Maybe it has to do with our laid-back, easy going mentality in the Pacific Northwest. Maybe it has to do with all the losing. Maybe we just don't like conflict, thus we like guys who play hard and say nice things. And maybe this is the reason why everyone is freaking out about losing Matt Hasselbeck to free agency (and ultimately the Tennessee Titans).
By all accounts, Matt Hasselbeck is one of the better human beings to play football. The media loves him. Dopplegangers love him (that would be me). Wives. Kids. Teammates. Coaches. Everyone loves Matt Hasselbeck. He says the right things and he is a good person. But that doesn't make him a good football player anymore.
(Side note: I rooted for Matt Hasselbeck when many fans booed him at Husky Stadium in the Trent Dilfer, early Mike Holmgren era. I have a Hasselbeck jersey. I am a fan of his, so this isn't me picking on a guy I don't like or root for).
The Titans signed Hass to a three year, $21 million contract to fill the gap for a couple years until Jake Locker is given the reigns. People in Seattle wanted Matt to stay as they see it as the only way to win this year. It isn't.
Hasselbeck was stellar in the playoffs last year, but he struggled during the regular season. He pasted a 73.2 quarterback rating, after putting up a 75.1 the year before and a 57.8 rating in 2008 in only seven games. That is three straight very subpar years. In the those three years, he didn't once throw more TDs than interceptions (a total of 34 TD and 44 INT). He doesn't pose a threat on the ground and with a young offensive line, the chances of him getting injured again are very high. In fact, he injured himself jogging last year without being touched. At age 35, why sign him again?
Most people say: "because he is the best option unless you trade for Kevin Kolb". Is that true? You have to give up a 1st and 3rd round pick for Kevin Kolb and he hasn't proven anything more that Tarvaris Jackson. Kolb posted a 76.1 quarterback rating with 7 TD and 7 INT (60.8 completion %) in half a season before Michael Vick decided to return to Madden-status (play with Mike Vick on old Madden games and then realize you are unstoppable a.l.a. Bo Jackson in Techmo Bowl). Meanwhile Tarvaris Jackson posted a 95.4 quarterback rating with 9 TD and 2 INT in limited duty (9 games, but same as Kolb basically) in 2008 (pre-Favre). Jackson is
a free agent, Kolb requires two draft picks and more money to sign long term.
Other options discussed were Donovan McNabb. Really? 77.1 quarterback rating with 14 TD and 15 INT plus limited mobility and 34 years old. Carson Palmer? Owner Mike Brown won't deal him right now. Kyle Orton? Trade also and he doesn't seem to win. 4-12 with Denver last year and 8-8 the year before. I like his numbers, but why not take a chance between Charlie Whitehurst and Tarvaris Jackson?
If it doesn't work out, you can draft the QB of the future among the great prospects next year in the draft that includes Andrew Luck (Stanford), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Matt Barkley (USC), and a list of others. I am not here to tell you that the Seahawks will win more games this year or even be competitive with the QBs they have now. I just don't think it would have been any different if Matt Hasselbeck had stayed. And the reason most people think differently than me is that they LIKE Matt Hasselbeck. It isn't wrong to like him, but it is wrong to think he would have made a difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment