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State of the team, Week 14: At Philadelphia, X's & O's

Seahawks need to flip red zone performance

December 4, 2014 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks’ matching 19-3 wins over Arizona and San Francisco the past two weeks have been impressive defensive feats — the lowest two-game total by Seattle opponents since the Hawks beat Philadelphia and San Francisco 83-3 late in their 2005 Super Bowl season.

Of course, led by coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, the 2005 Hawks had the best offense in the league (in yards and points) and were No. 2 in red zone scoring.

About the only thing this Seattle offense shares with that one is a strong running game. Russell Wilson’s offense has struggled to score touchdowns, especially over the last three games.

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Schedule, Week 14: At Philadelphia

Hawks don’t have to beat Eagles — unless they want a first-round bye

December 4, 2014 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks’ game this week in Philadelphia is full of great storylines — former Pac-12 coaching stars Pete Carroll vs. Chip Kelly, Carroll vs. his USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, the Seahawks’ No. 1 defense vs. the Eagles’ No. 4 offense.

And then there are the playoff implications.

The Hawks don’t need to win this game to make the playoffs. That can be accomplished by sweeping their divisional rivals in the final three weeks. But, if the Hawks want a shot at a first-round bye, they basically have to win this game.

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CHAWK LINES, Week 14: At Philadelphia

December 3, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Given the chance to do it again, Pete Carroll said he would have challenged tight end Tony Moeaki being ruled down at the 1-yard line on a 63-yard play last week against the 49ers. Plus, more highlights from Carroll’s media gathering today.

The Legion of Boom could be whole for the first time all season, with Jeremy Lane seeming likely to play at Philadelphia.

For the second straight week, the Legion of Boom won the NFC defensive award.

The Eagles say they won’t give Richard Sherman the Deion Sanders respect.

Mark Sanchez says he is not mad at Carroll for decrying his decision to go pro early in 2009.

Trent Cole says he did not mean to end Russell Okung’s season when the Eagles played in Seattle in 2011.

Chris Maragos, who was with the Seahawks from 2011 to 2013, talks about going from one great franchise to another.

State of the team, The roster

Schneider deserves credit for helping the Hawks stay in the race

December 3, 2014 cc Leave a comment

If the Seahawks are able to sustain their newfound energy and momentum and make a major run through the postseason, a lot of credit will go to the veteran players who pulled the team together after the Kansas City loss. A little more credit will go to coach Pete Carroll and his staff.

But let’s not forget a key figure who has helped keep the Hawks afloat amid injuries and drama this season: John Schneider.

The general manager has had his most active season since 2011, when he was still putting together a competitive team for Carroll.

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CHAWK LINES

December 1, 2014 cc Leave a comment

After Arizona lost Sunday, the Seahawks control their destiny (except for the No. 1 seed, where they need an unlikely loss by Green Bay).

More scuttlebutt about Marshawn Lynch retiring — or, laughably, leaving Seattle to join Tom Cable elsewhere. Really? Who is going to hire Cable as a head coach?

The media keeps thinking Lynch not talking is a big story.

The pass defense has returned to form, which explains the Seahawks’ rediscovered dominance, Jerry Brewer says.

Per Sports Press Northwest, Richard Sherman is the first player in 30 years to tally 23 interceptions in his first four years. The last two to do it? Everson Walls and Seahawks Ring of Honor member Kenny Easley.

This could be the first year without a flexed “Sunday Night Football” game. The Seahawks play Arizona on Sunday night, Dec. 21.

Week 14: At Philadelphia

Carroll undaunted by familiar Eagles

November 30, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Pete Carroll will see some familiar faces next Sunday when the Seahawks go to Philadelphia for the latest test in their second-half gauntlet, and he obviously has a bit of a jump on the preparation for Chip Kelly and Mark Sanchez.

“This will be a really interesting preparation,” he told 710 ESPN on Friday. “We’ve watched them a lot.”

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State of the team, The roster

Moeaki already has made offense better

November 29, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Tony Moeaki has made a heck of an impact in just three games with the Seahawks.

The tight end scored a touchdown in his first game — against his old team, Kansas City. He led the Hawks with four catches in the win against Arizona, making two first downs. And then he pulled off Seattle’s longest play of the year — a 63-yard gain that maybe should have been a 64-yard touchdown — against San Francisco.

It has been a heck of a start for a guy general manager John Schneider picked up four weeks ago to replace Zach Miller, who is out for the season with an ankle injury.

Russell Wilson already loves Moeaki and looks for him in key spots, like the broken play that resulted in the 63-yard pass play.

“Moeaki, man, that’s a tremendous football player,” Wilson said Thursday after the Seahawks’ 19-3 win over the 49ers. “He knows what to do, he runs tremendous routes, he has a great feel for the game, get in and out of his routes at the right time, he has unbelievable hands. His adjustment to us is pretty spectacular to see in terms of how quickly he has made a difference. We are excited to have him on our team and to see all the plays he makes.”

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State of the team, Week 13: At San Francisco

Hawks are back at the top — like it or not

November 28, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Pete Carroll talks with line judge Jeff Seeman and referee Tony Corrente before Seattle's game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Getty) — Not a good sign: This was Pete Carroll talking with line judge Jeff Seeman and referee Tony Corrente BEFORE Seattle was called for a season-high 14 penalties against the 49ers (Getty)

You know the Seahawks are back to normal when they are No. 1 again — not just in defense but in penalties.

It’s fairly obvious the two go hand in hand on Pete Carroll’s club.

When the defense is playing like it has the past two weeks, the Hawks can pretty easily overcome high penalty totals. Just ask all of the Hawks who were on the team in 2013, when the Hawks walked off with their first Super Bowl title despite leading the league in flags.

After drawing a season-worst 14 penalties for 105 yards Thursday in a 19-3 domination of the San Francisco 49ers, the Hawks once again lead the NFL in penalties. They had been as low as fourth over the last few weeks, but they have assumed their accustomed place.

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Week 13: At San Francisco

Hawks suddenly look like strong contender

November 28, 2014 cc Leave a comment

A week ago, the Seahawks were coming off a tough loss in Kansas City, sitting at a precarious 6-4, with a muddled team identity and facing the toughest finishing slate in the NFL. Needless to say, there were plenty of doubters.

It’s funny what five days can do to change a team’s image.

Thanks to an attitude adjustment on defense and the league’s top-ranked running attack, the Seahawks are suddenly looking pretty good for the playoffs.

A second straight 19-3 domination of a contending NFC West foe proved the Hawks are back to their 2013 form and ready to make a charge into the postseason.

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Week 13: At San Francisco

Hawks should finally win in San Francisco

November 27, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Is this finally the year the
Seahawks win at San Francisco?

They haven’t done it since 2008, going 0-4 in Pete
Carroll’s trips to his hometown. But a lot of things seem to be going their way for their first game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

1 — This has been a home-dominated series between Carroll’s Hawks and Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers, but the Hawks have gotten closer and closer to winning in the Bay Area. They lost by 19 in 2010 and 16 in 2011, and with Russell Wilson they have lost by seven and two. Extrapolate that improvement out and the Hawks seem set for a three-point win this time.

2 — The Seahawks are 11-1 in prime time under Carroll — a major reason they were shorted on night games this season despite winning the Super Bowl. Granted, the loss was in San Francisco on a Thursday night in 2012, but the Hawks have won seven straight night games, averaging 31 points.

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