Mike Leach: You Deserve What's Come To You

As everyone knows over the last three to four days the saga unfolding with Adam James, Mike Leach and the Texas Tech Football program and at the core being a report that former Red Raiders head coach Mike Leach sent the sophomore wide receiver to a "shed/electric closet/press room" after he had a diagnosed concussion.

Here is the known timeline of the reported events in this situation.

1) Reports come out that Texas Tech coach Mike Leach sent WR Adam James to a shed as "punishment" while he had a concussion.

2) Texas Tech suspends Mike Leach for bowl game

3) Leach sues Texas Tech

4) Texas Tech fires Mike Leach a day before he was due to receive a 800K bonus in his contract.

So that's the timeline of events in this entire situation. Now the reports variety a little bit between the Leach camp and the Jones camp (including Craig James, ESPN CFB analyst and Adam James' father).

Some say it was a closet that was at least 40 sq ft in size. Some said it was a small shed with no lights. Others have it being a press room and so on.

The real problem is not that Adam Jones had a concussion or that Mike Leach was fired. It was the treatment of Jones that started this entire fiasco.

Texas Tech is a Big 12 program, a division I school with top of the line school facilities. The question and the confusing part in this entire situation is the fact that when Jones had his concussion (mild or sever a concussion is still the same) why was he not sent to the team room to be attended to and treated by doctors for his concussion instead of being secluded into a shed with a guard standing outside making sure he did not get out.

I know that there are some coaches out there who want to send a message to their players and want to be tough on their players but this goes way outside that boundary. A player with a concussion needs to be in a controlled situation, with team doctors around to check and clear everything so that there is no long term effect.

But locking a player in a shed with a concussion does nothing for the player, your reputation and it does not even come close to making sense on any level.

You want to send a message to your players bench them, or have extended workouts that are more grueling but not put a college football players career and possible life on the line by secluding him in a shed or tight space while having a concussion.

Now the real shocker in this saga is the fact that Mike Leach and his attorneys have not denied any reports of Leach sending James to a closed shed while he had a concussion.

Usually you will see a coach say that it's false and deny all reports. Leach is flat out saying "yes I did send him to the shed".

That right there would make me, if I were the Texas Tech AD, fire Leach on the spot. There is no way that on field success, no matter how great you are as a head coach, can justify these actions taken by Leach.

Leach has won 84 games at Texas Tech, more than any coach in school history. He's led them to 10 straight bowl games and was the AP coach of the year last year.

Yea that's great you're an outstanding football mind and a great head coach. The down side is you don't know how to handle personal contact with a player.

Here is Craig James on ESPN about the situation and I'm fully in support of what Craig James said.

When I hear some people say that Leach is the winningest coach in Texas Tech so he shouldn't have been fired.

Well I have a response for those people. Florida head coach Urban Meyer has won two national championships in his five seasons at Florida. Meyer is 56-10 in his five years at Florida and yet Meyer is more close to his players and personally and emotionally attached to his players more than any coach is to their team.

So there's a difference. Two winning coaches. However Meyer is more of a man than Leach seems to be. Now Leach is a good coach but this will hurt him and his reputation a lot.

Most likely what's going to happen is that Leach will learn to go back to school, learn not to sue your boss because you will never win, and hopefully Mike Leach will learn from this mistake and give Leach a year and I'm sure he will have another coaching job in college football.

NOTE: Here is Leach's attorney on ESPN

Derek Lowe a Fit For The Seattle Mariners?

As the hot stove season moves alone the talent level and the big names start to come off the market. This week Jason Bay, the second best hitter on the free agent market was plucked off the market when Bay and the New York Mets came to an agreement on a four year, $66 million dollar contract with an "easy vesting option" that can push the contract to $80 million over five years.

That leaves Cardinals/A's left fielder Matt Halliday as the main headline hitter left on the free agent market.

There is a pretty weak crop of starting pitchers left on the free agent market with Joel Pineiro, Ben Sheets, Jarrod Washburn, Aroldis Chapman and Erik Bedard all make up the decent crop of remaining free agent starting pitchers.

So that leaves the trade market for teams, including the Mariners to find a starting pitcher. The Braves have already moved Javier Vazquez to the Yankees. The Phillies and Mariners were involved in a monumental blockbuster trade which sent Roy Halliday to the Phillies and Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners.

That leaves Braves SP Derek Lowe, Reds SP Aaron Harang, and possibly Bronson Arroyo but if the Reds move Harang they won't move Arroyo. So one of the two Reds starting pitchers and Derek Lowe remain the top pitchers on the trading block.

Now the Seattle Mariners and GM Jack Zduriencik have stated this off season that they want to acquire two top tier starting pitchers to add to the rotation behind Cy Young runner up Felix Hernandez.

