A couple of weeks before the draft I lost my best friend of 56 years. Jeff and I used to talk Hawks every week for a couple hours over the phone, and lacking that now, I don't really know what I think. Jeff held out a lot of hope for Dee Eskridge, and while I'm kinda glass-half-full unless it's empty most of the time, I'm not feeling it with Dee. It's funny that Freddy Swain has been so bad, as it seems he was pretty clutch at times in the past. We're still missing that third guy. Marquise Goodwin? Did we not see him in preseason because he was hurt? Is he our number 3? Sorry to be so uninformed but I assume we got him in free agency. Was he a star before? Okay, I just looked it up. Hurt a fair amount, one strong year (49ers) in a nine-year career. Of course, if we get the backs seriously involved in the passing game that will help--assuming they're good! And the tight ends? I want to love these guys; I appreciate the hell out of their blocking, but I didn't see it in the preseason. "So this is half-full," you ask. Part of the issue is that you need a QB who sees the field quickly and can get it to the open guy, which is obvious, but... In the end, one of the benefits of lowered expectations is that I will scream less at the TV. I would love to see us beat Denver though.
This preseason has me really excited for the regular season. Not because of potential playoffs (not gonna happen) but to watch the “kids” grow. And I look at it as rookies, undrafted free agents, and second year players.
We haven’t been in this position for over a decade. So I’ve changed my frame of reference in following the Hawks this year. Playoffs? Who needs playoffs. I’m looking at growth over the season. For example, our rookie tackles will look and play like rookies…but they already have me excited about their potential, based on the preseason.
And I’m hopeful we see a KW3 performance that will take the sting out of a middling at best passing game.
By seasons end, I just want to be able to say “the kids are alright.”
Hi Joe! I’ve been following you since Field Gulls (and on Field Gulls from the John Morgan days) but never left a comment, ever, here or there. I love your approach to Seaside Joe and look forward to your posts. I will say I’m 84.52% all about the Hawks but I do enjoy updates about you (and Clark!). I also really loved the movie review series you did a while back on A24. Keep doing what you do and thank you!!
2022 Hawks: Over/under for me is 5 wins, Geno makes me sleepy, poor tackling drives me nuts, I believe we made the right long-term choices and that we crushed the off season.
Hey Tracy! Thanks so much for following this long and also breaking your silence! Good to meet you.
I think your 2022 Hawks predictions are super fair.
I appreciate the kind words on non-football content. I don't want to lose it completely, that's for sure, but unintentionally had to pull everything back when the Seahawks piqued my interest so greatly with the Russell Wilson trade. Clark is doing so well and I will try to post a picture soon. As far as other life things, all my streaks remain in tact: 2x meditation per day, intermittent fasting, running, and of course this newsletter. I've added something else that's very important but not going to mention it until the time is right.
Thank you! I'm excited for some of the A24 trailers I've seen recently.
A thought that keeps creeping into my mind is one of scheme. Neither one of these coordinators has a track record, good or bad. Waldron had a huge promotion last year and Hurtt this year, and most of the key assistants are new or freshly promoted. It usually takes the better part of four to six games to get comfortable in a new system with an established team. When you consider the number of rookies the Seahawks have, we more than likely will be watching growing pains all season long. And that is assuming the offensive and defensive schemes are any good. There is the possibility that the pre-season woes were as much a fault of the system as that of the athletes. I hope I am pleasantly surprised at the level of play by our beloved Seahawks, but I admit that the level of play might not be all that surprising.
Hey Larry! Yeah, I think the Seahawks will be better in December and January than they are in September and October. I mean, Penny was SO GOOD to end the year. I just hope that shows up early.
I’m worried about it all! As much as I’d love Will Anderson Jr or Bryce Young, I don’t enjoy watching the Seahawks lose, and I won’t root for loses. I live in Virginia, so I have PAY to watch them lose. 😝
I’m a Pete guy, but part of me would like to see Seattle go for a hotshot offensive minded head coach. Let’s try winning games big instead of keeping things close and winning by being patient and committing fewer mistakes.
Patience as a fan will be key this year, but it sure would be nice to see an upward trajectory.
Lastly, I’m absolutely floored by Woolen! Everyone said he was a project and might contribute down the road...look for him to do something on Special Teams. I don’t know if he’ll start week 1, but wow he looks like a great player! Avatar...whoops everyone drink 😂
It's not out of the question to be rooting for wins all year long and maybe Seattle will surprise us. I don't think 7-10 is crazy or all that bad. And you can do that and come away with the best draft, Pete Carroll has proven that before.
