Halford & Brough in the Morning - What To Expect From The Seahawks This Season

Episode Date: August 28, 2025

In hour two, Mike & Jason chat with MLB Network's Adnan Virk (1:32) about the latest baseball news, plus they preview the upcoming Seahawks season with ESPN's Brady Henderson (23:42). This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

It's time to chat with Adnan. It's Adnan Furkey's on the show. We're going to talk some baseball and take a trip to the silver screen. That's right, it's time for Adnan. Yes, Adnan Furkey joins us now. We'll head out to the ball game and talk about all the films he's seen. 7.03 on a Thursday. Happy Thursday, everybody. Halford and Brough, Sportsnet, 650.

Halford and Brough of the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Learn how a consumer proposal reduces your debt by up to 80% with no more interest. Visit them online at sands-trustee.com. We are in our two of the program. as the music suggests, Adnan Verk from MLB Network is going to join us in just a moment here to kick off Hour 2. Hour 2 of this program is brought to by Jason hominock at Jason.orgage. If you love giving the banks more of your money,

then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. Visit them online at jason.morgage. We are coming you live from the Kintech studio, Kintech, footwear, and orthotics working together with you in step. Let's go now to the Power West Industries hotline. Our next guest joins us every week from MLVN. Network. Adnan Verk here on the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Morning, Adnan. How are you?

No disrespect to the other hosts who are all fabulous, but great to have the 8 team back and ready to go. It means it's almost Labor Day. It's almost hockey time. It's almost football time. Let's go. Good to have your boys back. It's great to have you back on the show because we are getting fired up for baseball here in this particular area of the world because it very much looks like the Blue Jays and the Mariners are going to be postseason bound,

especially after big wins yesterday by the Jays. jinks and the ms well the jays are in 99.9% yeah yeah yeah I don't even know if they can mathematically collapse anymore the mariners are three games up on the royals I want to start with the jays though

because yesterday very exciting game very big comeback win and Jeff Hoffman got the close John Schneider goes back to Hoffman after blowing that save in quite dramatic fashion the game prior even though Hoffman got that save yesterday is the bullpen still the number one

area of concern for the jays going into the postseason Yeah, without question. I mean, Dan Shulman proves why he's again, one of the best in the business. I'm not Addison Barger at that, by the way. He was like five for 45, but he's meant the center of so many big moments of season and bam. He gets a big double in the eighth. Jay's get their 40th comeback win this season, which is second most in baseball. But you're right, Mike, the real story is Hoffman, because I said this all along. It's very deceptive when you say, oh, 27, 28, you have a 30, 35 save season. Because I see the four and a half ear rate, it stands out to me. And you go, well, what happened is he had a couple about it. appearances, and then what happens with the reliever, because they don't throw 150 innings, you throw 65 innings, you know, a couple of bad appearances inflates the ERA. True. But then you see that performance that he had the other day.

I go, this is why I can't trust this guy a key moment. So, listen, I love the fact John Schneider went back to him. I love the fact Jeff Hopkins, a total pro, and is able to shake it off of a short memory. But I'm looking at a role this Chapman, who hasn't given up a hit this month. He's the closure for the Red Sox. Like, I'm looking at David Bednar, who I think is a legit shutdown guy for the Yankees. I have to look around the other contenders and say, okay, who is your closer? Do I feel better about my guy more than yours?

I don't feel great about it. So I have said to you guys before, and I'll say it again. I can totally see the Toronto Blue Jays going to the World Series. I have a tougher time seeing them winning the World Series better than Dodgers, better than Padres, better than Phillies, better than Brewers, better than Cubs.

And my biggest concern, like you said, Mike, is still that bull. You know, I agree with you that I could see them getting there because, I mean, look, they're one of the top three teams in baseball with the record. They're great at home, and they're very well-rounded. The Js are built a lot differently than some of these other teams that are going to be postseason contenders where they don't have the one sort of singular big bad. I know Vladie's that guy, but he doesn't have the numbers to back it up this year. They're just kind of built different, and I'm not necessarily saying that's not a good thing for the playoffs

because you need to win in all different shapes and sizes. But historically and traditionally, they just don't look like some of those teams we've seen get to the World Series and win World Series, but you sound pretty confident like you think they can get there. Yeah, I think so, and I think, you know, the perfect term of use for Mike is that they are well-rounded. Like, I do like the fact that

they're not too reliant on the home run. Like, that's all my concerns to the Yankees. Like, they just, they've been hammer bad teams. Right. Bombarded the nationals yesterday. You know, they hit six home runs to the game four in one inning. But you're not going to do that in the playoffs. Like, the Yankees are going to say six home runs

against the Tigers or the Mariners, the Ashes. It doesn't happen. So I think for the Blue Jays, yes, like in the past, there's been a real lack of power, which has been a concern, but I'd rather have guys that can scrape and scrap, but I'll take my Ernie Coleman's who can advance runners, in addition to Alejandro Kirk's, in addition to Flattie who can go deep. But obviously Springer has been phenomenal. Like, in terms of slugging, Springer and Varsher have really been the guys who've carried them in that department.