Zduriencik has already acquired one top end starter in Cliff Lee and his search is now to find a suitable No 3. starter behind Felix and Cliff Lee.

Derek Lowe would be a viable option as a No 3. starter that Zduriencik could look to acquire.

The Braves, if they decided to move Lowe want to dump the majority of his $15 million dollar salary and are willing to receive major league players as well as maybe a prospect to get a deal done involving Lowe.

The Mariners as it stands right now would have a starting rotation like this.

Felix Hernandez
Cliff Lee
Ryan Rowland-Smith
Ian Snell
Doug Fister

The Mariners and GM Jack Zduriencik are looking for a solid 15 wins pitcher to put in that third slot so that they can move down Rowland-Smith and Snell.

Derek Lowe would be the perfect fit for the Mariners. Lowe is a ground ball pitcher and in a park like Safeco that's a wonderful trait to have. Not only would Lowe work great in a pitchers park like Safeco but the Mariners also have one of if not the best defensive infield in baseball with Chone Figgins (3B), Jack Wilson (SS), Jose Lopez at 2B and other fill in players around the diamond.

Now the only tricky part in this deal would be how the Mariners can offset the contract of Lowe who stands to make $15 million in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Mariners could work a deal with the Braves involving OF Milton Bradley, who stands to make $9 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011.

Most likely the Mariners would have the Braves compensate for the missing $6 million between Lowe's contract and Bradley's contract. Most likely the Mariners would have to throw in a mid level prospect to get the Braves to take $6-8 million of Lowe's salary for the deal to become complete.

So as the title of the article asks is Derek Lowe a fit for the Seattle Mariners? Well with a few tweaks in a possible trade the answer would be yes.

Lowe would be a welcome addition to the Mariners starting rotation and be a great No 3. starter behind Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee.

Over the last eight seasons Derek Lowe has averaged 206 IP, 127 K's, 58 BB's and 15 wins each season.

Should Bill Cowher Be the Next Seahawks Head Coach?

If you live in Seattle Washington you know the sports scene is a work in progress with the Mariners, Sounders and UW Huskies football program all on the rise while at the same time watching the Seahawks organization fall apart right before our eyes.

A team that last year went 4-12 and a team many predicted to have a huge bounce back year because the 2008 season was decimated with injuries to a lot of key players headlined by Matt Hasselbeck and Walter Jones among others.

The Seahawks added a high profile free agent wide receiver in TJ Houshmandzadeh, who signed a five year, $40 million dollar contract and a player who was suppose to headline a talented trio of wide outs that would help the Seahawks offense bounce back.

Well with the Seahawks season one lonely game away from being over the Seahawks stand 5-10, third in the NFC West and in recent weeks have been tagged as the worst franchise in the NFL. Worse than the 1-14 Rams, the 2-13 Detroit Lions, the 3-12 Tampa Bay Bucs (who humiliated the Seahawks 24-7 at home), the 4-11 Washington Redskins and worse than the 3-12 Kansas City Chiefs.

The Seahawks have been humiliated the last three weeks, being outscored 106-24. The highest amount of points they have put up the last three games was 10, against the Green Bay Packers last week and they didn’t score a touchdown until the end of the fourth quarter when the score was 48-3.

Now you might think looking at those two stats I just put up and think oh my god the defense is just horrendous. Well in fairness to the lackluster, zero heart or effortless defense the Seahawks offense has accounted for 10 turnovers and only three touchdowns.

Breaking down those 10 turnovers all ten have been at the hands of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck who has racked up nine interceptions and one fumble while only putting up three touchdowns in three games. Some in fairness some were because the receiver fell down on the route but for the most part Matt has nor been clicking on ANY cylinders this season.

So where does this lead in terms of relevance to the title of the article?

Well the Seahawks kicked off the month of December by announcing that GM Tim Ruskell was resigning as GM of the Seattle Seahawks leaving three months left on his original five year contract that was up this off season.

The move showed to the NFL that the Seattle Seahawks were officially rebuilding and would begin searching for their next general manager.

The Seahawks took a hit in their PR department when they announced that Mike Holmgren, the former Seahawks coach who many thought would return to Seattle in a GM or front office position, turned down the Seahawks offer of a “senior leadership position” and two days later signed a contract with the Cleavland Browns to become their club president.

Right after it was announced that Holmgren turned down the Seahawks everyone in the city knew it was just a PR move by the Seahawks to show the fans that “hey we offered him the job be he turned us down, we didn’t turn him down, he turned us down”. This really started the whole fire that boiled over on 950 KJR-AM Seattle with the Branch and Burleson Show with a special guest host, WR TJ Houshmandzadeh.

