The Hawks Nest: Matt Interviews Mookie
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Mookie has been asking me questions and now it is my turn. Questions by Matt; Answers by Mookie of Stupid Sideline Reporters.
1) The Saints still can back into the playoffs with a win and a MIN and WAS loss. Whoever lands that spot will come into Qwest. Who would you rather see?
I was hoping we'd get the Giants actually....thanks a lot Buffalo and Minnesota. Anyway, the Saints have already beaten Seattle at Qwest, and they are still a loaded team even without Reggie Bush. The Redskins look very impressive, and they play everybody tough. For now, I would like to see Minnesota. We weren't saying that a couple of weeks back were we? But I believe the key to beating the Vikings is taking away that run game, which has been silent in the last 2 weeks. Tarvaris Jackson still has some inconsistencies throwing the ball, he handles being under pressure poorly, and he refuses to throw the ball away. The problem with Minnesota, unlike the Skins or the Saints, is that they are one dimensional. That's not going to get you very far in the playoffs.
2) The Vikings have a potent run game and the Seahawks a solid run defense…who wins?
That Seahawks run defense is not solid in my opinion. They have been gashed for long touchdown runs 4 times in the last 6 weeks, and that is not good. But, that's all Seattle allows most of the time. Seattle's defense is quick, but not strong, and that could be a problem against the likes of Matt Birk and that Hutchinson guy we let go of.
The Vikings on the other hand, have had their running game magically disappear. I really believe though that it won't last that long. The edge goes to the Vikings...but not by much.
3) Alexander had 3 runs over 15 yards on Sunday. Is he back?
I don't know what to think anymore about him. No, he is not back. That's just one game against a Ravens defense without Ray Lewis, Trevor Pryce, and several other key players. I want to see him do it consistently 2 weeks from now against the Vikings or Redskins or Saints. I think the success by him had a lot to do with the blocking schemes (did you see those huge holes?) and less to do with his running abilities.
4) Who deserves to be the teams MVP this season? How about for the Offense and for the Defense?
Offense: Matt Hasselbeck. He needs only 181 yards in Atlanta for the first 4,000 yard season in Seahawks history. His decision making is much better than last year, he has plenty of time in the pocket, and in 15 games played, he has thrown just 12 interceptions. Compare that to last season, where he had 11 picks in 12 games played. It's because of him that Mike Holmgren believed that he was capable of leading this new pass first offense to an NFC West title and a 10 win season.
Defense: I wish I could say the whole defense, but I'll narrow it down to Patrick Kerney and Lofa Tatupu. Kerney came back from a knee injury in Atlanta, and look at him now. A candidate for NFL defensive MVP, and your NFL sack leader with 14.5. He has brought speed and athleticism to this front 4 that Bryce Fisher and Grant Wistrom did not deliver these past few seasons.
Tatupu has become one of the great draft picks (and there aren't many) in Seahawks history. He only has one sack. But he's a great coverage linebacker, a great run stuffer, and performs consistently well all the time. This season he has 4 interceptions, including 3 (as well as a game ending pick) against Philly, to go along with 106 tackles (81 solo), and 3 forced fumbles.
5) Green Bay has shown they can be beat and Dallas showed some weakness. Who do we want in January? (Remember that we are going to their house)
Green Bay without a doubt even in Lambeau. Remember, Seattle was a Matt Hasselbeck "We want the ball and we're going to score." moment away from beating them in 2004. Green Bay has shown that their defense is suspect in the running game, and was torched by Tony Romo and Jon Kitna in the passing game. The Cowboys are a deadly team with too many weapons for my liking, and would probably want to kill Seattle after a certain someone dropped a football.
6) Of the players that are up for free agency, who will the Hawks lose? Who will they keep?
Floyd Womack, Jordan Babineaux, and Chuck Darby can say adios! Darby is a big man, a beast in run defense, but he is injured all the time, I don't see the need to keep him. Womack is a terrible offensive lineman who like Darby, has had the injury bug. Babineaux has made some big plays for Seattle in the past, but his inability to defense just about any pass thrown his way is a cause for concern. Babs is inconsistent at times, and is not ready to play safety, good bye Babs!
Niko Koutouvides, Leonard Weaver, DJ Hackett, Craig Terrill, Josh Brown, and Sean Locklear will all be kept. All of them are a vital part of the Seahawks success, and better be kept or else I will rip into Tim Ruskell again.
Marcus Trufant will end up with the franchise tag.
7) What do the Hawks need this off-season? Who will they go after?
They are in desperate need of another offensive lineman. Hopefully they can snag Alan Faneca from the Steelers, who opens up holes for a dangerous rushing attack that featured Willie Parker, and now features Najeh Davenport due to Parker's leg injury.
They are going to need a running back to replace Shaun Alexander after he retires. Shaun is 30, he doesn't have too many years left. I'd suggest signing someone like Michael Turner from the Chargers or a Marion Barber from Dallas, even if it involves trading someone from the Seahawks.
Finally, the Seahawks tight end situation is not good in my humble opinion. Marcus Pollard is good, but ancient, Will Heller is not someone to rely on for anything outside of a goal line situation. L.J Smith from Philly and Stephen Alexander from Denver are both free agents, Seattle may want to take a look at them in the off-season.
Thanks, Mook!
