To see some success this NFL football season I may have to resort to Pinochle

 

TERRY MOSHER

 

TOP OF THE TOWN ‑ In football, no matter the level, the most important player is the quarterback. At the lowest levels – peewees – they are the backbone, leading the offense and usually among the best on defense. As we get to the college level, recruiters sink or swim on getting the best QB (or not). They are as important as butter is to bread. Their importance is only increased as we get to the professional level (NFL). Teams live or die by the quality of their quarterback. The Seahawks instantly became a playoff contender when Russell Wilson showed up from Wisconsin 10 year ago when the Seahawks selected him in the third round of the NFL draft with the 75th pick after five other quarterbacks had already been choose by other teams.‑ Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts), Ryan Tannehill (Miami Dolphins), Robert Griffin III (Washington), Brock Osweiler Denver Broncos) and Brandon Weeden (Cleveland Browns). Wilson became the steal of that draft and captivated the 12s in Seattle with his daring escapes and last minute heroics and led the Seahawks to two Super Bowls, winning one. Without the always positive Wilson the Seahawks would not have been 104-53-1 with him at QB. Then, despite his public statements he loved Seattle he worked in the background to leave the city he professed to love. That doesn’t sit well with me. I’m a loyal person to a fault and that to me was Wilson speaking out of both sides of his mouth. He and his wife purchased almost immediately a $25 million mansion in the Denver area after the Seahawks gave in to his backroom pleas and traded him to the Broncos, making the Broncos an instant playoff team. So now the Seahawks will operate this season with two back-up quarterbacks as their No. 1 and No. 2. – Geno Smith and Drew Lock, who came to Seattle in the Wilson trade. Both Smith and Lock are turnovers waiting to happen. So this will not be a surprising season. It’s almost comical how fast an NFL team can go backwards and drift to the bottom of the league pile. I heard a TV report from some talking heads the other day that the NFC West has fallen off in quality and is one of the weakest divisions in the NFL. That is far from the truth. The Rams and 49ers have gotten much better and the Arizona Cardinals are always a tough beat.  I agree, though, the Seahawks are weaker. Much weaker. This not going to be good, folks. I cannot even in my weirdest dreams see Smith or Lock holding up the Vince Lombardi Trophy and celebrating as confetti swirls about them.  I see them slinking off the field, heads down as boos rain down on them.  Oh well, I can always watch Washington Husky basketball. Wait, maybe not. That, too, might not be a good idea. I guess I’ll have to settle for the nightly Pinochle cutthroat games using a dummy with Mary instead of watching the demise of the Seahawks. I used to be a good Pinochle player – I made recreational money playing Pinochle during my college days – but now the dummy beats me on occasion and Mary often. So it goes. That’s it for today. Stay safe.

Be well pal.

Be careful out there.

Have a great day.

You are loved.