Branch, Burleson and TJ all spoke their minds in what was a very explosive and firey show in which the trio of wide outs called out local TV and Radio analyst and former NFL quarterback Hugh Millen on air as well as calling out the Seahawks offensive coordinator Greg Knapp for horrendous play calling, and even the Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck got thrown under the bus.

As Branch and TJ put it “either you’re with us or you’re against us”.

So it really shows just how bad the waters have gotten in Seattle when it comes to Seahawks football. A hot topic in Seattle has been the teams recent effort after Seahawks head coach Jim Mora Jr. called his team out during his weekly press conference three weeks ago.

Mora said during that press conference that he wants more “nasty, dirt bags” on this football team. Well Jim Branch and Burleson just gave you your dirt bags you wanted.

Mora is in his first full season as Seahawks head coach and some people have questioned the effort that the players have had over the last few weeks and some suggest it’s a sign to management that the players want Mora out as head coach.

When you have your big money wide receiver in TJ Houshmandzadeh saying this team sucks you know its time for a real change on the coaching staff. And TJ blames himself as well saying he’s going to work his butt off this off season to get in shape for next year.

So with all the mess that is unfolding in Seattle with the Seahawks organization and a new GM coming in this off season, no one knows who it is but for sure it’s not someone currently with the Seahawks there is sure to be a major face lift on this franchise from the front office down to the coaching staff and players.

So all signs point to Jim Mora Jr. not sticking around as the Seahawks head coach, as well as offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and the rest of the Seahawks coaching staff most likely won’t be around with a new GM coming in.

Rarely do you see a current head coach stick around with a new Gm coming in (Todd Haley in KC, Eric Mangini in Cleavland and etc).

So who would replace Mora next season as the Seahawks head coach?

Well with not a lot of new head coaching options coming open except for all but three possible teams the Seahawks could use this opportunity to cash in big time on a great head coach like Mike Shanahan or Bill Cowher who has said he wants to return to coaching in 2010.

The Seahawks would be an excellent fit for Cowher, all depending on who is hired as the GM but no matter who that is Cowher will for sure be on that short list of head coaches for the Seahawks.

Now some might ask the question, why does Bill Cowher make sense as a top candidate for the Seahawks possible head coaching opening (I say possible because Mora is still the head coach).

Here are three reasons why Bill Cowher makes complete sense as candidate for the Seahawks possible head coaching job.

1) Cowher is a winner and knows what it means to be a winning NFL head coach. In his 12 years in the Steelers organization he compiled a regular season record of 149-90-1 and a post season record of 12-9 with two AFC titles and one Super Bowl title in 2005. His winning percentage as a head coach is .623 while Jim Mora in his fourth season as a head coach, first in Seattle has a regular season record of 31-32 and below a .500 winning percentage. The Seahawks need a head coach that has been to the top before and knows how to win. Cowher has done both, like former Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren.

2) Cowher knows how to use talent to the fullest and especially knows how to build a great defense, like he had done in Pittsburgh for 12 years. The Seahawks current roster has some talent on it but the current coaching staff seems to not know how to use the talent the right way. Cowher knows talent and how to put the right players in the right position to make an all around successful team.

3) Cowher, coming into the Seahawks organization would be able to work with the new GM on how he wants the team run and which players he wants to keep, let go and bring in knowing that he will know what to do with those players to build a successful all around team.

Also Cowher is a winner and all the Seahawks players can trust that, something I don’t think they can buy into with Mora.

Now I would like to point out that that Jim Mora Jr. is still the head coach for the Seahawks but once the season is over at four PM Sunday PST then the doors open wide for this circus to really open up this off season.

You can follow Lars at Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson

Check out Lars’ sports blog: http://hansonsportsblog.blogspot.com/

Seahawks Decade In Rewind: Full of Highs and Lows

What a decade it has been for the Seattle Seahawks organization and the city of Seattle in general. The Seahawks, one of two original expansion teams along with the Tampa Bay Bucs have been to their highest high and their lowest low (still currently going lower) in franchise history, which is arguably the most successful decade in franchise history.

The Seahawks started out in 2000 still in the AFC West with John Kitna as their starting quarterback so when you take a look at the current Seahawks roster the organization has been through a lot of changes, both good and bad this decade.

If you want to compare the start of the decade to the conclusion of it, don’t, it won’t even be close. For example Anthony Simmons was the Seahawks leading tackler at the end of the 2000 season with 119. Ricky Watters ran for 1,242 yards and recorded seven touchdowns while crossing over the 30 year old mark.

