HUSKIES BLOW OUT THE VANDALS

A win is a win is a win. Bottom line the Huskies will take it anyway they can get it. Also, the Idaho Vandals are terrible.
Here are a few thoughts from Husky Stadium while the Dawgs blow out the Vandals.
Could you imagine if the Huskies had won the Air Force game. They would be 2-1 having lost to a great Cal team. You also have to wonder if the Huskies would have quit against Cal had they beat the Falcons. Cal still would have won and won easily as they were a far superior team.
This was vintage Tyrone Willingham football. Find an advantage and milk it to the end. The Huskies came out and pounded the football. They called running plays on 18 of the first 25 plays. The offensive line was making hay on each and every run.
Louis Rankin had a good day and showed some nice footwork that many wondered if he had.
Defensively the Huskies coaches had some very nice blitz packages dialed up for the Vandals. Early in the game they brought two guys up the middle with the first guy tying up the blockers and the second guy would get to the quarterback. The Huskies also implemented a pass rush front 4 on passing downs, it included Caesar Rayford on an end with Greyson Gunheim on the other end. Manase Hopoi and Wilson Afoa were the tackles for most of those allingnments.,
Idaho was slow. Numerous times it looked as though Idaho’s backs would have a running lane and then they never had the speed to get to it.
Finally, I know it is a nice win, but I have to throw a word of caution. I am very worried about Isaiah Stanback’s play. He was awful early completing just 1 of his first 6 throws with an interception and a fumble. Throughout the game, he almost never went to a secondary receiver. Moreover, his best plays were often very poor decisions. The bomb to Craig Chambers was into double coverage, the touchdown to Johnnie Kirton was ill advised and he should have two other balls intercepted. His scrambling ability and escapability are impressive, but his quarterbacking game is not progressing.
A win is a win is a win.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Football analysis and NFL stats for the Moneyball era - Authors of Pro Football Prospectus 2005

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Football analysis and NFL stats for the Moneyball era - Authors of Pro Football Prospectus 2005: "The Seahawks infamously finished second in the NFL in drops in 2003, a surprise for a talented unit that boasted Darrell Jackson (who signed a lucrative new deal after the season), former top-ten pick Koren Robinson, and Football Outsiders favorite Bobby Engram. The problems were written off to focus and confidence issues and a host of other excuses."

Locked on Sports: Onus on Hasselbeck to rekindle bravado

Locked on Sports: Onus on Hasselbeck to rekindle bravado: "Since then, the fourth- quarter magic that had been a staple of a young Hasselbeck has disappeared. Aside from two very good drives last year against the Cowboys, Hasselbeck and the Hawks have been dormant in the fourth quarter since that Jan. 4, 2004, day at Lambeau Field."

SIMULBLOG FOR SEAHAWKS V. JAGS

HAWKS LOSE THE OPENER --- HASSELBACK WAS TERRIBLE AND THE OFFENSE WAS WELL BELOW PAR IN THE SECOND HALF. THE DEFENSE SHOWED SIGNS OF BEING MUCH IMPROVED THOUGH STILL PUNISHED BY THE BIG BALLS.

SCAN DOWN AND YOU WILL SEE MY RUNNING COMMENTARY IN THE SIMULBLOG. THIS WRITTEN AS THE GAME HAPPENS.

PLACE YOUR COMMENTS IN THE COMMENT ZONE.

THINGS TO WATCH (Green is post-game response)
1) Penetration of Jags defensive Tackles -- they had huge impact on the Hawks ability to run.
2) Sean Locklear making his first start at right tackle -- biggest play of the game he was blown up. He got beat on two or three occasions.
3) Can Bobby Engram get open as the #2 wide reciever? Yes. he was very active in the middle of the field. They moved him to slot in the 3 wide reciever set.
4) Thrid down conversions. Last year the Hawks were awful, the year before brilliant . Hawks once again were very poor on 3rd downs.
5) Mental game of Stevens. Without Mili Stevens will have to play a lot of snaps in the heat. Seemed to be a non-issue.
6) Big plays allowed. That was the killer last season. Jimmy Smith crushed them on big plays.
7) Can the Hawks get any pass rush. It was better then last season. At times it was very poor and moreso the Hawks were terrible on the blitz getting to the QB.

OPENING DRIVE -- JAGS WITH THE FOOTBALL -- DRIVE STARTS AT THE HAWKS 40.
Hawks fumble the opening kickoff. Scobee makes a nice return but fumbles.
This is as brutal a beginning as you can have to a season
This reminds me of the Rams game last year when they came out and threw on the first 11 plays.
The Jags have threw on the first 4 plays until they ran Matt Jones on a trick play
Reggie Williams cost the Jags a timeout by not being on the field
Defense stiffs and hold the Jags to a field goal
JAGS LEAD 3-0 -- 6 PLAYS 34 YARD DRIVE.

OPENING DRIVE FOR HAWKS -- TRAIL 3-0 -- START AT THE 20
We are going to chart Alexander's success rate today as a runner. Success being 40% of first down yardage, 60% of the first down on second down and the first down on thrid.
This is not an Alexander strength and it drives Holmgren nuts
Stroud, the great D-Tackle of the Jags blows up the Hawks first run play.
drive dies after Alexander -2 yard run.
PUNT

JAGS BALL -- 8:54 LEFT 1st QUARTER -- START AT 20 -- LEAD 3-0
Penalty pushes Jags 3rd and 2 to a 3rd and 7. -- Leftwitch to Jones converts first down
Leftwitch is sitting in shotgun and has all day to throw. He has completed 6 of his first 7 throws.
This is a brutal start. The Jags are just slicing the Hawks defense up.
Hawks brought 6 on 3rd and 5 and still didn't get to Leftwitch.
41 YARD FIELD GOAL GOOD -- JAGS LEAD 6-0 3:49 left in 1st Quarter.

HAWKS BALL -- 3:45 LEFT 1ST QUARTER -- START AT 20 -- TRAIL 6-0
Engram moves to the slot in the three wide reciever set.
END OF FISRST QUARTER
Alexander in the first quarter has a success rate of just 1 for 5. (see above for defintion)
Hasselback had all day to throw on a 3rd and 7 and Jurevicius got behind the defense.
TOCHDOWN -- HASSELBACK TO JUREVICIUS FOR 33 YARDS.
HAWKS LEAD 7-6 -- 8 PLAYS 80 YARDS.

JAGS BALL -- 14:47 LEFT 2ND QUARTER -- START AT 26 -- HAWKS LEAD 7-6
Hamlin laid a vintage Hamlin hit on Jimmy Smith. Smith has 3 catches. Lets see what he finishs with.
Lofa Tatupu made a great play stuffing Taylor. Great anticipation.
Hawks are trying to throw a ton of looks. A moment ago they rushed just 2.
Then on the next play they brought 6 and stunted the lineman. It rushed Leftwitch.
PUNT

HAWKS BALL -- 12:58 LEFT 2ND QUATER -- START AT 11 -- HAWKS LEAD 7-6
Walter Jones is unreal.
Hawks are really firing at the Jags cornerbacks.
Interesting move. Engram is still playing the slot and JJ is going to the outside reciever in three reciever sets.
3rd and 9 and Matt throws a awful ball. This is the type of play that losses a game.
INTERCEPTION -- TERRIBLE - TERRIBLE THROW BY HASSELBACK

JAGS BALL -- 9:23 LEFT 2ND QUARTER -- START AT HAWKS 33 -- TRAIL 7-6
Hawks defense did a great job last time holding the Jags to a field goal. Can they do it again.
Incredible run defense from the Hawks-- stuff the Jags on back to back plays 2nd and 3rd and 1 Chuck Darby in the middle of it all.
MISSED FIELD GOAL 43 YARD FIELD.
Amazing the Hawks have committed two turnovers in Jags territory and only have only allowed 3 points.

HAKWS BALL -- 7:13 LEFT 2ND QUARTER -- START AT 34 -- LEAD 7-6
Do we have our first drop? Bannister should have made that play. No surprise he hasn't played any games in the exhibition season and is not a reciever.
No running game at all. Alexander success rate is 1 for 7.

