Charlie Whitehurst
Seattle Seahawks Fandamonium: Vote for Which QB Has the Best Shot at Starting
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, football, Free Agency, nfl, Opinion, Popular, QB, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, tarvaris jackson, vote
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Seattle Seahawks Fandamonium: Vote for the Best QB
Tags: Carson Palmer, Charlie Whitehurst, football, Kevin Kolb, Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Leinart, nfl, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, Vince Young
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Seahawks Fandamonium: Charlie Whitehurst must start.
Since the draft ended, it’s been a brutal two month run for NFL fans. The most exciting stories are about new … [visit site to read more]
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, football, nfl, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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12th Man Report: Who’s Organizing Mini-Camp?
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Tags: Aaron Curry, Charlie Whitehurst, Earl Thomas, football, Matt Hasselbeck, nfl, Rumors, Russell Okung, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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Draft Fallout
Whether you’re a fan of what the Seahawks accomplished during the draft or not, you have to applaud the fact that the team made a commitment to improve the offensive line. Management has decided upon a direction the team will go in. Now, it’s up to them to ensure that the team does not waver from that commitment and continue to make roster changes that support this new direction. If they do, then the team must start Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback and allow Matt Hasselbeck to sign elsewhere. Re-signing Hasselbeck would undermine what the team is trying to accomplish in the long term.
At this time, the intentions of the team are to start John Moffitt at right guard and James Carpenter at right tackle. To do anything else after using their top two draft choices on these players is foolish. By starting these rookies next to each other from Day 1, the Seahawks have to know the risk they are taking. Moffitt and Carpenter are not going to step in and dominate. They are going to make mistakes and take their lumps while the offensive line as a whole learns to become a unit. The objective is to show significant progress by the end of the season so that the offensive line isn’t a big concern next offseason.
Matt Hasselbeck’s age, injury susceptibility and declining performance no longer make him a good fit with Seattle. I admire Hasselbeck. He has been a great representative of the franchise, a solid player for several seasons, and is a lock for the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor. There is a high likelihood no one else will ever wear number 8 for the Seahawks. He still has gas left in the tank, as he showed during the playoff win against the New Orleans Saints last season. It was the greatest game he ever played and it would be fitting if that were his final game as a Seahawk at Qwest Field.
However, Hasselbeck did not have a good season last year if you look at it in its entirety. He had some fine games, but he also had several brutal ones. Injuries may have played a part, but some of the decisions Hasselbeck made last season were atrocious; ones I wouldn’t expect from a rookie. The team is building for the future, and Hasselbeck is the present.
The main reason Hasselbeck no longer fits with the Seahawks is because he has developed “happy feet”. The offensive line last season was not as bad as it was portrayed. The run blocking was atrocious, perhaps the worst I’ve ever seen from a professional football team. However, the pass protection wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t great, but it was a marked improvement over the previous two seasons. Hasselbeck had a tendency to rush throws and break from his progressions because of perceived pressure that wasn’t always there.
That situation is not going to improve this season. The offensive line will likely take one step back so it can take four steps forward in 2012. With an extremely young, inexperienced line featuring two rookies on the right side, Hasselbeck’s confidence in the pocket is not going to improve. The Seahawks’ quarterback next season is going to have to make some plays with his legs, and Hasselbeck shouldn’t be put in that position. Almost all of Hasselbeck’s injuries the last few years have come while he was running the ball.
Charlie Whitehurst, however, can make plays with his legs, as he showed in last year’s regular season finale against the Rams. I don’t believe the Seahawks would have won that game with Hasselbeck under center because he wouldn’t have been able to avoid the Rams’ pass rush. Whitehurst made several key plays by running the ball when protection broke down. He is going to have to do that a LOT this upcoming season.
If Hasselbeck does not return, and I don’t think it would be in the team’s best interest long-term for him to do so, one of the things to watch will be who makes the line calls. Hasselbeck had been making them for the last few years, which is one reason why the team did so poorly when he was out. Whitehurst isn’t experienced enough to make those calls, which will leave it up to Max Unger, who isn’t very experienced himself. It’s just another part of the growing pains the offensive line will endure this season.
