Seahawks Lose Game, Another Receiver: With a chance to knock the 49ers out of the playoffs, your Seattle Seahawks got demolished. Matt Hasselbeck threw four interceptions, Marshawn Lynch was in Least Mode, and the Hawks D made Alex Smith look like Joe Montana. Worse, they suffered an injury at their thinnest position. WR Deon Butler is lost for the year with an severely broken leg — so severe he’s staying in San Francisco for treatment. Seahawks 6-7, T1st in NFL West. Next game Sunday vs. Atlanta.
Niehaus Celebrated, Everyone Cries: From a podium set on the Safeco Field mound, an emotional Rick Rizzs led a program of speeches, video tributes, and a lot of tears in honor of Dave Niehaus. His excellence as a broadcaster was lauded by every speaker; his taste in clothes came in for a ton of criticism–with Jay Buhner wearing white tasseled loafers in remembrance. In closing the program, M’s pres Chuck Armstrong announced that the M’s will build a statue of Niehaus outside Safeco–he’ll be the first person so honored. Here is video of the entire event.
Huskies Lose Another Tight One: Maybe the Huskies need a visit from Alec Baldwin’s Glengarry Glen Ross character, because they cannot seem to close. Isaiah Thomas had a chance at a winning basket, but the moment became a microcosm of the 63-62 loss, as he could not get his shot off against Texas A&M’s tall, long defenders. The issue remains: The Dawgs don’t have a go-to, we-need-a-basket player. Washington 6-3, next game Saturday vs. San Francisco.
Jack Z Gets Another Good Glove, Light Bat: The Mariners traded a reliever prospect for Cardinals infielder Brandon Ryan, who’s expected to challenge for a starting job at 2B, SS, or 3B. Ryan is a light hitter, but a very good fielder–the type of guy you win a pennant with IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN HIT HOME RUNS WHICH THE MARINERS DO NOT.
Those Dang Bentley Servicepeople. Who’s With Me? Seahawks DL Raheem Brock had a frustrating Friday. Tweeted he: “I’m at bentley dealer ship and they say I don’t drive my car enough that’s why it needs service??? #confusedtweet” I hear ya, Raheem…if I had a nickel. I wonder if Brock’s Bentley was featured in Sir Mix-a-Lot’s new video “Carz.” (NSFW language)
What they’re saying…
“You can see something sticking out of his leg, so it didn’t look so good. … He just looked at me and goes, ‘My leg.’ All I could do was just give him my hand and say a prayer for him.” — Seahawks WR Ruvell Martin on Deon Butler’s injury
“Isaiah Thomas you 5’8 cuz pass the rock to the open man.” — @El_KBeast
“What’s up Hasselbeck putting up Alex Smith kinda numbers??? 15 interceptions/12 touchdowns on the season.” — @AndreaNakano5
“They were just more physical than us tonight. They out-physicaled us, and they got a lot of second-chance points through our negligence. Next time we go on the road we have to be more physical and smarter and just take care of the ball.” — UW forward Darnell Gant
“12s this is when I need you most! Jus watched one of my best friend carted off the field! Please Pray for him! He was a warrior out there! Acted like nothin was wrong with him.” — Aaron Curry, via Twitter
In other news…
When the Nuggets beat Toronto Friday night, former Sonics coach George Karl became just the 7th NBA coach to record 1,000 wins. Of those wins, 384 came as head coach of the Sonics.
People who know people David Brewster of Crosscut and Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times both weighed in on how Seattle might get an NBA team again. With utterly groundless speculation, but what else do we have?
The Seattle Times’ Danny O’Neil has a nice look at the NFC West playoff picture. Go ahead and look for yourself, but, to summarize, it’s a complete clusterfart. But it still looks likely to come down to that Seahawks/Rams game Week 17.
The Hawks ran a weird formation against the Niners with Michael Robinson in the QB spot and Hasselbeck split out wide–they got a first down with it when Robinson just ran up the middle. Here’s a pre-snap photo. The Hawks call it their “Jive” package.
After 297-lb DT Semisi Tokolahi broke an ankle in the Apple Cup, the Huskies will move 244-lb Everette Thompson inside. Nebraska’s O-line averages 303 lbs., so…yeah.
Chris Polk says he will “think about” entering the 2011 NFL draft.
The Husky volleyball team upset Nebraska in their regional semifinal, a game notable for a post-game altercation between the opposing head coaches, but lost the regional final to Cal.
The Huskies’ mens’ soccer coach Dean Wurzberger stepped down after 19 years, citing his desire to put his “family first.” UW made the NCAA tourney consistently under Wurzberger, but never past the Sweet 16.
The Redhawks of Seattle U had a nice win Saturday night, beating Idaho 66-56. Redhawks G Cervante Burrell, playing on a bum knee, had 20 points and was unguardable off the high pick-and-roll Seattle U likes to run.
If you didn’t see the video of the Metrodome roof collapsing, you’re gonna want to check that out.
Former Mariner George Sherrill signed with the Braves.
Rumor is that the A’s are about to sign Hideki Matsui.
Today in SPNW…
John Hickey writes that Ryan’s acquisition could move Chone Figgins make to third base.
Art Thiel calls the Niehaus memorial “a salute to imagination.”
Doug Farrar breaks down what went wrong against the 49ers.
Today’s action…
English Soccer: Arsenal @ Manchester United, 11:55 a.m. (ESPN2)
NFL: Baltimore @ Houston, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Yo! If you have a tip or a comment, email me at sethkolloen@sportspressnw.wpengine.com or message me on Twitter, @SethKolloen. Cool? Thanks!
