OK, Conspiracy Theorists, How About This One

[RiverDog]

As everyone knows, the first game that Russell Wilson plays in for his new team will be against his old one, in the first MNF game of the season. Obviously, that's not a coincidence.

The first game that Baker Mayfield, who last week named the Panther's starting QB, will play his old team, the Cleveland Browns, in Week 1. That one is likely a coincidence, as the schedule came out before the trade was announced.

But here's the killer. Last week, it was announced that Deshaun Watson would serve an 11 game suspension. Guess who his new team, the Cleveland Browns, will be playing in the first game in which Watson will be eligible? That's right, the Houston Texans, his old team.

Any chance Goodell took a peek at the schedule before he made his decision?

[c_hawkbob]

That wasn't Goodell's decision, it was NFL/NFLPA arbitrator Sue Robinson's decision that Goodell chose to abide by. However, Watson may have already queered that deal by pronouncing his innocence in his presser, so we'll see if there are further repercussions.

[obiken]

No question river it’s up by that way by design. That’s why they wanted 11 games for up Deshaun Watson, so they didn’t have to bring him back for the For the national TV game versus the Buccaneers. Almost all the markets are covered the week he comes back except for the deep South and ate as for the Houston Texans vs Cleveland game.

[Hawktawk]

I think the nfl schedule makers were brilliant all around . We have the Let’s ride cause I can’t win here bowl The you said I was a child bowl to the I’m back to molest the masuesses bowl . I’ll be curious how Watson plays . I hope he blows

[NorthHawk]

The NFL wanted the suspension to be for a full year or more so that blows up that conspiracy theory.
However, they are probably pretty happy that it worked out that way. If there were conspiracies they would have been that the extra 17 game would suddenly be against the Broncos and
The Panthers against Cleveland, but in this case we are playing against the AFC West so the scheduling worked.

[Hawktawk]

I think the Seattle Denver matchup week 1 is brilliant . Next to Bill and Tom Pete and Russ have been the second most successful duo of the last decade and their divorce was not amicable . Pete’s expression talking about the game and matching wits with Wilson shows he’s fired up . I’m sure Russ is too . The game is for a lot more than a week one win . A month or 2 in one or the other or both could suck and it would be meaningless . Perfect timing . Better for Seattle too as it appears Denver will not play many ones and maybe not Russ in the preseason . His first big hit is coming opening night . So excited .

[NorthHawk]

The NFL never misses a chance to hype or promote the product so I'm sure they're very happy about how it turned out.
Wilson has nothing to prove in Seattle or to the team. It' not like he was traded for someone they thought was better.

[Hawktawk]

The NFL never misses a chance to hype or promote the product so I'm sure they're very happy about how it turned out.
Wilson has nothing to prove in Seattle or to the team. It' not like he was traded for someone they thought was better.

I think Russ has a lot to prove because he’s wanted to leave for a while in order to win . He is why he’s in Denver and Seattle got good value . But he cant come lose here and not expect immediate grumbling in Denver . Imo if Pete allows lets ride to gallop in here and blow us away he’s a dead man walking and we may well be that 4 or 5 win team.

anyone who thinks this is just a game in the schedule is whistling in the graveyard . One only need ask why tix are selling for 3 times face value for a dog meat matchup the opposing qb is supposed to win ? Denver fans ? Seattle fans wanting to cheer Russels introduction ? Or a bunch of fired up 12s who want to remind him it’s a winning city ?

It’s about as big a Seahawks opener as I recall for some time .

[NorthHawk]

I think you are wrong.
Russ doesn't have to prove anything to Pete or the Seahawks.
From everything I have read, Russ and Pete like each other as people and share similar attributes like optimism, but disagreed on how the Offense should be run.
They then parted ways with neither having something to prove to the other.

I doubt the fans interest has anything to do with how Russ feels about the game other than the excitement that a raucous stadium brings.
There might even be a lot of people there to cheer him on. But he's proven himself to be a Pro and most of that noise is compartmentalized during the game.

[Hawktawk]

I think you are wrong.
Russ doesn't have to prove anything to Pete or the Seahawks.
From everything I have read, Russ and Pete like each other as people and share similar attributes like optimism, but disagreed on how the Offense should be run.
They then parted ways with neither having something to prove to the other.

I doubt the fans interest has anything to do with how Russ feels about the game other than the excitement that a raucous stadium brings.
There might even be a lot of people there to cheer him on. But he's proven himself to be a Pro and most of that noise is compartmentalized during the game.

Well I think I’m right . I think we will see . The look I saw flash across Pete’s face when asked if he or Russ would have an advantage was not one of geez shucks may the best man win . Then he said curtly “ let’s see “
. He wants to punish him within an inch of the law . I think Pete will throw the kitchen sink at Russ and Hackett with throw Russ at Pete . And if either Pete or Russ says it’s just another game they are whistling in the graveyard . It’s a big game . It’s why it’s on MNF week one .

[NorthHawk]

You're making it sound like it's a cage match.

[Aseahawkfan]

Pete and Russ will both compete as hard as possible to win like they do every game with maybe a little more emphasis on this game if only because it's fun to compete against someone who you knows loves to compete and win. It won't be one way. Russ will put an extra emphasis on winning too. I don't think anyone should expect any less from two guys as competitive and driven as Russ and Pete, both of them people that the world thought couldn't make it in the NFL world. Neither of them knows how to go less than 100 percent all the time. I expect a real banger of a game unless the talent truly isn't there on one side or the other.