Coffee & Cigarettes: Seahawks links for Thursday

Read this stuff.

Seattle's professorial QB follows his father's rich legacy. | SportsonEarth.com : Gwen Knapp Article
The San Diego Chargers of 1980 had never seen a rookie quite like Harrison B. Wilson III. A Dartmouth grad and the president of his law school class at the University of Virginia, he solicited an invitation to training camp to take his one shot at the NFL. It was an ambition he had deferred for three years out of respect for his father's academic absolutism. The advanced degree had to come first, then the chance to play wide receiver as a pro.

How to beat Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks | Audibles - SI.com
There appear to be two versions of the Seattle Seahawks in the public consciousness. There is the juggernaut that has gone 18-3 in its last 21 regular-season games and is nearly unbeatable at home.

Why the Seahawks win: A look at the culture they’ve created | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
The day the Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson — April 27, 2012 — general manager John Schneider was intense. “His head was about to explode,” says former Seahawks owner John Nordstrom, who sat in the draft room that day.

Without K.J. Wright, stopping Jimmy Graham will be team effort for Seahawks | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
Saints star tight end Jimmy Graham struggled last time against the Seahawks — three catches for 42 yards. But K.J. Wright, who played a large role in shutting him down, won’t play Saturday for Seattle.

Pete Carroll can write final chapter of his reinvention tale this postseason | Jerry Brewer | The Seattle Times
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll will try prove he’s more than just a brilliant college coach by winning a Super Bowl in Seattle and proving a lot of people wrong.

Improved pass rush big part of Seahawks' dominating D | HeraldNet.com - Sports
The sting of a season-ending loss was barely 24 hours old when Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was asked how his team could improve if it was going to take another step forward from a 2012 campaign that saw them fall just short of a berth in the NFC Championship game.

Thiel: Meet the Seahawks’ Astaire and Kelly | Sportspress Northwest
The apparent harmony between coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider contradicts the rich tradition of Seahawks front office mayhem. Where is Ken Behring?

After Further Review: Focus on Pats DE Ninkovich, Seahawks CB Maxwell - CBSSports.com
Cornerback Byron Maxwell has come up huge for a depleted Seattle secondary while DE Rob Ninkovich has earned his keep in New England. Both will play key roles Saturday.

Stingy defense sets the tone for the Seahawks - latimes.com
They are the only NFL team not to give up any points on an opening drive and set a club season record for fewest points given up, so the New Orleans Saints will have their hands full when they visit Seattle for a divisional playoff game Saturday.

Doug Baldwin, Earl Thomas Press Conference Quotes - Jan. 7, 2014 | Seattle Seahawks
FS Earl Thomas (On how much of a different team do you expect to see from New Orleans than what he’s seen five weeks ago…) “It’s about us. That’s what we’re taking in this whole time, it’s about us. We’re just enjoying this moment. I’m just lost in it, I’m one with it. It just feels good, it’s a great feeling, and we’re just excited for the chance. Whatever happens it just happens.”

2014 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Johnny Manziel goes No. 3 to Jaguars | Audibles - SI.com
The main goal of mock drafts several months in advance of the real deal is to get a strong sense for what each team may look for when it is on the clock. In turn, that helps paint a picture for which prospects may land where, and which positions will be in demand early.

Payton on Russell Wilson: ‘He’s done a fantastic job’ | Seahawks Insider - The News Tribune
Here’s what Sean Payton had to say today after practice:

Updated mock draft: 8th January | Seahawks Draft Blog
There are a couple of early trades this year that make a ton of sense. Last year we experimented with ‘trade’ mocks and it’s something I intend to do again. Why not have a play around instead of churning out the same thing over and over again?

Amazon.com: A Competitor's Guide to Existence: Meditations on Pete Carroll's Win Forever Philosophy eBook: Damon Agnos, Scott Pendergraft: Kindle Store
A Competitor's Guide to Existence examines Carroll's philosophy in the context of the works of great thinkers like Descartes, Kant, Cantor, and Gandhi. It explores the surprising cosmological implications of Win Forever before providing a number of practical applications--jokes, arts and crafts projects, and more--to assist you in your everyday competition.

NFL Playoffs -- In Seattle, the secondary comes first - ESPN
There was always a plan. To the rest of the league, it was obnoxious: four defensive backs strutting, dancing and flapping their gums in a faraway corner forgotten by football. "I love you, Bro," they'd say to each other during warm-ups. And opponents hated playing them.