JAGS BALL -- 6:19 LEFT 2ND QUARTER -- START AT THE 26 -- TRAIL 7-6
Wistrom gets a great lick on Leftwitch on an outside rush
Deep ball. How does this happen again. Herndon got beat by Smith. Herndon had no help. 45 yards on the pick up.
Rocky Bernard sack.
4 man rush gets no where close and Leftwitch finds a wide open Jimmy Smith for a 31 yard TD.
Erick Kramer is wrong it is not DD Lewis it was Boulwaire that got turned around and burned.
The Hawks defense was totally awful on that play.
TOUCHDOWN LEFTWITH TO SMITH -- JAGS LEAD 13-7

HAWKS BALL -- 4:17 LEFT 2ND QUARTER -- START AT THE 20 -- TRAIL 13-7
Alexander boom or bust -- 35 yard pick up.
Alexander has success on his last 3 runs.
Wow !!! What a great drive. 80 yards to answer the Jags TD. That is big time.
Alexander was huge on the drive.
HASSELBACK TO JACKSON FOR 9 YARD TD.
7 PLAYS - 80 YARDS -- HAWKS LEAD 14-13.

2ND HALF

JAGS BALL -- OPENING 2ND HALF -- START AT 22 -- TRAIL 14-13
Nifty play out of the Jags-- Jones, the former QB at Arkansas, took an end a round and then ran an option out of it. Hawks played it well. Good fundamentals.
Jags are suddenly getting big run numbers from Taylor. His last three carries are for 6 or mroe yards.
I haven't heard Marcus Tubbs name at all in the this game.
Terrible tackle by Andre Dyson. None of the new guys are able to tackle the way Lucas did.
Terrible defense. 3rd and 6 and the Jags give it to Taylor and the Hawks defensive line gets manhandled.
Are we seeing heat have its impact. This is a long drive and the Hawks aren't making plays.
Jumpball to Jimmy Smith over the top of Marcus Trufant for a Touchdown.
JAGS TAKE THE LEAD ON 12 PLAY 78 YARD DRIVE TO OPEN HALF.

HAWKS BALL - 1ST OF SECOND HALF -- START AT 29 --- TRAILING 20-14
Sean Locklear got blown up for the first time.
Moris on a draw on 3rd and 9 --- why?
PUNT

JAGS BALL -- 6:34 LEFT 3RD QUARTER -- START AT 21 -- LEADING 20-14
Hawks are brining the blitz but they can't get to Leftwitch.
The Hawks offense just killed the defense. The D was on the field for 11 plays and then the Hawks offense only stayed on the floor for 4 plays and a tired D is back on the field.
Most recent run plays: 6,6,6,8,3,0,7,1,8,5 -- that is a really bad sign.
This game is in the balance.
Great plays -- back to back -- Trufant blitz forces fumble and 4 man rush collapses on Leftwitch.
PUNT

HAWKS BALL -- 1:46 LEFT 3RD QUARTER -- START AT 7--- TRAILING 20-14
The Hawks have lost the field goal postion game from the first play
Alexander's success rate is 4 of 12 runs
3 and out. 2 drives in the 3rd Quarter and the Hawks have 13 yards and 1 first down.

JAGS BALL -- :46 LEFT IN 3RD QUARTER --- START AT 42 -- LEADING 20-14
The Hawks defense was on the field for 12 minutes of the 3rd Quarter
Rocky Bernard nice tackle for a loss.
4TH QUARTER
Very clutch again by the defense 3 and out. The defense is keeping the Hawks in the game.
PUNT

HAWKS BALL -- 14:39 LEFT IN 4TH QUARTER -- START AT 2 --- TRAILING 20-14 Warrick makes an awful decision. Takes the punt at the 2 yard line. He just cost the Hawks 20 yards on the most important drive of the game. These are plays that losing teams make.
Hawks have started the last two drives at the 7 and and the 2
Huge play to open drive -- Hassell to Stevens for 20 yards.
This would be huge. Hawks hit midfield. Next play they get sacked Ouch !!!
Hawks follow the sack with a delay of game -- shooting themselves in the foot
Did Jackson make the catch? It looked close and the Hawks don't challange. Timeouts are precious and after last years bad luck and bad choices they must have decided not to lose a timeout.
PUNT -- big to move the ball into Jags territory. The Hawks should get two more shots at it.

JAGS BALL -- 9:04 LEFT IN 4TH QUARTER -- START AT 25 -- LEADING 20-14
Is that 3rd Quarter going to come into play now.
Hawks defense does it again. This group has had a very good day.

HAWKS BALL -- 6:29 LEFT IN 4TH QUARTER -- START AT 15 -- TRAILING 20-14
What a disaster. Interception on Hasselback. A awful throw.
Hasselback flushed when Locklear gets beat throws across his body and across the field and it is hangs in the air and is intercepted. This is a awful play. Hasselback just choked. Flat out choked.
The offense was awful in the second half and it cost this team the game.
All this talk about how great Hasselback is has to be re-examined . He was below average last year and he make two game losing throws today. This was flat out brutal.

JAGS BALL -- AFTER INTERCEPTION
Defense holds but Hasselback's awful play gives up another 3 points
HAWKS TRAIL 23-14 --9 POINTS THE SAME THEY GAVE UP ON TURNOVERS.

HAWKS BALL -- TRAILING 23-14 WITH 4:00 LEFT.
Jags blitz and crush Hasselback who fumbles and the Hawks lose.


More on Hasselback
I am really disapointed in how he played today.
Did he make any throw that most of the Quarterbacks in the NFL couldn't make.

MIKE MORSE SUSPENSION -- MORSE RESPONSE

First and foremost I want to apologize to the fans, my teammates, the Mariners’ organization, baseball and to my family. Back in November 2003 when I was 21 years old, I made an enormous mistake in my life: I took steroids while in the Minor Leagues. My thigh muscle, which I had previously torn, had never healed and I was scared that my career was over. I was desperate and made a terrible mistake which I deeply regret.


In May 2004, I was punished and suspended, which I deserved, for my mistake. I embarrassed myself, my family and my team. I am responsible for the mistake of taking steroids and the positive result was not due to some over-the-counter supplement, protein shake or tainted test.


I promised myself never to make the same mistake again. The Arbitration Panel found that the evidence supports that I have not used steroids since the 2003 off-season.


After serving my suspension in May 2004, I was allowed to resume my Minor League career even though steroids remained in my system from the 2003 off-season. There was nothing I could do to completely remove the steroids from my body. In July 2004, I was again drug tested while in the Minor Leagues and the result was that the steroids in my system were in a declining quantity. However, I was again suspended under the Minor League Drug Policy for a second time even though I had not used steroids since the 2003 off-season.


This season, while in the Major Leagues, I was shocked to learn that I tested positive again for steroids. The results showed an extremely low level. As the Panel’s decision points out, the Level was so low that it was ‘undisputed’ that it had ‘no performance enhancing effect’ on me. This positive test was due to the fact that there were still some remnants of the steroid left in my system from the 2003 off-season.


I am troubled that I will be suspended for the third time despite the fact that the scientific evidence supports that I kept my promise that I would never use steroids again.

Even the Panel states in its written decision that ‘the Panel recognizes that this result may be viewed as unfair to Michael Morse…..’


I find it unfair that I am being punished three different times for making the mistake of taking steroids once in 2003. At least there is some solace in the fact that the scientific evidence supports that I kept my promise that I would never use steroids again.

I am truly sorry that this statement was ever even necessary.

I can only hope that the fans, my teammates, the Mariners’ organization, baseball and my family will accept my apology.

SIMULBLOG FOR WASHINGTON V. AIRFORCE

AGAINST










OPENING DRIVE -- HUSKIES FOOTBALL
3 and out. Rankin twice up the middle. On third and three the Huskies went gun with no backs. Stanback QB draw was stiffled. PUNT

OPENING DRIVE -- AIR FORCE FOOTBALL
Fumble at the Huskies 20 yard line. Goldsten recovered
Air Force converted on two long third down plays to keep the drive.

8:31 left 1st Quarter -- No Score -- HUSKIES FOOTBALL
Huskies are just coming right at Air Force. I formation here we come and try to stop the running game. It is a smash mouth. Rankin busted a 25 yard run. Most of the runs are over the leftside of the offensive line, Joe Toledo and Stanley Daniels.
Drive stalls on a third five when Stanback has his pass knocked down.
EVEN KNUDSON 40 YARD FIELD GOAL -- 3-0 HUSKIES.
8 PLAY 57 YARD DRIVE.

5:30 left in 1st Quarter -- Huskies lead 3-0 -- Air Force Football
3 and out. Huskies rallied to the ball very well on defense.
Matt Fontaine knocked away first and ten pass play.