So I'm with you that I think the Blue Jays can win a variety of ways. Their signature features, their offense. Like, that's the one thing I feel good about. Like, I don't see the Blue Jays in a playoff series having. three straight bad games or five straight back games. They're going to score runs. And they're starting pitching while not eye-opening. It's now getting very intriguing because if Bieber all of a sudden becomes a guy who I think like in two more really good start to the way did against the Marlins, he's getting a playoff start. And you go, okay, well,

it's going to be Bieber, Gosman, Burrios, and, okay, I don't know how Shores is going to feel about not getting a playoff start. That might rank a little bit. Lauer the bullpen, okay, we can make this work. But that's where like you start to cobble it together. And that's where we've come so far from 2019, where you had three great starters for the nationals, including Scherzer and Strasbourg. And now you can go, oh, who cares? Just have 12 different pitchers. As long as you can get 27 out, it doesn't matter. So I do agree with the Blue Jays.

When I look at the other contenders in the AL, which is not a strong league, it's a rather inferior league. They are well-balanced, and I think poised for postseason success. How much fun would a Red Sox Yankees Wildcard Series be? Could they make that a best of seven? Could they just be like, no, forget it. We're doing the best of seven here. 100% chase somebody said to me about Padres Dodgers wildcursers I don't want a wildcars I want like an NLCS and say with the Yankees redsocks I always want ALCS but you're right

I don't think either of those teams catches the blue jades which means we're going to get like a four or five and they're going ahead to head and I mean it's it'll be kind of bananas to imagine what would happen especially because boston's really pushed them around I mean eight and two in the season series overall particularly strong at fenway park but who knows can playoff time things could be different if Max Raid steals game one, if judges back to being healthy. He hits his 41st home run yesterday. I agree. I mean, I was at the Padres game last weekend.

I was my family vacation in California. I'm like, that robbery is awesome. Like the chance to beat L.A. resounding throughout Pecto Park, an absolutely fabulous ballpark, Darverson-Snell, great pitching matchup. But even as I'm telling my kids, I'm like, oh, this is like the best robbery in baseball. They're like, well, some better than Red Sox Yankees, Dad. Sox and Yankees always undefeated. That's always number one.

Is this the, are the Padres of the most all-in team? Oh my God, like I'm pushing for them so hard, Jay. My kids are like, when did you become a Padat? I go, listen, I'm just telling you, like, this is a team that has never won a World Series. So I always say Rupert's Storylines, which, by the way, of course, includes the Seattle Mariners. I have Rupert teams that have never won before to get there. Milwaukee? Right, Mariners Padres series, that'd be thrilled.

And San Diego, as you said, they're so all in. And Preller made every single move. Like, think about what he's done here. In that game, we saw Mason Miller come into the eighth who was shaky, but got a double play, got out of it. I saw Ramon Luriano starting. I saw Felix Tremino starting a catcher. Like, this wasn't like, we'll get an impact bat.

He got, like, freed starters in his lineup and a key reliever. Like, it's nuts. And I'm like, I just couldn't bear to see it happen to the good people of San Diego, who do have the finest weather in anybody in the North America, you know, the 70 and sunny every day. But, you know, aside from that, I just can't imagine this fan base being tortured again, losing to the Dodgers in a potential wall cars.

series are just falling flat on their faces. They're still thinking about last year. They're up to one of the Dodgers. Everybody thought it was over. Dodgers had a bullpen game in game four, and L.A. came back off the match. So Padres are all in. It feels like we've been saying that every year, but it really feels

like this year after what age you probably at the deadline. Speaking of bullpens, do the Padres have the best bullpen in baseball? It's pretty ridiculous because while watching that game, you Darvers picked six innings only give up one hit. It was one homer against the unharolded Alex Freeland. And all of a sudden they go to

bullpen. He'd go, well, it's going to be game over. Now, as I mentioned, Miller was a little bit shaky, and then of the night, Suarez came in, O'Tani hit a ball right to the warning track. 10 more feet, it's a tie game. That's hit. Freeman-based hit. That's how relentless the Dodgers are. But then Swarrestrakes-it's over, and their bullpen, Adam and Suarez were both all-stars. Miller's obviously electrifying, it was 103 miles an hour.

This is like the Royals of 2015. Let's just make this a five-eating game and turn it over to the bullpen. And that's where the Padres and starters, they can just be good enough. like Darvish and Cease have been real disappointment and have been hurt. So like Michael King's awesome. Once he gets back, Pivotta the Canadian, pride of Victoria, B.C. has been tremendous for them. So like if they could

get Cease and Darvish to run on the form, you add that to King and Povetta. It's literally five and dive. It used to be a moniker to insult the pitcher, right? He's a five and dive. Now, no, no, we want you to be a five and dive. That's how good our bullpen is. Well, you set the stage lovely here for my next question about Shohey Otani, who got the win

yesterday in an impressive outing over the Reds. The Dodgers got the sweep there. One, how much attention were you guys paying to this start in his first win at Dodgers starting pitcher at MLB Network? And two, how big a statement is this for the Dodgers and Otani moving forward? Well, it's pretty funny, Mike, when they say

it's his first win as a Dodger and you go, how is that possible? We're almost in September. He go, well, he didn't start pitching until June. I come by that's been two months. And you go, well, this is the way the game is played today. Oh, one inning here, two innings, you know, they just kept ramping up the strength. So this is the first time he's actually been unshackled and he could

throw five innings, right? He had the one bad start against the Rockies in which he went five, but this was like a legit starting pitcher type performance. A couple runs, couple walks, nine strikeouts to his eye-opening the curb ball. To me, it never looked better. And it just shows how strong this Dodgers team is. Like, I'd love to be a contrarian.

I'd love to be different. As I'm telling you guys, I'm hoping the Padres get to the World Series for something different. I have an incredibly tough time picking against the Dodgers. Like, if that rotation has Blake Snow, who I watched with my own eyes, seven strong innings, two runs. He was amazing. Glass now, Yamamoto, Otani, and Kershaw,

who, by the way, guys, in August, has a sub-2 ERA. He's been four and out with a one-eight-nine year. He's been awesome. He's their number five. He's like, well, the greatest starting pitchers the last 40 years is their number five. I still have a tough, tough time calling against the Dodgers with their talent at their disposal. They're going to be awfully tough. What's been the secret to the Red Sox success this season?

You know, it's so funny, because when that's trade happened, Jay, you know, that you thought yourself, all right, they're just kind of punting on the season, they've got some good young players, they'll develop, Alex Corps is a great manager, they'll be a 500 team and, okay, so be it. But instead of this truly, the addition by subtraction, like he

was their best offensive player, but he wasn't happy, and I guess it was impacting the clubbos in some ways, and when a veteran malcontent, relatively speaking, gets traded, it opens up playing time. And really, it's their offense that's improved and the young guys, you know? Roman Anthony was in a more prospect in baseball. He's

show mat over the last 50 games or so. Jaron is an excellent player. AJ Potter was doing everything in his power and trying to get him over to Padres, offering Dillancies and prospects. The Red Sox would not budge. He's a really talented player. Defense is really good. Stay down, Raphaelah, has Sean for them.

And Alex Bregman's a key piece. I've got to tell you, I thought the Bregman signing was good. He's a terrific player. He's always been great in the playoffs. But to me, $40 million for a third base, it felt like a lot. I wouldn't say it's been a steal, but it's been a good investment. Bregman has certainly fit in perfectly at Fenway Park.

Historically, his numbers have always been great at Fenway, and he's providing that veteran leadership along with those young players. And as far as they're starting pitching, Crochet is one of the top starters in baseball. Bayo has been really good recently. I mentioned Chabot of the bullpen. Not as well-rounded as the Blue Jays. I still have some concerns of their pitching. I don't think their offense is as good as Toronto's.

But like a Red Sox J's ALCS would not surprise me. I think it would be compelling. Tell me about Roman Anthony, because I've got some Red Sox fan buddies that can't stop talking about this guy. Yeah, so it was funny when he got called up. You know, there's always this concern, right? Number one, process, we saw it with Vlad a couple years ago when he got first called up. There was a lot of pressure, excitement, et cetera, and you put up the numbers,

and you go, okay, well, I was kind of expecting $300, $300,000, let's go. And at first, he certainly struggled. That's normal to see happen at this age, and with that kind of pressure, especially in Boston, you can't hide. You're hearing it for months and years, at Roman Anthony is the next big thing. thing. But now he's looking like the next big thing, and he does everything right at the plate. He's patient. He hits for power. He hits for average. You can only don't see guys like that or that young that's selective, but, you know, obviously the only one that you

can think of really is Juan Soto, who that young look for the right pitch. But Anthony has that in spades. It's good defensively and a high character guy. Like Alex Gore is raving about him, and he sees the type if he feels it, he'll be outspoken about it. And to say for this young guy to already be the future face of the franchise, right, in a very short amount of time. Literally, Debris gets treated. He's the guy, okay, I guess he's never in. And by the way, Regman can opt out, right? He was a three-year deal for $120 million, $40 million a year.

He's going to opt out for this season and probably send a new contract there with Boston. I think he stays. He seemed happy there. But my point is, Roman Anthony, very quickly is the guy that they're going to put on the face of the tickets of selling next season, because he truly is, everyone feels like the next great Boston Red Sox Superstar.

We're speaking to Adnan, Verk from MLB Network here on the Halford & Brough show on SportsNet 650. So, The Brewers have been the hottest team and the best team in baseball over the last month. The athletics are the second best team in baseball since July 24th. The Sut has become a fortress. Teams can't go in there and win. Amazingly, they're not going to get into this.

They're only nine and a half games out of the wildcard, which is incredible for this sort of misfit team in West Sacramento. How much attention are you guys paying to that story, given all the other things that are going on? and how are the A's managing to do this? Mike Alford's adopted team at the very least adopted ballpark. Nobody loves the set like you, my friend. I want to point out, Shane Langaleers, 30 home runs.

I love a good reference to the past. Ruffel love this. First A's catcher, 30-plus home run since Terry Steinbach. How about that name? The late 80s in the 90s. Love it. All those great A's World Series teams. Why said Terry Steinbach?

I lit up, but he's one of those guys. And again, the A's, they're very much built like the Yankees, Mike, their boom or bust. I think second. in terms of scoring their most runs via the home runs. So they go up there. I don't care if it counts 3-0 or 0-2. They're getting your A-swing off.

They're looking to get home runs. And they've got a good young town. We've talked about Brett Rooker before. Lawrence Butler's an excellent young player. They've locked up both of those guys. The Langellors, to me, has really been the story. Like, as a catcher, you have so much impact in the game. We've talked so much about Cal Raleigh in the American League.

And for good reason. He's taking it basically it's a coin flip right now for MVP with him and Judge. But gives him love to Languiliers. He's done a good job with an A's pitching staff. Asvaldo Vito, Luis Severino, Obviously, the veteran people know. They're a team that's decent, you know, kind of like the White Sox.

You know, the overall record, you know, not back great. Yeah, but I was expecting to be one of the worst teams in baseball, and at least they're competitive on most nights. So what they really care about is the next couple of years just being okay, and then once you get to Vegas, let's be really good. That's what the owner John Fisher wants. And the schedule for next season came out. Of course, this had to happen at baseball the same day that Taylor Swift and Kelsey get engaged.

