Seattle...

Hey Seattle... Are you friggin kidding me?

Let's talk about a few things.
1. It's almost August and I've used my windshield wipers ever day this week.
2. The Mariners just lost their 17th in a row.
3. We're opting out of re-signing Matt Hasselbeck to sign two of the league's most mediocre quarterbacks.

Phenomenal day for the city, don't you think? Now let's get into it.

The rain? I get it, it's Seattle. And truthfully it's been really warm when it's raining so it's not that bad. What is bad is when all the forecasts say it'll be sunny and 70, only to emerge from a building at any given time in the day to be sprinkled on like you're next to a staggering drunk at the trough of a mens room in the Kingdome.

It's real hard to plan a tee time or even pick out your outfit with weather like this. I feel like Mother Nature is on the rag. Make up your mind lady! Now being a Seattlite my whole life, I know that August through mid-October is generally our nicest time, but the words June and July should be synonomous with sunshine. I wouldn't want to live in Arizona or Southern California where it's warm 85% of the time, but give me a break. We paid our dues during Fall, Winter and Spring. I get a sense that the government controls our weather.

I digress.

Mariners? Not worth it. Their offense is pathetic and their defense shows up at all the wrong times.

Seahawks? Hmmm... Let's be honest, if you're not a football fan or a Seahawks fan in particular, you can probably stop reading. But if you are a fan, I'm interested to hear your perspective on today's moves.

The lockout is over, teams are free to start wheelin and dealin and Pete Carroll does not waste any time. From the get-go everyone knew a lockout was coming, Hasselbeck was clearly going into free agency, yet we did not re-sign him before the lockout. I figured the front office was being practical; Why committ to a contract right before a new Collective Bargaining Agreement will be created, possibly giving the owners more leverage in negotiations?

Well the lockout is over and it looks like Hasselbeck is done in Seattle. Part of me is bummed as he really was the embodiment of Seahawk football as I know it as an adult. I wasn't always his biggest fan (I'm sure many hold a similar opinion to Dave Kreig), but he was our leader and in reality, he led us to some great seasons. Amidst a shitty line, injuries both to his main weapons as well as himself, he still got out there and played his butt off.

There are definitely some stupid interceptions burned into my memory and nobody can forget that day in Green Bay when he uttered those idiotic words before OT... "We want the ball and we're gonna score." Truthfully I hope he keeps his houses here and retires here, because the man is a fantastic role model and does great things for the community. However I'm more than happy to have my team whoop his ass twice a season.

Our new quarterback scenario? It's actually not as bad as one might think. We have Charlie "Clipboard Jesus" Whitehurst who came in the last game of the season to beat the Rams to clinch the division and a playoff birth. And as far as what is on the schedule (free agents can't sign until Friday), Tarvaris Jackson formerly a Viking and USC golden boy, Matt Leinart are both set to sign with the Seahawks.

Jackson's career passer rating in six seasons is higher than any of Hasselbecks last three seasons. Not the most solid stat in the world, but it's a start. Jackson is also reunited with his offensive coordinator from Minnesota in Darrell Bevell; That should help ease his transition onto the team. Leinart? Well, he's a wild card. Truthfully I think he's athletic and talented, but as a first round pick with a lot of expectation he did not rise to the occassion.

I bet we get him fairly cheap, if he looks good in camp, he'll make the team and be a solid backup. I think Seattle is a great place for him to maybe get his shit together since he's with his college coach that recruited him, taught him and helped him thrive. This is a Heisman winner, let's not forget.

TONS of players play below their abilities in certain environments. Some times it's their own faults for acting like bitches, but I'd be willing to bet a city laid back like Seattle, with his college coach and the right opportunities, Matt Leinart could seriously compete for the starting spot. But him being a lefty, I think Carroll's opinion of the performance of the two rookie lineman on the right side will impact his decision on whether Leinart should be the starter or not. Talented or not, the blind side must be protected.

At the end of the day I'd be willing to bet that of the three QB's I mentioned, only two make it out of camp. We'll bring in some cheap young buck as the third stringer and we'll use the extra cap room to make some other moves. (re-signing Mebane and going after Robert Gallery)

The Seahawks news I'm undecided on. I'm half excited, half like "WTF?". I have just enough faith in Pete Carroll to not stew on it just yet. Thankfully camp starts this week and we'll be in games in about a month so we won't have to wait too long to see everything come to fruition. Let's win the division again, make some moves to allow us to trade down for a good rookie QB in the draft next season... AND we're golden.

Seattle- we have a love/hate relationship. I hated you at the beginning of this blog, but now I sort of love you again. Thanks for listening.