When you ask Eric Wedge how he feels about the Seattle Mariners‘ roster, he brings up the one position that he never worries about – third base.

Only halfway through his third season, Kyle Seager has already become the most consistent Mariner on the ball club. He plays as solid of a third base that you can find, and is hitting an encouraging .281.

With all of the hot prospects coming into Seattle - Dustin Ackley, Justin Smoak, Jesus Montero, Danny Hultzen (none of which are on the current active roster) – you wouldn’t expect the third-round pick out of North Carolina to be the bread winner of the bunch.

But hey, that’s Kyle.

Kyle Seager’s defense might be even more impressive than his hitting.

As a true two-hitter, he has proven versatility and flashes enough power to move to the three spot – which the Mariners unfortunately need him to do quite often. His second season was a breakout debut on a Mariner fan’s scale, as he led the team with 20 home runs and 86 RBI’s, and single-handedly brought back the “two outs, so what?” mantra.

In 67 games this season, Seager is hitting .281 with eight home runs and 30 RBI’s. The average is a nice jump up from the .259 he posted last season, showing some progression as his career moves along – different from the rest of our recent prospects.

The hitting is incredibly encouraging, but the defense is arguably more impressive. He currently boasts a .983 fielding percentage – good for No. 2 in the AL behind Baltimore’s Manny Machado.

I’m sure I’m not alone when I take a sigh of relief every time a ball is hit in Seager’s general direction. He never seems rushed or flustered, but is always under control and makes the strong, accurate throw across the diamond in one fluid motion.

There aren’t any crazy stats that make Seager jump off of the page at you, and he may not be a fantasy stud – yet – but he is simply really good at everything. Oh, and he is the only player in MLB history to hit a game-tying grand slam in extras. No big deal.

And I just want to give a pat on the back to pops, Jeff Seager. That man must be eating his Wheaties because he now has three sons at the professional level. Kyle’s younger brother, Justin, was drafted in the 12th round by the Mariners this season, following their youngest brother Corey, who was taken 18th overall by the Dodgers last year.

We are currently at an exciting point in the 2013 season – young studs Nick Franklin and Mike Zunino have both been called up due to necessity at the positions, and both have answered the call with flying colors.

In the midst of this young talent producing, it is comforting knowing we have a budding star to lead the lineup over in the hot corner.

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Amongst a treacherous slide for the once-hot Seattle Mariners, a positive thought crossed my mind.

Once a week we get to see one of the greatest pitchers of all time go out there and throw the ball.

I’m talking about Aaron Harang, of course. Haha! What a joke.

But seriously, the generation of baseball fans that have come to truly appreciate the M’s in the late 90′s and 2000′s have been very spoiled with their pitching staff’s talent.

We got to see the great Randy Johnson throw Mr. Snappy right past batters on a regular basis – as well as Felix Hernandez hold court every start out on the mound.

Both players are almost guaranteed spots in the Hall of Fame. Both have sweet nicknames – The Big Unit and The King – and both had/have excellent careers in Seattle.

But which was the more impressive Mariner? Many are quick to say Johnson. But should they? Let’s dig a little deeper…

Early Years – The Big Unit

Coming out of USC – where he also played 2 years of basketball, mind you – Randy was selected by the Montreal Expos in 1985 at the age of 22. He made his major league debut in 1988 and pitched 11 games for the Expos – going 4-4.

Upon the trade to Seattle in ’89, Johnson was well-feared around the league – on account of his tall frame, energetic presence on the mound, crucial mullet/stache combo and the fact that he threw 100 mph without a clue of where it would wind up.

As a result of this inaccuracy, Johnson led the AL in walks from 1990-92, as well as hit-batters from ’92-93.

Randy Johnson “The Big Unit.” (Photo: seattlepi.com)

Against the Brewers in 1991, Johnson allowed 4 runs on 1 hit – thanks to 10 walked batters in 4 innings. A feat he would repeat in ’92.

He showed glimpses of his potential, but couldn’t find the strike zone and reach that elite level. Until Nolan Ryan stepped in.

Late in the 1992 season, Ryan held a private session with Randy to go over his delivery. He was quoted saying that he appreciated Randy’s talent and he didn’t want to see him take as long to figure certain things out as he had.

A simple adjustment of footwork – landing on the ball of his foot rather than heel upon delivery – and Randy’s accuracy drastically improved.

From then on, Randy became the elite ace Seattle had never seen before.

Early Years – King Felix

The story of Felix’s discovery is incredible. He was noticed by Mariners‘ scout Luis Fuenmayor at age 14 in a tournament near Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Luis recommended Felix to fellow scouts on account that the 14-year-old Felix was already throwing 90 MPH!

Simple to say that once Felix reached the age of 16, he was offered a contract by the Mariners organization. After graduating high school, he signed his first professional contract on July 4, 2002.