Now the Seahawks leading tackler is still a middle linebacker, but in the form of David Hawthorne who has done an exceptional job of filling in for the injured Pro Bowl middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Hawthorne has recorded 103 tackles heading into week 16. For the Seahawks running game, they don’t have anything close to Watters or the young Shaun Alexander. They have “never was” running back in Julius Jones who’s rushed for 563 yards and two touchdowns in 149 attempts. Justin Forsett, the better of the two running backs has rushed for 475 yards and four touchdowns in only 90 attempts and at least four less total games.
Clearly a substantial difference in the overall team.

However the 2000 Seattle Seahawks finished 6-10, which the Seahawks still can top but by only one game. So the same start has the same ending to the best decade in Seahawks history.

From 2000-2010 the Seahawks have produced countless Pro Bowlers and a few HOF’s with the likes of left tackle Walter Jones, running back Shaun Alexander (basically retired), Bobby Engram (best slot receiver in Seahawks history), fullback Mack Strong (retired, best fullback in Seahawks history), middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (3 straight Pro Bowls), and by far the most influential man in this decade, head coach and GM Mike Holmgren all will make this decade one to remember for a long time.

Mike Holmgren, now with the Cleveland Browns as their team president, led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl appearance in team history and going 13-3 in their miraculous season winning 11 straight games.

Holmgren also brought in quite possibly the best starting quarterback in franchise history in Matt Hasselbeck. Over the last few years Hasselbeck has not been given a fair shot to take this team back to the Super Bowl with a makeshift offensive line, horrendous coaching (Greg Knapp and Jim Mora Jr.) and other injury problems across the board.

With the Seahawks moving into a rebuilding mode, this could be a good sign for Hasselbeck and he may finally get the offensive pieces he needs to take this team back to the Super Bowl starting with a talented offensive line and a real NFL running back.

With all that being said lets travel back in time and go through the highlights, both good and back of each year this decade from 2000 to 2009/2010.

2000 highlights/stats:

• 6-10 in AFC West, 4th in the division
• 320 points scored (20 p/g, 19th in the NFL)
• 405 points allowed (23 p/g, 25th in the NFL)
• -9 in takeaways (23rd in NFL)
• John Kitna starting quarterback: 18 TD’s, 19 Int’s and 2,658 yards passing
• Ricky Watters 1,242 rushing yards, 7 TD’s in 278 attempts. 31 years old
• RB Shaun Alexander first round pick (19th overall), OT Chris McIntosh (22nd overall)

2001 highlights/stats:

• 9-7 in AFC West, 2nd in the division
• 301 points scored (18 p/g, 19th in the NFL)
• 324 points allowed (20 p/g, 18th in the NFL)
• +6 in takeaway/giveaway (11th in the NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 7 TD’s, 8 Int’s and 2,023 yards in 12 games starting
• Shaun Alexander 1,318 rushing yards, 14 TD’s in 309 attempts.
• WR Koren Robinson first round pick (9th overall), LG Steve Hutchinson (17th overall, best LG in Seahawks history) and CB Ken Lucas (2nd round pick)

2002 highlights/stats:

• 7-9 in NFC West, 2nd in the division

• 355 points scored (22 p/g, 16th in the NFL)

• 369 points allowed (23 p/g, 23rd in the NFL)
• +2 in takeaway/giveaway (14th in NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 15 TD’s, 10 Int’s and 3,075 yards in 10 games started.
• Shaun Alexander 1,175 rushing yards, 16 TD’s in 295 attempts.
• TE Jeremy Stevens first round pick (28th overall)

2003 highlights/stats:

• 10-6 in NFC West, 2nd in the division
• 404 points scored (25 p/g, 7th in the NFL)
• 327 points allowed (20 p/g, 15th in the NFL)
• -1 in takeaway/giveaway (18th in NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 26 TD’s, 15 Int’s and 3,841 passing yards
• Shaun Alexander 1,435 rushing yards, 14 TD’s in 326 attempts
• CB Marcus Trufant first round pick (11th overall) and S Ken Hamlin (2nd round pick)
• Mike Holmgren no longer GM, remains head coach

2004 highlights/stats:

• 9-7 in NFC West, 1st in the division
• 371 points scored (23 p/g, 12th in the NFL)
• 373 points allowed (23 p/g, 22nd in the NFL)
• +8 in takeaway/giveaway (9th in NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 22 TD’s, 15 Int’s and 3,382 passing yards
• Shaun Alexander 1,696 rushing yards, 16 TD’s in 353 attempts
• DT Marcus Tubbs first round pick (23rd overall)

2005 highlights/stats:

• 13-3 in NFC West, 1st in division- Super Bowl runner up
• 452 points scored (28 p/g, 1st in the NFL)
• 271 points allowed (16 p/g, 7th in the NFL)
• +10 in takeaway/giveaway (7th in NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 24 TD’s, 9 Int’s and 3,459 passing yards
• Shaun Alexander 1,880 rushing yards, 27 TD’s (NFL record, then broken by LT) in 370 attempts
• C Chris Spencer (1st round pick 26th overall), MLB Lofa Tatupu (2nd round) and OLB Leroy Hill (3rd round pick)
• Shaun Alexander named NFL MVP

