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Jesus Montero’s 2013 season has gone about as badly as it could have. Montero was sent down in part because of his defense, as the Mariners seem to be finally moving towards giving up on his ability to catch, as it is apparent (as it was to Baseball America years ago, who kept projecting him The post What Went Wrong: Jesus Montero’s 2013 appeared first on Seattle Sports Central | #1 Seattle Sports Blog - News - Forum - Rumors.

As the Eagles assistants met the media for the first time this week, the overall theme appeared to be one of resisting labels. Yesterday we noted how defensive coordinator Billy Davis refused to label the D a 3-4 or 4-3 preferring instead to call it a "multiple" defense. On the offensive side of the ball, it was much the same thing. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said that whatever you want to call the offense, they're really not teaching fundamentals that are so much different than what they've done his whole career. "I like to say when we, as coaches, look at plays there's a lot of things that are familiar. Some people call it navy suits. Some people call it blue," Shurmur said. "When I look at it, there's a lot of things that we're going to do that we hope are exciting, but right now we're just teaching the offense and the basics and the fundamentals and try to get the guys up and running." When Shurmur was brought in, the general consensus was that he would work with Kelly to install an NFL style West Coast based passing offense to go with Kelly's already run based system. You'll remember that a lack of NFL passing concepts is what concerned Ron Jaworski about Chip Kelly's offense in the NFL. Shurmur says you're not going to get the Eagles offense by looking at Oregon. "We hope that you're seeing an offense that's extremely effective running the ball and throwing the ball. That's what we're hoping to do," Shurmur said. "I think, again, people are trying to paint this that what Chip did in college and say, 'It's this and they'll do that.' I don't think that's the case. They were very effective at running the football. It was a no-huddle-based offense. It was also a very effective passing offense. We'll see." Perhaps the biggest issue that Shurmur and Kelly will face on the offensive side of the ball this year will be who gets the start at QB? He says he's hoping that the choice will be obvious when the season begins. "What we'd like to hope is it's going to be very obvious who the starter is," Shurmur said. "Again, we've got a lot of training sessions left. We've got a full preseason, four preseason games. I think as we go through it and we add more and more to what we're doing; we're hopeful it'll be obvious to everyone who the starter is." On a team where the job is truly up for grabs this does seem to be the most sensible way to do it. Last year, the Seattle Seahawks traded for Matt Flynn, drafted Russell Wilson and basically just let the two battle it out all summer. Wilson came out on top and the team obviously benefitted as a result. The Eagles QB competition is a bit different given that there's the veteran Michael Vick in the mix. But Nick Foles & Matt Barkley make for a similarly intriguing pair of young guys like there were in Seattle.

Amazon has unveiled plans to build a set of giant biospheres at its Seattle HQ

Aaron Curry, one of the newest members of the New York Giants, is looking for an opportunity to start over. Coach Tom Coughlin is ready to give Curry that chance. "There are plenty of opportunities," Coughlin said during the week. "Everybody has got a great opportunity. There is nothing in concrete there. Matter of fact, I speak about that all of the time. I think it is a great opportunity." Most players that are looking for a comeback have a burning desire to prove their critics wrong. Curry, however, is the opposite. "Proving people wrong is not a motivation because people change. People's opinions change. One day they like you and then they don't like you," said Curry. "So for me to come out every day to think that my job is to prove people wrong or prove people right, I wouldn't be of any use to my teammates. My job and my only motivation is to go out there, play hard, play fast, be physical and get my teammates to just be fired up with me and just bring a positive energy every day." Curry was drafted in 2009 fourth overall by the Seattle Seahawks, but things just never seemed to click for Curry with the Seahawks. Curry only had 5.5 sacks in 28 games with Seattle which prompted them to trade him to the Oakland Raiders. He spent 2011 and 2012 recording no sacks and battling a knee injury which landed him on the physically-unable-to-perform list last season. "My knee just wasn't right," said Curry. "I showed up at the offseason programs last year and my knee just wasn't right. I couldn't do anything that I was used to being able to do." When he was in Seattle Curry didn't have the mindset he does now. There is one difference between the Curry who was the fourth overall pick by the Seahawks in 2009 and the Curry who is now with the Giants -- his level of maturity. 'Football is important now. It has a priority in my life that I'm willing to do whatever it takes.' - Aaron Curry "It was like I know I could do it and I knew I would do it. I just don't think at the time I was interested in doing it," said Curry. "I think I was interested in other things at the time. Football just wasn't my top priority, just to be honest. I had so much going on that I tried to make a balance out of everything instead of doing it the right way. "I think my perspective on football and life and being able to really focus on the details of football and have a selfless mentality. I see details now. Football is important now. It has a priority in my life that I'm willing to do whatever it takes that's going to help the Giants be successful and I'm not so selfish where if a call comes up that I don't like that I kind of get into a little tank. Now I'm more about finding a way to just put out a lot of effort and a lot of energy and just cause havoc." Coughlin is interested in finding out if Curry is indeed different than he was early in his career. "The feeling is that maybe this time around the player has figured it out," said Coughlin. "Maybe he didn't have it all in the proper perspective the first time around. Maybe we can cut right to the chase. He feels a little bit differently about having an opportunity to have a job." At the end of the day, Curry's main focus is showing his best skills and keeping his teammates motivated. "The only thing I can think about is the defense being called and my teammates and giving them everything I've got," said Curry. You can follow Kelsey O'Donnell on Twitter @KelsODonnell More From Big Blue View A closer look at JPP Dennis Esser joins staff to cover Fantasy Football Replacing Henry Hynoski