Although other teams offered more money – such as the Braves and Yankees – Felix chose Seattle to follow in the footsteps of his favorite player, Freddy Garcia.

Since then Felix has been sensational.

Whether he was shredding the minor leagues at age 19, or averaging the fastest fastball of all major league starters in 2006 at 95.2 mph – Felix has been a dominant righty from the get-go and has established his name in the major leagues for years now.

Breaking Down the Stats

The stats are a rather rough comparison when you consider that Felix had his first full season at the age of 20 and Randy had his at 26. But we will use major league experience as the indicator, as that is the only true way to analyze production.

Randy Johnson in his first 8 seasons:

• Innings: 1,492.9
• K’s: 1,684
• Walks: 773
• ERA: 3.60
• 4x All-Star (’90, ’93, ’94, ’95), 1 No-Hitter (June 2, 1990) and 1 Cy Young Award (1995)

Felix Hernandez in his first 8 seasons:

• Innings: 1,618
• K’s: 1,487
• Walks: 480
• ERA: 3.23
• 3x All-Star (2009, 2011, 2012), Immaculate Inning (June 17, 2008), 1 Perfect Game (August 15, 2012) and 1 Cy Young Award (2010)

A few things jump off the page at your first glance.

First off, I refrained from using the W-L stat. Why? Because it is the most overrated statistic in sports.

Wins and losses are completely out of the pitcher’s hands, and do not by any means give an idea of the pitcher’s ability. Look at Felix’s lineup compared to Randy’s. LITTLE bit of a difference.

“The King” Felix Hernandez

Second, the K’s for Randy and the ERA for Felix. Both stats truly show each player’s best attributes.

Final Analysis

When thinking back on Randy Johnson, I just remember him being so fun to watch.

Every batter was afraid to face him, every time he took the mound in the Kingdome you just knew the electricity was going to be wild – but some of this entertainment was due to the knowledge that at any point in time a high fastball could fly out of the strike zone and decapitate the opposing batter.

Thinking back on Felix and watching him now, the transition in style this young man has made in his pitching style is like no other I have seen.

He came into the league throwing HEAT. He now dominates in the league with a low-90′s fastball that opponents claim is “invisible.”

He also generated the nastiest change up in the game. His style isn’t as flashy as it once was, but has adapted to be more efficient and gives his arm the durability to complete games.

Conclusion

Drum roll please…

I’m going with The King!

I know Randy was a piece of the Mariners’ golden age, was arguably the best strike-out pitcher of all time, AND has 5 Cy Young’s to his name. I KNOW.

But I am speaking strictly of their tenures in Seattle. At that 8-year mark, Felix has shown more than Randy. All the while being 6 years younger.

This is just something that has been brewing in my head for years now, and I figured the Mariner fan base needs something to cheer them up during a stretch such as this one.

So hey, keep that chin up. You have the greatest Mariner pitcher of ALL TIME to watch every week. Consider yourselves fortunate!!!

Go Mariners!!!

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With the Seattle Seahawks‘ rookie camp commencing earlier this month, the players’ abilities are being put on display, and future roles for the team are developing. When you have one of the youngest rosters – and still are expected to win the NFC – the competition between positions becomes very tight.

It is no question that some of these rookies may not make the team. However, Softy on KJR brought up an interesting point.

He doesn’t see Pete Carroll settling.

So many coaches nowadays settle with the rosters they have. They may bring new players in, but when the going gets tough, they go back to what or who they are comfortable with. This slows development, and eventually leads to a lack of depth.

Carroll isn’t that kind of coach. He takes risks. He encourages competition. He will not refrain from putting a rook in a starting spot – i.e. Russell Wilson.

With that in mind, we take a look at the possible roles for the incoming rookies in 2013.

Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M .

Christine Michael: RB Texas A&M

In my previous article, I pointed out the genius in taking Christine Michael with the team’s second pick. The team’s focal point is halfback. It is what sets the tone and puts the gears in motion. Michael was one of the most athletic players in the draft, and will likely take over the starting role in years to come.

For now, I see him spelling Marshawn Lynch as a No. 2 – if he can beat out Robert Turbin.

Jordan Hill: DT Penn State

The Seattle defensive line has gone through quite the transition these last couple years. The pass rush and run defense were major points of emphasis for Carroll and co., hence the rotation of new faces.

Alan Branch and Jason Jones were brought in last season, but due to injuries and lack of production, they were rotated out. Now Seattle has brought in Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett to fill these voids, but also drafted Jordan Hill.

Chris Avril and Michael Bennett will likely play more defensive end, but Jordan Hill is a nose tackle. He plays similarly to former Seahawk Jason Jones. He squares up with the opposing center and guards, but has the ability to get to the quarterback.

Look for him to substitute in on third downs and pass-rushing situations in his first season.

Chris Harper: WR Kansas State

Chris Harper was my favorite pick in the draft. His skill set is incredible, and I love the possibilities he brings to the wide receiver position.

