Field Gulls: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: World Soccer Digest for Soccer Fans!

Quick Cap: Packers 42 - Seattle 20

The Seahawks were beat by a better opponent. Sometimes that's the truest analysis you can give. The Packers, in Lambeau with the snow and Favre playing out of his mind? Yeah, that'll beat about anyone.

I think it's fair to say this was the perfect ending for Holmgren's career. Really, I know nothing about Mike Holmgren, Packer's coach, but I know what he did for the Seahawks. The day he signed, a moribund franchise was given the big name coach promise of contention. Unlike so many, 'Gren fulfilled that promise. Seattle has enjoyed its greatest run of success in its short history under Holmgren. He brought the refined Walsh offense. Hasselbeck. He recognized Steve Hutchinson's talent. A guard so good, he was the second best or best player taken in his entire draft class.

It's tough to see him go out like this. He, like all great NFL coaches, is an unhealthfully competitive man. I think a few weeks from now when he's playing with his grandchildren instead of worrying about free agency (and after Hutch, you know that keeps him up) it'll start to be okay. Until then, well, the Walrus is known to bark.

The next coach of the Seattle Seahawks has a lot of talent to build from, but a hell of a legacy to live up to. For the next Super Bowl run, it's pretty clear the Hawks will need homefield throughout. Seattle's offense was significantly worse on third down than it was on 1st and 2nd down. Regression to the mean can and usually does mean a big offensive bounceback the next season. Simply removing Chris Gray and Shaun Alexander with league average players will provide a huge boost. The defense is very young. Essential players like Marcus Trufant, Leroy Hill, Kelly Jennings, Lofa Tatupu, Brandon Mebane and Darryl Tapp can be expected to play better next year. Tubbs will contribute.

Seattle's front office faces some big challenges but also big opportunities this offseason. Seattle enters the offseason with its head pushing the cap. But the Hawks have become very adept at hoarding talent, especially wide receiver talent, and moving it for extra picks. Then turning those picks into difference makers, contributors and depth. The Seahawks have the core of talent and weak division to compete in 2008, and a front office with a commitment to accurate, modern talent-evaluation.

We'll tackle the first half Tape on Sunday. Second half Monday.

Game Balls: Beck, who held up, kept his poise and played very well all game, despite innumerable drops by his receivers. Brian Russell, who brought some of his late season gains into the postseason. Guy really showed up. Russell can't consistently wrap up and takes some bad angles, but he had a number of nice plays.

Cuts: Marcus Pollard who looked downright arthritic out there. Sayonara, Time Machine. Jordan Babineaux is not an NFL caliber talent. I really like Babs and I bet he brings it in practice, but he was nearly the worst player on the field every time he took the field. He might float around on various team's benches for awhile or just enjoy his 6 figure savings. I'll always remember you for taking Tony Romo down a notch, man.

0 recs  |  Comment 27 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I'm heading out for awhile
Better to get away from the blog then shit profanity all over it.

by John Morgan on Jan 12, 2008 4:38 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Good season
For the Hawks.  Great season for Field Gulls.  Thanks, guys.

If you've got it in you, I'll be looking forward to the personnel analysis this offseason.

by jeager on Jan 12, 2008 4:39 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Trufant
Is Trufant a FA?  Do you think the Hawks will be able to re-sign him?

by Skinsmaniac on Jan 12, 2008 4:40 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Yes
and if we can't lock him up ahead of time, we'll tag him.  Josh Brown, hopefully, will be signed well in advance of the deadline; and I agree with John, Locklear probably holds out for LT money, and gets it from someone.  Here's hoping Big Die Slow's ready to succeed him at RT--we already need one new OL.

by The Ancient Mariner on Jan 12, 2008 4:44 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Adam Caplan has reported that...
the two sides are close.

Trufant Closing in on New Deal (http://sea.scout.com/a.z?s=114&p=2&c=718981) subscription req'd

A league source told Scout.com this week that Seattle Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant is closing in on a new multi-year deal. The agreement is expected to be reached well before the start of free agency (February 29).

The former Washington St. University star was able to void the final year of his contract by achieving certain playing time incentives in his original contract.

While the details of the contract negotiations aren't known, the deal could wind up being similar to that of Chicago Bears CB Charles Tillman who signed a six-year deal worth $41-$42 million with around $18.5 million of it guaranteed.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Jan 12, 2008 4:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Good deal
If the Hawks can lock him up for those numbers, I'd say they're getting a steal.

by Skinsmaniac on Jan 12, 2008 10:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, thank you John
and everyone else, for making this season my most informed and thereby enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the draft and any offseason notes. Only 8 months to go...

by man on soap box on Jan 12, 2008 4:42 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks John
I'm relatively new to Field Gulls. Only in the last few weeks of the season did I "discover" it. I don't even remember how. The blog has been a welcome source of insightful analysis. I still say that Seattle has the most insightful fans in football, along with the Pats. (I lived in Beantown during the first SB season.)
---

Seattle has, as you say, some big decisions ahead. The big plus heading into this offseason as opposed to last, is that both the draft and the market should supply more of what we need.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Jan 12, 2008 4:44 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Great season
everyone here made it 1,000x better.