2006 highlights/stats:

• 9-7 in NFC West, 1st in division
• 335 points scored(20 p/g, 14th in the NFL)
• 341 points allowed (21 p/g, 19th in the NFL)
• -8 in takeaway/giveaway (27th in the NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 18 TD’s, 15 Int’s and 2,442 yards passing
• Shaun Alexander 896 yards, 7 TD’s in 252 attempts
• CB Kelly Jennings first round pick (31st overall)
• Shaun Alexander missed six games involving the “madden curse”

2007 highlights/stats:

• 10-6 in NFC West, 1st in division
• 393 points scored (24 p/g, 9th in the NFL)
• 291 points allowed (18 p/g, 6th in the NFL)
• +10 in takeaway/giveaway (5th in NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 28 TD’s, 12 Int’s and 3,966 passing yards
• Shaun Alexander 716 yards, 4 TD’s in 207 attempts (10 games)
• CB Josh Wilson second round pick (teams first pick in the draft)
• Seahawks, and Mike Holmgren went to a pass heavy and pass only offense which shot them into the playoffs
• Seahawks traded 1st round pick to New England Patriots for WR Deion Branch

2008 highlights/stats:

• 4-12 in the NFC West, 3rd in the division
• 294 points scored (18 p/g, 25th in the NFL)
• 392 points allowed (24 p/g, 25th in the NFL)
• -7 in takeaway/giveaways (25th in NFL)
• Seneca Wallace starting quarterback: 11 TD’s, 3 Int’s and 1,532 yards passing (8 games started, most by a single Seahawks QB in 08, Hasselbeck had seven and Charlie Frye had one)
• Julius Jones 698 yards, 2 TD’s in 158 attempts (10 games)
• Matt Hasselbeck, WR’s, DB’s where all injured for the majority of the 2008 season.
• DE Lawrence Jackson first round pick (28th overall) and TE John Carlson (2nd round pick, best pick in a long time for the Seahawks)
• Mike Holmgren retires as HC, leaves Seahawks organization

2009 highlights/stats:

• Currently 5-9 in NFC West, 3rd in division (Green Bay and Tennessee coming up)
• 257 points scored so far (18 p/g, 22nd in the NFL)
• 325 points allowed so far (23 p/g, 23rd in the NFL)
• -5 in takeaway/giveaways (22nd in NFL)
• Matt Hasselbeck starting quarterback: 15 TD’s, 12 Int’s and 2,656 yards passing
• Julius Jones 563 yards, 2 TD’s in 149 attempts (12 games)
• LB Aaron Curry first round pick (4th overall), C Max Unger (2nd round pick) and WR Deon Butler (3rd round pick)
• Hasselbeck has missed 2 games. A horrendous offensive line to start the first 10 games. Not much talent on the OL currently.
• Horrendous play calling from offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.
• TJ Houshmandzadeh signed five year, $40 million dollar contract with the Seahawks
• Jim Mora Jr. new head coach
• Tim Ruskell resigns as GM

So as you take a look at each year by year you see how the Seahawks can have consistent success in the future if they learn from the past.

Age has been a problem the last two years with the Seahawks with Walter Jones at 35 and Matt Hasselbeck at 34 both have been great in this decade for the Seahawks but as the Seahawks go into a rebuilding mode Jones will most likely retire and Hasselbeck could as well or finish out his contract and then retire next year.

Either way you chose to look at it, the Seahawks have been a winning franchise this decade until the tail end of the decade which will being to change as the Seahawks look for a new GM.

As a Seahawks writer and fan I will never forget the following great Seahawks this decade. LT Walter Jones, LG Steve Hutchinson, C Robbie Tobeck, RG Chris Grey, QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander, WR Darryl Jackson, Mike Holmgren and a few others.

You can follow Lars at Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson

Check out Lars’ sports blog: http://hansonsportsblog.blogspot.com/

Breaking Down The Morrow-League Trade

The Mariners finalized the Brandon Morrow for Brandon League and Johermyn Chavez of the Toronto Blue Jays. The trade comes a week after the blockbuster Cliff Lee-Roy Halladay trade which sent prospects from Philadelphia to Toronto.

In that trade Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik sent former No. 1 pick Phillipe Aumont and to other prospects to the Phillies in exchange for SP Cliff Lee. Zduriencik continues to put his impressive finger print on the Mariners franchise by trading or releasing all of former Mariners GM Bill Bavasi players.

Good news for Mariners fans is that Felix Hernandez and Ichiro Suzuki were not brought in by Bavasi.