Hi from Chantilly, Virginia. I completely agree with this sentiment: I don’t enjoy watching the Seahawks lose, and I won’t root for loses. In fact, I agree with everything that you wrote, except I think the time for a hot-shot offensive coaching mind was before we traded Russ.
I’ll consider this season a success if we win any upset games or finish with seven or more wins. If we come away with a pair of above average tackles, a stud running back and two starting corners and a decent pass rusher from the draft it’s will be fantastic. If Fant and Harris work out that’ll be a bonus.
What surprised me the most (negatively) was the tackling, which IMHO also explains the surprisingly poor special teams performance. Guys taking the wrong angles, arm tackling, etc. Pete made it sound like it was guys who were not going to be on the team, but, those guys are preseason fodder every year and I don't recall ever seeing tackling this poor on a Pete Carroll team. Makes me worry about the general preparation of the team. So many new coaches, new defensive scheme, etc -- could it be that so much time was needed to teach the scheme that the fundamentals went out the door? Really worrisome
Yeah, I think that will be up to the starters to put out of our minds in Week 1. Funny that they face Javonte Williams and Russell Wilson, two of the hardest at their positions to tackle.
I have plenty of faith in Brooks, Adams, Diggs, Woods, and Shelby Harris as tacklers. The corners could have problems, and teams could definitely exploit the weak spots, and will.
Worried Seattle is more than a QB away. Need to be more like 50 deep than 22 deep to survive a season and have great special teams. Agree 100% the starters will be much better but even a good year with say only 5 multi-game injuries to starters is troublesome. Don’t know man, something feels amiss
kkkkk yeah that's the objective point of view. I think you've done a position group ranking before, but setting aside QB, here's mine (highest need first):
ILB -- also a key resource for special teams. If Brooks goes down, that's the end of life as we know it. Need at least 2 more quality ILB's
WR -- bizarre to say this when you have Lockett and Metcalf, but need at least 2 more and if injuries to either of them, OMG
C -- admittedly haven't seen Blythe play, but the OL may only be a good conductor away from Top 10 next year. And Fuller ain't the answer if Blythe gets hurt (Blythe to me is a Top 5 back-up, i.e. Geno Smith)
Edge -- just because. Is Will Anderson a better pick than any of the QB's? Down the road, are you better off paying $30m/yr to Anderson or $50m/yr to Young (or McCall)?
Nickel -- Coleman looks like he's done, Bryant pretty green at the position albeit promising, Marquis will get hurt
TE -- Have a full room, and quality, but for some reason I'm not convinced
Corner -- Seems the depth is there now, but counting on rookies and journeymen is always risky
I think Pete Carroll has only ever done two true QB competitions: One in 2012 and then however many times he did at USC. And I don't think he lied, I just think he's a college coach who thinks that this is a fair way to hold a QB competition. With the Patriots, he had Drew Bledsoe. He had Hasselbeck in 2010. He brought in Tarvaris knowing that he'd pretty much beat Whitehurst.
It's been 10 years since his last competition and Russ didn't win the job until preseason Week 3. Until then, it was "supposed to be Matt Flynn". So i think he tried to do his best impression of that, then the COVID happened, and he got flummoxed and misjudged the ability to pivot in this scenario.
I still think that the competition remains on. Pete said "Geno will start Week 1." I think he could see things changing in Week 2.
Firstly, thanks for many interesting articles. Since I’m in Sweden they come at perfect time for me to read in the evenings - have become a nice evening routine actually.
Regarding the season… I’m mostly afraid of the games becoming “boring” with Geno heading the offense. Even though Lock obviously have some flaws, at least he seems to make it fun and dynamic. I have to stay up late on Sundays to catch the games live and I don’t know if I can muster the energy to do it if the games are flat…
I take note on some comments below and hope to find a few players/ position grps to focus on and see them grow.
One question? How’s the McCaw campaign going? Do you get any responses from anyone working in Hawks office or around it at least? I mean, at least it would be interesting to know if they pay some extra attention to him, regardless if they chose to go in another direction at the draft.
Thanks Tom! Sorry I don't have a consistent time I put out the articles! i used to do it in the morning, then got caught behind. I appreciate your sticking around!
As for McCaw, I haven't ramped this up yet because the season hasn't started yet. But Coastal kicks off in six days. I'm ready. And when Grayson starts putting out film, I hope as many people as possible will join me in tagging the @Seahawks and hashtagging #McCawww when the highlights start pouring in. Let's make it happen! I want it to happen. I think that if Seaside Grows, we could definitely get the campaign some attention as Grayson takes the nation by storm. He's so well situated to do it.
