Tag Archives: Pete Carroll

September 16, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Pete Carroll looks back at the loss to the Chargers and ahead to the Super Bowl rematch with the Broncos.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com gives a detailed breakdown of how the Chargers beat the Seahawks and then concludes, “Even with the winning script in hand, it still takes flawless execution to defeat the defending Super Bowl champs.”

“If you thought San Diego was fired up to play the Seahawks, well, wait until Denver comes to town Sunday,” Larry Stone of The Seattle Times says.

This is the first time since 1997 that Super Bowl opponents have played a rematch the next season.

Denver cornerback Chris Harris: “Antonio Gates made a few plays, so we need Julius (Thomas) to have a huge game.”

Richard Sherman talks! To a llama. In a sunglasses commercial.

The inspiration for the Seahawks’ logo could be coming to Seattle’s Burke Museum.

Week 3: Denver

Carroll on facing another great QB: ‘It doesn’t get any better’

September 16, 2014 cc Leave a comment

As the Seattle defense prepares to face a star quarterback for the third straight week, coach Pete Carroll says, “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Having beaten Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers and lost to Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, the Hawks now prepare to host Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in a Super Bowl rematch. And Carroll cracked that they ought to add Tom Brady and the New England Patriots during the Seahawks’ Week 4 bye.

“It’s as hard as it can get,” Carroll said, not meaning that in a bad way. “It’s great for us. It’s going to help us during the course of the season. You can’t get any better challenges than these guys throwing the football. Aaron is phenomenal. And look what we just saw (with Rivers). And here comes Peyton.

“This is a great stretch for us. It’ll only help us,” Carroll said of playing the three top-rated active quarterbacks in the NFL. “We have to be so on the mark and so right in everything we’re doing to defend these guys.”

Continue reading Carroll on facing another great QB: ‘It doesn’t get any better’ →

Week 2: At San Diego

The Gates of Hell: Seahawks burned in the heat of San Diego

September 15, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Antonio Gates catches a TD pass over K.J. Wright in the second half (AP)

The Seahawks have seen the Gates of Hell.

He’s a 34-year-old tight end who seems perpetually injured but who still finds ways to burn opponents.

On a scorching Sunday in San Diego, Antonio Gates caught fire — and three touchdown passes — against a Seattle defense that appeared ill-prepared for the heat and the physical pounding the Chargers’ offense put on it in San Diego’s 30-21 win.

The Seattle defense — so good at stopping tight ends last season — apparently forgot the formula in the San Diego heat. Last postseason alone, the Hawks held Jimmy Graham to one catch for eight yards, Vernon Davis to two receptions for 16 yards and Julius Thomas to four for 27.

But Gates, who was hindered by a hamstring injury all week, caught seven passes for 96 yards and scored against linebackers Malcolm Smith and K.J. Wright and safety Kam Chancellor.

It was the first time Gates had caught three TD passes since a 28-20 win over Kansas City in 2005.

“He definitely capitalized on every opportunity he had,” Chancellor told reporters. “He showed why he is (a five-time) All-Pro tight end. He also has a good quarterback that looks to him and knows him and his timing. They have the quarterback/tight end bond. He is a crafty tight end.”

Continue reading The Gates of Hell: Seahawks burned in the heat of San Diego →

Week 2: At San Diego

Young lions: Seahawks passed on Attaochu, so is Irvin their future LEO?

September 14, 2014 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks had three big needs entering the draft last May. They satisfied two in the second round, drafting wide receiver Paul Richardson 45th overall after trading out of the 32nd spot and selecting right tackle Justin Britt with the final pick.

The one position they did not address was LEO — their top pass-rushing spot. It’s not like they didn’t have a chance, though, and they will see one guy they could have had when they play Jerry Attaochu and the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

Continue reading Young lions: Seahawks passed on Attaochu, so is Irvin their future LEO? →

Week 2: At San Diego

Seahawks are passing through gauntlet of NFL’s top-rated QBs

September 12, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Plenty has been made of the fact that Russell Wilson is undefeated against the best quarterbacks in the league over his first two-plus seasons: Aaron Rodgers (twice), Drew Brees (twice), Peyton Manning, Tom Brady.

But who is largely responsible for him beating those quarterbacks? Seattle’s defense, of course.

The Hawks, who beat Brees, Colin Kaepernick and Manning last postseason as they claimed the first Super Bowl title in franchise history, face a trio of the best QBs to start this season as well: Rodgers, Philip Rivers and Manning.

Rodgers, Manning and Rivers are the three top-rated active quarterbacks in the NFL (Brady and Brees are fourth and sixth), and they are 1-2-4 in NFL history (Steve Young ranks third, ahead of Rivers). These guys are so good they basically run their offenses, calling plays in their fast-paced, no-huddle schemes.

