Injury report, State of the team

Michael & Brown might have to carry running game to Super Bowl

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“In this system, we’ve never not had a good back. Whoever it is can go for a thousand. I’m not worried about that so much. … Hopefully (Marshawn Lynch is) with us. If he’s not, then we move on. That’s fine.” — Tom Cable in June 2014.

Tom Cable was right: The Seahawks don’t need Marshawn Lynch. And it turns out they don’t really need Thomas Rawls either — as spectacular as he had been in relief of Lynch.

The Seahawks are a system running team — and, once the five linemen are in sync in their zone scheme, it is tough to stop the system. The Hawks proved that again Sunday, when they rolled up 182 rushing yards with two new backs — born-again Seahawk Christine Michael and Bryce Brown.

And, based on Pete Carroll’s comments Wednesday, Michael and Brown will be the ones to carry the Seahawks’ ground game into the playoffs, if not through to the Super Bowl.

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State of the team, Week 15: Cleveland

Secret to Wilson’s Zone? Gotta be the shoes

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The Zone.

It’s that elusive feeling that athletes or any competitive people strive for — that je ne sais quoi that makes them invincible for a stretch, allows them to be almost superhuman, enables them to make it look so easy.

Russell Wilson is in the Zone.

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CHAWK LINES, Week 15: Cleveland
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chawk lines -- Browns

Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin added two more TD connections, continuing their historic streak.

Pete Carroll said the Seahawks’ 182 rushing yards vs. Cleveland with new running backs were a “really good statement.”

Marshawn Lynch is in a “race against time” to see if he can play again this season, Carroll told 710 ESPN.

Appropriately, Ahtyba Rubin made the playoffs for the first time by beating his former team.

As fully expected, the Cardinals won the NFC West and the Seahawks will be a wild card.

Michael Bennett came out during pregame introductions wearing a Darth Vader mask.

 

Franchise history, NFL draft, State of the team, Week 15: Cleveland

Michael, Hill reminders of bad 2013 draft

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Michael to CowboysJohn Schneider and Pete Carroll built the Seahawks into Super Bowl contenders using three strong drafts to start their tenure.

Of their 28 draft choices from 2010 to 2012, 17 contributed in some fashion, a dozen became full-time starters and six have been named to the Pro Bowl at least once. Those three drafts were a great foundation for consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

Then there was 2013. It was a bad draft year for the entire NFL — and Seattle certainly didn’t buck the odds.

Christine Michael’s somewhat surprising return to Seattle and Jordan Hill’s latest injury are reminders.

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CHAWK LINES, Week 15: Cleveland
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chawk lines -- Browns

Bob Condotta analyzes the re-signing of Christine Michael.

Although Michael is back, Bryce Brown figures to get most of the carries Sunday vs. Cleveland.

Tyler Lockett, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Steven Hauschka are among the top two at their positions in Pro Bowl voting.

It looks like Chancellor will not play Sunday.

Here’s a look at the stats of the Browns (3-10) and Seahawks (8-5).

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The roster

Hawks cut Harris in flurry of moves

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In what really came as no surprise Tuesday, the Seahawks released running back DuJuan Harris among a flurry of moves.

They also cut defensive back Akeem Davis and wide receiver B.J. Daniels while placing Thomas Rawls on injured reserve.

Those moves made room for the team to sign running back Bryce Brown and tight end Chase Coffman while activating linebacker Brock Coyle from IR. They have one spot open on the 53-man roster.

They also terminated three from their practice squad: WR Antwan Goodley, DT Justin Hamilton and LB Alex Singleton.

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Injury report, State of the team, Week 14: At Baltimore

Lynch appears out for final three games

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Lynch stretchingAnyone hoping Marshawn Lynch will be back before the season finale in Arizona had better rethink that idea. In fact, it appears the Seahawks might be lucky to have Lynch back for the playoffs.

Pete Carroll said Monday he doesn’t know whether Lynch, who had abdominal surgery Nov. 25, will return before the playoffs.

“He went through a big surgery. He’s got a lot to get through, and he’s got to get past that, whatever impact that’s had,” Carroll said. “He’s got to get back into shape and get going. … He hasn’t been able to go yet very hard. He’s going to have to work through that and get himself going again and come back and show that he’s back and ready to go.”

Asked about the timeframe, Carroll said, “I don’t know. We won’t know until the work starts happening.”

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State of the team, Week 14: At Baltimore

Wilson’s streaking & Rawls is out, but Hawks are still a running team

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Rawls and Wilson vs. RavensIt’s becoming harder and harder for the Seahawks to remain a running team.

With Thomas Rawls suffering a season-ending broken ankle in Baltimore and Marshawn Lynch unlikely to return until the playoffs — if then — this offense is all Russell Wilson’s now. But the Seahawks, who came into the game as the NFL’s leading rushing team, clearly are determined to keep running it.

Wilson continued to chew up depleted NFL defenses, throwing five more touchdown passes in a 35-6 win in Baltimore, giving him 16 TD passes and no interceptions in the last four games against San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Baltimore. He is the third player to do that in a season, joining Tom Brady (2007) and Peyton Manning (2013).

Wilson also has the 28th four-game streak with three TD passes since 1960; there have been seven streaks of at least five games with three TDs (per Pro Football Reference).

On top of that, Wilson is the first player to have at least three passing TDs and no interceptions while completing 70 percent in four straight games, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

The Seahawks might seem to have a bit of an identity crisis, but don’t be fooled by Wilson’s gaudy numbers: This is still a running team, and they will have to figure out how to keep it such.

Continue reading Wilson’s streaking & Rawls is out, but Hawks are still a running team →