nighthawk – I screwed up in my Carl Nicks rants earlier. He’s only a 3rd year guy so he won’t be a “free” agent. That’s why I’m on the Logan Mankins bandwagon now.

The defense in ability to stop chicago’d offense. Never gave a us a chance for our offense to get on track

2. Who gets your MVP? How about your LVP?

MVP stokely/ LVP linebackers tatupu & curry

3. Obviously one of the biggest questions concerning the upcoming offseason will be whether or not they should bring back Matt Hasselbeck, what are your thoughts.

bring him back if the deal is right still but need to find his successor via draft or free agency

4. Who should not be back next year for the Seahawks? Who should definitely be brought back?

need to upgrade offense line say goodbye to locklear & spencer also need to upgrade secondary say goodbye to Jennings

5. It was such an up and down season, but what are your thoughts looking back? Would you have traded the past few weeks for a higher draft pick?

No draft pick position doesn’t mean anything if you draft the wrong players example Curry

6. Since we can’t stop talking draft on here, what position should the Hawks target with their first round pick? Offense line/ Defense line 1st pick, 2nd pick a QB/ CB

Hasselsuck got 2 TD’s in the last 4:40 of the game to make the score look closer than it really was (trailing 35-10 at the time). He got us 10 points after getting the ball at the Chicago 30 and 33 yard lines starting with 2:20 left in the 3rd quarter and we trailed 28-0. Then he gets two TD’s in the last 4:40 of the 4th quarter, and people look at his stats and say “wow, 258 yards”–another sub-300 yard game–and 3 touchdowns!” when in fact he did nothing outside of 6 minutes of the game (except fumble, his 8th of the season, 5 lost). At least he didn’t throw an interception (18 of those this season). And they want to re-sign this bum? If they do, the best thing that could happen to the Seahawks is a lockout. Otherwise, we’re looking at 7-9 or 6-10 again.

1. What surprised/disappointed you most about the Seahawks performance today?

The fact that Hasselsuck didn’t throw an interception was the biggest surprise. The biggest disappointment was the 4th overall pick of the 2009 draft with a whopping 2 tackles (yeah he got an INT, off a halfback). The word “bust” gets used a lot here, I’m thinking it applies to this guy. We should have either drafted Sanchez (despite Hasselsuck’s lobbying against it) or traded down and gotten a tackle. Thanks again Timmay!

2. Who gets your MVP? How about your LVP?

MVP for the game would be David Hawthorne. Unlike the rich guy that was a high draft pick, he showed up Sunday.

Least valuable player? I’d split that between Curry, Hasselsuck, Babineaux, Tatupu (constantly out of position and vainly trailing the play, but what else is new) and Pete Carroll–for not having these guys prepared.

3. Obviously one of the biggest questions concerning the upcoming offseason will be whether or not they should bring back Matt Hasselbeck, what are your thoughts.

Not only NO but HELL NO!!! 2009: 17 interceptions and 3 lost fumbles (11 total fumbles) in 14 games. 2010 17 interceptions in 12-3/4 regular season games and 5 lost fumbles (out of 7 total) in the regular season, 1 INT and a fumble (recovered) in the playoffs. That’s 35 interceptions and 8 lost fumbles in 28-3/4 games. And lets not forgot that long streak of games with an interception extending from 2009 to 2010, or that he singlehandedly lost the Atlanta game with 3 turnovers in the 3rd qtr (and got benched for it too late) when it was only a 7 point game at halftime.

4. Who should not be back next year for the Seahawks? Who should definitely be brought back?

NOT: Hasselsuck, Babineaux, Pitts, Spencer, Gibson, Locklear, Jennings, Andrews, Curry, Tatupu (trade those two), Losman, Trufant (trade him), Milloy, Robinson, Balmer, Hill…won’t go through the whole roster.

BACK: Whitehurst, Stokely, Forsett, Washington, Hawthorne, Herring, Polumbus, Stokley…won’t go through the whole roster here either.

5. It was such an up and down season, but what are your thoughts looking back? Would you have traded the past few weeks for a higher draft pick?

My thoughts are we should have played Whitehurst since we traded a 3rd round pick and dropped 20 spots in the 2nd round for him and Hasselsuck had 12 TDs to 17 INTs and 5 lost fumbles. We should have utilized Forsett and Washington in the backfield more. I’m tempted to say yes about trading the last few weeks (how few?) for a higher draft pick now that some people who can evaluate talent are running the draft, but beating the Rams (and keeping them out of the playoffs) and knocking off the Super Bowl champs (while giving Mora a severe case of heartburn to boot) is just to good to pass up.

