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Saves you time. Saves you money. Makes you smarter.The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA

Friday, August 31st, 2007

Posted by Dave Boling @ 05:28:12 pm

For an upcoming story, I'm going to use some of the entries from the thread about whose jerseys you wear. I'd like to have a few of you email me at my work email, please, dave.boling@thenewstribune.com, and reveal your true identities. I can't just use your blog names in a story. Thanks. I've talked to a number of players about their feelings regarding people wearing their jerseys, and they had some interesting answers.

Any chance I could hear from: Regis, neurocell, sturtainen, Lothar_28, Keasley, SpringfieldSeahawk, Mustangjss, glennergy and jerrycurl ... thanks.

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 05:15:44 pm

Defense

Defensive ends
In: Patrick Kerney, Bryce Fisher, Darryl Tapp, Baraka Atkins
Longshots: Nu’u Tafisi, Brandon Green
Comment: This position is set.

Defensive tackles
In: Rocky Bernard, Chuck Darby, Brandon Mebane
On the bubble: Russell Davis, Craig Terrill, Marcus Green, Marcus Tubbs
Longshot: Eric Taylor
Comment: Marcus Tubbs’ knee injury on Thursday means he is likely headed for injured reserve, opening a spot for somebody else. Terrill is the best pass-rusher but without Tubbs it needs a run-stopper. Davis’ age could factor in.

=> Read more!

Categories: Roster Analysis 34 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:29:51 pm

The Seahawks have not made an official announcement on the outcome of Marcus Tubbs' knee injury, but the team is not denying that Tubbs is done for the season with a torn ACL. It means that Tubbs is likely headed for the injured reserve and also could mean that his career is over. A torn ACL is usually a 9-month to one-year rehab, depending on the severity, though one has to wonder what that means for Tubbs given that his other knee was surgically repaired. If he does come back in a year, that means that Tubbs will not have played a regular-season game in almost two years.

Categories: Injuries 43 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:02:58 pm

Wide Receivers
In: Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, D.J. Hackett, Ben Obomanu
On the bubble: Joe Fernandez, Jordan Kent, Logan Payne, Courtney Taylor.
Comment: The team has to decide if it is keeping a sixth wide receiver. If it does, Taylor is the likely choice. Kent is a logical candidate for the practice squad and Fernandez has done some nice things on special teams.

Offensive linemen
In: Walter Jones, Sean Locklear, Tom Ashworth, Chris Gray, Chris Spencer, Rob Sims, Ray Willis, Mansfield Wrotto.
On the bubble: Floyd Womack, Pat Ross
Longshots: Kyle Williams, Steve Vallos
Comment: Ross was injured in the final preseason game and that could play a factor. Womack is likely in because of his versatility.

=> Read more!

Categories: Roster Analysis 19 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:25:24 pm

I made a few calls on the rumored trade of Mark Brunell to the Seahawks and I am still being told that nothing appears imminent. The Seahawks apparently are the ones who initiated the discussions but as far as I can tell, I don't think anything is cooking. That could always change, but one of the things one of the people I spoke with questioned is what happens with Brunell in Seattle? He is the second QB in Washington and has a good chance of getting playing time if Campbell goes down. That's not the case in Seattle unless they plan on using Seneca elsewhere. I'll let you know if I hear anything else.

No word yet on the Marcus Tubbs injury. You'll know when I know.

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:37:47 am

Cuts must be made by Saturday at 1. The Seahawks have said they will give us the list of cuts by then. They go out on the wire a little after that. I will post them as soon as they are released. I will do a roster analysis a little later today. The team has all weekend off, so we can't go out there today or Saturday morning and see who is not practicing like we did after the first round of cuts.

I spoke briefly with John Clayton last night and he said he didn't think the Brunell thing was happening. It could be percolating and catch fire, and with the rumor last week that the Hawks were in discussions for Kelly Holcomb clearly they are shopping. I thought it was interesting that they didn't even allow Devine to throw a pass last night, which tells me they seriously considered him as an option to replace Greene.

We are hoping to hear something on the extent of the Tubbs injury sometime today. I will post that news as soon as we hear.