If the Seahawks were to re-sign Hasselbeck, they’d be selling themselves out and taking a gigantic step backwards in their efforts to rebuild the franchise. Management made a commitment during the draft, and the worst thing they could do is make moves that undermine that effort. Every move the team makes from here on out must reinforce that commitment.
This team is going to take some lumps this season, but by staying the course they’ve set, hopefully the team will rebound quickly. People have been telling me to have faith in the front office. They need to have faith in themselves.
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, football, Matt Hasselbeck, nfl, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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Charlie Who?, Part Three
If the Seahawks were to add a QB to the roster through trade to compete for the starting job along with Charlie Whitehurst, three names immediately come to mind. Let me preface this by saying that I don’t consider Matt Leinart to be a possibility. Or rather, I hope not. Having seen Leinart in person while he was an Arizona Cardinal, if he were to become a Seahawk, I would cancel my season tickets the next day. Like last offseason, this is a seller’s market for quarterbacks. That is why the Seahawks paid such a heavy price to acquire Whitehurst from San Diego.
The preeminent QB on the trade market is Kevin Kolb of the Philadelphia Eagles. Kolb has had success as a starter in the NFL, which is something that couldn’t be said for Whitehurst when he was traded. The problem with acquiring Kolb is the cost, and not just the salary Kolb would likely command. There are at least a dozen teams that are or could be interested in Kolb. In the NFC West alone, only the St. Louis Rams would not have any interest in trading for Kolb.
At the very least, it would cost the Seahawks their first round draft pick this year, and probably additional picks either this year or next. For a team with as many areas of need as the Seahawks, that is simply too high a price to pay. Also, because of the lockout, any trade would have to be consummated after the draft, and the team may well have addressed the situation by the time a new CBA is agreed to.
Another QB possibly on the market is Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals. Palmer wants out of Cincinnati, and he played for Pete Carroll at USC. On paper, it seems like a good fit. The price for Palmer wouldn’t be prohibitive. However, I’ve never been a fan of Palmer. I don’t believe he is a player that can rise to the occasion and win a big game. I’d be disappointed, but not nearly as much as if Leinart were acquired.
The final quarterback that could possibly be available in a trade is Jimmy Clausen of the Carolina Panthers. If the Panthers blunder and choose a QB with the first pick in this year’s draft, then Clausen would almost certainly be traded. This scenario could result in a buyer’s market, meaning Clausen could be acquired for less than expected. There was significant speculation that the Seahawks were going to select Clausen in last year’s draft.
However, the Seahawks passed on Clausen not once, not twice, but THREE times. The team selected Russell Okung and Earl Thomas in the first round and traded down in the second round to acquire . . . Charlie Whitehurst. I wasn’t particularly impressed with Clausen when he faced the Seahawks last season, but he was in a bad situation on an awful team with a lame duck head coach. I can’t really fault him for that.
This is shaping up to be an interesting next few weeks. After the draft, we should have better insight as to the Seahawks’ future at quarterback. Right now, the only thing we know for sure is that Charlie Whitehurst is in the mix.
Tags: Carson Palmer, Charlie Whitehurst, football, Jimmy Clausen, Kevin Kolb, nfl, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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Charlie Who?, Part Two
Charlie Whitehurst has already had a profound effect on the Seattle Seahawks’ 2011 Draft. In addition to the twenty places the team traded down in the second round in 2010, the Seahawks also gave the San Diego Chargers their 2011 third round selection. That is an incredibly steep price to pay for someone who saw very little playing time last season. It illustrates just how dire the QB situation seemed to the incoming front office personnel. However, one year later and the quarterback issue is far from settled.