Out of high school, Harper was recruited as a running back, quarterback, wide receiver, safety and linebacker. Are you kidding me? He eventually chose Oregon to play quarterback, where he was teammates with Seahawks All Pro center Max Unger.

“We ran a pure spread offense. He was a real mobile quarterback and was basically another running back with the ball once they got it in his hands.” Unger praised. “That’s what they really liked about him.”

Harper brings the open-field ability that the Seahawks obviously were looking for when trading for Percy Harvin – just with a little more physicality. He stands at 6’1″, 234 lbs, making him by far the biggest receiver on the roster.

Williams come to Seattle from down under. (Marvin Gentry/USA Today Sports)

He will likely play a limited role in 2013 considering the current depth at receiver. However, it isn’t crazy to assume Sidney Rice could be moved in these next few years. I love Sid the Kid, but his production doesn’t amount to the contract we gave him.

Unless he has an incredible 2013 season, I see him being dealt or cut, and creating space for Harper.

Jesse Williams: DT Alabama

Before the draft I had the Seahawks taking Jesse Williams in the first round. I loved his size and ability at the nose tackle position, and felt like it was a need for the team.

Carroll and John Schneider obviously knew something I didn’t – for once – and picked him up four rounds later at 138. So ,of course, I tell everyone I predicted the pick.

Among the defensive line makeover, Williams finds himself between the three-technique and the nose tackle positions. With Alan Branch leaving, there was a gap at the position. Somebody who can create push and fill holes in run defense.

Enter The Monstar.

Williams is one of the players I see making an immediate impact. He can play on early downs, late downs, goal line, short yardage; basically the works. And it is always fun to bring somebody on board who has a unique sense of style (Here is a shot of Williams’ attire on the Alabama white house visit: http://i.imgur.com/CKphe.jpg)

Tharold Simon: CB LSU

Less than 48 hours after being arrested, Seattle drafted Tharold Simon. Pete sure has a type, eh?

This may be the first player to begin his career under Richard Sherman‘s wing. How will Sherm be as a mentor? Only time will tell, but I assure you, there will never be a dull moment.

Just got off the phone with the best db in the game @rsherman_25 much love fam and can’t wait to get there and play with you all

— Tharold Simon (@t_simon24) April 27, 2013

Simon fits the Legion of Boom mantra: You must be big, you must have attitude and you must hit.

His time will likely be limited at first. Probably a role similar to that of Jeremy Lane last season. But in spread packages or injuries at the position, look for Simon to make his mark.

Luke Willson: TE Rice

Entering his final college season, Luke Willson was on the John Mackey Award watch, which is given to the best tight end in the nation. However, due to some nagging injuries, Willson never hit his stride.

He had an impressive close to the season against Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, but besides that his season was sub par. Fellow teammate and tight end Vance McDonald was drafted four rounds earlier. McDonald’s stats were more impressive, but whose ceiling is higher?

Thus far, Willson’s production has garnered some attention in training camp. He may be the help needed across the line from Zach Miller.

Spencer Ware: RB LSU

Spencer Ware is an interesting case. After drafting Christine Michael, nobody thought running back would be a position for concern. And it wasn’t.

Carroll has praised Ware’s physicality and says that he was the hardest runner in the draft. This could mean two things. They will either look to beef him up and train him in the ways of the force at fullback, or simply utilize him as a short-yardage back when Beast Mode needs a breather.

Personally, I think Michael Robinson deserves every penny he is being paid and is a huge contributor for the team, both on and off the field. I would hate to see him go, so I hope that they find other areas for Ware to produce in. But as previously stated, Carroll loves his competition.

Welcome to Seahawks Nation, Jared Smith. (Photo: Seahawks.com)

Ryan Seymour, Ty Powell, Jared Smith, and Michael Bowie

It is hard to tell what this group of seventh round picks is capable of. Seymour was likely brought in to compete at the guard position with John Moffitt and J.R. Sweezy. Sweezy is currently starting at the position, but Moffitt was a higher pick and a fan favorite, which means zilch to the coaching staff, but would still be awesome to see him play.

Ty Powell looked impressive on tape – granted the tape looked like high school footage from the 1960′s; but still impressive. He could be a possible LEO replacement for Bruce Irvin in the early weeks that he is suspended.

But other than that, it may be difficult to get playing time on this bulked-up roster.

Then there is Jared Smith and Michael Bowie. Depth on the lines is always something you address in drafts. That is all this was.

Neither will start, and nether will play much. But it never hurts to have more depth.

Go Hawks!!!

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To the naked eye, the Seattle Mariners are the epitome of mediocrity. They are sitting at an 18-20 record, which is only good enough for third in the AL West. The question is, though, do they deserve praise and high hopes?

Absolutely.

After a slow start – and a few ass kickings by the little league squad that is the Astros – they have finally got the ball rolling and have had some key players find their stride.

Here is what I predict for the team moving forward:

This season has seen the emergence of Michael Saunders.

