Five Observations from the Seattle Seahawks First Offensive Drive

by John Morgan on Aug 16, 2009 2:41 PM PDT

5. Greg Knapp's spacing is tighter and he uses the pass to set up the run. Wide receivers align closer to the offensive line, he relies on his tight ends to block and Knapp uses John Carlson's versatility to play tight end and wide receiver - sometimes in the same play. On the fourth play of Seattle's first possession, third and one from the Seahawks 46, Carlson motioned out of right tight end to the left slot. There he was able to seal block and create an outside rushing lane. It wasn't used.

4. Carlson nullified and walked back Shawne Merriman on Julius Jones eight yard rush.

3. Luis Castillo ripped through John Owens and tackled Jones for a one yard loss on the next play.

2. Chris Spencer chips and pulls. On third and one, he chipped Jamal Williams and pulled to block Eric Weddle. Weddle was walked into the box and playing, position wise, middle linebacker. Max Unger couldn't contain Williams by himself and Williams tackled T.J. Duckett for no gain. Williams is a preternaturally large human being.

1. Check "learn how to cut block" off Owen Schmitt's to-do list. On four plays and three runs, he buried a pad into Tim Dobbins' hip upending him and then on third and one, went low to drop Keith Burnett.

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I am heading out to Sauvie Island with my wife to enjoy the last day of my vacation.

We’ll ramp up coverage tomorrow and I’ll try and hit my stride for full-time coverage starting August 31.

by John Morgan on Aug 16, 2009 2:44 PM PDT reply actions

Your hard work is much appreciated, John.

Enjoy your last day.

As far as Schmitt goes, he absolutely laid the lumber on that Charger when JJ broke off around the corner. that’s what I want to see…a real heir to Mack Strong.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Aug 16, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I loved that play too.

Although I’m not sure what to of make of the reports that hint Schmitt still has trouble recognizing the blitz.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Aug 16, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, brute strength in a FB is second only to awareness.

Hasselbeck needs to be protected, especially this year.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Aug 16, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Have fun!

You should take some well-deserved time off away from spoiling us on this site.

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on Aug 16, 2009 2:53 PM PDT reply actions

2nd

Hopefully it stayed sunny for you.

by vanrijn on Aug 16, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

For point 3...

I read that Unger knocked into Owens (and another teammate) on the run play causing Owens to lose his block and lead to JJ getting tackled.

by Bellevue on Aug 16, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions

Didn't see it the first time I saw it

but it’s right, it looked like Unger tried to run right inbetween them and it did push Owens away from Castillo for the tackle. I’m trying to imagine wtf Unger was thinking, he messed that up pretty bad.

Note for myself so I can post pictures from it later: 9:01. Or if someone else wants to look it happened at 12:56 in the first quarter.

by Trepidation on Aug 17, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Unger deserves no blame.

Owens is angle blocking Castillo from the right TE position. He passes left and in front of Willis and Unger. Willis and Unger are pulling right. Willis is supposed to block Shaun Phillips and Unger is supposed to pull around him and block whoever nears Jones. (If the play works, Unger should block Kevin Burnett) Instead, Willis doesn’t get good push. Owens is walked back. And Unger and Jones would have to backpedal to turn the corner. That’s not going to happen. Unger collides with 74 and Jones is tackled by Castillo.

Owens doesn’t deserve sole blame. The logic of the play is that he can’t stop Castillo, but since Castillo is big and slow, if he can delay Castillo, Jones can turn the corner and nullify Castillo. (Castillo would be without an angle and trailing a much faster player.) Owens didn’t quite hold Castillo long enough, but moreover Phillips kept Willis from getting push. So Willis deserves the most blame—or Phillips deserves the most credit. Owens should of held a little longer. Unger did nothing wrong. He ran into Willis because Willis hadn’t accomplished his assignment.

by John Morgan on Aug 17, 2009 12:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Further

Unger tried to make the right decision by sliding between Willis and Owens, but that space collapsed to quickly that it turned into a crowd of blockers but no hole.

by John Morgan on Aug 17, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions

So what you're saying is...

Unger is awesome.

by Fear on Aug 17, 2009 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, it looks like it's a combination of Willis and Owens

The only reason Unger chips Owens is because Owens got knocked back (towards the sideline) into his path. If either Willis or Owens succeeds, Jones might of had some room, but when neither does the whole thing collapsed. Hard to say, the Chargers were all over that play.

What I found interesting was the play before, Housh motions in and at the snap and then runs in to seal the backside. I hadn’t seen that before, but then I haven’t see much zone blocking, is that typical? I guess sending the WR in would free up another lineman to be better utilized inside as well as move the corner over, giving Jones one less guy and more room on the outside. Pretty interesting play design.

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 17, 2009 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm away from the computer all day

I come back and find that JM has made my day a little brighter. Welcome back, Seahawks football, and welcome back to actually analyzing current football games, JM. I always look forward to your thoughts on these games.

"Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?" - Dr. Venture

by Eegah on Aug 16, 2009 8:27 PM PDT reply actions

I noticed the tight spacing, too

it almost felt like a waste of space, to be so crammed in, but i’m sure there are advantages and disadvantages to it just like anything else. Perhaps it’s needed, for this team, for now. My reaction without thinking it through a lot, though, is I’d like to see our front spread just a little bit more across.

by jacobstevens on Aug 17, 2009 10:20 AM PDT reply actions

Also, Duckett picked up a blitzing LB beautifully

I wish I had noted which quarter it was during the game, but he gave the QB more than enough time to throw the ball. I was way more excited about the blitz pickup than the completed pass lol

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 17, 2009 12:42 PM PDT reply actions