Tag Archives: Jimmy Graham

November 30, 2015 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Steelers at Seahawks

Here’s a video breakdown showing Russell Wilson’s great passing day vs. Pittsburgh.

The Seahawks placed Jimmy Graham on IR and promoted A.J. Francis from the practice squad. Bob Condotta also runs down a bunch of other injuries.

Pete Carroll expects Graham back in time for the 2016 season.

Once again, the Seahawks are without their major offensive trade acquisition. It worked out fine in 2013 and 2014.

After an admirable performance vs. Pittsburgh, DeShawn Shead will remain the starting cornerback opposite Richard Sherman.

The defensive line could be a little light against Minnesota.

Paul Richardson should make it back after missing two games. He was injured in his season debut while catching a 40-yard pass vs. Arizona.

The turnover margin and score finally matched up for a Seattle win.

CHAWK LINES, State of the team, Week 12: Pittsburgh

Like 2012, Wilson is heating up

November 29, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Wilson and Baldwin vs Steelers Seattle’s record-setting win over Pittsburgh is the latest evidence that this season is shaping up a lot like 2012.

That year, Russell Wilson’s first, the offense did little to help through the first half of the season — relying on the defense to carry the way for the rookie quarterback. The unit held five of the first six opponents under 14 points, and Wilson did just enough to help keep the Hawks floating around .500.

But then things swung the other way around this time of the season, as the defense faltered and Wilson took over the offense and led the charge into the second round of the playoffs.

On Sunday, the defense gave up 538 yards to Pittsburgh and Wilson put together his most prolific passing day (345 yards and five touchdowns), and it looks like that 2012 pattern is repeating itself.

Continue reading Like 2012, Wilson is heating up →

CHAWK LINES, Week 10: Cardinals

November 10, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Paul Richardson is expected to make his season debut Sunday vs. Arizona.

Jeremy Lane is “one day at a time,” but Russell Okung is expected to play vs. Arizona after missing the Dallas game.

Ricardo Lockette returned to Seattle. Okung and Marshawn Lynch had stayed in Dallas with him last week.

Michael Bennett talks his usual goofy gibberish about his fine for hitting Matt Cassel and other things.

Nice feature from ESPN’s Sheil Kapadia on Cliff Avril, who lost his dad earlier this year and has been playing as well as ever this season.

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State of the team, The roster

Midseason position evaluation

November 9, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks have been highly disappointing this season as the combined effects of a Super Bowl hangover (i.e., not fully trusting Pete Carroll anymore), contract squabbles and new additions have yielded the worst-case scenario: a 4-4 record.

But, they won two straight before their bye and now have a chance to redeem themselves in the final eight games.

Let’s take a look at each position to see how it has performed, what it needs to do better the rest of the year and what it might look like next year.

QUARTERBACK

Russell Wilson is completing a career-high 68.8 percent, but that has done nothing to help the offense in the red zone, where Seattle is the league’s worst offense.

Wilson’s crew has been the main culprit in meltdown losses against Cincinnati and Carolina – games the Hawks should have won.

Wilson is in his fourth season now and should be playing at a consistently high level, but he is not. Some of that is due to the subpar OL in front of him, some of it is due to the inconsistent play calls, some of it is due to him.

Wilson needs to have more urgency. He needs to change plays more at the line. He needs to account for blitzers. He needs to move more to create better passing lanes. He needs to find his open receivers more quickly and get the ball out fast.

The Hawks have little room for error in the second half, and Wilson needs to play like it.

Continue reading Midseason position evaluation →

CHAWK LINES, Week 9: Bye

November 3, 2015 cc Leave a comment

What do the Seahawks think of their situation entering their midseason bye?

The offensive line played pretty well in Dallas, but Pete Carroll is correct when he says, “It’s just one game. It doesn’t mean you’ve made it over the hump.”

Field Gulls broke down the way the Seahawks used the middle of the field.

The Seahawks have been using Jimmy Graham more and more.

As expected, the Hawks made no trades. They really had no room to do so unless they wanted to swap big-salaried players or make a minor deal that probably would not help.

