All posts by Seth Kolloen

At-Large Sports Seth Kolloen, a fourth-generation Seattleite, has been obsessing over local sports since seeing his first Mariners game on Bruce Bochte T-shirt day. Former executive editor of Sports Northwest Magazine and contributing columnist to the Seattle P-I, he now writes Exit 164 at Sportspress Northwest. He's also written for the Stranger, Seattle Metropolitan, Deadspin, and every bathroom stall south of 85th St.
Sports

Seahawks Sunday Supper: The Houston Texans

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Texans defensive tackle J.J. Watt

The Seahawks have a much deeper, and, position-by-position, more talented roster than the Houston Texans, whom they travel to face this weekend. But Houston has two exceptional talents — defensive lineman J.J. Watt and wide receiver Andre Johnson — who are capable of dominant performances. Hence, the Seahawks are just 3-point favorites this week. Here are three critical takeaways for the game which I have, for no good reason, adapted from Star Wars quotes.

Save us J.R. Sweezy, you’re our only hope.
A rancor-esque monster wants to ravage the Seahawk backfield on Sunday, and 2nd-year offensive guard J.R. Sweezy is the only one who can stop him. Houston defensive tackle J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in football—big, strong, and explosive (here he is doing a 55-inch box jump). You don’t really “block” J.J. Watt, you just try to stay in his way long enough to give your running back enough time to get the hell away from him, or your quarterback a couple of seconds to throw. Sweezy is the man who will try to do it, with the occasional assist from center Max Unger, who’ll throw a leg or hip into Watt when he can. Sweezy is the smallest right guard who’s been matched up against Watt this year, which may not be a bad thing — Sweezy’s height and agility may give him an advantage over your average guard, who tends to have more of a fire-hydrant body type.

Run…or run not. There is no try.
The Seahawks’ running game has not impressed this year, and now they have to face one of the NFL’s best rushing defenses. Worse yet, they’re down at least one and possibly as many as three starting offensive linemen. But running may be their best shot at popping big plays in this game. The Texans blitz more than any NFL team, (they rushed 6 or more on 17.8% of passing plays last year, the most in the NFL), and play 6 defensive backs more than most (36% of the time last year, 2nd-most in the NFL). Here’s the recipe: If the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell calls the right running play against a blitz, and Marshawn Lynch gets free in the secondary against 180-lb. cornerbacks, hello touchdown!

Escape is not his plan. I must face him alone.
The last time the Seahawks played Houston, the Texans’ WR Andre Johnson had 11 catches for 193 yards and 2 TDs. By yards, it’s the third-best receiving day ever against the Hawks. This was in 2009, before Pete Carroll came to the Seahawks; but, more importantly, before star cornerback Richard Sherman came to the Seahawks. Sherman will likely be be matched against Johnson in what will be one of the most epic man-on-man battles in the NFL this year…assuming Johnson plays. Nursing a sore shin, Johnson hasn’t had a full practice this week and is considered a game-time decision. But, let’s be honest, this is a huge game for the Texans and Johnson is probably going to see the field.

The Seahawks/Houston game is at 10 a.m. It’ll be televised on FOX, the announcers are Chris Myers and Tim Ryan. You can buy that Texans mug for $15 on eBay.

PRO TIP: In his past 5 games (dating back to last year’s playoffs) Matt Schaub has thrown 3 interceptions that have been returned for touchdowns—all on plays where the defender read Schaub’s eyes, jumped a route, and had an easy catch and jaunt to the end zone. Look for opportunistic Seahawks’ defenders to try the same tactic.

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News, Sports

What You Need to Know: Sports Edition, September 23

Sidney Rice skies for a TD catch

Headline:
The Seahawks and Huskies won big, and the Sounders tied L.A. Galaxy.

Executive Summary:
The Huskies could’ve named the final score against their overmatched lower-division opponent; they settled on a 56-0 blowout of Idaho State. The Dawgs totalled 680 yards of offense, but also committed an unsettling 16 penalties.

The Seahawks thumped Jacksonville as expected, 42-17. Russell Wilson threw for 4 touchdowns. The defense was spectacular. Jacksonville’s first 9 drives: punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, interception, end of half, fumble, punt.

The Sounders still have never won in L.A. against the Galaxy, but they will be happy with Saturday night’s 1-1 tie against their biggest rivals, given that Clint Dempsey was out with a hamstring injury. Eddie Johnson scored the Sounders’ goal.

