VS.
Keep your finger on the panic button. Last year injuries took the Seahawks out early and led to the highlight of the year coming in the draft. This year at 1-1 it's starting to look like deja vu all over again, and yet there is some good news on the injury front and there are games to play.
The Bears come in sporting a whiny new star QB who can make all the throws while simultaneously irritating the entire rest of the league and his own team. After a week 1 interception fest Jay Cutler and Chicago comes into Qwest field looking to quiet the 12th man. The attacking style of the Bears will test the 'Hawks O-line that is very much in flux with the return of two starters, loss of another, and zero games with the go to unit on the field together. The bears will also look to get their run game started after Matt Forte's slow start. Does this sound like Gore all over again? It better not for the Seahawks.
Injury update:
Seahawks-
Can I just put a frowny face here? Jeez.
LB's Lofa is doubtful with a nagging hammy and Leroy Hill out till the bye week or later leaving Hawthorne and Herring to step in.
Mebane is still questionable with a bad calf and this worries me as much as any injury.
Wilson is out at CB with a high ankle sprain, so there will be some shuffling in the secondary and, yikes, a Kelly Jennings start.
Locklear is out also with an ankle, and to be replaced by either a returning Walt or newb Frye or combination of both.
Returning will hopefully be Big Walt, and a more sure bet will be Chris Spencer at center. Dion "Broken" Branch will suit up and add some... ahhh.. well whatever. We're fine at WR this year with or without him. CB Fisher will add to the secondary after coming back from a hammy.
Bears-
LB Brian Ulracher is done for the year with a gruesome wrist dislocation.
TE Desmond Clark will not play with a rib injury.
Lucky bastards even with Ulracher.
Things to Watch:
1-QB's. Senecca or Matt? Does Cutler start looking all pro or does the 12th man get into his head and lead him into the bad throws he made in week 1? Our secondary is not great, so even if he throws meatballs can we pick them off?
2-The run game defense. We're at the bottom of the league and with a concerted effort to get Forte going, 2 missing LB's, 1 starting DT, and the horrific fail of loading up the box vs Gore it will be interesting to see what Mora & Bradley do here. I would much rather see them play this game straight up than load the box.
3-Offensive Line- How much will Walt play and will he be effective? Can we establish any forward momentum?
4-RB: Should Forsett start and Julius Jones admit he's a run by committee only back? Does the Edge contribute at all yet after a few weeks of conditioning, or is he is a short yard back about to collect social security.
Predictions-
Well I expect we'll see Senecca and I'm hoping for a coming out party. He's got the receivers this year and he can move around which may be a bonus with our O-line. However, I expect mediocre scoring due to a lame run game. I also expect alot of pressure and rushed decisions. I also do expect we'll look as banged up on D as we are, but the 12th man will help keep scoring lower than it would be at Soldier Field.
Chicago 17- Seattle 13.
. Maybe one of these years I'll give that a try as well.