Tag Archives: Russell Wilson

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.

Like 2012, Wilson is heating up

Wilson and Baldwin vs SteelersSeattle’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 -- Steelers at Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch did not have a sports hernia and could be back in three weeks, Jay Glazer reported.

With Lynch out, Thomas Rawls is in the spotlight.

Today is Russell Wilson’s 27th birthday.

The Seahawks activated Jeremy Lane and again released Bryce Brown.

Find all kinds of previews of Steelers-Seahawks.

Cliff Avril says Ben Roethlisberger will be a challenge to bring down.

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Offense needs to prove that was no fluke

Prove it.

That’s what we have to say to the Seahawks’ offense.

Yeah, the unit turned in its best performance of the season Sunday in Seattle’s 29-13 win over the 49ers. But it was the 49ers, who are a shadow of the hard-hitting, hard-to-beat unit the Seahawks had faced the past three years (these Niners rank 28th on defense).

So, the Seahawks are going to have to prove it against the Steelers’ 23-ranked defense this week and then — better yet — the Vikings’ ninth-ranked unit next week.

Continue reading Offense needs to prove that was no fluke

No matter how season ends, Hawks have to make changes next year

Chancellor, Carroll and SchneiderNo matter how the season ends for the Seahawks, they have some key changes to make next year.

They certainly don’t need to blow up the team completely – even if they miss the playoffs. But they will need to make a few small detonations — even if they make the postseason and even if they somehow manage to win the Super Bowl (which seems like California dreamin’ at this point).

Whether Pete Carroll intends to stay beyond 2016 or not, John Schneider needs to fix the problems that have been holding this team back from greatness and help avoid becoming, as he has called it, “one of those teams that skates in and skates out” of contention.

Bottom line: The Seahawks cannot go through another year with such a disjointed offense holding back a potentially great defense. And they have to make some changes to the defense as well – beyond Bruce Irvin leaving in free agency (they will get a taste this week of how Frank Clark and Kevin Pierre-Louis might replace him).

Continue reading No matter how season ends, Hawks have to make changes next year

CHAWK LINES -- 49ers at Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch wants to play vs. the 49ers but appears to be a game-time decision.

Paul Richardson is out with a hamstring injury, which is too bad considering he showed what he brings with a 40-yard catch vs. Arizona.

Earl Thomas criticized Seattle’s commitment and will to win, saying, “We need to give it up for each other.”

With Bruce Irvin out a couple of weeks with a sprained knee, Frank Clark is expected to get more playing time.

Clark talked to 710 ESPN about his days as a gang member when he was a kid in Los Angeles.

Russell Wilson insists his big contract and high-profile relationship with Ciara have not distracted him.

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Sorry, Pete, your team will not win the West

Wilson safety vs. CardsPete Carroll thinks the Seahawks can still win the NFC West. What else would you expect from Positive Pete?

Yeah, the Cardinals have a few tough games left — Cincinnati, at St. Louis, Minnesota, Green Bay and Seattle – but they would have to lose at least three of those and the Seahawks would have to win out to win the division.

How can Carroll possibly think the Seahawks are going to win out when they have tough games themselves against Pittsburgh, Minnesota, St. Louis and Arizona the rest of the way?

Carroll said, “To call it now is the biggest mistake you could ever make.” Well, we’re calling the division now. We’ll see who made the mistake in seven weeks.

Continue reading Sorry, Pete, your team will not win the West

Hawks & Cards each see the other as the top dog

Unless the Rams become more of a factor than we expect them to, the NFC West will be won by Seattle or Arizona.

So, it’s appropriate that they start off the second half of the season together, both coming off byes, and playing what should be a hard-hitting, highly intriguing game on “Sunday Night Football.”

This matchup brings a very interesting dichotomy: Each team sees the other as the top dog.

Continue reading Hawks & Cards each see the other as the top dog

CHAWK LINES -- Cardinals at Seahawks

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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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