Tag Archives: Pete Carroll

Seahawks don’t hesitate to add to social-issues conversation again

Jeremy LanePete Carroll encourages his Seahawks players to be themselves, which probably explains why more Seahawks are willing to express their opinions than players on many other teams.

Seahawks past and present have been engaging in a major discussion about injustices in society all summer, and it has risen to new levels this week in the wake of Colin Kaepernick’s oddly controversial protest.

Michael Bennett started talking about social injustice earlier this summer, calling out major NFL players for not joining NBA players in speaking out about police violence against black people.

Richard Sherman has voiced his opinion on Black Lives Matter and much more, too.

Russell Wilson, known for avoiding controversy, still made a little of the good kind when he refused to get married in North Carolina because of the state’s prejudicial bathroom law.

And now Kaepernick’s national anthem protest over police treatment of black people has expanded to include several current and former Seahawks.

Continue reading Seahawks don’t hesitate to add to social-issues conversation again

Roster status entering Game 3 vs. Cowboys

Dallas logoThe dress rehearsal has arrived.

The Seahawks will play their starters for three quarters against the Cowboys tonight, and their first priority will be for Russell Wilson and the offense to finally finish a drive.

So far, Wilson and company have been shut out this preseason.

“We’re just giving too many situations away, making it too difficult to keep the kind of rhythm that we like,” Pete Carroll said. “I like to see us play a lot sharper and see where that leads us. Does that allow us to move the football and score some points like we like to? I would bet it will.”

Wilson was sacked four times by Minnesota, and two of them were his fault.

“I put those on me,” Wilson said. “We just need to do a better job of that. It’s a collective effort, but we’re doing a great job. I’m really excited about what we have, especially up front with what those guys are doing. They give me plenty of time, which is a great thing.

“There are a couple of times when you need to throw it away; that’s my competitive side — that will never change. I’m not just going to give up on plays.”

But he said he understands he needs to save plays from becoming negatives, not turning a second-and-seven into a third-and-13. “So that’s really the simple focus. It’s pretty simple and that’s the way I look at it.”

As for tonight, Wilson said, “We want to play great football across the board. We want to be in attack mode, we want to stay on the field. We’ve had some great drives; we just haven’t put it in the end zone as much as we wanted to. We’re going to do that and we’re excited about that.”

This game will feature the long-awaited Seahawk debuts of J’Marcus Webb and C.J. Prosise, along with the return of Will Tukuafu and the 2016 debuts of Kam Chancellor and Jordan Hill.

Here’s a look at the roster status heading into the Dallas game:

Continue reading Roster status entering Game 3 vs. Cowboys

Carroll: Hawks will do Bennett deal ‘when it makes sense’

Salary cap logoMichael Bennett reportedly came to camp because he expects a reworked contract before the season, but that thinking goes against the Seahawks’ philosophy (no new deal with more than a year left), and Pete Carroll made it sound like nothing is going to happen this year.

Carroll told KJR on Tuesday: “We’d love to have Michael here for a long time. We want him to finish his career with us. We intend to get that done. … It’s something that we’re working at. It’s a very difficult thing to get done.”

Asked whether they would do it this year, the coach declined to answer. “We’re going to do it when we can and when it makes sense.”

Continue reading Carroll: Hawks will do Bennett deal ‘when it makes sense’

Bennett praises Carroll, McDaniel, Clark

While Michael Bennett talked a lot Monday about the reason for his dust-up with Bradley Sowell on Sunday, the Pro Bowl end also had a lot more to say — per usual.

Among the best outtakes, he said Pete Carroll is a great coach because he “understands the moment,” Tony McDaniel brings needed “veteran wisdom,” Frank Clark is a “wild dog” who needs “tuning” and young players need to learn this is a job.

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Bennett needs to stay healthy, wants new guys to ‘find that line’

Bennett at campMichael Bennett has been feistier this summer than in any other, and it has made plenty of people think he is taking out his frustrations about his contract.

But it’s probably a little more sensible than that: It’s probably about him trying to make sure he gets the extension that should be coming his way next offseason — something he can’t do if he gets hurt before the season even begins.