Wilson on Harvin: “He looks unbelievable so far” | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
The Seahawks are on the practice field as we speak, and the team will release an official injury/practice report later.

NFL Playoff Preview: Seattle Seahawks’ Darrell Bevell, New Orleans Saints’ Rex Ryan square off | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: There are some great storylines for Saturday's New Orleans Saints-Seattle Seahawks game. The league's two shortest quarterbacks, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, facing off. Two unorthodox, excitable coaches in Sean Payton and Pete Carroll. The underdog six-seed who lost by … Continue reading →

Seahawks, Saints learn lessons from past matchups
Seahawks rolled past Saints in regular season, but rematch brings new wrinkles.

New Orleans Saints seek redemption in rematch with Seattle Seahawks in NFL playoffs 2013 | Audibles - SI.com
Drew Brees’ last two games in Seattle have been a mixed bag, to say the least. In the wild-card round of the 2010 playoffs, he attempted a career-tying mark of 60 passes, completing 39 for 404 yards and two touchdowns. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, however, trucked the Saints defense on a 67-yard touchdown run that was one of the most amazing in postseason history and created a seismic event in the Emerald City. The defending Super Bowl champions were sent home in a 41-36 final.

View from New Orleans: Saints motivated by 34-7 loss to Seahawks | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
The Saints have plenty of motivation heading into their rematch with the Seahawks, who beat them 34-7 on “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 2.

Heavy rain Saturday could ease by Seahawks’ kickoff | The Today File | Seattle Times
But early indications are those rains may ease by the 1:35 p.m. kickoff, and fans may see even a sun break or two as the game goes on.

Chat rewind with former Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn | Seahawks | The Seattle Times
Jim Zorn's NFL career started slowly with the Dallas Cowboys, but after the Seahawks claimed him off waivers in 1976, he went on to become a legendary quarterback for the franchise

NFL Insider: Seahawks coordinators Bevell, Quinn likely gone to be head coaches at Tennessee and Minnesota - Seattle Seahawks & NFL News
If Jason La Canfora is right, Pete Carroll is going to have his hands full this offseason.

5 Seattle Seahawks Who Will Be on the Roster Bubble in 2014 | Bleacher Report
The 2013 season is now over for all but eight NFL teams. All around the league, teams are working to make the tough decisions on which players might not be around next season. The Seahawks are no different, even if they are still playing in the playoffs.

Marshawn Lynch says he's won appeal of fine - 710sports.com
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Wilson knows Saints' pressure could mean big plays - 710sports.com
Russell Wilson isn't just expecting the Saints' defense to bring all sorts of pressure when the Seahawks host New Orleans in Saturday's divisional-round playoff game.

Person of Interest: Jimmy Graham, the mismatch - 710sports.com
Taking a closer look at three players who figure to factor heavily into Saturday's divisional-round game between the Seahawks and Saints, beginning with New Orleans' Jimmy Graham:

Looking back at the ‘Beast Quake’ run on its three-year anniversary | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
The Seattle Seahawks upset the defending Super Bowl-champion New Orleans Saints, 41-36, in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.

Lynch won’t have to pay fine — for now UPDATED | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch was fined $50,000 by the NFL last week for not speaking to the media this season (details here).

Seahawks injury report | Seahawks Insider - The News Tribune
Luke Willson and Percy Harvin were full participants.

News, notes, quotes and video: Sherman, Wilson and more | Seahawks Insider - The News Tribune
For Russell Wilson, clutch is everything. “To be a great quarterback, you have to be clutch,” Wilson said.

Alex Boone puts Colin Kaepernick on #DunkCam - NFL.com
Colin Kaepernick thought he was in the midst of a standard question-and-answer session with reporters Wednesday. San Francisco 49ers teammate Alex Boone had other plans.

Report: Chiefs looking to extend Alex Smith's contract - NFL.com
Alex Smith delivered a tremendous performance in a losing effort to the Colts on Saturday. Coming off a successful debut season in Kansas City, the Chiefs are reportedly looking to keep him around.

QB Index: Old guard, new generation clash in playoffs - NFL.com
Four of the NFL's trustiest quarterbacks have made it to the divisional round. Four of the NFL's next generation at QB join them. Gregg Rosenthal breaks down the matchups.

Packers' Mike McCarthy: Dom Capers is 'outstanding' - NFL.com
Dom Capers' job might be safe. The Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator was lauded Wednesday by coach Mike McCarthy, who said he was leaning away from making "big changes" to his staff.