Love the idea for a McCall campaign, but if we bring that much attention to him by tagging the Seahawks and hashtagging #McCawww, isn't there a risk that other teams will uncover this gem and steal him away from us?
And the Defense… I so much hope the defense will be fun to watch. If Adams get a slightly different role this year, and can stay healthy. With Diggs behind him and Brooks in the middle. That do keep my hopes up a bit.
Pairing it with 4 good RBs could be fun, though I think Lock would help with our opponents not stacking the box as much as they will with Geno
When you listen to the guys at the podium...except Smith, who nearly puts me to sleep...i thought there was a new crop of guys buying into Pete's enthusiasm.
No matter what happens in the field, you can't lose momentum in the program.
Guys like Q and Coleman coming back help that...so does Woods.
Outside the tacking, I think they break camp moving forward. They can clean up the issues in the 2 weeks, and be ready to compete against the Broncos.
I think the Mariners being a story helps them fly under the radar a bit which might not be a bad thing.
Very excited about the interior line making way for the Edge rushers to step up.
Woolen is an interesting player. What they're going to do with their rookies corners is fascinating because it does NOT look like the game is too big for him.
Really ready for our expensive safeties to hit the field and be difference makers. They're paid for plays...make them!
On the broader topic of the NFL overall, I'm blown away by what happened with Matt Araiza and the Bills. Perhaps I'm naive to think that there are teams in the league that try to do things the right way. Buffalo in recent years has had a reputation as a stand-up organization. If they were willing to look the other way and enable sexual assault because the guy is obviously an amazing punter, I'm guessing that that's true of pretty much every organization. In other words, sports at this level is not ethical.
Not a shock but seeing it so clearly on display makes it harder to enjoy the NFL. It would actually be easier to accept if Buffalo had spoken to the girl's attorney, interviewed Araiza, and then said in a forthright manner that right now it's not clear what happened and so they're not going to take action against him. One could object anyway but at least the approach would be honest. Instead, they tried to ignore it and later claimed ignorance.
Araiza claims the young woman (then a 17 year old girl) was not drunk when she showed up at the party, that she gave no sign of being underage and that the sex was consensual. He claims that whatever happened with the other guys happened later and that he was not there. I doubt he's telling the truth but it wouldn't be outrageous for a team to wait and see what the legal investigation turns up.
Where Buffalo went terribly wrong was in failing to call back the woman's attorney, deliberately placing their heads in the sand, and then referring to the Araiza as an excellent young man in a radio interview. Also probably not a great idea to cut Haak before they had to, just in case more evidence turned up.
My feeling is that the teams—and the league for that matter—should not take the lead in investigations of sexual assault or domestic violence. The expertise simply isn’t there for something as fraught and complicated. Plus, there’s a built-in conflict of interest. Both would be better off in the hands on of an independent body.
I didn't say they should investigate. They simply shouldn't enable atrocious conduct. And they shouldn't lie. They claimed to have investigated when they did not. (Unless talking to only the player, and not returning the woman's attorney's phone call, counts.) They shouldn't mislead and they should be concerned when a player may have committed a truly egregious act. For their own PR reasons, if not out of a sense of social responsibility or simply having a sense of right and wrong.
I’ll bet you have a name in mind…? Great ILB in the 4th rd?
A couple of weeks before the draft I lost my best friend of 56 years. Jeff and I used to talk Hawks every week for a couple hours over the phone, and lacking that now, I don't really know what I think. Jeff held out a lot of hope for Dee Eskridge, and while I'm kinda glass-half-full unless it's empty most of the time, I'm not feeling it with Dee. It's funny that Freddy Swain has been so bad, as it seems he was pretty clutch at times in the past. We're still missing that third guy. Marquise Goodwin? Did we not see him in preseason because he was hurt? Is he our number 3? Sorry to be so uninformed but I assume we got him in free agency. Was he a star before? Okay, I just looked it up. Hurt a fair amount, one strong year (49ers) in a nine-year career. Of course, if we get the backs seriously involved in the passing game that will help--assuming they're good! And the tight ends? I want to love these guys; I appreciate the hell out of their blocking, but I didn't see it in the preseason. "So this is half-full," you ask. Part of the issue is that you need a QB who sees the field quickly and can get it to the open guy, which is obvious, but... In the end, one of the benefits of lowered expectations is that I will scream less at the TV. I would love to see us beat Denver though.