The Seahawks were emotionally rattled by Ricardo Lockette’s neck injury and incorrectly called the hit by Jeff Heath a “dirty play.” (Lockette clearly ran right into him.)

Lockette had neck surgery is expected to spend the week in Dallas.

Jeremy Lane is expected to start practicing next week but not return until perhaps Week 11. Will he reclaim his nickel back spot?

State of the team, Week 8: At Dallas, X's & O's

This is Seattle’s worst offense under Wilson

November 3, 2015 cc 1 Comment

Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense are getting lots of credit for a 17-play drive that yielded the winning field goal in Dallas — the first time in four chances this season Wilson has led a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime.

But let’s not let one very inefficient winning drive confuse the facts: This is the worst offense the Seahawks have had with Wilson at quarterback.

The Seahawks scored just once in the skintight 13-12 win in Dallas — the fourth time in eight games they have tallied one TD on offense. In the four other games, they have scored just two TDs. They have yet to score three touchdowns in a game.

In fact, they are the only offense in the league not to put up a TD trifecta. New England has done it in all seven. Arizona has done it five times. Even Oakland has done it four times and Jacksonville three.

Pete Carroll likes to say “it can’t be pretty and perfect all the time” or some silly copout like that, but does it really have to be so ugly and imperfect every damn game? The answer, Pete, is no. No, it doesn’t. If you knew anything about offense, you would have figured that out by now.

Continue reading This is Seattle’s worst offense under Wilson →

State of the team, The roster

P-Rich’s return will mean more later, but just imagine him & Lockett

October 27, 2015 cc Leave a comment

If the Seahawks actually gave Russell Wilson enough time to throw the ball consistently, the return of Paul Richardson would mean a lot more.

As it is, his impending return — whether this week or after the bye — won’t add much to the offense. Not immediately anyway.

But, if the Seahawks can get to the point where Wilson has time to throw some deep balls, Richardson and Tyler Lockett should offer a great deep duo.

Continue reading P-Rich’s return will mean more later, but just imagine him & Lockett →

Schedule, State of the team, Week 6: Carolina

Odds look bad, but Hawks can still win NFC West

October 19, 2015 cc 1 Comment

“This league drives you to 8-8.” — Seahawks general manager John Schneider.

John Schneider has said it more than once: The NFL is built for parity and staying on top is a tough task.

Well, at a stunning 2-4, the Seahawks have a long way to go just to get to .500, and their playoff chances, based on history, do not look good. Since 1990, just 14 of 168 teams to start 2-4 have reached the playoffs (per NFL Stats). That’s an 8.3% chance.

But, the Seahawks are a team that has been made for rallies, and Pete Carroll and the players are optimistic they will figure out how to close out opponents and get it going. Plus, the NFC West is still very much within reach.

Continue reading Odds look bad, but Hawks can still win NFC West →

CHAWK LINES, Week 6: Carolina

October 18, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Sounds like a Seahawks fan tried to give the Panthers a taste of what it feels like to be playing in the early morning. Not cool.

The Panthers always come along at a critical point for the Seahawks.

Even former Seahawk Kevin Norwood — now a Panther — thinks this game is pivotal.

Dave Boling thinks the Seahawks will use Carolina as a springboard again.

Tight ends are still a problem for Seattle — and Greg Olsen is coming to town.

Rob Rang has three key matchups, including Olsen vs. Kam Chancellor and Kevin Pierre-Louis.

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State of the team, Week 6: Carolina

Different year but same opponent and problems

October 18, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Almost a year ago, the Seahawks were in the exact position they are in now — struggling to find themselves as they prepared to face the Carolina Panthers.

The Seahawks have many of the same problems they had last year at this time: Their defense has had trouble against tight ends as Greg Olsen comes to town; their interception total is uncommonly low; Bobby Wagner is hurt; Marshawn Lynch is a story; the offense is in transition; and Derrick Coleman won’t play again.

Continue reading Different year but same opponent and problems →