With the defense (tough to say after today), a good QB, and a solid offense minus a couple people the Hawks are in good shape.

I feel bad for Pollard, I liked him.  Same goes for Babs.

Josh Brown is better than you. The Rest of the team is worse.

by MFAN on Jan 12, 2008 4:50 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks to JOHN
Foolishly I thought I'd be the first to post this, but none-the-less I think I enjoyed this season a TON more because of the excellent analysis and writing here.   Thank you so much for your insight and your knowledge!

by BrianF on Jan 12, 2008 4:58 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks John for the most cerebral football
analysis on the web and at very least for coverage of the Hawks. Also, thanks for keeping me sane throughout the year during the times I thought, "am I the only one who thinks Shaun is horrible and the coach is suspect for playing him?" I could always count on Morgan seeing things the same way.

The window is fast closing. Like you mentioned, and I agree, an upgraded O line and back to expoit it would greatly improve this team. IN your opinion, should the team's first pick be an offensive tackle (RG) or RB?

by Harrison on Jan 12, 2008 6:07 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I wonder what would have happened
if that Green Bay successfully challenged 3rd/4th down hadn't been reverse? Go Dallas/Giants. Kick GB's butt next week.
"I think we know who the 'Hawks true rival is"-John Morgan

by Coach Owens on Jan 12, 2008 6:42 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Great season. This is the best seahawks blog I've
found the the 'net -- by far -- and I've really enjoyed reading your analysis all season. Thanks.  

by redwolf75 on Jan 12, 2008 7:14 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

It's always nice
to read Seahawks commentary and analysis that is interesting and informative as compared to the same old boiler plate crap you find on sports pages.  Kudo's and thank you.

by Gray on Jan 12, 2008 7:56 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I LOVE ALL YOU GUYS!!!!
FUC<ING TAB EVEN CAOCH OWENS MAYBE HA VE BABIES AND HAVE GRTEAT YEAR BUT DON"T GO ANYWHERE FOR THE OFFESAEASON AWEOSNE MS OF HOHN MORGRAN AND MYSELF THIS TEAMS WRULSE TO THE HOURE OF PAIN AND I JUST COMPLETED THE POWER HOURS FTW !!!!!!!!!
V. 1.0, mutherf***er, know what I'm sayin'?

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 12, 2008 9:00 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

WHY DIDD SCOBEY HAVE TO HURT
?????
V. 1.0, mutherf***er, know what I'm sayin'?

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 12, 2008 9:00 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Are you drunk?
Anyone wanna play WoW?

by Christian on Jan 12, 2008 10:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

YOU OWEE ME 50$
V. 1.0, mutherf***er, know what I'm sayin'?

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 12, 2008 11:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks everyone
I posted a diary in which everyone is thanked which goes into more detail.
--Shrug

by Shrug on Jan 12, 2008 10:35 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks everybody.
THe thing that's killing me is that we got our doors blown off. Ow well, get a little drunk, not as drunk as Scruffy, but...and start anew tomorrow.

by John Morgan on Jan 12, 2008 11:04 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

WEEEEEEEE!!!!!
V. 1.0, mutherf***er, know what I'm sayin'?

by Scruffy Lefty on Jan 12, 2008 11:43 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Good Season Hawks
I really like Pollard the guy, I hope this isn't the last football he has played. I know it's not the way it always works out but class guys deserve better exits than that.

This team should be vastly improved next year.

Provided they franchise Trufant, replace Chris Gray and find their feature running back of the future and should Holmgren retire they make the right hires; they should be drastically better.

This draft really shapes up well for the Hawks given what their needs are.

Just throwing names out there but a draft like this would make the team drastically better:

RD 1: Jonathan Stewart,RB,Oregon/Rashard Mendenhall, RB , Illinois/ Felix Jones,RB, Arkansas

RD 2: Duke Robinson,G, Oklahoma/ Roy Schuening, G, Oregon State/ Eric Young, G, Tennessee

RD 3. Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas/ John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame/ Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A-M

And knowing this FO they will go find someone substansial in free agency and more likely than not it will be on the oline, they tried for Dielman last year, so I would imagine they make another run. I like big man Stacy Andrews of the Bengals who can solidify RT should Lock leave or either guard spot.