Now back to the Brandon Morrow- Brandon League trade.

If you look at it on paper it seems like the Jays come out the clear winner but if you did deeper its not as one sided as people are making it out to be.

In his career with the Seattle Mariners, Brandon Morrow has been the guy "who was picked instead of Tim Lineceum", the San Francisco Giants Cy Young winner. In his career Morrow has bounced between being a starting pitcher, relief pitcher and even trying to become a closer last year.

Now mostly to blame for this is former M's GM Bill Bavasi and his staff of clowns but Morrow get's the blame for last season. He said he didn't feel comfortable enough being a starting pitcher so he wanted to become a closer.

Fair enough, he's got the fastball to do it.

Well in a series against the Texas Rangers Brandon Morrow blew two straight saves giving up three homeruns in the process.

Afterwards he was sent down to AAA Tacoma to fix the kinks and develop more. He's never developed into a quality pitcher let alone what people think he can be which is a front line starting pitcher.

Well unless he goes back to single A ball he's just not going to be that big time starting pitcher. Now yes Morrow has shown flashes of greatness with the almost no-hitter against the New York Yankees.

Now for the two players the Mariners will receive in exchange for Morrow, relief pitcher Brandon League and OF Johermyn Chavez (Triple Crown winner in Single A this past season).

League brings an added presents to the Mariners bullpen which was very key to the Mariners success last season. David Aardsma's 38 saves and the rest of the bullpen locking it down.

League brings a great two seem fastball and he's plus groundball pitcher which is great considering the outstanding defense behind him with Chone Figgins, Jack Wilson and others.

League went 3-6 last season with a 4.58 ERA and 76 SO in 67 appearances for the Jays.

The other player the Mariners received in the deal, outfielder Johermyn Chavez is a Jack Zduriencik type of player.

Chavez, a 20 year old who hit .283 with 21 homeruns and 89 RBI's last season for class single A Lansing is an outstanding complete hitter, who still needs to work on a few things before becoming a MLB player.

Luckily for Chavez time is greatly on this side. Chavez's 2009 stats are as follows.

.283 BA, 87 Runs, 144 hits, 21 HR's, 89 RBI's, 40 BB, 137 SO's, .346 OBP, .474 SLG and a .820 OPS.

Chavez will most likely start the season in class A in either Clinton (with the Lumberjacks) or High A Desert Mavericks.

Chavez is an upgrade over former OF prospect Tyson Gillies who was traded to Philadelphia in the Lee deal.

Look for Jack Zduriencik to continue building for his year, which he's pick as 2010.

My One On One Interview With "Invincible" Vince Papale

It took a couple of emails back and fourth to get the time and the date to work for both Vince and myself but I finally got the chance to interview one of my most inspirational football players ever, former Eagles Wide Receiver Vince Papale.

It was a 45 minute phone interview and our topics varied from Papale's era to modern day to the controversial Brett Favre. With that being said here is my interview with Vince Papale.We are both watching the Giants-Redskins game on MNF while the interview took place.


Lars: Hey Vince

Vince: Hey Lars whats up, give me one second.

Vince: You ready?

Lars: Yea, my first question to you is who are you rooting for tonight?

Vince: Redskins of course because as an Eagles fan you need the Redskins to win to keep a two game difference between them and the Giants. It doesn’t look good now with the Skins down 14-0 but still rooting for them.

Lars: Yea I agree it makes sense, not looking good right now for the Skins and Jim Zorn. My second question to you is going back to your head coach Dick Vermeil, what’s your opinion on current head coach Andy Reid compared to the man you played under Dick Vermeil?

Vince: Two difference personalities mostly. Andy is very close to himself and doesn’t share things with many people “outside his circle”. Dick, on the other hand was very emotional in how he coaches, with his players and it’s really hard to compare them because they are two different personalities in regards to their coaching. Now on the X’s and O’s we had it very simple with simple packages and not so much movements and motions before the snap where as now the game has developed so much to the point where is a lot different than when I played. But like as a person with the times I’ve talked with and been around Andy he seems like Mike Holmgren, very calm and close to himself like you have said Lars.

Lars: Yea I agree and like I said the way you describe him (Andy Reid), he seems a lot like Mike Holmgren.

Lars: My next question is what’s your current connection with the Eagles organization?

Vince: Well they do have an alumni organization, much like the Philadelphia Flyers do. Since I use to play for the Eagles, when they call me sometimes and ask me to do speaking I kindly accept. I do speaking everywhere when someone asks me to. I love your state, Washington and I did a speaking near Seattle before the Super Bowl. The stadium the Seahawks play in is phenomenal. So I do it when people ask me to or if the Eagles do but I don’t make a living off the Eagles, I don’t have to.

