Field Gulls - Seahawks lose Super Bowl XLIX: Full coverageThe stupidest name in smart football analysis.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50215/fieldgulls-fav.png2015-08-14T10:57:01-07:00http://www.fieldgulls.com/rss/stream/76274682015-08-14T10:57:01-07:002015-08-14T10:57:01-07:00The Seahawks' passing offense in Super Bowl XLIX
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Every Seahawks pass play from Super Bowl XLIX.</p> <p>Previously, I diagrammed every pass play the Seahawks ran in the <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2014/5/29/5761488/every-route-from-the-nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship Game against San Francisco</a> and in the <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2014/6/12/5800566/seahawks-passing-game-concepts-every-route-from-the-superb-owl?_ga=1.263643338.718664346.1424289325">Super Bowl against Denver.</a> As we ramp up for preseason games and the 2015 season, I thought it'd be a good time to take the same look at this past Super Bowl.</p>
<p>Between the 2014 NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XLVIII, we saw the re-addition of Percy Harvin to Seattle's passing attack. While the team still predominately relied on play action passing and <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2014/6/9/5792648/seahawks-russell-wilson-sidney-rice-pete-carroll-nfl">sail/flood concepts</a> to push the ball downfield, Harvin's presence increased the number of short passing plays Seattle ran. Between the 2014 Super Bowl and the 2015 Super Bowl, Seattle's offense saw even more significant change. Golden Tate, Percy Harvin, and Zach Miller were all gone and, by many accounts, Russell Wilson had regressed a bit as a passer.</p>
<p>So, how did this change Seattle's passing game?</p>
<p>Before we jump into plays, here's how I've broken this down. Plays are sorted chronologically by down. The legend for the diagram is as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Dotted line - Pre-snap motion</li>
<li>Yellow route - Not targeted</li>
<li>Black route - Incomplete</li>
<li>Green route - Complete</li>
<li>Blue route - blocking assignment</li>
<li>Flat line across a route - Receiver chipped before releasing into his route</li>
<li>Russ' red line - Play action</li>
</ul>
<p>The routes are a mostly accurate representation of where the receiver was on the field and where they made their cuts. The exceptions are a couple of plays where a cut was made further down field than the screen shot shows. Those routes were compacted somewhat.</p>
<p><br><strong>1st Down Plays</strong></p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 1:39 in the first quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Seattle opens with a fun wrinkle on their classic look. The design is their standard flood concept (flood the zone with more receivers than defenders) off of play action. Jermaine Kearse releases outside and gets deep, TE Cooper Helfet cuts underneath with an intermediate route, and RB Marshawn Lynch gives an underneath option. The fun wrinkle here is that the play action is off of WR Ricardo Lockette's pre-play motion. After the faked hand off, Lockette looks to be running out into the far flat before drifting upfield. Normally we see Lynch running this route, and it's been good for a few big gains (and touchdowns) over the years.</p>
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<p><br>For whatever reason, possibly waiting for Lockette to look for the ball, Wilson delays throwing and ends up being forced to scramble by Ninkovich. He picked up 7, but might have left a lot more on the field.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 0:16 in the first quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Seattle runs a hi-lo concept (two routes parallel to each other at different depths) in the middle of the field with two fly routes (go-routes) on the "flood" side. Russ takes too long to come off the deep routes and is too late getting to Doug, who flashes open across the middle before getting covered back up. Russ tries to scramble and is sacked just before the line of scrimmage.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 9:47 in the second quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Bevell dials up a shot play (a deep shot down the field), Carpenter dials up a whiff on Chandler Jones, and Russ is sacked before he can escape the pocket.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 0:24 left in the second quarter</em></p>
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<p><br><a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2014/8/18/6029947/seahawks-nfl-packaged-plays">Packaged play!</a> Russ keeps on the read and doesn't have much time to read his options downfield due to Jamie Collins scraping and getting pressure. Russ jukes Collins out of his shoes and picks up 17.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 0:17 left in the second quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Seattle is looking to stress the deep safety Devin McCourty with this play, running deep routes to either side of him. In the end, McCourty stresses the offense and kills this play. WR Chris Matthews gets caught up in traffic initially, but breaks free and has great separation from the corner. Kearse crosses in front of McCourty, and Russ stares him down trying to get McCourty to commit. Instead, McCourty does a really fantastic job of getting deep enough in his drop to potentially challenge a throw to Matthews, while staying close enough to Kearse to be able to drive down an a pass underneath him.</p>