Very sorry to hear about Jeff!
I will keep that glass half full for all of us on Dee Eskridge.
This preseason has me really excited for the regular season. Not because of potential playoffs (not gonna happen) but to watch the “kids” grow. And I look at it as rookies, undrafted free agents, and second year players.
We haven’t been in this position for over a decade. So I’ve changed my frame of reference in following the Hawks this year. Playoffs? Who needs playoffs. I’m looking at growth over the season. For example, our rookie tackles will look and play like rookies…but they already have me excited about their potential, based on the preseason.
And I’m hopeful we see a KW3 performance that will take the sting out of a middling at best passing game.
By seasons end, I just want to be able to say “the kids are alright.”
Hey Rusty! Yes, it will be sound to watch the games hoping for outcomes that aren't necessarily "must win every game"
Hi Joe! I’ve been following you since Field Gulls (and on Field Gulls from the John Morgan days) but never left a comment, ever, here or there. I love your approach to Seaside Joe and look forward to your posts. I will say I’m 84.52% all about the Hawks but I do enjoy updates about you (and Clark!). I also really loved the movie review series you did a while back on A24. Keep doing what you do and thank you!!
2022 Hawks: Over/under for me is 5 wins, Geno makes me sleepy, poor tackling drives me nuts, I believe we made the right long-term choices and that we crushed the off season.
Hey Tracy! Thanks so much for following this long and also breaking your silence! Good to meet you.
I think your 2022 Hawks predictions are super fair.
I appreciate the kind words on non-football content. I don't want to lose it completely, that's for sure, but unintentionally had to pull everything back when the Seahawks piqued my interest so greatly with the Russell Wilson trade. Clark is doing so well and I will try to post a picture soon. As far as other life things, all my streaks remain in tact: 2x meditation per day, intermittent fasting, running, and of course this newsletter. I've added something else that's very important but not going to mention it until the time is right.
Thank you! I'm excited for some of the A24 trailers I've seen recently.
I loved The Witch from A24.
No JimmyG for Seattle. They either would not cough up the dough or were too slow. Going to be a long season.
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/08/49ers-jimmy-garoppolo-agree-to-restructure-qb-to-stay-in-san-francisco
I don't think it was the dough or being slow, but the niners not letting him go. But what do I know, bro?
I don't know but u think Vi Jones makes it, especially if Nick Ballore doesnt
He's on the bubble, so yes, it could be because of special teams.
A thought that keeps creeping into my mind is one of scheme. Neither one of these coordinators has a track record, good or bad. Waldron had a huge promotion last year and Hurtt this year, and most of the key assistants are new or freshly promoted. It usually takes the better part of four to six games to get comfortable in a new system with an established team. When you consider the number of rookies the Seahawks have, we more than likely will be watching growing pains all season long. And that is assuming the offensive and defensive schemes are any good. There is the possibility that the pre-season woes were as much a fault of the system as that of the athletes. I hope I am pleasantly surprised at the level of play by our beloved Seahawks, but I admit that the level of play might not be all that surprising.
Hey Larry! Yeah, I think the Seahawks will be better in December and January than they are in September and October. I mean, Penny was SO GOOD to end the year. I just hope that shows up early.
I’m worried about it all! As much as I’d love Will Anderson Jr or Bryce Young, I don’t enjoy watching the Seahawks lose, and I won’t root for loses. I live in Virginia, so I have PAY to watch them lose. 😝
I’m a Pete guy, but part of me would like to see Seattle go for a hotshot offensive minded head coach. Let’s try winning games big instead of keeping things close and winning by being patient and committing fewer mistakes.
Patience as a fan will be key this year, but it sure would be nice to see an upward trajectory.
Lastly, I’m absolutely floored by Woolen! Everyone said he was a project and might contribute down the road...look for him to do something on Special Teams. I don’t know if he’ll start week 1, but wow he looks like a great player! Avatar...whoops everyone drink 😂
It's not out of the question to be rooting for wins all year long and maybe Seattle will surprise us. I don't think 7-10 is crazy or all that bad. And you can do that and come away with the best draft, Pete Carroll has proven that before.
Hi from Chantilly, Virginia. I completely agree with this sentiment: I don’t enjoy watching the Seahawks lose, and I won’t root for loses. In fact, I agree with everything that you wrote, except I think the time for a hot-shot offensive coaching mind was before we traded Russ.
Hi Bill. I’m in Great Falls, VA. Go ‘Hawks!
