NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger gives you his five positives from the Vancouver Canucks’ 2013-2014 season. Though it culminated with yet another disappointing first round exit that was all the more embarrassing this year, there was some impressive play throughout the season from a few key players. Corey Schneider played well in his first year as a starter, Tanev and Corrado really shaped up, and this may be the final season for Alain Vigneault.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Seahawks blogger Brett Bivens gives you his opinion on who will be the backup quarterback to Russell Wilson in Seattle. The release of Josh Portis after his alleged DUI helped to clear some things up, as Brady Quinn will likely step into the role due to his experience and talent. Don’t count out Jerrod Johnson, though, as he does has a unique skill set that could prove valuable in Seattle.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about Seattle’s odds at winning the Super Bowl, winning the NFC Championship, and taking home the NFC West in 2013. Obviously there are some teams that you will feel safer betting on than other teams. And with us being northwesterners (or at least most of us) as well as you clicking on an article that is about the Seattle Seahawks, I’m going to safely assume you, at times, feel quite confident about the bets you put on Seattle.
NWSB Insider and Washington Huskies’ blogger Chris Hall previews the 2013 defense for the Washington Huskies. Players making the cut are Will Shamburger, Sean Parker, Gregory Ducre, Travell Dixon, Travis Feeney, Shaq Thompson, John Timu, Josh Shirley, Andrew Hudson, Danny Shelton and Connor Cree. Much is still up in the air, but things look promising for Washington on both sides of the ball.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Supersonics’ blogger Peter Edlund talks about the next step in the saga between the Sacramento Kings and Seattle’s group. While a congratulations are offered to the Kings and their fan base for rallying around the franchise and getting a deal done, a large use of public funds that has citizens questioning the new arena now looms for a city that may not have full support for an NBA team. What will Seattle do if this continues to play out?
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone weighs in today on the Nucks and says it has been a full thirteen days since VanCity were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, and after an appropriate mourning period it is time to look towards next season and the changes needed. Roberto Luongo has been on his way out of Vancouver for some time. He’s surely gone. Alain Vigneault. Gone too.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson previews Seattle’s next five games. The losses in Cleveland weren’t as bad as people think, and there is still plenty of baseball to be played. That said, let’s take a look at the next five games for the Mariners and how they can turn things around once again, as they face the Angels for a two game series before returning to Safeco Field for a big three-game series against the Rangers. Lets go Michael Morse & Justin Smoak!
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the recently concluded series vs. the Cleveland Indians. That could be a tough series to shake off. The M’s were swept, and it wasn’t good. Three walk-off losses. The positive to take away? Just as Kendrys Morales was beginning to play more 1B, Justin Smoak remembered he is allowed to hit home runs. Move on vs. Angels. Take both games from a division opponent on the road and all is forgotten.
NWSB Editor Bryant Knox takes a trip down memory lane and recaps the Portland Trail Blazers’ five worst draft picks in franchise history. Greg Oden, Sam Bowie, LaRue Martin, Martell Webster and Sebastian Telfair all make the list. With the 2013 draft right around the corner, let’s hope Portland grabs someone closer in talent and potential to Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
PROUD Seattle SuperSonics blogger Brandon Choate gives us a glimpse into the mind of a suffering Sonics fan. After the attempt to buy and relocate the Sacramento Kings to Seattle failed, fans were left wondering why. Brandon points his finger at the #1 enemy – David Stern. Between using his power for the wrong reasons and being childish at the same time, Stern managed to leave Seattle fans even more angry than before.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Seahawks Blogger Brett Bivens brings us his rendition of how the RB back situation will play out in Seattle, specifically the future of Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks still have Lynch on payroll for the next few seasons, and Brett says that the drafting of Christine Michael was no fluke, that the Hawks are preparing for life after Lynch. What nobody wants to see is the petered out version of a great back in his swan song, a la Shaun Alexander.
NWSB Insider and Washington Huskies’ blogger Chris Hall previews the 2013 offense for the Washington Huskies. Led by Keith Price at quarterback, the Huskies have a lot of potential on the offensive side of the ball, especially with Bishop Sankey at running back. Questions around TE Austin Sefarian-Jenkins don’t seem to be a problem, although his DUI could have an impact in 2013.