If you want to sound smart around the water cooler:

Say: “Will the Hawks run away with the NFC West?”

While the Seahawks blew out Jacksonville, all three of their NFC West rivals lost. The Hawks have a two-game lead in the division already, sitting at 3-0 while San Francisco, St. Louis, and Arizona are all 1-2.

Say: “These 10 a.m. starts could be killer.”

The Seahawks’ next two games—in Houston and Indianapolis, respectively—will both start at 10 a.m. PST. According to science, teams playing games that start in what would be the morning in their time zone are at a disadvantage.

Say: “Will Dempsey be ready for the Red Bulls Sunday?”

Clint Dempsey’s absence against the Galaxy Saturday was a surprise; he’d suffered a hamstring strain in a practice on Thursday, but the Sounders had kept it under wraps. Sunday’s game against New York Red Bulls is a huge one, the Sounders are one point behind them in the MLS Supporters Shield standings. Coach Sigi Schmid says Dempsey will be evaluated throughout the week. Get well, Clint!

Sports

Seahawks Sunday Supper: The Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville’s all-time passing leader is former Husky Mark Brunell; like this jersey, the Jaguars have faded. The high bid for the jersey on eBay is 11 cents.

The Seahawks are going to win on Sunday. I say this not with absolute certainty, but in the same way that I’d say “I’m going to go to work on Monday.” Obviously I could get the flu, or have to deal with some unexpected plumbing issue, but more than likely my cubicle is where I’ll be. Likewise, the Seahawks could lose Sunday to winless Jacksonville, but…they are 20-point favorites, the most the Seahawks have ever been favored by; and only three teams—the 2011 Patriots, the 2007 Patriots, and the 1993 49ers—have ever been favored by more in a game.

So, while not discounting the possibility of a Seahawks loss, I’m not going to dwell on it by suggesting that there are “keys to the game” for the Seahawks. (If there is a “Key to the Game,” it’s “don’t completely fuck up.”) Instead, let’s assume the most likely scenario, a comfortable Seahawks win. Because even if the Hawks win by 20, as Vegas expects, there are three pressing questions that we could have answered by game’s end.

1) How badly will the Seahawks miss Russell Okung?
Arguably the most irreplaceable member of the Seahawks (yes, perhaps even more than Russell Wilson), stellar left tackle Okung injured a toe ligament against the 49ers and spent the week getting prodded on both coasts. Okung’s out for the Jacksonville game and possibly much longer. Sunday will be the Hawks’ first full game without Okung, and his replacements will have their hands full with one of the Jags’ best players, defensive end Jason Babin. Former Seahawk Babin isn’t an elite pass-rusher, but he’s definitely above average. If Babin dominates Okung’s replacements (veteran Paul McQuistan, usually the left guard, and rookies Alvin Bailey and Michael Bowie), the win won’t be in danger — the Hawks could bring extra protection, roll Wilson out to the right, or any number of other mitigating strategies. But they could be in big trouble when they face better competition later in the year.

2) Is Russell Wilson really having a sophomore slump?
Wilson has been inconsistent through two games; he put up good stats against Carolina, but never looked comfortable, and was downright average against San Francisco. He ought to put up a much better showing against Jacksonville, whose top six defensive backs include two rookies, a second-year player, and a guy the Seahawks cut. If Wilson can’t throw against these guys, who will he be able to throw against? The Seahawks may not need much of a passing game — Jacksonville has allowed an NFL-worst 5.7 yards per rush — but in the opportunities he does get, Wilson should be accurate and efficient. If Wilson doesn’t put up at least a 60% completion percentage, that’s a red flag.

3) How will the Seahawk D handle a traditional pocket passer?
The two quarterbacks the Seahawks have faced so far, speedsters Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick, are NFL outliers; both have world-class speed that allows them to turn a broken pass play into a big gain. Most NFL QBs are more like Jacksonville starter Chad Henne—traditional pocket passers who thrive on accuracy, and run, but only do so as a last resort. With their improved interior pass rush and continued stellar defensive back play, the Hawks should be able to get consistent pocket pressure on Henne and sack him repeatedly. But who knows? A veteran like Henne may be able to find holes in the Seahawk defense that Newton and Kaepernick couldn’t.

Seahawks play Jacksonville at CenturyLink Field at 1:25 p.m. Tickets are going for $100-$850 on StubHub. The game is on CBS. Bid on that Mark Brunell jersey here.

