Season 6, Games 9 & 10: Dreams of perfection dashed but home field advantage is secured

Seattle falls short of historic regular season, splits final series with Cleveland 

One week after appearing invincible, Seattle was proven to be quite mortal. Closing out the sixth regular season of Tecmo Bowl Draft League (TBDL trademark pending) with a home-and-home set with rival Cleveland, Seattle crushed Cleveland in the first game before sputtering on both sides of the field in game 2.

Game one saw the first touchdown surrendered by the Seattle Doomsday Defense. The Cleveland TD made the score 14-7 but BJ "The Pink Demon" Edmonds delivered a spine-buster of a kick return with 0 seconds left in the first half. 

BJ Edmonds ended any hope for Cleveland in game 1 with this monster kick return to end the half

Cleveland would indeed score again in the second half but Seattle rolled to a 35-14 win. Based Phil Simms threw for 3 scores (two to THE

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Vance Johnson and one more to Mark Clayton) and ran for a 4th score.

Phil Simms lopes into the endzone. This reporter wonders if the viscious hit he absorbed from Cleveland's Dave Duerson affected his play in the second game of the home-and-home set

Simms folded like a cheap wallet in game 2, this time on the road in front of the hostile unwashed masses in Cleveland. Simms threw an interception and took several sacks due to indecisiveness.

"I don't know WHAT the hell was wrong with that guy," said Coach Don Shula. "He's been reading his own press clippings I'm guessing."

Even with Simms exuding virgin energy, Seattle found itself with the ball and a chance to win following a bizarre special teams gaffe by Cleveland. Instead of simply punting and leaving Seattle 20 seconds to traverse 80 or more yards, the punter held onto the ball in an attempt to drain the clock. He got caught slippin' however and was sacked, turning the ball over near midfield. 

What followed was an intense a drive as has ever been seen: Cleveland's smothering defense forced an improbable 4th and 14 completion to Mark Clayton. This was immediately followed by an even more improbably long bomb back to Clayton, putting Seattle at the 3 yard line with 1 second left.

Shula's attempt at misdirection was sniffed out by Charles Haley and Marcus Allen was stuffed at the line of scrimmage as time expired. 

Marcus Allen gets stuffed at the line of scrimmage, ending Seattle's dreams of a perfect season.

The loss sends Seattle to the postseason on a sour note but they will have the luxury of playing at home. 

Season 6, game 8: Where did the offense go?

 

A steely stand by the Seattle Defensive 9 and a field goal that fluttered just short preserved a win against Chicago, despite the season's worst offensive performance

Based Phil Simms became Cringe Phil Simms against a rugged Chicago defense. He wasted a long kick return to open the second half by panicking in the pocket and throwing a pick, and then took a huge sack when a deep ball to wide open Vance Johnson would have broken the game open in the 4th quarter.

Simms did manage to find Mark Clayton in the endzone for the game's only touchdown. 

Thank God for the Tecmo Bowl lasso, amirite folks

The big story though was the Seattle DOOM defense, which for the second straight week didn't fold at the game's critical moments. Chicago this season hearkens back to Seattle's season 4 squad, with a ton of speed on defense but not much firepower on offense. Like that Seattle team, Chicago is anchored by running back Herschel Walker.

The DOOM defense never let Walker get loose in a meaningful way and kept QB Jim McMahon limited to poor passing options. Perfectly timed blitzes pinned the Chicago offense at the outer limit of kicker Chuck Nelson's range, and his attempt at a game winner came up just short.

Chuck Nelson got damn near all of this, but it still fell short.

Seattle has a two-gamer against rival Cleveland to finish their season. 

Season 6, Game 7: Seattle holds on in hurricane country

 

Children wept, women fainted, and men wretched in their nachos as last second INT seals Seattle victory

Seattle remained unbeaten on the season but just barely, defeating Miami 9-3 on the road to complete the season sweep on their most bitter rivals.

Seattle really seemed to be getting the better of Miami for the majority of the game. The Miami offense couldn't move the ball, the defense couldn't keep Seattle off their side of the field. But Seattle's inability to finish drives put the ball in Miami QB Doug Williams' hands with the chance to win the game.

Williams nearly pulled it off, taking advantage of the Seattle Defensive 9 focusing on running back Erik Dickerson to methodically work downfield. Williams found particular success feeding star receiver Anthony Carter, a fact not lost on Seattle as the game reached the critical moment.

"Once we saw that formation, everybody in the damn stadium knew where the ball was going," said Seattle Head Coach Don Shula. "The question was, could we make the play?"

The answer was a big 10-4 good buddy, as Darrell Green nabbed one of the biggest user INTs in franchise history.

Darrell Green breaks on the throw to Anthony Carter, making the interception that sealed the 9-3 win.

For the first time all season the Seattle offense was kept out of the endzone, but still turned in an admirable effort. Seattle moved the ball consistently and Norm Johnson deposited 3 field goals through the uprights, his best effort of the year.

