Exit 164: Way to Go, Jake!

Locker wows ’em at Pro Day: The Savior completed a remarkable 38 of 40 passes, missing only when he overthrew two deep routes by leading D’Andre Goodwin too far. Extra arm strength won’t have scouts complaining. At least 16 were there. So was Pete Carroll…and, oddly, Shaun Alexander. Locker has been working on his accuracy with former Jets QB Ken O’Brien. Locker’s performance “solidified his first-round status,” according to draft guru Rob Rang. For all the scoffing at Locker’s decision to stay in school, looks like he’s hitting his stride at the right time.

No NYC for Locker: Locker said he won’t go to New York for the draft, though the NFL did ask him to.

Wedge keeps lineup secret: Like a battlefield general, M’s manager Eric Wedge declined to name his closer or his starting centerfielder. Does this mean Larry Bernandez has an outside shot at either?

Top 5 highest-drafted Washington quarterbacks…
1) Don Heinrich, 1952; 35th overall, 6th QB taken (3rd round)
2) Billy Joe Hobert, 1993, 58th overall, 3rd QB taken (3rd round)
3) Marques Tuiasosopo, 2001; 59th overall, 4th QB taken (2nd round)
4) Hugh Millen, 1986; 71st overall, 5th QB taken (3rd round)
5) Chris Chandler, 1988; 76th overall, 2nd QB taken (3rd round)

What they’re saying…

“He ripped it. He had a great, great workout.” — Seahawks GM John Schneider on Locker

“One of the things I worked with Ken on was bringing my hand over the top as quickly as I could. I’ve been spinning the ball a lot better, and it’s coming off my hand a lot better.” — Jake Locker

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped up inside the top 10. ” — Steve Sarkisian

In other news…

Mason Foster also had a nice Pro Day, chopping a full second off the 40-time he ran at the NFL combine. (Of course, when does a linebacker ever have to run 40 yards at a full sprint?)

Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett will workout for the Seahawks.

M’s fourth starter Erik Bedard did not inspire confidence in the Mariners’ 8-1 loss at Dodger Stadium. Bedard allowed five runs in four innings. He did throw strikes though, so maybe just bad luck. The Erik Bedard Threat Level remains at Elevated.
Former Mariner Jamie Moyer will be an analyst on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight.

The Vanity Fair excerpt of Paul Allen’s new book doesn’t mention the Seahawks.

Seven days closer to a championship…

Today, March 31
NADA

Friday, April 1
Baseball (for real!): Mariners @ Oakland, 7:07 p.m. (MLB Network, FSN)

Saturday, April 2
Mariners @ Oakland, 6:07 p.m. (FSN)
Sounders @ San Jose, 7:30 p.m. (KONG)

Sunday, April 3
Mariners @ Oakland, 1:07 p.m. (FSN)

Monday, April 4
Mariners @ Texas, 5:05 p.m. (FSN)

Tuesday, April 5
Mariners @ Texas, 5:05 p.m. (FSN) Note: this is Pineda’s first start

Wednesday, April 6
Mariners @ Texas, 11:05 a.m. (FSN)

Check out my Seattle sports calendar, currently listing all M’s, Sounders, and Husky football games. I use it in conjuction with my Google calendar to make sure I don’t schedule date night during a big game.