6. Since we can’t stop talking draft on here, what position should the Hawks target with their first round pick?

Right tackle. And that’s after throwing money at Carl Nicks and Ryan Kalil to shore up the interior of the line.

Our priorites for the #25 pick should be in this order:

1. Right Tackle
2. Cornerback
3. Outside Linebacker (after we ship Curry’s worthless ass off to some other sucker for a 3rd round pick).
4. Guard
5. Defensive Tackle

Unless the staff is completely sold that CW can start day 1 and lead a team to the playoffs (I doubt they believe that yet) then Hass is the only option. Otherwise, he’ll go play somewhere else — most likely SF or Arizona since both teams would love a veteran QB. Make no mistake, though, Hasselbeck is not coming back on a discount. He may have been terribly inconsistent the last few years and also fragile — but there are plenty of explanations for that (one of the worst offensive lines and running games in NFL history over most of this season and last year were the primary factors). His performance the last two weeks is enough to ensure some team out there will pay big for his services. The Browns gave Delhomme a big contract last year. The Redskins are paying out the nose for McNabb. And Hasselbeck is more valuable than both right now. There is a market for playoff-tested, veteran QBs and Hasselbeck is the bell of the ball right now. He’s the biggest QB free agent this year.

I am not worried about whether the Seahawks want Hasselbeck back (they should). I am worried that someone else will want to pay him too much and he’ll leave. His loyalty to the Seahawks franchise is key. It’s not a matter of whether they should bring him back; it’s how much they are comfortable giving up for a continued short-term solution.

We were NOT ready for the conditions. They were very physical and we were not ready for that. We looked VERY slow as a team!!!!!! I think the Field being like it was totally took our guys out of it.

I do wonder how Carlson getting hurt affected some of the guys. MW was right there pacing, kneeling (possibly praying) and then did not go full speed after that. Was he scared – did that flow to the rest of the team?

2. Who gets your MVP? Matt
How about your LVP? Hard to say. but anyone who played scared or timid today

3. Obviously one of the biggest questions concerning the upcoming offseason will be whether or not they should bring back Matt Hasselbeck, what are your thoughts.

Short contract with club options – at the right price. I think he will be a good mentor/teacher for Charlie and who ever we have in place next year.

4. Who should not be back next year for the Seahawks? Who should definitely be brought back?

BACK – Washington, Mebane, Matt H,
Not back – anyone who can’t make the cut with the people that will be brought in.

I don’t think anyone played their way out of a spot, unless there is a better replacement

5. It was such an up and down season, but what are your thoughts looking back? Would you have traded the past few weeks for a higher draft pick?

The last few weeks have given me hope that we have the right 2 guys in charge of the team right now!! They will bring together a good group of players and they will get them to play – or they will be replaced. Some sooner, some later.

6. Since we can’t stop talking draft on here, what position should the Hawks target with their first round pick?

I have said it before, and I will say it again. I don’t care who we draft where. as long as they are contributing to the team. It is incredible that all of our draft picks this year had a chance to contribute (well except the one that is on IR) Hopefully We will be deeper in the future and not all the picks will make it but the fact that they found guys that fit this team all the way to the 7th round is great. Some have been better than others, but still, I think you get my point

Yes I know he was drafted #4 and he’s been overpaid, but that’s a sunk cost, so forget that for a moment. All that matters now is potential to contribute next year.

Curry is an average second-year LB, with above average athleticism and potential. Lots of average players who have above average altheticism develop into very good players by their third and fourth season.

Red Bryant did nothing until his 3rd year.
Colin Cole was nothing until his 8th year.
Hasselbeck’s light didn’t go on until his 4th season.

Obviously, Aaron Curry is not bright, not instinctive, and slow to develop. But he has the tools, and his skills are developing. He should be an above average LB and start making a lot more plays next season. After developing him for two years, its not time to give up on him now. That would be a wasted investment. The rewards are yet to come.

That the team really didn’t come to play today. I was really disappointed in how poor the run game was today; which I mainly blame the offensive line.

2. Who gets your MVP? How about your LVP?

MVP: Hasselbeck
LVP: Offensive Line and 2nd would be Defensive Line.

3. Obviously one of the biggest questions concerning the upcoming offseason will be whether or not they should bring back Matt Hasselbeck, what are your thoughts.

Yes they should bring him back, either a 1 year or two year deal. This doesn’t mean they shouldnt look for a QB in the draft if they find someone they like.

