Some will argue that Hasselbeck is in the prime of his career at the relatively young age of 33. I am not one of those people.
Hasselbeck has been sacked and beaten more than almost any other QB in the NFL the past five seasons. His 2008 numbers are atrocious. In seven games, Hasselbeck threw only 5 TD’s and was picked off 10 times posting a Trent Dilfer like QB rating of 57.8. Although only two years removed from a productive campaign of 28 TD’s in 2007, Hasselbeck’s best years are clearly behind him.
He looked unable to walk during certain games last season and may never be fully recovered from his ambiguous “back injury.” Inside sources have told Wetland Sports that Hasselbeck has even had trouble getting up at times from a lawn chair in Hawaii playing with his kids.
Sure, the receiving crew will undoubtedly be better with the signing of TJ but who will block for Matthew? With an aging offensive line and running backs who don't block, Hasselbeck’s prognosis in 2009 does not look any better. How many more hits to his ribcage, back, knees and shoulder can he take? Not too many. If the Hawks had young bruisers up front it may be a different story—they don’t. It might even be different if they had a young running back to carry the workload—they don’t.
With the #4 pick on Saturday, the Hawks should take Hasselbeck’s younger clone, Mark Sanchez. The time is now for the Hawks to build for the future. Even in Hasselbeck’s best years, he has never led the Seahawks in the playoffs the way Brady or Manning has. In big games, Matthew seems to disappear more often than not. Can anyone remember a game where Matt put the team on his back and carried us to victory?
Sanchez represents a new face for the franchise. Sanchez is young, mobile and his upside is limitless. He also comes with one of the most politically incorrect and hilarious nicknames in the history of QBs -- ‘Dirty Sanchez’ -- whether he succeeds or fails. Another big plus in my eyes.
I would rather take a chance on a rising star than a star who is clearly fading.
Sure, the receiving crew will undoubtedly be better with the signing of TJ but who will block for Matthew? With an aging offensive line and running backs who don't block, Hasselbeck’s prognosis in 2009 does not look any better. How many more hits to his ribcage, back, knees and shoulder can he take? Not too many. If the Hawks had young bruisers up front it may be a different story—they don’t. It might even be different if they had a young running back to carry the workload—they don’t.
With the #4 pick on Saturday, the Hawks should take Hasselbeck’s younger clone, Mark Sanchez. The time is now for the Hawks to build for the future. Even in Hasselbeck’s best years, he has never led the Seahawks in the playoffs the way Brady or Manning has. In big games, Matthew seems to disappear more often than not. Can anyone remember a game where Matt put the team on his back and carried us to victory?
Sanchez represents a new face for the franchise. Sanchez is young, mobile and his upside is limitless. He also comes with one of the most politically incorrect and hilarious nicknames in the history of QBs -- ‘Dirty Sanchez’ -- whether he succeeds or fails. Another big plus in my eyes.
I would rather take a chance on a rising star than a star who is clearly fading.
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