Playoff Bound

Since the M’s played the greatest season known to baseball in 2001, they haven’t had a single playoff appearance.

That will change this season.

The team is young, the pitching staff is consistent and key players are making contributions. With Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma pitching as incredible as they are, you can almost guarantee two wins every week.

Throw in the emergence of Michael Saunders, Dustin Ackley, and Justin Smoak – yeah, Ackley and Smoak are actually relevant – and you have some depth in a decent lineup.

The division is tough on paper, but there is definitely a possibility to place in the top two. As of now, the Texas Rangers hold a 6.5 game lead over the M’s and are riding a 4-game winning streak.

The Oakland Athletics are only .5 game ahead of us, and their limited talent is being tested. The Angels can’t seem to figure it out, and the Astros are still learning how to play catch.

If the Mariners can get a consistent run with a few solid months, the possibilities are endless.

There Will Be 4 All Stars from Seattle

Count ‘em. 4. The most since 2003, when the Mariners produced 5 all stars – Ichiro, Edgar, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Jamie Moyer and Bret Boone.

You might question how a team below .500 will produce 4 all-star caliber players. Well it’s simple, really. You already know King is going. Iwakuma has earned the consideration, and will be a shoe-in if he keeps it up.

Then you have Tom Willhelmsen. The Bartender has racked up 10 saves with 11 K’s. Above average, but nothing crazy. However, he is 10-for-10 on saves. That’s pretty consistent. His ERA is also 0.56 – the best in the bigs with at least 15 appearances.

As the Mariners continue to win series after series, Tom will get opportunities to add to his totals. Look for him to represent the AL.

So that is three – all from the pitching stafff, I know – but who is fourth?

While I would love to throw my boy Seager in there, the 3B position is pretty top heavy with Miguel Cabrera and Evan Longoria having tremendous seasons. Seager could get hot, you never know, but I’m not banking on it. I see an outfielder making the list.

Michael Morse had a nice power streak to get his HR’s up to 9. He has struggled since, but has a track record of consistently dropping bombs. Between him, the rising Saunders, and Seager, I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of them on the reserves.

Kendrys Morales Will Finish the Season on Another Team

This one hurts to say, and I hope it will not happen. But I truly think we will trade Kendrys. He hasn’t quite had the season we had hoped for, recording a .262 average with 4 HR and 17 RBI.

Not terrible, but not great either.

The big thing about Kendrys is his trade value. At 29 years old, he is in the heat of his prime. He is a switch hitter, and could be the final addition necessary for a team to make a championship run – such as the Orioles or the Pirates. Throw in the fact that he is in his contract year and he doesn’t re-negotiate midseason, and all signs point to him leaving.

Nick Franklin Will Be the Starting Short Stop

Brendan Ryan might be the biggest liability to ever walk this earth. He can spar with anyone in the field, but he hits like he’s seven. At this point, his batting average is .122. Holy shit.

I would trade him for a package of Dave’s Sunflower Seeds. And think it was a steal.

Felix Hernanzed is en route to another Cy Young award. (photo everyjoe.com)

I understand he saves runs like no other short stop, but the gaping black hole he creates at the bottom of the lineup card just is not worth the fielding ability.

Meanwhile, Nick Franklin is hitting .339 with 4 Hr, 16 RBI’s and 5 SB.It’s almost a given that he will get the call up, and I personally cannot wait till the day comes.

He tends to struggle in the field, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they move the sure-glove of Kyle Seager to short and put Franklin at third. But whatever the case, we need his bat in this lineup.

The King Will Reclaim His Crown

Yeah, Felix is winning the Cy Young. Not too bold of a prediction considering his start thus far – he is currently 5-2 with a AL-leading 1.53 ERA and a WHIP of only 0.903.

To compare, his Cy Young-winning season from 2010, he had an ERA of 2.27 and a WHIP of 1.057.

Yes, the season is young, but we all know what the King can do.

And if we expect this team to go anywhere, it will be on his shoulders. Will we see Felix pitch in his first postseason game this year?

Only time will tell.

Go M’s!!!

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The NFL draft has come and gone, and some people are still left scratching their heads.

With the 62nd pick the Seattle Seahawks drafted Christine Michael – running back out of Texas A&M.

There are a few ways to react to this pick. One way is to question it like every other analyst seems to do whenever Pete and John make a selection in the early rounds. Or, you could go with the seemingly more popular “I have faith in the front office, considering their track record in previous drafts.”

Personally, I like to dig a little deeper. Try to get into the magical wardrobe of mystical lands and wonders that is the mindset of Pete and John.

Not a simple task by any means, but that’s what we’re here for right?

So why Christine Michael? Why not?

Texas A&M Standout

Michael is a perfect fit for the Seahawks’ persona. A player with unbelievable athletic ability who dropped in the draft due to off-field issues and injury-riddled seasons. That could be the title of the book soon to be written by the Seattle scout team.