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:43:00 pm

Just messing around with photos and wanted to see if I could post these. If it works I'll try to post some more game action tomorrow.

Categories: Game Coverage 31 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:32:11 pm

Leonard Stephens: Uh, three penalties, including two false starts on one drive. As Boling said, "Coach Holmgren doesn't mind those types of things at all."

Will Herring: I thought he missed a number of tackles tonight and Boling speculated that he may just be too small to regularly bring guys down. I will say this, he does sacrifice his body on special teams, that guy is always busting the wedge and getting tossed about.

Kyle Williams: Did not play.

Pork Chop Womack: There were several plays when his guy went right around him and flushed Seneca. He did not inspire confidence.

Jordan Kent: I may be wrong, but I think he may have been responsible for the second of Seneca's interceptions. TV was interviewing Burleson and so I never saw a replay but I think Kent was the intended receiver and never made his cut. He also dropped that touchdown pass. He showed the best and worst, able to get past guys but not able to finish the play, which has been the case all camp.

David Greene: Did not play. (Maybe I should put him under helped himself.)

Categories: Game Coverage 31 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:25:38 pm

S C.J. WALLACE

(On the time leading up to this game…) “It’s been a real great experience for me, never dreamed of playing in the NFL. I’m just living a dream right now. It’s just a great opportunity for me.”

(On Qwest Field crowd noise…) “It’s not much of a difference from Husky Stadium. It’s about on the same level. The seats are real close to the field and the fans go crazy. Every second of the game they’re generating.”

(On upcoming cuts…) “I’m going to be nervous but I am man enough to see what’s going to happen. I can’t worry about that. Just have to live my life and whatever happens, happens.

Categories: Game Coverage 14 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:24:44 pm

WR NATE BURLESON

(On his performance…) “After a long preseason, a long training camp, it feels like a reward when you’re a receiver and you get to score touchdowns. That was exciting.”

“That’s a nice little drive. I was able to contribute; getting a big play and also getting in the (end) zone. Really I have to give all the credit to Seneca Wallace. I ran a post route and he hit me square in my numbers. You couldn’t place a better ball on me. He actually threw me a position where I had to spin out, had to run away from the defense. Then on the second one it was a short shake route to the long side of the field. It was just an amazing ball, an amazing play by Seneca (Wallace). I just did my part in catching it.”

Categories: Game Coverage 3 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:23:48 pm

LB NIKO KOUTOUVIDES

(On his performance…) “I played well. It was great for the coaches to let the backers come out and start. It’s been awhile since you’ve run out of the tunnel. Whenever you’re in a special teams role or you’re a backup this is basically your regular season. You have to go out there and perform. Show the coaches you know how to play this game; stay disciplined. Just go out and make plays. That’s what we did. We had fun. It was a beautiful night. Football, the game we love to play. We just go out there and have fun.”

Categories: Game Coverage 2 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:20:56 pm

HEAD COACH MIKE HOLMGREN

(opening…) I think both Coach Kiffin and myself are glad that game is over with. Now we start getting into the serious part of what we do. There were some good efforts put forth tonight. We’ll make our decisions in the next couple days on who’s going to be on the football team. Injury wise, Marcus Tubbs hurt his knee. It was not the knee that he had operated on, it was the other leg. We’ll have the exact details tomorrow. He’s getting it scanned right now. It appeared to be rather serious. I think other than that, we came out of it OK. Josh Wilson banged his hip, and he’s pretty sore, but I think he’s going to be OK.

=> Read more!

Categories: Game Coverage 6 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:17:53 pm

C.J. Wallace: I thought he really stood out. He had his second interception of the preseason, applied a number of good hits and always seemed to be around the ball. He did get burned on the touchdown pass to Adkisson, losing the tight end when he released, but I think the guy was mostly positive throughout camp and the games.

Pete Hunter: After some lackluster performances earlier, I thought he was pretty good in this game. He nearly had an interception early on, had nice coverage on some other passes and made a few tackles.

Nate Burleson: Had another nice game after being the only player in that Green Bay game to make a big play. He had a really impressive reverse spin move after a catch that got him another 10 yards and nearly allowed him to score. Three catches for 52 yards, he's a pretty good third/fourth receiver.