Lars: Yea it's really nice and relaxing in Washington and we have some of if not the most passionate fans it football. My next question to you is who is your favorite current eagle WR Desean Jackson or Jeremy Maclin?

Vince: Well if I could I would take both because they both are two great receivers. Maclin has great speed and he’s very young but watching DeSean Jackson is just unbelievable. So I’d take Jackson if I had to chose because watching him last night adjust to a route on a ball that normally you don’t see young players adjust to is just amazing to see. He’s got extremely light feet and that’s very key. DeSean is a complete game breaker.

Lars: Yea I'd pick DeSean in a heart beat, the guy is 5-10 but he's one of the most electric wide outs in the game. My next question for you is I’m sure u’ve been asked this a lot but what did you think of the Movie Invincible, based on you and how do u think Mark Wahlburg did playing you?

Vince: The movie was phenomenal, I think it was one of the best sports movies of all time of course but I still liked Rocky until some other more recent ones came out. Remember the Titans, Coach Carter, and the Rookie which really touched me and hit home. The Miracle on ice, another Disney based movie about the US Russia game was also another great movie that I think is one of my favorites. I’m proud of it and I’m sitting here opening mail that the postal lady dropped off this week with letter from over 30 people saying how the movie and story affected them so it’s impacted a lot of other people. Mark did the part better than anyone else would have. He worked his butt off to learn the information and the wide receiver work outs. He respected me throughout the entire process when he had to learn all the information. He was also a very nice, young respectable man about the city of Philadelphia, and the entire piece all around. Absolute blast to be with. He’s intelligent, talented and a part of my family. When he comes into Philadelphia we’ll have dinner with him and the entire family, my wife and two kids love him. Nothing but great things to say about Mark. I wrote a book the Reel story which fills in all the cracks of the movie and goes beyond everything. The movie goes beyond football and being a school teacher Lars, I survived cancer, I was a full time school teacher so I always try to reach out to people who need it.

Lars: Man Vince that's phenomenal and that's great, I was greatly affected after I researched your entire story, not just watching the movie. My Final question for you is what’s your opinion on Brett Favre?

Vince: Tremendous quarterback, such a role model and I feel he's entitled to take his time to make the right decision he wants. I admire him as a man and what he's gone through with his father dying and having to go through all he's had to go through it just shows how great of a man he is and always will be.

Lars: Yea I agree, when you get to the point Brett is at you need more time to make sure the decision you made is right. This season it's paid off.

Vince: So you got all you need there Lars?

Lars: Yea that just about raps it up, hopefully the Redskins get their act together.

Vince: Haha yea well it's not looking good now. Hey Lars take care and have a happy holidays.

Lars: Thanks Vince, you to and for the rest of your family. Stay warm as well with the snow.

Vince: I will, take care.

Lars: Bye

Vince: Bye

It was one of my top three interviews that I've had the pleasure of being apart of. When you get affected by a story through a movie is one thing, but to hear it from that person directly to you is a whole nother ball game. I thank Vince and his family for letting him spend the time to do the interview with me.

Hope you all who read it enjoy it aswell.

You can follow Lars at Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson

Rebuilding the Seahawks Part 1: The Front Office

This is the first article in a five part series breaking down the rebuilding process for the Seattle Seahawks organization this off season. Starting with the front office and finding their GM to build the framework for a Super Bowl team. Second will be the coaching staff and who the possible GM's would hire. Third will be breaking down the current roster and who is staying and who is going. Fourth will be how the Seahawks should attack free agency and who they should sign realistically. Fifth will be the NFL and who they should take with their first four picks. Then there will be a concluding article summing up what the Seahawks roster will look like after all moves have been made.

So we start with the first part which is finding the replacement general manager for the Seahawks after Tim Ruskell resigned about a month ago.

I'll be giving an updated and in depth list of the possible candidates that the Seahawks could be considering for the job. Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke, who seems to have a choke hold on the Seahawks franchise, said that the GM must fit the Seahawks, not the other way around.

With that being said here is a list of possible candidates for the Seattle Seahawks general manager and executive vice president position.

1) Tom Heckert-Philadelphia Eagles GM

Examination: With Mike Holmgren officially being checked off the Seahawks list for their general manager position, in which was a complete PR move and really was a half-ass effort to give the Seattle Seahawks fans and the city of Seattle a great Christmas present, turned into coal.

With all that aside Tom Heckert will be very high on the Seattle Seahawks list to fill their GM void. Heckert, who is currently the GM of the Philadelphia Eagles doesn't have the final say in the player personnel decisions like he would if he were in Seattle. Right now head coach Andy Reid has the final say in his roster decisions, and also signed a two year contract extension so Heckert is really spinning his wheels in Philadelphia.

