Seahawk defense puts the D in domination

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Pulled out my dictionary this morning from its storage spot, under the broken back leg of our old couch. Blew off the dust and opened it to the “D” section. Flipped through until I found the word domination. Much to my surprise, there wasn’t a picture of the Seahawks defense. Read on.

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• Just saying. The Hawks defined defensive domination yesterday in Philadelphia. If it weren’t for another case of Jon Ryan butterfingers and one slow reaction by K.J. Wright, Seattle might have shut out Chip Kelly’s high-powered offense. When has that happened? Well, never in the NFL. As it was the Eagles had just one drive that was longer than 25 yards, gained just 153 yards of total offense and basically looked inept all day. The Hawks’ injury-decimated defensive front line dominated the Eagles’ offensive line, the linebackers ran free all evening and the secondary was hardly tested. This was the type of game we saw often last season , though it usually came against lesser offensive teams. Could it be the Hawk defense is actually playing better right now than it was at the same point last year? It better be, because there is no rest for this wicked group. San Francisco comes to town Sunday facing elimination and, after the stunning defeat to the Raiders, with probably a lame-duck coach . Then there is the game in Arizona, which very well could be for all the NFC West marbles and a first-round bye. Of course, the Rams, who visit Seattle in the season’s final week, are playing as well as anyone and always give the Hawks fits. Such is the week-to-week nature of the NFL. Even the best teams can be tested. There is no looking past anyone, not even the Raiders or the Jaguars or, this month at least, the 49ers .

• Color me a bit shocked the college football playoff selection committee decided to drop TCU out of the top four – after a dominating win on Saturday – and elevate Ohio State – on its third-string quarterback – into the No. 4 spot. But the two semifinal matchups, No. 1 Alabama vs. OSU and No. 2 Oregon vs. Florida State, are intriguing. The Big 12, who ended up honoring co-champions this weekend, much to the disappointment of Baylor coach Art Briles, was the loser in the scenario, with the Bears in the dreaded No. 5 spot. The conference will re-examine its policy of not having a title game, but to do that it would have to expand to 12 teams under current NCAA rules. Who would it add? Funny you ask, because the answer might actually affect a local school. And no, we’re not talking about Boise State, which would probably be under consideration. There is a school with local ties whose football coach has lobbied for inclusion: BYU. If the Cougars were to bolt the WCC – in all sports but football – for the Big 12, that would hurt Gonzaga’s strength of schedule in basketball a bit. And make the WCC a little less attractive. But we’ve all known BYU was just renting space in the conference until a better offer came along. The school doesn’t like being an independent in football and the Big 12 would be a good fit. It’s funny, isn’t it, football even affects schools that haven’t played the sport in decades.

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• WSU: While watching a movie last night, my phone started to ding. And ding often. It was Twitter blowing up with a report from a Texas TV reporter, basically saying Mike Leach was interested in the not-yet-open Houston head coaching position. The report, citing an unnamed source, caused me to examine Leach’s contract for his buyout terms – it’s so much money there is little chance anyone but a Florida-rich school would probably want to chance it – and to text with Jacob Thorpe concerning the same. In other words, it disturbed a quiet Sunday evening. It also must have done the same to those in Pullman, because the athletic department took the unusually step of denying the report on Twitter as well. Jacob has all the particulars in this story and blog post . … He also took time yesterday to look back at the win over UT-San Antonio and more this morning to post his links .

• Gonzaga: Jim Meehan headed home from Tucson, where I’m sure it was warmer than here (and also has a few In-N-Outs), to post a look back at the Arizona loss. … The women began slowly yesterday but finished quickly, routing Portland State 73-41. Tom Clouse has the game story .

• CCS/NIC: The two local community colleges got together in the finals of the Bigfoot Classic and it was the visitors from North Idaho who took the win, 84-80.

• Chiefs: Spokane was one of the hottest teams in the WHL just about a week ago. Five consecutive losses later they are, in their coach’s words, in disarray. Chris Derrick has a story and a blog post following Sunday’s home 4-1 loss to Seattle. … Portland got past Medicine Hat, 4-1. … Tri-City cooled off Kootenay, 5-4.

• Seahawks: Yes, the defense dominated. And yes, it dominated so much it was a reminder of last season. But the offense still struggled a bit, especially when it got into Philadelphia territory. If not for a crafty play by wide receiver Doug Baldwin , the Hawks might not have been able to pull away and win 24-14 . … The younger players are contributing more as they get more experience and snaps . … Russell Wilson wasn’t all that happy with the way the offense played but he was happy with the win. As was Pete Carroll . … Despite the physical nature of the game, the Hawks finished with just two new minor injuries .

• Mariners: Why are the Mariners willing to spend on free agents right now? It’s all about television money . There is more of it. … That money may make it more likely they hire a free-agent outfielder than trade pitching for one this week.

• Sounders: The Galaxy became the first MLS team with five titles as Landon Donovan went out with a win, 2-1 over the Revolution yesterday. … There is an expansion draft coming up and the Sounders can only protect 11 players.

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• The work week is beginning. Good luck. Until later …