Now 'regular starters', Mo Morris and Seneca Wallace were given serious considerating for this prize. Morris breaking the century mark for the second consecutive week, and Wallace racking up a gawdy QB rating and out-performing is opposite number, pro bowler Mark Bulger. But since these guys have been staring for 3-4 weeks now, and are getting all kinds of accolades on TV and in the national press, they can hardly be considered as toiling in obscurity, so to the trenches we go for some other candidates.
On the offensive side of the ball, second year man Chris Spencer got the surprise of his young career, finding out minutes before game time that he would be starting in place of pro bowler Robbie Tobeck, who was stricken with a bad case of the flu. Spencer filled in admirably, opening holes for Morris to run through, and providing the necessary protection for Wallace to guide the offense. On the defensive side of the ball, veteran Chuck Darby had a career day, racking up his first two-sack day, both coming on critical 3rd down stops, one holding the Rams to a field goal, and the other forcing the precipitating punt that lead to the first Seaahawk return for a touchdown in several years. On any other week, these high-motor efforts from a coulpe of "big uglies" would be enough to walk away with honors from Alba, but not this week.
In previous posts, I have referred to my trip to Seattle as my "Pilgrimage to Mecca", and like any other pilgrimage based on religous devotion, appropriately, this one was also about redemption.
First up on the pulpit is Kelly Herndon, everyone's favoriate whipping boy of the secondary. His tight coverage and aggressive play bog down the high powered Rams offense as much as the steady Seattle rain, which also served to down the fires which usually lead to Kelly getting burnt!
Two other of Alba's favorites also had particular redeeming days, kick returner Josh Scobey and morally challenged tight end Jerramy Stevens. Scobey did muff one kickoff, but quickly recovered, and provided yoman's efforts on each of his kick returns, up to the last one. Already starting with a 15-yard advantage due to the Ram penalty on the Steven Jackson touchdown, Scobey saved his best effort for last, matching is new jersey number and ripping off 33 yards to hand over the ball for the game-wining drive, already one yard deep into Rams territory. Jerramy Stevens not only doubled his catch total for the year with three clutch grabs, one for a touchdown, but he provided great blocking and decoy services, opening options for other members of the offense, and didn't get any needless penaties or otherwise embarrass the franchise, which is always a good thing!
But the Seahawks player to be awarded this week's Dark Angel is hometown hero Nate Burleson, to submerged himself in the baptismal font of a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown, emancipating himself from an eight week bender of sloth (ineffectiveness) and sin (dropped passes), emerging as a born-again fan favorite and savior of playoff plans and divisional crowns. Burleson, who actually started this game as part of a 3 receiver set, did not allow his demotion to effect his attitude or willingness to help the team, which allowed him to contribute to the win with this momentum changing punt return, which energized the stadium, and provided the spark that the team needed to close out the Rams.
Now Nate, I know you've had to share your homecoming story line with Steve Hutchinson's departure, and your starting reciever spot with Deion Branch, so I don't know you to break it to you that you have to share this week's Dark Angel award with someone too. As noted in the opening paragraph, it's someone outside the Seahawks organization, so don't worry, there's nobody else in the locker room breathing down your neck. Actually, you co-recipent this week is someone who you probably wouldn't mind breathing down your neck, or anywhere else for that matter, as it's the lovely, but not so sweet HawkHeart from SeahawkBlue.com, pictured here with some unknown but devilishly handsome hometeam tailgater. If you look at the picture, there's no need to go further into detail about why she's receiving a share of this week's Dark Angel award!But for the ladies in the audience, I guess I'll have to explain. While HawkHeart is certainly lovely, I don't want people to think she's getting this award just because she loves me! No, she's getting it for being a hot mom who brings the whole family to the game, and not only loves the Seahawks, but has deep and extensive knowledge of football, enough to know when not to take the advice of her husband or son when setting her weekly fantasy lineup.
So Nate and Heart, enjoy this honor and cherish it for all it's worth. You both have a starting spot on my fantasy team any day of the week, and twice on Sundays!
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