Seattle Seahawks First Scoring Drive: From Stretch to Screen

by John Morgan on Sep 16, 2009 2:32 PM PDT

Julius Jones ran for one to start The Drive. The drive, the Seahawks first scoring drive of the season -- why did it work? Where did it falter? What can we learn about this team and this coaching staff by studying it?

The first play wasn't a mystery. Sean Locklear attempted a cut block and then rolled on his back like an upended beetle. His assignment, Clifton Ryan, closed the cutback lane and tackled Jones in the crease. Locklear slowed Ryan and stalled backside pursuit. He didn't stop Ryan and that stopped Jones.

The next play was a screen pass to Jones. That's when things got interesting.

Seattle's duplicates it previous formation but flips John Carlson to the left. St. Louis is in a 4-3, but in Spags fashion, the middle linebacker is challenging the left "A" gap.

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Ray Willis and Sean Locklear allow the ends to cave the exterior pocket, but neither loses control of their defender. The interior line holds position until Justin Griffith can pass Max Unger's right shoulder. That's the signal to pull. Rob Sims throws a wicked push block on Clifton Ryan and uses that separation to run towards the left flat. Steve Vallos drops his double team with Unger and runs a more vertical route into the second level but towards the third. Will Witherspoon drops coverage from Carlson and attempts a tackle. Matt Hasselbeck retreats right and away from Locklear and targets Jones just as he clears the right defensive end.

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Sims cut blocks Witherspoon and Jones is sprung to the second level. Vallos flattens his angle and drops O.J. Atogwe. Nate Burleson stands up Jonathan Wade. Jones runs behind the downed Sims, weaves behind Vallos and must only navigate James Laurinaitis and Wade to take a head of steam into the third level. Carlson moves up to block Laurinaitis, but can't control or even stagger him. Laurinaitis keeps Carlson out of his body, shades towards Jones and disengages to hit him head on and wrap. Jones lowers his shoulder and carries the play another two yards. It's a nine yard gained marked as eight.

Essential details: The offensive line is coordinated.

Steve Vallos executes impeccably.

Rob Sims shows power, quickness, agility and an ability to cut block in the open field.

Carlson's receiving presence draws Witherspoon and takes him out of position, but his blocking ends the play.

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FYI

I might be sick. I am ignoring it for now, but I’ve had food poisoning before and I know how it starts. If the site is inactive later today, it will be because I am puking my guts out. Ugh.

by John Morgan on Sep 16, 2009 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

Nooooooooooo!

What will I do for football coverage?

Seriously, get well soon, John. You being healthy is most important.

Obligatory football comment: My big observation from the preseason and game one is that this year’s Seahawks team is terrific at executing the screen. They run a fabulous screen pass. I think part of that is holdover from Holmgren, especially Hasselbeck. But a big part of it is the new line philosophy, and the backs. This administration values mobility in linemen and backs who are good at catching passes. Both create terrific screen opportunities.

by robbbbbb on Sep 16, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh damn.

I’ve had it, too. Hope you can shake it!

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

by Nick Andron on Sep 16, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Swine flu

I’m calling it now. If John dies from swine flu, I win the pool.

by ninjasocks on Sep 16, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I call Fooch poisoning his food.

by LantermanC on Sep 16, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

O-line

Hey John, love the site and the articles are great. Question for you… with Big Walt comming back soon and Spencer maybe a week or so away, how would you handle the Oline? I think Jones will be back in the line playing, but with Vallos playing impeccably would you start Spencer for Vallos?

by JoshManRock on Sep 16, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

Yes.

Vallos has picked it up from what he did last season, but the Rams don’t have a defensive tackle to speak of. I wouldn’t read too much into one game. I am more interested in how Walter Jones slots in. Is Knapp going to ask him to run twenty yards down the field? To cut block?

by John Morgan on Sep 16, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I love it, the screen pass is essential to the game of football

and helps keep the defense honest. I love that the hawks have the personnel in place to be a good screen team. I miss the screen pass, Alexander’s hands just went from bad to worse and the Walrus took it out of the playbook pretty much. But it was a bad mofo in GB when Dorsey Levens was runnin it.

by Hawkmain on Sep 16, 2009 5:16 PM PDT reply actions