I told her to keep her mouth closed T… Russell Wilson and wife spent the day with sports reporter Hannah Storm in Seattle yesterday. It starts to get weird when Hannah Storm looks better then Russell’s wife, the same wife that did this on draft day. C’mon Russell, you’re better then that.-TO Russell Wilson and Wife Fan Friendly Russell Wilson and His Wife at the NFL Honors

Watch the video of the umpire assuming the first baseman caught the ball on a double play, when in fact the pitcher caught the ball and was not on the base. Texas went on to beat Seattle 9-5. More replay, please.

Blown calls have plagued Major League umpires this year, but this one from Friday night’s Rangers-Mariners tilt is so bad that if it’s not the worst of the season, it’s definitely top 3 material. In the bottom of the 2nd inning Seattle catcher Jesus Sucre hit into what appeared to be a fairly routine 3-6-3 double play, except that instead of first baseman Mitch Moreland receiving the throw from shortstop Elvis Andrus, pitcher Justin Grimm inexplicably sticks his glove in front of Moreland’s to steal Andrus’ throw, thus negating the double play. Only the umps, for reasons unexplained, didn’t see Grimm make the catch, assumed Moreland did, and called Sucre out. Seattle manager Eric Wedge came out to dispute the call, but only because he either thought a) Sucre was safe on the close play, or b) Moreland got pulled off the bag by the throw. Apparently Wedge missed the fact that Grimm caught the ball as well, which isn’t as big a deal seeing that his vantage point from the Mariners dugout, as compared to the first base umpire’s view, wasn’t as favorable. Here’s video of the bizarre double play that wasn’t a double play (via MLB.com)… And in GIF form, because that’s what all the cool kids are doing these days (via Eye on Baseball)… The AL West leading Rangers went on to defeat the Mariners 9-5, with Grimm picking up his fourth win of the season. How much this blown call by the first base umpire played into the victory is debatable, but still, a call this terrible—in a season full of terrible calls—is downright inexcusable. The post Rangers pull off double play against Mariners that clearly wasn’t a double play (GIF, Video) appeared first on Last Angry Fan.