Leonard Weaver: I am torn on this one -- and I think the coaches are too. He had 74 yards on 16 carries and two receptions for eight yards, as well as a few nice lead blocks, but he also had a fumble. "I thought he played really hard," Holmgren said. "I saw some good things. But that is one of those close calls we're going to have to make."

Niko Koutouvides: A few run stuffs at opportune times.

Brendan Mebane: If there is one positive from the Marcus Tubbs injury, it might be that this guy gets more time.

Categories: Game Coverage 15 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:01:31 pm

The Marcus Tubbs knee injury sounds pretty serious, even possibly career-ending. He was getting scanned during Holmgren's press conference and an official announcement will be made tomorrow morning, but right now I think he is a good candidate for IR. They are unable to place him on the PUP list, is my understanding, because he already was on that and then passed his physical. If they keep him on the active roster, he will be there and not able to contribute. If he goes on IR, he is done for the year and will not have played in almost two years by the time he comes back. Holmgren had this cryptic quote: "He's just one of those players where he's a very talented player who can't get on the field. Call it unlucky. Call it whatever. the injury bug has prevented him from reaching his potential on the field."

=> Read more!

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:19:51 pm

I had the injury right, just the incorrect side. Wilson suffered a left hip injury and will not return.

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:15:35 pm

Rookie CB Josh Wilson was just carted off the field to the locker room . There is no official word on his injury but it looked like when he came off the field he was favoring his right hip.

Categories: Injuries, Game Coverage
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:56:09 pm

It looks like Chris Spencer may have tweaked his left leg. He was getting worked on on the training table but he headed back out afterwards. He is limping slightly.

Categories: Game Coverage 4 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:43:54 pm

Leonard Stephens probably just lost his job, three penalties called on him in the first half, one that led to the punt return for a touchdown.

Josh Wilson was made to look silly twice, one a vicious stiff arm by Mike Williams, the other on a stiffarm by Travis Taylor.

Leonard Weaver? Good and bad. He had 25 yards on seven rushes and two passes for eight yards (and one called back on a penalty by Stephens) but he also had a fumble.

I think Pete Hunter is having a pretty nice night, one near interception, and he has been close on coverage a couple times and has made a few nice tackles.

C.J. Wallace is doing some nice hitting, which is always noticeable.

I don't know if that facemask penalty was actually on Will Herring. I would like to see another replay but I think he may have been in the vicinity and got called for it.

Seneca Wallace looked pretty sharp to me, save for the interception at the goal line. Hackett was open on that and Wallace was a count late on the throw. Wallace was 10-for-18 for 129 yards in the first half, with a 73.6 passer rating.

Brendan Mebane continues to get some pretty good penetration, and while Tapp was credited for the safety Mebane made the initial push.

Niko Koutouvides has made a couple of nice plays, including two on third-and-short and then fourth-and-short.

Categories: Game Coverage 5 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:29:21 pm

Marcus Tubbs was carted off the field to the locker room and has a right knee sprain. It is NOT an injury to the same knee on which he had microfracture surgery. He was helped off the field, went to the bench, ripped off his helmet in frustration and threw it to the ground, then was looked at by about 10 medical guys. He was placed on a cart and wheeled to the locker room, and he looked pretty distressed on his way there.

Also, Sean Locklear has a hand injury, the reason Floyd Womack went to left tackle in the second quarter.

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:59:31 pm

Apparently Michael Boulware has a tweaked ankle that is keeping him from playing tonight.

Categories: Game Coverage 8 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:44:02 pm

Though he is not listed as a scratch, I also did not see Michael Boulware out on the field warming up.

