Seahawks trade WR Deion Branch back to Patriots for 4th round pick

By Kshell

The Seahawks have finally ended the Deion Branch marriage trading him to the New England Patriots for a fourth round pick. Branch when he had came to Seattle brought with him tons of hype but after four disappointing years plus part of a fifth year the Seahawks decided to get something for him.

Both teams have been in the news lately with mid season trades which doesn't happen much in the NFL. The Seahawks last week traded their fourth round pick in 2011 and a fifth/or a sixth in 2012 to the Buffalo Bills for Marshawn Lynch. While the Patriots made the controversial move of trading Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings for a third round pick.

The Patriots have to be excited considering they traded a fourth rounder for Randy Moss after the 2006 season and now received a third round pick for him. In 2006 they traded Branch to the Seahawks for a first round pick and now have acquired Branch for a fourth rounder. Tim Ruskell made a mistake back then so don't fault Pete Carroll and John Scheinder for getting a fourth rounder for someone who has not fulfilled his lofty expectations.

When the Seahawks acquired Branch they were coming off of a Super Bowl appearance so giving up a first round pick didn't appear to be that bad. Branch was just a season removed from winning the Super Bowl MVP. Despite not ever having a single 1,000 yard receiving season or ever catching more than five touchdowns in a season Tim Ruskell traded away a 2007 first round pick plus gave Branch a 6 year/39 million dollar deal. Branch was supposed to be the piece that got the Seahawks over the hill but instead has been nothing.

Branch in 2006 learning the offense played in all 14 games plus two playoff games and had 53 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns. Not bad for a guy learning a new offense and moving to the other coast. Unfortunately for Branch and Seahawk fans this was the best Branch would do for Seattle. This year in four games Branch has a solid 13 receptions but has just 112 yards receiving.

Pete Carroll is continuing to blow up this roster and rid himself of Ruskell busts. Burlson, Houshmandzadeh and now Branch the three leading and costly receivers are all gone. Instead the Seahawks will turn to Golden Tate, Mike Williams, Brandon Stockley and the lone holdover Deon Butler. At the end of the day the Seahawks received a fifth round pick for Josh Wilson and a fourth for Branch. Essentially if someone said the Seahawks could get Marshawn Lynch for Deion Branch and Josh Wilson I'd be excited as should you. This is a great trade for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks.

Seahawks take on the Rams for divisional battle

By Kshell

When the Seattle Seahawks(2-1) go on the road to take on the St.Louis Rams(1-2)this Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St.Louis, Missouri first place could be on the line in the NFC West. The Seahawks have dominated the Rams of late having won 10 consecutive games against the Rams including five in the Edward Jones Dome. The Seahawks are looking to end their road woes having won just three roads games in the last two seasons but two of those three wins were against these Rams. This rivalry has pulled a complete 180 in the last 5 years. The Rams had beat the division champion Seahawks all three games in the 2004 season including twice at Qwest field.

I was at that playoff game in the 2004 Wild Card rounds and having left that stadium that was the most depressing sports loss I had ever been a part of. When Bobby Engram couldn't haul in that touchdown pass the Rams had won 27-20. The Seahawks as a franchise seem to be doomed. The Seahawks after making the playoffs just once in a span from 1989-2002 had just lost back to back heartbreaking games in the Wild Card playoffs. The Seahawks had some big free agents as well with Walter Jones, Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander. Head Coach Mike Holmgren was on the hot seat as well and could be fired. The Rams had the Seahawks number that season, earlier in the year at Qwest field the Rams overcame a 17 point deficit to win the game in overtime.

In the following season the Seahawks brought back Matt Hasselbeck and Walter Jones to long term contracts and Mike Holmgren was brought back. Shaun Alexander however was just franchise tag. The Seahawks were heading back to their house of horrors and were just 2-2 on the season. To make matters worse the Seahawks were down their top two receivers in Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram. No need to fear Joe Jurevicius is here. He would have 132 yards receiving on the game. Shaun Alexander would add 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the day. When Shaun McDonald fumbled the punt with 2 minutes to go the Seahawks would win the game 37-31 after giving up the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The curse had been broken and the Seahawks finally had ended the Rams curse. Little did the Rams know that the Seahawks wouldn't lose to them again.