Despite paying a high price for Whitehurst, the Seahawks hedged their bet by giving him only a two year contract. If it didn’t work out with Whitehurst and the Seahawks, cutting ties with him wouldn’t be problematic. Acquiring Whitehurst, or someone similar, was a priority for the team given Matt Hasselbeck’s recent injury history. Whitehurst was a significant upgrade from Seneca Wallace as the backup quarterback. When Whitehurst was acquired, the team claimed he would have an opportunity to be the starter. Looking back, I doubt that was the case. I believe they said that so they could justify the price they paid for him and to him.
There has been much speculation that the Seahawks would select a QB in the first or second round. If they do, then Whitehurst’s future is up in the air. If a quarterback is drafted and Hasselbeck is re-signed, Whitehurst’s role will likely be the exact same one as last season. His future with the team beyond next season would be unlikely. If Hasselbeck isn’t re-signed, the coaching staff will have an interesting decision ahead of them. Do they start Whitehurst or start the rookie right away? Given their perceived lack of confidence in Whitehurst, I would expect the draftee to start immediately. However, Whitehurst’s future with the team would probably be a foregone conclusion as he would be re-signed to be the perennial backup.
If Charlie Whitehurst accomplishes nothing of significance during the remainder of his time with the Seahawks, trading for him was still worthwhile. Winning the final regular season game against the St. Louis Rams made up for two years worth of agony and despair.
Next, I’ll examine Whitehurst’s future should the Seahawks acquire a QB through trade.
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, football, Matt Hasselbeck, nfl, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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Charlie Who?, Part One
There has been a lot of speculation regarding the Seahawks’ QB situation since last season ended. The discussion has centered around Matt Hasselbeck, the upcoming NFL Draft, and the possible acquisition of someone like Kevin Kolb of Philadelphia. I would like to discuss these topics as they relate to the only quarterback currently under contract, Charlie Whitehurst. Remember him?
Regarding Hasselbeck, the question is, can and/or will the Seahawks re-sign him? I believe that the Seahawks would like him back. However, I doubt the team would offer a contract longer than two years given his age, injury issues, and declining production. There are a lot of teams with unsettled QB situations. If one of those teams were to offer Hasselbeck a three or four year deal, then he will probably become an ex-Seahawk.
If Hasselbeck does not return, then what? The coaching staff didn’t seem to have much confidence in Whitehurst. Whitehurst only played when Hasselbeck was unable to due to injury or when it was absolutely necessary, such as at the end of the Atlanta game. The second half of the game at San Francisco was an ideal opportunity for Whitehurst to receive some substantial (and much needed) playing time, yet Hasselbeck finished that game. That bothered me when it happened, and it still does now.
If Hasselbeck is re-signed, Whitehurst will likely be in the same situation he was last season. Since Whitehurst will be a free agent at the end of next season, there isn’t much incentive for the team to prepare him for any significant role in the future. If another QB isn’t brought in through draft, free agency or trade, the position will be the number one priority next offseason. Currently, there are so many positions that could use upgrading that quarterback isn’t an absolute necessity.
In Part Two, I’ll look at how Whitehurst has affected the draft and how the draft may affect him.
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, football, Matt Hasselbeck, nfl, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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Humble Pie
Joe Okabe
It’s time to eat some crow. I think I’ll have mine grilled with a side of rice.
I’ll admit, I wanted Charlie Whitehurst to start last Sunday’s playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. Nothing about Matt Hasselbeck’s recent play led me to believe he was the right choice. I felt Pete Carroll was making a mistake in starting Hasselbeck. That’s why I’m writing on a blog while Carroll is making the big bucks.
I would have been thrilled if Hasselbeck matched his performance in Chicago in Week 6. He didn’t. He blew that game out of the water. Against the Saints, Matt Hasselbeck had the greatest game of his life.
He did all the things that he hadn’t been doing in previous weeks. He spread the ball around to all of his receivers instead of focusing on Mike Williams. He didn’t force throws into coverage and threw the ball away when he should have. He took advantage of what the Saints’ defense gave him rather than try to make the perfect play every time. (Granted, the Saints’ defense gave him a LOT.)
