SPORTSDAY

Posted by Matt Causey @ 7:10 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

Didn't really expect them to say Hamlin was great and we're really missing his leadership! That damn sure wouldn't build confidence in their new secondary or make their decision look good. Might not have been an upgrade for them, but I hope he's an upgrade for us!

Posted by Joel @ 7:15 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

At worst, he at least is not a downgrade from what the Cowboys threw out at FS last year. At best he's an All Pro. I'm betting he's somewhere in the middle and definitely an upgrade from Keith Davis and Pat Watkins.

Posted by Goober @ 7:26 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

I guess excuses like that are ok when you play for the Seahawks (as opposed to the Cowboys).

Posted by LL from Austin @ 7:27 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

Bush league comments by two guys I respect and would expect better from...at least "Hammerhead" took the high road...hope he takes it out on them if we meet in the playoffs...

But even if they are right, sadly, he still represents a major upgrade for us!!!

Who knows, maybe "Hammerhead" was still suffering from post-concussion syndrome first year back from the massive head injury...

Posted by Kevin @ 7:32 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

This is exactly the same thing that the Cowboys players went through with the departure of Bill Parcells; rather than accepting their share of the responsibility for losses and problems on the field, everyone piled on Big Bill. In terms of rational choice theory, it only makes sense to blame someone who is no longer part of the team unit, it doesn't create the friction that pointing the finger at those still in the locker room would. Instead it creates a scapegoat for everyone to point to and blame and to come together against. So, I don't really see all this talk of Hamlin being a problem as being particularly valid. It's a clear case of scapegoating no better or worse than what the current Cowboys players have done to Big Bill.

Posted by Saint Jimmy @ 7:56 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

That sounds like bad coaching to me. They're making excuses for players and passing the blame. Not only is that bad coaching but that's just bad NFL etiquette. And this coming from the Seahawk team that obviously cheated? I think that Roger Goodell should start thinking about suspending the organization for bad behavior.

I think it might be a good time to add Seattle to the watch list. But unlike the Browns we'll be looking forward to a playoff rematch with those crybabies. It'll be even sweeter when Ken Hamlin and Tony Romo give them something to actually cry about instead of those "what ifs" in the Superbowl.

Posted by David (Too many Davids) @ 8:05 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

That may or may not be the case Kevin. I read alot of comments from Seahawk fans who felt Hamlin played poorly last season. That being said he was coming off getting beatin pretty severely with a stop sign so he might bounce back pretty well for us this season.

As for Parcells, the players may or may not have a point. Systems are different for a reason. Some teams play better or worse if used differently. We will find out this season if the Cowboys just needed a system chang.

Posted by Dan Terry @ 8:07 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

ok lets consider this: Hamlin had better stats than the guy they brought in to replace him and if their corner is that fragile so be it. Were they impressive against Dallas in the playoff game, no they should've lost. Were they out coached in the super bowl absolutely. And how much stake do you put into the words of a guy that was fired from of all places Atlanta? As far as Holgrem goes real professional Mike real professional..........

Posted by Lee @ 8:57 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

seems like Holmgren has a habit of doing this when players leave the Seahawks. A few years ago, he was trashing Joey Galloway. Such a "class" individual.

Posted by Timothy @ 10:27 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

There is no question Ken Hamlin is a stop-gap player until Dallas can address the free safety position in the draft.

I view the secondary of the Cowboys as this season's biggest question mark. You have an All-Pro in Terence Newman, an intimidator in Roy Williams, an injury-riddled corner in Anthony Henry and some combination of Hamlin-Watkins-Davis at free safety.

Because of this Dallas is one good draft and one more good free agent off-season away from having a Top 3 defense.

We are close, just not there yet.

Posted by scott @ 10:30 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

Holmgren + More Jr. = bitter! The days of the seahwaks floating to the top of the NFC west are over, here comes the Rams and Niners.

Posted by Sig @ 10:30 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

Hamlin needs to put this on his bulletin board. Holmgren's comments are lame scapegoat material.

Let's look at some of the status. The Seahawks were 22nd against the run last seaon (probably Hamlin's fault). In 9 of the last 11 games, they gave up at least 100 yards rushing (let's blame that on Hamlin). In the last 4 games of the season during the stretch drive, they had a grand total of 2 sacks (probably Hamlin's fault). Take out a 9 game sack performance against the Mark Walter led Oakland Raiders (a team that gave up 72 sacks), and they rank at the bottom of the league in sacks (that would be....Hamlin's fault of course). Hamlin led the team in tackles 5 times and was second another two (Holmgren would claim he should have led the team in tackles every week).

According to a Seattle Seahawks scout website, he only missed 4 tackles and only 4 penalties (1 offsetting) in 16 games (let's blame everyone else's missed tackles and penalties on Hamlin too). Hamlin was also named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September 2006 (and Holmgren says he should have won it every month).

A good link for whether Hamlin should be blamed is a Seahawks related link (which was not written by Holmgren)....

http://seahawks.scout.com/2/604148.html

I don't know if Hamlin is the answer, but I want this guy on our team playing for a big contract. So tell the Walrus to keep making comments like this.

