Updated Nov 16, 2009 - 9:52 pm

Thoughts on Junior, Wilson, Tapp and Butler

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by Mike Salk

Thoughts while watching Brady Quinn squint in confusion at the Baltimore defense, then throw the ball directly to them..

Baseball

So far, I'm on board with Jack Zduriencik's off-season moves. Ken Griffey Jr. may not be a legitimate starting DH anymore, but that doesn't mean he can't provide some value to the team. He had some memorable pinch-hitting moments last year, and could provide some pop for a lineup that (as of now) needs it. Throw in a low salary, and his obvious popularity both in the clubhouse and with the fans, and you have a deal that could work in the team's favor. But a word of caution: this move only works if

a) Junior's role is limited to pinch hitting and DHing no more than a few days a week (unless injuries force an expansion); and,

b) Everyone agrees that if it isn't working, it should end. My biggest worry with having Junior around for another year is that Don Wakamatsu will feel pressure to play him because of the name. Let Wak do his job!

I also like the Jack Wilson signing. Wilson probably won't win the Silver Slugger as the league's top hitting shortstop, but he can still play the position as well as anyone. At $5 million per year, he isn't killing your budget, and the contract is short enough to allow flexibility if another option presents itself.

Plus, there really weren't any better options at the position! JJ Hardy was traded, Carlos Triunfel isn't ready, and Josh Wilson isn't an everyday option. I guess they could always inquire about Yuniesky Bettan...sorry.

Now comes the real fun. Wilson was obvious and Junior was expected. But how Jack handles third base, left field, primary DH, first base, the future of Jose Lopez, Felix Hernandez, and a number two pitcher? That's going to be fun! The Winter Meetings start December 7th in Indianapolis...

Football

Gonna be an interesting final seven weeks of the season for the Seahawks. They have a lot of decisions to make about their future – from the top on down. That means “evaluation” is the name of the game from here on out.

Brock and I mentioned some players today that we would like to see more of in the next two months. Personally, I'd like to see more of Darryl Tapp in all situations. Can he contribute on all three downs? Can he stop the run? Could he play in space if he was asked? Could he play an outside linebacker position in a 3-4? I like a lot of what I've seen from him, and I want to see more!

Can Justin Forsett be a featured back? People (including myself) will always wonder if he is big enough to take the pounding, but the Hawks now have a chance to find out. If he can mimic Sunday's performance in Arizona on a weekly basis, the team should have one half of a dynamic duo for the future.

Can Deon Butler do it all? We know he's fast, and so far he's impressed with his attention to detail in his route running. But can he put it all together into one play-making package? The only way to find out is to give him enough reps to do his thing. If he can, maybe he is a playmaker of the future. If not, then “speedy playmaker on the outside” is still on the shopping list for the draft/free agency.

Anyone else you want to see more of? Less of?

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• real republican wrote...

  O line

  I would love to see the hawks give Max Unger a shot at center. I think at some point you have to admit that a player is a bust. I remember when we used a first round pick on Spencer, all the draft guru's were saying he was a guy that would be a ten year starter and pro bowler. Didn't happen, not going to happen. I know it is easy to play armchair QB but it is time we cut and run on him and Rob simms. Really none of the guys we have sitting on the bench on the Oline have proven they can get it done on a consistent basis. Ruskell should have given the oline alot more attention. Also It is time to sit Kerney and let Tapp and Lojack prove their worth. Definately want to see more of Nick Reed. Lets face it the position players get all of the attention, but football is won in the trenches. We are just not very good on either side of the ball, and it is time we find out who can play and who can't. There are no answers for the back end of our defense on this roster. I love Babs, and if we can get 2 front line safties in the off season he would be great back in the nickle. Tru will likely return to form next year, but other than that we have 3 guys who are decent nickle backs (jennins wilson babs, and not alot else.

  November 17, 2009 3:38 am

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• rajuseattle wrote...

  To Dear Mike...

  I hope when you mean "evaluation" from top to bottom includes Seahawks top leadership too. I am expecting you and Brock to do a honest assessment of FO's draft picks and free agency contracts during last 5 yrs and show us where FO stands on the scale of 1 to 10..and 10 being the highest rating. I am hoping that coach Jim Mora and his staff will try the fresh and young talent for next 7 games and do the honest evaluation of the talent we have on current roster. FO should be evaluating all the talent with honesty and get rid of the non-performers. Be Brutal like Bill Bellichuk when it comes to cut the non performers...Seahawks should be the team for EXCELLENT performers and competing players not for the discarded NFL retirees....I am sick of their injury problems for the last 2 years. It hurts us as the team more than anything.

  November 18, 2009 11:54 pm

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