Hasselbeck played confidently with a cool head. It would have been easy to press the panic button when the Seahawks were down 10-0 and 17-7 early in the game. Instead, he calmly took control of the offense and led the team to a 24-20 halftime lead, then started the second half just as he had ended the first.
If this game was indeed Hasselbeck’s last as a Seahawk at Qwest Field, he couldn’t have gone out on a higher note. In what has been primarily a disappointing season, Hasselbeck showed that he has plenty of gas still in the tank.
Hasselbeck’s legacy would have been the same regardless of what happened Sunday. He is a lock for the Ring of Honor and will probably be the last Seahawk to wear number 8. He handled himself with grace and class through some very trying times the past few years.
Mr. Hasselbeck, no matter what happens this Sunday against the Chicago Bears, all Seahawks fans respect what you’ve accomplished over the years. Congratulations, and thank you.
You’ve earned it.
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, football, Matt Hasselbeck, New Orleans Saints, NFC West, nfl, Opinion, Pete Carroll, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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Seahawks Start and Finish Strong
The thing about night games is that they seem to be the only thing that exists. It’s like going camping and feeling disconnected from everything except the place you are at. Sunday night “that place” was Qwest Field.
Before the game, Hasselbeck looked good in warmups, and he could have started, yet Carroll went with Whitehurst as he said he would all week. I was surprised to say the least, however, I would be even more surprised if Whitehurst did not start against the Saints
Whitehurst’s biggest play was to Ruvell Martin, a 61 yard pass that blew the roof off the stadium early and created an unstoppable momentum that was bound to finish with 6 points. Whitehurst went 5-5 on Seattle’s first drive. The Seahawks caught a break on a 3rd an 10 when a defensive holding call on R. Bartell negated a sack. Somebody should buy that guy a steak the next time he comes to Seattle.
After a brilliant first drive, Whitehurst played a relatively safe game finishing with under 200 yards and a single touchdown. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he won the game for the Hawks, but he did not lose it for them either.
Whitehurst’s value came on his 8 carries for 30 yards demonstrating that he doesn’t have to throw the ball every play. He has the ability to get out of the pocket and either throw it away or pick up a couple of yards. He didn’t get sacked the entire game.
The Seahawks defense looked as good if not better than it has all season limiting the Rams to just 47 yards rushing and 155 yardspassing. In fact, Charlie Whitehurst had more rushing and passing yards by himself than the entire Rams team could muster. They also provided consistent pressure on Bradford all day especially Raheem Brock who finished with 2.5 sacks and 4 hits on qb.
“The Heater,” David Hawthorne was everywhere collecting 7 tackles on the day, but the real play of the game came from an unlikely source, Will Herring whose interception late in the 4th qtr solidified Seattle’s spot atop the NFC West.
In the end, the Hawks took advantage of the opportunity they were given. Granted it took them the entire 17 weeks to finish, but they did, and now they are hosting a playoff game against Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints.
Stop complaining whiners! This is a winnable game! Stranger things have happened, and the Hawks are looking healthy and confident, and they showed they can play an entire game. New Orleans has a slew of injuries and are not the same team they were last year.
So quit complaining fans, and get on board. The Hawks are in the playoffs, this team exceeded expectations, and anything can happen. Nobody picked The Hawks to beat the Rams, and they did. Remember that as you see the predictions for this weeks match-up.
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, David Hawthorne, football, New Orleans Saints, nfl, Opinion, playoffs, Raheem Brock, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams
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An Apology to Matt Hasselbeck
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie…
I was in the stadium that day, however, I was not one of the chanting tens of thousands. In fact I was shocked to see it happening.
But after the game, walking back to the hotel amidst all the other blue and white jerseys, I found myself falling victim to it: The curse of the backup quarterback.
Every city has one, and every team without a winning record thinks he’s the man.
I am embarrassed to say it. But I fell victim to it today.
Sorry Matt.
I should know better. I have seen enough losing seasons, not just as a Hawks fan but as a Seattle sports fan in general, to know that knee jerk reactions in the middle of a crisis situation only lead to more turmoil.
