Yardbarker: Mack Strong

Your Week Fourteen College Football Announcing Schedule

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:59:00 -0500

Thursday, December 3rdArkansas State @ Western Kentucky (Sun Belt TV, 7pm)- Todd Kalas, Derek Rackley (Will Air on CSS, CST)Oregon State @ Oregon (ESPN, 9pm)- Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin AndrewsFriday, December 4thMAC Championship: Central Michigan v. Ohio (ESPN2, 8pm)- Joe Tessitore, Rod GilmoreSaturday, December 5thCincinnati @ Pittsburgh (ABC, Noon)- Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Holly RoweWest Virginia @ Rutgers (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris SpielmanConferen...

Your Week Thirteen College Football Announcing Schedule

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:09:00 -0500

Here is your Week Twelve announcing schedule brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the Week. This week's cheerleader is Katelynn from the University of Oregon. Her favorite movie is Love and Basketball, and she thinks she's lame for not being on Twitter (you're not Katelynn....you're not). Ready??? OKAY!!!Friday, November 27thRutgers @ Louisville (ESPN2, 11am)- Eric Collins, Brock HuardTemple @ Ohio (ESPNU, 11am)- Trey Bender, Tom LuginbillIllinois @ Cincinnati (ABC, Noon)...

Edgerrin James Messes with the Wrong Fullback

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:39:19 -0500

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP Farewell, guy. We knew you less well than you knew the system. Browse more photos » Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-nosh...

Notes From a 12 Man: A Truly Biased History of the Seattle Seahawks

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0500

This Friday and Saturday, Mark Turner, the author of Notes from a 12 Man: A Truly Biased History of the Seattle Seahawks, will have a book signing at Barnes and Noble at Pacific Place at 4pm. He will also be holding a book reading event sponsored by University Books at FX McRorys at 7pm. For more information check out his website.

The book is available at retail outlets throughout the Northwest including at Barnes & Noble, Costco, Fred Meyer, Seattle Team Shops, and online at Amazon.

SeaTown Sports got the chance to interview Mark about his book and about the current state of the Seahawks. Check it out after the jump!
In your opinion, does the future look bright for Seahawk football? Do you see some success in the near future?

I'm an optimist. Even during the awful Behring years I tried to keep the faith. These days we have a great owner who wants the organization to be first class in every way and has the resources to make it happen. This is huge because the success of a team truly starts at the top. It attracts quality free agents like TJ Houshmandzadeh to Seattle.

So yes, the future is very bright. Sure I sometimes worry about particular things such as if offensive line has enough depth to last the season but overall I feel pretty good about the team.

You list a lot of notable wins and defeats in the book...can you narrow down your favorite wins of all-time to a top 5 or even an all-time favorite? And the same for defeats as well (worst ones of all-time)?

I think every Seahawk fan can agree the greatest win in team history was the 2005 NFC Championship game against Carolina. That is without doubt. The runner-up has to be the 1983 AFC divisional playoff game at Miami. We came in as incredible underdogs and pulled off one of the great upsets in NFL postseason history.

After that I'm partial to our first Monday Night Football game ever. It came at Atlanta in 1979 and it featured, among other things, the fake field goal that turned into a Zorn to kicker Efren Herrera pass play for a first down. That game really introduced a lot of America to the Seahawks.

As for defeats, the loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football in 2004 and then the playoff game that year against the Rams were two of the most miserable defeats I've ever endured in my life.

Who is your favorite past seahawk and current Seahawk?

It is very hard for me to name just one or a few Seahawks as favorites. I have a hard enough time narrowing down an all-time Seahawk team (John L. Williams or Mack Strong at fullback?).

Are there certain themes that are unique to the Seahawks history that have become apparent after writing the book?

There is the theme of rebirth. It isn't necessarily a theme unique to the Seahawks. All NFL teams have rebirths but it is the way the Hawks have been reborn that is different. You are talking about a team that went from having solid ownership with the Nordstrom family to dying under the aegis of Ken Behring only to be reborn again with Paul Allen.

The Seahawks had literally moved to Los Angeles before Allen and the NFL stopped Behring from what today would be the unthinkable: moving the Seahawks. No franchise has ever come that close to moving without actually leaving town. The Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers. They all moved. The Seahawks stayed.

What about the Seahawks history sets it apart from the history of other NFL franchises?

What is most unique about the Hawks is it's location. The Seahawks are the most remote franchise in the NFL. Being tucked away in Seattle makes every road trip an above-average journey within the NFL. To give you an idea of how far away the Hawks are from the rest of the NFL, you need to compare it to Chicago. In the distance between the Seahawks and their nearest NFL teams (49ers & Raiders), Chicago is closer to 17 teams.

One of the things that is most interesting about Seahawk history is that it is long enough to have a lot of good stories but short enough for a significant portion of its fanbase remember the team all the way back to the beginning. Many fans can recall Jim Zorn scrambling around in the backfield before sending a pass deep to Steve Largent for a touchdown. The early Hawk teams did not win a lot of games but they were an entertaining team.

