, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll provided some clarity on who his quarterback will be next season – Tarvaris Jackson.

“Yeah, that’s where we are,” Carroll said. “We know where we are with that in that regard. Now, that doesn’t mean that we’re not going to look at the draft really hard and all the opportunities. We’ll always do that at every position.

“But understanding what this season has been like for him is really important. I don’t think you can look at any one thing, other than the fact that he was damaged for about six weeks in there, and just kept battling and fighting and made it though it.

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Dec.
28th

Morning links: Pro Bowl snubs


Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. (AP photo)

With the Pro Bowl list announced on Tuesday, the annual flood of most-snubbed lists and overall critiques of the selections have followed.

So of course, I’ve selected a few for your perusal.

Michael Lombardi of NFL.com lists Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch and Brandon Mebane as potential players who should have been on the list.

Elliott Harrison at NFL.com lists Green Bay’s B.J. Raji and Greg Jennings, along with San Diego’s Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates as players undeserving of an invitation to Hawaii.

Doug Farrar of Yahoo Sports lists Lynch and Seattle fullback Michael Robinson as part of his hidden Pro Bowlers.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports publishes his Pro Bowl ballot, with Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Brandon Browner all making the list.

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