PRO TIP: The Jags drafted former Michigan QB Denard Robinson in the 5th round with the idea of using him as an “offensive weapon” a la Reggie Bush or Percy Harvin, but Robinson has just 3 rushing attempts and no receptions through two games. Could Jacksonville be saving him as a way to level the playing field against the Seahawks with a couple of trick plays or unexpected looks?

Sports

What You Need to Know: Sports Edition

Richard Sherman celebrates with the SeaGals after his game-clinching interception.

Headline:
The Sounders won, the Huskies won, the Seahawks won BIG TIME.

Executive Summary:
The Sounders’ dominating 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake vaulted them over that team for first place in the MLS Western Conference. Lamar Neagle and Obafemi Martins scored the goals.

The Huskies beat Illinois in Chicago 34-24 for their first win away from Seattle against a non-conference opponent since 2007. The Dawgs were also dominant, and their margin of victory should have been much bigger, but they fumbled twice and committed 12 penalties.

Continuing the dominant theme, the Seahawks’ defense shut San Francisco down completely, keying Seattle’s 29-3 blowout victory over the 49ers. The game was scoreless when lightning caused an hour-long delay; after that the Hawks’ defense set the offense up with terrific field position, and Marshawn Lynch came through with three TDs.

If you want to sound smart around the watercooler:

Say: “Are we watching one of the NFL’s greatest defenses?”

Your background: The San Francisco 49ers possess one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. No one doubts this. Last week against Green Bay, which has one of the NFL’s better defenses, the Niners scored 34 points, gained 494 yards, and star receiver Anquan Boldin had 13 catches. Against the Seahawks on Sunday night? The Niners scored 3 points, gained 207 yards, and star receiver Anquan Boldin (blanketed by Richard Sherman most of the night) had 1 catch. It was simply one of the finest defensive performances in Seahawks’ history.

Say: “The Supporters’ Shield is ours to lose!”

Your background: In European soccer, the league champion is usually the team that finishes with the best record; there’s no playoffs. In most American sports, the team that finishes with the best record gets diddley-squat (see the 2001 Mariners). This used to be the case in the MLS, but some fans came up with the idea of recognizing team with the best record with the “Supporters’ Shield.” The winner gets a trophy and an automatic berth in the CONCACAF Champions’ League. With Friday’s win, the Sounders have 49 points (you get three for a win, one for a draw), one better than New York and Real Salt Lake.

Say: “Price and Sankey looked amazing, but what’s wrong with ASJ?”

Your background: Quarterback Price, running back Sankey, and tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (a.k.a. “ASJ”) are the three most talented offensive players the Huskies have. On Saturday against Illinois, Price threw for 342 yards, completing 80% of his passes. Sankey ran for a career-high 208 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. But ASJ, playing his first game of the season after serving a one-game suspension to atone for a drunk-driving charge, looked out of it. He’s considered the best NFL prospect of the 3, but won’t be for long if he plays like he did Saturday—committing 3 penalties, whiffing on blocks, gaining only 7 receiving yards, and appearing out of breath.

Next week: Huskies vs. Idaho State, Saturday, noon; Sounders @ L.A. Galaxy, Saturday, 7:30 pm; Seahawks vs. Jacksonville, Sunday, 1:25 pm.

News, Sports

Seahawks Sunday Supper: The San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers’ original logo, which was intended to promote indiscriminate firearms usage.

Any sports bar between Bakersfield and Seattle that isn’t packed Sunday night should simply quit the business, as the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers will be playing one of the biggest games of the NFL season on national TV. CenturyLink is sold out, with tickets going for as much as $2,500. Whether or not the losing QB goes through with shaving off an eyebrow, as promised in a video game commercial, the game is critical to both teams’ Super Bowl hopes. Only one can win the NFC West, and thus gain home-field advantage for at least one playoff game. The other, no matter how stellar their record, will be relegated to a Wild Card berth, with three road games between them and the Super Bowl.

It’s expected to be a close game; Vegas has the Seahawks as three point favorites. Still, if I were a 49er fan, I’d be worried. Though the 49ers, like the Seahawks, come into the game having won their season opener, the factors that allowed San Francisco to eke out a home victory against the Green Bay Packers won’t pertain against our Seahawks. To wit:

1) The Seahawks can actually run the football.
Green Bay’s rushing “attack” is pathetic: they averaged just 3.9 yards per game last year. Their first four runs of 2013 resulted in 1 total yard. Marshawn Lynch should be able to exploit a patchwork Niners’ D-line in a way that the Packers were unable to. (The Niners’ nose tackle is undrafted Ian Williams, who’ll be making his first career start Sunday.)

