Burleson’s Exit Could Open the Door to Excellence

I can stay silent no more.

When Nate Burleson was signed away from the Minnesota Vikings by the Seattle Seahawks and former General Manager Tim Ruskell, it was an obvious “stick-in-the-eye” type move after the disastrous “poison pill” fiasco with pro-bowl lineman Steve Hutchison. The Hawks gave Burleson a 7-year, $49 million back loaded contract to come to Seattle. At that time, he only had one 1,000-yard season on his resume (and that was playing opposite all-world receiver, Randy Moss). Four years later, Burleson’s 1,000-yard resume is the same. He never reached his full potential here – or so the argument goes. Some may lament his exit from Seattle but for me, it’s indicative of what new head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider what to bring back to Seattle: excellence.

It really doesn’t matter how good he was in the locker room – he didn’t produce consistently on the field. The “threat of the big play” is only a real threat when you make a big play more than twice a year. And please spare me the local boy stuff because nobody cares; this is the NFL, not Pop Warner.

After the Hawks were shredded by Frank Gore and the San Francisco 49ers in September last year, I wrote this. And, unfortunately, nothing changed the rest of the season. When a big play happened, Burleson, most likely, wasn’t even on the field. I say good riddance he’s gone and, clearly, Carroll and Schneider had no intention of keeping him around – I’m sure it’s a HUGE relief to get out from under that contract; let someone else pay for mediocrity (does anyone else find it ironic that the Lions signed him?). He should play second or third fiddle to a legitimate Number One receiver. Somehow, the Hawks – under Ruskell – got so screwed up that they believed Burleson could be the Number One receiver they so desperately needed (and still need).

Deion Branch came here and signed a giant contract; he isn’t a Number One-type guy. TJ Houshmandzadeh isn’t a Number One guy, either. Deon Butler – no matter how much of a “feel good story” he is – will never be a Number One. Name any receiver the Hawks have put on the field over the past five years; not one Number One guy in the bunch. We don’t need another non-Number One guy making Number One money: goodbye Burleson.

Allowing Burleson to walk unimpeded out the door to Detroit is a good sign for the Seahawks. Hopefully, it’s a sign of things to come: Coach Carroll and Schneider will not cling to mediocre. Now, let’s sign Brandon Marshall or draft Dez Bryant and get our passing game out of the doldrums.

Can the ‘Hawks Make Big Plays?

Once again (see here and here), Frank Gore shredded the Seattle Seahawks defense on Sunday. Basically, the Hawks lost because Gore broke two long touchdown runs – one for 79, one for 80. Two big plays offensively for the 49ers, and they defeated an NFC West rival with more overall talent. The big question for the Hawks is this: Who can make big plays?

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Seahawks, 49ers: First Half Analysis

When the Seahawks got the ball deep in their own territory with 2:51 left in the half, it was a perfect set up for a Matt Hasselbeck engineered two-minute drill. He completed four passes underneath, found Nate Burleson and Deon Butler for first downs, handed to Justin Forsett for a tough 13-yard rush and, eventually, Seneca Wallace found Julius Jones out of the backfield for the touchdown. Add the Mare extra point, and at halftime it’s 13-10 49ers.

A lot will be made about Frank Gore going wild in the first half. In total, he rushed for 113 yards in the first half; 79 came on one touchdown carry in the first quarter. So really, the Hawks defense is not doing all that badly against the run. On Gore’s long TD run, Aaron Curry took a bad angle from the backside and was subsequently blocked down allowing Gore to sprint through virtually untouched. Honestly, not a huge concern.

Also, Patrick Kerney, Craig Terrill and Lawrence Jackson all contributed sacks and two were to derail potential touchdown drives. Furthermore, the 49ers only converted two third-downs in the first half. The defense is depleted (Marcus Trufant, Brandon Mebane, Leroy Hill) yet keeping us in the ball game.

The defensive front is applying plenty of pressure and as long as Gore doesn’t bust another huge play, our defense will win the battle over the 49ers offense.

Offensively for the Hawks, other than the two-minute drive, our offensive was middling. I think the final two-minute drive provided a great example of what the Hawks are missing offensively — a true “field-stretcher.” In other words, if the Hawks believe Nate Burleson has deep-play ability, then he must be allowed to stretch the field and provide that threat. Otherwise, the Hawks will continue to dink-and-dunk down the field and a very good defensive team (Chicago Bears) will take that away in the second half.

Obviously, the Hasselbeck injury is a potentially HUGE development. He won’t be back in the second half while he nurses a rib injury.

NO MORE BIG PLAYS!

Seahawks Defeat the Rams in Week One

The Seattle Seahawks began their season Sunday afternoon against the St. Louis Rams. The Hawks overcame three first half turnovers, utilized a highly productive and dynamic offensive attack and an aggressive defensive scheme to run roughshod over the Rams, winning convincingly 28–0.

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