Tag Archives: Jim Mora

Mixed Feelings with Mora

Jim Mora was fired today as the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

What a difference a year makes. Only about 14 months ago, he had two organizations desperately wanting him as their head coach in town. The Huskies (his alma mater and dream job) and the Seahawks who already had him under contract. Now, neither wants him. Steve Sarkisian is holding a press conference today on Jake Locker and Mora is looking for work.

Today, I have very mixed feelings…

Sad – I like Mora. He’s a local product who played high school and college ball here. His dad is a former Husky and Seahawks assistant coach. He lives in the area and is genuinely passionate about this team.

Happy – He lost this team mid-season. Too many incidents dealing with blaming players (Olindo Mare), losing control (Housh’s finger in his chest), and a cataclysmic collapse the final four games.

Sad – I think he has the ability to be a good NFL coach.

Happy – I don’t think he will ever be a great NFL coach.

Sad – I think he’s a good guy, who is passionate about his team and life. I feel bad for him and his family.

Happy – Time to move on. It’s never easy being the first guy to replace a legend. The entire process was bungled and now we can close the book and move on.

I’m not doing cartwheels over Pete Carroll, yet. I don’t know if I like giving away full control if that’s the deal. Who would I like to see? The name Jon Gruden pops in my head. Here’s a young guy with passion and presence who has been successful and won a Super Bowl. Brian Billick is another proven, Super Bowl winning NFL coach. Don’t get me wrong, Carroll would bring the spotlight back to Seattle. I just worry that we went down this same road before with a proven NFL talent in Mike Holmgren and it didn’t work until it was split.

Wild day. What are your thoughts?

Dan

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The Case For Tim Tebow and the Seahawks

Dan Weedin

“And with their pick in the second round, the Seattle Seahawks select…Tim Tebow from the University of Florida…”

Now, THAT’S what I’d love to hear next April. I know all the pundits say Tebow’s not a pro-style QB; he has a slow release; and there’s doubt he can be an effective starter in this league. Now, this pundit will tell you why he’s perfect for the Hawks.

He’s a winner. We need more of those. Two national championships in four years with a whole lot of wins.
He’s a leader. We need more of those, too.
No pressure to be a savior. Matt Hasselbeck can still play and he would learn from the all-time best QB in Seahawks history and a former Super Bowl QB. See Aaron Rodgers, Matt Hasselbeck, and Tom Brady for examples of guys who sat for a couple of years before bursting on the scene.
The Wildcat Option. No disrespect to Seneca Wallace, but I’d much rather have a “Tebow Package” than a “Seneca Package.” If Jim Mora wants to run that option which is in vogue, I can’t think of another guy I’d rather have run it, except for maybe Pat White in Miami.
Not gambling with a 1st Round pick. Tebow’s not going in the first round. We can’t afford to miss there. 2nd and 3rd round picks offer more flexibility.
Potential. If he never materializes into a starting NFL QB, so be it. He’s a guy who makes any team better with intangibles and athleticism. But, if there’s even a chance he can transfer his abilities eventually to the pros, he could be the steal of the draft and a great leader.

Here’s your chance to agree or disagree. Based off last night’s performance, I think it might be difficult to disagree, but you have your shot anyway. Please comment on this blog and let the debate begin. BTW – I appreciate all the comments I get on Facebook, but if you wouldn’t mind commenting on the blog, then more people will be able to be engaged and debating.

Tim Tebow in Seattle. It has the right ring to it!

Dan

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Wide Receivers Showing Passion on the Air

Dan Weedin

I was fortunate to catch the entire Nate Burleson show on KJR Sportsradio yesterday when Deion Branch, T.J. Houshmandzadeh,and Burleson went off on Hugh Millen and his criticism of the team. At least they have passion.

Here it here.

It certainly was intriguing radio. Heck, I stayed in my car sitting in the post office parking lot to keep hearing the heated debate. However, when it’s all said and done, it made the three amigos look a little foolish at times. A few cases in point…

1 – Housh saying that Hugh Millen has no idea what he’s talking about citing his interception to TD ratio. Really? Dude, the guy played in the NFL for 9 years. That’s credibility enough. Anyone who laces them up on Sundays for any length of time has earned the credibility regardless of how they performed. Jim Mora and Greg Knapp weren’t NFL standouts, yet they currently stand as head coach and offensive coordinator of an NFL team.

2 – Deion Branch saying that “you are either with us or against us.” Really, Deion? Most of the fans here have been “with” the team longer than you, and will be here longer than you. I personally remember 1976 and guys like Nick Bebout, Mike Curtis, and Ken Geddes. Just because we aren’t throwing love out to a team that has taken the gas pipe bad the last three weeks doesn’t mean we don’t support the team. Just because we love the Hawks doesn’t mean we think you all should be back next year.