How many times did you think you'd find yourself saying, "Great job, Norm"? Probably not many but he earned the game ball in this one.

Seattle was pushed to its limit but didn't yield. They now stand at 7-0, with two against Cleveland and a game against Chicago remaining on their schedule.

Seattle announces 5-season Anniversary Team

 At halftime of the Seattle-New York tilt, the defending league champions received their rings and also formally announced their eagerly anticipated position-locked anniversary team.

QB - Mark Rypien brought home the trophy, and Tommy Kramer won more games in pink than any other quarterback. But BERNIE KOSAR (season 1) led the inaugural Seattle squad to a finals appearance and carved up a league filled with elite defensive talent. Kosar had many opportunities with defenses keyed on the run game and made the most of them. He, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders showed the world the efficacy of Tom Landry's offensive system.

RB - HERSCHEL WALKER (season 4) carried his squad as far as one man possibly could, coming up short in overtime in the finals. Coach Ron Meyer said, "Where would this team be without Herschel Walker? We probably wouldn't have bothered getting out of our cars in the parking lot." The defense got most of the plaudits that season but it was Walker's one-man show hauling the rock that kept Seattle in position to win.

WR1 - Gary Clark deserved strong consideration given his two tours in the PNW and penchant for playmaking. However VANCE JOHNSON (season 5) has a very strong claim to the most dominant offensive player in franchise history. A true lead receiver in every sense, Johnson moved the chains consistently via Joe Gibbs' hated curls attack, while also hauling in back-breaking bombs at key moments.

WR2 - When season 6 WR2 Mark Clayton was asked what he hoped to accomplish in Seattle, he said, "I'm just trying to be like Ricky." RICKY SANDERS (seasons 1 & 3) proved nearly uncoverable in his first tour and a credible deep bomber in his second stint with Seattle. The speedy Sanders will likely always be the standard against which all WR2s are measured by Regal Pink fans.

TE - Each season the personnel in Seattle changes but one guiding philosophy remains: "Tight Ends are extensions of the line, and are there to block." Seattle management doesn't place a high priority on speed at the position and the one time they had it, Mark Bavaro was traded for Carl Banks. Still, a few TEs have managed to make their mark. Cap Boso was a stalwart safety valve for QB Tommy Kramer, and RUSS FRANCIS (season 2) was a reluctant focal point of Marty Schottenheimer's offense. With WR2 Jerry Rice demanding the defenses' attention deep, Francis managed to move the chains whenever the sputtering Seattle offense that season was able to get a pass off.

OL - INDY OL (season 5). Bobby Humphrey grinding down the field and Ken Bell crushing dreams on kick returns was all possible thanks to this front 4.

RDE - Perhaps the most important position in Seattle's defensive scheme, the top DE spot has been manned by talents such as Leonard Marshall and Dexter Manley. But nobody else can reach the heights CHRIS DOLEMAN (season 5) scaled in terms of dominating the run game. Truly. Without Doleman, Seattle likely struggles to beat the mighty Cleveland run game even once. With him, Seattle went 3-0 against them on the way to the title.

DT - KEITH MILLARD (season 5) faced a lot of dedicated blocking schemes but Lord when he got free he was a terror. Interior play is much less of a hallmark than the edges for Seattle but Millard is easily the best.

NT - BILL PICKEL (season 4) was one half of the best pass rushing combo in Seattle history. Charged with clogging up the interior on most plays, when Pickel was able to pin his ears back he brought heat faster on playpicks than anyone ever has in the PNW.

LDE - Charles Mann was as good in season 2 as he's been in season 6, but HOWIE LONG (season 4) was unmatched at his position as both a key defender and a dedicated pass rusher. 

ROLB - CARL BANKS (season 4) was the trade that launched 1,000 salty tears in the Tecmo Bowl Draft League. Fair or no (obviously fair) once Banks was in Seattle he delivered a performance for the ages, dominating in both coverage and run defense. Probably the single best defender the Regal Pink has ever had.

MLB - Interior linebackers often occupy the role of furniture in the Seattle defensive game. EUGENE LOCKHART (season 5) was the rare exception, providing a strong pass rush on blitzes and very capable coverage against shotgun formations that allowed the killer defensive line to concentrate on getting to the quarterback. 

LOLB - DUANE BICKETT (season 1) was drafted to anchor the bottom half of the defense and to threaten opposing field goal kickers to stay off the field. In both endeavors he was largely successful, overshadowed only by Ronnie Lott on a dangerous inaugural defensive unit.

FS - RONNIE LOTT (seasons 1 & 2) is the most versatile defender in team history. An epic special teams gunner, the key defender in season 1, and a mega-drone in season 2, Lott did it all. 

SS - Traditionally not a position emphasized by the Seattle front office, season 3's DENNIS SMITH was pressed into service often to try to relieve the pressure on star linebacker Wilber Marshall. Handicapped by a critical lack of defensive speed and an offense that couldn't stop turning the ball over, season 3's 9 is the worst the PNW has seen. Yet, Smith did manage to give a decent accounting of himself as a playmaker. 