2) The Seahawks can actually defend Niners wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
49ers QB Colin Kaepernick threw to the tall, physical Boldin 17 times against Green Bay and their undersized secondary for 13 catches and 208 yards. The Seahawks have bigger defensive backs that match up better with Boldin. Last time Boldin faced the Hawks, in 2011, he had just 2 catches for 22 yards.

3) The Niners won without a running game, which is unlikely against Seattle.
You think the Seahawks’ rushing attack was bad against Carolina? The Niners were even worse against Green Bay, gaining just 90 yards on 34 attempts, an average of 2.6 yards per rush (the Hawks at least managed 2.7). Niners starting RB Frank Gore is on the wrong side of 30, his 1,932 career rushing attempts may finally be catching up with him. Backup Kendall Hunter is coming off an Achilles tear.

4) Seattle is a tough place to play your first road game.
The last two teams to play their first road game of the year at CenturyLink lost by a combined 59-6.

5) Remember last time?
Yes, it was last season, and both teams have different plays, players, and coaches, but it’s historical fact that the last time these two teams played, the Seahawks won 42-13.

I doubt we’ll see a blowout like last December’s, but I expect the Seahawks to control Colin Kaepernick, run the ball effectively, and, should luck not play too much of a factor, win by a comfortable margin.

PRO TIP: Last Sunday, 53 of the Packers’ 63 rushing yards came in the second half as the Niners’ thin line began to tire. Look for Marshawn Lynch — or possibly speedy second-round pick Christine Michael, who has yet to make his NFL debut — to pop a big run late in the game.

The Seahawks host the Niners at 5:30pm, the game will be televised by NBC.

News, Sports

Sunday’s Seahawks Supper: The Carolina Panthers

The Super-Bowl-favorite Seahawks start their season Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, a team that’s 23-41 in the past four years. Should be a cakewalk, right? Vegas doesn’t think so—our Seahawks are favored only by three points. Here’s why:

1) Imminent Superstars Lead Carolina’s Offense and Defense
Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly is already earning comparisons to Ray Lewis. He led the Panthers in tackles last year as a rookie (and notched his first career INT against Russell Wilson), and has looked even better in the preseason. Meanwhile, there’s no comparison for Panthers’ QB Cam Newton. His physical gifts—size, speed and arm strength which far exceed Wilson’s—give him a chance to be one of the all-time greats. And he’s still learning the position. If he figures it out against the Seahawks…

2) Carolina’s Many Close Losses in 2012
Carolina lost 9 games last year, 7 by a touchdown or less—including their Week 5 loss to the Seahawks, about which more soon. The Panthers’ luck is due to turn.

3) The Panthers’ Stout Run Defense
The entire focus of the Seahawks’ offense is running the football. The entire focus of the Panthers’ defense is stopping the run. You can see how this would give Carolina a tactical advantage. In last year’s game, the Panthers held the Seahawks to just 2.8 yards per rush; it was, by far, the Hawks’ worst rushing game of 2012. In the offseason, all the Panthers did was add Utah’s Star Lotulelei, the best run-stopping defensive tackle in the draft.

4) Circadian Rhythms
Playing three time zones and 2,832 miles from Seattle puts the Seahawks at a scientifically-proven disadvantage. And even if Charlotte was a Car2Go ride away, winning road games in the NFL is never easy.

5) The Panthers’ Immunity to Play-Action
The Hawks get a lot of their big plays by using play-action—by faking a run, which draws the safeties in, and then throwing over them. But Carolina plays its safeties extremely deep to avoid just such a scenario. In 2012, the Panthers gave up just 47 plays of more than 20 yds. Only 2 NFL teams allowed fewer. The Seahawks, who averaged 3.7 such plays per game last year, had just 2 against Carolina.

So even though the name “Carolina Panthers” does not conjure up a vision of competent football, this is a team that will likely give the Hawks much more fight than you might expect.

Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers, 10 a.m. PST Sunday, KCPQ-FOX (13/113).

Pro Tip: Both of the Seahawks’ 20+ yard passes against Carolina in 2012 were seam routes to Zach Miller. Look to see if the Hawks try this again, either to Miller or rookie TE Luke Willson.

You can buy that t-shirt for $9.50 on eBay. Also, you can buy my Seahawks season preview for 99 cents on Amazon.