Tweet
Sayonara Salute #11: Matt Hasselbeck & Lofa Tatupu
I love the Seattle Seahawks and have been a fan of them since the early 80's. In the franchise's thirty-five year history... they've accumulated a 262-286 record, have reached the playoffs eleven times... and have made one Super Bowl appearance.
Six of those eleven playoff appearances have been in the past eight seasons and a huge part of that success falls on the shoulders of Matt Hasselbeck, who is the all-time leader in Seattle Seahawks franchise history in the following categories:
I'm interested in seeing how the Hawks will fare this year without the guy who's been their offensive leader the past ten seasons. All I know is that franchise QB's don't grow on trees and hopefully Pete Carroll knows what he's doing.
And if losing their offensive leader wasn't enough... the Hawks decided to part ways with their defensive leader as well.
Lofa Tatupu was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks in 2005. He immediately made an impact and helped the Hawks get to the Super Bowl his rookie year. In his first six seasons in the NFL, he's made the Pro Bowl squad three times.
It looks like the Seahawks asked him to take a pay cut... and his release was a mutual decision between him and the franchise.
I don't think anyone considered the Seahawks to be Super Bowl contenders this season... but now that Hasselbeck and Tatupu are gone... it doesn't look like they can even contend in the sad... sad... sad... NFC West.
According to Carroll... "It's always business". I just wonder if the Seahawks are going to become the Oakland A's or San Diego Padres of football. If they do... I'll still love them... but I'd be lying if I said it was "kosher".
But tonight it's not about the Seahawks... it's about giving Matt Hasselbeck and Lofa Tatupu their proper goodbyes.
Mr. Hasselbeck... Thank you for keeping the Seahawks in the playoff picture for the better part of your ten year tenure. I wish you the best of luck in Tennessee.
Mr. Tatupu... Thank you for being the great defensive leader that you are. You were one of my favorite Seahawks and I wish you the best of luck wherever you end up. You'd be an asset to any team in search of a talented middle linebacker.
Alright... your turn.
I'm going out on a limb and will take Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals. After watching Bradford last season, I believe he's the real deal... and will become a solid NFL quarterback. However... I'm one of those guys who believes in sophomore slumps too. And until the 49ers solve their QB situation... I just can't pull the trigger on them yet.
As for the Hawks... I think they'll go 4-12 and take fourth place in the NFC West. Hopefully... I'm wrong... and they surprise me.
Well that's it... have a great week everyone... and Sayonara to Hasselbeck, Tatupu, and until my next post... all of you!
More...
Six of those eleven playoff appearances have been in the past eight seasons and a huge part of that success falls on the shoulders of Matt Hasselbeck, who is the all-time leader in Seattle Seahawks franchise history in the following categories:
Games Started: 131
Pass Completions: 2,559
Pass Attempts: 4,250
Passing Yards: 29,434
Pass Completions: 2,559
Pass Attempts: 4,250
Passing Yards: 29,434
I'm interested in seeing how the Hawks will fare this year without the guy who's been their offensive leader the past ten seasons. All I know is that franchise QB's don't grow on trees and hopefully Pete Carroll knows what he's doing.
And if losing their offensive leader wasn't enough... the Hawks decided to part ways with their defensive leader as well.
Lofa Tatupu was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks in 2005. He immediately made an impact and helped the Hawks get to the Super Bowl his rookie year. In his first six seasons in the NFL, he's made the Pro Bowl squad three times.
It looks like the Seahawks asked him to take a pay cut... and his release was a mutual decision between him and the franchise.
I don't think anyone considered the Seahawks to be Super Bowl contenders this season... but now that Hasselbeck and Tatupu are gone... it doesn't look like they can even contend in the sad... sad... sad... NFC West.
According to Carroll... "It's always business". I just wonder if the Seahawks are going to become the Oakland A's or San Diego Padres of football. If they do... I'll still love them... but I'd be lying if I said it was "kosher".
But tonight it's not about the Seahawks... it's about giving Matt Hasselbeck and Lofa Tatupu their proper goodbyes.
Mr. Hasselbeck... Thank you for keeping the Seahawks in the playoff picture for the better part of your ten year tenure. I wish you the best of luck in Tennessee.
Mr. Tatupu... Thank you for being the great defensive leader that you are. You were one of my favorite Seahawks and I wish you the best of luck wherever you end up. You'd be an asset to any team in search of a talented middle linebacker.
Alright... your turn.
Which team will win the NFC West this season?
And just for kicks...How many wins will Pete Carroll and the Hawks have at the end of the season?
I'm going out on a limb and will take Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals. After watching Bradford last season, I believe he's the real deal... and will become a solid NFL quarterback. However... I'm one of those guys who believes in sophomore slumps too. And until the 49ers solve their QB situation... I just can't pull the trigger on them yet.
As for the Hawks... I think they'll go 4-12 and take fourth place in the NFC West. Hopefully... I'm wrong... and they surprise me.
Well that's it... have a great week everyone... and Sayonara to Hasselbeck, Tatupu, and until my next post... all of you!
More...