4. Who should not be back next year for the Seahawks? Who should definitely be brought back?

Who shouldn’t come back:
Several of the offensive lineman. Okung is really the only one that should definitely be back. Locklear, Pitts, Andrews are probably all gone.

Kelly Jennings probably should not be brought back. They should be able to find someone better. And even though I’ve rooted for him, I wouldn’t be surprised if Trufant was gone. It seems like he’s really lost a step.

I’m also not sure if Lofa should be brought back. He really hasn’t played well in the past 3 years and Hawthorne has been our best LB for the past two years.

Definitely brought back:
Brandon Mebane, Leon Washington, Matt Hasselbeck, and Brandon Stockley.

5. It was such an up and down season, but what are your thoughts looking back? Would you have traded the past few weeks for a higher draft pick?

The big win against St. Louis was exciting. The win against the Saints was worth every bad moment witnessed this season (which was a lot). I just wish we would have had a better experience today, but it was still good experience for our young players.

I think if we would have come out and stunk up the joint against the Saints, then more of us would have probably wished for the better draft pick. But that game against the Saints will always be remembered.

6. Since we can’t stop talking draft on here, what position should the Hawks target with their first round pick?

I really think we need to continue to draft for the Offensive Line. Either OG or RT. Protecting the quarterback and establishing our run game is a huge priority over the off season.

On the defensive side of the ball, I think we need either a DT or a CB. I’ve heard DT / DE is supposed to be stacked this year. So if there’ s a great player at #25, I’m ok with going there instead of the OL.

With Tatupu’s injuries and Curry’s poor play I can see the need for a new LB. However, I just can’t have us take a LB in the 1st round whether there are much greater needs. Same can be said for WR / RB (playmakers).

If they think they have the franchise QB at #25, I’m fine taking him. But I’m also OK with keeping Hasselbeck for another year or two, keeping Whitehurst for next year, and possibly trying to develop Nate Davis.

2) MVP – Hasselbeck. Team is skunked without him. LVP – hard to pick one player, since no one player was responsible for the huge deficit. I’d have to go with the safety tandem of Thomas and Miloy. Unable to cover the Chicago TE’s at all. I might have said OL due to the total inability of the guards to block Chicago’s tackles for the run, but the pass protection was OK if not great, all things considered.

3) Unless Hasselbeck wants a franchise QB contract extension, he should be brought back. It looks like he can still perform for stretches. If Seattle can make their running game even average, then Seattle can mitigate those periods when Hasselbeck is relatively ineffective (usually when he is forced to come back from a big deficit, though Hasselbeck did a good job this game of not turning the ball over despite having to force the issue. 3 year extension, with most of the money front-loaded into year 1 of the contract.

4) As always, people are looking for scapegoats to give a simple explanation for a bad team performance. If these various scapegoat players weren’t “even average”, Caroll wouldn’t be playing them. Period. After 230+ player transactions, people still can’t figure that out.

All of Seattle’s guards except for Unger should be replaced. Andrews stays only if he can handle the right tackle position. Trufant stays if he takes a big pay cut. They need to upgrade at least 2 of the defensive line positions (i.e. get better backups.) I don’t think Locklear is resigned either, he needs a change of scenery.

Of the free agents who can leave, Hasselbeck and Chris Spencer should be retained. If Miloy can accept the role of elder statesman/backup/locker room leader, bring him back too (or if Chancellor fails to develop.)

Next year, Tate and Butler should be competing for the same position. One or the other has to step up their game another notch. Unless they both get a lot better, only one of the two should return. If Jennings can be signed at a reasonable price, I’d like to see him return, since he’s improving again after a 2 year lull in his career.

5) I would not have traded the playoff experience for 13 higher spots. Unless they cut half the current team, they have learned so much on how to win. I have always said the difference between a top team and bad team is less about talent and more about winning attitude and experience. Detroit and San Francisco would kill to get that experience – once they had it, they’d have the talent to be solid playoff teams for several years. Then the team can build from there to become elite. But until they get it, they just have a bunch of underachieving talent.

6) OL looks very weak in the draft, but that might mean Seattle would have its pick of what there is, and guard is probably their most urgent need. Next to that would be CB/DB, but this could be a rich draft for defensive backs.

Of course, if a good QB prospect is there, they have to take him, but if they re-sign Hasselbeck, then they have to be really sold on that QB, the way McDaniels was sold on Tebow (not saying the Tebow pick was a great one, but obviously McDaniels totally believed in Tebow’s potential. He didn’t draft Tebow because Denver needed a QB and he was the best one available, he drafted him because he was completely sold on Tebow’s potential to be a franchise QB.

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