<p><br>By the time Russ gets this ball out to Matthews he's too far downfield and the corner has recovered. This wasn't a great play from Russ, and showed some of the indecisiveness that a lot of people criticized him for this season, but I have to believe that Russ' respect for McCourty was a major factor.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 0:06 left in the second quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Jump ball.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 13:48 left in the third quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Not a lot to this one. As far as shot plays go, I like this one quite a bit more than the crossing deep routes Bevell tends to favor. Really though, I think this was just a heat check for Matthews.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 8:07 left in the third quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>After hitting New England over the top the whole game, Seattle calls it's first short passing play. It's mostly a disaster, with Baldwin crossing through traffic and Kearse smothered on his comeback. But then Chris Matthews goes and does this...</p>
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<div><span>(content removed)</span></div>
<p><br>...to Brandon Browner.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 6:44 left in the third quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Another tricked-up flood combo. The receivers are lined up left but cross beneath Willson and fill the right side of the field. Here we see Lynch sneaking out beneath Tukuafu opposite the flood side of the field, just like he normally does and like Lockette did in the first play. Wilson stares down Lynch but Hightower sniffs the play out, and Russ eventually scrambles for 15.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 3:15 left in the third quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>This is maybe my favorite play of the Super Bowl. It looks a little different, with a tight bunch on the opposite the play side, but this is more of less the same <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2014/6/9/5792648/seahawks-russell-wilson-sidney-rice-pete-carroll-nfl">play action flood route combo we've seen Seattle run over and over</a>. In fact, it's basically the exact same play as the one right above but with one big exception: they replaced Tukuafu with Lockette.</p>
<p><br>Unlike with Tukuafu, the corner has a healthy respect for Lockette's speed, giving him a large cushion and hedging towards the outside <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2013/8/23/4648046/seahawks-packers-2013-russell-wilson-golden-tate">thinking Lockette will push the red line</a>. Lockette sells that with an outside release before cutting back to the middle of the field. The corner has taken himself completely out of position to defend the dig route (a route that cuts back across the field) and the safety, having read the flood concept in front of him, flowed to the playside and is in no position to help. Lockette picks up 25 yards.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 7:55 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Pretty standard play action shot play from Seattle here. Matthews drives deep after motioning to the slot, and Lockette runs a deep crossing route underneath. Lockette comes open but is tripped by the New Cheatland Cheatriots and Russ' pass bounces harmlessly off the turf.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 2:02 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Every defense in the league knows that when Seattle goes four verts, you gotta know where Marshawn is and cover him up. If not, he'll do this to you all day long.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 1:55 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Coming down to the finish, Seattle drops the flood concept but still hits a lot of their favorite notes. Kearse driving deep in the slot, a receiver working the red line, and Marhawn slipping out the back side of the play trying to get deep. This play looks good until Butler makes a nice last second play on the ball to break up the pass.</p>
<p><br><em>1st and 10, 1:14 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>lol (this is that play where Kearse catches the deflected ball from his back).</p>
<p><br><strong>2nd Down Plays</strong></p>
<p><br><em>2nd and 5, 4:19 left in the second</em></p>
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<p><br>The design here is supposed to free up Baldwin, with Matthews effectively rubbing (holding up) Baldwin's man. Matthews does slow up Baldwin's man somewhat, but mainly he just wins off the line and has Arrington beat deep. McCourty bites on either the play action or Kearse's route, and Russ hits Matthews for a gain of 44.</p>
<p><br><em>2nd and 10, 0:11 left in the second</em></p>
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<p><br>Seattle doesn't use a ton of corner/flat combinations and it's known more for it's use against Cover-2 defense than against single high safeties, but considering the game situation it makes sense. Lockette wins his matchup, despite having his facemask yanked during hit cut, and picks up 23 plus 15 for the penalty.</p>
<p><br><em>2nd and 3, 5:00 left in the third quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>I like this play quite a bit. The Seahawks give Russ options across the entire field, with Doug and Willson running hi-lo crossers, Kearse in the middle of the back of the end zone, and Lynch running a curl off play action at the line of scrimmage. Add Russ' mobility to this, and it gives the defense a lot to think about.. New England can't keep track of it all, and Doug slips out the right side of the play wide open for an easy touchdown.</p>
