Gut reaction to Game #2

Where did this team come from?!!??

Vallos snapping balls over the QB or two inches off the ground?  Unger getting a whistle for holding?  Matt getting injured?  Housh missing a catch? Carlson being called for a false start? Sloppy play by both the offense and the defense? Frye is playing?  Burleson dropping passes? The disappearance of a running game?

Forsett seemed to be the only player on the field working very hard to do something positive.

I hope all those notes Coach Mora was scribbling down on the sidelines were “how to improve” so the Seahawks will play more respectably against Chicago!

After Game Report #1

YEAH, SEAHAWKS!  WIN #1 AND A SHUTOUT AT THAT!!!

I didn’t get my pre-game notes up prior to the game so I’m incorporating them into this one.

Mike Sando, NFC West, espn.com

• “Seahawks coach Jim Mora and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley have called out players in front of their teammates. Coaches pointed out “loafs” as part of team video study sessions early in the offseason. Players took on those duties as training camp approached. Both defenses need the emphasis to carry over into the regular season.”
  • Perhaps this is why the defensive is playing more aggressively??

John Morgan, fieldgulls.com

• Has this excellent scenario about how many games the team can with this year

I was unable to watch the game due to work, so I am going to rely on my blog roll to provide good reporting on and after the game Sunday.  I must say I’m super-pleased to hear that Lawerence Jackson showed up to play, and that Curry was a Tasmanian devil on the field.  Plus, my fav John Carlson had a blowout day that actually garnered some national attention, imagine that!  What, last year was nothing?!?

Chris Sullivan, seahawkaddicts.com, provides the stars of the game below

• Second (Round) Impressions
  Tuesday, 15 September 2009 08:42

Tim Ruskell has gotten a lot of flak for his first round picks in recent weeks and years. On Sunday, 2009 First Rounder Aaron Curry proved that he belonged on this team and on that field. Playing almost every snap, Curry was disruptive and hard hitting, and more than that he got into the Rams’ star player’s head (Steven Jackson) without letting them get under his skin at all. That’s impressive. 2008 first rounder Lawrence Jackson also had a very good game, maybe his best yet upon a second review. Jackson was a beast and was consistently disruptive, especially in the first half. 2006 #1 Kelly Jennings was decent in coverage but was not called on much, and Chris Spencer sat out with a torn left quadriceps. So, y’know, mixed bag.

But how about those second rounders?
2005: Lofa Tatupu - Tatupu proved again why he is the leader of the defense. He tackled very well, he diagnosed plays well, and he came up with a massive sack, sliding by Richie “Not Actually” Incognito to drill Bulger practically untouched. Tatupu made a full game’s worth of plays in the three quarters he was in for.
2006: Darryl Tapp – Tapp was my defensive MVP for the game. He had a deflection, some tackles, a lot of QB pressure and was just always exactly where he needed to be. He had a phenomenal game and, as just about the most likeable guy on the team, you can’t help but keep rooting for him.
2007: Josh Wilson - No one gives Wilson the credit he deserves, but he had an awesome game — much better than Ken Lucas on the other side. Wilson is a straight up football player. Who gives a damn that he’s 4′6″?  He may be our most technically sound cornerback and he’s a ball-hawk to boot. He didn’t do anything special or mindblowing this weekend, but he was solid as a rock on this very iffy secondary.
2008: John Carlson – Led the team with 95 yards receiving and two touchdowns, plus his blocking looked great throughout the game. Carlson is clearly a special player and he has the size and speed to line up outside in three and four-wide sets, which he did a few times this weekend. Before long, teams are going to be gameplanning around JC, but that shouldn’t stop him from continuing to find the holes in zone coverage and speed past the linebackers assigned to cover him.
2009: Max Unger – Unger played every single snap of the first game. Matt Hasselbeck was not sacked once, Julius Jones ran for about 120 yards, and there were no false starts or holding penalties. Remember: three of the five players on this line are “backups” at their position.  Pretty amazing, if you ask me. I love the look and feel of this 2009 Seahawks squad. Let’s see how they look going against better competition next week when they face the 49ers. With these five guys getting significant playing time, I think we’ve got a pretty good shot.

Clare Farnsworth, Blog, seahawks.com gives praise to the OL

• “Offensive line. The performance of this unit is giving the coaches the “luxury” of not having to rush left tackle Walter Jones and center Chris Spencer back into the lineup before that are completely ready.

• “We’re looking forward to getting Chris Spencer and Walter Jones back out on the field at some point this week,” Mora said. “Whether or not we play them Sunday remains to be seen.” Jones had a cleanout procedure on his surgically repaired left knee last month, while Spencer has been out since tearing a thigh muscle in the second preseason game.

• But Sean Locklear and Steve Vallos have played well in their absences. “How well they’ve played does enter my mind,” Mora said. “Because you don’t want to put guys out there before they’re ready and then lose them for an extended length of time.  So we’re going to make sure that they’re ready to go, and (ready to) play a whole game before we put them out there.”

• What pleased Mora most about his linemen in the opener was the way they handled the un-scouted looks the Rams threw at them.  “The Rams present a lot of difficult match ups up front – what we call un-scouted looks, which is things we really haven’t seen on film,” Mora said.  Sunday, the Rams gave the Seahawks 12 of them – blitzes, alignments, movements. “Our guys up front handled them very, very well,” Mora said.

The Danny O’Neill, Sehawks Blog, seattletimes.com, has a good brief about Monday’s press conference here under the headline of “Seahawks Monday Afternoon Wrap-Up”

Finally, here’s a bit of information about today’s visit by Damion MacIntosh, an OL

• Mike Parker, seahawkaddicts.com [underlining mine]
  • Hawks to Get Free Agent OT Visit   Monday, 14 September 2009 15:03
  • Free agent OT Damion McIntosh, cut by the Chiefs as part of the final 53 trim-down, will visit Seattle Tuesday.
    McIntosh has been a consistent player in the league since 2001, and started every game in Kansas City last year, his second with the team.
    Not much information beyond that is available so far, but expect Ruskell to make an offer to McIntosh if he likes what he sees.
    Of course, the underlying question here is whether or not this means Big Walt’s status is still uncertain. Mora said he’d likely be ready to go by Sunday in San Francisco, but this free agency visit could be for a precaution or just for added depth.

Interesting Comments from Hawk Blogs

Clare Farnsworth, Blog, seahawks.com – Olindo Mare won the K position battle that I’ve followed this preseason.  He gets the lowdown from Coach Mora has to why he was chosen over Coutu.  This is something I’ve been curious about as I thought Coutu did very well this preaseason.

Mike Sando, NFC Blog, espn.com – Ray Willis is weaker in pass protection than Locklear at RT in looking at the Rams’ lineup for Sunday (see NFC West: Final Word)

William P. Tomisser, seahawkaddicts.com – has a long post titled “Seahawks Are Like A Black Hole” about how the Seahawks coaching staff might be be unveiling their playbook in the first quarter of the season

Eric Williams, Seahawks Insider, tacomanewstribune.com has gleaned information that reveals more of Coach Mora’s philosophy re injury management, on field coaching & the RB situation.  I like them so much I’m posting them here as well:

” ‘There was some good news in terms of the Seahawks getting healthy. Both Walter Jones and Chris Spencer worked with the training staff out on the field, running wind sprints and going through other footwork drills.

“We have to resist the urge to just throw them in there and make the right decision for them and for us as a team for the entire season,” Mora said. “And we’ll do that. We’ll do that for sure. But it’s nice to see them.”

And Marcus Trufant was in the weight room working out this afternoon, so he looks like he’s coming along.

Mora said he was pleased to see both Jones and Spencer working out, but also cautioned about bringing them back too early.

Some other tidbits.

• Mora said the team will choose between Justin Forsett, Nate Burleson and Ben Obomanu on who will return punts, depending on game situation. I think Forsett likely will be the regular guy, Burleson will be used if they need a big play and Obomanu, who is a little more sure handed, might be used in short-field situations.

• Mora said there’s still a concern with the depth at offensive tackle, but that he feels a little better about Brandon Frye there.

“While it’s not perfect, we feel OK about it,” Mora said. “I’m not going to tell you we feel great about. Shoot, the guy’s never been in a Seahawk uniform. But hopefully we won’t have to find out.”

• Mora said he and Gus Bradley will work together in calling the defensive plays, with Bradley taking over when Mora has to attend to his head coaching duties, and both being on the headset communicating with linebacker Lofa Tatupu on the field.

