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| "Hold me!" |
Furthermore, Matt Hasselbeck's QB rating of 113 was his highest since, once again, week 5 of last year. His 404 yards of passing was the most since 2004, when he was young enough that it was funny that he was bald, not just sad. Marshawn Lynch's 67 yard run over seemingly ever defender in the state of Louisiana was his longest since his days at Cal (on a corrilary, how did Marshawn Lynch ever get into a college?).
This was a game that cannot be understood without watching it. Over the last few years, I've wondered why I bother watching the Seahawks. This game told me why. In 2005, every game felt almost this good. I was in disbelief the whole game, going so far as to EXPECT penalties each time we had a huge gain. Hell, Hasselbeck looked like a complete idiot lofting a throw out of bounds at one point, only to have it be right on target to Cameron Morrah for a 40 yard gain.
I do not expect the Seahawks to win next week. In fact, I expect them to lose very badly, regardless of their opponent (please be the Bears, please be the Bears...). This in no way takes away from their accomplishments. For all those wishing the Seahawks would have lost to secure better draft position, THIS is exactly why that is ridiculous. Sure, they'll have less access to some of the higher talents, but it's not like there has never been a good player picked in the early 20's (Clay Matthews, Jon Beason, Dwayne Bowe, John McCarg- wait forget him).
The point here is that the Seahawks have created a lasting memory and a defining franchise moment. Sure, the possibility of a great young player is lovely, but it isn't going to turn the Seahawks around immediately. This win isn't going to make the Seahawks great either, but damn if it isn't fun.
To update: I'm an idiot. Brees threw for 400, not Hasselbeck. Still, 290-some is a lot.
ReplyDeleteThis was probably my second favorite Seahawks game I have ever watched. Only the 2005 Superbowl tops it. That football game is the absolute culmination of why I watch sports. During the game I felt just about every emotion known to man, excluding lust. When Marshawn Lynch busted through the line for his 67 yd TD run, he produce one of the most exciting moments in Seahawk’s history. Even though I was sitting at home and had absolutely nothing to do with the outcome of the game, I felt an amazing sense of pride and elation watching our team stay with the defending Superbowl champions and overwhelming favorite. This game provided the archetypical example of how a game played by just over a 100 men can create a common bond among 100,000+ sports fans.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else see how poetic and cliche story-like all of this is? Only 3 weeks earlier the crowd at Qwest was mockingly chanting 'CHARLIE! CHARLIE!' after being fed up with his persistently abysmal performances. You could feel Hasselbeck's career melting away as he faded quietly into Seahawk history with agony, utterly doomed to be a borrowed utility QB next season for the likes of the Redskins or Panthers (god forbid). Last Saturday, Hasselbeck changed his legacy. He may not get re-signed next season, but every Seahawk fan will remember the day that Hass showed up with a cast still on his wrist and his franchise career on the line to out-duel Drew Brees and ex-champs Saints offense. I don't know. Maybe it's all in my head.
ReplyDeleteIt is not all you. I heard a radio host of KJR echo you today that he wishes he was a screen writer because the Seahawks story has everything a good sports movie needs.
ReplyDeleteFYI: The game Matt is referring too was when the Hawks annihilated the Jags 41-0 and Hass threw 4 TDs. First game I ever went to.
ReplyDeleteLooking back on Hasselbeck's career, I was rather amazed to see just how well this game stacked up against many of his best. Amazing what a solid run game can do.
ReplyDeleteI love Lynch in Beastmode, but really..how did he get into college?!?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J74VEvOIxo&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
Bahaha.