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by Mike Salk

Seahawks

4th preseason game tonight. How excited are you? Scale of 1-10? Position battles will be won and lost tonight, Danny O’Neill says there are 6 to watch. Kickers Olindo Mare and Brandon Coutu have not put much distance between themselves, tonight is the last chance. Ben Obamanu and Courtney Taylor seem to be battling for the last receiver spot, John Morgan likes Taylor. Devin Moore could get cut.

Colin Cole was a 61-1 wrestler in high school, he has seen those skills transfer to the football field. The starters will barely play, but there will be passion and energy on the field as backups are fighting for jobs. Aaron Curry is one starter that figures to play a lot tonight.

SI.com projects the Seahawks to finish first in the NFC West thanks to what they see as a much improved running game. I agree.

The Seahawks put Corey Withrow on IR and signed rookie free agent safety Nate Ness. In the past 4 years Tim Ruskell has been to the playoffs 3 times and the Superbowl once, but it’s his contract year, will he be brought back?

Could Jason Campbell be the Seahawk quarterback of the future?

Mariners

Felix Hernandez is still in the Cy Young hunt after firing 8 shutout innings, M’s win 3-0 and take the series. How about that? Each time the M’s win a series like this, it’s easy to think of all the squandered opportunities this season (bad series in Colorado, Texas, KC etc.).

Remember, it was 3 months ago Don Wakamatsu called out Felix after giving up 6 runs against this Angels team, he looks like a completely different pitcher. Dave Cameron says it would probably take a 7 year, $130 million contract to extend Felix. We aren’t done talking about this by a long shot.

Ken Griffey Jr. could be back in the lineup tonight and Carlos Silva gave up 2 runs in a one inning appearance in single A. Expect to see Jose Lopez at first base a lot in the next couple days because of the left handed pitchers the M’s are facing.

Bill Hall has been a valuable utility guy already. If his bat can come all the way back, he’ll be an excellent addition.

Miguel Batista was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award; given to “the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” Blogger Greg Johns says there is still a reason to go to Mariners games, he saw some interesting things last night at Safeco.

Huskies

As a first year head coach Steve Sarkisian has a lot to prove, but he has impressed since he walked in for an interview. Special teams and the secondary stand out in five keys to the season. Mark Emmert sees a little bit of Nick Saban in Sarkisian.

WSU/Misc.

WSU looks to be a better team, if the players actually listen to the coaches this year. Bert Klasey has invited me to join Cougar nation. I think I need to watch a few games and let this develop naturally.

The Sounders won yesterday’s U.S. Open Cup 2-1 over D.C. United. Who knew?

Roger Goodell is going to make a ruling on Michael Vick’s reinstatement by Saturday.

Yesterday it was reported that Adam “Pacman” Jones had signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, turns out that didn’t happen.

Notes:
-Oregon plays Boise State at 7:15

-Seahawks play Oakland Raiders at 7:00

-Mariners play Oakland A’s at 7:05

–Ian Snell (5-9, 5.29 ERA) threw just 68 pitches in his last start after getting hit with a line drive, he has allowed 4 ER in his last 3 starts.

–Brett Tomko (3-2, 3.62 ERA) beat the Yankees and Tigers in his first two starts with the A’s