In the season opener, the Seahawks showed just how much Percy Harvin changes their offense — creating a dynamic triple threat alongside Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch.
Pete Carroll promised more of Harvin, but all we had seen in the two games since were a lot of short passes and decoy plays.
But they used him a lot Monday night — even if all three of his touchdowns unbelievably were called back — and it is clear they want to keep him involved.
Jerry Brewer of The Seattle Times says the Seahawks’ season, which has been very start-and-stop so far, shifts into overdrive now.
Russell Wilson probably stunned some of his adoring fans when he admitted to being a bully as a kid.
Field Gulls wraps up a week of interviews with Seahawks coaches and players.
Kam Chancellor says he has “no concerns at all” about the previously bothersome bone spurs in his ankles and explains why Zach Miller had to have surgery and he didn’t.
Jon Ryan — the hero of the Denver game — was named NFC special teams player of the month for September.
Bob Condotta of The Times explains how the synergy between Ryan and the speedy Ricardo Lockette has changed the Seahawks’ punting strategy this season.
As for the Seahawks’ opponent on Monday …
Jason Reid of the Washington Post wonders if neither Robert Griffin III (currently injured) nor Kirk Cousins (who will start Monday) is the Redskins’ answer at quarterback.
Five questions facing the Redskins for their tough matchup with the Seahawks.
Coach Jay Gruden says his biggest fear is that Cousins, who threw four interceptions in a 45-14 loss to the Giants, will be “gun shy” against the Seahawks.
After the Seahawks unveiled their new, improved (read: healthy) Percy Harvin in the season opener, everyone went gaga over the way the mercurial playmaker was used.
And Pete Carroll stoked the excitement by teasing, “There’s a bunch of other stuff we’ll do. … We’re just getting started.”
It sounded so promising.
In two games since then, though, the Seattle offense has used Harvin more as a decoy than anything, prompting the question: Are Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell using Harvin to best effect?
Russell Wilson said he was “almost hoping” Peyton Manning would rally the Denver Broncos to tie the game Sunday. That way Wilson could get the ball again.
It’s hard to blame Wilson for wanting another chance after the way the second half went. As bad as the defensive meltdown was on Denver’s final possession, the Seattle offense really carried more responsibility for letting a two-touchdown lead slip away.
And that really was just part of a trend over the first three games in which the offense has gone from scoring machine in the first half to almost pointless in the second.
Continue reading Offense has been almost pointless in second half
Marshawn Lynch tells Marcus Trufant and the Barbershop fellas that he had to “RIP” one of his dreadlocks and why he was “never meant to be famous.”
See what Pete Carroll said about the win over Denver on his way out the door for the bye week.
Sean Tomlinson of Bleacher Report dissects Seattle’s dominance of Peyton Manning.
Of course, there was one drive that Manning dominated, and Doug Farrar of SI.com breaks that down in more detail.
Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times rates Seattle’s old AFC West rivalries.
After Chris Harris said Russell Wilson — a third-round pick in 2012 — is better than Andrew Luck, the No. 1 pick overall that year, plenty of folks have chimed in. Here’s what Ben Peterson of Field Gulls says.
Jerry Brewer of The Seattle Times addresses the idea that Wilson is the NFL’s best quarterback.
Wilson is the highest-rated QB in a league that is setting records for passer rating, per Clare Farnsworth.
And Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report goes further with a historical look at major QB draft classes.
The Seahawks have been raving about Ricardo Lockette all year, and now everyone is seeing why.
Back in minicamps, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell often tossed Lockette’s name out as someone the coaches were excited about — particularly because of his sub-4.3 speed. That’s why it was easy to see the fourth-year player making the team again despite a huge logjam at wide receiver.
As the fourth or even fifth receiver, he doesn’t get many offensive opportunities — yet he has caught touchdown passes in both victories this season. Add to that his standout play on special teams and you have the kind of player the Seahawks love — fast and versatile.
He showed it all in the win over Denver on Sunday.
DeShawn Shead on his post-game proposal to girlfriend Jessica: “Winning the Super Bowl, I got my ring. We played the Broncos again and she got her ring after the game.”
Russell Wilson says he is “just enjoying the journey, enjoying learning” as he strives to become one of the best quarterbacks ever.
Wilson to DeMarcus Ware after the Denver pass rusher sacked him at the goal line: “You’re not going to get this ball.”
Peyton Manning talks about the tying drive and the lesson he takes from this loss to Seattle.
Brian Nemhauser offers his impressions of the Seahawks’ win over Denver, with a great stat comparison of the Super Bowl and this game.
Danny O’Neil of 710 ESPN rips the Denver homer who complained about the overtime format. You tell him, Danny!
Looking ahead to the Washington Redskins in two weeks, it appears they will be without their No. 1 trash-talker, DeAngelo Hall, but they also have DeSean Jackson and some cheap-shot artists, so they are good to go.
Russell Wilson is kind of like Superman — mild-mannered pocket quarterback on your typical offensive series, but man of steel nerves and determination when the game is on the line.
Wilson became the latter Sunday, leading the Seahawks 80 yards for the winning touchdown in their 26-20 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos.
Wilson is such a team player that he often subverts his physical skills in favor of getting the ball to his teammates. But make no mistake: He can carry a team when he needs to.
And he needed to Sunday.
After Peyton Manning somehow led the Broncos 80 yards (with no timeouts) to the tying touchdown and two-point conversion in the final minute, Wilson coolly returned the favor in overtime.
Continue reading Mild-mannered Wilson turns into Superman when needed most
The folks running Earl Thomas’ site give perspective to his impassioned press conference the other day in which he said he regained his “championship spirit” after the loss in San Diego.
Contrary to previous reports that had the Chargers’ receivers saying they “exposed” Richard Sherman, several Chargers expressed admiration for his ability.
Bruce Irvin apologized “to the 12th Man” for his “boneheaded play” that helped lose the game and also cost him some cash.
On to the Broncos …
Peyton Manning, 38, is in his third year in Denver, and he sounds like he will be back at least for a fourth.
Andy Benoit of MMQB predicts some of the strategies the Seahawks and Broncos will use against each other.
Denver tight end Julius Thomas is the next big challenge for Kam Chancellor and K.J. Wright.
And more …
According to this analysis, Russell Wilson is the league’s third-best two-minute quarterback.
The Seahawks aren’t the only team using a WR/RB hybrid (Percy Harvin). Danny Kelly of Field Gulls looks at the NFL trend.
Clay Travis of FOX Sports talks about the politicization of sports (the NFL) in the wake of Roger Goodell’s very politicky apologies-and-promises speech. Along the way, Travis points out that Goodell is just the scapegoat for issues that social media (and one video) have suddenly turned into bigger deals than they were 5-10 years ago.
While the media frets and frowns about a few bad NFL apples and makes it seem as if the entire league is populated by felons, Russell Wilson goes about his daily good deeds.
A lot of people had questions about Marshawn Lynch’s lack of participation in the game Sunday in San Diego.
Why didn’t he get the ball more? Why wasn’t he in on the Seahawks’ drive at the end of the first half? Why was he walking off the field with a minute left?
Easy answers.
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 