Categories: Game Coverage 3 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:39:25 pm

Out

JaMarcus Russell
Michael Bush

Lineup Changes

Jake Grove will start at center
Zach Miller will start at TE
Josh McCown will start at QB
Justin Griffin will start at FB
LaMOnt Jordan will start at RB

Categories: Game Coverage 1 comment
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:37:56 pm

Out

Kelly Jennings
Julian Peterson
Walter Jones
Will Heller

Lineup Changes

Nate Burleson for D.J. Hackett
Mansfield Wrotto for Chris Gray
Leonard Stephens for Marcus Pollard
Seneca Wallace for Matt Hasselbeck
Leonard Weaver for Mack Strong
Mo Morris for Shaun Alexander

Darryl Tapp for Patrick Kerney
Marcus Tubbs for Chuck Darby
Craig Terrill for Rocky Bernard
Bryce Fisher for Tapp
Will Herring for Leroy Hill
Niko Koutouvides for Lofa Tatupu
Pete Hunter for Marcus Trufant
Mike Green for Deon Grant
C.J. Wallace for Brian Russell

Categories: Game Coverage
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:31:15 pm

All the receivers are on the field and I don't see Ben Obomanu, who strained a hammy in Tuesday's practice, so I assume he is out for the game. They have not yet announced officially who is out.

Categories: Game Coverage 1 comment
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:22:37 pm

Happy Birthday, Shaun!

Categories: Awards and honors
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 05:42:38 pm

This is the second half of the pregame conversation between me and Boling. It picks up where the first half left off.

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 05:24:39 pm

This is the first half of the pregame conversation I just had with Boling in the press box. It covers a litany of topics that the Seahawks face both in this final game and as the season opener approaches. I recorded it at too high a quality so I had to break it in two. I'll file the other half shortly.

Categories: Audio Files, Game Coverage
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:56:46 pm

Boling and I should get to the stadium at about 4:30. We'll sit down and record the audio of his thoughts around then, and I'll post it as soon as I am able to.

From then on, I'll be providing updates as we get them re: who is playing, who is out and any other pertinent information.

=> Read more!

Categories: Programming Note 3 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:51:48 pm

Here is the press release:

What: Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver, Deion Branch will launch his foundation’s newly designed Web site - www.deionbranch83.com - on Thursday, Sept. 6 at the Bellevue Boys & Girls Club “Main Club.”

The launch party will feature a web forum “Q & A session” where kids can ask Deion questions about the upcoming Seahawks season and his Deion Branch Charitable Foundation. The party will also include a game-show activity with Deion leading kids in attendance at the event in a rousing round of “Jeopardy.”

=> Read more!

Categories: Off the field
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:46:40 pm

Sorry, folks, I was shut out of the blog all morning because of tech problems at the office.

Here is a story that talks about what tonight's game means for the Raiders.

Here is a short item on Jerramy Stevens and his chance to make the team with the Bucs, who the Seahawks play in Week One.

And here is a piece by Mike Sando on Matt Hasselbeck.

Categories: Opponents 3 comments
Posted by Dave Boling @ 12:25:13 pm

Here's a link to a really good Sando story about Matt Hasselbeck's diligent, and sometimes unusual, film studies of opponents.

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:44:02 pm

I spoke with defensive coordinator John Marshall earlier today for some stuff in our special section and happened to ask him about the starting right end spot, Tapp or Fisher. He said that both are going to play against the Raiders tomorrow night, and whichever guy plays better is likely going to get the starting position against Tampa Bay.

=> Read more!

Categories: Roster Analysis 51 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:59:13 am

These are courtesy of my friends at Bodog.com:

Team Odds

Odds to win the 2008 NFC Championship

Seattle Seahawks 6/1

Odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII

Seattle Seahawks 20/1

Odds to win the NFC West Division

Seattle Seahawks 7/5

Arizona Cardinals 3/1

San Francisco 49ers 9/5

St.Louis Rams 4/1


Odds to win the NFC West Division

Seattle Seahawks 7/5

Arizona Cardinals 3/1

San Francisco 49ers 9/5

St.Louis Rams 4/1

Win Totals

2007 NFL Regular Season Wins - Seattle Seahawks

Over 9 (EVEN)

Under 9 (-130)

Player Performance Odds

Matt Hasselbeck - Passing Yards

Over 3525 -120

Under 3525 -120

Matt Hasselbeck - Passing Touchdowns

Over 25 (-120)

Under 25 (-120)

Matt Hasselbeck - Pass Interceptions

Over 15 (-120)

Under 15 (-120)

Shaun Alexander - Rushing Yards

Over 1650 (-120)

