The Nightwatch

How do you solve a problem like Nick Franklin? He can put up good offense at times, but he doesn't really have a position to play, unless Brad Miller struggles even more. There is some concern over Brad Miller. After a dynamite spring and great first week, he has really slumped and played some shoddy defense. Tom compares him to Dustin Pedroia, who started slow and turned it around to win Rookie of the Year. There are some interesting things going on in this year's NFL Draft, none of which involve the Seahawks, but the Rams have the 3rd pick. They could be scary. 52-year old Herschel Walker thinks he can play in the NFL. His last year was 1997. Will anyone actually give him a chance?

Tom says he is in lockstep with Richard Sherman's opinion of getting "respect" in the form of dollar dollar bills, ya'll. Tom thinks Sherman should be the highest paid corner, but believes it might not be with Seattle. The NFL owners are deciding on whether or not to expand the pool of playoff teams from 12 to 14. Colin wonders why this needs to be done. You've got the best sports product out there, so why the need to tinker?

The Mariners pulled out a win today thanks to heroics from Kyle Seager. How important is it for him to get going? Who are leaders on the Mariners? Is Seager one? How about Robinson Cano or Corey Hart? Or are they leaders by example? Former Mariner Michael Pineda was caught with pine tar... AGAIN! This time it actually got him ejected from the game. Pine tar may not give you a big advantage, but why do it again and why on your neck?! Colin is kinda excited to see what the Seahawks have in Terrelle Pryor with his blazing speed and unique skill set, even though he may not play much if he's a backup QB.

The NFL has released their schedule and the guys break it down, including an early bye week which Colin really likes. Oh boy, now it's time for the guys to figure out when the Seahawks might lose. Will they lose one at home? The guys talk about Russell Wilson filing for divorce and how that shouldn't be a big issue for him during the NFL season because of his demeanor. Plus the guys take a look at the NFL Draft and what positions the Seahawks could be looking to shore up.

The Mariners have a starting rotation issue, but so does the rest of the AL West. Can the Mariners take advantage of those injuries and jump out to an early lead and stay in contention until September? Tom wonders if a guy like Johnny Manziel can succeed if he's drafted by the right organization with the right coaches? Other players that have failed usually are brought into struggling organizations. Will Carroll of Bleacher Report talks about the Mariners and how they can compete with the weakened starting rotations of Texas and Oakland. He talks about the possible position shift for Nick Franklin. He also gives his picks for a team that might surprise some people.

Scott Soden in for Colin. Tom ponders why he isn't as into the NCAA tournament as he has been in the past and he thinks it's because of the whole one and done rule making the sport bereft of star power. The guys talk about Pete Prisco of CBS and his assertion that Russell Wilson is a middling quarterback. Should we care about what a national pundit thinks about him? Tom and Scott talk to Kristi Dosh, author of "Saturday Millionaires" about the possible unionization of college sports after the ruling at Northwestern came down in favor of it. She talks about how this can lead to paying athletes, which will be a slippery slope. Will you just be paying men's football and basketball players or ALL athletes and will this affect Title IX? Scott has a solution to the problem with college athletics. He believes that specific athletes should be paid via a merit system and the rest continue to be on scholarship. The money would be divvied up by how much each sport brings into the school.

Michael Pineda is back from his injury and trying to make the Yankees rotation. It looks like he's on the way back, while Jesus Montero is headed for Triple-A and gaining weight after a forgettable season. How does Montero turn it around? Was Fernando Rodney a necessary player to sign or should the Mariners have addressed the rotation? Former Seahawk John Moffitt and Colts owner Jim Irsay got arrested for controlled substance related issues. Should the media be putting these images out there and shaming these people? Plus, is filling out a bracket and participating in the NCAA tournament still fun? Very few people know anything about the highest numbered seeds and some don't even know where a school like Wofford is located.

Should Russell Wilson get top dollars when his contract comes due? Former NFL WR Curtis Conway doesn't think he "carries" the team therefore, he isn't a top QB like Peyton Manning. With that logic, the guys ponder whether or not guys like Matt Stafford or Joe Flacco deserve their top contracts. Callers weigh in on their thoughts on Wilson's place on the team and whether he is an elite QB.

The Seahawks tender Doug Baldwin. What does this tell you about how the Seahawks value Baldwin? Plus the guys go Rapid Fire... Baldwin or Tate?

Colin and Tom are back talking Mariners. The guys take a deeper look at Dustin Ackley? What can we expect from him this season? Also they get into the Mariners Rotation, and is Jack Z and the Mariners done spending money this off-season?

Colin's back and has a grudge against Scott Soden... sorta. The guys talk about the Mariners spring opener and what to look for as the spring rolls along. Who could be this year's Raul Ibanez? Tom puts his money on Corey Hart. Why has it taken so long for the rest of the league to see how good Pete Carroll has done here? The guys make a comparison to a song taking awhile to "play well" overseas. Plus we can't go without another look at the Richie Incognito situation. This time he takes a bat to a Ferrari! Why, Richie?

Shannon Drayer joins Tom and Scott to talk about the Cactus League season opener tomorrow and the state of the Mariners as of now. Pitching is still a concern and GM Jack Zduriencik thinks he can get what he needs via trade (possibly for Nick Franklin). Are the Mariners trying to copy the Seahawks by playing music at practice? Scott thinks it sounds a little desperate. Plus are you upset about Russell Wilson working with the Texas Rangers?

"Hot Shot" Scott Soden in for Colin. The guys talk about key players for the Mariners. Who needs to step it up and have a solid season for the Mariners to be in contention? Callers weigh in. Plus what's the expectations for Johnny Manziel? Some love his skills, but his antics leave something to be desired.

John Boyle of the Everett Herald joins Colin and Tom to talk about the impending release of certain Seahawks due to salary cap relief. How will the locker room react to losing their leader (assuming he isn't re-signed at a lower rate)? Should the NFL ban the "n-word" from games by penalizing players? It may sound like a good idea in theory, but won't it be more likely to be used be people of the same race?

The guys take a look at how the Mariners are shaping up and possible moves left to be made. Should they re-sign Kendrys Morales? What about another starting pitcher? Also what is going on with Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco? Is he just to hard to work with or does the GM bear some of the blame? Plus the Seahawks may be moving on from Red Bryant, among other expensive players. How can this effect the team moving forward?