Heckert is highly touted for his skills with the NFL draft and very diligent when he is chosen his draft picks. Something the Seahawks desperately need in their front office after Tim Ruskell failed draft after draft to bring in the right players to make the Seahawks a winning franchise.

Also with the Seahawks having two first round picks it will be very important for Heckert, if he is tabbed as the Seahawks GM to put his exceptional draft skills on display for the Seahawks to have an excellent draft to start their rebuild.

If the Seahawks chose to hire Tom Heckert as their GM/EVP I'm sure he'll want to chose his own coaching staff, something the Seahawks might not let happen.

2) Steve Keim-Arizona Cardinals Director of Player Personnel

Examination: One common trait amongst these possible GM candidates will be that they are all exceptional at player personnel or have excellent draft credentials. Being in Arizona for 11 years Keim has had a hand in bringing in Adrian Wilson, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and countless other outstanding Cardinals players over the years.

With the Seahawks needing talent across their entire football team Keim and his skills would be a huge asset in helping the Seahawks speed up their rebuild.

If the Seahawks tab Keim as their GM he might want to go with his own coaching staff or have current head coach Jim Mora Jr. fire some of the current coaches on the staff but have Mora be the head man.

3) Ruston Webster-Seahawks interim GM

Examination: Ruston Webster, who was tabbed as the interim GM the day Tim Ruskell resigned has already interview for the Seahawks GM position. He'll still be on the list as the third candidate because there are more qualified people for the job.

Webster in his third year as the Seahawks VP of player personnel worked alongside Tim Ruskell to oversee day-to-day management of pro personnel and college scouting departments.

Webster is solid at drafting players but over his last two seasons he, along with Tim Ruskell both dropped the ball so I don't see Webster getting the job.

4) Kevin Colbert-Pittsburgh Steelers GM

Examination: The Steelers have taken a step back this season and finally ended their
six game losing streak with a last second win over the Green Bay Packers. However I still expect changes to be made in the steel city and that could start with their GM heading to Seattle to become the GM of the Seahawks.

Colbert has turned the Steelers into a top five organization this decade winning two Super Bowl titles. Colbert as done an exceptional job building up the Steelers entire roster through the NFL draft with players like QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Santonio Holmes, LB's LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, S Troy Polamalu and RB Rashard Mendenhall among other talented players.

With the Seahawks lacking talented on the majority of the roster bringing in someone like Kevin Colbert to run the show would turn the Seahawks into Super Bowl contenders in a few years.

Colbert would also most likely bring in his own people on the coaching staff.

5) Jimmy Raye-Director of player personnel-San Diego Chargers

Examination: The same situation continues as Raye has had over eight years experience in the scouting and draft department of the San Diego Chargers, something the Seahawks will need to bank on heavy when they are looking for a new GM.

Raye oversees all of the college scouting for the Chargers as well as assisting in all player personnel movements.

Raye would be the next best option if all of the other candidates passed. Raye would also most likely bring in his own people.

6) Randy Mueller-Chargers Senior executive

Examination: Mueller was a former Seattle Seahawks front office executive before Paul Allen hired Mike Holmgren as the GM and HC which forced out Mueller and he left for the Saints.

Mueller drafted Joey Galloway and Walter Jones in his time in Seattle. He'd be a last resort if no one else worked out.

7) Floyd Reese-New England Patriots Senior Advisor

Examination: Reese, a former GM of the Tennessee Titans and ESPN Analyst would be an interesting fit if none of the other candidates worked out for some bizarre reason.

Reese did a solid job building up the Titans organization before retiring to join ESPN.

8) A.J Smith- San Diego Chargers GM

Examination: From 8-10 these will be the extreme long shot candidates to become the GM/EVP/President of the Seattle Seahawks. A.J Smith has done an exceptional job of turning the page on the Drew Breese era to a dominant Phillip Rivers era.

Smith has done a great job building up the Chargers via the NFL draft and that's how the Seahawks will have to attack this rebuilding process as well as getting top free agents.

9) Pete Ward- Colts Senior Executive Vice President

Examination: Ward has been an instrumental part of the Colts success this past decade and would be an excellent fit for the Seattle Seahawks GM job if the Seahawks other candidates don't work out.

10) Bill Polian- Colts President

Examination: I can say without any doubt that the Seahawks won't get to Polian on this list but if for some reason they do he's one of the best in the business and would be a great man to rebuild the Seattle Seahawks organization.


This concludes the list of the top ten list of possible candidates for the Seattle Seahawks GM job. The Next article in this five part series will break down each candidates possible head coach of who he would hire if he became the GM of the Seahawks.

NOTE: Mike Holmgren is officially off the list as a candidate.

You can follow Lars at Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson