Kevin Johnson’s education revolution

Kevin Johnson, a former NBA all-star now serving as the Democrat Mayor of his hometown, Sacramento, California, addressed a packed crowd at Seattle’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church Thursday evening on the most important “civil rights issue of the 21st century,” as he called it: public education.

Johnson was in town as a guest of the League of Education Voters to kick off their “Voices from the Education Revolution” speaking series.

In 1993, as a member of the Phoenix Suns, Johnson and his teammates traveled to Boston to take on the Celtics. While there, Johnson sat down with Senator Ted Kennedy, the “Lion of the Senate,” to discuss public education in the United States, the charter school movement, and the importance of school choice in America’s communities. To his chagrin, Johnson spun his wheels talking with Kennedy in his office. Later in the season, while in Washington, D.C., to play the Bullets, Johnson met with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas, a staunch conservative, shared Johnson’s vision of a public education system in the United States that did not hinder parents and their children from pursuing the best public education available.

The lesson for Johnson? “Stick to your convictions and drop your assumptions.”

Johnson has long held a passion for public education, a passion that grew as a student at Sacramento High School. Therefore, in 1989, in his rookie season in the NBA, Johnson founded the nonprofit community development organization, St. HOPE. Today, St. HOPE is helping provide children in Sacramento the opportunity to achieve their dreams and go on to college – a thought foreign to the same students only a decade ago. The mission of St. HOPE, according to its website, is to “revitalize inner-city communities through public education, civic leadership, economic development and the arts.” It is a public-private partnership that is revitalizing inner-city Sacramento.

Early this decade, Sacramento High School was failing, miserably. Only twenty percent of its students were prepared to enter college upon graduating. So, Johnson and St. HOPE, with the blessing of the school district’s superintendent, desired to take over the school and transform it with new initiatives in math, science, engineering, and civic involvement. However, a roadblock stood in the way: the State’s teachers union. The union spent $750,000 to fight the move and encouraged its teachers to do the same. Thankfully for St. HOPE, a Sacramento law firm fought back on its behalf. Johnson and St. HOPE won the legal battle and now, according to Johnson, seventy-five percent of Sacramento High School’s students graduate with a college education in their future.

The union, explained Johnson, fought “to protect the status quo” rather than a first-rate education.

The crowd assembled at Mt. Zion heard his message loud and clear.

Washington, Defense lead Hawks over Chargers

The Seattle Seahawks were saved Sunday by a Pro-Bowl kick return specialist traded by the New York Jets following last season after breaking his leg.

After missing a myriad of opportunities to bury the San Diego Chargers in the first half, the Hawks’ Leon Washington received the opening kick-off of the second half and returned it 101-yards for a touchdown. Then, with 6:39 remaining in the game, after the Chargers tied the game at 20 with prolific quarterback Phil Rivers leading the charge, Washington received the subsequent kick-off at the one yard line, busted through one tackle, avoided two others, and sprinted for his second touchdown of the half, leading the Hawks to a 27-20 victory in front of 67,000 frenzied fans at Qwest Field.

Even with Washington’s exploits, the Hawks still had to brace for two more Chargers’ drives to end the game.

After Washington’s touchdown, Rivers methodically led the Chargers down the field hitting his big, versatile targets along the way. However, Rivers’ fourth down pass into the end zone was broken up by rookie Roy Lewis. Then, following a Jon Ryan punt, Rivers put the pressure on again but on fourth down, the drive ended in the red zone when safety Earl Thomas picked-off Rivers for the second time in the game, preserving the win and putting the Hawks atop the NFC West.

The Hawks defense played spectacularly in the first half. Defensive end Chris Clemmons and tackles Brandon Mebane and Red Bryant dominated the line of scrimmage, holding the Chargers high-powered offense scoreless. Clemmons used his speed and veteran guile to sack Rivers (one in the first half, another in the second) and Mebane used brute force up the middle to do the same. Bryant recovered an early Chargers fumble forced by linebacker Lofa Tatupu and the defense set the tone, allowing for an inconsistent offense to build a 10-0 halftime lead.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Hawks got on the board first following an eighty-yard drive highlighted by a 28-yard scamper from Justin Forsett and 37-yard pass down the seam to tight end John Carlson. However, the drive stalled and Olindo Mare was forced to come on the field to kick a 23-yard field goal. The disappointing finish to the drive was typical of the Hawks anemic offense. The Chargers turned the ball over three times in the first half but the Hawks failed to convert the turnovers into any points.

The special teams play – obviously highlighted by Washington’s return touchdowns – outplayed the Chargers special teams throughout the game. Cam Chancellor forced a fumbled on coverage, the return units opened holes for Washington and punt returner Golden Tate, and the Chargers return game was stymied throughout by aggressive.

The win puts the Hawks at 2-1 on the season and after three weeks, gives the Hawks the top spot in the NFC West – a weak division in disarray.

