Random Musings on a Pretty Uneventful Week 1 and Week 2

Okay, okay. It’s hard not to be jazzed about the acquisition of Deion Branch. Here are my responses to the two most prevalent issues raised by various killjoys about this move—

1. The Hawks probably overpaid a bit on Branch’s contract (though not egregiously so) but not the draft choice. The Jets set the market floor with their offer of a 2^nd round pick, likely in the low 30s. Seattle’s first round pick is very likely to be in the late 20s, hopefully #32. Had the Pats asked for Kelly Jennings straight up, would anyone have a problem pulling the trigger?
2. Although Branch may only provide incremental improvement to a WR unit that was already pretty good he also adds some needed—and consistent—big play ability, and given his age he probably helps keep this offense an elite one for a little while longer than it might otherwise be.

In week two the Seahawks face the new and improved Cardinals in the home opener at Qwest. As always, the team’s wide receiver tandem of Bolden and Fitzgerald strikes fear in the hearts of John Marshall and the defense, much less Seattle’s fan base. Add to that the prospect of a formidable running attack with the newly acquired “Edge” and you have issues.

Following the team’s struggles offensively during week one in Detroit—but can somebody give the defense some love?—the offensive line has been called out by coach Holmgren. Sum-bod-ee's a wid-dul kwan-kee. The walrus has been issuing veiled threats in the papers about starting the young pups up front should the old gu... ahem... saavy veterans fail to straighten up and fly right. I’m honestly not sure what to make of that. Was that a coach who needed an excuse to be surly and somebody to make an example of after sensing a wee bit of complacency? Or did Holmgren see something that was fundamentally broken that needs to be fixed or replaced right away? I recall the same sense of “woe is us!” from the punditry following last season’s opening bludgeoning at the hands of John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, but not so much from Holmgren.

In any event, I expect Holmgren to come out and play his version of smashmouth football in week two, reminiscent of his initial return to Green Bay during his first year as the Seahawk’s grand pooh-bah on Monday Night Football. I swore at one point I read his lips on the sideline that night and he said, “Ya’ getcha seal here; ya’ seal dere, and right up the alley!” I suspect he’ll his list of scripted plays will include a lot of early throws but it will all be to set up the run—for the offensive line more than Alexander. If ever there was a game where a coach would want to send a message to his own team and the other team simultaneously it will be this one. Of course the Cards will be looking to do the same thing. I suspect that Coach Green will lock Adrian Wilson in a dungeon cell, chained to the wall Friday and Saturday nights, feeding him one meal a day, and prodding him with something blunt so it agitates without leaving a mark--that's in the new CBA--before unleashing him Sunday afternoon. It should be a fun early season matchup.

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