Why John Carlson Was Blocking Mario Williams
by John Morgan on Dec 17, 2009 6:59 PM PST
19 comments
John Carlson is not yet a competent blocker, but the day he becomes one, and he will, he still won't stand a chance against Mario Williams. So why did Greg Knapp assign Carlson to block Williams? It seems awfully foolish. Even an elite blocking tight end like Jim Kleinsasser shouldn't be matched against an elite end with perhaps the best tools this side of Julius Peppers.
It's simple, really. Knapp called a designed wide receiver screen to Nate Burleson. Burleson motioned from left wide toward the left slot and then Chris Spencer snapped. Matt Hasselbeck motioned hand off to Justin Forsett and then passed to Burleson. Well, he was supposed to. Instead, Hasselbeck faked hand off, pump faked and then surveyed his one remaining option.
And was sacked. T.J. Houshmandzadeh was in the left slot and initiated contact off the snap. He drove his defender back and got him to bite on the route. He wasn't close to open. Deion Branch was on the right. He ran a "go" route that was supposed to draw the safety but didn't. Hasselbeck saw that and optioned out of the screen. And was sacked.
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This is where Holmgren would've yelled
“Just execute the play I called Goshdarnit!”
I wonder if Knapp’s letting Matt get away with too much? I always got the impression they were working on things together, rather then Knapp dictating what to do, I wonder if the added freedom is hurting Matt.
Ive never liked
looking to second options on a screen. The screen should be executed in one of two ways: If it’s there, throw it. If it’s not, put it at the receivers feet. Trying to go down the field on a screen is inviting a sack as lineman give up their blocks and move to the second level.
by Fightfightfight on Dec 17, 2009 7:23 PM PST reply actions
Yeah...if linemen are blocking for a screen, then one of them is going to be downfield if you throw to a WR as a second option.
Right?
Don’t think John’s saying that Branch was a legit second option, only that the decoy thing didn’t pan out. And it shouldn’t; a safety should be able to read the OL blocking and react.
The linemen didn't pull
it was a PA wide-receiver screen. Housh blocked and the line blocked like it was a rush. That’s part of why Carlson was on Williams.
I can’t stress enough how Knapp’s playbook breaks down without the run game. I mean, the guy runs PA before a designed pass to the fullback. Knapp’s got to be pulling his hair out.
by John Morgan on Dec 18, 2009 12:35 AM PST up reply actions
My mistake
But, uhhh….well….. I still don’t like it!!!
by Fightfightfight on Dec 18, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions
Carlson may be a few years from elite
Not a said in negativity, but in setting realistic expectation. Carlson is a good receiving tight end with potential. Lots of Seahawks have potential. Much remains to be seen and experienced. Best of luck in 2010, JC.
It is what it is...
I figured that had to be the type of play called
Because no offensive coordinator is that stupid to match their tight end with an elite defensive end. I wonder if the reason the safety didn’t go with Deion Branch is because the defense doesn’t fear that Hass would actually throw the ball that far.
"Hey, guess what? Nobody cares who would win in a crazy fantasy fist-fight between Anne Frank and Lizzie Borden." The Monarch
by crushedoptimist on Dec 17, 2009 9:53 PM PST reply actions
This is all I need to read...
a) Require a TE with no reputation for pancaking a #1 overall to block a #1 overall.
b) Have Deon Frickin Branch on a 9 and hope he draws the safety. He wont. If you were a safety, would you bite on that?
c) Fire Knapp. Start again. Replace whatever players you want
d) Start Teel. We have nothing to lose.
I'm not sitting watching a replay right now but
I’m guessing it wasnt going as planned.
Fire Hasselbeck too, I dont mind. I’m not saying he’s faultless. I’m saying the play as described above sounds destined to fail.
Remember when...
Remember when Houston was criticized for not taking Reggie Bush or Vince Young. They said they wanted a blue chip franchise d-lineman to terrorize the league I guess the were right.
That is a lot for any end to contend with, I think it is more of an indictment of our offensive than of Gregg Knapp. We haven’t been able to block anyone and those Texan tackles are really good.
Yeah, Reggie Bush is terrible
Look at how the Saints have suffered with him on their team. I bet they wish they had Mario Williams.
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