After the Seahawks made the Superbowl and swept the Rams the previous year in 2006 they had two nailbiting games vs the Rams. The first meeting again took place in St.Louis where Seattle found themselves without league MVP Shaun Alexander. The Seahawks(3-1) were trailing 21-7 at halftime to the Rams(4-1). Then newly acquired wide receiver Deion Branch had a big game catching two touchdown passes. Josh Brown having nailed two 49 yard field goal attempts hit a game winning 54 yard field goal as time expired and the Seahawks won 30-28. In the rematch at Qwest field the Seahawks found themselves without MVP Shaun Alexander or pro bowl Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks led by Maurice Morris 124 yards rushing on the game won 24-22 again on a Josh Brown game winning field goal. Nate Burleson had a huge 90 yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Seahawks a lead late in the fourth. That would be the only competive game from the Rams at Qwest field from 2005-2009.

In 2007 down in St.Louis the Seahawks(6-4) taking on the 2-8 St.Louis Rams found themselves trailing 19-7 at halftime on the road. Branch would add a touchdown as would Josh Wilson on a kick off return touchdown. The Seahawks would win the game on a Leonard Weaver 5 yard touchdown run up the middle. With Seattle leading 24-19 the Rams had the ball on the goal line but fumbled the ball and Seattle had recovered and once again pulled out a huge win in St.Louis.

In 2008 Josh Brown had left the Seahawks for the Rams and again the Seahawks found themselves in a battle with the Rams in St.Louis. Seattle was trailing 20-13 at one point in the fourth quarter. Tied the game up on a T.J. Duckett touchdown run. Then Olindo Mare the kicker who had replaced Brown kicked the game winning field goal.

Typically in this series recently the Seahawks blow out the Rams at Qwest field but as I just pointed out at the Edward Jones Dome the game will most likely come down to the wire. Given how Seattle has played on the road in the past years this game should come down to the wire. Just remember it wasn't always that way.

Leon Washington sets franchise record in Seahawks 27-20 win over Chargers

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks(2-1) led by 2008 pro bowl kick returner Leon Washington's career day prevailed over the San Diego Chargers(1-2) 27-20 in front of Qwest field in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game despite allowing a franchise record worst 455 yards passing and gaining just one first down in the second half. The Seahawks blew several opportunities in the first half to put the game open. Good teams find ways to win and with Leon Washington returning not one but two kickoffs for touchdowns the Seahawks found a way to win.

The game started off slow for both teams as the game was scoreless in the first quarter. Seattle facing a 3rd and 5 from the seven yard line elected to call a toss sweep to Justin Forsett which was blown up for a loss. The Seahawks had to settle for a field goal. The first of many wasted opportunities. On the Seahawks next possession Matt Hasselbeck found Deion Branch for a 41 yard touchdown. After San Diego had challenged the play it was ruled a fumble out of the end zone. It was the correct call as Branch had fumbled the ball before crossing the pylon and the ball had squirted out of bounds for a touch back so Seattle still remained up just 3-0.

The Seahawks moved the ball on their next possession this time resulting in a Matt Hasselbeck touchdown strike to John Carlson for 9 yards to make the game 10-0. On the ensuing kickoff Seattle had forced a fumble. With just 12 seconds remaining in the half and Seattle facing a 3rd and 1 from the two yard line and no timeouts the Seahawks called a quarterback draw to the aging Matt Hasselbeck who was stuffed. He didn't make the first down so the Seahawks couldn't spike the ball and didn't get the field goal unit out in time so the score remained just 10-0 at halftime.

The second half began with Leon Washington taking the opening kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown. Washington who had made the pro bowl in 2008 with the Jets as a return man gives the Seahawks another weapon. The return was the longest kickoff return in franchise history.

The Chargers offense started to get in a groove. Led by Phillip Rivers 455 yards passing the Chargers would cut the lead to 20-12. The Chargers overcoming their own mistakes and penalties finally drove down the field into Seattle's red zone. Rivers hit Gates for a 12 yard touchdown to make the score 20-18, on the two point try Rivers hit former Boise State standout Legedu Naanee for the two point conversation to tie up the game.

