Daily Dan Sports Blog

Steve Sarkisian showed yesterday why college football is different than pro football. In a similar situation, with 4th and 1 for the season, 2 seconds left in the game, and down by 3 points, the pro coach kicks the tying field goal to go into overtime. There’s little flexibility with jobs in the NFL. In college, it’s different. Sark rolled the dice, trusted in his offensive line, QB, and RB, and won what might turn into a landmark game for the revitalized Washington Huskies.

The Husky win means next week’s Apple Cup game against WSU means more than just state prode. It means a chance to go back to a bowl game for the first time in 8 years. This proud program is starving for it.

My favorite part of “The Call” was Sarkisian rallying the troops on the sideline together. Everyone, the offense, the defense, the special teams, and the last guy on the traveling squad, bought into and was behind the call an the play. That’s leadership.

This will be a fun week leading up to what could be a tremendous Apple Cup. Don’t get me wrong; I’d be happy with Washington blowing the Cougars out early. I just don’t think that’s going to happen. I see a close game in hostile territory for all the marbles of post-season. Should be fun.

P.S. How about that Husky defense led by Mason Foster. Nick Holt’s group has been widely criticized all year. However, when they have been most need in the past two games, they’ve only surrendered one touchdown and that was 7 quarters ago! They will need a similar effort next week.

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

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I’ve been challenged in blogging lately, but that should end today. I apologize to all my readers for being away, but in the words of that great philosopher Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I’m Back!”

• The Seahawks still have the inside track for the NFC West. With all teams losing last week, we just simply advanced a week on the schedule. The next two weeks are critical for the Hawks. They have home games against Kansas City and Carolina. I view these as “must-wins.” If they do, that puts them at 7 wins with division games against San Francisco (road) and St. Louis (home). A win against the Rams would put them at 8 wins and essentially give them the division. The loss against New Orleans didn’t hurt. The next 2 weeks may mean the season.
• I have a funny feeling that Jake Locker and the Huskies will make the Apple Cup meaningful by beating Cal on Saturday. A road win in the Pac-10 is always tough, but I don’t think the Bears have shown a whole lot of mental toughness under Jeff Tedford. Take last year’s game at Husky Stadium. I’m looking for a close game and a Husky win at 24-21. If they don’t make a bowl game, they can look back at the Arizona State game at home as the season killer. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
• Felix Hernandez unquestionably was the Cy Young winner. I am so pleased that the baseball writers got past the 13 win total. Had his mates posted another 13 runs cumulatively, he may have been at 21 wins! Next year will be no different unless we can get some bats. The hot stove league should be interesting this year.

Keep watching for me on Twitter – @DailyDanSports for daily updates. I will be tweeting on the football games tomorrow!

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

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Well, at least you can definitely say these aren’t your 2008 and 2009 Seahawks.

A week after being humiliated at home by the New York Giants, the Hawks traveled to Phoenix and essentially knocked the Cardinals out of the NFC West race. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 333 yards and the offense went for over 500. I can’t remember the last time we saw that type of output on the road. And, I hope you’re sitting down, the Hawks have 2 road wins and we’re only halfway through the year!

Arizona is three games behind the Hawks with only seven to play thanks to to the season sweep by the good guys. Basically, if the Seahawks win three winnable home games against Kansas City, Carolina, and St. Louis, the Cardinals would have to go 6-1 to beat them. They won’t do that with either Derek Anderson or Max Hall. Game over for them. San Francisco knocked off the Rams in overtime giving Seattle sole possession of first place, and keeping there hopes alive. If Seattle can win in SF, they would basically eliminate the 49′ers.

A few thoughts following the game:

1. Pete Carroll is a difference maker as a coach. I like Jim Mora, but there’s no doubt Pete has his stamp on this organization and it’s a better fit. He almost wills “positiveness” and the results show through on the field. Even after two lopsided losses back to back, they were able to come up with an impressive road win when the Cardinals had to win.
2. Matt Hasselbeck is the QB. Period. If what we saw last week from Charlie Whitehurst didn’t show you enough, today’s game did. I like Charlie and he’s probably going to make a capable back up in this league. But, he’s not even there yet. If Hasselbeck loses time due to his wrist injury, we’ve got major problems. I think I’d prefer to give the ball to J.P. Losman.
3. The defense is good enough to win the division. They certainly aren’t dominant, but they are good and consistent. Remember that they kept us in the Raiders game until late in the 3rd quarter. If the offense can be even slightly efficient, they can be really good.
4. We need to get better at scoring touchdowns. I would prefer to see a two-back set on the goal line. I think we really miss fullback Michael Robinson. We need to get a big person (even a lineman) who can lead block for Marshawn Lynch.

