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Seattle Mariners still in the mix for Josh Hamilton

2012-12-07T15:24:17Z

The Mariners are reportedly the fall back option for the free agent slugger if the Texas Rangers stop their pursuit.

The Seattle Mariners are expected to be finalists in the sweepstakes to land the services of slugger Josh Hamilton, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. His report comes from predictions from "several GMs" across Major League Baseball.

Hamilton would definitely be an injection of power for an impotent Mariners offense if they were to sign him. Only three teams scored fewer runs that Seattle last season, and Hamilton's bat would lead the Mariners in each triple crown category. Last year, Hamilton hit .285 (Seattle's leader was Jesus Montero at .260), blasted 43 home runs (Kyle Seager, 20), and knocked in 128 RBI (Seager, 86).

In a different report, Nightengale says that the Texas Rangers don't plan on offering Hamilton more than a three-year contract even though the lefty reportedly wants a seven-year contract. Such an offer would seem to make Hamilton unlikely to return to Texas.

Nightengale reported that general managers also believe the Baltimore Orioles will be finalists. For a detailed breakdown of the possibility of Hamilton playing for the Mariners, visit Lookout Landing.

Apple Cup 2012: 105th annual meeting between the Huskies & Cougars

2012-11-22T16:39:08Z

It's rivalry week in Washington as the Huskies and Cougars face off in the Apple Cup on Friday.

While the stakes have been higher in previous editions, Friday's Apple Cup will once again be the focus of college football in Washington.

With Washington already securing its bowl eligibility and the Cougars long eliminated from postseason contention, pride will be the biggest prize on Friday. Washington could improve its bowl bid by moving up the Pac-12 standings with a win, but knocking off their rival is the bigger focus.

Washington has won four straight games and has not allowed more than 17 points over that span. The Cougars have gone the opposite direction, as they have lost eight straight games and have surrendered at least 44 points in each of their last three games. After battling injuries and being replaced against Arizona State, Jeff Tuel is expected to start at quarterback for Washington State.

The Apple Cup will be only one of several Pac-12 rivalry games this week. Here is a closer look at this week's conference schedule:

Friday, November 23

3 p.m. ET: Utah at Colorado

3:30 p.m. ET: Washington at Washington State

10 p.m. ET: Arizona State at Arizona

Saturday, November 24

3 p.m. ET: Oregon at Oregon State

6:30 p.m. ET: Stanford at UCLA

8 p.m. ET: Notre Dame at USC

Mario Martinez called up by Honduran national team

2012-11-13T03:59:38Z

The Honduras national team called up Seattle Sounders midfielder Mario Martinez for a friendly against Peru on Wednesday.

Coach Sigi Schmid hasn't used Martinez too often over the course of the year, but he has made his time on the pitch count as he scored the winning goal against Real Salt Lake in Thursday's second leg of the Western Conference semifinals.

His goal allowed the Sounders to advance in the MLS playoffs for the first time team history.

Martinez is slated to rejoin the team on Thursday. Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times explains that the Sounders are required by FIFA to release players for a 48-hour period because the friendly falls during the window for international games.

As a member of the Honduran national team, Martinez has 21 caps and played for the team in recent World Cup qualifiers as well as on the 2012 summer Olympic team in London.

Seahawks vs. Jets: Seattle's players react to victory

2012-11-13T01:08:15Z

After dominating the New York Jets in every facet of the game, the Seattle Seahawks' players had plenty to say about the 28-7 win on Sunday at The Link. One of the more encouraging factors was the play of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, who continues to impress with his maturity and on-field presence.

He's also showed good decision-making in the relatively new scheme that uses a read-option style of play. Wilson talked to The News Tribune about its effectiveness and what it means to the success of the offense:

"In terms of the read option, it makes it tough on the defense because people are spread out. The goal is to hand it off to Marshawn; give the ball to him and let him make the play and get a big gain. Once I carry the football, I'm just trying to get 5, 10 yards and make a positive play out of it, be smart and get down. A couple of them, I was able to get loose and get more than just 5 or 10 yards; I think a 20 yarder maybe, or whatever. Another one to continue the drive on. I think that's big for us to be able to change it up in terms of our run looks. Coach Cable and Coach Bevell do a tremendous job of giving us great looks in practice, and getting us ready."

The read-option has contributed to the success of the Seahawks' seventh-ranked rushing offense. The ability to involve Marshawn Lynch often allows the Seahawks' leading rusher to do what he does best, as well as open up the passing game.

Speaking of the passing game, the receivers have benefited from the success of the run, and that was clear on Sunday against the Jets. Wide receiver Sidney Rice spoke about the success that he and fellow wideout Golden Tate have had as the the team opens up the playbook:

"We just have more opportunities. We said we were going to take some shots into the end zone, and that's what we've been doing. Golden Tate has been making some great plays down the sideline getting in the end zone, bubble screens, or whatever we may have. But we're throwing the ball in the end zone now, and that's what happens when you have a receiver that can make plays and a quarterback that can move out of the pocket and find people."

The Seahawks have a bye in Week 11 and are currently second in the NFC West behind the San Francisco 49ers.

Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2012/11/11/seahawks-postgame-comments-russell-wilson-golden-tate-sidney-rice-richard-sherman-and-more/#storylink=cpjjjjjjjj

Seahawks beat Jets: New York's Rex Ryan, players react

2012-11-13T00:58:09Z

There wasn't much for Rex Ryan to be happy about following the New York Jets' 28-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

He got to stand in pouring down rain at CenturyLink Field in Seattle and watch his team drop their third straight to rest at the bottom of the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills. With the loss, the Jets' limited playoff window took an even bigger hit, he told the News Tribune after the loss.

I mean I don't know how many more losses you want to spot somebody before you think you can make the playoffs. It's about a 2% chance of making the playoffs or something like that with a record that we have but again were going to take that shot.

The Jets offense has struggled all year. They have a point differential of -53 and Ryan took out quarterback Mark Sanchez at one point for a drive featuring repeated uses of quarterback Tim Tebow. Sanchez finished with just 124 yards and an interception on 9-for-22 attempts. He finished with his second lowest quarterback rating of the year, at 40.7.

Despite his quarterback's troubles, Ryan doesn't predict a shakeup coming any time soon. As he points out, the Jets' problems can hardly be pinned on one player's shoulder pads.

Again I know this is a common theme but if it was on one guy it's easy to fix. But it's much more. We have had protection breakdown, there are dropped passes, guys aren't getting open - there are other things involved in it. But again, yes we will stick with Mark and we know he has to get better and everybody around him has to get better - coaches, players, everybody.

Despite the uphill battle, the Jets refuse to quit, or at least their words to the media would suggest so. Sanchez still believes the team still has a playoff run in them.

No question. That is the most frustrating thing because are missing opportunities and we have them right there. We have opportunities to make plays. Its my job to do everything right and put us in the right position and not hurt our team.. I know we have the talent, I know we have the coaching, it's just a matter of executing and making good decisions.

Still, with seven games left crazier things have happened in the NFL. Whether or not the Jets can right the ship remains to be seen. But if they are able to do that a different team needs to show up than the one that showed up in Seattle on Sunday.

West Virginia vs. Gonzaga 2012: TV schedule, game time, odds and more

2012-11-12T16:45:07Z

Gonzaga blasted by West Virginia 84-50 on Monday night.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will get their first stiff test of the season when they take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in Spokane for the first game of the Old Spice Classic on Monday night.

The Zags had no trouble in their opening game 103-65 rout of Southern Utah. All things were clicking for the Zags in that game as they forced 28 turnovers while only turnover the ball nine times. Freshman Przemek Karnowski dominated the game the short time he was in, scoring 22 points in 20 minutes.

Gonzaga last faced West Virginia in the 2012 NCAA Tournament when they upset the Mountaineers 77-54. But this is a different West Virginia team missing last year's Big East's top scorer and rebounder in Kevin Jones. They have three incoming transfers: Aaric Murray (La Salle), Juwan Staten (Dayton) and Matt Humphrey (Boston College).

This game is technically part of the Old Spice Classic but has no bearing on the actual tournament. The full bracket for the tournament can be seen here.

Game time: Monday, Nov. 12; 9 p.m. PT

TV schedule: ESPN

Spread: Gonzaga is currently favored by 11 points.

UCLA vs. Washington State 2012: In midst of an awful season, the Cougars haven't given up

2012-11-12T03:04:47Z

The Washington State Cougars lost their seventh consecutive game on Saturday, losing to UCLA in Pullman 44-36. It was the just the latest disappointment in what has been a nightmare season for the Cougars, as the big name hire of Mike Leach has not lived up to expectations in a season marred by player regression, blowout losses, and accusations of abuse.

UCLA led by as 30 points at halftime of this one, and it appeared to be just another blowout loss in the Cougars' forgettable campaign. However, Washington State was able to battle back from that deficit to make it a one score game. It sent the message that the Cougars haven't given up on their season and, for CougCenter, that means a lot:

It says they still give a damn and still have pride in themselves, the name on the front of their jerseys and the men standing to their left and right. I don't know if they were playing for Leach or not, but something about what he's been saying seems to have taken hold. After preaching effort, imploring his team to keep their head up and asking for some fight, Leach seemed to get it on Saturday night.

There are no moral victories and nobody is happy with this season. But I'm proud of the players that laid it on the line tonight. I'm tired of the drama and crap, and this week has been draining for everyone, but seeing signs of life, of pride and of effort, is a good feeling.

The goals that Washington State set out to accomplish have long been out the window. But with two games to go against middling Pac-12 squads in Arizona St. and Washington, there is still hope that an engaged WSU team can avoid another winless conference season.

Seahawks vs. Jets: Seattle defense still strong, keeps 14-7 lead after three quarters

2012-11-11T23:29:43Z

The Seattle Seahawks' defense is still putting a beating on the New York Jets' offense at rainy CenturyLink Field. Even with the Seahawks' offense struggling to put much together, Seattle is still in control and leading 14-7 thanks to their defense, which has yet to allow a score.

The Seahawks went in front on their first drive, but gave the lead back when the Jets returned a Russell Wilson fumble for a touchdown. Marshawn Lynch put Seattle back in front in the second quarter and from there, it was all about watching the defense go to work.

The Jets have just 153 yards of total offense and have turned the ball over twice. They are 2-for-10 on third down and have failed in their only fourth down attempt. Mark Sanchez is 7-for-18 passing for just 87 yards and an interception, which is good for a 31.5 passer rating. No matter what New York tries, it has failed and that is because the Seattle defense is on the other side of the ball to shut down whatever is thrown at them.