Posted by Saint Jimmy @ 10:44 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

Kevin, you do bring up a good point but what you're saying is apples and oranges. I don't think anyone, except Julius Jones who does seem to have a point, really got on Parcells in the manner the Seahawk coaching staff did with Hamlin.

Most, if not all, of the Cowboys will tell you that Parcells is a good coach. It was his system and no fun attitude that they had a problem with. What the Seahawks coaches are implying is that Hamlin isn't any good.

Dan Terry, I was thinking the same thing. This is the same guy who said he didn't agree with his dad that Vick is a coach killer. And we all know that father most certainly knew best with that situation. Not to mention this is the same guy who spouted off at the mouth about taking a job that wasn't even available at the time. Yeah, I'm really going to listen to what that idiot has to say about something.

Posted by Quincy C. @ 10:45 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

now was that a "Stop" sign or a "Yield" sign that was cracked over Hamlin's nugget about 50x's...I just like people being accurate and responsible...'cause if that was a "Stop" sign then Hamlin should be playing Strong side and if that were a "Yield" sign then he should be playing Free side...

Posted by Ron @ 10:46 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

As a Seahawk fan who moved to Texas last year I can offer these evaluations of "The Hammer":

1. After he knocked the helmet off that Saint's receiver in the first game of his rookie season we loved the guy.

2. The next season we drafted Boulware, and I think it hurt Hamlin because he had to help the reformed linebacker in being in proper position, and cover for him, leaving both out of position for the next couple of years.

3. I still believe that if Hamlin hadn't of gone to the bar that streetsign night, there would not have been that long pass and that long run in the Super Bowl for the Steelers (our second tier starter for that game got hurt early and the 3rd string guy got burnt), i.e. we would have won.

4. Honestly, it's my belief that he doesn't hit or cover as well as he did in his rookie season, but it was most likely the bar incident that got him jettisoned from the team. I do wish him well.

5. Now, as for that playoff game last year, remember that we were forced to sign a guy off the street in Dallas to play in our secondary for that game.

Thanks

Posted by Raul @ 11:08 PM Sun, Aug 05, 2007

I like how Trufant is using Hamlin as an excuse for getting burned so many times and how Holmgren is protecting his possible bust first round draft pick.

Trufant and Newman were drafted in the same draft (Trufant 11th and Newman 5th). Trufant was the local boy from Washington that the Seahawks drafted. Regardless, both were supposed to be shutdown cornerbacks. Put each of them on an island and 1/2 the field and the other team's best receiver are taken care of. Newman won't need a babysitter like Trufant apparently needs and Newman won't complain about some lack of communication.

Ken will be fine. Maybe he and Roy Williams can turn into a Steve Atwater/Dennis Smith type of combo. What I really hope for is that DeMarcus Ware gets some help (from Spencer, Carpenter, Ellis, and others) and we put more pressure on the quarterback so that QBs won't be able to lounge in the pocket while receivers run 50 yards down the field to catch bombs.

Posted by Mark @ 5:35 AM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

We'll see................

Posted by 5rings @ 7:40 AM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

Hey Ron, your team is a bunch of cry babies, now go blog about how you let your best reciever go and cry about how he is not as good as he used to be and is now going to torch your team being in the same division!

Posted by Robert @ 8:33 AM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

We have the worst safety combination in the NFL. Neither guy can cover a lick but Roy is moreso a LB and Hamlin is moreso a Strong Safety.

On the Seattle coaches, well, both those dudes are estrogen kings. Mora is a buffoon and Holmgren is a whiner.

Posted by Tom @ 9:11 AM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

I'd like to credit Sig for the best email of the preseason! Please comment more often, since I really enjoyed your post!

Very lame comments from Seattle's coaches. Mora wasn't even there - what the heck does he know? In addition, as I recall from the playoff game between the 'Boys and the Seahawks, 3/4 of their secondary was out or banged up. Might their problems with consistency and big plays have something to do with playing back-ups?

I've just become a big fan of Ken Hamlin and really am hoping he has a great year!

Posted by Black and Blue @ 9:52 AM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

Tom,

You won't be disappointed in Hamlin. I saw every game he played when he was at Arkansas. Hamlin is the REAL DEAL. He makes everyone around him better.

Posted by Habib @ 10:38 AM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

I don't know if Hamlin is the answer for us but I do know that Holmgren has been a flop without Favre and Mora Jr was a flop at ATL.I have an idea lets put those two losers and sour puss Parcells on same staff and have their team play against the boys.I am thinking that would be a good game to watch.

Posted by S L @ 10:38 AM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

since when has Holmgren "I'm not just the best Head Coach, I'm the best GM, too!" ever been honest about his own roster IQ? Consider the source, stick it in Hamlin's locker and let him take care of it.

Holmgren will never admit a mistake, but with the Cowboys simply taking care of business, he'll wind up with a longer offseason to review film and find all new reasons another missed opportunity of a season is not his fault.

Posted by ART @ 2:05 PM Mon, Aug 06, 2007

If you ***carefully*** read the article, you will notice that the Seattle coaches did not call out Hamlin specifically. They are calling out the entire Seahawks secondary, as a group, including Trufant to some extent. The author of that article took the coach's general comments and directed them directly towards Hamlin.

Regardless, we will just have to see whether Hamlin represents an upgrade. I doubt he will be a downgrade from the Dallas rotation at FS last year.