Art Thiel

There are a lot of new faces on the Seahawks this season. And that doesn't bode well for the team's chances. National media predict that the Seahawks will be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2011.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says he's having a hard time arguing against that prediction.

The 2011 University of Washington football season kicks off Saturday with a game against Eastern Washington at Husky Stadium.

There will be a lot of changes this year. And KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says that's a good thing.

University of Washington football fans are hoping for another bowl appearance this year. The Huskies open the 2011 season Saturday at home against Eastern Washington.

"When you have two quarterbacks, you have none."

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel quoted that old sports adage a few weeks ago, when the Seahawks decided to pass on veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in favor of two relatively inexperienced QBs.

After two preseason games, some experts and fans are questioning whether the Seahawks made the right choice in deciding who would be their new starter.

If you're a Seahawks fan, are you missing Matt Hasselbeck yet? The team declined to resign the veteran quarterback, prompting him to sign a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.

Instead, the Hawks are pinning their hopes on two quarterbacks this season – starter Tavaris Jackson and No. 2 guy Charlie Whitehurst. But neither is standing out during preseason play.

It's about time. That's what KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says about all the young players the Mariners have acquired recently.

Art has said for years that the Mariners need to grow their own talent, rather than waste millions of dollars on veteran free agents who are often on the decline. And he says the fresh young faces are giving fans some excitement in an otherwise dismal season.

The Mariners locker room is full of young faces these days. And KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says that's a good thing.

The University of Washington said this week it's close to reaching its fundraising goal for renovating Husky Stadium. KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says fans will benefit from this project, but don't have to pay for it.

You have to give up a lot to get a lot. That's what sports analysts are saying about the choices the Mariners made at the trade deadline last weekend. They gave up four pitchers for six players. Starting pitcher Erik Bedard is now with the Boston Red Sox and starter Doug Fister is a Detroit Tiger.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says the players the Mariners got in return look good on paper. But how will they look in the field and at the plate?

Just who are these guys? Mariners fans might be asking that question about the players the team acquired in trades with Boston and Detroit. Those trades this weekend sent pitchers Erik Bedard, Doug Fister, David Pauley and Josh Fields packing. 

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel shares his insights on the new players, and when we might see them having an impact. That's coming up tomorrow morning at 5:35 and 7:35 on 88.5 KPLU. Check back here tomorrow to find a blog of our conversation.

The football news came fast and furious this week. The NFL lockout ended. Training camp started. Players were released or signed by teams in a mad rush to prepare for a season that starts in just two weeks.

It was an intense period of personnel shuffling unprecedented in the NFL, and the Seahawks were right in the middle of it.

It's official today: Vince Young is out at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and former Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is in. Several media outlets are now reporting that Hasselbeck has agreed to a multi-year deal with the team.

They Mariners have now lost 12 straight games, plummeting out of playoff contention for another season.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says desperate times call for desperate measures. That includes thinking seriously about trading Ichiro Suzuki or Felix Hernandez.

With Major League Baseball's trade deadline looming at the end of the month, and given the Mariners recent plummet from contention, KPLU sports commentator says the M's need to make some big moves.

That means getting rid of some veterans like Ichiro Suzuki and Felix Hernandez ... and their big salaries.

Adding urgency to this move, the Mariners got swept today by the Blue Jays in Toronto, losing 7-to-5. They're losing streak now stands at 12.

She's dealt with a lot of drama on and off the soccer field. But former University of Washington star Hope Solo is at the top of her game as the United States Women's soccer team prepares to take on Japan for the World Cup title this Sunday.