What was your main inspiration for writing this book?

I was inspired by the fact that a definitive history of the Seahawks had yet to be written. Other teams such as the New York Giants had many books written about them. Why not the Hawks? I felt I could tell the story through my point of view as a fan who had been following team for its entire history.

A Conversation With Mack Strong

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:25:36 -0500

Hey gang. One of the great things about being a Seahawk fan in Alaska is that we do get opportunities to gain access to Seahawk players in a more informal setting and every once in a while get a few minutes alone with a player which is hard to do where crowds can overwhelm the event and security is tight. I once had a chance to sit down with Cortez Kennedy at a local bar in Anchorage and just talk Seahawk football for over two hours when he was on a Kodiak Island bear hunt which was arranged...

Exciting News And Where We're At

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:06:49 -0500

So my wife who is a school teacher up here in Anchorage, Alaska comes home tonight and says: "There's someone from the Seahawks who is going to come to my school tomorrow morning and have breakfast with the kids. It's Mike String or Mark Stran or someone like that." I suggested maybe Mack Strong and she said "Yea that's the guy. Do you want to come?" Being a musician, I haven't been out of bed before 10 or 11 in the morning in, well, I can't r...

Mike Sellers: Costs > advantages

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:45:10 -0500

Let me say this, I dont think the redskins put alot of element of surprise when Sellers is in the ball game.. Being at the game, and seeing alot of games from last year again, the defense knows that he isnt a target out of the backfield and Jim Zorn cant use him like Mack Strong in Seattle. ...

Q&A with Mack Strong

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:49:00 -0500

Gone But Not Forgotten: Leonard Weaver

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:39:06 -0500

This article was written to remember one of the Seahawks who isn't likely to have their number retired or make it to the Hall. October 14 2007 was a painful day for all Seahawk fans. Not only were they crushed at the hands of their Super Bowl rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they lost a franchise icon in Mack Strong to retirement after sustaining a neck injury. There was a fullback waiting in the wings, but it was far from a sure thing that he would be able to fill Strong’...

Seattle Sports 101: The 2005 Seahawks

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:21:50 -0500

They were tired and they were sore. They were short on breath and their bodies ached. And from their body language and attitude, you could tell that they knew they were beaten.

This is what the 2005 Seahawks running game could do to you. They pounded you into submission. They ran on first, second, and third down. With a 4.7 yards per attempt average, more often than not this worked. The offensive line was good, and the left side with Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson was dominant.

Mack Strong had a career year, opening up huge holes in the run defense, and made it to his first pro-bowl. These blockers, combined with MVP running back Shaun Alexander, made for a very good running game. Alexander had fantastic vision which led to his great cut-back ability. He had a nose for the end-zone, scoring 27 rushing touchdowns.

Aside from the run game, the rest of the offense was also pretty good. Matt Hasselbeck and Company made just enough plays to extend drives and keep the ball in the hands of the offense. Bobby Engram established himself as a great third-down receiver, making critical plays to keep drives alive. This pass game complimented the great running game to make the #1 offense in the league.

On defense, the Hawks were small but fast. Players would fly to the ball, and as a result there were multiple hawks there to tackle the ball carrier, making up for lack of size. As a result, the Seahawks had the 5th ranked run defense in the league. They gained two great rookie linebackers, Lofa Tatupu, who made it to the pro-bowl, and LeRoy Hill. Their pass-rush was fantastic, led by Bryce Fisher and Rocky Bernard.

They were aided greatly by crowd noise, which led to a league-high 24 false start penalties at Quest Field in 2005. This also contributed to the Seahawks 10-0 record at home including the playoffs. It was a great time to be a Seahawks fan.

The Hawks concluded the regular season with a 13-3 record, and the 1st seed. They beat the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Panthers at home to head to Detroit to face the Pittsburg Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

The Steelers were a wild card team, and the #6 seed. Bill Cowher led this team to the Super Bowl, and it was a team very similar to the Seahawks. Their greatest strength was their run game, with an efficient but not spectacular passing game, and a solid defense.

In Super Bowl XL, the Steelers capitalized on big plays for touchdowns, including a 43-yard fake reverse pass to Hines Ward. The Seahawks, meanwhile, spluttered on offense, dropping passes, missing opportunities, and falling victim to some questionable calls. Final score: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10.

Nevertheless, it was a great run for a team many consider to be the best in history, and their first super bowl appearance in the team?s 30 year history. The fans helped this team along the way. It was a great time to be a Seahawks fan.