Speaking a day after he once again was involved in a fight — this time with Bradley Sowell — Bennett said the new players have to “find that line” while competing and learn to respect teammates and not hurt them.

Continue reading Bennett needs to stay healthy, wants new guys to ‘find that line’

Old bugaboos return, plus positional observations

Minnesota logoSome of the age-old bugaboos showed up in the home opener as the Seahawks committed penalties, gave up sacks and surrendered big chunks of yardage in the short passing game.

They committed 12 infractions, costing them 111 yards. It’s to be expected in preseason games, with lots of young guys shuttling in and out, so not a real big deal. And let’s remember: The Hawks led the league in flags in both Super Bowl seasons.

Sacks were a big problem early last year, with Wilson being taken down more than four times a game through the first eight. On Thursday, the Vikings got him four times — mostly due to him holding the ball too long or getting caught by blitzes.

Wilson took the blame for two of the sacks, and Pete Carroll said the offense did not react to Wilson’s blitz pickup call on another.

On defense, the Hawks ran into the same problem that has plagued them for most of Carroll’s tenure: short passes. Veteran QB Shaun Hill picked them apart with his running backs and tight ends in the first half, hitting 11 of 17 passes for 127 yards and leading the Vikings to a touchdown.

Here’s a look at what else we saw, by position:

Continue reading Old bugaboos return, plus positional observations

Hawks vs. Minnesota: What we’re watching

Minnesota logoThe Seahawks got off to a good start in their preseason opener in Kansas City, receiving some solid performances from the No. 1 offensive line and many rookies — namely undrafted quarterback Trevone Boykin, safety Tyvis Powell and wide receiver Tanner McEvoy.

Now they have to keep it going tonight against the Minnesota Vikings.

A lot has been said about this Seahawks squad being as deep as — perhaps deeper than — the 90-man group the Hawks brought to camp in the 2013 Super Bowl season.

This week, Russell Wilson called this “the most competitive team and talented team” the Hawks have had. Pete Carroll agreed.

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With Sweezy gone, Britt makes ‘technical jump’

Training camp logo2Justin Britt played a surprisingly good first game at center in Kansas City, earning the praise of Pete Carroll for how he handled Chiefs Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

It may have been Britt’s coming-of-age moment. And one of the keys apparently was the departure of J.R. Sweezy.

While Carroll didn’t exactly say it that way, he told 710 ESPN that Britt has improved his technique and is no longer trying to be a brawler like Sweezy.

Continue reading With Sweezy gone, Britt makes ‘technical jump’

Backs in action: Returning runners ‘a real boost’

Training camp logo2It was Running Back Day at Seahawks camp on Monday.

As Christine Michael continued to receive accolades for his performance in Kansas City, Thomas Rawls, C.J. Prosise and Zac Brooks all returned to practice — and the Hawks released Cameron Marshall and moved Kyle Coleman to fullback.

On top of that, Alex Collins — limited by an ankle issue in Kansas City — is ready for more of a load this week.

So, as they prepare for their preseason home opener vs. Minnesota, the Hawks finally have all of their backs back.

Continue reading Backs in action: Returning runners ‘a real boost’

Rookies Boykin, McEvoy, Powell star as Hawks beat KC on last play

At Kansas City logoNo surprise: Rookies once again dominated the Seahawks’ preseason opener.

Last year it was draft picks Tyler Lockett and Frank Clark. This year it was undrafted rookies Trevone Boykin, Tanner McEvoy and Tyvis Powell.

After Boykin had left the game in the third quarter, he came back in the fourth and rallied the Seahawks to a 17-16 win in Kansas City with no time left. His 37-yard scoring pass to the 6-foot-6 McEvoy set up fellow UDFA Troymaine Pope’s winning two-point run.

It made Boykin and McEvoy the big standouts in Seattle’s first preseason game, along with Powell, pass rushers Cassius Marsh and Frank Clark, running back Christine Michael and the starting offensive line.

Continue reading Rookies Boykin, McEvoy, Powell star as Hawks beat KC on last play