Michael could be the future of Seattle. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle)

Michael provided evidence of this profile at the NFL combine, where set the combine record for running backs in the vertical jump – 43 inches – topped the list in the cone drill and 20-yard shuttle, yet slept through two team interviews.

His 4.43 40-yard time gives the idea that Michael will fill the third down back void left by the release of Leon Washington. But I think there might be bigger plans at work here…

Nobody is going to take the place of Beast Mode. That much you can count on. But it is no secret that he has been the workhorse in Seattle since he stepped off the plane from Buffalo.

The Seahawks ran the ball more times than any other team in the league last season with 536 carries. Considering Lynch was given 315 of those, you wonder how much fatigue could factor into his performance down the stretch.

Insert the running back-by-committee mantra – aka the fantasy football killer.

I love Turbo, but I honestly see Christine Michael taking carries as the number 2 back.

His ridiculous athleticism and one-cut running ability is ideal for this style of offense. Plus – as I said last season – Turbin’s running style is too similar to Lynch. He is a power back. Why not have a speedster spell with Marshawn to give the defenses a different look? Not to mention Michael prefers contact as well, so it won’t be too much of a transition for the offensive line.

Schneider gave his reasoning for drafting the Beaumont, Texas native:

“He’s our kind of runner,” Schneider said. “He’s a tough, intense, up-field, one-cut guy. A very good football player.”

Michael wasn’t the only running back taken, however, as Spencer Ware was picked at 194.

The back out of LSU is a bruising force to be reckoned with at 228 pounds. He lacks the elite speed, but excels in yards after contact.

It has been rumored that Ware will be transitioned to full back where he may replace fan favorite Michael Robinson. I highly doubt that.

Mike Rob is well paid for a fullback, but also is the best at his position in the league – in my opinion. People argue he could be replaced. They obviously don’t realize the importance of an efficient fullback in an offense such as Seattle’s.

He has a great feel for Marshawn while leading out of the backfield, and his off-field youtube series The Real Rob Report gives fans another reason to love the guy. I don’t see him leaving – and to be honest, don’t see Ware making the team.

No matter the case, this was a successful draft. They got stronger at their most efficient position. How can you argue with that? Just another reason to be excited for this upcoming season.

Go Hawks!!!

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The past few days for former Washington State Cougars wide receiver Marquess Wilson were likely arduous and testing. After showcasing his talents at WSU for a few years, Wilson could very well have seen himself selected in the first few rounds of the draft. Instead, he didn’t fair so well. Round after round he saw other players go ahead of him while he waited for the call that would decide where he would be taking his talents at the next level.

3 days and 235 picks later, Wilson finally got the phone call he’s been waiting for his entire life. The Chicago Bears took Quess with the 236th overall pick – a steep drop from where he should have been selected.

Everyone with a pulse is aware of Wilson’s disastrous departure from Washington State last fall, and because of that his stock was guaranteed to slip. But 236th? That’s no slip, that is a plummet. There were 26 receivers taken before Wilson, so apparently NFL owners believe that Wilson’s incredible upside wasn’t worth the risk – and they would rather have 26 other players from the same class play at his position.

Simply erroneous.

Will Wilson be an impact player for the Bears? (Photo: US PRESSWIRE)

Fortunately, Wilson was selected and he now finds his home in the windy city. Well Bears fans, you just got yourselves a helluva player. And some might say a storm is brewing. For better or worse.

Chicago Dreams

The Chicago Bears have an elite wide out in Brandon Marshall. But after that, Jay Cutler‘s targets are simply irrelevant. Marshall led the team with 118 receptions for 1508 yards and 11 touchdowns (the fantasy player in me had to spit that stat out). Their second leading receiver was Matt Forte with 44 receptions. When your running back is your number two option in the passing game, you need to address something.

The next receiver in line was Earl Bennett with 29 receptions. Now this has a lot to do with Cutler and Marshall’s non-exclusive love affair on the field, but still…29? This offense needed some shaking up – and oh did it shake…up.

They now bring in Marquess Wilson, a publicity monger and well-known deep threat that will open up all sorts of doors for Cutler and co. The big play threat isn’t Marshall’s specialty.

They have Alshon Jeffery – 15.3 yards per catch last season – but he lacked consistency and has always been a porous route runner.

They now throw Wilson in the mix with his 17 yards-per-catch and have added that extra element. A perfect situation for Wilson to fall into. Enjoy the steal Marc Trestman, you just got yourself another fan.

Guess I gotta get a Bears jersey now, but don’t get me wrong…GO HAWKS!!!

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The NFL schedules have finally been released. After looking at the Seattle Seahawks‘ path to the Super Bowl, I can say with confidence that this is the year.

The preseason “strength of schedule” rankings have the Hawks at No. 11. The remaining three teams in the NFC West are all in the top 10 – likely because they play us twice.