This was a big game for the Hawks. If the goal is to win the NFC West (which of course it is), then this win makes next week way less important. Depending on #8′s injury, I would consider starting another QB (I’m pulling for Losman) on the road against the Saints and make sure Matt is healthy for back to back home games against Kansas City and Carolina. If we keep winning at home, I believe that will win the division.

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

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The voice of two generations of Mariners fans was silenced today.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus passed away in his home in Bellevue today after suffering a heart attack. He was 75 years old.

I remember vividly being glued to my transistor radio on April 6, 1977. Diego Segui threw out the first pitch against the California Angels and the Mariners eventually lost 7-0. I was transfixed by the voice of Niehaus. For 33 years I listened to games, most o them losses, but it didn’t matter because Dave Niehaus was in a league of his own. I am stunned and sick by his loss. Prayers are with his family, friends, the whole organization, and Mariner Nation. The best way I can memorialize him in this blog is to end with his most famous (and perhaps the most famous Seattle) call of all time. Game 5 against the hated Yankees on the American League Championship Series in 1995 (courtesy of ESPN)…

“Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a base hit into the gap and they could win it with Junior’s speed. The stretch … and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martinez, swung on and LINED DOWN THE LEFT-FIELD LINE FOR A BASE HIT! HERE COMES JOEY, HERE IS JUNIOR TO THIRD BASE, THEY’RE GOING TO WAVE HIM IN! THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE … LATE! THE MARINERS ARE GOING TO PLAY FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! I DON’T BELIEVE IT! IT JUST CONTINUES! MY OH MY!”

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So what can we take away from Charlie Whitehurst’s first professional start against the New York football Giants?

1. You can’t make a complete judgment after one start. Really. Whitehurst was up against perhaps the best defense in the NFL and his O-line was beat up. We need a bigger data range to be fair.
2. That being said, he missed way too many easy passes. He’s not a rookie. He’s played behind Philip Rivers for 5 years. He had to have taken something away.
3. He’s got a live arm. The pass to Ben Obamanu was pretty. He definitely can let it fly. But so could Dan McGwire!
4. There is no QB controversy . The Seahawks best chance to win is still with #8. It probably stays that way for 2011, too.
5. Whitehurst looks like an NFL QB. But, I get the feeling he looks like a decent lifetime backup. I know I said it’s too early, but I’d feel more hope if he was 23 years old rather than 28.

I think the Hawks may need to take a hard look in the draft. The kid from Arkansas, Ryan Mallet is intriguing. Sign Hasselbeck for next year, pick up a young gun, and keep Whitehurst in for competition and a backup. Let’s face it, if Charlie Whitehurst was going to be a legit starting QB in this league, he would be doing it by now.

Just saying…

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

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I apologize for being so long without posting. Life often gets in the way of blogging, so I hope to improve.

A belated observation…

Last spring, if you would have told me that the cities of Dallas and San Francisco would be embroiled in a sports championship series, I would have bought that. The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49′ers were both pegged to be contenders for the Super Bowl, and could likely face each other in an NFC Championship game.

As it turns out, the San Francisco Giants and the Texas (Dallas-based) Rangers  squared off in the World Series. The eventual champion Giants weren’t thought to be a playoff team, and although the Rangers were, they had never been to a World Series and their pitching was suspect. Turns out the Niners and Pokes were suspect.

The Giants won their first World Series since transplanting to the West Coast and the 49′ers are 2-6 after losing their first 5 games. The Rangers made their first World Series in franchise history and the Cowboys are in shambles with only one win and the loss of their QB.

Sports is strange. The Huskies and Seahawks lost by a combined score of 74-3 over the weekend, which was tough here in Seattle. It still beats being a Cowboys or 49′ers fan, though…

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

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