Bleacher Report - Articles by Bill Dow

Seneca Wallace To Play Wide Receiver: Could Charlie Frye It Up?

Bill Dow — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:19:26 -0400

Going into his final season in the NFL, Mike Holmgren’s told the media that he would move away from his almost Marty Schottenheimer-like conservativeness that had hallmarked his career—noting that reverse passes and other trick plays might become more used in the Seahawks’ offensive system.

This also leaves the door open to what fans have been calling for since the 2005 NFC Championship win against Carolina in which backup quarterback Seneca Wallace was used as a wide receiver and hauled an over-the-shoulder 28 yard pass to put the team in enemy territory: the use of the most athletic Seahawk at wide receiver.

In the past, coach Mike Holmgren has been hesitant to use Wallace as a wide receiver because of the team’s lack of talent at quarterback. The problem: if both Seneca Wallace and Matt Hasselbeck were to become hurt, who would lead the team to a win? In 2005 the Seahawks thought the answer was NCAA record-holder David Greene from Georgia, but he disappointed so much in the 2007 preseason that he was released and Charlie Frye was acquired.

Recently in both camp and the annual scrimmage, Holmgren has displayed a desire to see what Charlie Frye has to offer the team by giving him more reps than any other quarterback.

This move can be interpreted in two ways. One, Seahawks fans can believe that Holmgren is simply trying to avoid a fiasco like David Greene by working his quarterback out many times more than the Pro Bowler and proven backup. Or, Seahawk fans can look a little deeper into it and realize that Charlie Frye’s playing time is ultimately making Holmgren ask: can this guy back up Hasselbeck should he become hurt? Thus, opening Seneca Wallace to receiving duties.

It may seem a little far-fetched as Holmgren has stated how much confidence he has in Seneca Wallace. But in fact, Wallace has a career passer rating of 78.9, and was 2-2 in his four starts in 2006, beating the 2-14 Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football at home and the Rams at home with the help of a Josh Brown game-winning field goal. Even Holmgren could admit that he hasn’t been perfect.

Then why shouldn’t the backup position be open to Charlie Frye? He has won out at camp against two very-talented quarterbacks, Brady Quinn and Pro Bowler Derek Anderson, and the one game he lost in 2007 came against a healthy 11-5 Pittsburgh Steelers. His passer rating is only slightly lower than Wallace’s at 72.3, but he wasn’t playing with a team one-year removed from the Super Bowl.

Holmgren hasn’t said anything publicly about the time Frye is being given behind center this year, but he has previously said that Seneca Wallace has the athleticism to possibly beat out some wide receivers on the team.

Deion Branch is out with a knee injury for the first part of the year, giving Holmgren the perfect excuse to let Seneca bear his Seahawk wings. And for his final year: why wouldn’t he?

Seattle Seahawks Soar in Annual Scrimmage at Qwest Field

Bill Dow — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:38:49 -0400

The Seattle Seahawks held their annual public practice and scrimmage before fans this year at their true home, Qwest Field, a little under one week before the first preseason game in Minnesota.

As Mike Holmgren said, while addressing the fans, this was the time and the place for the young players to prove they have what it takes to make the team—and Julius Jones said it was the perfect atmosphere to get the game vibe into the player’s heads.

An estimated 11,000 fans were on hand, and nearly everybody was excited to see their beloved, four-time defending division champion Seahawks take the field, even if it was in small groups and rather melodramatic.

The starters played very little time at the scrimmage. Hasselbeck played the first series, which ended in a field goal, and then stood from the sidelines the rest of the practice. Running backs Julius Jones, Maurice Morris, and many of the defensive leaders did the same.

It was a time for the kids to shine, and a few of them lit up like the mid-day sky.

While Lawrence Jackson and John Carlson were predicted to go into the season as the top two rookies of the year, safety Jamar Adams, an undrafted free agent out of Michigan, showed his worth today.

Adams played alongside the second and third team defenses, and had a great showing, not only plowing fellow rookie running back Justin Forsett when he was trying to run for a first down, but breaking up balls and roaming the defense.

Adams, although a bit unpolished, could develop into a top-tier player if he continues to improve. Though he lacks the true skill it takes to be a good NFL talent (the reason why he went undrafted), he wasn’t rated the No. 4 safety in the draft for no reason.

Jamar Adams played strong safety at the scrimmage, alongside free safety C.J. Wallace, who made the team after being undrafted from Washington last season. Wallace showed great speed at the game, and his explosiveness helped shutdown several rushing plays.

Mike Green has had the backup safety job for two years now, but if he doesn’t perform for the rest of camp, I could easily see Wallace and Adams making the team primarily for kickoffs.

Another defensive back that proved his worth today was cornerback Kevin Hobbs, who played on the Seahawks practice squad for most of last season before signing late in the year. Hobbs broke up a pass early in the game, shutting down what would have been a 30-yard gain by WR Jordan Kent.

Not only did he show good quickness and hands in the scrimmage, Hobbs added great depth to the Seahawks' secondary, as with a little more experience he could easily become a great nickel corner.

As for the line and linebackers, very few of the starters spent time on the field. Defensive End Patrick Kerney, who recently had surgery on his shoulder, was left out, and DT Marcus Tubbs was the same, as they are trying to save him for the regular season.

One of the standout defensive linemen, though, was DE Jason Babin, who was acquired last season from the Houston Texans in a trade for Michael Boulware. In individual drills, he was able to get around the linemen several times, and he “sacked” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck after getting around Sean Locklear on the first series of the scrimmage.

Though he likely doesn’t compare to an almost invisible Tapp, he could have a shot at competing with Lawrence Jackson for the No. 3 defensive end spot.

One of the biggest competitions in camp this year is on the offensive side of the ball, and today neither T.J. Duckett nor Justin Forsett were able to distinguish themselves from the pack at running back. Projected starter Julius Jones did not play, as Maurice Morris suited up for the first team.

Morris was consistent, as usual, but had limited carries. The bulk of the load was put on Forsett’s small shoulders, and although he did break a couple of nice runs (including one of over 30 yards), he was inconsistent and didn’t hit the holes quickly. Often times he was stuck behind a collapsed line of scrimmage.

As for Duckett, he showed potential as a third-round brickhouse back, but seemed very slow. One of his most promising attributes could be his short-yardage pass abilities, as he could turn an almost guaranteed three-yard pass into a six or seven-yard play.

This was practiced several times on hitch routes up the middle—a play that, mark my words, will be put into the queue this upcoming season. For as much as that is worth, it isn’t worth $3 million a year over five years.

One of the most hyped rookies this season, FB Owen Schmidt from West Virginia, did not perform well in his first public performance as a Seahawk, dropping a few passes and not looking like the unstoppable and insane runner many have projected him to be.