So nobody even knows what the schedule looks like now next year. I obliterate to everybody. But the point is this. there's going to be games in Las Vegas. So I believe the series is in June. There's like a six game of homestead. I go, oh, my God, well, we'll be a roof just yet. Let's hope the games are played at night.

You know, the desert cools down a little bit. So we're going to get our first taste of age baseball in Las Vegas next summer, and then I'll be the appetizers to when we get it full time in 2028. Okay, I've got a couple tough questions for you, because you kind of mentioned the MVP race. Do you have an MVP pick right now, you're allowed to change your mind if anything changes down the stretch but who have you got judge or big dumper so i've got judge and i looked at these numbers jay specifically OPS plus which is one that's

very in vogue these days judges at 202 Raleigh is at 168 i also looked at OPS which is a little bit more straightforward and judges at 1110 and Raleigh's at about i think 980 so i'm like you know that's like 150 point swing to me that's pretty significant and the OPS plus again that takes in the account you know, adjusted ballpark, et cetera, et cetera. Now, war, which is, of course, the favorite set of the MVP voters, is basically dead even. And that's why, if you look at Fandual, odds, wherever, it's basically a

coin flip right now. The case for Raleigh's, of course, narrative, this guy could be the, he's already going to have the most ones ever by a catcher. He is the first one since Mickey Mantle, 20 home runs each from, as a switch hitter. Amazing. We're talking about Mickey Mantle like company. Now, he becomes the first catcher ever with 60 home runs,

or God forbid he smashes judges American League record of 62, or the mergers win the division for the first time since oh one like all this plays into a really compelling and cool narrative but when i look at judge's numbers i go bro he's in 325 41 home runs almost a hundred ribbyes like that that is an unbelievable year by any measure and in today's game there's eight players eight who are batting above 300 it's insane so judges 323 that's like tony glint hitting 3994 in 94 like that's how good the batting averages Cal Raleigh has the third lowest batting average since the start of July,

hitting under 200. I know nobody cares about batting average anymore. I get it. That's why I'm looking at OPS and OPS Plus. But I'm simply pointing out, he's hitting 323. Raleigh hits 247. That's an 80-point swing. To me, Judge, is still the MVP.

Okay, and following the deadline, the trade deadline, I realized it was a while ago, but we've been able to see the teams now, who do you think, this is a tough one? Who do you think has the better roster overall Seattle or Toronto? So the weirdest thing is when people who's the most fearsome team in the Seattle, sorry, in the American Lake, I'm like Seattle.

Like when I look at that lineup and I go, oh my God, they were 10th and slugging percentage. That's before they got Nailor and Gino Swarres. I'm like, this lineup has everything that you need. And Roosurina first time in his career, 25 or more home runs. J. Rod's hitting over 300 in August, classic second half he always has. And then I mentioned the two guys they've added.

Now, Suarez hasn't been great. That's one of the concerns there. nailer's been good. And then pitching staff, I'm like, you know, this guys, these guys are the best year ago. How can you count against them? Brian Wu goes six innings every single time, Gilbert, Castillo, Kirby, et cetera. Now, it hasn't worked out to fruition. Like, since August, both Seattle and Houston have been relatively middling. Like, I really thought Seattle would make a push, overtake them the division, but give credit to Houston, they're tenacious enough that they hang in there. But if I just looked at roster, Seattle or Toronto, like I literally, if I'm going one through 25,

I do think Seattle has the better roster, which is why it's so maddening to me that they haven't overtaken the ashes of the division. They're going to make the playoffs. Seattle's better than Kansas City. They're better than Cleveland. If I'm a Mariners fan, I'm a little concerned. I'm like, hey, I don't want to peek too early,

but can we kind of start peaking, like winning four of six, five of seven? Like, let's get this thing going because we're almost into September. Yeah, which Castillo are they going to get? Right. Well, that's the other thing, too. Like, a few years ago,

it was like, oh, Luis Castillo is the ace of this team. Then it was George Kirby. And last year was Logan Gilbert. And now it's kind of like Brian Wu. So I like the fact that they've got this plethora of pitching and all these guys who are capable of being stars. But you're right. Castillo, if you don't pay close attention, he's kind of running on past reputation.

Like people think of Luis Castillo as that guy with the Reds was an ace. But I'm like, man, there's some days he's more, it's kind of Kevin Gosper, the Blue Jays. Again, gosh, he goes to the elite pitcher, like, kind of. Like, he's ear raised 3-8-4. Like, he's no longer elite. He can be good, but he can be kind of, kind of stinky. So that could be critical. Like in a game three,

imagine if it was supposed Houston, Seattle. Like Houston's top two is awesome, Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez. After that, it's a significant drop-off. So Seattle's got more depth. But imagine Castillo starts a pivotal game three and loses that game. Like, you could foresee that happening and how frustrating it would be for Seattle.

Adnan, this was great, as always, buddy. Thanks for taking the time to do it. We appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of the week. We'll do this again next week. Great to have you boys back. Enjoy Labor Day. We'll chat soon.

Thanks, man. Appreciate it. That's Adnan, Verk from MLB. here on the Halford and Brough Show on Sportsnet, 650. Okay, we're up against it for time in this segment. We've got to go to break. When we come back, we are going to dive into the National Football League. Brady Henderson, our Seahawks insider from ESPN, is going to join the program.

