FanPost

BYE Week Strategic Changes / 49ers Measuring Stick

Is anyone else pumped for the upcoming BYE week? I don't know if it is supported by data, but it feels like the Seahawks always make some of their biggest schematic changes coming out of BYEs. The defense has been underperforming to such a degree that even minor fixes could go a long way. My gut also tells me Pete was giving KN Jr until the BYE to fix the issues, and I wouldn't be surprised if Pete takes over some duties from him to close out the season.

Furthermore, it also seems like the Seahawks use certain big matchups as measuring sticks for where they are in a season. I think it was last year or the year before Pete had mentioned something like "i wanted to see if we could beat/compete with the Rams" before deciding on how much of contenders they were/making decision some trade scenarios. I wouldn't be surprised if the Seahawks knew this test was coming up before the BYE week and were dragging their feet making huge changes, as this upcoming test will really tell the Seahawks a lot about who they are. Because it is a big primetime matchup against a good rival, I think it's it's safe to assume they've planned rolling out some kind of new wrinkle or two, and hopefully deploying Q Diggs in an effective way to see if they can surprise the '9ers. If the 49ers shred our defense this week, I think the the BYE week adjustments will only be more extreme, if the defense puts on a good effort, I would bet the BYE week changes will try to foster whatever new wrinkles they roll out in week 10.

Is it naive to expect at least some positive growth out of the Heart Attack Hawks's defense coming out of the BYE? My cynical side says probably, but my gut says no.

P.S. I bet Pete Carroll is watching the Patriots put the best defense they've had in years out on the field with Bill Belichick basically serving as the DC (and mostly the same talent they've had for a couple years). Maybe he is bold enough to really take the reigns coming out of the BYE.