I have heard from inside sources at the training camp that the team is scared to run him against the defense, as he has leveled out players like CB Jordan Babineaux in one-on-one drills. He didn’t look like a madman today.

The line was missing two of its most valuable starters, underachieving center Chris Spencer and Hall of Fame candidate Walter Jones, both of whom are expected to make the first game of the season in Buffalo.

No fill-in or backup proved to be a worthy replacement. Guard Mansfield Wrotto and tackle Samuel Gutekunst might have taken away from their chances of making the team after a poor performance in individual drills.

Though, this is one practice, and they failed on only a couple of plays.

As for the disarrayed special teams, things in Seattle look brighter than they did the fateful day Josh Brown signed with the Rams. Though the team isn’t perfect, rookie long snapper Tyler Schmidt was perfect on the day, and will prove to be a great addition to the team.

On the kicking front, neither of the guys began to pull away. Though, if I had to put my money on it, Olindo Mare will be the starter this season. He was three for four in kicking attempts, and was solid when warming up while rookie Brandon Coutu was struggling. But, at the end of the practice, Coutu hit a 56-yarder, which sent the crowd into a roar.

It will be a battle, but Mare has the distance—something that former kicker Josh Brown relied on when hitting the game-winners.

With punter Ryan Plackemeier hurt, the Seahawks signed Reggie Hodges, a third-year journeyman punter out of Ball State. He connected well on punts before and during the scrimmage, including a couple of 55 yarders with great hang-time. He seems to be a lot more reliable than what Plackemeier was, and he can hold the ball for kicks, so theoretically he could take that job in a heartbeat.

But the true (expected) savior of the day was second-round pick TE John Carlson from Notre Dame. Seahawk fans, blighted by countless years of unsettling tight-end play out of Itula Mili and Jerramy Stevens, are relying on Carlson to perform quickly.

Although he isn’t a great tight end yet, Carlson was able to catch several passes for a good gain, and proved today that he can catch at the NFL level.

With a great atmosphere at Qwest Field, the Seahawks are soaring high into the season. At the end of practice, most of the team strolled the sidelines high-fiving fans and signing autographs. Holmgren called for the 12th Man,” and not only was he there, he delivered.

Team Flight, Fan Blight: Possible Options for a Sonics Fan

Bill Dow — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:33:38 -0400

It isn’t like any other day this city has seen.

Just yesterday, Sonics owner Clay Bennett ripped the struggling yet deeply-rooted Sonics team from the temperate jungle of downtown Seattle. For many fans of the former team, hearing the colors and name will stay in Seattle just creates a bigger problem—what to do now.

It isn’t as if there is an easy transition. So many fans celebrated the 41 years of Sonics basketball. So many fans didn’t realize this day was about to come. So many fans are now left without a team, rain-bathing in distaste, despair, and uncertainty.

Nothing will quell the sadness in the hearts of these supporters, just as nothing will dilute the margarita of emotion the Mothers of the Plaza feel when thinking about their lost children. We lost our prodigal son, our only truly successful, championship-winning child—and even if we adopt another team in the future, it will never be the same.

At this point, the fans of Seattle have options at an individual level. Namely, each individual has to decide how he or she is going to go about dealing with professional basketball in the future. Here are some opportunities.

The most obvious and understandable option for the former Sonic fan is to drop interest in the NBA altogether. Though they would have to give up a professional sport they once loved, the Washington Huskies are consistently improving and are close to reclaiming some sort of dominance in the Pac-10.

Basketball is also in full force on the local level. Seattle's hallmark is producing future stars, including 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, 2006 Dunk Contest Winner Nate Robinson, and national top-ranked freshmen like Tony Wroten.

The sentiment is understandable. David Stern and the NBA, at best, were apathetic toward the cultural upheaval during relocation, and one could even argue they connived and held grudges toward an unproductive, yet completely supportive city.

And what could be worse than seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder play, wearing their disgusting colors (what else would they be?) and beating the Portland Trailblazers with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and the rest of the cast we were fooled into believing would become Seattle sports legends?

On the other hand, a true basketball fan won’t give up the sport without a fight, and there exist two plausible options to satisfying this desire.

The Sonic fan could continue to support what is rightfully theirs, no matter what uniform or home stadium they are playing in. The youngest team in the league has too much potential in this league for the average fan to ignore.

Most Seattleites were jumping up and down when the Sonics received the second overall pick and selected one of the best collegiate players ever, Kevin Durant. And with the dismantlement of the franchise by trading away the stars, aren’t the younger players rightfully ours?

If somebody trades cash (buys) a car, and that car gets stolen from them, aren’t they still the rightful owner? Or isn’t the insurance supposed to help provide them an immediate team? But the latter case is a different story.

The fans of the Supersonics have a right to follow this team, no matter the location. Those in Seattle have just as much of a right to this team as Oklahoma City does, possibly more.

The other option for the fan is to adopt another NBA franchise, which is completely acceptable under Bill Simmons’ Rules for Being a True Fan.

The most plausible of choices is the Portland Trailblazers, as they are geographically the closest, have hometown stars (Martell Webster, Brandon Roy, and coach Nate McMillan), and are owned by Paul Allen, the same man who led the more popular Seattle Seahawks to glory after buying the team in 1997.

Yet the Trailblazers and Sonics shared the “I-5 Rivalry,” named after the interstate highway that connects the two, for the entirety of their coexistence. Sure, it isn’t Yankees-Red Sox, but it is one of the biggest professional sport rivalries the city has.

Other than that, because Simmons permits it, former Sonic fans shouldn’t be blamed for taking a team as far away from the city as possible. On a map, that is the Miami Heat, which are a viable option. They have a “big three” similar to the Celtics. Sure, they are much younger, but in that way we can pull for a team that is developing, much as our Sonics were.

If we can pick a team, why not get away from it all and go for broke? Heck, they had the number two draft pick this year—isn’t that close enough?

Or we could go for broke and pick the closest team to Oklahoma City, in hopes of a good rivalry in which we can see Bennett bleed. And what does luck bring upon us? The Dallas Mavericks.

They only have a couple more years of talent, but by that point we might have a team of our own. I cannot wait to see Kidd line up against Russell Westbrook and show Bennett that he shouldn’t have traded away Ray Allen.

But the more I think about it, the more I can’t. I cannot just give up this team. Yet I cannot just follow this team like an abused puppy.

I am lost, and to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what path I am going to take.

