First a little history for the lurkers and uninitiated.

This award was started at the beginning of the 2005 season, and was originally titled the Moonlight Graham Award, after my first Adopt-A-Seahawk Chris Davis, and the Burt Lancaster character in the movie Field of Dreams. In keeping with that character, this award is given out to the unsung player or players who step up to the plate and excel in the game, in one matter or another.

Last season, in order to update the award and better reflect my unhealthy attraction to gorgeous women who I don't have an ice cube's chance in hell with, it was renamed the Alba Dark Angel Award. This not only ties the award a little closer to my screen name, it allows me to illustrate the text with hidden pictures of Jessica! The purpose of the award remains the same, so without any further ado, let's get to the inaugural recipient for the 2007 season.

Watching the first half of the game on tape delay, thanks to a 2:00pm EST conflict with my son's Pop Warner game, I was afraid that the only viable candidate for this award would be Ryan Plackemeier! Sadly, my son's team was shut out for the entire game, where the Seahawk offense was able to break out of their funk shortly before halftime.

The 2007 season didn't really seem to start of the offense until Nate Burleson provided a startling wake up call with his 57 yard punt return that he nearly took to the house. However, he also did his Taco Wallace impression on a few other returns, running East-West rather than North-South, and nearly killed the momentum as quickly as he started it, when he fumbled the ball fighting for extra yardage. Here's a little Alba Advice for Nuclear Nate: don't try so damned hard. Let the game come to you and you'll be fine, and who knows, you may be waking up the morning after next to a beautiful Alba Dark Angel one day this season.

Early on in the game, it was looking like Marcus Pollard would wind up with this week's Alba, where he racked up most of his 5 drive sustaining catches for 43 yards - but most importantly no FUMBLES or DROPS! But while it's really great to see Mack Strong's contemporary fitting in so nicely with the Seattle offense, 5 catches for 43 yards just isn't enough to get you Week #1 iron. Keep up the good work though Marcus, I see one of these in your future.

Speaking of Tight Ends, former Seahawk Jerramy Stevens nearly had this week's trophy firmly in his grasp, however, just like the one ball that was thrown his way, he fumbled it, and then the damned refs ruined his homecoming by negating the play (and a turnover) by calling the first of two very ticky-tack roughing the passer penalties. Look at the bright side Jerramy, I think you'll have several weeks to think about this pitiful performance, once Goodell responds to your conviction. And since it's said that 'time passes', you'll probably drop that too.

But there was one player who stepped out of the shadows in this game, but before we get to that, I have to HonorAlba Mentions.

The first goes to Mike 'Tear the Cover Off the Playbook' Holmgren, who called a very aggressive and creative game plan, that included several WR and RB screen passes, a naked bootleg, and a FREAKIN FLEA FLICKER! Yes, you've read that correctly. The Walrus seemed to be channelling the spirit of Jack Patera there for a moment, when Shaun Alexander pulled up at the line and tossed the ball back to Matt. Unfortunately, the play was sniffed out by the aggressive Buccaneer defense, and actually cost us yardage, but it was refreshing to see some old-time razzle-dazzle out of the Seahawks offense.

The second goes to the Entire Team, which was only called for 3 penalties for 35 yards, two of which where B.S. roughing the passer calls, and none of which came on special teams.

And now, a drum roll please...

The Week #1 Alba Dark Angel Award for the 2007 is going to backup running back Mo Morris. When Mo Mo came into the game, the speed and efficiency at which he brought it to ultimate climax, might only be rivaled by a chance romantic encounter between this blogger and the namesake of this award! Looking at his stat line, 3 carries for 15 yards, 1 reception for 34 yards, it doesn't appear that he did much. But sometimes it's not so much WHAT you do, but WHEN you do it.

From the way that Shaun ripped off his chinstrap in anger shortly before MoMo entered the game, I was concerned that he had gotten hurt. But whether S.A. was dinged up, or just needed a blow, MoMo made the most of the opportunity to get into a game and affect the final outcome. While only gaining 15 yards, it seemed that each of his three carries produced a first down. And the one catch he had, scored the insurance touchdown the Seahawks needed to salt away the rest of the quarter and secure the victory.

So Mr. Morris, enjoy your night with this Alba Dark Angel. I can imagine that just like a night with the lovely Miss Jessica, in the morning you'll roll over and just want Mo, Mo, Mo!


[Comments taken in the SeahawkBlue Front Page Forum]

(don't forget to look for the hidden picture of Jessica!)

Labels: albaNY Hawker; Alba Dark Angel Award;