I am really sorry Matt Hasselbeck.
Whitehurst finished the day 11-18 and a mere 66 yards. He looked uncomfortable from the start when he blew an easy pass to his left on his first play of the game. Pros aren’t supposed to miss such easy passes. I can’t imagine what was going through Whitehurst’s head as he continued to struggle all day long against a defense ranked 6th against the pass. He was in over his head, and everyone knew it. Especially Charlie
Will you forgive me Matt Hasselbeck?
It is absolutely crystal clear to me that Matt Hasselbeck gives this team their best chance to win. Charlie Whitehurst is just not ready. His qb rating is 54.7 for the season as his stat line looks great … if it represented 1 game and his td and int totals were reversed. 315 total yards 1td and 3 interceptions.
I promise it won’t happen again Matt Hasselbeck.
If Matt can start, (he will) it could be his last game as a Seahawk. This should be a sad day for the fans as well as Matt, but based on the way fans threw him under the bus 1 week and a day ago, Matt may already be packing his stuff, and I can’t say I blame him.
I sincerely apologize MH.
I am not happy with the play of Matt as of late, however, he deserves more than having another guy’s name chanted as he walks off the field. Especially when that guy is Charlie Whitehurst.
I am sorry Matt Hasselbeck.
You deserve better.
Tags: 12th Man, apology, Charlie Whitehurst, football, Matt Hasselbeck, NFC West, nfl, Opinion, quarterback, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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SEAHAWKS: All in, 12th man
Tags: 12th Man, Charlie Whitehurst, Matt Hasselbeck
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Why Not JP Losman?
If social networking sites have proven anything to me over the course of the past few hours, it’s that you fickle Seattle sports fans are decidedly torn on who should be the Seahawks’ starting quarterback on December 26th, 2010.
Oh sure, there are some of you who are blindly optimistic about Matt Hasselbeck. God forbid anybody boo an underwhelming player. (By the way, don’t we have a right, as fans, to express our opinions on our team’s performance? Or do they not allow that anymore?)
We’ve all heard the excuses. It’s the O-line’s fault! It’s the receiving corps’ fault! It’s the coaching staff’s fault! Well, all or some of that may be true, but Hasselbeck is the one out there playing like crap. So point fingers if you must. But just know that the man isn’t performing. At the end of the day, performance is all that really matters. And if you don’t believe that he’s not performing, click here.
On the flip side, there are those of you who love Charlie Whitehurst so much that you’d like to see Hasselbeck sent out to sea on a sinking ship. He looks like Jesus, you say. Well yes, that’s fairly accurate. But really, that has nothing to do with football. And frankly, Whitehurst has only been so-so in his attempts at throwing things this year. If Whitehurst was actually Jesus, we’d be undefeated right now and he’d be almost as good as the all-99 player you just created in your own likeness on Madden.
Whether you’re a Hasselbeck lover or a Whitehurst fan, I think we can all agree that neither one of these guys is the long-term answer under center for your Seattle Seahawks. Well, I can agree on that, at least. But I don’t know about the rest of you. There are a lot of naive, delusional individuals in this town. I love you, but that doesn’t mean I always have to like you. It’s like we’re married, basically. You, me, and these teams. That’s a polygamous relationship, for those of you keeping score at home. So we’re more like a Utah marriage.
Here’s the thing. Hasselbeck is old and Whitehurst is Whitehurst, a former third-stringer who didn’t throw his first NFL pass until age 27. Meh. Neither one of those guys excites me. If you’re excited by the possibilities being presented to you here, I encourage you to put down the Cialis, check to make sure that it hasn’t been longer than four hours (and head to the doctor to have it looked at if it has been longer than four hours), then let yourself calm down before digesting these next couple paragraphs.
The Seahawks won’t find their quarterback of the future until this next offseason. Maybe they’ll draft him, maybe they’ll sign him, maybe they’ll trade for him, who really knows for sure. But chances are, no one will see Whitehurst or Hasselbeck as the quarterback of the future when the 2011 season kicks off. Even if one of those two guys happens to be the starter on opening day. Which is rather likely.