San Francisco 49ers are NFL's best road team - NFL.com
The San Francisco 49ers quietly have become the NFL's top road team despite placing second to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. Are the Panthers ripe for the picking in Carolina on Sunday?

Coach Killers, Week 18: Dalton, Sanchez, Cutler and franchise QBs - CBSSports.com
Coach Killers is your weekly look around the league at those performances, decisions and 'Wait, what did he just do?!' moments that put the guy in charge squarely on the ol' hot seat.

Roger Goodell doesn't rule out medical marijuana use by players - CBSSports.com
Will NFL players be able to use marijuana for medical purposes in the future? Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league will 'support the evolution of medicine.'

2014 NFL Draft: Notre Dame RB Atkinson III turning pro - CBSSports.com
Notre Dame junior running back George Atkinson III, also a track star and return specialist, is entering the 2014 NFL Draft. Atkinson was the 11th ranked running back in the 2015 draft class.

Sean Payton on Rob Ryan: 'I think he's going to be a head coach' - CBSSports.com
Just because Saints defensive coordinator isn't drawing interest in any head coaching job, that doesn't mean he won't at some point.

Dolphins' interest in Gamble as GM really another play for Jim Harbaugh - CBSSports.com
If Miami hires Eagles exec Tom Gamble for their GM opening, you can bet that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross' end game is another run at Niners coach Jim Harbaugh.

NFL Prospect Focus: Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt | National Football Post
These Notre Dame underclassmen should go high in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Mike Munchak's firing a reminder of the humanity in the coaching carousel | The MMQB with Peter King
Mike Munchak’s name made the scrawl the other day, but somehow that didn’t quite capture the whole story behind his departure from the Tennessee Titans organization after 31 years.

NFL hits TV ratings bonanza in 2013 regular season, wild-card playoffs | The MMQB with Peter King
While the football-airing networks strive for production excellence and quality broadcasting each week, the ultimate scoreboard is ratings. For television executives, your best opportunity for that winter house in Vail is when viewership numbers are rolling, and the opening week of the playoffs ...

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady: Making the Extraordinary Look Routine | The MMQB with Peter King
This will be the seventh divisional playoff weekend that has featured Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. At 36 and 37, respectively, both men rank among the best ever at their position and are amazingly still improving.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Secret Sauce Revisited
Almost six years ago, Football Outsiders published a column by Bill Barnwell titled, "Why Doesn't Bill Polian's S--t Work in the Playoffs?" Eight days ago in the comments section of our DVOA ratings column, reader pm asked if we would be running an update of Barnwell's research. Well, it just so happens that, as part of FO's 10th year anniversary, we were already planning on running a series of articles throughout the offseason updating some of the seminal research findings that helped propel the site to where it is today, and form the basis of our "Pregame Show" essay. So I thought, "What the heck! Give the people a taste of what's to come."

Penalty Rates Are Down In The Playoffs
Did notice the lack of yellow flags this weekend? In the first round of the 2013 playoffs, just 31 penalties were called over four games, a 7.75 per-game average. That’s the lowest per-game average from any week this season, and the 63.25 penalty yards assessed also represent the floor on a per-game basis for any week in 2013.

League says Lynch didn’t “win” his appeal | ProFootballTalk
Marshawn Lynch claims he won the appeal of his $50,000 fine for not talking to the media. The league says that’s not the case.

Supervillains and Noise: Death at the Hand’s of the Legion of Boom | Sports City Scramble
uthor’s Note: This was supposed to be a preview of Saturday’s NFC Divisional game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints. Well, it did not turn out as such. Instead it resulted in the brief history of the Seahawks Legion of Boom and if any playoff team will find themselves victorious after 60 minutes with their ferocity. Sorry if you were expecting otherwise — at least Seahawks fans will be happy.

Report: 49ers' Greg Roman will interview for Penn State job - NFL.com
Greg Roman, the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator, reportedly will interview for the Penn State coaching job. He once called it "a lifetime job."

2013 NFL all-rookie team offense: Keenan Allen deserving of Offensive Rookie of the Year - SBNation.com
The Offensive Rookie of the Year race came down to the wire.

Roger Goodell doubles down on London, might support medicinal marijuana - SBNation.com
Roger Goodell wants a team and a Super Bowl in London, and will not defy the evolution of medicine.

Challenges await Kaepernick, Newton - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN
Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game features a matchup between two exciting, young, dual-threat quarterbacks looking to lead their teams one step closer to the Super Bowl.