Rivers finished the game 29-53 for 455 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Hasselbeck finished 19-32 for 220 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

For complete game statistics, visit nfl.com

‘tweet’ thoughts – Many fans had a terrible morning trying to get to Qwest Field…Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nat McMillan hoisted the ‘12th Man’ flag before kick off…CBS’s Dan Fouts used the word ‘misconnected’ in the first half trying to explain an incompletion between the Hawks Matt Hasselbeck and Carlson…Cornerback Marcus Trufant left the game with an ankle injury…Running back Julie Jones did not step on the field for the Hawks…Tate, once again, showed flashes of brilliance returning punts…The Seahawks had one first down in the second half.

First Half: Hawks v. Chargers (UPDATE)

The Seattle Seahawks lead 10-0 at the half at Qwest Field over the San Diego Chargers. Tight End John Carlson caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck with :53 seconds remaining in the first half after kicked Olindo Mare put the Hawks up 3-0 hit a 23-yarder at the 11.28 mark of the second quarter.

Truthfully though, the Hawks 10-0 lead at the half is not the real story of the game. The real story is missed opportunities.

The Chargers turned the ball over three times, handing the Hawks very good field position on two of those fumbles. Unfortunately, the Hawks did not convert.

On the subsequent return following Carlson’s TD catch, Cam Chancellor forced a fumble and the Hawks took over on the Charger’s 25-yard line. Incredibly, the half ended with no point scored, as Hasselbeck inexplicably sneaked a third-down play from the two into a pile and then failed to get off the field – along with Center Chris Spencer – before Olindo Mare could kick a chip shot field goal.

On the bright side for the Hawks, their defense is playing phenomenally. Chris Clemmons had a first-half sack, Brandon Mebane had a sack of his own, and Red Bryant has two fumble recoveries.

Cornerback Kelly Jennings has two passes-defensed, both against Chargers number-one receiver Malcolm Floyd.

A 10-0 lead at the half for the Hawks should be a 24-0 lead. If the offense continues to make miscues and fail to capitalize on opportunities, an increasingly weary defense could easily buckle against Chargers quarterback Phil Rivers and the explosive San Diego offense.

UPDATE: Leon Washington with a 101-yard kick-off return for a touchdown to start the second half.

Pete Carroll era begins with a division win

The Pete Carroll era began Sunday afternoon at Qwest Field with a Week One victory over talented division rival, the San Francisco 49ers.

After a painfully slow start to the game for the Seattle Seahawks, including a Matt Hasselbeck interception on the first play from scrimmage, miscues and blown opportunities by the 49ers opened the door to a 31-6 season-opening victory and an early jump in the NFC West battle for supremacy.

Hasselbeck scored on a one yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter, capping a 64-yard drive and putting an end to the early frustrations of an inept offense. Olindo Mara’s PAT gave the ‘Hawks the lead 7-6, a lead they never relinquished.

Niners quarterback Alex Smith began the game hitting a slew of receivers, including tight ends Vernon Davis and Delaney Walker, running back Frank Gore, and receiver Michael Crabtree. However, it was the 49ers inability to finish in the red zone that led to opening the door to the ‘Hawks. Smith threw a fade route to an open Josh Morgan in the end zone in the first quarter that was ruled a touchdown on the field. After subsequent review – prompted by Carroll’s red flag – the touchdown was overruled and the Niners settled for a Joe Nedney field goal. Later, after driving 84 yards, Smith missed his intended target badly on fourth down from the six yard line, keeping Seattle well within striking distance.

Following Hasselbeck’s one-yard touchdown scamper, a Jordan Babineaux interception set up a 13-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck to Deon Butler. Mare’s extra point made the score 14-6, a score that held until early in the third quarter when Seattle’s Marcus Trufant intercepted Smith again and finished the play with a 32 yard return for a touchdown.

Seattle’s next drive saw Hasselbeck hit Deion Branch for a 3 yard touchdown. Mare’s extra point made the score 28-6 and the Niners never threatened down the stretch.

Hasselbeck finished his day 17 of 23 for 170 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Smith finished 26 of 45 for 225 yards with two interceptions. He was under consistent pressure from Seattle’s Chris Clemons, Red Bryant, and Aaron Curry. Smith, in his sixth season, is the quarterback of a Niners team touted widely as the most likely winner of the NFC West this season.

Carroll, coaching in his first NFL game since being fired by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in 2000, was his usually effervescent self on the sideline. At one point, so exuberant over Trufant’s interception and return touchdown, Carroll had to be constrained by an official in an attempt to calm him down and return to the sideline.

Seattle receiver Mike Williams, playing under his collegiate coach and mentor at the University of Southern California, Carroll, continued his inspiring comeback to the NFL by catching three passes from Hasselbeck, including a 35 yard reception that set up Hasselbeck’s touchdown scamper. The 35 yarder was Williams first catch in an NFL regular season game since 2007.

‘Tweet’ thoughts – Tyler Polumbus played admirably at left tackle in place of the injured Russell Okung…Hasselbeck is completely healthy after injuring his back and ribs in consecutive seasons…Hasselbeck turns 35 later this month…Rookie Safety Earl Thomas, once again, looked like a future star in his first regular season NFL game, including knifing in for a tackle on a stretch play in the first half…for complete game stats, check out nfl.com, here.

