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January 28, 2008
Update to bowl game advertising
After hearing some very bland responses from both Allstate Insurance and from Fox Sports, ESPN, and ABC, I offer them this argument: My recommendation for Allstate as well as the rest of the TV networks is as apposed to throwing their arms up in the air about the declining TV advertising revenues, do this: instead of cramming ads into the TV games/shows as they seem to be doing more and more of, why not FOLLOW THE MARKET trend and spend more money where your consumers are going...online. People are actively seeking insurance information via Google or actively seeking a catchy ad on YouTube (Smirnoff ad for example).
Before you know it, the football field will be covered in ads as well as the TV screen. You might be able to actually catch a small portion of the game buried behind banners and ads :)
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 2:01 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2008
Redskins / Seahawks Poor Portis Cartoon
Although we intended to get this out right after the Redskins game, we've decided to release it late anyway because it is fun, it has to do with the Seahawks and it's a cartoon........and who doesn't love cartoons!?!
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Posted by SSBG at 8:45 PM | Comments (1)
In Defense of Tony Romo
BLAME:
I will not blame Romo for the Dallas Cowboys loss to the Giants on Sunday. Romo had several flat out amazing "escape" plays where he evaded the Giants defense and then got off a great pass...only to have it dropped by the intended receiver. If anyone is "to blame" at the professional level, it is the fault of the receivers, who dropped 4 HUGE passes throughout the 4th quarter, on 3rd down conversions, when they needed them most. For the record, TO was not even one of the of the receivers who dropped those 4 key plays.
JESSICA:
As far as this Jessica Simpson stuff is concerned. She's hot, would you want a chance to "help yourself"? You bet you would! I can gaurantee that most sports tools on the internet have never and will never see the likes of that kind of talent in their bed let alone on their web cams at home at 3 am - like most weeknights. I also think people forget that these players and teams have the financial means to fly anywhere in the world, for 1 beer, and then promptly return, so it has no real bearing on this game. You think they are flying coach with 2 day delays like the rest of us earthlings? Nope, they are flying private jets like most people drive Honda Accords.
LESSONS:
What Romo did learn is that when you are in the spotlight, you are either a HERO or a BUM. 2 weeks ago he was a hero, now he is BUM, and next season he will be a HERO once they start beating most teams again....and something tells me that you can bet he will not be kicking it anywhere other than his house or the practice facility.
Posted by SSBG at 8:39 PM | Comments (0)
Time for change in Hawkland
Seattle Seahawks Blog:
This loss really hurt and I think it’s time for a few things to change in Hawkland as we know it. Unlike the crushing defeat in Chicago last year, I really felt we had a chance to win this game in Green Bay. What killed Seattle was what got them as far as they did on defense….speed can’t handle snow. The snow really affected our smaller LB’s and DL and Green Bay was pretty much able to run all over us. However, I don’t think that that was the only problem on defense. The worst thing of all with New York winning Seattle would have HOSTED the NFC championship game….that is a crusher.
Why did John Marshall not figure out how to make some adjustments during the game? Favre must have thrown at LEAST 8 balls to the WR by simply walking up to the line, looking at our CB’s and DB’s 10 yards off them, and throwing them the ball on a quick snap count. I mean, my MOM could have figured that out. Moreover, we had 0 pressure on Favre all day. As I said in several blog post, the only way you beat Green Bay is by getting pressure on Favre. We didn’t, and I again blame John Marshall for this. His defense fools no body. We were UP 14-0 people. What happened next? GB goes 6 consecutive possessions with TD’s and goes 8-9 on third down conversion. That is uncalled for given how much $$$$ we spent in the offseason on Defense.
Bottom line, John Marshall has NEVER proven himself in this league as a Dick Labeau or Monte Kiffin. Seattle NOW needs to go out and spend big money on a defensive coordinator or promote Mora. Other changes that need to happen immediately are CUT Alexander. Once again, you need to be able to run the ball in cold weather and with no running game, we didn’t stand a chance. He has 0% ability to make runs for himself. The lifespan of a NFL running back is 5 years max and he’s past his prime. Please Seattle, please, trade up and get a rookie or a 2 or 3 year solid veteran RB. Please do NOT put faith in Shaun coming back next year and having a miracle year.
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 11:17 AM | Comments (0)
January 9, 2008
Keys to the game: Green Bay Seattle Playoff game
Seattle Seahawks Blog
Keys to the game
Unlike the game in Chicago last year, I feel that Seattle has a legitimate shot of winning this game this weekend. Our defense is much improved from last year and has more talent in the secondary with Grant and Russell. Although our rushing game is struggling, we have enough talent at WR to keep Green Bay guessing to where the ball is going.
Here are my keys to the game.