Under 1650 (-120)

Shaun Alexander - Rushing Touchdowns

Over 16 (-120)

Under 16 (-120)

Deion Branch - Receiving Yards

Over 965 (-120)

Under 965 (-120)

Deion Branch - Pass Receptions

Over 68 (-120)

Under 68 (-120)

Deion Branch - Total Receiving Touchdowns

Over 5½ (-130)

Under 5½ (-110)

Julian Peterson - Tackles (Solo + Assisted)

Over 88 (-120)

Under 88 (-120)

Julian Peterson - Sacks

Over 7½ (-115)

Under 7½ (-125)

Patrick Kerney - Sacks

Over 7 (-120)

Under 7 (-120)

Lofa Tatupu - Total Tackles (Solo + Assisted)

Over 92½ (-120)

Under 92½ (-120)

Categories: Miscellaneous 11 comments

Tuesday, August 28th, 2007

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:03:28 pm

With only two full days of practice, the Seahawks have a short walkthrough Wednesday morning in preparation for Thursday night's game. That walkthrough is closed to the media, meaning we have no availability.

=> Read more!

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:30:28 pm

These were transcribed by the Seahawks. They look good. There is nothing super illuminating in here but as a Seahawks fan I'm sure you want to read through it.

Shaun Alexander
July 30, 2007

(On beginning the regular season…) “Football, it’s what we do. It’s so exciting that it’s so close. We’ve been wanting to play and I feel like I haven’t really been able to play in a year. I’m over here just almost giddy. The real bullets are going to be flying. That’s the best thing. No one will be surprised if I tell you my favorite part of football is game day. For the fact that the real games are so close I am really excited.”

=> Read more!

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:58:59 pm

These were transcribed by the Seahawks. I have read through them. They are missing some of Hasselbeck's responses about his meeting with President Bush. Some of that was esoterica but he also admitted that he has voted twice for Bush and that while he does not follow politics religiously, he does follow them.

Matt Hasselbeck
August 28, 2007

(On goals for the upcoming game) “We’re still working. We’re not technically in training camp because we don’t have those night meetings and we don’t necessarily practice twice in pads a day but we’re still working hard. We’re still working towards that first game September 9. We use these preseason games as an opportunity to compete live against another opponent; full speed, tackling, hitting, all that kind of stuff. Try to work on game management and making good decisions. We’re still just plugging away here knowing that the ultimate goal, obviously we’re trying to play well in these games and win these games, but the ultimate goal is to hopefully hit the ground running for September.”

=> Read more!

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:58:52 pm

It was a hot practice in full pads for two hours. No Kelly Jennings, Julian Peterson or Marcus Tubbs, which means they will not be playing in Thursday's game against the Oakland Raiders. Jordan Babineaux and Walter Jones were on the far field, getting in some work.

=> Read more!

Categories: Seahawks Insider 22 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:31:07 pm

The Seahawks QB was on this morning with Mitch Levy, during which he spoke about meeting President Bush.

Categories: Audio Files 18 comments
Posted by Mark Briggs @ 11:14:24 am

Quarterback Erik Meyer was the 12th player released today, the team announced today.

Practice is scheduled from 1:30-3:30 today. Frank plans to file afterward.

Categories: Seahawks Roster 48 comments

Monday, August 27th, 2007

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 10:44:51 pm

Here is Dave's weekly visit with Elise and Ian on KJR. Behold, there is some Mariners stuff in there but the beginning is Seahawks-related.

Categories: Audio Files 2 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 07:03:17 pm

These were transcribed by the Seahawks staff. I have read through them and they look good. The highlight is Holmgren discussing roster decisions, which I have placed up top.

Mike Holmgren
August 27, 2007

(On the defensive line…) “We do have pretty good depth there and that’ll be one of the tough cuts. They’ll all be tough but that’s one of the competitive cuts I would say. I couldn’t tell you right now. I could not tell you who the guys are. You know who our starters are going to be probably. Then there is a handful of guys still competing for those last few positions.”

“I’m going to hold off talking about numbers and the reason being is there is some areas I might have to rob Peter to pay Paul. Right now I don’t want to get locked into any sort of number. I can’t really tell you is the point of it.”

