M2H's Alternate Reality Seattle Seahawks

[Manning2Harrison]

M2H’S SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ALTERNATE REALITY FRANCHISE

Platform: PS3
Franchise start year: 2011
Sliders: Mine
Style: Coach Mode, 32-team control
Quarter length: 15 min. 25 sec. runoff
Draft Classes: daniverson1973 (OS)
Rosters: one of the December 2010 updates


Why another franchise? I’ve been wanting to do a franchise with: 1) more accurate rosters, 2) the Seahawks, 3) my alternate reality idea, and 4) some new draft classes. This combines all of those into one, and gives me games to play during the week-long offseason periods of my other franchise. No GM participation here- this one is built for speed.

This alternate reality franchise examines how the landscape of the NFL would have changed had one player made a different decision about an early entry into the NFL draft.

That player is Peyton Manning, who is not an Indianapolis Colt. I have speculated as to where quarterbacks in subsequent years would have been drafted, and in the case of those who fell out of favor with their original teams (i.e. Daunte Culpepper and Chad Pennington) I had them leave their alternate reality teams in the same year they left their real-life teams. Since I didn’t want to spend a week retooling the rosters, I didn’t try to mock every pick of every first round of every draft from 1997 through 2010. Surely a lot of other picks would have gone differently due to the ripple effect of Manning entering the 1997 draft, but that’s too much to try to account for in setting up a franchise. Teams and players that have no mention in the timeline went through no changes from their real-life quarterback situations.

1997: Peyton Manning declares for the NFL draft, foregoing his senior season at Tennessee. Archie and Peyton agree that knowing which team and coach Peyton will go to is better than the uncertainty of who will be the first team picking a quarterback in 1998. The New York Jets and new head coach Bill Parcells do not trade the no. 1 pick away, but use it to make Manning their quarterback of the future.

1998: Ryan Leaf is drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. For the San Diego Chargers, it’s “wait ‘til next year” for a quarterback.

1999: Daunte Culpepper is drafted 8th overall by the San Diego Chargers. Cade McNown is drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.

2000: The Bears draft Chad Pennington and Brian Urlacher goes to the Jets.

2001: After their version of the Leaf fiasco, the Colts select Drew Brees.

2003: Rex Grossman falls to Round 2, where he is taken by the Vikings, who have soured on McNown.

2004: Because Daunte Culpepper has been playing in San Diego, the Chargers do not have the first pick in the draft. The Raiders still take Robert Gallery at one instead of two, and Arizona drafts Eli Manning. Eli still ends up in New York with the attendant drama queen routine, but via Arizona, which gets Philip Rivers. As a result, the Lions draft Larry Fitzgerald instead of Roy Williams, who becomes San Diego’s first round pick.

2006: With no Brees, the Saints draft Vince Young. In Tennessee, Jeff Fisher and Norm Chow get their preferred man, Matt Leinart. Reggie Bush goes to the Raiders, Michael Huff to the Bills, and Donte Whitner to the Cardinals.

2007: The Chargers release the injury-hampered Culpepper and draft Brady Quinn as his successor.

2009: Mark Sanchez is drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

2010: Seattle’s record is 6-10. The Seahawks will have the 7th overall pick in the 2011 draft.

2011: Matt Hasselbeck is among the players released by the Seattle during the offseason. Who will be under center on opening day? Clipboard Jesus? A rookie? A newly-acquired veteran?


"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture."

[Manning2Harrison]

YEARLY RECAPS

[Manning2Harrison]

PRO-BOWLERS AND AWARD WINNERS

[Manning2Harrison]

FIRST ROUND PICKS, 2011-

[Manning2Harrison]

2010 NFL STANDINGS


Black Monday:

Eric (The) Mangina, Browns
Gary Kubiak, Texans
Norv Turner, Chargers
Lovie Smith, Bears
John Fox, Panthers
Mike Singletary, 49ers

AWARD WINNERS

MVP: Michael Vick, PHI
Off. Player: Michael Vick, PHI
Def. Player: Jarrett Johnson, BAL
Off. Rookie: Colt McCoy, CLE
Def. Rookie: Lamarr Houston, OAK

STAT LEADERS

QB Rating: Peyton Manning, NYJ - 93.1
Passing Yards: Drew Brees, IND - 4,464
Passing TD's: Tom Brady, NE - 34
Rushing Yards: Michael Turner, ATL - 1,600
Rushing TD's: Michael Turner, ATL - 16
Yards Per carry: Michael Turner, ATL - 5.2
Tackles: Barrett Ruud, TB - 121
Tackles for Loss: DeAndre Levy, DET - 14
Sacks: Robert Ayers, DEN - 15
INT: Cortland Finnegan, TEN; Jordan Babineaux, SEA - 7

Seahawks in the Pro Bowl: OLB Aaron Curry, KR Leon Washington

[Manning2Harrison]

WILD CARD WEEKEND

Broncos31, Chiefs 14

Giants 22, Packers 10

Jets 31, Patriots 16

Falcons 16, Rams 9


DIVISIONAL WEEKEND

Titans 26, Jets 16

Giants 23, Saints 7

Broncos 6, Ravens 3

Eagles 28, Falcons 26


CONFERENCE CHAPIONSHIPS

Broncos 31, Titans 24

Eagles 20, Giants 17 (OT)


SUPER BOWL XLV

Broncos 25, Eagles 13

[Manning2Harrison]

2011 COACHING HIRES

Bears: Brian Van Gorder

Chargers: Russ Grimm

49ers: Jim Harbaugh

Texans: John Fox

Vikings: Leslie Frazier

[Manning2Harrison]

Hawks Release Hasselbeck, Tag Mebane


The franchise tag will keep Mebane in Seattle for at least one more year.

The Seattle Seahawks have decided to part ways with veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck rather than offer him a new contract, even a short-term one. The writing may have been on the wall when Seattle traded for Charlie Whitehurst a year ago, but that doesn't mean that the 2011 starter's job will go to Clipboard Jesus by default. Head coach Pete Carroll said all options are being explored. "We've seen this contingency coming, and we've been heavily scouting the 2011 quarterback class. We'll also look into the possibilities of acquiring a veteran quarterback."

Hasseleck was diplomatic about the release. "It's been a great ride, and I'm sad to see it end, but that's the nature of the business. I'll land on my feet somewhere."

Meanwhile, as negotiations toward a long-term deal continue, the Seahawks have reained the services of defensive tackle Brandon Mebane by slapping him with the franchise tag. Another defensive lineman, however, is going to test the free agency waters. "I'm not saying I won't be back, I just want to explore all of my options," said Red Bryant.

Re-signings and Releases

DT Brandon Mebane - franchise tag
K Olindo Mare - re-signed, 1 year
WR Mike Williams - re-signed, 5 years
SS Jordan Babineaux - re-signed, 5 years
OLB David Hawthorne - re-signed, 5 years
DT Red bryant - filing for free agency
SS Lawyer Milloy - released
OL Chester Pitts - re-signed, 5 years
QB Matt Hasselbeck -released
G Ben Hamilton - re-signed, 2 years
C Chris Spencer - filing for free agency
CB Kelly Jennings - re-signed, 5 years
WR Ben Obumanu - re-signed, 5 years
RB/KR Leon Washington - re-signed, 5 years
DE Jay Richardson - re-signed, 5 years
T Tyler Polumbus - re-signed, 2 years
DE Raheem Brock - released
G Mike Gibson - released
FB Michael Robinson -released
WR Ruvel Martin - released
DT Craig Terril - released
DT Junior Siavii - released
C Chris Whiye - released
OLB Will Herring - released