1.Matt Hasselbeck. As I’ve mentioned in earlier blog post, it’s time to see if Matt can separate himself from being an above average QB to greatness. He is surrounded by talent, from the WR core to Holmgren and Haskell calling the plays. Can he make the right decisions in terms of audibles? Can he execute that “killer instinct” fourth quarter drive with 2 minutes left to go on the clock. Does he have that type of Joe Montana type blood? This is a BIG game and so far in his 9 year career he has struggled on the road in big games (New England a few years ago, Pittsburgh this year, Green Bay in the playoffs, etc). He simply cannot have a 2 or 3 INT game, bottom line.
2.Have to run the ball. I don’t care if it’s Alexander or Morris, Seattle has got to at least have a threat in the running game. Why? Two main reasons: tougher to throw the ball in colder weather and the run will help set up the play-action. Shaun seemed to be running with stronger wheels last week so hopefully he will keep it up.
3.Marshall plan: He has NOT proven he can call an effective defense on the road. The 12th man allows us to use mainly a four man rush due to the fact they can pretty much predict the snap count. Hey John, same can’t be said on the road. You have GOT to get pressure on Favre this weekend. We CANNOT have a game in which we have 0 sacks. That will lead to nothing else but a quick plane ticket home.
4.Call a reverse to Branch. If we truly are the underdog this weekend, I’d suggest calling a few trick plays to keep Green Bay honest. If Branch is healthy, get him involved. He has the most playoff experience on the team and a trick play to him could net 60 yards and a TD since Holmgren NEVER calls a trick play.
I think we win in the department of special teams simply because Brown is so clutch and Burleson is so money on kickoff/punt returns. This 2007/2008 team have been amazing at times and it’s time to see what they are made of. The opportunity is right there for the taking and the Hawks should come out on top.
Seattle Sports Blog.com
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 11:10 AM | Comments (8)
January 7, 2008
Seahawks win, now face real challenge
Ok, I think most Seattle fans truly believed that Seattle would win this game this weekend. Despite the wave of momentum that Washington was riding, Seattle had stronger offensive weapons and a more defined defensive unit. Plus, it was a home game, and there was no way the Seattle fans were going to let the Hawks blow that game.
Matt Hasselbeck struggled this weekend and give the Redskins credit, they did an excellent job of disguising defenses to confuse Matt (why can't John Marshall figure this style of D out???). He is a rhythm quarterback who didn’t find a grove until 7:15 left in the fourth quarter. His real challenge comes this weekend, however, to see if he can separate himself from other quarterbacks in this league.
Hasselbeck in my mind has been an above average QB in the NFL. A guy that has a good TD to INT ratio, can pull off a few fourth quarter drives, and gets his team to the playoffs. What separates Matt from other quarterback from getting to the next level of “greatness?” No doubt about it, being able to win BIG games on the road in the playoffs. “Great” QB’s in the past few decades were able to pull off road playoff games to advance. Brady vs. a 13-3 Pittsburgh team in 2001, John Elway in Cleveland (a few times), Terry Bradshaw, and on and on. Moreover, if you look at Holmgren’s playoff records, he has NEVER won a road playoff game.
This weekend’s game for Seattle is a separator: can Hasselbeck and Holmgren go from above average QB and coach to “great?” It’s time for them to see what they are made of.
Keys to the game to come later this week.
Also, let's get out and support our team this week in Green Bay
If you were at Seahawks Stadium this weekend, you noticed how die-hard fans of NFL teams that have been around for 40+ years will do anything to come support their teams. If you watched the NYG-Tampa Bay game, you also probably noticed a large amount of NYG faithful at that game as well. Granted, Florida is a retirement mecha for NY Vinny's wanting to escape the cold weather, but still, there were a ton of them in the stands.
I challenge Seahawks fans this week to go to Green Bay and support this team. Green Bay has about the nicest fans in the NFL there is and you won't get chicken wings thrown at you at games. If UW can get a full section at most road games in the country, there is no reason why Seahawks fans can't travel to Green Bay.
This is a special team with a real shot of getting to the Superbowl. I believe Green Bay is beatable at home (remember, Michael Vick and Atlanta did it to them a few years ago). Moreover, the Superbowl is FINALLY on the west coast.....we can come out in FULL support if we get to Arizona.
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 9:52 AM | Comments (0)
January 4, 2008
Clarification on NCAA with bowl games
National Sports Blog:
I sent my post regarding advertising on the field during college bowl games to the NCAA and heard back from several sources.