<p><br><em>2nd and 8, 1:54 left in the third quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Another simple, short, spacing play from Seattle after three quarters of trying to hit plays over the top. Kearse wins his matchup, picks up 6 yards, and helps keep the defense just a little more honest.</p>
<p><br><em>2nd and 10, 1:50 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>This is basically the exact same play that Russ missed at the end of the second quarter. This time Russ is looking for Matthews all the way, but Matthews doesn't win his matchup the same way he did previously. He does eventually get on top of the corner, but just like the play in the second quarter, he's too far downfield by the time Russ throws it and the corner is able to break up the pass.</p>
<p><br><strong>3rd Down Plays</strong></p>
<p><br><em>3rd and 9, 14:21 left in the second quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Willson is supposed to clear the middle of the field with his route, but Collins is able to press and disrupt the route to the point where Willson only serves to clutter the middle of the field. Kearse wins his matchup but immediately runs into the mess created by Collins and Russ, after extending the play for a while, eventually throws incomplete to Walters.</p>
<p><br><em>3rd and 8, 8:24 left in the second quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Basic stuff. Hi-lo route in the middle of the field, 9 routes on the outside, Lynch sneaking out into the flats after blocking. Kearse has good position on the red line but the ball is just a touch underthrown, giving the corner the chance to break up the pass.</p>
<p><br><em>3rd and 6, 5:36 left in the second quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>The Seahawks <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2014/12/26/7451329/seahawks-cardinals-rams-russell-wilson-luke-willson-zach-miller">use a levels concept </a>here, with the New England linebackers staying underneath Willson and Baldwin. Kearse wins his matchup on the curl, and picks up just enough for a first down.</p>
<p><br><em>3rd and 2, 3:15 left in the third quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Seattle uses two rub routes to clear Kearse on the wheel route with Lockette running a post on the other side to hold the safety, and it works perfectly. Kearse comes free and, had he caught the ball, would've picked up 30 yards on the play.</p>
<p><br><em>3rd and 7, 13:01 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>For as much as Seattle runs the hi-lo, Russ really doesn't like that in route across the middle. Baldwin came open on the same route in the first quarter and Russ decided to eat it instead, and he does the same here.</p>
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<p><br>Russ hesitates on the throw and is sacked before he can get the ball out.</p>
<p><br><em>3rd and 5, 7:06 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Pretty standard flood concept here, but this time Marshawn runs to the playside flat. Russ boots his way right as Marshawn comes open, and kind of gets stuck in a in between state with his footwork. Russ gathers himself on the roll out and Marshawn floats upfield. He's still open, but Russ has to fit it in a hole between a safety over the top and the linebacker underneath. It ends up being a very poor throw, and Marshawn has no play on the ball.</p>
<p><br><em>3rd and 10, 1:41 left in the fourth quarter</em></p>
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<p><br>Bevell calls a mirrored smash, which turns out to be a great call. New England defenders cheat deep expecting four verts and Lockette has an easy first on the curl underneath (even with him cutting his route off a little short).</p>
<p>-------</p>
<p><br>So, that's every pass play Seattle called in Super Bowl XLIX. As you can see</p>
<p><br>What's that?</p>
<p><br>That's not every play? I'm missing one?</p>
<p><br>**double checks**</p>
<p><br>Nope, that's all of them.</p>
<p><br>Anyways, you can see that despite all of the changes from 2013 to 2014, the Seahawks passing offense has changed very little. The concepts have remained the same, with some added wrinkles as Russ and the offense gets more experience running Bevell's playbook.</p>
<p><br>Looking forward, I would think we'll see a whole lot more of Chris Matthews. He fits this offense perfectly, and if he can be half as productive as he was in the Super Bowl he'll be a huge part of this offense next year. I expect we'll see a lot of Tyler Lockett running the hi-lo routes Seattle loves so much, the deep crossing routes, and the curls we see in Seattle's smash and levels routes. Russ will need to get much more comfortable with those crossing routes, or we'll be seeing plenty of stills of a wide open Lockett not getting the ball on twitter this year. And Graham will probably do a little bit of everything.</p>
<p><br>It's a passing attack that should only get better this coming season, and we don't have to wait much longer to see it.</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2015/8/14/8760779/super-bowl-xlix-seattle-seahawks-passing-offenseNate Dogg2015-03-01T12:28:16-08:002015-03-01T12:28:16-08:00Marshawn Lynch talks to Turkish media
