Super Bowl matchup: Gronk vs. Bam Bam & Co.

January 28, 2015 cc Leave a comment

One of the most anticipated matchups in the Super Bowl is Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski vs. Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor: Gronk vs. Bam Bam.

But that’s obviously an oversimplification of the matchup. The fact is the Hawks are going to focus their entire defense on all of New England’s offense, and Chancellor will interchange with K.J. Wright and other teammates in coverage against the Patriots’ best receiving target.

The Seahawks allowed just 17 passing touchdowns all season — second fewest in the NFL behind Buffalo’s 16. But 11 of those went to tight ends, making some think the Hawks have a weakness in that part of their defense.

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Super Bowl XLIX, The roster

Williams can thank Allen for Super Bowl

January 28, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Kevin Williams said he’s not gloating to former Minnesota teammate Jared Allen.

But, if not for Allen forsaking a shot at a Super Bowl with the Seahawks for a few dollars more in Chicago, Williams likely would not have gotten the chance.

The Seahawks pursued Allen last March, but they were not willing to pay him more than they were paying Michael Bennett ($7 million a year), and Allen got another $1 million a year from the Bears.

In June, the Hawks instead signed Allen’s former Vikings teammate, giving the 34-year-old Williams a one-year deal worth $2.1 million.

“I actually thought he was going to come up here (to Seattle),” Williams said. “I thought it was pretty much in the bag.”

But Allen didn’t, and now Williams is in the Super Bowl while Allen, who lives in Phoenix, will be cheering his former teammate on against the Patriots on Sunday.

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CHAWK LINES, Super Bowl XLIX

January 28, 2015 cc 1 Comment

Since Tuesday was Beast Mode Media Day, we’ll lead with a few on him:

Marshawn Lynch’s father is in prison for burglary, but his “Papa,” Leron Lynch, talked to USA Today about the mercurial running back.

The Seahawks love saying great things about Lynch, and they did so again to Seahawks.com.

If you don’t mind commercialism and Kenny “My nerdy, nonsensical shtick makes me funny, right?” Mayne, check out Lynch in a Progressive ad.

If you care about Lynch’s pointless interview sessions (we don’t), My Northwest ranked them.

The Legion of Boom talks about its old-school motivation tactics.

Coincidence (not irony): Losses to the Chiefs turned around the seasons of both the Patriots and Seahawks.

USA Today offers a pretty good analysis of the Super Bowl matchups, but the writer picks the wrong winner because he underestimates Russell Wilson’s passing ability.