3:50 left in 1st Quarter -- Huskies lead 3-0 -- Huskies Football.
4th and 2 on the 18 yard line and after a timeout the Huskies go for it.
Quick flair out to Russo comes up inches short. Questionable that you take the 3 points on a 4th and 2 situation.
Amazing pass from Stanback to Corey Williams straight down the middle of the field for 35 yards highlighted the drive. This was the best throw we have seen out of Stanback.
Drive fails on 3rd and 1 when James Simms tenatively gets caught for a one yard loss at the 19 yard line. Questionable why Simms would get this carry when Rankin is running this well.
Stanback also hit Russo on a simple out pattern to start the drive for 12 yards.
Early playing calling has been great. Simple. Straight forward and low on the risk factor.
Stanback is 5 of 6 for 69 yards.

1:00 left in 1st Quarter -- Huskies lead 3-0 -- Air Force Football
Fischer DeBerry Air Force Head Coach went into his bag of tricks and brought out the entire 2nd team offense to start the drive and went to a no-huddle.
San Jose State transfer cornerback Roy Lewis looks very good on the corner.

1st Quarter Stats: Huskies 126 yards - Falcons 73
Rushing yards: even at 56
Passing yarss: Air Force 70-17.

Air Force fakes a punt at 4th and 5 on the Huskies 45 to keep the drive alive.
Ian Furness of 1080 the Fan in Portland said right before the punt this is about when Fischer Deberry does something nutty. Good Call
DeBerry went for it again on 4th and 3 at the 33 and with a generous mark made it again.
DaShawn Goldston and CJ Wallace both are playing very well.
The secondary as a whole has been very strong in run support and pass coverage.
CJ Wallace forced the fumble (the above was written before) and ended the drive at their own 26.
That is the Falcons second turnover inside the Huskies 40 yard line.
The drive was 16 plays and 5:37 and no points

10:13 left in the 2nd Quarter -- Huskies lead 3-0 -- Huskies ball
Play calling continues to be strong. Simple, safe and confidence building
Johnnie Kirton caught his first pass coming out of the set as a tied end.
Robin Meadow holding penalty on a Rankin run cost the Huskies on a 1st and 10.
Drive stalls at the 47. Falcons blitzed and Stanback missed Russo.
PUNT -- Terrible snap on the punt just about had the punt blocked.

6:53 left in the 2nd Quarter -- Huskies lead 3-0 -- Falcons Ball
The Huskies are hitting really hard.
Chris Fetters of Dawgman has the line of the day, "Is this the spring game."
Fatigue is beginning to be a factor. The Huskies are playing the plays correctly and the Falcons are getting 4 to 6 yards a chunk.
Over the last 16 minutes of the game the Falcons have been on offense for 13.
27 of the last 33 plays have been Falcons offense.
CJ Wallace just left with an injury and Roy Lewis got hurt an arm injury.
FIELD GOAL 41 YARD -- TIED AT 3-3
13 plays 57 yards 6:14

2ND HALF

14:40 left in the 3rd Quarter -- Tied at 3 -- Falcons Ball
Great kick return starts drive at the 42
With the help of an illegal motion penalty Huskies stop drive without allowing first down.
Terrible punt.

13:19 left in the 3rd Quarter -- Tied at 3 -- Huskies Ball
WOW -- Very impressive opening drive of the 2nd half.
10 running plays including 7 in a row and 2 passes.
A gorgeous play action roll to Johnnie Kriton from Stanback broke the streak of 7 straight runs.
Rankin is ran very well. Rankin is over 100 yards on 16 carries.
Stanback has great numbers but too often he is costing yards with throws that are not accurate enough.
Sims is the back-up running back for Rankin at this point.
Joe Toledo left ankle sprain doubtful to return.
TOUCHDOWN JAMES SIMS 1 YARD RUN -- HUSKIES LEAD 10-3

7:01 left in the 3rd Quarter -- Huskies lead 10-3 -- Falcons Ball
They have been lining up Gunheim as a linebacker in certain formations.
Bend but don't break
Nice play by Gunheim and Darin Harris to stop a 3rd and 5 on the 9 yard line.
28 yard Field Goal -- Huskies lead 10-6.
13 plays - 70 yards 5:50

1:05 left in the 3rd Quarter. Huskies lead 10-6 -- Huskies ball
Muffed kickoff and the Dawgs start on the 11. First play pass to Ellis for 21 yards. HUGE.
WOW AGAIN -- A TREMDOUS DRIVE.
Stanback has been brillant in the second half -- 7 of 7 for 110 yards and Touchdown.
He has hit 5 different recievers in the half.
He is 16 for 21 for 207 yards -- That is tremendous.
27 YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS TO CODY ELLIS OVER TWO DEFENDERS WITH TERRIFIC TOUCH. THAT SHOULD WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME
HUSKIES 17-6.

NOT SO FAST!!!
84 YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS TO KIRKWOOD.
2 POINT CONVERSION NEGATED BY PENALTY.
HUSKIES LEAD 17-13

9:23 left in the game -- Huskies lead 17-13 -- Huskies ball
Stanback throws his first incompletion on a drop by Corey Williams.
Drop stalls the drive on what would have been a huge first down.
Rankin continues to run well.

6:06 left in the game -- Huskies lead 17-13 -- Falcons Ball
4th and at the Falcons own 40 -- Carney keeps it on a roll 1st down
Falcons stay alive
Carney hits Brown with 3:00 left, he slips after the catch at the 30. Had he not slipped he could have gone to the house.
Carney runs 15 yards to the 15
2:27 left 1st -10 at 15 yd line: Carney keeps for 2 yds
2:00 left 2nd - 8 at 13 yd line: Evan Benjamin makes a great play stuffing Carney
1:30 left 3rd -9 at the 15 yd line: Completion to the 1yd line to Kirkwood.
1:02 left 1st - goal at the 1 yd line:

Heading down to field -- you know the outcome

It’s not just business, it’s personal - Blog Maverick - www.blogmaverick.com _

This is Mark Cuban's blog. I found this an amazing post. Very honest admitiion of his mistakes. Some not so subtle shots at Don Nelson. And a solid explination of how the NBA has evolved.

HOW CLASSIC IS THIS

This is the LA Kings first round draft pick. This jersey should sell

HOW THE SONICS LOST OUT ON DALE DAVIS?

The Sonics were hot after Dale Davis for the past weeks and really thought he would be a nice fit to the team. However, the Pistons blew the Sonics out of the water with a 2 year 7 million dollar contract for Davis.
The Sonics were believed to more in the 2 year 4 to 5 million range. If the Sonics had matched the Davis contract they would have been unable to match Damien Wilkins if they decide that is the best approach.
Moreover, 7 million over 2 years for a seriously aging Davis is another head scratching deal in the NBA this off-season. Hard to complain that the Sonics wouldn’t eliminate any chance of retaining Wilkins by matching the deal that Davis got offered from Detroit.

HAWKS LOSE PRE-SEASON TO COWBOYS

Funny how this sports world works, by being in San Antonio I was able to watch the Hawks pre-season game last night. Here is a quick summary

Positives
1) Bobby Engram was active in the middle of the field. This was sorely lacking from last year’s team.
2) Stevens was a part of the passing game. He still needs to get better after the catch but he was active and involved. If the passing game can cover the middle of the field they should be able to hit a few deep over the middle when defenses are forced to adjust.
3) Chuck Darby was all over the place and Marcus Tubbs stunted on a play and showed enough athleticism that he got to the quarterback.
4) 1st quarter run defense was very solid holding Julius Jones to no carry over 2 yards.

Negatives
1) 2 of the first 3 drives by the offense were turnovers
2) Penalities on the first kickoff and the first play set the tone. The Hawks were sloppy all game.
3) Dropped balls by Urban and Wallace may have sealed their fate.
4) Inability to make a play. On three occasions the Hawks had interceptions they dropped. These are the plays that you have to make.
5) Second quarter run defense was awful as Jones gashed the Hawks for three carries over 10 yards in one drive.

OFFER SHEET, TRE SIMMONS AND DALE DAVIS

The offer sheet we told you about arrived today and is exactly as anticipated. The Sonics now have 7 days to decide whether or not to match the offer sheet.
The part of this equation that is unclear is that Wilkins wants to be in Minnesota not in Seattle. Would he have signed the offer sheet if he thought Seattle was going to match? His agent, Mark Bartelstein is one of the best in the business.
We now know why Wilkins turned down the offer from Nate and the Blazers.

In other news I talked with Tre Simmons today and he expects to sign with the Sonics in the next few days. If Wilkins leaves for Minnesota then Simmons would be a nice fit for the Sonics. He can shoot and is a surprisingly good defender.
This is a good example of how I feel Wilkins is replaceable. However, the Sonics management talks about Wilkins size, his defensive capabilities and his ability to drive to the basket as things that separate him at this position.
Bottom line if I am the Sonics unless you are certain that Wilkins is going to be able to be a back-up 2 and 3 and give you 18 to 25 minutes a night then I would let him go to Minnesota. He is a replaceable piece.