Thanks! And that’s great point Bill!
I’ll consider this season a success if we win any upset games or finish with seven or more wins. If we come away with a pair of above average tackles, a stud running back and two starting corners and a decent pass rusher from the draft it’s will be fantastic. If Fant and Harris work out that’ll be a bonus.
Hey PVMike!
That would be phenomenal, assuming also that the good players remained healthy and good too.
JIMMY G IS STAYING WITH THE 49ERS! Hallelujah. It's over. Moving ON!!!!
Wow, 100 comments.
What surprised me the most (negatively) was the tackling, which IMHO also explains the surprisingly poor special teams performance. Guys taking the wrong angles, arm tackling, etc. Pete made it sound like it was guys who were not going to be on the team, but, those guys are preseason fodder every year and I don't recall ever seeing tackling this poor on a Pete Carroll team. Makes me worry about the general preparation of the team. So many new coaches, new defensive scheme, etc -- could it be that so much time was needed to teach the scheme that the fundamentals went out the door? Really worrisome
Hey Zezinhom400!
Yeah, I think that will be up to the starters to put out of our minds in Week 1. Funny that they face Javonte Williams and Russell Wilson, two of the hardest at their positions to tackle.
I have plenty of faith in Brooks, Adams, Diggs, Woods, and Shelby Harris as tacklers. The corners could have problems, and teams could definitely exploit the weak spots, and will.
Definitely I'm seeing what you're putting down.
Worried Seattle is more than a QB away. Need to be more like 50 deep than 22 deep to survive a season and have great special teams. Agree 100% the starters will be much better but even a good year with say only 5 multi-game injuries to starters is troublesome. Don’t know man, something feels amiss
Oh, I'll do you one better than worried: It's a fact. The Seahawks have a lot of needs.
kkkkk yeah that's the objective point of view. I think you've done a position group ranking before, but setting aside QB, here's mine (highest need first):
ILB -- also a key resource for special teams. If Brooks goes down, that's the end of life as we know it. Need at least 2 more quality ILB's
WR -- bizarre to say this when you have Lockett and Metcalf, but need at least 2 more and if injuries to either of them, OMG
C -- admittedly haven't seen Blythe play, but the OL may only be a good conductor away from Top 10 next year. And Fuller ain't the answer if Blythe gets hurt (Blythe to me is a Top 5 back-up, i.e. Geno Smith)
Edge -- just because. Is Will Anderson a better pick than any of the QB's? Down the road, are you better off paying $30m/yr to Anderson or $50m/yr to Young (or McCall)?
Nickel -- Coleman looks like he's done, Bryant pretty green at the position albeit promising, Marquis will get hurt
TE -- Have a full room, and quality, but for some reason I'm not convinced
Corner -- Seems the depth is there now, but counting on rookies and journeymen is always risky
Guard -- Happy
IDL -- Happy
Tackle -- Happy
RB -- Happy
Safety -- Happy
Think you can get a great ILB in the fourth round. Love to see a WR early, nickel might be the underrated need there.
Wonder why Pete C lied about a fair QB competition, your thoughts please.
I think Pete Carroll has only ever done two true QB competitions: One in 2012 and then however many times he did at USC. And I don't think he lied, I just think he's a college coach who thinks that this is a fair way to hold a QB competition. With the Patriots, he had Drew Bledsoe. He had Hasselbeck in 2010. He brought in Tarvaris knowing that he'd pretty much beat Whitehurst.
It's been 10 years since his last competition and Russ didn't win the job until preseason Week 3. Until then, it was "supposed to be Matt Flynn". So i think he tried to do his best impression of that, then the COVID happened, and he got flummoxed and misjudged the ability to pivot in this scenario.
I still think that the competition remains on. Pete said "Geno will start Week 1." I think he could see things changing in Week 2.
Thanks Ron!
Firstly, thanks for many interesting articles. Since I’m in Sweden they come at perfect time for me to read in the evenings - have become a nice evening routine actually.
Regarding the season… I’m mostly afraid of the games becoming “boring” with Geno heading the offense. Even though Lock obviously have some flaws, at least he seems to make it fun and dynamic. I have to stay up late on Sundays to catch the games live and I don’t know if I can muster the energy to do it if the games are flat…
I take note on some comments below and hope to find a few players/ position grps to focus on and see them grow.
One question? How’s the McCaw campaign going? Do you get any responses from anyone working in Hawks office or around it at least? I mean, at least it would be interesting to know if they pay some extra attention to him, regardless if they chose to go in another direction at the draft.