3 – In the end, as much as you talk about not calling out your team, you threw Greg Knapp under the bus. I know you didn’t do it in exactly those words, but the message was clear.

4 – Millen is an analyst for KJR and the local FOX station. He’s paid to be critical. Steve Raible and Warren Moon (both former Hawks) are employed by the team. Don’t expect them to treat you poorly. If you want accolades, play better.

Bottom line – I actually like all three receivers. I think they and Matt Hasselbeck are misused in this offense. I’d love to see Jim Zorn as the OC next year and go back to a West Coast-style offense that fits the needs of the talents on this team. I’d also like to see the same passion displayed by Burleson, Housh, and DB from all 53 guys this Sunday. I will be in the stands watching!

What do you think? I would love to have your comments on the blog…

Dan

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Thank You Scott Woodward…

Dan Weedin

All of Husky Nation today should be thanking Scott Woodward. The University of Washington Athletic Director only a year ago made a semi-unpopular choice of hiring USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian as head coach to replace Tyrone Willingham. Most of the Nation (Husky that is) wanted Jim Mora to get out of his agreement with the Seahawks and coach his alma mater. Woodward didn’t bite at that option. The next “sexy” target was Mike Leach from Texas Tech. Leach turned Tech into a national power and seemed like the high-profile, spread offense slinging, no-nonsense coach the Huskies needed. Leach and his wife even flew up to Seattle, leaving fans and media speculating of an imminent announcement. Leach ended up going back to Lubbock without a deal and people scratching their heads. Enter Sark and well…you know the rest of the story.

Jim Mora has had a nightmare season with the Hawks. They are 5-10 and getting worse each week. Seahawks Nation has him on a very short leash. This isn’t to say he would not ne a fine coach at the college level, but he seems to be a pro guy and right now he still needs to prove he’s even that.

Mike Leach is another issue. Leach seemed like the “splash” move. When it didn’t happen, Texas Tech extended his contract. This week, they are regretting it. Leach was just suspended from coaching his team in the Alamo Bowl. Seems he made a player who was suffering from a concussion stand in a dark room by himself, unable to sit or lean, for 3 hours. Head injury safety has been big news lately and this treatment is idiotic. Add to it the player involved is the son of former NFL player and current ESPN college football analyst, Craig James, and it borders on lunacy. Read the entire story on ESPN.

Bottom line – AD Woodward, thank you for doing your due diligence, removing yourself from the outcry of the fans, and giving Husky Nation the coach this school and community deserves!

Dan

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The Daily Dan 12 Days of Christmas

Dan Weedin

(with apologies to the fine 16^th century songwriters who penned this classic)

On the first day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me…Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the second day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me…Cliff Lee is now a Mariner and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the third day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the fourth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the fifth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the sixth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the seventh day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the eighth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the ninth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the tenth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, No Tiger on the Tour, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, the Seahawks need a GM, No Tiger on the Tour, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Husky hoops to the Big Dance, the Seahawks need a GM, No Tiger on the Tour, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner,

and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

Merry Christmas!

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Monday Morning QB

Dan Weedin

1 – Where’s Housh – T.J. Houshmandzadeh was the big-time free agent signing for the Seahawks and has been a disappointment. Trust me…I have him on my fantasy football team and I know the production isn’t there. It’s not his fault. It’s not Matt Hasselbeck’s fault. Blame goes to the offensive line and Greg Knapp. The O-line has been awful (next bullet), but Greg Knapp’s offense isn’t run to take advantage of Housh. T.J. is a better version of Bobby Engram and would have been perfect in Mike Holmgren’s West Coast offense. Add to it that Hasselbeck has struggled due to a different tempo. Bottom line – either change the offensive schemes to match your talent or get a new offensive coordinator.

2 – The line protecting Hasselbeck is truly offensive. So bad, it almost got him decapitated several times. Coach Jim Mora already called out the line and intimated changes. Change to who? This is an area that must be heavily addressed in the off-season or mediocrity will continue into 2010.

3 – For Mora to survive this position past 2010, he must significantly improve the line of scrimmage on both sides fast. He must take a hard look at his assistant coaches, and he must hope for a new General Manager that will give him some rope. He has control of two of those items.

4 – Fantasy Football studs for the weekend – Andre Johnson (Houston), Ray Rice (Baltimore), and Chris Johnson (Tennessee)

Bonus – This just in. Accenture just cut Tiger Woods. The management consulting company came out and said his new “image” isn’t what they are looking for. This won’t be the first defection from the Tiger team.

Here’s hoping you slide in ahead of the tag today!

Dan

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