GAME RECAPS Blue Jays: Call-up Nolin knocked around by O’s in big-league debut | Toronto StarThe Star's Recap: Double-A call-up Sean Nolin lasts just 1.1 innings in 10-6 loss to Baltimore; Lawrie, Gibbons ejected early Toronto Blue Jays’ Sean Nolin rocked in debut, while umpire ejects two | Sports | National PostThe Post's recap: Rookie pitcher Sean Nolin was hit hard, while Brett Lawrie and John Gibbons were ejected in a 10-6 loss to the Baltimore Orioles Friday night Orioles bash four homers in 10-6 win over the Blue Jays - baltimoresun.comA Happier Recap: In their third victory in four games, the Orioles hit four homers, including J.J. Hardy's three-run blast to left off Blue Jays rookie Sean Nolin just three batters into the game. JAYS LINKS The Blue Jay Hunter: Flashback Friday: A Tribute to Epy GuerreroIan looks at the life of the former Jays Superscout. Blue Jays mailbag: Anthony Gose boosts confidence, thrills fans with his play this week | Toronto StarAlways amusing: In this week’s edition of Richard Griffin’s mailbag, fans are getting restless as they question why former Jays are doing so well and wonder if it’s the coaching across all levels. Blue Jays: The six Jays who must step up to turn 2013 around: Griffin | Toronto StarGriff day continues: The month of May has seen some improvement from the Jays, but if they really want to turn their season around, a half-dozen key members of the team have make a greater contribution. Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion take us to a different type of driving range (Video) | Big League Stew - Yahoo! SportsFrom the blog Big League Stew: You've gone to the driving range before. But have you ever gone to the driving range the way Toronto Blue Jays sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion recently went to the driving range? MLB LINKS Florida Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia claims ignorance about spitballs | Sports | National PostMiami Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia said he didn't know it was illegal to spit directly onto a baseball. Links note: Yeah sure. Indians manager Terry Francona and Red Sox announcer Don Orsillo engage in playful wrestling match (Video) | Big League Stew - Yahoo! SportsFrom the blog Big League Stew: Poor Don Orsillo. All he wanted to do was get a word with former Red Sox skipper Terry Francona, who now holds the same position with the Cleveland Indians Bizarre play and blown call leads to phantom 3-6-3 double play for Rangers (Video) | Big League Stew - Yahoo! SportsFrom the blog Big League Stew: Weird baseball reached a whole new level on Friday night in Seattle. Links Note: Yeah Bud, no one is clamoring for instant replay at all because umps never blow calls. The Juice: Professional spoiler Joe Mauer ends Anibal Sanchez’s no-hit bid with ninth inning single | Big League Stew - Yahoo! SportsFrom the blog Big League Stew: Well played Mauer, well played. It continues: Yankees lose Curtis Granderson (again) to broken knuckle on left hand | Big League Stew - Yahoo! SportsFrom the blog Big League Stew: As the old, unfortunately fitting cliche goes, Curtis Granderson and the New York Yankees can't catch a break when it comes to injuries this season. Links note: At least it wasn't the Jays this time. The Worst of the Best: The Week’s Wildest Pitches | FanGraphs Baseball3rd place belongs to "Hungry Like the Wolf" The Worst of the Best: The Week’s Wildest Swings | FanGraphs BaseballCongrats to Brett for inducing the wildest swing of the week. TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY Baseball History May 25th - National Pastime - Baseball History1922 After being called out for trying to stretch a single into double, Babe Ruth throws dirt the umpire's eye, then goes after a heckler in the stands, and finishes his tirade by standing on the dugout roof calling the crowd "yellow" cowards. These actions will result in a one game suspension, a $200 fine, and will cost the 'Bambino' his Yankee captaincy, a position

If you had to ask me right now who I think will be in the Super Bowl, I’d say the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks. Yes, even with Bruce Irvin’s faux pas and suspension. The second question which arises then is where do I rank the Dallas Cowboys? Without a doubt if Tony Romo gets the protection he has been sorely lacking, and if DeMarco Murray and Joseph Randle can find holes to run through, the Cowboys will be in the thick of things in 2013. I already know what some are thinking. How can I say this? Because we were right in the thick of it the last 2 years, right up until the last game, and that was without the protection we need from the Offensive Line, nor a running game after Murray was hurt. Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with the ball against New Orleans Saints cornerback Elbert Mack (44) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports I know the en vogue Internet thing is to call those things excuses, but that is an inaccurate assessment. To contend for a Super Bowl you have to have one of the following, a dominant passing attack, a dominant rushing attack, or a dominant Defense. The more balanced you can be in these aspects of the game, the better your chances. That is simple logic. In the last two seasons when did we look like contenders? Easy answer is when Murray was making teams pay. Even with his added presence the last 2 years the Cowboys rushing attack has still been below par. Over the last 2 seasons, which is a total of 32 games, the Cowboys have managed 13 rushing touchdowns total. To put this in perspective a little bit, there was a 32 game stretch in Emmitt Smith’s heyday when he rushed for 45 touchdowns in 32 games. More than three times the amount amassed the last 2 seasons. That won’t cut it.

. Nick Tepesch, Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners Tepesch is 3-4 with a 3.98 ERA. After a couple of rough starts, he has a 2.45 ERA in his last two outings. . Season Totals: 20-18, 303.2 IP, 232 Ks, 3.88 ERA (131 earned runs), 1.26 WHIP (285 hits, 97 walks) .