This will be updated periodically with additional photos from Seattle Mariners spring training in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo Credits: Alex Gallant/SeaTown Sports)

Photo Credit: Seahawks.com

Throughout the 2011 season, the Seahawks’ defensive line became the strength of the defense with Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, Alan Branch and Chris Clemons playing stout against the run and taking up multiple offensive linemen, giving the linebackers room to roam free and make tackles. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley had freedom to bring in multiple defensive backs to defend against the pass without being worried of getting burned by the run.

The story turned out to be a bit different in 2012, as the defensive line regressed in overall production and fell behind the defensive backs – or, the “Legion of Boom” as they rightfully dub themselves – as the leaders of the Seahawks’ fourth ranked defense, only giving up 306 yards per game. The defensive line struggled to put consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback for most of the season and even got gashed a few times on the ground (remember Miami?).

One of the most important issues John Schneider and Pete Carroll will have to address this off-season is what to do with left defensive end Chris Clemons. Clemons just came off his third straight year of double digit sack production, but he is also 31 years old and tore his ACL and meniscus in the playoff game against the Washington Redskins on the absolutely atrocious FedEx Field turf.

Photo Credit: Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and yes, even Alex Rodriguez. The Mariners have made a habit in the past of failing to re-sign their superstars. Instead, they’ve opted to trade or even let them walk away via free agency. Yes, the return trade package has been decent in a couple instances (see Randy Johnson to Astros). But nothing can replace the impact superstars have on a franchise. Prospects are nice, but you can only stomach those types of deals for so long. 

Photo Credit: Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

As we all get ready to endure a Super Bowl surely to be filled with plenty of heartwarming stories about the Harbleah Harbaugh brothers, camera shots of Colin Kaepernick kissing his biceps with a dorky smile on his face, and Ray Lewis bawling uncontrollably at the 50-yard line (conveniently surrounded by a couple dozen cameras), Seahawks fans sit at home asking themselves, “what if?”

Instead of driving ourselves insane with the thought that Russell Wilson could be preparing for the first ever Super Bowl won by a rookie quarterback, it’s a better idea to look back at what made the 2012-2013 so memorable, and, really, quite improbable.

9) The Richard Sherman saga, part one

If there’s one thing I learned this season, it’s that Richard Sherman can (and will) do whatever the heck he wants.

Last October, when Sherman picked off a Tom Brady pass with 4:52 left in the third quarter of an eventual Seahawks win, Brady apparently told Sherman and safety Earl Thomas to "see him after the game when [the Patriots] win.”

Well, Sherman did, and posted this since deleted picture on his Twitter page:

After the game, Sherman told reporters that “every TV timeout, I went up and said it right to [Brady]: 'Please keep trying me. I'm going to take it from you.'”

From that point on, Richard Sherman led the league in hatred from opposing fans for a cornerback. And I think he’s okay with that.

Photo Credit: Chris Pietsch/Associated Press

This episode of "CNN: Inside Africa" was passed along by the University of Washington, and highlights Aziz N'Diaye and other Senegalese players "transforming their lives through basketball." The video is split into three clips, which can be found at the following links.

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2013/01/28/inside-africa-senegal-basketball-a.cnn

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2013/01/28/inside-africa-senegal-basketball-b.cnn

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2013/01/28/inside-africa-senegal-basketball-c.cnn

Photo Credit: Dean Hare/Associated Press

Game Summary

Washington jumped out to a 21-4 lead in the first 11 minutes thanks to tenacious defense by Desmond Simmons on Brock Motum and an aggressive Abdul Gaddy. The Huskies team defense was better than it had been all season while Gaddy and Andrews were able to force WSU to respect their driving ability, leading to three pointers from C.J. Wilcox and Scott Suggs. During this span Dawg fans saw Shawn Kemp Jr. send home two thunderous left-handed dunks that inspired many comparisons to his father (as we've come to expect from every Kemp Jr. slam). Following this lead, UW slowly sunk back into old ways as the Cougars were able to pull within 7 come halftime. The 6'10 Motum had just 4 points at the break.

Photo Credit: The Slipper Still Fits

What a week of basketball for the Metro Conference as Seattle Prep took down not only the number 1 team in state but number 5 team in the country, Rainier Beach. Fans realized that Seattle Prep is capable of making another run and it all starts with their playmaker, DJ Fenner.

Besides the thrilling upset over Beach, there wasn’t much action in the conference. Many of the games played out like they were predicted.

Photo Credit: USA Basketball

It’s that time of the year again, where high school gyms from all over the Seattle area have officially opened their doors to the return of high school basketball. SeaTown Sports once again is here to provide the solid coverage of the highly competitive and always entertaining Metro League.

The conference has taken a bit of a hit this year as many of highly rated players such as Anrio Adams, Sekou Wiggs, Jalen Ward and Mitch Brewe have moved on to next stage of their basketball careers.

Still this conference has the number one team in the state in Rainier Beach who added a 4 star rated player in Shaqquan Aaron from Woodland Hills, California. Also, Franklin is considered to be the number three team in state as well and we can’t forget the conference has one of the best players in the state in DJ Fenner from Seattle Prep. This conference will be as competitive as we have seen it before.

Initial (Over)Reactions

Washington fans got to see just about every side of the Husky's tonight. UW, despite playing only seven guys, finished with a gutsy 84-73 win in overtime against a streaky Big East foe. The Huskies raced out to a big lead with a 17-0 run in the first eight minutes, aided by 8 points and 2 assists by a very confident Abdul Gaddy during Washington outburst. UW continued their strong play and went into the half up 49-33. This was an incredible side of the Huskies. Washington was swarming defensively, jumping into the passing lanes and picking up 17 points off turnovers. Abdul Gaddy and Andrew Andrews looked very confident handling the ball. The confidence spread throughout the court on the offensive end, as Husky players were able to knock down jumpers and a run a reasonably effective high-post offense.

UW went into tentative and awkward mode in the second half. This allowed Seton Hall to attain a flow to their offense and resulted in the game being tied at 56 with nine minutes left. Romar called a timeout. A 16-point half-time lead had completely evaporated. The Pirates continued to momentum after the timeout by knocking down consecutive threes that put UW down six. Seton Hall kept that six point lead until only four minutes remained. Fans had effectively seen both sides of UW. The good, confident one and the tentative, awkward one. It is absolutely not a coincidence that Gaddy played confident in the first half and tentative in the second. Keep that in mind as the season goes on.

The Basics

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