Photo source: [ioffer]

Seahawks Free Agency Part 1: Who to Resign

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:16:35 -0500

After a 4-12 finish, it is obvious that the Seattle Seahawks have work to do during this offseason. Sure, their terrible record is in part due to injuries and poor play. But the Hawks still have some glaring holes that need to be addressed.
Many of these needs will be addressed in the 2009 draft, and possibly even with some trades. However, what the Seahawks do in free agency is perhaps the most important to creating another playoff-caliber team. And before Seattle can go out and sign some big-name free agents from other teams, they need to evaluate the free agents on their own team.

So here is a list of the players the Seahawks should and should not resign.

Must-Signs
Leroy Hill, LB: Hill is, without a doubt, the highest Hawk?s highest priority to resign. He finished third on the team in tackles with 84, despite missing the last four games of the year. He is an integral part of the linebacker corps that is perhaps the best in the NFL, though Tatupu and Peterson underperformed this year.

There are worries that the Seahawks will be spending too much money on an overrated linebacker unit if they re-sign Hill, who could draw a hefty contract considering his play since he started halfway through his rookie year. And starting alongside two Pro-Bowlers, it easy for critics to undervalue Hill. The Seahawks, however, should not make the same mistake. Hill must be re-signed.

Maurice Morris, RB: Morris played well for the Seahawks this past year, with 574 yards on 132 carries and 4.3 yards per carry. He also found a role in the passing game, with two touchdowns and 136 yards on 19 receptions.

His numbers were likely hurt by the lack of Matt Hasselbeck and the injuries to the offensive line. But if the O-line stays healthy and we make some additions to it this off-season, both Morris and Julius Jones? play should improve. And if Mora is able to work out a consistent split between the two backs, the time-share will work out better.

High Priorities

Bobby Engram, WR: Engram is 36, and will not merit a big contract after his numbers dropped drastically from last year?s. Nevertheless, he was the Seahawk?s second-leading receiver, with 47 catches for 489 yards. And, as Hasselbeck?s trusted third-down receiver, Engram?s his stats should improve when Hass gets healthy. But most of all, I want to see Engram finish his career with the Hawks.

Rocky Bernard, DT: Bernard tied for first in tackles among the defensive lineman with 55. He also had 4 sacks and forced a fumble in another solid season with Seattle. A seven year starter for the Seahawks, Bernard should be pursued.

Leonard Weaver, FB: Weaver showed some improvement in his lead and pass blocking, which were major concerns when he became the starter with Mack Strong?s retirement. However, he is still below average in both these areas.

Weaver does have some strengths, though. He has tremendous upside as a rusher (130 yards and 4.3 ypc) and pass catcher (20 catches, 222 yards and 2 TDs).

Ray Willis, OL: Willis, who played both RT and RG, was a part of the makeshift offensive line that stepped up for the Seahawks at the end of the season. He started nine games for the Hawks, filling in nicely.

Others to pursue

Koren Robinson, WR: Robinson was Seattle?s third leading receiver, with 30 receptions for 400 yards in 11 games. However, most important to Robinson?s season was what he didn?t do: get into trouble with the law. He merits a short-term contract.

Howard Green, DT: The Seahawks like Green, who is a fourth-year player with upside. He deserves consideration.

C.J. Wallace: Wallace was one of the Hawk?s top special teams contributors with 14 tackles.

Floyd Womack, OL: Filled in well in the depleted o-line. Womack is old but should get a short contract.

Who NOT to go After

Will Heller, TE: Carlson is the answer at TE, and I don?t like Heller even as a backup.

Ben Obomanu, WR: He?s had his chances to play in the NFL, and has never succeeded. Its time for the Hawks to let him go.

Charlie Frye, QB: He sucks.

Other Free Agents: LS Jeff Robinson, LB Lance Laury, LB D.D. Lewis, OL Steve McKinney, CB Kevin Hobbs

Photo Sources: http://pcpsports.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/morris.jpg, ESPN

Your Week Five College Football Announcing Schedule

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:59:54 -0500

Not sure for the reasoning behind it but there was some movement in the announcing teams for this week. Wischusen and Huard are now paired with Stoner on Friday night while McDonough and Spielman get moved to the Saturday night spot. I'm not sure if this was a typo on ESPN's part, or it was a case of just splitting up the trouble makers like teachers do. Other than that, everyone else is pretty much in the same spot that they normally are for this Big Ten/SEC weekend. Here's the ...

Your Week Five College Football Announcing Schedule

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:41:14 -0500

Mack Strong Retires, Shaun Alexander Might As Well Follow

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:52:49 -0500

I've always believed Shaun Alexander was one of the most overrated running backs in the league. Much of the credit Shaun received should have gone to Strong who did the dirty work. While Strong punished linebackers with his crushing blocks, Alexander danced through the holes and scurried out of bounds avoiding hits for years. With the absence of Strong and his talents, I fully expect Alexander's production to decline. While I can't fault Shaun for protecting his body, I gotta give props to the man who made it possible.

Mack Strong Retires

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 05:16:58 -0500

Seattle Seahawks fullback Mack Strong has called it a career due to a spinal cord condition.