After rummaging through dive bars and finding scattered assortments of opposing teams’ fans who like to drink and argue the night away, one thing is certain – the Seahawks are a threat to be reckoned with.

But we can only reach our true potential if we play to it week in and week out. That means winning the games we should, and here are the five that should be cake walks.

Week 3: Jaguars at Seahawks

The cheerleaders might be the only reason to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacksonville has sunshine, a nearby body of water and Maurice Jones-Drew. Other than that, it isn’t pretty.

The interesting story line in this matchup is the return of former Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Bradley, now the head coach of the Jaguars, will likely have insight on the Seattle schemes, which could lead to an advantage when it comes to game plans.

Fortunately, every other advantage falls in favor of Seattle.

When it comes to talent, there is no contest. I am pretty sure everyone saw the Blaine Gabbert bust approaching from day one – probably even the Jaguars – so that was no surprise.

They have wide out potential in Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts III – but they will soon be introduced to the Legion of Boom.

This game will hopefully be a landslide victory for Seattle, and a momentum builder early on in the season.

*Fun fact: Former University of Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback is now a tight end on the Jaguars roster.

Week 6: Titans at Seahawks

Oh no! Jake Locker! Please don’t!

So for all of the Huskies out there that read this, how’s your boy Jake doing in the league? Terrible? Weird.

Health has been a problem for Locker early on in his career, as well as a supporting cast.

Chris Johnson, aka CJ2K, isn’t the player he once was – he should probably change his nickname to CJ-barely-1K. After getting paid, the speedster has made an obvious digression, as he doesn’t seem to play with the same intensity and instincts he did prior to the big contract.

After their porous defensive performance last year- 24th in rush defense and 26th in pass defense – with little additions in the offseason – George Wilson…whooo…. – this could be an offensive clinic from Russell Wilson and co.

*Fun fact: This will be Locker’s first football game in Seattle since the UCLA at Washington game on Nov. 18, 2010.   

Percy Harvin will look to exact revenge this season. (Photo: Washington Post)

Week 11: Vikings at Seahawks

There’s a trend starting here…

Seattle is pretty good at home, and when Minnesota comes to town – again – they will feel the wrath – again.

The addition of Percy Harvin has been the final straw that broke the camels back for the analysts. Most were on the fence about the Seahawks being elite, because for some reason our geographical location to the Puget Sound depicts our ability to win football games.

However, with the addition of Percy-the-Playmaker, there is no denying the potency of this team.

I have a feeling the Vikings are just as aware of this as everyone else.

Eleven weeks in, I’m sure they will be riding the coattails of Adrian Peterson, who will have racked up around 3,000 yards by then and will try to continue that mantra.

He did some work against Seattle last year, but the end result was a stomping of Christian Ponder and a Seattle victory.

Whether Ponder or Matt Cassell is the starting QB by then, the result will likely be the same.

*Fun fact: Adrian Peterson misses his former teammate.

The best all around player I ever seen or you’ll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!

— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) March 11, 2013

Week 16: Cardinals at Seahawks

Ladies and gentleman, Carson Palmer has entered the building, as the Cards recently picked up the human couch potato.

The Raiders made yet another fantastic franchise move by trading their entire future – via draft picks – for the stay-at-home dad Mr. Palmer. His short tenure in Oakland was far from pretty, and the Raider ownership bit another bullet as they gave him away to Arizona.

He now finds himself with the great Larry Fitzgerald, but also in the toughest defensive division in the league. If the corpse of Carson can last until week 16, we will get to see a hell of a show.

The Cardinals’ offensive line is scraping the bottom of the league, and it now has arguably the least mobile quarterback to block for. With the new additions on the Seattle defensive front, this combination just doesn’t bode well for the veteran.

*Fun fact: In the last match up between these two, Fitzgerald reeled in 1 pass on 11 targets for 2 yards. The final score was 58-0.

Russell Wilson should take down St. Louis’ defense again (Photo: Seth Perlman/AP)

Week 17: Rams at Seahawks

This was the toughest game to put on the list.

Many overlook the Rams because of their drought over the last several years., but they are not nearly as bad as people think. They were middle of the pack when it came to defense – 15th in both passing and rushing defense – but their front four are no joke.

Chris Long and Robert Quinn combined for 22 sacks last season. Both players are young, and will only improve. The fact that Seattle will likely have a comfortable playoff spot by this time brings up the possibility of resting players.

Not really in Pete Carroll‘s identity, but you never know.

The division is going to be a brawl between Seattle and San Fransisco, but the Cards and Rams could easily play large roles in the deciding factor.

Overall, I would like to say this is a win for Seattle; but we shall see.

*Fun Fact: The Rams’ only divisional loss last season came to the Seahawks in week 17

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After splitting the series with the Texas Rangers, the Seattle Mariners stand at 6-8 and are currently third in the AL West – ahead of the Angels and Astros, and behind the A’s and Rangers.