Thanks Tom! Sorry I don't have a consistent time I put out the articles! i used to do it in the morning, then got caught behind. I appreciate your sticking around!
As for McCaw, I haven't ramped this up yet because the season hasn't started yet. But Coastal kicks off in six days. I'm ready. And when Grayson starts putting out film, I hope as many people as possible will join me in tagging the @Seahawks and hashtagging #McCawww when the highlights start pouring in. Let's make it happen! I want it to happen. I think that if Seaside Grows, we could definitely get the campaign some attention as Grayson takes the nation by storm. He's so well situated to do it.
Love the idea for a McCall campaign, but if we bring that much attention to him by tagging the Seahawks and hashtagging #McCawww, isn't there a risk that other teams will uncover this gem and steal him away from us?
I don't think little old me with 600 followers is going to impact the NFL decision making process but if that happens, hell yeah.
And the Defense… I so much hope the defense will be fun to watch. If Adams get a slightly different role this year, and can stay healthy. With Diggs behind him and Brooks in the middle. That do keep my hopes up a bit.
Pairing it with 4 good RBs could be fun, though I think Lock would help with our opponents not stacking the box as much as they will with Geno
Really would be nice to see Jamal Adams have a superstar season.
Any news on BBK? Seahawks still need LB help.
Is he still injured though? I know he's tweeting about MMA.
When you listen to the guys at the podium...except Smith, who nearly puts me to sleep...i thought there was a new crop of guys buying into Pete's enthusiasm.
No matter what happens in the field, you can't lose momentum in the program.
Guys like Q and Coleman coming back help that...so does Woods.
Outside the tacking, I think they break camp moving forward. They can clean up the issues in the 2 weeks, and be ready to compete against the Broncos.
I think the Mariners being a story helps them fly under the radar a bit which might not be a bad thing.
Very excited about the interior line making way for the Edge rushers to step up.
Woolen is an interesting player. What they're going to do with their rookies corners is fascinating because it does NOT look like the game is too big for him.
Really ready for our expensive safeties to hit the field and be difference makers. They're paid for plays...make them!
Hey 10to80! I chose someone at random to give a free 90 days of Regular Joes bonus content to and you came up! Thank you for being here!
That's cool. 90... Mone...and Julius Pepper's number!
Yeah, I think Tariq Woolen will end up playing a lot and starting quite a few games.
On the broader topic of the NFL overall, I'm blown away by what happened with Matt Araiza and the Bills. Perhaps I'm naive to think that there are teams in the league that try to do things the right way. Buffalo in recent years has had a reputation as a stand-up organization. If they were willing to look the other way and enable sexual assault because the guy is obviously an amazing punter, I'm guessing that that's true of pretty much every organization. In other words, sports at this level is not ethical.
Not a shock but seeing it so clearly on display makes it harder to enjoy the NFL. It would actually be easier to accept if Buffalo had spoken to the girl's attorney, interviewed Araiza, and then said in a forthright manner that right now it's not clear what happened and so they're not going to take action against him. One could object anyway but at least the approach would be honest. Instead, they tried to ignore it and later claimed ignorance.
Araiza claims the young woman (then a 17 year old girl) was not drunk when she showed up at the party, that she gave no sign of being underage and that the sex was consensual. He claims that whatever happened with the other guys happened later and that he was not there. I doubt he's telling the truth but it wouldn't be outrageous for a team to wait and see what the legal investigation turns up.
Where Buffalo went terribly wrong was in failing to call back the woman's attorney, deliberately placing their heads in the sand, and then referring to the Araiza as an excellent young man in a radio interview. Also probably not a great idea to cut Haak before they had to, just in case more evidence turned up.
My feeling is that the teams—and the league for that matter—should not take the lead in investigations of sexual assault or domestic violence. The expertise simply isn’t there for something as fraught and complicated. Plus, there’s a built-in conflict of interest. Both would be better off in the hands on of an independent body.
I didn't say they should investigate. They simply shouldn't enable atrocious conduct. And they shouldn't lie. They claimed to have investigated when they did not. (Unless talking to only the player, and not returning the woman's attorney's phone call, counts.) They shouldn't mislead and they should be concerned when a player may have committed a truly egregious act. For their own PR reasons, if not out of a sense of social responsibility or simply having a sense of right and wrong.
The league hires former police investigators, FBI agents, etc., to do the investigations. They do hire people with plenty of experience and expertise.
I get that. But it’s still the league retaining control. In the end, the owner’s will act in their best interests, not the woman’s.