The Sonics Ball Had Been In Clay Bennett's Court All Along

Bill Dow — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:57:19 -0400

Both the Supersonics and the City of Seattle were worried of their positions at the literal eleventh hour of the court case deciding whether or not Clay Bennett's team would bolt town two years before the end of their lease with Key Arena. But now, although both sides are worry-less, one is filled with glee, the other, with sorrow as the team agreed to give retribution money to the city and the NBA was willing to consider them in future expansion/relocation cities.

Over the last two years, the City of Seattle and its residing fans were placed in a stranglehold. With Sonics Owner Clay Bennett's lasting sentiment as a "man possessed" to move the team to Oklahoma City, Seattle was playing fifty-two card pick up on top of a constantly expanding sewer. Eventually, the cards were all gone.

Throughout the six days of court proceedings, the City seemed to have the upper-hand. Although not definite, the plaintiff struck a chord when they charged Bennett of purposely deconstructing a team and removing the two star players (Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis) to make a move easier. This fed into the notion that if the team would have performed, they wouldn't have moved. To end the case, the City used Bennett's own words, that the Sonics and Storm were "synonymous with Seattle." Though, he was more than willing to break that synonymy.

The fans had the City's back, the politicians (finally) supported the efforts to keep the Sonics in Seattle, and the national media was growing sympathetic toward the Emerald City. But things changed quickly, and deservedly so.

The City really had no choice going into the trials. They realistically had two possible conclusions—to win the case and keep the Sonics for two more years, or to lose both the case and the team.

Even if the City had gained Judge Marsha Pechman's hand and had been able to keep the Sonics around for two more years, what would be the result of that? The Sonics would begrudgingly finish the deal, then leave quicker than Bennett came. They would have burned all their bridges with the NBA, the taxpayers and politicians alike would be bitter, and there would be little to no hope of getting a team. Stern promised the city that if the Sonics were to leave Seattle, the city would never get another team.

Though, to many Sonic fans the team will never return even if the NBA is in Seattle. The group "Save Our Sonics" wanted to preserve the team and its history, not simply to settle for another franchise in the future (which even David Stern provided no guarantees toward).

But at least we have hope. We have hope that there will be basketball in Seattle, though it will never be the same. The only team of a meaningful Seattle sport to win a championship is gone, and it won't be forgotten.

And it all seems so fast. Just one month ago, though I was aware of the proceedings I always held hope. I thought the good people of this world would not let it happen. I thought that everybody was like Peter Parker, and were able to handle the "great responsibility" that came with the "great power". Though, only Austin Powers could defeat this Fat Bastard.

Seattle Mariners Whiff at Win Opportunity in the Bronx

Bill Dow — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:32:47 -0400

Just a week ago I thought I had given up on the Mariners. Call me a fair-weather fan, call me a quitter, but spending a couple of hours to watch a game would only pan out in disaster.

But on a Sunday afternoon, with nothing but a Biology lab to complete two days before school resumes, I figured I would give my poor old M's one last shot to shoot my heart down, and give up a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the eighth.

They did.

Jarrod Washburn had pitched a hell of a game, the Mariners bats came alive, and Arthur Rhodes held off the Yankees in the bottom of the seventh. Sean Green came in, gave up a hit, and was then yanked, pardon the pun.

But when J.J. Putz came to the mound, no outs in the bottom of the eighth, I felt a twinge of happiness, of hope, of despair. Putz had been the icon of success for the 2007 Mariners. He was the save artist, who's first blown save opportunity of the season came during the All-Star game, and who was at this point only five for seven this season.

As we have learned in Seattle, good things never last, much like how the 5-2 lead did not, as Putz gave up four runs (three earned) in one inning of work.

The stars didn't align defensively; Ichiro misplayed an easy flyball in center field to let the game-winning run score, but the feelings aligned perfectly, as no realistic Mariners fan ever considered that they would pull out this win.

The first run Putz gave up was on a misplayed ground ball, in which the pitcher dived while attempting to throw the ball to first base. Instead, he lost a grip and eventually looked like a sprawled Mariner yanked from the sea, lying on uncomfortable sand after a miserable week stuck at sea. Coincidentally, so did McLaren.

After a long road trip through offensive powerhouses in Detroit and New York, the Mariners have not only dropped eleven and a half games back in the American League West, but they have solidified themselves as the worst team in the Major Leagues. The team got shelled in each game, minus the last, in which they gave up four runs in their last defensive inning to lose the series.

The fans at home are calling for McLaren's dismissal, but GM Bill Bavasi seems to believe that the blame lies solely on the unproductive players. One the first day of the road trip, Seattle Times reporter Geoff Baker proclaimed on 950 KJR that he would see a manager firing likely if the club was being consistently blown out by their opponents.

Thus far, they have lost by a combined 34 points in six games, and with two home series against the Red Sox and Tigers ahead, there is no way that differential is lower than 50 by the end of the week. On an ESPN.com reader's poll, 35 percent of people believe that McLaren will be the first of all managers fired this season; higher than any other candidate.

So as I sit here, grieving in a state of despair, I find myself wondering what exactly Bill Bavasi will do. He dumped an under-performing Bob Melvin a couple of years ago, who right now is leading the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. But for some reason, Bavasi seems smitten with McLaren. Maybe it is his passive personality (the first time the press reported he chewed out his players was earlier this month), or is it because he is a lasting member of the Lou Piniella legacy (McLaren was the bench coach). Regardless, it is a time for change, whether the Mariners' organization likes it or not.

I personally believe that the team needs to have a complete overhaul. Dropping Bill Bavasi after countless managerial errors (unless you like Scott Spezio and Carl Everett as premier free agents), releasing consistent under-performers (like Richie Sexson, who has crippled the team with a .200 batting average the past two seasons), and cutting McLaren as a manager, promoting somebody like Norm Charlton, a former M's pitcher, who the town respects and expects to not only fill a couple more seats, but to change the atmosphere of the clubhouse.

There is no easy solution, and as I stated in my most recent article, the Mariners' last realistic opportunity to win a World Series has now blown by the wayside as the top players are getting up in age, and the team doesn't have a solid enough farm system to back up the soon-to-be senior citizens.

Much like the annoying Price is Right-demographic commercials, the team has fallen, and it cannot get up.

Seattle Mariners: Last Chance For Glory Fades In Mid-May

Bill Dow — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:53:07 -0400

Like the Warbucks mansion at the end of Annie, Seattle was praising its "New Deal for Christmas" during the 2007-2008 offseason. It was the year the hometown club would rise to 2001- or at least 2002-like glory.

The town buzzed for the start of the season, thinking the team would jump to an early division lead while the Angels were hurting with the loss of Lackey and Escobar, and ride that success into the postseason.

We couldn't have been more wrong.