We will talk to him about the Seahawks now just over a week away from kicking off their season. Sunday, September 7th, a 105 kickoff at home against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers picked up one of their former wide receivers. Marcus Valdez Scanling Seahawks cut him The Niners signed him Ooh, it's a rivalry I'll talk to Brady about that

The 53 man roster is set I want to ask about Jaden Milro And what we can expect from him And what kind of offensive packages They've designed around the young, exciting quarterback from Alabama So there's lots to get into there The Seahawks have some new uniforms too

You saw those, the Nike Rivalry kit That's not the right term for it They look like the Jets They're not great I don't like them They look like the Jets That's not a good look.

No, I don't like it at all. Okay. It's hard to describe on the air because, one, you don't have a visual and two, I'm just kind of processing all this right now. But we'll do it on the other side. They look like half jets, half Oregon ducks. Yeah, that's not bad, actually. That's pretty accurate.

We'll get into that and a whole lot more Seahawks talk coming up. You're listening to The Halford Improft Show on Sportsnet, 650. 731 on 8th, happy Thursday, happy Thursday, everybody, Halford Brough, net 6.50. Halford in front of the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Learn how a consumer proposal could get you on the road to being debt-free in just two weeks. Visit them online at sands-trustee.com.

We are in hour two of the program. We're at the midway point of the show. Brady Henderson from ESPN, our Seahawks Insider. It's going to join us in just a moment here. Hour two of this program is brought to by Jason Homonock at Jason. If you love paying too much for your mortgage, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. I am kidding. Let him do

exactly that. Visit him online at jason.orgage. To the PowerWest Industries hotline, we go. Brady Henderson, ESPN, Seahawks Insider. Joins us now on the Halford & Brough Show on SportsNet 650. Good morning, Brady. How are you? Good morning. Really good to be back

for another season. How's it going? Yeah, we're really excited here. Countdown the day. It's a week today the NFL season kicks off for real, and then a few days later. It's the Seahawks and the Niners from Lumen on Sunday. a 105 kickoff. Before we get into that game, earlier

in the week, it was the 53-man roster cut down. I think there were some bigger stories around the league when it came to trimming that roster to 53, but the Seahawks, like everyone else, still got their roster down to that number. What were some of the big takeaways from you as the Seahawks got their official roster for the regular season

underway? Yeah, I mean, the big one, maybe not the most, maybe not the most surprising one, but the big one was them cutting Marquez Valdez Scantling. And, you that had kind of become more and more evident to me that that was going to happen just based on what I was seeing and also what I was hearing. And, you know, I think from a financial standpoint, that could not have been an easy move

to basically just, I don't want to say light $3 million on fire, but basically, you know, kiss $3 million goodbye, at least for now, now that there is a way that they can get some of that money back. But, you know, I think the financial piece of it had to be tough. But in terms of whether or not he was, you know, where he stood on the, on the picking order, I mean, that was an easy decision. Like, you know, they signed him to be their number three receiver. And, you know, because he doesn't play special teams, he could be no lower than that on the depth chart. Like, you can't be a number four receiver and not play special teams. I mean, if you're a number three receiver in an offense like this, where the third receiver is probably not going to play

as many snaps as other third receivers. I think even then it's a little dicey to not play special teams, but certainly couldn't be the fourth guy. And it was just very clear that Tori Horton outplayed him, Jake Bobo outplayed him, Tony White outplayed him,

Derek Young, even after maybe the best camp of his career, outplayed him. And so from that standpoint, it was an easy decision. Now, as for that $3 million guaranteed, so $1.5 million of that was the signing bonus that they gave him, that's gone.

There's no, that's gone forever. They cannot get that back. They also guaranteed him another $1.5 million, which they still owe him for now, but because of offset language in Seahawks contracts, how that works is they basically are off the hook for whatever portion of that he makes from another team. So if he goes and signs for $1.25 million, you know, as he makes that money for, you know, as he makes that money from his other team, the Seahawks are off the hook for that 1.25.

If he makes $1.5 million, then it's a wash, then they don't owe him that $1.5 million. So that certainly made it more palatable to move on from a guy that they had paid $3 million guaranteed to and really thought it was going to be their number three guy. So, Brady, how are you feeling about this receiver core? I feel like, I feel really good about JSN. I think he's playing out of his mind.

and I think Cooper Cup has been I think Cooper Cup looks like a solid number two you know they they don't have the speed guy and look certainly like Cody White Dureke Young Jake Bobo those guys absolutely earned it they're physical guys who make plays and block and catch the ball really well and just do the right thing I you know I would have felt like even if they had his MVS on the team. I still would have felt kind of like not totally confident

in what he was going to be able to do. And it's just, you know, they don't have a speed guy right now. They don't have a proven speed guy, I should say. You know, Torrey Horton is great as he was during camp before he hurt his ankle. You know, he was getting open left and right. And on paper, he does look like he can't be a speed guy. He was a, he ran a 4-4-1

in college. at the combine, and he still was not fully recovered from that leg injury that basically ended his final season at Colorado State. So you've got to figure that a healthy Tori Horton is maybe in the, you know, four, maybe the high four threes or something like that. So he's got a good speed. You just haven't seen him, like, I really, for all the times he got open, I really didn't see him, you know, I don't really see like a ton of field-stretching ability

And maybe, look, he's a young guy, maybe he'll grow into that. But I just don't know if they have, like, a proven deep threat right now. Now, the other side of that coin is, how much does that really matter in the NFL? And obviously, you would prefer to have that guy. But, you know, I think they could probably point to a few offenses around the L NFL, a few really good offenses that don't necessarily have that deep threat guy, and they still, you know, function pretty well. So I feel like, you know, again, I feel really good about JSN.

