Tag Archives: K.J. Wright

Midseason position evaluation

Rams Carroll Sept. 13The 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 -- Seahawks at Cowboys

Apparently, Thomas Rawls is not going to be able to play this week. Why else would the Seahawks sign Bryce Brown? The Hawks lost Rod Smith off waivers to Dallas two weeks ago, so they had to look elsewhere for reinforcements this time. B.J. Daniels was released for the second time this season.

Pete Carroll says K.J. Wright is having his best season (he’s great at defending screen plays, and he’s apparently not the one giving up big yards to tight ends).

Paul Richardson’s pending return highlights the general lack of contributions from the 2013 and 2014 draft classes.

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Defensive depth getting a tough test

Seahawks bandagesThe Seahawks are focusing this week on figuring out how to finish games, but a fair number might not even get in the game Sunday when they play the Carolina Panthers.

Of the 10 players on the Seahawks’ injury report Thursday, nine were defensive players – and their front seven suddenly has joined their secondary in making the entire defense a M*A*S*H unit.

That could create problems against Carolina, which comes in with the No. 4 rushing offense in the NFL (132.3 yards per game) and has the best toxic differential (turnover margin and big-play margin) in the league.

Continue reading Defensive depth getting a tough test

CHAWK LINES -- Bears at Seahawks

The Seahawks activated Kam Chancellor and waived Dion Bailey on Saturday. Bailey could end up back on the practice squad.

As Chancellor returns, the Seahawks are starting over.

The Jimmy Graham Conundrum explained by the principals.

The Chancellor saga showed new Seahawks fans it’s not all fun and games. Will they welcome him back Sunday vs. Chicago?

#CHIvsSEA will pit the Bennett brothers against each other for just the third time.

Three keys to the game from Seahawks.com include the Seahawks stopping Matt Forte.

The Chicago Tribune (via The Seattle Times) breaks down five keys to the game.

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Another fourth-round flunkout for Schneider

Norwood Aug. 18John Schneider has been hailed for his ability to find mid-round diamonds in the rough, but his track record in the fourth round certainly hasn’t been responsible for that reputation.

The trade of Kevin Norwood is the latest example. And, if rookie Terry Poole is let go this week as well, Schneider’s Round 4 record will take yet another hit.

Obviously, the fourth round is a bit of a crap shoot, but teams should hit on at least half of those picks. Since Schneider took over the Seahawks in 2010, the league average on successful fourth-rounders has been between 55 and 60 percent (not counting this year, of course).

But the fourth round has been Schneider’s worst — based on typical expectations. In his six drafts, Schneider has selected a league-high 12 players in the fourth. Of the 10 drafted before this year, just four remain — and only two have really done much to help the Hawks.

Fourth and short

Continue reading Another fourth-round flunkout for Schneider

CHAWK LINES -- Training camp new

Marshawn Lynch won’t have to pay his $75,000 fine for not talking after the NFC title game — provided he talks to the media going forward. So, be prepared for more variations of “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.”

Recovery Watergate is still overflowing with overreaction, with some people taking Russell Wilson’s comments far too seriously. Have a Recovery Glass of Wine and chill out, folks.

K.J. Wright said he felt like he gave up too many touchdowns last year — he is right — and he explained how he is going to fix it.

Tharold Simon thinks he’s going to compete for a starting gig. He also admits he was not prepared in the Super Bowl. Tell us something we don’t know, Simon. And, yeah, good luck with that starting job.

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Mixed results from offense, secondary as front seven dominates

Wagner vs. Chiefs Aug. 21The Seahawks entered their second preseason game with a lot of questions on the offensive line and secondary and came out with some mixed answers in a 14-13 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City.

They also showed what Jimmy Graham will do for them, saw more from Tyler Lockett and got another great game from their No. 1 front seven on defense.

With Justin Britt moving from right tackle to left guard and Garry Gilliam stepping in at right tackle, the offensive line performed much better than it had in the opener vs. Denver, which got seven sacks.

Wilson was not sacked as he completed 9 of 15 passes for 78 yards. But the first offense really struggled again to run the ball and could not get into the end zone. Robert Turbin ran for a mere four yards on six carries, and Christine Michael ran for 27 on 10 attempts (and also busted a running play by going the wrong way). It wasn’t any better than the first game, when the Seahawks totaled just 89 yards on 24 attempts.

Pete Carroll said he liked the pass protection but added, “We’re not running the ball as well as we would like at this time. … That might change once No. 24 (Marshawn Lynch) gets in there.”

He said the offensive line “did not get the movement we need.” He also confirmed that free-agent guard Evan Mathis is coming to Seattle for a physical Saturday.

Continue reading Mixed results from offense, secondary as front seven dominates

Wagner is worth $9M to league’s No. 1 defense

Defense with and without WagnerWhen Bobby Wagner signs his new contract — and it appears that could be in time for training camp next week — every offense that has to face the Seahawks’ defense for the next three seasons is going to shed a few more tears.

You would too if you knew the No. 1 defense of the last three years likely will remain that way for the next three — with Wagner, Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, K.J. Wright and Cliff Avril (and maybe Michael Bennett) all under contract. That’s seven starters signed through at least 2017. And that doesn’t count Cary Williams, Frank Clark or Kevin Pierre-Louis — expected key contributors all signed through 2017 as well. Continue reading Wagner is worth $9M to league’s No. 1 defense

CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Holdout Michael Bennett said he wants to be paid like the top seven players at his position, which would mean $10 million a year.

Russell Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, talked to 710 ESPN about contract negotiations.

Danny Kelly of Field Gulls wrote about the detailed technique Pete Carroll’s staff teaches cornerbacks. As we wrote a couple of years ago, the Pete Carroll Secondary School has been in session for 30 years.

Cary Williams appears to fit right in with the Legion of Boom. The Hawks think the 30-year-old’s best football will come in Seattle.

Field Gulls rounded up some radio interviews by Jordan Hill, Luke Willson and Jermaine Kearse.

K.J. Wright talked to 710 ESPN about new LBs coach Lofa Tatupu and new DC Kris Richard (recall that both of those guys played for Carroll at USC).

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” fan Bobby Wagner was voted by NFL peers as the 69th best player in the league, per NFL Network. Michael Bennett was No. 90. Six other Seahawks will be listed higher.

Kam Chancellor and Carroll think the Hawks are Super focused in the wake of the crushing end to last season.

Matt Bowen and Chris Simms of Bleacher Report look at Jimmy Graham and Tyler Lockett — Seattle’s two awesome new weapons.

Wilson was a guest speaker at Rodgers’ daughter’s graduation.

Wilson, Chancellor & the gang enjoy Aloha spirit

The Seahawks are having a good time bonding on Maui (my favorite vacation spot).

Russell Wilson has been joined by 20 teammates, including new additions Jimmy Graham and Cary Williams and all of the team’s starting linebackers.

The other players in attendance, according to Seahawks.com (and photos): tight ends Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet and RaShaun Allen; wide receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Kevin Norwood and Chris Matthews; running backs Demitrius Bronson and Derrick Coleman; cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Eric Pinkins and Will Blackmon; linebackers Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Mike Morgan; safeties Kam Chancellor and Dion Bailey.

Not surprisingly, Marshawn Lynch is not there. The guy’s a maverick loner, as we all know. Not sure why Robert Turbin and Christine Michael are not there. Earl Thomas, Paul Richardson, Jeremy Lane and Tharold Simon are recovering from surgeries.