We all bought into the fact that the improvement of the starting pitching would push Seattle over the Halo Hump in the AL West. At the time, the $48 million addition of SP Carlos Silva was cautiously hailed; and once Erik Bedard was enrolled as the lead dog in the Mariners' rotation, the city started to believe in what could be.

We were so wrong.

It was now-or-never for the Mariners, it was a do-or-die situation. They traded away their key prospect, 21-year old OF Adam Jones, who is now starting for the Baltimore Orioles; and they traded away stability in their elite (as far as the season went) bullpen in RP George Sherrill, who is now the closer of the Baltimore Orioles. With success from young guys like Brandon Morrow, Eric O'Flaherty, and Sean Green, we felt as if there was no reason to worry about whether or not they could close out games.

We were undoubtedly wrong.

Now, sitting about a third of the way through the MLB Season, all you can do is wonder. What would it have been like to see your team last through late May? What would it have been like to wait a couple years and see Adam Jones become the next Ken Griffey Jr.? What would it have been like to ride the Jose Guillen growth-hormone train? All we can do is wonder.

The Mariners were victims of hype. Nearly every analyst gave them a shot at the playoffs; they seemed to have it all worked out. They had an experienced manager whom the players respected. They had power bats that, when turned on, could add the explosiveness the team lacked in 2007. They had a dominant rotation and a solid bullpen, which, even if the team only scored a couple of runs, would be able to allow just a few less. We thought it would be perfect.

We were naive and wrong.

The one thing GM Bill Bavasi and Mariners' management underestimated during the offseason was an aging lineup. Sure Betancourt and Lopez still dance the tango pain-free, but the same could not be said the same of Ichiro or Sexson. In 2007, the 88-win Seattle Mariners, although third in the MLB in hits, ranked twelfth in batting average and 20th in home runs. Not exactly the stats of a championship-caliber club, and the 2008 Mariners' 22nd run ranking drives that point home (if only the team could follow suit).

And the one guy that came in and made a consistent offensive difference in 2007, OF Jose Guillen, went by the wayside after a .290 season composed of 99 RBIs. Sure he had a fondness for the juice, but it isn't like that stopped the Kansas City Royals (who have a better record than the Mariners at the time of writing). And for a team that had given up its only truly talented young star (who was trying to get time in the team's outfield late last season) and was on a win-now mentality, starting from scratch after releasing one of your most productive players probably wasn't the smartest idea.

Yet we carried on, like soldiers in the wind, believing that although the going got tough, better things would come along, like Brad Wilkerson. The oft-hyped, never-promising Wilkerson stuck to his roots, and fooled the organization out of several million dollars after being designated to the AAA club a month into the season.

We were unsurprisingly wrong.

Everything just seemed to be ready to fall into place; the town was just about ready to see some production from the other stadium south of downtown. Yet, any hope of a playoff berth now is desperate, any chances of a Griffey becoming a playing member of the organization are slim, and any chance of seeing the 34-year old Ichiro come close to a World Series berth are fading away like evaporating froth in nearby Elliott Bay.

We were wrong.

An Open Letter to David Stern Regarding the Seattle Supersonics

Bill Dow — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:18:36 -0400

Dear Mr. David Stern,

Yes, I know the NBA is a business, just like telecom or IT or construction.

And yes, I know that you must go for what is financially best for the association. But the planned eastern migration of the Seattle Supersonics, frankly, sucks.

Now, being a former lawyer, I am sure you are only backing this as legally it is on the up-and-up.

Mr. Clay Bennett seems to be a good friend of yours, and your mutual companionship could do great things to expand your organization in the future.

But what is being done in Seattle right now is morally unjust. You seem to be a noble man, and although we haven't met in person, I am sure you are just as personable as an average, humble "Joe". Your intelligence surely doesn't deem you ignorant to the city's pleas.

I understand the hurdles that the state would have to jump to maintain professional basketball in Seattle.

The unavoidable need for a change (be it in KeyArena or a brand new stadium) has saddled the team with debt in the past and spending in the future. Howard Schultz sold the team in 2006 saying that even if KeyArena were to be sold out each and every game, the organization would still be in the red.

The inevitability of failure is disheartening to a Seattle fan, but it makes one call into question the moves of the Oklahoma City businessmen that originally bought the franchise.

Who would want to buy a team, only to lose money the next season? Who would buy a team without any set plan for renovation/construction of a stadium? To me, it just doesn't make sense.

You're smart, Mr. Stern. If you weren't, you wouldn’t have the powerful stature in sports that you do now. Your past in law certainly advocates the idea that you have experience in dissecting ulterior motives.

It isn't a stretch to say that said wishes existed in the minds of the new owners. Heck, you dealt with it directly by fining partial-owner Aubrey McClendon $250,000 after proclaiming to Oklahoma City that the group did not purchase the team to keep it in Seattle.

And with the new e-mails coming out showing that primary owner Clay Bennett intended to push the franchise to the Midwest as quickly as possible (to avoid another "lame duck" year in Seattle), it all just seems too suspicious to believe that the owners had "good intentions" while buying the team.

Even the staunchest of people, like Starbucks C.E.O. Howard Schultz, are beginning to realize their mistakes. Schultz is attempting legal action against the new owners as he (and the city) believe that they were lied to at the time of transaction.

Although the lawsuit likely won't ever spread its wings and fly Seattle to the promised land, it definitely means something. It just seems so unfair.

If Clay Bennett bought the team with every intention to keep it in Seattle, why is he so unwilling to do so?

Over the course of his ownership, there have been a collage of offers, ranging from the mere purchase of the team by local investors to the construction of a new stadium on the waterfront, commandeered by a former Sonics great.

What has been offered, although impractical to be combined, collectively goes into the billions of dollars. Mr. Bennett bought the hostage franchise for $350 million.

So Mr. Stern, I ask you not for a complete stance change, but rather a reconsideration of your position.

If we didn't care about our Sonics, we wouldn't be filling 10,000 seats nightly in a run-down arena to see a team that could barely string together double-digit wins.

And why did we do it? Because we love the Sonics. We'd love our only franchise to win a championship. We love the team's future with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green on the floor. If the team does end up moving, they will surely be missed.

Coming from a sixteen-year-old kid who has spent his entire life idolizing the Supersonics, the thought that the team might move thousands of miles away, quite frankly, just sucks.

Yours Truly,

Bill Dow

Franchise Updates: San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams

Bill Dow — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:29:48 -0400

I decided I would try something new, outlining the current situations of NFL franchises and then doing a seven-minute audio editorial on them.

It isn't perfect, but it is original, I think. Below are the rundowns of the audio recordings, which are from my website. (http://www.billdow.org)

Franchise Update - San Francisco 49ers (Audio)

Last Season

The Niners went 5-11 with the lowest average points scored, passing yards and total yards. They were also in the bottom six in rushing yards.