He just has had an amazing camp, and for as good of a second season as he has, there does not appear to be any sort of sign of him taking his foot off the gas. He looks like he is ready to ball out. And beyond that, it's a good wide receiver core. I don't know if I could call it a great wide receiver core. Are they going to throw much to the tight ends? Because that's a pretty, if I'm looking at the depth chart, right, They got, what, a 23-year-old and a 22-year-old in the top two spots?

Yeah, and, I mean, look, Elijah O'Royal, obviously the way that he performed in camp or really in the off-season program, I think that made it easier for them to move on from Neufant, just as a guy who, a big, fast-tight-end, kind of a similar skill set. A.J. Barner, I think he continues to be a guy that just looks way better than anybody. I think even maybe even the Seahawks, frankly, thought that he would. when they took him in the fourth round member, he was a build as kind of a blocking specialist. And, well, guess what? You look out there, and AJ Barner is getting open left and right,

and certainly doesn't have quite the field-stretching abilities, not nearly as fast as a Royo is, but he's a big, powerful guy who just gets open and has soft hands and just looks like he's going to be a real player for them. I think I don't want to say this prematurely because the guys play one season, but I think in a year or two you could be looking at one of the better

like all around tight ends in the NFL not necessarily someone you're going to be drafting high in your fantasy leagues because he's going to score 10 touchdowns a season but a guy who just when the real like exes and those guys the coaching people talk about like the best well-rounded tight ends I think he could be one of those guys. So how is the offense looking overall to you?

I mean they got a new. quarterback and Sam Darnold. They've got they used a high pick on Gray Zabel, left guard, and I've seen some clips of him. I haven't watched the Seahawks preseason that closely, but he looks pretty athletic. Are you feeling better

about things? Because there were times last season, it was tough. Yeah, it certainly was. And yeah, and yes. So the answer to your question is yes. I feel I would say even over the last three weeks, or so. My confidence level in the offense has gotten up quite a bit. And for most of the

offseason and really the first part of training camp, I would have told you that this has the look of a team that is going to have a competent offense, but that it's going to, I think, struggle just with all the new pieces there having to come together and that this looked like it was going to be a team that really was carried by their defense. And the offense was, you know, just sort of going to have to do the best it can. I feel better, you know, watching the last few weeks of this offense. And it just really seems like the pieces are coming together. And I don't think you can take that for granted when, you know,

you could have as many as six new starters on offense, including the quarterback, two of the top three receivers, a couple offensive linemen, tight end. And all learning a new scheme together with a lot of new pieces. on the coaching staff and a brand new offense, and you just can't take for granted how, like, you know, how quickly kind of that, all that comes together. And I'll tell you this, there was, you know, we all saw the drive in Kansas City when that was just a magnificent opening touchdown drive.

You know, there was a period in practice the other day where they were absolutely dominating the defense, and it was a red zone period, and it was just one touchdown after the other. the defense had no answers for what they were doing. Sam Darnold, even, you know, this was the case when Drew Locke and the number twos came in, just dominating him to the point where Mike McDonald says, you know, he sort of laments out loud that he says, we're officially getting shredded, meaning the defense.

And, you know, not that every day has been nearly that dominant, but you just have seen the offense, I think, catch up quite a bit to the defense. And Sam Darnold, I think the key for him, and we can talk about him more, but the key for him this season is going to be playing on time and getting the ball out of his hands. And I thought he has taken a huge jump in that from the spring to the summer.

Well, yeah, I mean, I'm glad you mentioned all this because I am really intrigued by what Clint Kubiak is bringing to the table here. I was listening to a clip. I think you posted the clip of where Jake Bobo talked in great detail about how everything's connected and the style of play that they have in terms of play calling and all the routes really makes sense to the guys.

Like, they all get it, and they understand the evolution of the playbook. And I think that's maybe a far cry from what like Shane Waldron did a couple years ago and what Ryan Grubb did last year. What are the guys saying about the way that Kubiak calls the game and the playbook that he has at his disposal? Yeah. So the thing you hear a lot, you know, you hear NFL offense is described sometimes as systems.

And like, I don't think anybody was describing Ryan Grubb's offense as a system. No. But you certainly hear that with the Shanahan. system. And obviously this is an offshoot of that. And really what that means is everything in the playbook is connected. And Jake Bobo, you know, the clip he referenced, he was talking about how on like a lot of their plays, you know, the first several steps of the wide receivers releases look the same. And they're trying to basically make it as hard as possible for the defense to decipher what they're doing. And the play that they run is going to look like, you know,

a couple other dozen plays in their playbook for those first few steps. And the plays themselves are so connected, meaning every play sort of plays off of another play. It's not just a collection of stand-alone plays that the offensive coordinator thinks are really cool, and he puts in his playbook that doesn't really have any sort of connectiveness. It's a system of plays that are all kind of part of a larger system, if that makes sense. I really think that last year it was more of kind of a hodgepodge. And I think one player even used that word earlier this season.

And the playbook just wasn't connected, if that makes sense. And in this one, it really is. And you've heard John Snyder, I think he has maybe had a hard time explaining his excitement or a hard time holding back his excitement for the fact that it is an actual offense. this is an actual system as opposed to the actual offense. Yeah, where Ryan Greb

was really just kind of piecing everything together. We're speaking to Brady Henderson, our ESPN Seahawks insider here on the Halford and Brush Show on Sports 96, I don't mean to throw dirt on Grub, but it wasn't good last year. And the JSN clip that was floating around.