The decision on Dale Davis should happen today. Davis is deciding between Seattle and Detroit. Detroit falls out of the picture if Michael Finley goes to Detroit, but the word around the league is that Finley to Miami is a done deal.

DALE DAVIS A SONIC OR A PISTON

A quick update on Dale Davis. I just spoke with his agent Chubby Wells and he expects a decision to be made either tonight (Thursday) or more likely tomorrow. Things can change but as of right now the decision is between Seattle and Detroit.
Rick Sund and Wells plan to speak in the next few hours.

SONICS EXPECT WILKINS TO GET OFFER SHEET AND SONICS MAY LURE DALE DAVIS TO SEATTLE

Here is the latest on the Supersonics.
Expectations are the in the next day or two you will see a 5 year 14.6 million dollar offer sheet from the Minnesota Timberwolves to Damien Wilkins. According to numerous reports the Wolves have already used 2.5 million of their mid-level exception to sign Eddie Griffin leaving just 2.5 million to start to offer for Wilkins.
There is a little game of cat and mouse going on here as the Wolves have delayed announcing the Griffin because it allows the Sonics to know what they are going to offer Wilkins in an offer sheet. Remember the Sonics have to use their mid-level to re-sign Wilkins.
Wilkins and his agent Mark Bartelstein have told the Sonics that Wilkins would rather not return to Seattle because he doesn’t want to be behind Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis for the length on the contract. The Wolves have told Wilkins he would start.
The Sonics have the deal done for Vitaly Potapenko and he is going through physicals and all of that before it is announced.
However, the Sonics are not done on the center front. DeSanga Diop is out of the picture as he is expected to sign with Dallas, but the Sonics are still in strong conversations with Dale Davis and his agent Chubby Wells.
Detroit is hot after Davis as well but they may have to use their entire mid-level to sign newly release Michael Finley. Finley to Detroit would be good for the Sonics quest after Dale Davis.
The update on Finley is Detroit, Phoenix, San Antonio and the Heat are all hot after him.
The Sonics have their entire mid-level to use for both Wilkins and Davis and may end up with both of them.
One other note I am hearing around the league that the Spurs are trying to move Brent Barry only after one year with the team.

Locked on the NFL Audio

Sports Radio 950 KJR's David Locke caught up with Seahawks legends Steve Largent and Curt Warner after the Rumble at the Ridge golf tournament and talked everything from golf to politics. David also talked a little football in the extended conversation at TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge with the Ring of Honor members.

Locked on Sports: Bavasi teetering on tightrope

Locked on Sports: Bavasi teetering on tightrope: "When the Mariners lose their 90th game this season, they will become the first franchise to follow back-to-back 90-win seasons with back-to-back 90-loss seasons since Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's in 1916.

Outgoing GM Pat Gillick said someone else needed to take a 'kick at the cat.' Bavasi has kicked the bucket."

FELIX THE GREAT

Felix Hernandez was simply awesome last night. The Royals are awful but everything about last night was real.
Here is how real. One of my best friends is playing with the Royals and I went to lunch with him today. I asked him what the guys were saying. He told me that he asked one of the guys in the clubhouse, a guy who has played around 8 years in the bigs both in the AL and the NL, what he thought of Felix and after a pause he called him the best right hander he has ever faced. The best right hander he has ever faced. That is insane.
He is that good. A few things that jumped out a me really watching him last night.
First, his back side. He is girth is impressive. Furthermore, he really uses it. He gets down and drive and his hips explode to the mound. That is a lot of his power and you would hope that would keep his arm healthy.
He is down in the strike zone. I mean he may have come about the belt once or twice in the game. I was talking to a former big leager today who was explaining to me that on a hard thrower you have to focus on the top of the ball because it will rise up at contact. But Felix is already bringing the ball on a downward plane so that you have no choice but to hit the top of the ball, which is why he is not allowing extra base hits and why he is not allowing fly balls.
Gil Meche still hasn’t figured how to get on a downward plane the way the 19 year old Felix has.
Another item that jumped out was his command of both sides of the plate. Most young pitchers are able to take one side of the plate and they live on it. More often then not for a right hand pitcher it is the outside to a right hander hitter and the inside corner to a left hander. Felix is commanding both sides of the plate no matter if the hitter is left handed or right handed.
Finally it a post game interview with the Torrealba, Torreabla was asked about a 3-2 pitch and what he decided to throw and Felix told him put down whatever you think is right and I will throw it. That is tremendous confidence.
The dude is real. This beyond hope. The are more steps to be taken but this guy is the unattainable #1 starter that every franchises dreams of.

RADMANOVIC NEGOTATIONS UPDATE

Vlady’s side and the Sonics talked yesterday. They are still at a point were they agree to disagree. The Sonics have upped their offer to 6 year 42 million with incentives and the Vlady wants $50 million guarantee. At this point Radmanovic camp is waiting out an offer from some other team. If that doesn’t happen, which seems unlikely, they can sign the 1-year $3.2 million tender before October 1st.
Radmanovic’s camp still believes that the free agent market is robust and they are better off becoming an unrestricted free agent next season. Their belief is that they will be able to get substantially more in the opening market next year then the $42 million dollar offer the Sonics are offering.
The Sonics are standing pat.

Locked on the NFL Audio

David Locke of Sports Radio 950 KJR talked with Seahawk linebacker Jamie Sharper about the veteran's transition into the Seattle defense. Locke and Sharper discuss the championship attitude that helped Sharper to a Super Bowl title with the Baltimore Ravens and how that can be applied to a new team in his ninth NFL season.

Locked on the NFL Audio

Sports Radio 950, KJR's David Locke spoke with new Seahawk defensive tackle Chuck Darby about working his way from the Tampa Bay practice squad in his rookie season to earning a likely starting spot on the Seahawks line, all while fighting off the label as an "under-sized" player.

Locked on the NFL Audio

Sports Radio 950, KJR's David Locke talked with 2-time National Champion Lofa Tatupu about draft-day jitters, playing as an undersized linebacker, growing through the USC system and other news from Seahawks training camp.

Locked on the NFL Audio

Sports Radio 950 KJR's David Locke talks with new Seahawk Kelly Herndon about how the veteran cornerback reached a high level in the NFL, his transition to the Seattle secondary and the goings-on of his hometown of Twinsburg, Ohio.

Locked on the NFL Audio

You heard a Cougar, now you can hear Sports Radio 950 KJR's David Locke talk with a Dawg. David caught up with veteran wide receiver Jerome Pathon and talked about his Canadian roots, the Seahawks receiving corps and his return to Seattle.

Locked on the NFL Audio

Sports Radio 950 KJR's David Locke talks with Wilson High School and WSU product Marcus Trufant about going to training camp in his home state (and younger brother Isaiah's backyard) and the progression of the up-and-coming Seahawks cornerback.

Locked on the NFL Audio

Sports Radio 950, KJR's David Locke talks with Josh Brown about the Seahawks kicking game, Josh's top five movie picks, the best ways to pass time in Cheney and the best ways to get around retail return policies.

Locked on Sports: Steroid scandal means it's time for Selig to say goodbye

Locked on Sports: Steroid scandal means it's time for Selig to say goodbye: "Resign, Bud Selig!

Selig's leadership -- or lack thereof -- has left baseball confronting this steroid-laced disaster. His actions as commissioner of baseball have been either dishonest or incompetent -- or both."

LOCKED ON SPORTS AUDIO

950, KJR's David Locke talks with Seattle Seahawks Quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn about the drops, Senecca Wallace and the loss of Trent Dilfer.

NO OFFER SHEET FOR WILKINS FROM TIMBERWOLVES

In today’s Seattle Times it was reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves will sign Damien Wilkins a 5 year $15 million offer sheet.
I just spoke with Timberwolves head coach Dwane Casey and he said that is not accurate. “There is sincere interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves but there is no formal offer sheet extended to Damien Wilkins.” Minnesota doesn’t want to have its money tied up the seven day period of restricted free agency.
In addition, the report in the Times said that the Sonics are unlikely to match. The word around the NBA is very different. The Sonics have told Wilkins agent Mark Bartelstein that they will match offers for Wilkins.
An issue that has not be discussed is that Wilkins may not want to return to Seattle. Bartelstein has told the Sonics that his client would like to go some place where he can start. With the Sonics Wilkins chances are minimal for significant playing time with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis ahead of him on the depth chart. Whereas in the other cities that are suiting Wilkins he would have a chance to start.
Minnesota is very interested in Wilkins, Flip Murray and Reggie Evans. At the current time Minnesota can’t afford to have their money tied up in an offer sheet. However, it is fair to anticipate that at some point Minnesota will extend an offer sheet to either Wilkins or Murray. Minnesota will try to make the Sonics decided.
Other teams interested are Atlanta and Denver.