Alex Smith proved all the doubters correct with his sad campaign, eventually creating hope for Shaun Hill, a mobile quarterback who got his chance to play later in the season thanks to injuries.

The addition of Nate Clements, however helpful to the secondary, didn’t help propel this team into the playoffs.

Offseason Acquisitions (Top 3)

1. DE Justin Smith - The Niners probably overpaid him (as all teams do in free agency), but he will show the Bay Area that he is more worthy of a player than his two 2007 sacks show him to be.

2. QB Shaun Hill (re-signed_ - Usually don’t do resignings, but locking up this kid could be the key to future success for a team troubled by a poor Alex Smith.

3. RB DeShaun Foster - A solid back who will bring depth to a team that has been hurt by Frank Gore’s injuries in the past. He can also help usher in a two-back system, which is becoming hallmark in the NFL.

What Were They Thinking?

1. Signing Issac Bruce - I, like most, see him as too old. Sure, he can run a route and provide leadership, but having this guy as your number-one receiver when your coach is trying to save his spot is plain dumb.

Looking to the Draft

One of the most interesting prospects in this draft is WR Early Doucet out of LSU. He runs crisp routes and is an excellent punt returner. Although he does not have the speed or athleticism that some have, he reminds me of a young Bobby Engram.

San Francisco Sleeper

If the 49ers can grab Joe Flacco in the early second round, he could put up extraordinary numbers in the next couple of years. He is like a young Joe Montana, especially with that bullet arm.

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Franchise Update - St. Louis Rams (Audio)

Last Season

The Rams were 3-13 with mid-season wins over the Saints, 49ers and Falcons.

Marc Bulger played poorly with 11 TDs and 15 interceptions.

Steven Jackson also fought the injury bug, reeling in just over 1,000 yards on the year.

Offseason Acquisitions

1. G Jacob Bell (Underrated player coming from Tennessee, should help bolster a weakened OL)

2. K Josh Brown (Solid under pressure, and in the Edward Jones Dome)

3. WR Reche Caldwell (Solid slot receiver who made some big plays for the 2006 Patriots)

What Were They Thinking?

1. Releasing WR Isaac Bruce - guy is a future Hall of Famer, though cap-heavy

2. Signing QB Trent Green - solid player, but contract was too big and he is far too injury-prone.

Looking to the Draft

Rams have the No. 2 selection in the draft and seem to be very interested in picking up Jake Long, who would be an immediate addition in the spot of Hall of Fame LT Orlando Pace. If he is selected by the Dolphins, they will likely go after DE Chris Long from Virginia. He’s a solid defensive lineman who can replace the now-retired Leonard Little.

St. Louis Sleeper

If the Rams can get a second or third round bruiser in the center of the defensive line, they could help plug up some problems they have had stopping the run.

----

Thanks for listening!

Series Recap: Seattle Mariners Take Tampa Bay Rays, but Troubles Ensue

Bill Dow — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:57:08 -0400

In 2007 Eric O'Flaherty was 7-1 with a 4.47 ERA in 52.1 innings pitched with a knack for coming in and closing the door on opposing teams. In 2008 he's allowed six runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings in an 0-1 campaign.

What is troubling the Mariners relief pitcher? Could it be a lack of control on the mound? Or has he just lost the luck of the Irish?

After such a successful first full season in 2007, the Mariners had O'Flaherty pegged to be the main candidate to replace George Sherrill as the setup man in the bullpen. As a blind man can see, those former aspirations haven't exactly helped the team find its pot of gold. This relief pitcher has helped open the supposedly-sealed coffin for several opponents this season.

If anything, O'Flaherty bought his ticket to the minors with his struggles in Tampa Bay, and his house will likely be purchased by the only reliever without considerable troubles this season, Mark Lowe.

At the postgame press conference, manager John McLaren seemed impressed by Ray Corcoran, the pitcher the M's called up once closer J.J. Putz was placed on the 15-day injured reserve after suffering from inflamed ribs.

The rest of the clubhouse could see the trip to Florida as a successful one, notching a series win by taking two out of three games, including a dominating 7-1 win in game two thanks to a splendid outing by Jarrod "the Rabbit" Washburn.

Erik Bedard found relative success in game one (after sitting out his scheduled start in Baltimore), notching the win but allowing five runs on six innings. Still, it was good enough for the win.

The first two games saw plenty of support at the plate, combining 13 runs between the wins. Yet game three saw a Mariners team that couldn't hit the ball, almost literally. The team's combined three hits came from the bats of Adrian Beltre and Raul Ibanez (two and one respectively).

This inability to hit worried Mariners fans since the beginning of the season, as many believed that GM Bill Bavasi hedged his bets too greatly on improving the pitching, while ignoring the previous season's problematic hitting. Regardless, however early on in the season, the lack of run support against a mediocre pitcher could be troublesome.

I'll take the win, regardless of its flaws.

The Mariners looked solid in the first two games and, although they didn't finish it to the best of their potential, the series was more-or-less what the team needed after their embarrassment in Baltimore. Three would have been nice, but two works.

Series Standout: SP Jarrod Washburn

Although he wasn't perfect in his start, he pitched seven solid innings, not only minimizing the opportunity for the bullpen to throw the win away, but only allowing six hits and one run. Not bad for the forgotten member of the rotation.

Series Sardine: C Kenji Johjima

Although only playing two out of the three games (both of which the Mariners won), Johjima found it within himself to go hitless in seven at bats. Sure it isn't enough to ask for his release, but I would go out on a limb and say his .071 batting average this season makes him more than worthy to be a sardine.

Darrell Jackson released from 49ers, Tim Ruskell Beefing Up His Résumé

Bill Dow — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:55:30 -0400

Since the 2005 offseason, Seattle has come to know, trust, and love Seahawks President Tim Ruskell for his bold and generally-beneficial moves. Now with former Seattle star Darrell Jackson dropped from the San Francisco roster, Ruskell's move has brought together both fans and critics of the move.

Throughout the entirety of his tenure in Seattle, Darrell Jackson has had the contradictory presence that many NFL superstars (especially wide receivers) are renowned for. Where they put up fantastic numbers on the field, they lack the leadership they should have in the locker room.

The Seahawks always loved Darrell Jackson. Prior to the emergence of Bobby Engram this last season, Jackson has always been considered the top target for Hasselbeck, even when he lined up opposite Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. People recognized him as the go-to guy, and whenever Hasselbeck was in trouble, they always seemed to just hook up when they most needed it. Jackson was always where he needed it be.

But his extraordinary play didn't come from hard work. Sure he practiced, but often lackadaisically, and this attitude was something Ruskell and the Seahawks were sick of when they decided to trade their favorite on-field receiver for a fourth round draft pick in 2007.

