360 Sports Blog

I’ll be gone over the next week on a deer hunting trip in Montana, so there will be subsequently be no posts during that time. I therefore like to take the opportunity to have the readers weigh in.

If you have any questions, comments, feedback, suggestions or otherwise for this blog, please send them to me. Email me here. Any questions you have may be featured in future blog post.

Samples:

Who the hell this Derek Dunlap character? Why do you keep including him in blog posts?

Do you think Jake Locker will go pro?

Why do you think the Sounders will be the first Seattle team to win a major championship since the Sonics of ‘79?

What’s so special about the Sonicsgate documentary?

Cheers,

Sports Guy

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

I’ll start out first by saying that there will be no blog updates for the week of November 8-14, as I’ll be deer hunting with my dad (living legends are a dying breed) and friend Derek Dunlap in Montana. Hopefully our performance replicates that of the Sounders season (amazing) rather than the Seahawks (abysmal).

The game: Sunday, November 8 at noon. In the Seattle area, the game will be live on King5. Outside of Seattle, however, it can be watched live on FSN.

As for the game itself, I’ll say that I have a bad feeling about it. Of the five matches this season against the Dynamo, we’ve won three and tied two. Given their last performance (0-0 draw at Qwest), the Dynamo seemed like they knew how to scout and adapt to our style of play: they were excellent at neutralizing Llungberg and forced us to lose possession in midfield. It just seems like they’re due for a breakout performance.

I have no doubt the Sounders are going to come out and play a hard fought match. I also expect the same from the Dynamo. Their playing style in the first leg indicated they were concerned primarily with defense. In the second leg at home, I expect them to be more attack minded.

Predictions:

• At least five yellow cards
• At least one bloody face (most likely Jaqua)
• A Sounder victory in a shoot out (game ends 1-1, with the Dynamo scoring first)
• Greater than 15 fouls
• Houston Keeper Pat Onstead goes down after throwing out his hip, giving way to Gig Harbor native Tally Hall (I played against him in High School)

Other links

The Seattle Times has this story on local players on the Houston Dynamo.

Here is goal.com’s preview of the match

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Let’s start with the team that seems to have something positive going for it: The Washington Huskies. We play Rick Neuhiesel and the UCLA Bruins away this Saturday at 12:30pm. The game will be shown on FSN.

Both teams have been very inconsistent so far this year, each with 3-5 records. The difference is the Bruins have won zero conference games, while the Dawgs have won two.

After being questionable with a deep thigh bruise, Jake Locker will start against the Bruins. This obviously gives UW a huge advantage and leads my to the following prediction: UW 30, UCLA 27.

Seahawks
I’d rather not waste too much of my energy on the Seahawks at this point, so I’ll make it quick: We play an atrocious Detroit Lions team who have won only one game all season – against the Washington “We didn’t know Jim Zorn couldn’t coach” Redskins.

We are injured at pretty much every position, but most notably at the offensive line. In contrast, the Lions have their big stars coming back – Calvin Johnson and Matt Stafford.

Prediction (Seattle favored by 10.5):

The Hawks have nothing going for them right now. At 2-5, our playoff hopes are all but gone. Thus, I see us having problems with motivation. I hate to do it, but I’m calling a Detroit win, 23-20.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

For those of you still interested in NBA Basketball, you’ll be interested to read excerpts from the book that is giving David Stern heartburn: Blowing the Whistle, by Tim Donaghy (Courtesy of deadspin.com). Donaghy is a former NBA referee that was recently released from prison in Florida for taking money from gamblers for inside tips on games.

This loosely ties in with the theft of the Sonics from Seattle, in that it shows the ulterior motives of David Stern and the NBA. As an example, I found out this passage particularly interesting on Star treatment:

“Relationships between NBA players and referees were generally all over the board — love, hate, and everything in-between. Some players, even very good ones, were targeted by referees and the league because they were too talented for their own good. Raja Bell, formerly of the Phoenix Suns and now a member of the Charlotte Bobcats, was one of those players. A defensive specialist throughout his career, Bell had a reputation for being a “star stopper.” His defensive skills were so razor sharp that he could shut down a superstar, or at least make him work for his points. Kobe Bryant was often frustrated by Bell’s tenacity on defense. Let’s face it, no one completely shuts down a player of Kobe’s caliber, but Bell could frustrate Kobe, take him out of his game, and interrupt his rhythm.

You would think that the NBA would love a guy who plays such great defense. Think again! Star stoppers hurt the promotion of marquee players. Fans don’t pay high prices to see players like Raja Bell — they pay to see superstars like Kobe Bryant score 40 points. Basketball purists like to see good defense, but the NBA wants the big names to score big points.

If a player of Kobe’s stature collides with the likes of Raja Bell, the call will almost always go for Kobe and against Bell. As part of our ongoing training and game preparation, NBA referees regularly receive game-action video tape from the league office. Over the years, I have reviewed many recorded hours of video involving Raja Bell. The footage I analyzed usually illustrated fouls being called against Bell, rarely for him. The message was subtle but clear — call fouls against the star stopper because he’s hurting the game.”

Also, consider this passage on referee Dick Bavetta:

“Studying under Dick Bavetta for 13 years was like pursuing a graduate degree in advanced game manipulation. He knew how to marshal the tempo and tone of a game better than any referee in the league, by far. He also knew how to take subtle — and not so subtle — cues from the NBA front office and extend a playoff series or, worse yet, change the complexion of that series.

The 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings presents a stunning example of game and series manipulation at its ugliest. As the teams prepared for Game 6 at the Staples Center, Sacramento had a 3–2 lead in the series. The referees assigned to work Game 6 were Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney, and Ted Bernhardt. As soon as the referees for the game were chosen, the rest of us knew immediately that there would be a Game 7. A prolonged series was good for the league, good for the networks, and good for the game. Oh, and one more thing: it was great for the big-market, star-studded Los Angeles Lakers.

