Bleacher Report - Articles by Eric Flatness

Could the Seahawks Benefit from a 3-4 Formation?

Eric Flatness — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:34:21 -0500

With the emergence of David Hawthorne, many Seahawks fans are asking "what do we do when Lofa Tatupu comes back?". It's a tough question. Playing Tatupu means playing a proven leader of a defense, and a guy who knows opposing schemes like the back of his facemask. On the other hand, Hawthorne has steadily and rapidly improved as a defensive playmaker, with three interceptions and a plethora of the hard hits he's known for. He's also a superior athlete. I say, instead of choosing one or the other, why not both?

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Seattle's Playoff Drought Is Finally Over

Eric Flatness — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:20:12 -0400

For the first time in 11 years, an expansion MLS team is making the playoffs. Seattle couldn't be happier. After securing a berth with a 3-2 win on the road against Kansas City, the team gets to come home and bask in the home confines of Qwest Field as they play against Dallas FC.

It wasn't an easy game, as the Sounders had to overcome a 2-1 deficit early in the second half. But plugs by Roger Levesque and (ugh) Nate Jaqua sent them to their second tournament in a matter of months (after winning the US Open Cup in September).

It's about time the city had something to celebrate, after 2008 culminated in utter disaster for the Seattle region. The Seahawks had their first losing season in over a decade while missing the playoffs for the first time in five years, the Mariners became the first team to lose 100 games with a payroll of over 100 million, and the Huskies went winless.

Worst of all, the NBA packed up and left on the way to Oklahoma city, removing the only major pro sports title since the defunct Seattle Metropolitans Hockey team won the original Stanley Cup.

Thankfully, 2009 seems to be a year of rebirth for the city. The Mariners rebound to compete for a playoff spot, the Seahawks are in the race once again despite another bunch of injured players, the Huskies were ranked earlier this year after knocking off USC, and now it has all culminated in a playoff spot for the expansion Sounders.

The team has overcome injuries, flopping, and a rash of red cards earlier in the season to be tied for second in points in the league, all while setting records for attendence in MLS. The 30,000+ they've drawn per game would rank high even in the EPL.

Now the hope is that the team can make it to the MLS cup. They'll have to survive a few weeks of playoffs, but the final game will be held in Seattle regardless of their participation. With their performance in the Open Cup earlier in the year, it's not out of the realm of likelyhood that they could be playing in front of 67,000 on November 22nd.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Leonard Weaver

Eric Flatness — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:39:06 -0400

This article was written to remember one of the Seahawks who isn't likely to have their number retired or make it to the Hall.

October 14 2007 was a painful day for all Seahawk fans. Not only were they crushed at the hands of their Super Bowl rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they lost a franchise icon in Mack Strong to retirement after sustaining a neck injury.

There was a fullback waiting in the wings, but it was far from a sure thing that he would be able to fill Strong’s capable shoes. He was known more for his athleticism than his blocking, and more for his stiff arm than for his pancakes.

However, for one and a half seasons, Seattle was treated to the maturation and improvement of one Leonard Weaver from undrafted signee to one of the most invigorating players on a rapidly declining Seahawks offense.

In the off season before Weaver got his big shot, there were a lot of questions as to whether he’d be ready to back up Strong after going down in preseason play with an injury, and not getting back up until the year was over.

Thankfully he answered those questions with exhilarating performances against each opponent the Hawks faced. The most remarkable thing was the improvement, notably in his blocking ability. It almost seemed that in each of the four preseason games his vision improved and his blocks became more effective. He certainly created a buzz for himself.

The improvement didn’t stop there. After Strong’s career ending injury, Weaver continued to progress in all aspects of the game. While he never became an elite blocker, anyone who saw him in his first year and noticed how much better he became, especially in blocking, may not have believed their eyes.

At the same time, his catching and route-running continued to prove that Weaver was more than just a fullback, at least not the standard model.

For many, the quintessential game of Weaver's career was against the 49ers, where he took two touchdown passes to the house, one from 43 yards out and another from 62. It certainly put him on the NFL map, and may be the main reason why he was picked up by the Eagles in the '08-'09 off season.

It didn’t help that the new offense built by Greg Knapp and Jim Mora requires a more quintessential fullback, something which new FB Justin Griffith fits more readily, even if he isn’t as big a play maker.

Of all the Seahawks I’ve had to watch leave over the years, Weaver's signing with Philadelphia was by far the most painful. That said, he couldn’t have gone to a team more suited for his abilities, and I wish him and his new team the best of luck (except when they play the Seahawks of course).

Seattle Sounders FC v. Chelsea: The Big Game Is Almost Here

Eric Flatness — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:18:49 -0400

For football fans who have been waiting for Chelsea Football Club to arrive in Seattle, the wait is almost over. July 18is less than a week away, when The Seattle Sounders FC will be playing one of the most storied teams in soccer history in a friendly match at Qwest Field.

While it may not count in the standings, there should be no doubt that the Sounders will play to win.

Qwest Field is expected to be filled to the stadium capacity of 67,000, though there are reportedly a few hundred more tickets available. That is more than twice the attendance that a Sounders league MLS game pulls in for the Sounders, though those games have a capped attendance, with only the lower bowl of the stadium currently available during the season.

Chelsea has been a pinnacle of success in recent years. Despite missing out on the UEFA Champions League final in 2009, they have pulled in five major English titles in the last five seasons, including an FA Cup.

“This will be unlike any international game ever played in the Pacific Northwest,” said Sounders FC majority owner Joe Roth. “Chelsea is one of the top clubs in the world, and they are playing the home team, our Sounders FC, backed by our loyal supporters. The atmosphere that afternoon will be incredible.”

Chelsea will be bringing their starters with them for the match, and has said they will be starting the game, which is music to the ears of Sounders fans hoping to see their team play one of the best in the world.

That will include English national team players like John Terry and Frank Lampard. They will face a hot expansion team in the Sounders, who have been riding high on the defensive play of goalie Kasey Keller and the scoring prowess of Nate Jaqua and Freddie Montero.

“We are happy that a sporting city like Seattle now has its own new soccer franchise as it is important for the development of the game in the United States.” Said Peter Kenyon, the Chief Executive of Chelsea FC. “We will be bringing a full strength squad so it should be a great game."

This isn’t the first time Chelsea has visited Seattle. On the contrary, they have made four visits to the Pacific Northwest over the years. They played against the Scotland Celtic in a preseason game back in 2004. Way back in 1977, the Chelsea played the original NASL Sounders and lost in a 2-0 game.

The day of the game will also be the very first day the new Light Rail system will be running through Seattle, and it couldn’t come at a better time. The stadium will be full of more than just Sounders fans, and the convenience of riding above the road straight from the airport to the stadium will be great for any Chelsea supporters flying in from abroad.

The mass transit solution will also relieve the high stress on parking, which should be expected to be worse than even the Seahawks games. Fans who decide to drive in should take into account that only two lanes will be open on the way into Seattle, making parking in SoDo for the game even less attractive.

Can’t make it to the game? The match will air in its entirety on ESPN2.

Sounders fans are being spoiled this year when it comes to friendly matches. After playing Chelsea, a historic team in its own right, the club will again take on another famous European league team at home when Barcelona comes to Seattle in early August.

Barcelona is fresh off of the UEFA Championship and La Liga, and will also be bringing their star players.

While this game will have little statistical meaning, the sentimental value on the home pitch will be meaningful, regardless of the outcome.