The Mariner fan base have been patiently waiting for this young team to become relative in the pennant race. While that time may not be here quite yet, there is excitement in the system.

The additions of Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales have added pop in the heart of the order that hasn’t been there since the days of Bret Boone and Edgar Martinez.

Unfortunately, there are rumors circulating that Morales is on the trading block – his contract is up at season’s end and he refuses to negotiate mid-season.

But nevertheless, the Mariners have some solid pieces on the team and also in their farm system.

We have all heard about Mike Zunino, Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker, and even Nick Franklin. But the most intriguing prospect of them all – arguably – is Brad Miller.

Miller has quietly become a favorite for call-up consideration

Miller was drafted by the Mariners in the second round of the 2011 draft out of Clemson, and has been impressing the organization since.

2012

Last season between Single-A High Desert and Double-A Jackson, Miller hit .334 (186-for-557) with 40 doubles, 7 triples, 15 homers and 68 RBI’s. He added a .410 on-base percentage and a .510 slugging percentage with 23 stolen bases.

Miller has quietly become a favorite for call-up consideration, and he made quite the impression on Eric Wedge this spring. Wedge praised the young shortstop before their final spring contest, saying “We look at him as a true short stop.”

As well as, “He’s handled both right-handers and left-handers.”

Short and to the point. Wedge likes him, and he could be the shortstop the Mariners have desperately searched for since the departure of A-Rod.

He has above average speed, and enough power to rack up 15-20 homers. But will likely be a double machine considering his line-drive-producing swing.

His most unique trait is his plate discipline. He shows extreme patience for a young hitter, and took his base 74 times in his break out season this past year.

With Brendan Ryan simply being non-existent at the plate and Nick Franklin struggling to live up to the hype, the spotlight has shifted to Miller to step up.

His stats from last season will be difficult to top, but so far he has come out of the gates strong – batting .389 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers and 4 RBI’s in 10 games. As well as 5 walks.

Kyle Seager has proven to be a solid option at third. Now if Dustin Ackley and Jesus Montero could live up to a smidgen of their potential – and Zunino and Miller continue their success at the next level – this Mariner lineup could be a solid group come next season.

But as for this season, let’s hope Morse and Kendrys can help our pitching out enough to make a playoff hunt for the ol’ KING.

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Russell Wilson is the most talked about person in the city of Seattle – aside from maybe Macklemore.

The Seattle Seahawks has had Jim Zorn, Matt Hasselbeck, Dave Krieg, etc. – who have all had great careers in the city of Seattle. But were never really considered “franchise quarterbacks.”

The term franchise QB is thrown around all too often. If you consider a young player who can get your team to the playoffs a franchise QB, then nearly every team has one. I see it a little differently.

In my book, a franchise quarterback has the tools and essentials to be an elite leader for several consecutive seasons. If they are not in the top 10, they are not worthy of the franchise title.

I would like to give Russ the honor of being Seattle’s first franchise QB.

Some may say you cannot tell after one season of work, but I would note his work ethic and how he will only improve. And besides, if it weren’t for controversy – there would be no sports writers.

With a QB we can finally look forward to watching for years to come, we can assess the milestones he may accomplish throughout his hopefully decadent career.

The term franchise QB is thrown around all too often.

Most Passing Yards Gained: Matt Hasselbeck (29,579)

I have and always will have a soft spot in my heart for Hizzlebizzle. He was a great quarterback, on and off the field. While he wasn’t the most talented, he worked his tail off to be the best he could be.

Hasselbeck averaged 2,943 yards per season throughout his 10 year career in Seattle. In Russell’s first season, he threw for 3,118. In Matt’s first season in Seattle, he threw for 2,023. The teams were at very different levels of talent then and now, but just for comparison we will use those stats.

The 3,118 yards from Russell were greatly deflated due to the learning curve he subdued throughout the season.

The first half of the season he simply handed the ball to Marshawn Lynch, while in the second half he handed the other team their respective asses.

With Wilson’s growth and the pass-heavy direction the league is heading in, look for Wilson to pass up Matt in this particular record with flying colors.

Most Touchdown Passes: Dave Krieg (195)

Krieg is an interesting case. His stats never really jump off the page, but his 12 years in Seattle amassed some bulk stats – and total touchdown passes was one of them.

His career high was 32 in 1984 – which was a lot back then.

Russell threw 26 in his first season – tying the rookie record set by Peyton Manning.

All signs point to Russell’s passing numbers growing.

Again, all signs point to Russell’s passing numbers growing. If the 26 from last year are any indication of a starting off point for his career, look for Russell to blow this record to kingdom come.

Highest Passer Rating: Matt Hasselbeck (82.2)

The fact that Matt holds this record was rather surprising to me – considering the amount of interceptions he tended to throw. But then again, 82.2 isn’t exactly a Hall of Fame number. (For example, Tom Brady’s career rating is 96.6)

Russell’s career rating is a 100.0. You can’t really ask for a better rookie performance than what Rock em’ Sock em’ Russ gave us last year. The biggest reason I see Russell handling this record with ease is his decision making. Far and away better than any other QB we have ever had, and he’s still a kid.