As can be imagined, when the trade was announced Seattle was puzzled. Tim Ruskell described it as "best for our football team," as he had been hassling the organization over a contract, which was bringing down the morale of the clubhouse. Still, trading a star wide receiver to a developing division rival with a quarterback one good pass-catcher away from a breakout year, it all just didn't make sense.

Now it does. The same team that had taken the chance on this piece of work a year ago is now sending him away for the likes of a soon-retiring Isaac Bruce and a decent Bryant Johnson. The Seahawks received Mansfield Wrotto, a project right guard during the draft last season for Jackson, and now San Francisco is receiving nothing, much to the dismay of 49er Nation.

Praising Tim Ruskell

The genius of Tim Ruskell is now being seen. He wouldn’t have given away his top receiver to a division rival for relatively nothing had he not predicted a poor season. Surely he couldn’t have foreseen that his 300-pound starting defensive tackle Rocky Bernard would separate their quarterback’s shoulder in week three, but there is something to this man that remains unseen.

Which brings to light the moves made this offseason. The Seahawks seemingly had Falcons’ TE Alge Crumpler in their fingertips, but he slipped through the cracks without rhyme or reason. Could it be that Ruskell saw something in him that he didn’t want to invest large amounts into? It isn’t like they just couldn’t match this top free agent’s wishes- it just doesn’t match up.

Last season, he ensured the validity of the defensive backs by picking up Deon Grant and Brian Russell. Oh yeah, and then he grabbed Defensive MVP runner-up Patrick Kerney, fresh off an injury just like Crumpler. The year before, Ruskell nabbed Julian Peterson, who has made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons. Heck, the only big name prospect he lost was due to the weather, LG Kris Dielman who went back to the 14-2 Chargers offering relatively the same amount of money.

Regardless, Tim Ruskell’s résumé portrays him as anything but a slouch General Manager, and the moves he has made in the past two years for the Seahawks are lining him up nicely for future accolades. Now the Seahawks are lining up for another year, while the 49ers are ready to chomp on some of Jackson’s contract and a lost draft pick.

Jackson’s Future

Now, Darrell Jackson’s future remains unseen. The Seahawks don’t seem too interested in him, and arguably the most-fitting place both emotionally and roster wise for Jackson is just across the bay in Oakland. It would be yet another piece of work Al Davis can take credit for, and he would have a perfect practice partner in DeAngelo Hall. Well, that is if he shows up.

One could also argue that former Seahawks quarterback coach Jim Zorn, now Head Coach of the Redskins, might be interested in his prodigy’s former favorite target. Of course this is all speculation, but the Bills are also an interesting destination for Jackson, as he would likely fit well into the system across a star wide-out in Lee Evans.

Seahawks Sign Julius Jones, Spur Shaun Alexander's Departure

Bill Dow — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:22:12 -0500

When it was announced that the Seahawks signed T.J. Duckett to a five-year deal, there was an ounce of clarity about the future backfield of the 2009 Seattle Seahawks.

Now, with the signing of Julius Jones less than a week later, Seahawks fans and analysts alike all know the impending doom of Shaun Alexander.

Two years ago, it would have been treason in Seattle to think of releasing All-Pro, NFL MVP, Record-Holding Shaun "Touchdown" Alexander. That is why then-Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke slapped the franchise tag on him quickly when he even thought of testing the market.

There has always been a greater force than just his numbers. The City of Seattle has always loved him, ever since he stepped in for veteran Ricky Watters in 2001. There wasn’t a guy the green and blue would rather see scoring a touchdown, and he just so happened to score a lot of them (100 rushing touchdowns so far in his career). He had a gap-tooth smile and an irresistible charm just made all Seahawks fans, young and old, giddy and asking themselves, “What more can he do?”

With the designation of Alexander as the franchise player, the Seahawks became lackadaisical with their true top-caliber player, letting Steve Hutchinson sign the biggest contract ever for a guard with the Vikings, without even trying to match the price.

There began the downward spiral of the running system if not the entire offense as a whole.

2006 started out poorly, and ended the same way. In his first three games he combined for 187 yards (2.8 yards per carry), two touchdowns, two fumbles, and a lot of disappointed fans as he had been originally projected to go leaps and bounds ahead of what he had done the year before.

He sat for the next two games thanks to a knee injury, and then came back in a losing effort to the 49ers rushing for a total of 37 yards in 17 carries. Although glimpses of 2005 Alexander were shown during that season (201 yards vs Green Bay and 140 vs San Diego), the All-Pro runner never seemed to return to himself.

A “fully-recovered” Shaun Alexander came into the 2007 season strong, hyping up previously-saddened fans with a 105 yard effort against Tampa Bay. But, he just got worse and worse, as after week four, his highest yardage amount was a mere 73 yards against a hurting Baltimore defense.

Blame it on his cracked wrist, or blame it on his effort, but Shaun Alexander couldn’t get anything working, and Seattle fans were sick of it, often resorting to booing him at home games.

Now, Seattle sees themselves in a peculiar position. They have signed two very good backs this offseason, as well as a new left guard who could amp the position to almost-Hutchinson heights, and there seems to be dwindling room for disappointment, something that Alexander has brought a boatload of the past two seasons.

Seattle is ready to see him leave, but the Seahawks salary cap is not. Not only will they still have to give him a good portion of his contract, but they will take a big salary cap hit in 2009 if he is kicked out.

The biggest problem that the fans and management have with him is his two-sided stubbornness. Toward the fans, he is unwilling to admit that he has failed, and instead says that he is going to keep working hard and that he hasn’t played up to his standards either. Toward management (and the fans), he seems to not be in any hurry to restructure his 8 year, $62 million deal (largest ever for a running back).

A big debate among the Seahawks forums now is whether or not it is right to release Alexander after all he is done for the Seahawks, I take a moderate approach. He has brought life to a previously dark Seahawks running game, but once he lost support from his teammates it all fell apart (as did his body).

The Seahawks owe him nothing more than what he has been paid and a big fat “thank you.” There is nothing immoral about releasing the man, as it is strictly a business decision. The new Seahawks running backs (and Maurice Morris) can do what he can now, and they can do it for much less.

Now, it is a waiting game. Shaun Alexander has one of two options, either, he agrees to a pay cut, or he is released from the team. It isn’t a great situation to be in for him.

Most Seattle fans would love to see him on the team, but they are realistically unwilling to financially cap themselves from signing other, and possibly more-impactful players just to hold onto the past.

The News Tribune says that it is likely Alexander will be a post-June cut, but they do not see this debacle running anywhere near the start of training camp.

Regardless, with the limited but successful history of Seahawks President Tim Ruskell to date, Seattle can feel somewhat at ease, for every managerial decision he has made so far has turned gold (just ask Patrick Kerney).

NFC Championships: A Giant Irritant

Bill Dow — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:00:44 -0500

Next Sunday's NFC Championship game lines up two of the hardest-to-hate teams in the NFL: the Brett Farveulous Packers and the seemingly-mediocre New York Giants.

Yet, with my everlasting hatred of the tundra's King, as well as the ridiculous over-playing of the Metropolitans, I will be ready to melt no matter how could ol' Lambeau gets.

Throughout the season, the New York Giants have always been considered the favorite for the number five spot, but no realistic fan would have given them any shot of contending for the NFC crown.

We are all eating our words, and I just cannot stand it.

The Giants defense, despite having an astounding pass-rush, was always middle of the pack statistically. Antonio Pierce underperformed throughout the year, ending with under one-hundred tackles and just one sack.

The other linebackers? Let's just say Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell aren't exactly Pro Bowlers, despite what Manhattaners will tell you.

The defensive backfield cannot actually be considered elite. Sure they have played well, but twelve interceptions from the specialists doesn't prove that they are the guardians of the pass.

As for the line- the ends are fantastic. But the interior certainly doesn't match up.

The defense is the good; now to the bad.

Eli Manning has always been Peyton's ugly and neglected step-sister, and inconsistent at best. His 20 interceptions over the course of the season really establish him as the Jan Brady of our generation.

Plaxico Burress-me all you want; the only thing that could help stabilize this team was their reliable ground game.

At home? 3-5. Granted they did lose to four playoff teams, but the home arena, especially with the crazies from the Big Apple, should energize the team enough to win, say, five games.

Their inefficiency put them in perfect position for the playoffs- on the road. And they have taken advantage of it. Which makes me beg the question: doesn't it ruin the sanctity of football to see a team play so well wearing white? Shouldn't it hurt to see a football team be so successful despite having a losing record at home?

Can this team really be considered the second-best team in the NFC? On a neutral field, do the Giants beat the Packers, the Seahawks, the Redskins? I don't think so.

There is just something unusual about this team- they are lousy at home, yet they excel on the road. There is no justifiable reason, except to say they are fluky. But even that is unsatisfying.

Maybe the most irritating thing about the Giants is the way they just cannot be comprehended. Right when you think they are inconsistent, they are fantastic. Right when you think they cannot win another road game, in a harsh environment, they do.

The scariest thing about the Giants is that we do not know what is so scary about them.

So maybe I am just lamenting the fact that the Seahawks could be hosting the NFC Championship game this week, but just contemplate the following...

The Giants are one win away from the Super Bowl.

Regardless of Bias, Seahawks Roll past Redskins

Bill Dow — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 13:10:53 -0500

As in every important Seahawks game, the east-coast media bias made it seem as if the home team would be an underdog in this game.

This isn't a new phenomenon. The Seahawks have been fighting their location since the beginning of the franchise.

In the 2005 season, when the team bowled over nearly every NFC team, they were barely a favorite to win at home against the Carolina Panthers—even with a convincing victory the week before.

Last year, after the Seahawks barely beat the Cowboys at home, they went into Soldier Field to play the number-one ranked Bears as a double-digit underdog. They lost the game in overtime, and could have won it, had they been able to gain one extra yard on fourth down.

You would have think that sports analysts would learn from their mistakes. The Seahawks may not be the most-publicized team in the nation—and because of that, they seem to be proving everyone wrong. They have not only established themselves as a perennially powerful team, but also a true playoff threat after they won for the first time in twenty years in 2005.

Still, the Redskins seemed to be the consensus pick, and the so-called geniuses couldn't have been more wrong. MSNBC.com's game-picker Jay Novacek was wrong, as per usual.

It seems as if right when the game starts, Novacek's site pulls his predictions just so people can't prove him wrong—which he usually is.

The same site also boasted several stories straight from the Washington Post, declaring the Seahawks weak and expecting the emotional ride to plow in and out of Seattle. And what is plastered on their site after the loss? More information about fans heckling Sellers and other players while walking onto the field.

Really, Washington? This is what you need to report about? When your team loses in Seattle, you have to find a moral victory? Wide Receiver Deion Branch was spit on in Pittsburgh, the Seahawks lost, and there wasn't one article complaining about it.

I digress. Even on this site, Redskins mania sickened some analysts. On the official BleacherReport picks, six of the eleven analysts chose the 'Skins over Seattle, the most of any betting underdog of the Wild Card round.

A minimum of three other writers also picked Washington, NFL-The_Good_Bad_and_Marty_NFL_Wild_Card_Weekend_Preview-030108">one even saying that they would win by sixteen. The only individual article pick that I have seen taking the ‘Hawks is that of Adnan Tezer.

Something is wrong with a team with a backup quarterback traveling cross-country on a short week to one of the most-hostile stadiums in the NFL being favored over a team with really no injuries and several great players. See, I couldn't even formulate a half-decent sentence because of all the pluses on the side of Seattle.

Maybe it is just that I am a typical, angry Seattle fan, but I find it hard to ignore the fact that the Seahawks are two years removed from a Super Bowl, and have played in the playoffs five out of the last six seasons.

This will likely be the last of my vitriolic articles this season, as I am not brimming with confidence about the team playing in Green Bay next weekend—but let's not just throw out everything a team has, simply because an opponent is riding a four-game high.

Tim Tebow: Nothing More Than a System Quarterback

Bill Dow — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:58:36 -0500

With a successful field goal, Michigan extended its lead to six points heading into the final two minutes of the Capitol One Bowl against Florida.

Florida then put the ball in the hands of Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow, who didn't disappoint all those who had doubted him.

With the length of the football field to go, Tebow's options were limited—especially his ability to scramble and run.

Realizing this, the Gators put the ball in the air four straight times, and the sophomore quarterback couldn't complete any of his attempts.

Credit the Wolverine defense for the coverage, but this situation, like others earlier in the year, shows how one-dimensional Tim Tebow really is.

On the final drive of the LSU game in early October, Tebow went 1-5 with an intentional grounding call. His only highlight was a 21-yard scramble that put the ball near midfield.

Tebow won the Heisman because of the numbers he posted on the ground, as he became the only quarterback in NCAA history to throw for 20 touchdowns and run for 20 more.

His talent is in his legs, in other words—not his arm

And the reason Tebow has so much success running the football?

The spread offense, which opens up the field for the ground game.

Tim Tebow reminds me a lot of Michael Vick, minus the dogfighting—he's a mobile QB who's flourished in a spread system.