Please see the clarification from the NCAA blog regarding my post:
http://www.doubleazone.com/2008/01/setting_the_record_straight_on.html
I am pleased to hear that the NCAA is concerned with this issue and clarifed that they do not indeed receive revenue from these games. HOWEVER, I still do believe that they have the authority to deny colleges from participating in the network run BCS bowl games. I have also written numerous letters to Fox and ESPN to STOP the amount of advertising that is going on during games and on the field. I am pleased that the NCAA did indeed receive my letter and responded. My whole point with that letter is to get the ball roling with having them act against the BCS series to stop the madness. I am hoping that Michael Moore also responds to my letter about producing a movie about how overly corporate the US has become not only in sports, but in many, many other aspects of our culture.
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 10:53 AM | Comments (2)
Keys to the game vs. Washington
OK folks, playoff times. If we learned anything from Pittsburgh a few years ago, it's that a wild card team can indeed go ALL THE WAY. It's NOW time for Seattle Seahawks 2008, especially with the Superbowl being on the left coast for first time in a long time in Arizona.
Here are Seattle Sports Blog's keys to the game:
1. Keep pressure on Collins: I don't care how much of a resurgence this guy has had the last couple of weeks, he is still just a 13 year veteran who will crack under pressure. They are most likey going to double Kearney, so it's up to Tapp and our interior linemen to get pressure on him. Oh yeah, sent a LB or FS in once in a while too Marshall and CROWD The line!!
2. Win the turnover margin: Shaun is going to have to hold onto the ball in these wet conditions along with Matt. We cannot have Hasselbeck fumble as he did against Atlanta.
3. Hit harder and come out with a nasty streak. Our beloved Hawks can be a bit too nice at times and that's the team that Ruskell has built. We need to be nasty this weekend and I'm confident that Washington is going to come out for blood. Fight blood with blood and have Lofa lay down the law early.
4. Contain Moss and Cooley: Our secondary and coverages have got to be well executed this weekend. Marshall and Mora better be ready as the skins will be doing everything and anything to get these guys the ball.
5. Crowd noise: Yes, Seattle, you are going to play a major role in the game and the national media knows this. Stay loud, even if we get down 10-0 for some strange reason. The skins don't seem to think that Seahawks Stadium is that loud......let's prove them wrong.
Go hawks, go for the frickin throat this weekend and let's get to Green Bay.
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
January 3, 2008
What ever happened to the WAVE?
I thought we were the town that originated the wave? I was at the Baltimore game and I painfully watched a group in the 100 level try and start one. Have we gotten soooo snooty that the wave is no longer cool? I say blah to that and keep the WAVE ALIVE. Problem with the new stadium is that the 300 level beer drinkers can't see the 100 level starting the wave. Unlike the Dome, you could see all levels fairly well.
Let's get the wave going from the 300 level again this week!!!
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 1:54 PM | Comments (2)
January 2, 2008
Bowl game advertising
Letter sent to the NCAA.org website today:
Has gotten WAY out of hand. Not only do you now see 4-6 corporate logos on every bowl field now, you also see the name of the sponsorship in the top hand of the screen on ESPN ALL GAME! Come on NCAA, you can do better than this. Do you REALLY need all that lame advertising all over the field? You are a multi billion dollar entity already with sponsorship, quit giving into the big wigs at these companies. I have a sports blog that has over 20K subscribers that I am posting this message on (www.seattlesportsblog.com). I am also in contact with Michael Moore about how bad advertising has become in sports. If you look back 5-10 years ago, there were NO ads on the field. The NFL doesn't allow it, so why do you have to? Keep the advertising at a minimum by allowing companies to sponsor the bowl, however, do NOT allow them to advertise on the field. It's too much, bottom line, and you don't need the extra revenue. You're starting to look like the WWF vs. the NCAA.
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 2:01 PM | Comments (4)
Hawks playoff game
Seattle Seahawks Blog:
Back from a nice long vacation.....much needed, but it's TIME FOR HAWKS PLAYOFF FOOTBALL NOW!!!!
Seattle fans, if you can't get up for this game, don't go. The Hawks are a legitimate team again this year and feel confident about them getting to Arizona. They played a few meaningless games against Carolina and Atlanta to end out the year. They should now be focused on the prize...the trophy.
We should be able to beat the charging Redskins this weekend. What would be next? TBD, but my guess is that we play at Green Bay. That will be a tough game for us, but one that I think we can win. I'd rather play Dallas so that we could throw the ball more, but I'm confident we can get the running game in order like we did against Baltimore and beat Green Bay on the "Frozen Tundra".
BTW, I got to experience sitting in one of the Hawks Stadium luxury box this weekend. Wow, what a treat, however, I'd prefer to be amongst the crazies in the cold weather. It's a better experience to walk out of there with your ears ringing :)
GO HAWKS....will post more later this week as we draw closer to game time.
Posted by Seattle Sports Blog Guy at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)