HoopsHype - Interviews - Vladimir Radmanovic: "My status on the team improves with Weiss"

HoopsHype - Interviews - Vladimir Radmanovic: "My status on the team improves with Weiss": "Vladimir Radmanovic: 'My status on the team improves with Weiss'
"

FRANKLIN THE MUSCLE MAN

STEROIDS YES OR NO?

Who would you play the game with? Go to the comment zone and nominate names and see what people say?

Locked On Sports: It's time for fans to play 'Steroids, Yes or No?'

Locked On Sports: It's time for fans to play 'Steroids, Yes or No?': "Sadly, baseball's ostrich approach to confronting a decade-long problem has created an environment in which baseball fans' newest, most favorite game is 'Steroids, Yes or No?' The game is simple. Name the player, check his numbers and then speculate steroids, yes or no? Let's play:"

LOCKED ON SPORTS PODCAST

Every night at 8:05 pm Locked on Sports will talk the NFL. The guests will include Seahawks, fantasy experts, national expters and coaches.
Monday night 950, KJR's David Locke talked with Andre Dyson.

BREAKING NEWS -- FRANKLIN FAILS STEROID TEST

950, KJR is reporting and has confirmed that Ryan Franklin has tested positive for a banned substance and will be suspended 10 games by Major League Baseball. HE will talk with the media around 11:00 am this morning in Detroit.
This becomes another example of how outrageous the steroid and banned substance problem is and was inside Major League Baseball. When a player like Franklin is involved it opens up the entire roster of every team as potential users.
Stay tuned to 950, KJR for more on this developing story.

SONICS TO SIGN RICK BRUNSON AS BACK-UP POINT

950, KJR'S Locked on Sports reports that according to sources inside the NBA, the Sonics have come to a one-year agreement with Rick Brunson. Brunson, 32, is a 8 year veteran in the NBA. Brunson will be the back-up to Luke Ridnour.
Last season the Sonics played a three-guard rotation, however in the 2005-06 season the Sonics are anticipating that they will have a 4-guard rotation. Brunson stand at 6 foot 4 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. His size is a nice compliment to Ridnour.
Last season, Brunson played 80 games, starting 39, with the LA Clippers averaging 24 minutes a game. He scored 5 points per game and averaged 5 assists. In his 39 starts last season he averaged 7 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds.
His assist to turnover ratio was an impressive 5.1 to 1.56. This is very similar to what Daniels brought to the floor for the Sonics.
His shooting is not a strong point. He is a career 38% from the field. On the positive side he should be able to stretch the defense as a career 36% three point shooter. Over the past two seasons, Brunson has really added the three to his game and has hit 206 of 547 attempts for 38%
This will be the Temple graduates 7th team in the NBA. He started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Portland Trailblazers. Since he has bounced around, but a great sign of what type of player and person Brunson is that three teams have had him back for a second run.
According to sources the contract is a 1 year deal for the minimum contract. That will not count against the Sonics mid-level exception.


LOCKE’S TAKE –
This isn’t going to wow anyone but it makes a lot of sense. The Sonics have decided to play a 4 guard line-up next season with Brunson backing-up of Ridnour. Brunson is the ultimate back-up point guard. He doesn’t turn the ball over. He is just good enough that he can hurt the other team. He has been through so much as a player that you know he isn’t going to rock the boat wanted more time or more shots. His performance this last year with the Clippers was strong enough that if Ridnour gets hurt he could run the team for a short period of time.
The real issue is with Ridnour’s development and the likelihood that he will be playing 34 minutes a night next season the Sonics have moved into a realm where the back-up point guard becomes an interchangeable part every two years or so. Therefore, Brunson is a very good answer at the back-up position.
Interesting comparison to who AD was when the Sonics acquired him. Daniels last year in Portland he average 3.7 points and 1 assist in 13 minutes a night. I doubt Bronson will be able to what AD did last year for the Sonics, but you would have never imagined AD would have done that when he came to Seattle.

THIS WEEK FOR THE SONICS

The singings and real movement in the NBA is finally going to happen. It moratorium is expected to be pulled on Tuesday and then it is down to business.
Here is what to watch for this week from a Sonics standpoint.
Today, Vlady Radmanovic and his agent, Dave Bauman, will be in town and meeting the Sonics brass. The Sonics currently have a 6 year 39 million dollar deal on the table. The two sides will try to reach a common ground to sign a long term deal. If not Radmanovic will be forced to sign the 1 year tender agreement at 3.2 million dollars. Bauman has said if that is what they are forced to do it is a sign that Radmanoivc’s Sonics career will be over at the end of the year. He says it would show a lack of faith in his client from the Sonics.
Also on Tuesday the not so mystery suitor of Damien Wilkins may be revealed. The Sonics are hoping to keep Wilkins by using a portion of their mid-level exception. According to sources Wilkins turned down a $16 million offer from the Portland Trailblazers. I talked with his agent Mark Bartlestein today and he said, “There are a few teams involved, I don’t want to comment on specifics, because there are still a lot of ways this can go.”
On Wednesday, the Sonics will announce the signing that was the key to the off-season. Ray Allen will hold his press conference and the Sonics will have their franchise piece in tack for 5 years at nearly 80 million dollars.
Flip Murray is a bit of a wild card. The Sonics are planning on signing Murray while his camp is desperately attempting to set his market value by receiving an offer sheet. However, no teams are willing to have their money tied up for 7 days on an offer sheet.
I don’t anticipate much on the Reggie Evans front. Everything sounds like that will linger all the way into September. There is a good chance that Evans is left with the one year tender.
The Sonics will continue discussions with Vitaly Potapenko about returning to Seattle. The advantage of Potapenko is the Sonics don’t have to use any of their mid-level exception.
Lastly, the fringe signing will be the keys for the Sonics. The Sonics have spotlighted various players that they anticipate to slip through the market and could become available very much the way Jerome James did 5 years ago and Antonio Daniels did 2 years ago.

MARINERS PURGE CONTINUES

The Mariners purge continued today as they released Aaron Sele from the roster. The Mariners filled his roster spot by recalling Jorge Campillo from Tacoma.
Campillo has been battling injuries over the past month but, made his first start off the injury last week and will now fill the rotation spot of Sele.
This is the beginning of numerous moves to cleanse the roster of pieces that will not be a part of the Mariners re-birth.
Rumors persist that the Mariners are close to calling up Felix Hernandez from Tacoma and placing him the rotation as well. Some reports have Hernandez pitching in Detroit as early as Thursday.
Once again we are experiencing major league tryouts at the big league level. This is what the minor league system is defined to do. Last year, the Mariners struck out completely in finding anyone who was ready for the big leagues in this tryout period.
Julio Mateo seems to have the most consistent stuff on the staff. Why wouldn’t Mateo be moved into the starting rotation.
Other players that may be on the chopping block include Shiggy, Matt Thorton and Joel Pineiro.

MARINERS TRADE WINN AND OLIVO

The Mariners have made two trades tonight ending the Mariner careers of Randy Winn and Miguel Olivo.
Winn was traded to the San Francisco Giants for right handed pitcher Jesse Foppert and defensive minded catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Foppert, 25, has started 23 games in his major league career with the Giants. He missed almost the entire 2004 season after “Tommy John” surgery. Torrealba, 27, has played just 34 games with the Giants this season. He looks to be a light hitting catcher, but his defensive numbers are outstanding. His career fielding percentage is .996 and he has allowed just 3 passed balls in 206 MLB games.
The Mariners gave up on the corner stone piece of the Freddy Garcia trade sending Olivo to the Padres for two low level prospects. The Mariners received Miguel Ojeda who is soft hitting 30 year old catcher. They also got a AA pitcher from the Padres, Nate Mateo.
Leftfield can not be filled by Chris Snelling as he must spend 10 days in Triple A after being sent down last week.
Neither of the catchers acquired seem to be long term answers.
The real story on these deals is that within one year the Mariners have given up on the key piece of the Freddy Garcia trade. Olivo’s stay in Seattle has been a total disaster and showed no signs of turning itself around. You have to wonder how the Mariners could have missed this badly on a player that they presumably scouted before trading Garcia for him. On the day of that trade we were told Olivo was one of the premier young catchers in baseball. Instead the Mariners now only have Jerremy Reed and Mike Morse for the Freddy Garcia deal.
On the Randy Winn side of the deal the Mariners are banking that Foppert will re-gain his arm strength a year removed from Tommy John surgery. At 6 foot 6 inches tall Foppert has an 8-9 record with a 5.00 ERA in his major league career.
Bottom line, there is not a lot of substance coming to the Mariners in these deals. They said if they made a trade they were going to acquire players that could help the team at the big league level next season. I will be surprised if this does that.