=> Read more!

Categories: Off the field 29 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 05:04:03 pm

I don't think we are going to be provided with an official list of cuts until tomorrow, which means we won't officially know who the 12th guy is until then. The C.J. Wallace speculation is premature, and in no way a done deal. He just appeared solemn getting off the elevator. I'll post the official list as soon as we are told.

Categories: Cuts and waivers 45 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:30:40 pm

I spoke with Leonard Weaver after practice about my daily story for tomorrow's sports section. I asked him what happened between the beginning of camp and now, and he said the Green Bay had a big effect on his psyche because he had such a poor pass blocking game. He said his run blocking was good that game but pass blocking was not. He said is approaching it as "I need to go out there and improve on what I need to work on." He said he is well aware that everybody thinks he is struggling, but he doesn't feel like it is a struggle but rather it is work that he needs to do.

=> Read more!

Categories: Miscellaneous 10 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:04:22 pm

We're still not sure who the 12th guy who got cut is, but I'm venturing a guess that it is C.J. Wallace. Scott Johnson and I were getting on the elevator as he was getting off from the offices upstairs, and he didn't look like a guy who was very happy. I'll let you know when I know for sure. Holmgren said after practice that they had cut 12 guys, so there was one more. Not sure why they had whoever was cut practice one last time.

=> Read more!

Categories: Cuts and waivers 16 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:13:13 pm

These are the players missing from practice:

RB A.J. Harris
CB Patrick Ghee
WR Chris Jones
WR Robert Ortiz
OL Austin King
OL Jason Murphy
OL Jonathan Alston
TE Andy Stokes
LB Marcus Rucker
CB Dennis Davis
K Kurt Smith

=> Read more!

Categories: Cuts and waivers 21 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 12:33:35 pm

Practice is today at 1:30, so I will be filing something after that practice and after interviews, probably around 4:30 or so.

Also, as you can see by the mug of Kelly Jennings, I have figured out how to paste photos into the blog, so when appropriate I will try to do that more often (though I still have to figure out how to pull photos off the wire and convert them. It's all a work in progress.)

=> Read more!

Categories: Blog News 27 comments

Sunday, August 26th, 2007

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:48:34 pm

I forgot the mention this injury last night, and you can get it in full in the Mike Holmgren quotes, but apparently Kelly Jennings had a bruise on his leg that was pretty serious. Tests came back negative and Holmgren did not say what his status was, and probably won't know until Monday. But keep in mind that this is a very short week of work, with one practice on Monday and Tuesday, and a brief walk through on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday's exhibition finale against Oakland.

Categories: Game Coverage 19 comments
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 07:31:53 pm

Pretty solid victory for the Hawks last night. The Vikings have some serious quarterback issues. Seneca Wallace is way better than either Tavaris Jackson or Brooks Bollinger. Did anybody find it strange that the Vikings used two trick plays in a preseason game. The reverse receiver pass was the first offensive touchdown the Viks have scored in three preseason games — ouch.

Here's Frank's game story and Dave's column. My story was about E.J. Henderson and Matt Hasselbeck's brief conversation on the field. Here's the game notebook with notes about Marcus Tubbs, Steve Hutchinson and others.

Minneapolis Star Tribune Coverage
Here's the game story addressing the quarterback issue. There is still some young talent out there for the Vikings to rely on. A scary moment at the end when a Vikings player was loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher.

St. Paul Pioneer Press coverage
Here's the game story calling the Viks play, solid and shaky.Here's the game notebook that leads with receiver Bobby Wade's play. As they showed on Saturday, the Viks plan on using both Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson (who looks like he's going to be great) in a platoon system this season. I can hear fantasy football owners grumbling. Both runners looked pretty solid at times last night.

Arizona Cardinals
This columnist thinks the preseason football schedule is stupid. Arizona's defense was not so good in a 33-31 loss to the Chargers. The Cardinals are spicing up their play calling. The Arizona Republic has a guy nicknamed "fanboy" do a running blog during the game with thoughts and comments. Maybe the TNT should do that, I'm sure we could find someone on this blog to do that.

Here's the East Valley Trib's game story.