Anyway, the other thing that I'm excited about, and you got to tell me whether I should temper my enthusiasm or go all in, is the offensive package that they're going to drop specifically for Jalen Mill Road. Now, he's the QB3 on the team. So this isn't like... We haven't even talked about Sam Darnold.

Ah, forget him. We got a quarterback. I know what Darnold. I think I know what Darnold. We know what he's about. I think I know what Dardle is and isn't about. What I don't know is, I mean, I know Milro is an outstanding athlete. I mean, I watched everyone saw him play at Alabama last year.

I think it's great that they're leaning into the fact that he can make things happen athletically. The question is, how much? And should I be as enthused as I am that we're going to get this? you know entire playbook designed for this guy to go and do cool stuff on the football field yeah yeah and you are going to see him play you know it's been interesting and i've kind of tried to pin them down on this on like you know how was it coming along with you know the package of plays that you're um you know that they're working on to you know prepare to bring him in on and they really talked about like first and foremost they had to they had to have him learn

just the offense so they had to learn him had to have him learn the same plays that sam darnell and Drew Locke are learning. And so I imagine that kind of now you're starting to see them really build in those plays that are going to be more Morrow-specific. And I think a big part of that, too, is, A, you know, he's got to earn those opportunities, you know, just like anybody else, if he's not playing well, and if he's not showing that he can operate the offense and get everybody on the same page and just do the things operationally that any quarterback

needs to do. That package is not going to exist for him. And I think he also needs to be able to show that he's a competent enough thrower to keep defense as honest. Because, you know, when you bring Jaylon Miller in and you have this package of mostly running plays, well, if he's not showing that he can throw the football and complete passes, that sort of tips off the defense as to what's coming

when he's in there. That said, still might not be easy to stop just because he's such a, just a gifted runner. But, you know, like, you can't put the ball on the ground three times like he did in that game. And look, he's a young quarterback and mistakes are going to happen. But three fumbles, three lost fumbles is three lost fumbles. And I know he had some fumbles issues in college. And so, you know, all of this Jalen Mill Road package, like it's a very real thing that has very much been the plan. And I do think it's going to happen. But, you know, he's got to, he has to earn that and he has to not lose that opportunity by, you know, coughing up the football.

And, you know, I don't, I don't, not convinced it's going to be in every single game deal because, you know, to do that, they're going to have to keep three quarterbacks on the game day roster because I, I, I sort of doubt right now that, again, just based on the fact that he is clearly the number three behind Drew Locke. Like, if it got to a situation where Sam Donald got hurt, they would put Drew Locke in the game. And so what that means is if you're going to have this package for Milro, you've got to have him be the third of three quarterbacks on your game day roster. Well, sometimes that's not easy to dress three quarterbacks just because your roster might need that spot for someone else that day. So I think there's going to be some days where he's maybe not active. But when he's active, you know, there are going to be, you know, a couple plays a game where they are going to try to take advantage of his legs. The other interesting thing that no one really has talked about is I think it's easier said than done maybe to, you know,

let's say they've got this package of plays for Milrow at the goal line. Well, okay, so Sam Darnold takes them to the goal line. Now you're going to pull Sam Darnel out, the guy who just got you down there. I mean, I think if anybody is going to accept a situation like that, it's going to be Darnel just because he sounds like the ultimate teammate, like the really selfless guy. But, you know, I think there is going to be maybe sometimes where Clint Coobie at, is like, God, do you really want to not let Sam Dardell finish this drive off that he just, you know, played great on?

So I think that's kind of another just interesting dynamic of the whole situation. Speaking of running the football, if you had to guess or make a prediction right now, who finishes this year with more carries? Ken Walker or Zach Charbonnet? I think it's going to be Charbonnet. And that's a combination of just the fact that, you know, we all know that Ken Walker is at a hard time staying healthy. so he I don't think he's I wouldn't I don't feel super confident about his ability to play 15 games let alone 17 and you know we know what Charbonnet is he's just Mr. Reliable so there's just the durability factor and then there's also just the fact that it's very clear how high Seahawks coaches are on Charbonnet and you know part of that is I think in contrast to the fact that Ken Walker has been you know so in and out of over the spring and the summer with a couple injuries.

And meanwhile, Charbonnet is there every day doing the right thing every single time, running tough, being assignment sound, holding on to the football, you know, being great in pass protection, just doing every single thing right. And, you know, I think there's maybe some people in the building who would maybe even prefer to see Charbonnet take over as the lead guy just because you know exactly what you're getting. Now, all of that said, like, as much as I've talked about, you know, how much of a bigger role Charbonnet, I think, is going to have because of, you know, relative to other people's expectations, I mean, not necessarily relative to Walker. You know, for all of the talk about that, look, you get those guys on the field, and you see Ken Walker take a hand off and dart through the defense and then outrace everybody for a 60-yard touchdown.