MIKE HARMON OF YAHOO SPORTS ON BASEBALL TRADE DEADLINE

We just had Mike Harmon on Yahoo Sports on 950, KJR about the trade deadline.

Here is a quick summation of what he said.
1) That Jamie Moyer has been approached about waiving his 10/5 rights. The Yankees and the Rangers are the suitors.
2) The Carl Pavano for Randy Winn and Joel Pineiro trade has heated up again.
3) He believes the Mariners should get something done and that Winn is the most likely to be moved.
4) The Red Sox have gotten involved in the Randy Winn talks.

MIKE SANDO'S TRAINING CAMP UPDATE

Here is what Mike Sando just placed on his blog. Check out the link to Sando on the left hand side of the page.

TRAINING CAMP -- DAY ONE |
Time is short here so this will be a bit hurried.

Notes from the morning practice:

Top two picks are close to deals, Holmgren said, but neither player was here at practice. Shaun ALexander could be back as early as Sunday. ... Marcus Trufant is working at RIGHT cornerback, which is new for him. This is because the other guys are more comfortable on the left said. They'll see how it goes. ... Ken Hamlin should be back for the third preseason game. That is the plan, anyway. ... Not practicing: Ryan Dutton, Ken Hamlin, Shaun Alexander, Christian Mohr, Cornelius Wortham, Lofa Tatupu, Chris Spencer, Alex Bannister, Cedric Woodard. Players who have returned to practice after missing minicamps: Rashad Moore, Trufant, Steve Hutchinson, Ryan Hannam, Marquand Manuel.

Posted by mikesando Jul 29, 2005 11:00 am

DO THE MARINERS HAVE A PLAN?

Do the Mariners have any plan at all? It sure doesn’t feel that way. Here is what the plan seems to be. Bavasi and his boys are in the office and they are saying “Hey lets bring up all of these shortstops and then we will throw them around the diamond and see which one plays the best.” “Hey let’s bring up three different catchers and then we let each of them play and little but we will let a 42 year play the most.”
Any reasonable decent organization would know which one of these guys is the guy that they believe is going to be the shortstop or catcher of their club. Good organizations don’t have tryouts at the big league level. That is what the minor leagues are for, to evaluate and know your talent. That should know the guy who is going to play SS and who is the catcher.
They are talking about Betancourt that he reminds them of an Omar Vizquel.
If that is true then why is he possibly being moved to second base. Moreover, the idea that he can go play second for one night at Tacoma and then be ready to come to the big leagues and play second sounds like the biggest seat of your pants disorganization miss run garbage. It is laughable. Let me quote Hargrove directly “Jose is a good player and he's going to get better," Hargrove said. "It's just that sometimes the big-league level is not the best place to work on your game." So why then is a SS working himself into a 2B at the big league level Have a plan. Have an idea. Have an intention.

You can’t ask kids to come to the big adjust to a new high-pressure life and oh by the way would you please learn a new position while you are at it. This is absurd. Who is the SS of the future? Which guy do you think can catch? They should know, they should have decided It makes you wonder if there is any plan at all.

WHY VLADY IS PART OF SONICS CORE?

Last week in the Seattle-pi, I wrote about the Sonics keeping their core together. In response their was a lot of discussion of why I included Radmanovic in the core. I think people are forgetting how valuable Vlady Radmanovic is for the Seattle Supersonics. What has been forgotten in Vlady is what makes the Sonics unique.
Vlady does things that no power forward in the NBA does. He runs like a deer. He is dramatically more athletic then anyone realizes. In fact, he may be the best athlete on the team. He stretches the floor with his three point shooting. His post defense is better then he is given credit for.
His floor presence opens up the game for Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. I would argue that Allen and Lewis’s big years were directly related to their time on the floor with Vlady.
Interestingly enough the player that has to have Vlady around is Reggie Evans. If Evans is on the floor with another big most of his game is negated. His presence clogs the offense when there is another big on the floor and his rebounding dips because the other teams has three or four players around the boards. However, when he is on the floor with Vlady he has one on one rebounding match-ups because the floor is spread.
Numbers tell the dependency on Vlady for Evans. 82games.com charts the +/- rating for playing pairs. (How the team does when two players are on the floor together).
Evans is a negative with every big except when on the floor with Vlady they are the best playing pair on the roster (ignoring the limited time James and Fortson played together only 5 minutes).
Using more of the playing pairs data and Radmanovic’s importance to the Sonics is even clearer. Allen’s best playing pair is Radmanovic. Lewis’s best playing pair is Radmanovic. Ridnour’s best playing pair is Radmanovic. Collison’s best playing pair was Radmanovic. You get the point.
In 59 games when the Sonics had Lewis, Allen and Radmanovic on the floor together they outscored their opponent in 42 of those. That is the triumphant that makes the Sonics a unique team.
Vlady needs to improve on two areas of his game. He needs to be a better rebounder and he needs to get to the free throw line. The rebounding can improve, but I doubt it will ever be a strength. I would envision a Rashard Lewis type rebounder. The increase at the free throw line will come. It is inevitable as he understands the game, improves his ball handling and starts to get a better reputation with officials.
There is no doubt the Vlady is a part of the core of this team. Most importantly he is what makes the team unique.

REACTION TO THE COMMENT ZONE

Thanks to all of you that have been so active on this blog. We have shattered any expectation that I had coming in to the project. One of my hopes was to create a Locked on Sports community outside of the show. That is exactly what has taken place in the comment zone. The comments have been amazingly astute, knowledgeable and on point. I strongly suggest even those that are not making comments to check out the discussion. Great work everyone. I have gone through the comment zones and here are some of my thoughts after reading all of them.

• Two players I would be intrigued with Sonics trying to acquire. Atlanta’s Al Harrington. He is a very good complimentary player and would rebound after an awful year. In Indiana Austin Croshere has been buried. However, I like him and while he earns too much money their might be some way to make it work. He is Vlady but a better rebounder and not as good a shooter.
• Will Conroy is a nice college player and I believe he has enough intagiables that he could make the league. However, he is just another nice college point guard. The idea that he is on par at this moment with guys in the NBA is flat out laughable
• If the Sonics go with a traditional point guard and use Flip as a back-up two guard then Brevin Knight might be ok. Knight is a solid no mistake player. Though he can’t shoot a lick.
• Maurice Evans is going to be available. The Kings don’t plan to re-sign him. However, he may get a fairly decent deal.
• On the mock drafts the Spurs did draft some French power forward. It was not Petro it was the guy they drafted.
• Gadruzic just signed a big deal with Milwaukee. I would love him on the Sonics he is a tall version of Reggie Evans. Equally dysfunctional on the offensive side, but a great rebounder. He is better because of his length.
• At the current time the Sonics don’t have the low level exception to use because they used it last year on Ibo. However, with the new collective bargaining agreement there is a chance that everyone will get to hit the re-set button and the Sonics will get it back. Yes, that hurts.
• I am not sure what the Sonics think of Francisco Elson but that is the player, not Nene, you would get in a sign and trade.
• The Sonics make a lot of decisions based on their computer program that evaluates players. And emphasizes different things for different types of players. Brevin Knight seems like the type of player the Sonics would have valued higher then most via their programs. The concern is Knight’s numbers are skewed from playing in Bernie Bickerstaff’s system which promotes no turnovers and easy point guard assists. Notice both Brevin Knight and Jason Hart had better numbers then they usually do in that system.
• I side with the majority of you on Flip Murray as the replacement to Antonio Daniels. However, AD didn’t move my meter when he arrived.
• Antonie Walker is not a player that usually fits any of my qualifications of what a good player in the NBA stands for. However, I am intrigued that it might work here in Seattle.
• I don’t think Rashard’s upcoming numbers are having much impact on the Valdy negotiations. The Sonics are stricter then most teams at keeping things in line with money to performance and that is why the Sonics are holding ground on Vlady.

