Seattle Seahawks fans.
No, this isn’t a movie review; it’s an explanation. Many have noticed that our Pacific Northwest Sports site has been mostly dormant recently. I am the one to blame.
As the head cook and bottle washer, it’s my responsibility to put out quality content. Since contracting COVID in mid-January, I have lacked the energy and conviction to do that.
Combined with some cardiac issues I experienced, sports were put to the side for health reasons. Those days are in the rearview mirror. Apparently, plenty has been going on in the Pacific Northwest sports scene in our absence.
As a result of sending former franchise stalwart Russell Wilson to Denver last year, the Seattle Seahawks own a top-five pick in the NFL draft. As a team that isn’t necessarily in the quarterback hunt, Seattle is poised to land either a highly talented defensive lineman or trade down for a huge haul.
One area of potential weakness was resoundingly rectified in free agency. After Jordyn Brooks suffered a knee injury at the end of last season that will keep him out for most of 2023 and the departure of Cody Barton in free agency, linebacker looked to be a sizeable looming hole next season.
12’s fears were put to rest by General Manager John Schnider. He replaced the duo with a pair of excellent free agent signings.
Former Seattle Seahawks all-everything MLB and future first-ballot Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner is returning home after a season in Los Angeles. He is joined by Pittsburgh’s 2019 first round pick Devin Bush in Defensive Coordinator Clint Hurtt’s 3-4 scheme.
Lest I forget, the offensive side. Quarterback Geno Smith, the NFL’s 2022 Comeback Player of the Year, resigned with the Seahawks on a three-year, $75M deal, including $40M guaranteed. A contract that is both fair to Smith and gives the team some wiggle room. Now they have to fix the interior offensive line.
The Seattle Mariners got off to a slow 4-8 start. A recent 4-2 run has them 3.5 games behind the division-leading Texas Rangers (boy, that sounds weird).
Outfielder Jarred Kelenic, who went from potential franchise Messiah to franchise disappointment over the last two seasons, has found his mojo at the plate early in 2023. He leads the team with four home runs (including a monster 482-foot blast at Wrigley Field) and has a 1.023 OPS.
An injury to starter Robbie Ray is taxing the rotational depth and bullpen. Thankfully their top three starters, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby, have stepped up. So far, the trio has made 10 starts, posting a 4-2 record, 2.53 ERA, and 0.921 WHIP.
The bullpen, though not as dominating as last season, is still holding their own. As a group, they have a more than respectable 3.18 ERA but have also narrowly escaped some sticky situations.
Who would have thought the answer to inconsistent-hitting Adam Frazier, Kolten Wong, would actually be a downgrade? The new Seattle Mariners second baseman is hitting a measly .098. Worse, no one on the bench is doing any better.
But hey, it’s early, and this is a young team. A sudden burst of good health can put this team over the top.
Truthfully, how many people had the Seattle Kraken breaking 90 points this season, let alone the 100 they put up? Not many.
What a difference a year makes. Last season’s mediocrity turned to success in 2022-23. The Kraken are in the playoffs.
Chalk up the turnaround to improved offense and steadier goaltending. While still not stellar, the Kraken went from a 3.17 GAA to 2.94. The 0.23 fewer goals per game against, combined with a 0.92 goals per game uptick in offense, added up to a 40-point improvement.
2021 first-round pick Matty Beniers will garner Calder Trophy consideration with his 57 points, including 24 goals. He set a high bar for 2022 top pick Shane Wright.
Jared McCann broke the 40-goal barrier, and defenseman Vince Dunn had 50 assists and was +28. Maybe the biggest surprise was Daniel Sprong‘s 21 goals and 46 points.
Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Seattle Kraken are coming.
On the bright side, Portland improved by six wins over last year. Unfortunately, they still lost 49 games, missed the playoffs, and finished with the NBA’s fifth-worst record.
Time is running out on Damian Lillard‘s glory days. The Portland Trail Blazers face some big decisions this offseason.
Do they try again to build a championship team around their best player? Or is a full rebuild in the cards?
Hopefully, they pick up a little magic in the Lottery and draft one of the highly talented players available with an early pick to pair with up-and-comer Shaedon Sharpe.
Nine games into the 10-game XFL 3.0 season, the Seattle Sea Dragons postseason dreams are still alive.
After watching a season’s worth of games, I’m still undecided about quarterback Ben DiNucci.
Is he a good quarterback that makes bad decisions? Is he a bad quarterback that gets lucky?
I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle. DiNucci can make plays when things break down, but physically, his arm can’t do what his mind wants it to.
One thing is for sure; he needs to become a better team leader.
Coach Jim Haslett has done a great job with his team. Even in the three games they lost (by a combined 7 points), it came down to the end.
Their season may turn out the same way. Beating Vegas, combined with St. Louis losing to Orlando in the finale, puts the Sea Dragons into the playoffs.
Another year, another West Coast Conference Championship, and another Elite 8. It would have been a great story if Zags could have advanced to their first National Championship.
Center Drew Timme deserved a better end to his college career. He still fished up his four years in Spokane as the Gonzaga Bulldogs all-time leading scorer.
Whether or not he gets drafted is another story. Right now, he’s a mid-to-late second rounder. One guy who should go in the first round is the do-it-all wing, Julian Strawther.
Between graduations and transfers out, head coach Mark Few has his work cut out for him to put a Kennell-worthy team on the court. He and his staff will be working the transfer portal hard this summer.
This will be the year of Michael Penix Jr., and the Washington Huskies are ready to ride their quarterback all the way to a Pac-12 title. He has an excellent chance to be the highest Heisman Trophy finalist in program history (Steve Emtman finished fourth in 1991). Currently, the betting odds have him as the third favorite (tied).
Now, if someone could please explain why Mike Hopkins still has a job as Washington’s head basketball coach, I’d appreciate it.
It’s hard to find a school that does more with fewer resources than Wazzu. Both football coach Jake Dickert and basketball coach Kyle Smith are credits to the school.
Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward will play his college season first season without Eric Morris. Washington State’s 2022 Offensive Coordinator left to become the new headman at North Texas.
Even with Morris out of the picture, Ward could have a great season with new OC Ben Arbuckle, one of the minds behind Western Kentucky’s dynamic offense. The Cougs have some offensive weapons at the skill positions, so scoring shouldn’t be a problem.
Replacing another set of great linebackers will be an issue. There will be a few shootouts on the Palouse next fall.
We are back and here for Pacific Northwest Sports fans.