Think of the defense returning in tact. With Stewart or Mendenhall running behind an improved oline with Hass and his wrs still.

by puerto on Jan 12, 2008 11:10 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Why am I the only guy that wants Walrus to stay
I'm gonna miss that big guy when he rides off into the sunset.

by Robert on Jan 12, 2008 11:25 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I'll miss Holmgren
and I'm kinda torn on what I want him to do.

Honestly, if the Hawks cut Alexander (or do something to get him off the field) and Gray retires then I won't mind Holmgren coming back at all.  I am just worried that his loyalty to certain player would hurt us.

Josh Brown is better than you. The Rest of the team is worse.

by MFAN on Jan 12, 2008 11:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

thoughts
Saying we need to jump in Round 1 on the latest stud Running Back seems particularly curious in light of Ryan Grant, fresh from the practice squad, curbstomping us. Just between Morris and Weaver next season the Hawks will have a better running game. Given a limited number of draft choices, snagging someone in the 5th or later would be sufficient.

I think the Hawks main priority is upgrading both lines, but primarily the offensive line. Most pressing is a replacement for Chris Gray and Sean Locklear, and possibly a later scrub to push Sims/Spencer depending on how good Mansfield Wrotto and Ray Willis look. I don't trust our DL to be consistent in either pass rush or containing rushers (LIKE RYAN GRANT), with Kerney's age and Tapp's disappearance DE should be a big priority- you can't have too many pass rushers. DT is less of a need through Mebane's play and Marcus Tubb's triumphant return from IR next season.

TE is a big hole that hopefully would be addressed within the first 4 rounds. That cost us a Super Bowl, I have no idea why we still don't have the future nailed down there.

It will be interesting to see what Tim Ruskell does with Seneca Wallace and Shaun Alexander. We have a particularly valuable commodity in Wallace, possibly one that could be leveraged into a 3rd round pick or better. For Alexander, if someone was willing to drop a 6th round pick for him I'd pull the trigger.

Thanks for the memories, Jordan Babineaux, but if we want to beat the best next season, when Green Bay or New England go 4 or 5 wide the Hawks can't stand to have such a terrible void.

That's basically how I'm thinking this offseason should go- the Hawks need to be held to a higher standard then winning the division, they should be ready to take on and defeat the big AFC teams. Our Defense is a known quantity, they should be really good next year. I think what will ultimately determine the Hawks' success next year is how well they can improve the personnel on the OL. We've had a good record drafting lineman, I think the pieces are in place that, with a productive off season, the Hawks should be competing as one of the top two teams in the conference.

by Will Kier on Jan 12, 2008 11:58 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Agree
I think, absent a truly special talent available when the Seahawks pick late in the first round (I don't know who that would be) they shouldn't draft a RB there.  As John has said, we gotta bolster the O-line.  Likely losing Lock and Gray.  Is Willis going to start at RT?  Wrotto at G?  Seems both those guys are relatively unknown quantities.

Now that Ruskell has spent the past few offseasons bolstering the defense, I'd expect to see some resources (in draft picks, etc.) used to address the offense.  

Given the proclivity of Branch and Hack to get injured, Ruskell needs to ask himself, is Obomanu worthy of a starting job?  If not, we'll need a WR.  May need one anyway, as Engram cannot keep doing what he's doing much longer.

by jeager on Jan 13, 2008 7:44 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Worried about the jellyfish.
Start posting about the Seahawks »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Jj_flag_detail1_small
Field Gulls Mod-enforced Rules and Standards

Recent FanPosts

Front_of_car_small
Bird-brained idea, or Genius?
Tigeravitar_small
Football Logic: 101
Olympiabeer_small
The Official Fantasy Football Thread – Week 11. The place for fantasy talk, thought, questions and general fantasy ranting.
Small
Post Your Hawk: Week 11
Rainbow_small
Video Preview: Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings
Small
Putting a bow on the Hutchinson debate for hawk fans
Jj_flag_detail1_small
Off Topic: Best Sequels, Worst Decisions and Plans for 2010
Profilepic_small
Alright, I Officially Hate Adrian Peterson.
Me_at_the_vikings_game_small
Ask the Daily Norseman
Small
The Two 1st-Rounders in 2010

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Blogging The Boys
Cowboys vs. Redskins: Gameday Open Thread II 11/22/09
Arrowhead Pride
Jamaal Charles' 97-Yard Kickoff Return has Chiefs Leading Steelers Early
Bleeding Green Nation
1:00 Games Open Thread

Managers

Image_114_small Shrug

Jj_flag_detail1_small John Morgan

Rainbow_small Scruffy Lefty

Authors

Vp081-c_small Christian

Small BrianL

Small abender20

Small Doug Farrar

Dksbtwit_small Johnny Peel (DKSB)