WILKINS REBUKED THE BLAZERS

950, KJR'S Locked on Sports has learned that Damien Wilkins turned down a $16 million dollar deal from the Portland Trailblazers. Therefore, there must be another team that is offering Wilkins a big money contract.
The popular opinion around the league is that Atlanta may turn to Wilkins. The Hawks have made inroads to Joe Johnson, but the Suns have altered their roster to make sure they can pay Johnson what offer sheet he receives.
The Sonics are positing themselves to make sure they can match offers to Wilkins.

BREAKING NEWS -- BLAZERS NAB DIXON

950, KJR and Locked on Sports has learned that free agent guard Juan Dixon has accepted a 3 year contract from the Portland Trailblazers. According to Dixon's agent Calvin Andrews the deal is for just under 3 million dollars per year. The Sonics had heavily pursued Dixon in free agency.
The Sonics never made an offer to Dixon. It is believed that the Sonics were a bit hamstrung with the amount of moveable parts they have at the current time. In addition, any offer to Dixon would have allowed the Blazers to offer Wilkins and the Sonics no ability to match Wilkins. It could be said the Sonics choose to keep Murray and Wilkins rather then sign Dixon and Murray.
This still leaves the Blazers with just over 2 million dollars of their mid-level exception available for other players. The Blazers had intended to extend an offer sheet to the Sonics Damien Wilkins. However, Wilkins turned down a $16 million offer .

This increases the likelihood the Sonics will turn to Flip Murray as their back-up guard.

SONICS CAP SITUATION

There seems to be a lot of confusion on the Sonics cap situation let me try to clarify. The Sonics have not fully determined if they are going to be under the cap or over the cap. However, in all likelihood they will re-sign Radmanovic and stay above the cap.
Therefore, they have the $5 million exception to use to acquire talent. The Sonics current players, Radmanovic, Murray, Evans and Potapenko, can re-sign without using any of that $5 million. This is called having Bird rights.
However, if the Sonics re-sign Wilkins his money must come from the $5 million because he doesn’t have Bird rights since he has only been in the league for one season.
A few other notes. Players that are restricted free agents can have their contract matched by their current club. That is why the Sonics feel comfortable they will be able to keep Radmanovic, Evans and Murray. It also means that any thoughts of the Sonics getting Tyson Chandler or any other restricted free agent are pie in the sky.
I hope that makes some sense.

TRUE SHOOTING % and GOOD/BAD%

In the comment zone we were having a discussion about shooting and who is really that good.
These are the numbers I use to evaluate players offensive ability. One is their true shooting %. This accounts for free throws. This is why a player like Vlady comes out very average.
The other number is close to John Hollinger's brick %, but basically it accounts for time on the floor. It tells me in the simpliest form whether or not this player helps his team score. Basically, Chris Weber scores but it takes him so many shots and so many shots considering his minutes on the floor that I believe he hurts his team.

HERE ARE THE SONICS NUMBERS
League Average is TS%- 53% and Good/Bad nummber average is ..01

TS% -- G/B
0.68 -- 2.00 -- fortson,danny
0.57 -- 0.82 -- lewis,rashard
0.58 -- 0.64 -- potapenko,vitaly
0.55 -- 0.59 --- allen,ray
0.57 -- 0.52 --- collison,nick
0.56 -- 0.43 -- daniels,antonio
0.51 -- 0.13 -- evans,reggie
0.53 -- 0.07 -- radmanovic,vlad
0.53 -- 0.05 -- james,jerome
0.53 -- 0.01 == LEAGUE AVERAGE
0.50 -- -0.22 -- swift,robert
0.50 -- -0.31-- ridnour,luke
0.50 -- -0.39 -- wilkins,damien
0.41 -- -1.12 -- cleaves,mateen
0.43 -- -1.71 -- murray,ronald

Just a note Juan Dixon was a .52 -- -.19

Locked On Sports: Sonics in strong position to remain solid at the core

Locked On Sports: Sonics in strong position to remain solid at the core: "Nate McMillan, Jerome James, Antonio Daniels and now possibly Damien Wilkins. The Sonics exodus continues, and with each departure, the panic meter has crept up.

Now take a step back and relax."

SHAUN ALEXANDER SIGNS ONE YEAR DEAL

I have confirmed with the Seahawks that they have signed Shaun Alexander to a one-year contract. Alexander will report to camp on Friday.
In exchange the Seahawks agreed not to franchise Alexander in 2006 and not to trade him without his permission.
This is a brilliant move on both sides. Alexander had nowhere to go and had no leverage to negotiate. Moreover, the Hawks had not shown any interest in signing Alexander to a long-term deal.
From the Hawks standpoint you are seeing the influence of Tim Ruskell. Having a football guy in charge of football, Ruskell understood that he had to have his full compliment of players in camp on Friday. In addition, if Ruskell is going to set this increased standard of behavior you can’t go into your first camp with one of your stars playing by different rules.
It is huge to have Alexander in camp. Ruskell has never seen how he reacts day to day in the locker-room, at practice and on game day. At the end of the year, Alexander becomes a free agent. However, between now and then the Hawks can negotiate a long term deal if the two sides can agree on a price.
Overall, a terrific move for the Hawks and a clear sign that Tim Ruskell is changing the Hawks.

SONICS FREE AGENCY BREAKDOWN

RAY ALLEN – Signed deal with Sonics 5 year deal with incentives up to $80 million. Will become official whenever the signing period starts.
Chance of Return: 100%

VLADY RADMANOVIC -- The Sonics have offered a 6 year 39 million dollar deal for Radmanovic. Talking to Radmanovic agent's Dave Bauman he said they do not have any offer sheets at this time. However, he also says they will not accept the offer the Sonics have made. They want a deal in the line of Bobby Simmons, 9 million a year, and Kwane Brown, 8 million a year or the new Samuel Dalembert deal. The market for restricted free agents has been very quiet. Radmanovic's agent has said that they will take a 1 year tender at 3.2 million rather then accept the Sonics offer. That would make Radmanovic a free agent next year. Radmanovi's agent also says that if they have to take the one year tender it will be the first step out the door for Radmanovic. The Soncis can't trade a player who signed a one year tender.
Chance of Return: 100%.

ANTONIO DANIELS -- No surprise Daniels will not be returning. Daniels has agreed to a 5 year deal with the Washington Wizards. Chance of Returning: 0%

JEROME JAMES The sucker has bit and his name is Isaiah Thomas. The Sonics had decided that they were willing to go to three years at the mid-level to keep Jerome, but Thomas put 5 years on the table and James has a new home. Wow what a mistake by the Knicks. This is why you draft 7 footers like Swift and Petro, because getting a center is almost impossible in the market.
Chance of return: 0%

REGGIE EVANS Evans is a restricted free agent. Evans's agent is Dan Fagan who his one of the toughest in the NBA. The Evans camp is upset right now because the Sonics are placing the foucs on Radmanovic rather then Evans. The Cavaliers have been very active in pursuit of Evans but have not presented an adequate sign and trade option. The issue for the Sonics is how much time is avaliable for Evans. Nick Collison is ready to take the next step and Radmanovic is likely to return. There are 96 minutes to spread out between small forward and power forward. Lewis gets 38 a night and both Collison and Radmanovic are ready for around 30 a night. That leaves 6 other minutes. Then the question is how much center can Evans and Collison play. Chances of Evans return are increasing due to a limited market, but he may have to sign the one year tender.
Chance of Return: 75%

FLIP MURRAY -- The outside market for Murray is drying up. The rest of the league is aware that the Sonics are likely to match any deal for Murray with Daniels singing in Washington. The Willie Green deal in Philadelphia may be the benchmark for Murray. The Sonics believe that is in Weiss's up tempo game he will be more of the 2004 Murray rather then the 2005 Murray. The Sonics are talking with Juan Dixon. Murray and Dixon may be a bit redundant. If the Sonics sign Dixon, Murray could be a good sign and trade candidate. However, the Sonics are very high on Murray.
Chance of Return: 75%

DAMIEN WILKINS As we anticipated all signs are pointing to Wilkins going to Portland. Accorsing to sources in the NBA the Blazers are ready to extend an offer sheet to Wilkins that could be as much as 18 million dollars over 5 years. Wilkins has a very intense loyalty to Nate McMillan and would be interested in playing in Portland. Wilkins is a restricted free agent. This means the Sonics can match any offer. If this offer sheet is extended the Sonics have to decide what they are willing to lose to keep Wilkins. Juan Dixon or Damien Wilkins? Damien Wilkins or Flip Murray?
Chance of Returning: 35%

VITALY POTAPENKO The Sonics are still talking to Potapenko, but in an ideal world would like a center with more length. That is why they are talking with Dale Davis and others. Potapenko has a market as does any big. If the Sonics fail on Davis, Potapenko becomes a much more viable option.
Chance of Returning: 25%

DAMIEN WILKINS WILL GET AN OFFER SHEET

Updated: July 25th at 4:30 pm.
According to sources in the NBA the Portland Trailblazers will extend an offer sheet to the Sonics Damien Wilkins. Contract details are not clear, but word on the street is that deal is significant. Translation the Blazers are over paying Wilkins in order to make sure the Sonics don't match the deal. I talked with Wilkins agent on Monday and he said they have not signed anything yet and they are looking at their options.
The Sonics had Juan Dixon in town all weekend and are hoping they can get him signed. The issue is whether or not Flip Murray and Juan Dixon would be redundant. Murray is a restricted free agent.
Last season Wilkins averaged just 6 points per game in only 29 games played. In the playoffs he got extended time due to the injury to Rashard Lewis. In the playoffs he averaged 5.6 points per game in 19 minutes per game. Wilkins shot 44% from the field and 27% from three in both the regular season and the playoffs.
If the deal is substantial the Sonics should let him go.