With a little over six minutes left in the game and the Seahawks offense lacking any punch the Seahawks had to find a way to score again. On the ensuing kickoff Leon Washington ran it back again for a touchdown 99 yards. That was his second kickoff touchdown of the game which already makes him the franchise record holder for most kickoff return touchdowns in Seahawks history.

The Seahawks had to hold the Chargers on two red zone attempts. The first time Roy Lewis batted a ball away on 4th down. The second attempt with 20 seconds to go in the game Earl Thomas the first round pick had his second interception of the game off Rivers to secure the win.

This is a game the Seahawks found a way to win. The Chargers turned the ball over five times and were flagged another 11 times. The Chargers once again much like the Kansas City loss found a way to lose to an inferior team. The Seahawks are now 2-1 and head off to St.Louis(1-2) who they have beaten 10 consecutive times.

Observations:

- Seahawks have a dangerous special teams this year. With Leon Washington returning kicks(4 for 253, 2 TD's, 63.3) and Golden Tate returning punts(3 for 44, 14.7 avg)you can see why the Seahawks traded away Josh Wilson. The big cry about losing Wilson was because of his special teams well with these two along with Butler and Forsett the Seahawks special teams is fine.

- The Seahawks pass defense is bad. For the second straight week they were shredded by the opposing quarterback. Luckily for the Seahawks they play six divisional games vs a rookie QB(Bradford), Derrick Anderson(bad) and Alex Smith(bad) along with games vs Josh Freeman, Jimmy Clausen(rookie), and any Raiders quarterback. Thats over half the schedule against young inexperienced quarterbacks or crappy quarterbacks.

- Last week I had complained that the Seahawks need to give Forsett more carries and they did. Forsett ran the ball 17 times while Washington had just one carry and Julius Jones didn't even play in the game.

- The Rookies are making an early impact on the season. Golden Tate every time he touches the ball he is capable of turning that into a big play. Earl Thomas is that play making safety that Seahawks have lacked since Kenny Easley in the 1980's. Cham Chancellor and Walter Thurmond have stepped up and played well in Nickel and Dime coverage situations. The Seahawks when they get 6th overall pick Russell Okung back could be a very impactful draft class if not the most impactful class in Seahawks history.

- I watched the game at Muggy's sports bar in Meridian, Idaho. For those who don't know Meridian is a short drive from Boise like less than 15 miles. It was a great atmosphere and each room had a separate game for the particular fan base. Since I had a long drive ahead I didn't have any drinks but it was fun watching the game with those fans.

Seahawks win season opener 31-6 over 49ers

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks behind Matt Hasselbeck and timely interceptions defeated the 49ers 31-6 at Qwest Field. The Seahawks who made more moves than any other NFL team in the past season debut 27 new players to the roster. Nobody knew what to expect from the Seahawks who were supposed to be in a rebuilding season. Well someone must have forgot to tell that to Pete Carroll and company.

Seattle got off to a horrible start. Matt Hasselbeck throws an interception on his first possesion and I'm sure some in the stands were thinking put in Whitehurst. The 49ers then went down the field for a touchdown. Pete Carroll challenged the catch and was right Morgan did not have two feet in bounds. So the 49ers settled for a field goal to make the game 3-0. At the end of the first quarter the Seahawks had just 9 yards of offense while Alex Smith was 9 for 10 passing.

In the 2nd quarter is when the game changed dramatically. The 49ers had the ball inside the 10 yard two times and scord just 3 more points. The Seahawks who have been stuffing Frank Gore all game long. Gore was held to 38 yards on 17 carries(2.2 YPC). The 49ers despite drafting two offenslve lineman in the first round couldn't pick up those key 3rd and shorts. On 4th and 1 the 49ers called a beautiful play action pass which was wide open only Smith threw the ball high. Had Smith completed that pass the 49ers take a 10-0 lead. Later in the 2nd quarter up 3-0 the 49ers had the ball on the 2 yard line and were facing a 4th and 1 but a delay of game penalty so the 49ers had to settle for a field goal. The 49ers had the ball three times inside the 10 yard line and came away with just 6 points.