With his time spent in the film room, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a career passer rating in the triple digits.

In Russell We Trust

There are many other franchise records – most pass attempts, most 300 yard games, most 5+ touchdown performances – that will all be decided by the tenure of Russell in Seattle.

If he spends his career here – fingers crossed – then I am sure these will all fall to Mr. Wilson as well.

Not to rag on any of Seattle’s previous QB’s, but our statistical history isn’t exactly our strong suite.

Long story short, after this young man’s career is over…there could be a lot of Russell Wilson name plates on the list in the Seahawks’ Hall of Fame.

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When your team’s main focus is a second string quarterback, you’re usually sittin’ pretty.

The Seattle Seahawks recently sent former backup Matt Flynn to the Oakland Raiders for a fifth round pick in 2014, and a conditional pick in ’15.

Flynn came in during last years free agency period as Seattle’s “big name” addition, and he had the anticipation of winning the starting job.

Russell Wilson didn’t get the memo however, as his impact was felt in the organization from day one. Flynn didn’t stand a chance.

Considering the contract Flynn was carrying as a backup, the dismissal was not a surprise.

With the move, Seattle created cap space in hopes of having the capability to keep their young, rising stars – or at least a few of them.

It also left Wilson as the only quarterback on the roster, so moves must be made.

Josh Portis – who was cut last August – is expected to resign, but he will likely be third in line to Russ once again.

A capable backup is still needed in Seattle – and here are the favorites to win the job:

Tyler Thigpen – Exp: 6 years

Tyler Thigpen looks to be the best choice for backup in Seattle (Photo:zimbio.com)

As of now, it seems Thigpen is the front runner for the spot.

Thigpen was drafted in the seventh round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. He only has 12 starts under his belt in 6 NFL seasons, with 11 of those starts coming in 2008 for the Kansas City Chiefs.

With 2008 being the only feasible sample size we have, we can use those stats to get an idea of his production.

In 11 games for Kansas City Thigpen threw for 2,608 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while gaining 368 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground.

Not great, but not terrible. Kind of the motto for a backup.

Thigpen isn’t simply a random name out of a hat – his consideration has purpose.

Pete Carroll mentioned that the team would be looking for a quarterback with similar abilities to those of Wilson so that if – God forbid – Russ did go down, the transition would be that much smoother.

While Thigpen isn’t exactly going to blow you away with his 40 time, he has a subtle speed out of the pocket and is familiar with the read option from his time at Coastal Carolina.

Vince Young – Exp: 7 years

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

The 2006 Rookie of the Year is now considered a member of the NFL scraps, and could possibly add another team to his pedigree if he moves to Seattle.

Vince Young has gone from 2-time pro bowler in Tennessee, to coining the phrase “dream team” in Philly, and finally the backup to the great Ryan Fitzpatrick – who was just cut and signed by the Titans ironically.

Vince once again finds himself in the oh-too-familiar free agent pool, and the Seahawks are reportedly interested in the former Texas standout.

Back in Carroll’s USC days, Vince was the Trojans’ kryptonite.

In the 2006 Rose Bowl, Young accounted for 467 yards of offense and scrambled for 3 touchdowns as the Longhorns defeated the Trojans 41-38 – earning the Rose Bowl MVP honors for the second year in a row.

Pete may be feeling nostalgic with Young, and hoping for a blast from the past. He has the ability to run the read option – key word being run – but brings little hope of solidity and lacks the leadership qualities one would hope for at the position.

This time, a little nostalgia could hurt (Photo: google.com)

Matt Leinart – Exp: 7 years

Speaking of nostalgia, really Pete?

Leinart to Seattle has surfaced in the rumor mill as of late – and I cannot figure out why.

Sure he had one of the greatest college careers to date under Carroll. But that is not enough to bring him in. Not for this system, not for this team.

Bringing in Leinart makes almost zero sense. He is not mobile by any means – the read option would be nullified in his presence.

Not to mention he is left handed. People may not consider that a big issue, but the entire offense must be flipped when he is in – roll outs, play action, everything.

From a receiver’s standpoint, the different delivery makes it difficult to adjust.

It just doesn’t make any sense.

He was the backup in Houston when Schaub went down, and we all know how that went: http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/35alfh/

Final Thoughts

If I could decide, I would choose Thigpen.

He wouldn’t be a distraction, he wouldn’t jinx the squad by calling them a “dream team,” and he wouldn’t be a meme king with a bunch of babes in a hot tub – actually, he probably would.

The position could also be addressed in the draft – Matt Scott anyone?

Either way, the fact that we are concerned about our second string quarterback is a blessing in itself. Can’t it just be football season already???

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