But is he a top-tier quarterback? Has he had success in the pocket?

No and no.

When Tebow has had to throw the football, he has been mediocre. When he can't just run for the first down, he struggles—badly.

Without Florida's scramble-friendly system, in fact, Superman would look a heck of a lot like a less-talented Jake Locker.

Why Brett Favre Should be the NFL MVP

Bill Dow — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:35:09 -0500

Who would have thought the old man throwing long bombs in a Levis commercial would be the same guy in contention for winning the NFL MVP?

Sure he isn't as polished, as talented, or as lucky as Tom Brady is, but in my opinion that only adds to his resume.

Let me start off by saying, I do not like Brett Favre, mainly because of his indecision in the past few years about his future.

As much as I didn't want to see him succeed, and as little as my heart values the success he has had this year, he has undeniably done marvelous things.

This award, unlike the Heisman, goes to the Most Valuable Player. Tom Brady, however talented he is, isn't the sole player keeping this team in the Super Bowl contention. You place any good NFL starter (Derek Anderson-caliber) behind Dan Koppen, and the team still succeeds.

This is not the same case in Green Bay.

What the Packers (and especially Favre) did before Ryan Grant's emergence was phenomenal. They started off 8-1. A .888 win percentage isn't bad for a team without a good runner, a flaw for which they were being relentlessly criticized.

You try substitiuting Derek Anderson in Green Bay? He's toast.

He doesn't have a runner like Lewis, he doesn't have two big-play receivers like Winslow and Edwards (Driver doesn't come close), and he doesn't have sure-hands Jerevicious.

Try to put him in New England. He has 2.5 great receivers to throw to (Moss, Welker, 1/2 Stallworth/Gaffney), he has an ok back in Maroney, and he has an untouchable offensive line.

Favre took this team, which wasn't greatly improved since last season, and made them a Super Bowl contender. Sure the Pack didn't go 16-0, and they didn't set any records (whether individual or as a club), but there is also only one Hall of Fame player on the field... the individual in question.

Brett Favre hasn't had the statistical year Brady has; but it takes a special quarterback to ressurect this team from the dumps it had been in and elevate them to the number two spot in the NFC.

He made something out of nothing.

His Randy Moss is Greg Jennings, his Wes Welker is Donald Driver. It just doesn't seem fair, does it?

Despite being 38, he has still managed to throw for over 4,000 yards, and managed a 96 passer rating.

Those numbers are statistically his best in 11 years, the last time they made a Super Bowl run.

Tom Brady may be a better overall player, heck, he may be the greatest quarterback to every play the game; but then-again, he is also throwing to a Hall of Famer, and is being protected by three Pro Bowlers, the two positions that are most-needed for an NFL QB to have success.

The only offensive teammate Favre will be alongside in Hawaii is Driver, who is a reserve wide out.

For my money, an MVP is a guy who makes a lot out of a little. Those guys are irreplaceable. That guy, is Brett Favre.

The 2007 NFL Season's Top Five Breakout Quarterbacks

Bill Dow — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:03:53 -0500

As the season comes to a close, the NFL has seen many quarterbacks break out of their shell and show that they can actually play in the NFL.

Whether they are rookies, perennial backup quarterbacks, or veterans who seemed to have lost a step, here are this year's revived signal callers:

5. Shaun Hill - San Francisco 49ers

Alright, so he has only played in three games, but to go from a perpetual backup to the possible future of the 49ers is fantastic. In the three games he has played this season, he has matched the total wins of Trent Dilfer and Alex Smith, and has amassed a 101.3 passer rating.

He may not bring amazing leadership or technique to the position, but his athleticism sure makes up for it. Heck, in his last game against the Bucs' backups, he led a fourth-quarter drive to win the game.

This guy could be the real deal, but he might not ever get that shot with all the 49ers have invested in former number one pick Alex Smith.

4. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans

Matt Schaub, formerly Michael Vick's clipboard holder in Atlanta had great potential in 2007. With an unfixable Carr in Houston, the Texans made the move, removing a possible franchise-saver from a team that would soon lose their identity in the bloody hands of Vick.

He was expected to do well in Houston—but who would have ever thought that he could post a 87.2 passer rating (12th in the NFL), with only one good receiver to throw to?

Schaub has had problems staying healthy, but once the team improves the level of talent around him, he could be doing great things—possibly including leading his team to their first playoff appearance.

3. Trent Edwards - Buffalo Bills

Going into the season, the Bills were expecting great things out of their former first-rounder J.P. Losman in his contract year. He supposedly had a great camp, and many felt he was ready to make the leap and fulfill what has been asked of him the past couple of years.

Then came Trent Edwards, a third-round pick out of Stanford, to spoil his season. Edwards, went 3-1 in his first four full games, with the only loss coming on a game-winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys.

Like Schaub, he is only throwing to one "good" receiver in Lee Evans, and has done everything Losman has done and more in his first season as a pro.

Buffalo may start referring to him as "Trent Kelly," because this team has enormous potential with the ball in his hands.

2. Derek Anderson - Cleveland Browns

Derek Anderson, although competing with Charles Frye throughout the entire preseason for the starting job, was looking at the possibility of becoming the third-stringer behind Cleveland's goldenboy Brady Quinn.

Then, after a poor performance against a playoff team to start the year, Romeo Crennel, in the Top Coaching Decision of the Year, decided to pull Frye in favor of Anderson. As they say, the rest was history.

Derek Anderson has thrown for nearly 4,000 yards, and will likely amass 30 touchdown throws by the time the year has ended. He has also helped lead an annually poor Cleveland team into contention for the postseason. He has made Browns fans forget about Brady Quinn, and instead see him as the future of the team.

He was passed over for the Pro Bowl this year, but don't be surprised if you see him in Hawaiian shirts in the future.

1. David Garrard - Jacksonville Jaguars

When many thought the true arm in Jacksonville belonged to Byron Leftwich, Jack Del Rio saw it differently. That decision turned out to likely be one of the best ones he has ever made.

Garrard, who has had mediocre seasons in the past and generally saw time only when Leftwich was icing his ankle, not only has led his team to the playoffs, but has done so with the third-best passer rating in the nation.

And why is he so good, you ask? Well, it all comes down to interceptions. How many interceptions does he have this season? What will likely be an NFL record: three.

He doesn't need fantastic passing stats when he has Fred Taylor lining up in the backfield, but he still has put up 18 touchdowns. That is a 6:1 touchdown to turnover ratio. I would take that from my quarterback any day of the week, and Jacksonville fans seem more than happy to see him in the backfield week after week, with good reason.

Honorable Mentions:

Kurt Warner
A.J. Feeley
Jason Campbell
Jeff Garcia
Matt Moore