In the pregame meeting prior to Game 6, the league office sent down word that certain calls — calls that would have benefitted the Lakers — were being missed by the referees. This was the type of not-so-subtle information that I and other referees were left to interpret. After receiving the dispatch, Bavetta openly talked about the fact that the league wanted a Game 7.

“If we give the benefit of the calls to the team that’s down in the series, nobody’s going to complain. The series will be even at three apiece, and then the better team can win Game 7,” Bavetta stated.

As history shows, Sacramento lost Game 6 in a wild come-from-behind thriller that saw the Lakers repeatedly sent to the foul line by the referees. For other NBA referees watching the game on television, it was a shameful performance by Bavetta’s crew, one of the most poorly officiated games of all time.”

<object width=”425″ height=”344″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/b0KJvlSUB-w&hl=en&fs=1&”></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/b0KJvlSUB-w&hl=en&fs=1&” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”425″ height=”344″></embed></object>

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

In a somewhat surprising move, Edgerrin James was released by the Seahawks today.

ESPN’s Mike Sando has this story, which indicates that the cut was a result of the Seahawks lack of competitiveness this year. He also points out that with the increased performance of Justin Forsett and the addition of former UW RB Louis Ranking the ball carrier, they would get more bang for the buck by terminating Edge’s contract.

I have agree that this is a good move for the Hawks, given that no rushing TDs have been scored by the Hawks since week 1. Their primary focus should be on the offensive line, however.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Benji Olson posing with two young Husky fans

While the Huskies were busy being dominated by the Pac 10 #1 Oregon D*cks, former South Kitsap, Washington Husky and Tennessee Titan football great Benji Olson was honored during just prior to halftime. He was recognized for his contributions to Husky Football. You can read the official story here.

Benji Olson (top right) acting as a pallbearer at Steve McNair's funeral

Olson retired from professional football in 2008 after 10 seasons as an offensive guard with the Tennessee Titans. He was also a pallbearer at the funeral of fellow teammate Steve McNair after his untimely death this past off season. Olson is also a member of the Kitsap Hall of Fame, according to this article.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Steve Blake doing his best Jack O' Lantern impression

The Portland TrailBlazers defeated the team which shall not be named (aka the Zombie Sonics) last night, 83-74. It stings a bit watching the old Seattle team in action, especially after watching the true story on how they left town (See the Sonicsgate documentary).

Former Washington Husky Brandon Roy started slow, but rallied to get 16 points and 5 rebounds. Zombie Sonic Kevin Durant also had 16, but was an atrocious 3-21 from the field. The Blazers are now 2-2.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Did you stay up watching the game 4 of the World Series last night? I certainly didn’t, nor did I think twice about it. Major League Baseball has become the most drawn out, over hyped professional sport in America. Every single element of each game is over analyzed and over indulged purely for ratings, and there is no effort being made to remedy any of the glaring weaknesses in the sport.

Here are my top five reasons why I haven’t watched a single game of this year’s World Series:

1. The Mariners aren’t in it. It’s the Yankees vs Phillies. I despise the former. While the Phillies have former Mariners Jamie Moyer and Raul Ibanez, it only incites jealousy.
2. Four to five hour time commitment for every game. No thanks.
3. Enzite commercials get beyond annoying at every break. I’m not 60 and don’t need the help. Thanks, though.
4. Commissioner Bud Selig – He does everything possible to prolong games as long as possible and make them as uninteresting as possible. The MLB deserves and needs better if it is to survive in the future.
5. No instant replay. Umpire’s seem to be getting more calls wrong than ever and there’s no system in place to get them right.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

I’m somehow reminded of this clip from Seinfeld after the Seahawks’ performance against the Cowboys on Sunday. Stick a fork in the Seahawks: they lost 38-17 and are now 2-5.

Honestly, I didn’t watch much of the game. I just wasn’t that interested in watching Romo and the Cowboys’ receivers dismantle our secondary. Nor did I want to see Julius Jones try and run around the corner, only to be tracked down and tackled for a loss – again. Dear Julius: It’s not all your fault, our offensive line sucks too.

We just got NFL RedZone, which is the tailored to American culture: it’s nothing but quick, short clips of touchdowns, interceptions, hard hits and other spectacular plays. It’s great for fantasy football fans and allows you see good teams play good football – it’s quite refreshing.

Jim Mora is thinking: I really should’ve interviewed for the UW job

There are so many holes on the Hawks team, but the offensive line has to be #1. We’ve been banged up all year and last year. It’s important because it creates holes for the running backs, provides protection for the quarterback and sets up the pass. During this time on the field, it allows our defense to rest. The offensive line has to be the #1 priority this off season.

Anyway, here’s to cheering on the Sounders!

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post 

Days after placing offensive tackle and to be Hall of Famer Walter Jones on injured reserve, the Seahawks announced Thursday that linebacker Lofa Tatupu is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. There were hopes that he would be able to rehab the injury, however the decision has been made for Lofa to have surgery.

Second-year linebacker David Hawthorne will step up to fill the void this week versus the Cowboys. One thing we’ve learned this year is that replacements typically don’t do the job. Oh, wait. We ‘learned’ that last year as well.

Prediction:

The Cowboys are favored by 9.5 points, which at first seems a bit high. When you look at our recent performances, however, its hard to argue against it. Given our injury situation and the fact that Romo/Miles Austin has been on fire as of late, I’m predicting Cowboys 27, Seahawks 17.

Now, I’ll get back to a team that is actually fun to watch, the Sounders. More to come shortly.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post