Like, there is, that it's a good reminder that he just is different. He has explosiveness that Charbonnet doesn't have and that, frankly, a lot of running backs in the NFL do not have. And so I think with Walker, you know, you've got to take kind of the unreliable bad with just the game-breaking good. And I think that's going to be the reality for them this season. But I just think all in all, when it's all said and done, between the fact that they love Charbonnet as much as they do and the fact that Walker is probably going to miss a few games, I do. my guess I would give a slight edge to Charbonnet having a few more carries. Well, hopefully the offensive line can open up some more holes for those guys compared to last season because it seems like Kenny Walker's always like

and it bounces it to the outside like every time because there's nothing there. I do want to ask you about the defense just real quick here. If there's one thing the defense is going to be good at, what is it? If there's one thing it's going to struggle with, what is that? Well, you know, let's start with the struggling. I think stopping the run is, you know, they obviously got a lot better of that. Remember, that was kind of a disaster for the first, you know, what, third of the season or so. That's why Tyrell Dodson was jettison, probably why Jerome Baker was not there anymore.

And it got better, but, you know, I just, I wonder what kind of impact it's going to have that Jonathan Hankins has missed so much time. not that he was a fantastic run defender last year. I mean, he is, you know, he's 33-year-old guy who was just kind of one piece of that, but, you know, he hasn't been there. So I'm not really sure what that nose tackle situation is going to look like. I think they'll end up being fine just because they've got a lot of other talents around him on that defensive line. And, you know, Byron Murphy can play some nose. Jerry can do some of that.

So I don't want to overstate the, you know, not having Hankins for the first few guys. games of the season, whatever it ends up being. But, I mean, in terms of what they might not do well, you know, I think for as good as that defense played, was playing by the end of the last season, I think there was a lot more room for growth in terms of taking the ball away. And, you know, that was one thing that Mike McDonald said. So what are they going to do really well? Gosh, I don't know if I can point to like a single strength of theirs.

I mean, I think the pass rush. You know, I'm going to say the pass rush just because you've got, you should have enough guys who can win just with a standard rush. You know, like they don't have, and I think I've used the analogy of the pitching rotation with you guys right now, like they don't have an ace pass rusher. They have a lot of good number two and number three starters. And, you know, I think they have like a rotation full of number two and number three guys. If you turn into Wosu, we'll see when exactly he's ready to play. I don't know if it's going to be week one, but it does sound like it's going to be before week five because obviously he started on the active roster.

And, you know, Derek Hall, I think he has 10-sack, double-digit sack potential. Boyam Maffei obviously has that potential. He's almost been there. And DeMarcos Lawrence, I think at one point he might have been an ace in his career, but, you know, he's 33 years old. he's probably more of a number two and number three guy right now. So you've got a lot of good pass rushers, and that's not to, you know, they also got the interior guys.

I think Byron Murphy could take a pretty significant step forward to season. So you've got a lot of good pass rushers, and then obviously with that defense, you know, Mike McDonald has the ability to, you know, kind of simulate pressure and really make life difficult on quarterbacks. And so I think that's one thing. Probably pressuring the quarterback is going to be the thing that they do best. and we'll see about the rug defense.

Okay, Brady, most importantly of all, week three, the Seahawks host New Orleans at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. How are you going to cover that and watch the Ryder Cup at the same time? Well, wait a minute. I thought now the Ryder Cup was the following week. Oh, is it the following?

Is it the 28th? Okay. Yeah, and as a matter of fact, I was really looking forward to the fact that that's a Thursday game that the Seahawks are playing. Oh, then. Your boy is going to be on his couch watching the Ryder Cup all weekend. Okay, my mistake then. I just got that. I get dates wrong quite often, actually. Oh, you scared me there. I thought that I had this grand plan in my mind, and I thought that it was all going to be for naught.

Congratulate, you know what? I think that might be Canucks training camp that starts at that time. But Brady, Brady, of course, knows all about that. What do you think of Keegan's decision? not play himself. Yeah. You know what? I think that it would have been, there would have been so much pressure on him because, you know,

there's already pressure enough on the Ryder Cup captain to just push all the right buttons and to make all the right hearings and all that and even to pick the right guys in the first place. And then you add the pressure and there's already so much pressure of just playing in the Ryder Cup itself with everything that's at stake,

with the crowds. Obviously they have a home crowd but I just there would be so that is so much pressure to play both of those roles I thought that look he he seems like pretty steely guy and I thought you know after what he had a top 10 at the tour championship didn't he yep so I thought there was a chance you know certainly after he won at the travelers where he stole that one away from your guy Tommy Fleetwood I really thought I would have loved to see it but I just think probably the more prudent thing to do. If he wasn't going to be one of those automatic qualifiers,

I think the prudent thing to do is to pick someone else and just make your contribution by being the captain and making all the right decisions. Okay, well, I hope the Ryder Cup doesn't come between us. Of course, my dad is from England, so I always cheer for Europe.

And also Canada, we've got a king here. We've got a king, and we're loyal. Yeah, I was going to ask you, what does what does Canada route? Where does Canada are for in the Ryder Cup. Is it typically the Euros? I think mostly euros. Yeah, but probably.

Yeah, and these days, yeah. Brady, thanks for joining us, buddy. We'll catch up soon. Looking forward to the Seahawks season. All right, thanks for having me, guys. See you. Thank you. Brady Henderson, our Seahawks Insider from ESPN here on the Halverton Brough Show on Sportsnet 652 hours

in the books. Thomas Trance from the Athletic Vancouver and Kinnockstock is going to join us to kick off hour three in just a few moments. He has a new piece up at the athletic. Had an exclusive one-on-one interview with Abbotsford Canucks head coach, Mani Malhotra, talked about what many learned en route to last year's

Calder Cup championship. That's all coming up next. Canucks talk on the other side. You're listening to the Halford and Brough Show on Sportsnet, 650.