“If you look at it from what we saw last week, this week and next week against Denver, we’re seeing very similar expertise,” coach Pete Carroll said. “The guys really understand the game to such great depth that their coaches have recognized that and given them the opportunity to run the game at the line of scrimmage.

“They get to utilize their strengths by seeing what they want to see, changing what they need to change,” Carroll said, “so I think we’re as challenged as you can get by the level of play by these guys. There is no drop-off and it’s amazing that we see three terrific quarterbacks right in a row.”

Continue reading Seahawks are passing through gauntlet of NFL’s top-rated QBs →

Week 2: At San Diego

Earl Thomas: You can sleep easy for now, selfish fans

September 11, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Hawks vs Packers Thomas drops punt — Earl Thomas fails to call for a fair catch in traffic during a punt. He ended up fumbling. (Getty Images)

Plenty of media and fans expressed misgivings about Earl Thomas returning punts, so they had to be happy when coach Pete Carroll took Thomas off those duties this week in the wake of a disastrous season opener.

Thomas fumbled the ball on one return and did not seem very instinctive about judging whether to call for fair catches. Carroll said he thought the return duties were distracting from Thomas’ duties as the team’s defensive quarterback at free safety, so he is putting Bryan Walters in as the returner.

Thomas responded to the move Thursday and ripped fans who didn’t want him returning punts.

“Fans can kind of sleep easier now,” he said. “They can stop sending their regards in. They were a little bit selfish in my perspective.”

Continue reading Earl Thomas: You can sleep easy for now, selfish fans →

It's bigger than football

Like NFL, Carroll admits Rice video changed his view of domestic abuse

September 11, 2014 cc Leave a comment

As Roger Goodell and the NFL try feverishly to dig out of the dirty hole that is the Ray Rice domestic-violence case, at least something positive has come out of the fiasco: That video of Rice knocking out his fiancée has made everyone understand just how horrific domestic abuse is and perhaps how lightly the NFL has viewed it over the years.

“Unfortunately, we had to see an incident that elevated our awareness to really get to the right place,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday. “It’s unfortunate we have to learn the hard way.”

It seems crazy that people did not understand what Rice had done until they actually saw the second video. What possibly could have been the precursor to the first video, in which he is seen dragging an unconscious Janay Palmer out of the elevator? Rice admitted he hit her, which is why he was charged, placed into a diversion program and suspended by Goodell.

But that second video sent shockwaves through the NFL and for some reason changed the way everyone viewed domestic violence.

Continue reading Like NFL, Carroll admits Rice video changed his view of domestic abuse →

Week 2: At San Diego

Hip, hip, hooray for Harvin, Chancellor, Irvin

September 11, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Percy Harvin, Kam Chancellor and Bruce Irvin — three of the Seahawks’ most explosive players — have been joined at the hip over the past year, linked in the misery that the ultra-important joint connecting their legs and torso has caused them.

Each had surgery to fix his injury — you might say it was the “hip” procedure to undergo over the past 12 months — and now they are, yep, hip to play again.

All three feel better than ever, and it showed in the opener against Green Bay.

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Week 2: At San Diego

Carroll: ‘We’re hoping Marcus will take over that spot’

September 11, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Last season, the Seahawks played the final month without two of their top three cornerbacks, and the replacements were better than OK.

The Seahawks find themselves in a similar situation this year, only a bit earlier and without the benefit of the replacements knowing the defense as well.

Pete Carroll reiterated on Wednesday that Marcus Burley, acquired Aug. 30 from Indianapolis, will take over the nickel cornerback position that opened up with injuries to Jeremy Lane and Tharold Simon, and newly signed Josh Thomas will be the No. 4 cornerback.

“We’re hoping that Marcus will take over that (nickel) spot,” the coach said. “It’s a spot that he’s familiar with. He did a nice job coming in the game (against Green Bay) in short time. … We’re looking for Marcus to do a real nice job and take that spot over.”

Continue reading Carroll: ‘We’re hoping Marcus will take over that spot’ →

Week 2: At San Diego

Thomas won’t be main punt returner anymore

September 11, 2014 cc Leave a comment

One of the few weaknesses in Seattle’s season opener was the play of Earl Thomas on punt returns. He didn’t show the right instincts for catching the ball in traffic, and he ended up fumbling one of his chances.

Coach Pete Carroll initially said they would work through those issues and keep Thomas at punt returner, but after further reflection the coach decided to remove that distraction so Thomas can concentrate on playing the position he is paid to excel at: free safety.

Bryan Walters will take over as the main punt returner, Carroll said Wednesday.

Continue reading Thomas won’t be main punt returner anymore →