Tag Archives: Russell Wilson

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 →

State of the team, Week 8: At Dallas

Offense still has big problems, but Carroll has a plan to fix them

October 26, 2015 cc Leave a comment

It’s a good thing the Seahawks are finishing the first half of the season with a couple of struggling teams, because their offense still has its own issues to reconcile.

Sure, the Seahawks finally finished an opponent Thursday, dominating the San Francisco 49ers like they did last year, but the Seattle offense still functioned only about half as well as it should. And Pete Carroll knows things have to change if the Seahawks are going to win another Super Bowl this season.

Russell Wilson was sacked five times and Marshawn Lynch had to fight too hard for most of his 122 yards. While the line gave the running back some good cutback lanes early on the first drive, it took five tries for him to score from the 3-yard line. In fact, about half of Lynch’s 27 runs went for three yards or less. That explains why his teammates were so fired up by his performance — he did most of it himself.

Carroll thinks Seattle’s mostly neophyte line is getting better at run blocking, based on Lynch’s best game of the season and the 200-yard rushing day at Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago. But the simple fact is the unit is still far too inconsistent. And it is pathetic at pass blocking.

Continue reading Offense still has big problems, but Carroll has a plan to fix them →

CHAWK LINES, Week 7: At San Francisco

October 23, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The day after the 20-3 win over the 49ers, Pete Carroll told 710 ESPN the Seahawks didn’t do anything they weren’t supposed to do. He also talked about Russell Wilson’s interceptions, among other things.

The Legion of Boom talked about yet another dominating defensive performance vs. the 49ers.

Marshawn Lynch had his best game, despite hurling on the sideline. “We’re going to go as far as he takes us,” Doug Baldwin said.

Michael Bennett had a career-best 3.5 sacks — though he made a good point he should have gotten partial credit for a fourth.

Will Tukuafu played a lot, as fullback and defensive lineman, and six defenders played every snap.

The Seahawks still have plenty to prove, Dave Boling correctly says.

The great rivalry between the Hawks and Niners is dead, as the teams head in different directions, Danny Kelly writes.

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 14, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks waived B.J. Daniels and Rod Smith and were expected to add cornerback Crezdon Butler. Their other addition could end up being a defensive lineman, with Jordan Hill and Demarcus Dobbs down. Also, recall that Paul Richardson can start practicing next week.

What has happened to Russell Wilson’s game-winning magic?

Brock Huard explains how the Hawks need to use Jimmy Graham: Forget the short crap and send him deeper into the middle of the field. We agree.

Some people apparently want to get rid of Graham. No, they just need to use him better.

The Seahawks’ turnover stats are upside-down, but Pete Carroll expects them to turn right side up soon.

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State of the team, Week 5: At Cincinnati

Despite epic collapse, Seahawks are not ‘dead and gone’

October 12, 2015 cc Leave a comment

As epic a collapse as the Seahawks committed in Cincinnati, for the first time in franchise history blowing a 17-point lead they carried into the fourth quarter, we’re going to go ahead and agree with Pete Carroll:

“Look, we’re not anywhere like we are dead and gone (at 2-3). We don’t feel like that at all. We’ve just got some things we have to get fixed up, and I think we can.”

In 39 seasons plus four games, the Seahawks had been 71-0 (9-0 under Carroll) in games in which they led by 17 or more entering the fourth quarter, according to Pro Football Reference’s database. On Sunday, they became the first NFL team since 2006 to suffer the ignominy of losing such a game. (Mike Holmgren’s Seahawks blew a 17-point lead in 2004, when they scored early in the fourth to go up 17 and then let the Rams rally to win in overtime.)

Seahawks fans have every right to be upset and disheartened by this massive meltdown, but to think it signals the end of the season or the end of Seattle’s Super Bowl window is an emotionally shortsighted reaction.

Continue reading Despite epic collapse, Seahawks are not ‘dead and gone’ →

CHAWK LINES, Week 5: At Cincinnati

October 11, 2015 cc Leave a comment

These aren’t the Seahawks we’ll see in November and December.

Russell Wilson reportedly is working on his speed, losing weight, so he can remain as mobile as possible.

Wilson is getting rid of the ball faster than ever, ESPN Stats reports.

Dave Boling says Wilson’s toughness is his best quality.

Fred Jackson, expected to play, said 10 teams were interested in him when Buffalo cut him, but Seattle was the only one that would sign him before Week 1, thus guaranteeing his one-year salary.

An insider’s look at the Bengals.

The Bengals present lots of challenges for the Seahawks.

State of the team, Trades

Hindsight study: Was Unger-Graham trade a good move?

October 10, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The two biggest concerns during the Seahawks’ 2-2 start have been the struggles of the remade offensive line and the inconsistent use of Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham.

For many critics, the two issues are very closely linked. After all, the Seahawks gave up center Max Unger to get Graham.

For the record, we were very in favor of that trade. But some were dubious, thinking it foolish to give up a top center for a tight end the Seahawks might not even use right.

So, let’s revisit the question: Did the Hawks do the right thing in trading Unger for Graham?

Continue reading Hindsight study: Was Unger-Graham trade a good move? →