LANCE ARMSTRONG

I am not sure what I watched this weekend on the final day of the Tour de France. All I know is that I understood it was historical and that it was worth getting up early to see the same way that Wimbledon used to be when Borg played McEnroe.
Athletically I am not sure what I watched. Was it DiMaggio 56 game hitting streak, was it the Celtics of the 60’s, was it Jordan or was it Edwin Moses running the hurdles.
Really that might not matter. What I do know is that I was watching the first great sportsman of the 21st century. I was watching a man, who has changed the world, changed people’s lives, changed the face of cancer and changed the way we all face a challenge.
I was watching a man that started a phenomenon with the $1 yellow stay strong bracelet and now 50 million later the bracelet has become a way to have your voice heard.
I was watching a man who on Oct 8th of 1996 faced the microphones with less then a 50% chance to live and testicular cancer that had spread to his brain tell us that “I want you all to know that I intend to beat this disease, and further, I intend to ride again as a professional cyclist," Lance said at a news conference on Oct. 8, 1996, in Austin, his face steeled with determination. "I want to finish by saying that I intend to be an avid spokesman for cancer research and awareness, particularly testicular cancer, once I have beaten this disease."
And boy has he ever, and with such vengeance. He taught us to stay strong.
Athletically who he is and where he ranks may not matter. Instead, he has had an impact and he has touched real lives.
Over the past two years I watch a family down the street where their yellow bracelet as their young 8-year-old son battled cancer. I watched as the dad started bike racing as a release and way to reach out to the power of Lance.
Lance Armstrong has changed our world – he is why breast cancer survivors run marathons, why people under treatment still swim their daily laps, he told us you could beat the most evil of disease. He told us that the human spirit is the strongest in the world not some venomous evil diseases.
The most recent Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer it stated that the risk to U.S. citizens of developing cancer and dying from it was in decline. It added that survival rates for patients of many cancers were on the rise. The tens of millions that Lance’s foundation has raised have to be a part of it.
But you have to wonder if his power on a bicycle is most of it. Where Lance Armstrong ranks, where his achievement place him in the athletic sphere are irrelevant.
What we watched yesterday was a real life metaphor; we watched a faith giver.

CAN FLIP MURRAY BE THE GUY?

The Sonics brass believes that Flip Murray can fill the role of the departed Antonio Daniels. After watching Murray last season it is hard to believe that is true. However, the Sonics contest that much of Murray's issue last year was uncertainty. He missed training camp and the first 20 games and by the time he was ready to return the Sonics were rolling and had no place for him. Therefore, for the rest of the year he pressed, never played in rhythm and suffered because of it.
The Sonics will tell you he can take it to the basket and draw fouls in a way no one but Ray Allen can do on this team. They believe that his ability to score off the bench is a game changer.
The detractors, of which I am apart, believe he is sloppy with the ball. He can't play inside an offensive structure and scores at the detriment of his teammates. Their is no way he can replace Daniles remarkable assist to turnover ratio. Murray averages 1.4 assist to 1 turnover. It is not his game to be that player. Moreover, as much as I believe that Daniels is overrated defensively Murray is a less good defender then Daniels.
Who do you side with?
The Sonics back much of their belief in numbers. And the numbers are impressive.
Over the past two seasons when Murray has played over 20 minutes he has produced.

FLIP MURRAY
2003-04
Type ----G Pts Reb Ass --- FG% 3p% FT%
20+ min 58 15.8 3.1 3.0 -- 44.4 30.8 71.8
25+ min 40 18.5 3.5 3.5 -- 46.3 32.9 70.6
30+ min 21 21.6 3.7 4.2 -- 46.4 34.8 67

2004-05
Type ----G Pts Reb Ass --- FG% 3% FT%
20+ min 20 13.6 3.6 2.2 -- 38.0 27.8 72.1
25+ min 16 14.8 4.1 2.5 -- 38.3 27.9 72.7
30+ min 9 18.0 4.0 2.9 -- 40.0 30.8 70.3

Last Two Seasons
Minutes Pts Rebs Ass -- FG% 3p% FT% A/T
20+ min 15.2 3.2 2.8 -- 42.8 30.0 71.9 1.4
25+ min 17.5 3.7 3.2 -- 44.1 31.4 71.1 1.4
30+ min 20.5 3.8 3.8 -- 44.5 37.2 67.8 1.4

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS

http://preseason.stassen.com/consensus/2005.html#pac-10
collects all the pre-season rags and puts together the pre-season consensus. Last year their #1 and #2 teams were USC and Oklahoma. Here is what they have for the nation and the pac-10 this year.
HERE IS THE PAC-10
1 Southern Cal
2 Arizona State
3 California
4 UCLA
5 Oregon
6 Washington St.
7 Oregon State
8 Arizona
9t Stanford
9t Washington
National Top 25
1 Southern Cal
2 Texas
3 Tennessee
4t Louisiana State
4t Michigan
6 Oklahoma
7 Ohio State
8 Virginia Tech
9t Florida
9t Iowa
11 Miami-Florida
12 Florida State
13 Louisville
14 Georgia
15 Purdue
16t Auburn
16t Texas A&M
18 Pittsburgh
19 Fresno State
20 Arizona State
21 Texas Tech
22 Boston College
23 California
24 Boise State
25 Virginia

VLADY RADMANOVIC NEGOTATIONS UPDATE

UPDATE ON VLADY RADMANOVIC NEGOTATIONS

I just got off the phone with Vlady Radmanovic’s agent Dave Bauman about Vlady’s contract situation. It is clear that signing Radmanovic will not be easy for the Sonics. Bauman feels that Radmanovic should be a starter and that he is worth starter money in the NBA. Moreover, he sees Radmanovic as a star that is about to explode and wants him paid like the star he is going to be. All agents have this request.
The Sonics have made an offer to Radmanovic and it is a 6-year offer in the range of 39 million dollars for the contract. According to Bauman, this deal does not equal what Radmanovic is worth. Bauman sites the deals just signed by Bobby Simmons, averaging about 9 million a year, and Kwane Brown, around 8 million a year, as deals that represent the market for Radmanovic. Most importantly, Bauman says that Radmanovic would not sign the 6 year deal and would instead sign a 1 year deal at 3.2 million and become an unrestricted free agent next season.
He also says that he has two sign and trade deals that would pay Radmanovic that kind of money. Bauman insists that the negotiations are not adversarial at this point. He will be flying to Belgrade tomorrow to meet with Radmanovic to give him the details face to face.
. The Sonics can match any deal that Radmanovic receives. If Radmanovic doesn’t get an offer that his camp believes equals his value they will take the one year tender and become an unrestricted free agent.

BOB WEISS TO BE SONICS HEAD COACH

Bob Weiss will be the next head coach of the Seattle Supersonics. This has been widely speculated for the last week and will come to fruition today at a 1:30 press conference.
As 950, KJR and Locked on Sports reported on Thursday night Howard Schultz and Weiss had dinner. That dinner was the final hurdle for Weiss to become the new head coach. A night earlier Schultz dined with Wally Walker, Rick Sund and other major players in the organization and was convinced that Weiss was the correct choice for the job. Schultz always wants to grasp as much marketing as he possibly can and had to be convinced this was first the correct basketball move and secondly could be sold. After meeting with the major players and Weiss he was entirely convinced.
Weiss became the lead candidate when he received a ground swell of support from the Sonics players and namely Ray Allen. As we reported on Thursday the players universally talked about trust and understood that Weiss had been the innovator of the Sonics offense.
After the press conference I will file another report and tune in tonight at 7:00 pm for more information and opinions.