P - SEAN LANDETA (season 1) not much to say here. In a super-talented league, Landeta's leg played a huge role in giving Seattle's defense strong field position.

K - JESS ATKINSON (season 4) is one of the few kickers ever expected to go out and win a game, which he did in a critical come from behind win over hated Miami.

KR - KEN BELL (season 5) is unquestionably the greatest return man in team history, taking 5 kicks to the house. This included 2 in a win against Cleveland, which coach Joe Gibbs later said saved the season, and 1 with no time on the clock at the half in the championship game.

Season 6 Games 5 & 6: Seattle welcomes NY to ATFC with 2 Thumpings

Was the fix in? Odd second half behavior by New York prompts speculation Vegas mobsters may have influenced the games

The Seattle Regal Pink held court over New York in a home-and-home, jumping out to big leads before the NY 9 seemingly quit on the field in both games. Seattle won 24-3 on the road swing and 17-0 on their home field.

Prior to NY throwing in the towel Seattle had its way through the air, adding 5 more aeriel touchdowns to their season total. Mark Clayton wriggled his way into the endzone twice. 

Shifty Mark Clayton gives Duane Bickett the slip for the 1st of his two scores in 2 games.

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Vance Johnson caught 3 scores, 1 on a bomb and two more on the infamous Sophie's Choice, in which the Seattle QB rolls to the top, with an open receiver on the other side of the field. Should the defense remain in tight coverage, the QB strolls in, while if the D rushes in, the QB drops a dime right over their heads for a score. Based Phil Simms said after game two, "I've never worried, not once in my life. It's the other people who worry because they know I'm a genuine dual threat."

Sophie's Choice in action, here New York rushed QB Based Phil Simms who hit Vance Johnson for the touchdown each time

The powerful Seattle defense kept New York's favorite son OJ Anderson from ever getting on track, which made for a long day for QB Dan Marino. Marino did manage to hit some throws that a lesser man might have seen get intercepted.

The presence of ace FG blocker Duane Bickett meant all but the shortest field goal attempts were off the table, though Norm Johnson did manage to smack a few through the uprights. Johnson also made 5 for 5 extra point attempts, a rare feat in a league with consistently excellent pressure on these short kicks.

Seattle moves to 6-0, with the black heart of its season awaiting them in the next 4 weeks.

 

Season 6 games 3 & 4: The West Coast Belongs to Seattle

 

Based Phil Simms bombs Los Angeles

Deep throws for Seattle, broke hoes for Los Angeles as the Seattle Regal Pink took 2 from their conference rivals.

In two games Phil Simms threw for 3 scores (two to Vance Johnson) and ran for another. Running back Marcus Allen continued his newfound penchant for big plays on his second of tour of duty in the PNW, scoring once on the ground and once on a reception.

Marcus Allen gives Seattle a lead they wouldn't relinquish in game one.

Defensively the Doomsday crew focused most of their psychic energy on all-Galaxy running back Bo Jackson. The Seattle 9 dared LA to beat them through the air but first downs were scarce for Boomer Esiason and Co.

Dexter Manley stonewalls Bo Jackson at the 5 on the first possession of game one. LA wouldn't get this close to a TD again in either game.

BJ "The Pink Demon" Edmonds and Norm "How Do I Have a Job" Johnson both performed admirably on special teams as Seattle stakes themselves to a 4-0 record.

Season 6 game 2: Seattle 9s dominant in conference opener

 

Offense, Defense, hell even special teams shine in victory over rival Miami

Seattle welcomed fans back to the ol' home ballfield with a thunderous win over Miami to open conference play.

Phil Simms tossed 3 scores, 2 to Vance Johnson and one to Mark Clayton on a 33-yard bomb with seconds left in the 1st half that sent an elated Seattle team to the locker room with a comfortable lead.

Mark Clayton hauls in a touchdown pass that stunned Miami right before half

Simms, Johnson and Clayton showed strong early returns as the best passing trio in the PNW since season 1's Kosar-Clark-Sanders combo.

It was however the contributions of two men under intense scrutiny that really broke Miami's back. Marcus Allen, who entered the season viewed as a change-of-pace back in a city that loves it's power run games, broke off a stunning and electrifying 64-yard run that set up the Regal Pink's first touchdown.

Marcus Allen leads the pack on a 64 yard run.

When fielding a roster this offseason, Seattle management kept in mind the contributions of sure-fire team Hall of Fame return man Ken Bell to their season 5 championship. The front office prioritized a play-making returner rather than a strong kick game, placing their faith in BJ "The Pink Demon" Edmonds. Edmonds repaid that confidence by opening the second half with a return deep into Miami territory that Norm Johnson converted into a field goal that essentially sealed the game at 15-0.

The Defensive 9 pitched its second consecutive shutout, forcing multiple turnovers and bullying star running back Eric Dickerson out of the stadium. Miami installed Dan Reeve's balanced offensive attack for the first time and looks to grow into the offense as the season continues.