So until we get to this next offseason, let’s just play JP Losman. Yep, I said it. It’s time. If fifty-percent of you hate Hasselbeck, and likewise fifty-percent of you hate Whitehurst, let’s just go with the people’s choice, Losman. He’s a former first-round pick, you know. That’s sexy.
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I’m crazy. Truth be told, I am crazy. But that’s neither here nor there. I just want what’s best for our team. And what’s best for our team is the dark horse candidate, the Ralph Nader of our quarterback controversy, the ultimate underdog, the long shot, JP Motherbleepin Losman. (Fact: I do not know if that’s his real middle name. I’m guessing it isn’t.)
Why Losman? Better question: Why not? Checkmate.
Until Losman gets the call, I will be the beacon of hope that towers above the warring masses that have decidedly split the Seattle sports fan base in two. While you fight this unnecessary battle of mediocrity, I, like the peaceful nation of Switzerland, will remain neutral with a wonderful alternative that quells all hatred.
JP Losman is the answer. Maybe not next year, or anytime in the future, or even at all. But it’s fun to pretend, at least.
Why not JP Losman, America? Why the hell not?
Filed under: Seahawks
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, JP Losman, Matt Hasselbeck
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Matt Hasselbeck’s Much Needed Return
I have never been so excited to see Hasselbeck. Don’t get me wrong. I am not a hater who has been complaining about his lack of everything on blogs across the Pacific Northwest for the past 2 or 3 seasons. Quite the contrary. I believe he is the best quarterback the Seahawks have ever had. He’s played and won more games than anyone else, and he’s taken his team farther more consistently than any of his predecessors. So my question has always been, “Why do people hate him so much?”
It’s probably because he looked a lot like Charlie Whitehurst in his first few seasons. He was the hand picked quarterback by the man who was going to create relevancy in Seattle football: Mike Homgren, The Big Show, The Walrus. Matt was expected to be something mythical like the ones who came before him in Mike Holmgren’s career: Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Brett Favre.
He never has nor will he ever make that list. But who does? Those are arguably 3 of the top 5 quarterbacks of all time. It’s unfair to expect anyone to measure up to those standards.
Matt Hasselbeck may not have the arm strength or accuracy of the elite group of quarterbacks in the NFL, but he does have the moxie. That tangible only measured in the most crucial of times. It can’t be practiced or instilled through coaching. It’s the difference between leaders and team members. It can feed an entire team confidence and create something far beyond any original expectations. Matt Hasselbeck has the moxie to pick this team up of the ground, slap them in the face, and send them back into battle with confidence. The only question is does he still have the ability.
Matt has struggled mightily in Pete Carroll’s offense. He seems like he is always trying to pick up the pace, whereas, Bates seems to be trying to slow it down. The thing that made Hasselbeck so great with Holmgren is that they were on the same page. Matt has stated on numerous occasions that his career in Seattle finally started to click when he just began listening to Holmgren.
Hasselbeck and Bates are still trying to find out how to bring out the best in each other. Matt is obviously farther than Whitehurst in running the offense, however, each looks to still have a ways to go. The good news is that as Hasselbeck should get better as the season winds down.
Last week during the Giant’s game I saw him take a knee with Deon Butler. This is what a leader does. Many times in the NFL the relationship between quarterbacks on the same team can be tense. Rather than try and protect his own status, Hasselbeck shares everything all the time to everybody including Charlie Whitehurst. He wants his team to win above all other goals and is even willing to put his own status as a starter at risk to do it. He puts his team before himself and he never gives off the feeling that he expects anyone to notice because that’s what leaders are supposed to do.
Welcome back Matt. I hope that fans can appreciate a classic Seahawk veteran’s last grasp at success as the final season with his team winds down.
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, football, Matt Hasselback, nfl, Opinion, quarterback, Seahawks, Seattle, Seattle Seahawk
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SEAHAWKS: Seahawks get stepped on by Giants
Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, giants
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