Four Seahawks Questions

After an incredible off-season, the Seattle Seahawks begin the season at home on Sunday against NFC West rival (and Division favorite) the San Francisco 49ers. The flurry of transactions this off-season appear done, so it is appropriate to ask a few questions heading into week one.

Will Matt Hasselbeck be protected?

This question could also be ‘Will the offensive line perform?’
Hasselbeck will turn 35 later this month. It’s no secret his pro-bowl years are behind him. In 2005 – the 13-3, Super Bowl appearance season – Hasselbeck played as well as any quarterback in the NFL. He played the season with Hall-of-Fame tackle Walter Jones and perennial Pro-Bowler Steve Hutchison protecting his backside. This season? Russell Okung is the heir apparent to Jones but he’s injured and won’t begin the season on the field. His preseason replacement, Mansfield Wrotto, is no longer with the team. At present, it looks like Tyler Polumbus will start at left tackle. If he goes down, Chester Pitts will step in. After that, only God knows. Alex Gibbs, a respected, veteran offensive line coach abruptly quit (Retired? Fired?) this week and now the ‘Hawks offensive front is being led by a guy Pete Carroll took from the UFL. To be sure, none of this is good news. The offensive line is a giant question mark heading into the regular season. That is not good news for an aging quarterback who has struggled to stay on the field recently or for a backfield in transition.

If Hasselbeck is protected this season, however, he will be the undisputed ‘king of quarterbacks’ in the NFC West (more on that later).

What about the running game?

Justin Forsett will start. Leon Washington will get touches. So will Julius Jones. Splitting carries in an NFL backfield is paying dividends for some franchises (Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in Carolina) but what about touches spread between three? And let’s not forget all three are, essentially, NFL castoffs. Forsett couldn’t hang in Indianapolis and barely made it in Seattle. Jones was jettisoned from Dallas due to the emergence of Marion Barber and promise of Felix Jones and Washington was expendable to the Jets. Of course, Washington is an explosive runner and appears ready to handle a workload out of the backfield in addition to returning kickoffs. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Also, don’t be surprised to see Jones talking loudly to reporters if he doesn’t get the same opportunities as Forsett and Washington early in the season; something to look forward to there.

Regardless of how touches are dispersed out of the backfield, will any lanes be available? There’s no continuity up front, as mentioned above. Shaun Alexander was a successful back in Seattle because he ran behind an offensive line with almost unprecedented continuity and tremendous talent. He didn’t win NFL MVP because of his outstanding elusiveness or penchant for big plays; he won because his legs stayed fresh and his body stayed strong running wild and free.

Seattle’s running game heading into week one is a giant question mark and the outlook is not promising.

Will the defense consistently get to the quarterback?

The Seahawks finished last season with a paltry 28 sacks. Not surprisingly, the defense also finished 30th against the pass. In other words, the pressure up front must materialize for any hope of defensive success. Thankfully for Seahawks fans, there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

Red Bryant had a fantastic camp and is thriving. Brandon Mebane looks immovable. Colin Cole looks rejuvenated. The addition of Chris Clemmons on the edge looks like a coup. Lofa Tatupu is healthy. Aaron Curry is a beast.

Beyond the initial size, strength, and talent up front, however, the defensive line is thin. Also, Leroy Hill will miss the opener and is dealing with a serious off-the field issue (although, reworking his contract should prove as a great motivator). Finally, although Curry is a beast and has physical tools reminiscent of (pre-steroids) Shawne Merriman, he still makes a lot of mistakes. Dumb mistakes, too. The hope is he’ll grow as a professional this year and fit well into the new scheme.

What about the secondary?

Josh Wilson is gone and now there is no doubt that Kelly Jennings will hold down the corner opposite Marcus Trufant. Jennings is small and open to exploitation opposite Trufant – who looks like a pro bowler again. In his defense, however, Jennings is clearly making it his mission to make plays on the ball and he seems committed to tackling and supporting on the run. He must be ready to make plays, too, because as the season progresses Trufant will see fewer and fewer balls come to his side.

The biggest addition to the secondary, obviously, is first-round pick Earl Thomas. He is a ball hawk, creates turnovers, and is more than willing to lay the wood. Before the draft, there was plenty of discussion surrounding Pete Carroll looking to draft his former player, Taylor Mays, to improve Seattle’s secondary. He didn’t draft Mays though because Thomas is better in coverage; a fact that can easily be overlooked in a hard-hitting safety like Thomas. Lawyer Milloy, a savvy veteran, will provide plenty of leadership from the other safety spot. Cutting and subsequently resigning Jordan Babineaux was a money-saving move but odd nonetheless. He’s not good in coverage and simply lacks some physical tools but the ‘Big Play Babs’ moniker may carry him through his Seattle career.

The secondary will be better than last year – provided Seattle gets consistent pressure up front. Also, rather than facing Kurt Warner twice this season, Seattle will face the Derek Anderson-led Arizona Cardinals. That fact alone will help out the secondary. In that same vein, Alex Smith (49ers) has been maddeningly inconsistent in his career and Sam Bradford (Rams) is a rookie; a much-heralded rookie, but a rookie nonetheless. Seattle will face Anderson, Smith, and Bradford six times this year – unquestionable good news for the secondary.