• He [Mora] also said the reason why both offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and Bradley are on the field instead of in the booth because he likes having the coordinators on the field coaching the players, and that he feels the team has enough experience in the booth in terms of getting the coaching staff on the field the information they need to make adjustments.

“To have them disappear upstairs for the most important three hours of the week doesn’t make sense to me,” Mora said. “I think you need to be able to look your quarterback in the eye, or look your linebackers or defensive backs in the eye and talk to them, because they’re used to being able to hear your voice, instead of some voice in the headphone.”

Offensively, tight end coach Mike DeBord, quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor are in the coaching booth in the press box. And defensively, backs coach assistant defensive Larry Marmie, assistant defensive line coach Mike Phair and quality control coach Tom Headlee are in the booth.

• Mora said how much Julius Jones, Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett will carry the ball depends on how the game goes, but percentage-wise he dailed it in at 60 percent Jones, 30 percent Edge and 10 percent Forsett.

Mora said that could change if one of the running back gets into a rhythm and starts to perform well.  Mora said that one back will not be designated the goal-line or short-yardage back, with the team using a guy based on the situation.” ‘

Looking Foward to Wednesday

That’s when the Seahawks will release their official depth chart for the season.

It’s also the day after the Hawks first practice of the week.  I’d like to hear more about Milloy, who by all accounts is adjusting rapidly and well.  He seems just fine about whatever role he will have, starter or backup.

I’m always ready to hear more about Matt, Housh, and Edge.  More favorites to follow!

Practice Squad, Part 2

Yes!  SS Jamar Adams was signed!  I’d like to see him succeed here in Seattle.

Also signed:

• Kyle Williams, OT who was released to make room for Laywer Miller
• Roy Lewis, CB – another ex-Husky alumni — it would be very nice to see him make the squad next year
• Blake Schlueter, C & G – adding more depth at these positions, causing some to wonder where Chris Spencer will be???
• Tom Williams, LB

Practice Squad, Part 1

Yeah!  Hass and Payne cleared waivers and agreed to sign with the Hawks!  I’m really looking forward to seeing these two improve over the year and watch in next year’s preseason camp.

Late update – Devin Moore has also signed.  I’m sceptical about his abilities but this will surely give him a chance to learn and grow.

Cut Players Who Could Make the Practice Squad

• WR Mike Hass — Signed 09.05.09
• WR Logan Payne — Signed 09.05.09
• TE Joe Newton
• QB Jeff Rowe
• RB Devin Moore — Signed 09.05.09
• OL Na’Shan Goddard
• OL Andre Ramsey
• OL Will Robinson
• OL Brian De La Puente
• K Brandon Coutu
• LB Dave Philistin
• DB Jamar Adams — Signed 09.07.09 (Updated 09.08.09)
• DB Marquis Floyd — Claimed by Cleveland Browns
• DB Courtney Greene
• DB Nate Ness

September 5th – Double Shock Day!

Huskies & the Roster Cuts

The Huskies played with fire & competitiveness!

The Seahawks waived a player who seemed to be a “lock” to start on announcing their roster cuts.  A fair amount of the players cut were deep on the depth chart. You can see the full list here.

The name that was bit startling to hear & which caused a fair bit of celebration on blogs was that of Brian Russell.  The Hawks seem to believe that Big Play Babs has been able to improve & round out his skills enough to let Russell go.  It is a risk on the Hawks part. Babineaux is, or has been, a situational player – someone called in from the sidelines in specific circumstances.  Will he be able to play coverage & keep up is energy level playing a whole game as a starter? That is a question that will be answered on September 13th.

It looks like youth did not win regarding the K battle.  Coutu was cut and I hope he makes it somewhere else.

I honestly did not expect Obomanu to get that last WR spot.  I was looking at Taylor to make the roster.

The greatest part of the cut announcement was to learn that Michael Bennett, Nick Reed, and Derek Walker made the roster.  These guys played well & it’s great to see their efforts get rewarded.  They will probably stay deep on the depth chart so I’ll be cheering for them if they make it onto the field during a game!

Welker making the team and Atkins not did surprise me.  Atkins has a lot of experience and is a good player.  It will be interesting to see if Walker can make a greater impact than Jackson in backing up Cory. I will be watching for this as the season progresses.

Sad to see Jamar Adams get cut.  I remember how exciting it was when he made the team last year by playing very well and opening eyes.  I hope another team snaps him up.