Momentum had swung Seattle's way. The 49ers had given the Seahawks and the 12th man life. Hasselbeck started to hit some passes as Seattle determined to ditch the running game. Hasselbeck would hit Mike Williams for a key 35 yard pass which was Williams first NFL catch since 2007. Williams who had played under Carroll is looking to make a comeback in the NFL. Hasselbeck kept the ball on a boot leg and ran it in for a 1 yard run that won't make fans think he was Michael Vick. It still counts the same.

The very next possesion Alex Smith threw an interception to Jordan "Big Play Babs" Babineaux who returned the pass 20 yards. Babineaux who was cut earlier this week then resigned only to take a pay cut had a very effective game collecting 8 tackles along with that interception. Hasselbeck then hit 2nd year wide receiver Deon Butler for a 13 yard touchdown pass. That was Butlers first career touchdown. The Seahawks despite being dominated at halftime led 14-6.

The second half the Seahawks continued that momentum with Alex Smith throwing another interception to Marcus Trufant. Trufant ran the interception 32 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks get another stop on the 49ers and get the ball back. Hasselbeck was feeling it at one time going 10 of 11. He hit Deion Branch for a 3 yard touchdown pass. Hasselbeck showing everyone he still is the best quarterback in the division.

The Seahawks had lead at the end of the third quarter despite their leading rusher being Julius Jones with 8 yards rushing. Thats what happens when you have a quarterback of Hasselbecks calibar. Hasselbeck finished the day going 18 of 23 for 170 yards passing, 2 touchdowns and another touchdown rushing. His counterpart Alex Smith entering his 6th season with the team was 26 of 45 passing for 225 yards and 2 interceptions.

At the end of the day the Seahawks were victorious over the 49ers who many had predicted to win the division. The Seahawks overcame a bad start and with a swarming defense handed Pete Carroll his first NFL win since 1999.

Observations

- The Seahawks are going to be a hard team to run on. In preseason they had success against Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson. Today they limited Frank Gore to just 37 yards rushing and 2.2 YPC. The defense starts basically three defensive tackles in Red Bryant at defensive end, Brandon Mebane and Collin Cole. With LeRoy Hill being suspended the Seahawks would often play Tatupu and Hawthorne at the same time. If the Hawks continue to put teams in 3rd and long situations they should find success.

- Matt Hasselbeck when given time is still the best quarterback in the division. Alex Smith is not ready to take that from him. In fact that was the difference in the game. Both teams stopped the run and it was up to which quarterback could lead his team down the field. Hasselbeck in the redzone threw for two touchdowns and ran for one. Alex Smith threw one interception that led to a touchdown, another that was ran back for a touchdown and overthrew a fullback who was wide open near the goal line.

- Golden Tate the talented 2nd round pick wasn't even active for the roster. He couldn't crack the 45 man lineup. Apparently Williams, Branch and Butler are ahead of him. Obomanu was the 4th receiver due to his special teams work. Obomanu also made a nice first down catch.

- Aaron Curry is a defensive end. Almost all game Carroll utilizing Curry's talents lined him up at defensive end on 3rd downs and would often rush him on 2nd downs. The 4th pick overall might have to make a permanent change to defensive end.

- Former two time probowler(1998 and 1999) with the Seattle Seahawks Chad "the Snake" Brown raised the 12th man flag. Brown was the very first Seahawks jersey I ever bought back before the 1998 season began. I always liked Brown and he was a great outside linebacker who was a great leader. I always felt bad that Brown missed out on the Seahawks superbowl since he played with the Hawks from 1997-2004.

- Walter Jones didn't raise the 12th man flag. I'm curious to why a future hall of famer did not raise the 12th man flag the first game after his retirement. I thought this would have been the perfect time to have him raise the 12th man flag then unveil the #71 jersey in the rafters as no player will ever wear that jersey number again.

- Mike Williams gives the team plenty of options with his size. He is so tall teams can't play physical with him. Williams had 4 receptions for 64 yards but he also had two drops. Williams the former 10th pick overall in the 2005 draft is basically still raw in the NFL.

- The Seahawks shut out the Rams last season 28-0. The Seahawks dating back to 2003 are 6-2 in season openers. The Seahawks are also 7-1 in home openers.

Well guys hope you enjoyed my post game recap and observations. This is a great start to the season. The Seahawks if they had any shot at winning the division had to win this game given they were at home.