Three days and counting…

by Mike Salk

Seahawks

Three days left before the Seahawks kick off their 2009 season and the Seattle Times has it’s season preview today. Great work by Danny O’Neil and the gang. According to O’Neil, there’s a computer analogy for this version of Jim Mora and the Hawks. Steve Kelley thinks 2009 has been a year of revival for Seattle sports and it’s time for the Seahawks to join in. Mora has learned from his experience in Atlanta and is ready for a rare second chance. And Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley has loosened up a defense that looks to be flying around this season. Look for Bradley to use the Seahawks talent and versatility.

The Seahawks need to start this season strong against the Rams. Really, this is almost a must-win. Brandon Mebane’s pass rush from the defensive tackle position is going to be a key for the Hawks all season.

Fans would be thrilled if Aaron Curry lives up to the praise being heaped on by Pro Football Weekly.

Clare Farnsworth highlights some reasons why Jordan Babineaux is now the Seahawk starting safety. “Big Play Babs” is going to be counted on for the big plays right away. Babineaux was always confident that someday he would start in this league, now he has that chance. Mike Sando looks at Babineaux and Justin Griffith as starters.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has always been a confident player despite taking a tough road to the NFL. The NFC West has transformed into a running and defense division, thanks to the new coaches.

FOX ranks their broadcast teams and assign them based on “attractive” games, on Sunday the Seahawks draw the 6th (out of 7) team. That means Ron Pitts and John Lynch have the game.

John Boyle gives you a look at the injury report as of Wednesday. Marcus Trufant’s recovery is not looking promising.

Mariners

Ichiro is on the verge of getting 200 hits for the 9th straight year, only three other players have ever had at least eight 200-hit seasons in their entire careers!

After giving up 4 runs in the first inning, the Mariners couldn’t mount a come back. The silver lining of last night’s game is that Ian Snell was able to last 6 innings and save the bullpen some.

Brandon Morrow will be back in the M’s starting rotation on Friday night, it’ll be interesting to see what he’s learned in Tacoma. Bringing back Russell Branyan might not be the slam dunk option that many think it is.

Dave Cameron breaks down the options for Kenji Johjima’s future.

Huskies

Desmond Trufant has been making up for lost time after not being eligible for practice. Bob Condotta looks at the safety situation, Trufant, and has news from practice yesterday. With defensive end Darrion Jones injured against LSU, the Huskies will count on a group of true freshmen to pick up the slack.

Condotta also supplies a list of UW alumni that are active in the NFL; the list is short. nTwo Huskies are trying to make the transformation from defensive to offensive line.

Misc

Melanie Oudin is a tennis phenom, but her tennis career caused her parents to divorce. I enjoyed watching her play this week and thought both she and Wozniaki handled themselves well after the match yesterday.

It looks like Brandon Marshall and the Broncos are trying to work out a deal. I’ll believe it when I see it. Jose Romero writes that life on the Sounders developmental squad is rough.

Notes:

-The NFL season kicks off today with Tennessee playing the Steelers at 5:30.

-John Lackey (9-7, 3.74 ERA) will pitch for the LA Angels.

-Ryan Rowland-Smith (3-2, 3.88) is coming off an 8 inning performance in his last start.