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<p>Marshawn Lynch joined Turkish Media for about a half-hour to talk about his Fam 1st Family foundation, the Super Bowl, and American Football Without Borders, a non-profit founded by former Seahawk Breno Giacomini. If you can stand to listen to Lynch and others talking behind Turkish voice-overs, here's the actual video.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/79zQ0TL1vmI" height="480" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>Thankfully, Eric Edholm at Yahoo <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/marshawn-lynch-to-turkish-tv-on-super-bowl-play---i-was-expecting-the-ball-190253725.html">transcribed a portion of it</a>, including Lynch's reaction to losing the Super Bowl (comes at the 20 minute mark).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I was expecting the ball. Yes, I was expecting the ball. But in life, these things happen. Like I told a reporter after the game, it's a team sport.</p>
<p>"I had no problem with the decision of the play-calling. I mean, you know ... I think it was more of a ... how do I say this? When you look at me, and you let me run that ball in ... I am the face of the nation. You know, MVP of the Super Bowl ... that's pretty much the face of the nation at that point of time.</p>
<p>I don't know what went into that call. I mean, maybe it was a good thing that I didn't get the ball. I mean, you know, it cost us the Super Bowl. I mean, I have full ... I have full confidence in my teammates to execute that plan because we've done it so many more times. But would I love to had the ball in? Yes, I would have.</p>
<p>"But the game is over, and I am in Turkey."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Lynch's comments are vague and implicit, so I'll just let you interpret them as you will.</p>
<p>They do, however, seem to support <a target="_blank" href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/20/ben-obomanu-says-some-seattle-players-believe-decision-to-throw-was-made-to-get-russell-wilson-super-bowl-mvp/">this notion</a> that the Seahawks wanted Russell Wilson to be the MVP of the game.</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/3/1/8129819/marshawn-lynch-super-bowl-turkey-nfl-pete-carrollDanny Kelly2015-02-25T12:12:19-08:002015-02-25T12:12:19-08:00The Eight-Layered Blame Game
<figure>
<img alt="time ended three seconds later" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YlcTQENZpic1RPnqPkwKVfvUp1Q=/279x157:4810x3178/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45769136/usa-today-8387072.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>time ended three seconds later | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A somewhat subjective attempt to assign fault for the outcome of "Second And One." Wherein blame is spread across a wide net of vessels.</p> <p>There's <i>so much</i> blame to go around. Here's one attempt to distribute it fairly fairly.</p>
<h4>Batting Leadoff: The OC</h4>
<p>Darrell Bevell is tops on my blame list. On a lot of blame lists. Which explains why people want him gone, sometimes expressed in vociferous manner. If that's you, I have patience for your point of view. Obviously. He's my top goat. But the rest of the upcoming names also explain why I don't want to see him fired -- he's only the first guy on a long list.</p>
<p>He called the play, as far as we know. Pete asked his OC to dial up a pass play, and the one Bevell chose was flawed. It relied on Ricardo Lockette and Jermaine Kearse to execute something they had rarely pulled off in a game situation.</p>
<p>I can't say this next paragraph enough. It's been my go-to-line for the month and I semi-apologize if you've read it before:</p>
<p><i>You didn't get to within one yard of a title by throwing slants to Ricardo Lockette. Why, why, why would you try to win one that way?</i></p>
<p>The choice of play and personnel is suspect. There were good reasons this particular call was made:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>No sack possible</span></li>
<li><span>Low risk of turnover</span></li>
<li><span>Defense was in goal-line</span></li>
<li><span>It was the offense's last chance to keep the defense guessing between pass and run</span></li>
</ul>
<p>But the play came with its own risks, which should not have been quickly dismissed:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>A batted ball. Wilson tied Tom Brady for 11th most batted balls in the league this year, per PFF, with nine.</span></li>
<li><span>An opportunistic DB. If a corner recognizes the route and jumps it, trouble.</span></li>
<li><span>Lockette's route-running ability. When was the last time he was praised for his precise patterns?</span></li>
<li><span>Relying on Jermaine Kearse to be as physical as Brandon Browner at the line of scrimmage.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Should any one of those things not go as planned, the play could easily veer into disaster. As it turned out, the last three things all went wrong. All those pitfalls were foreseeable; all were preventable.</p>
<p>To not account for those negative possibilities is... disappointing. To say a little less than the very least.</p>
<h4>Batting Second: The Man Who Would Win Forever</h4>
<p>For all that Pete Carroll does exceptionally well, I do not believe end-of-half or end-of-game clock management is one of them.</p>
<p>With more than a minute left on the game clock of XLIX, Jermaine Kearse casually steps out of bounds, having just secured the second-most unbelievable catch in Super Bowl history. The Seattle Seahawks have two timeouts and a first-and-goal at the five-yard line of New England. Barring a meltdown, the re-Pete is likely.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201502010sea.htm"> </a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201502010sea.htm">Pro-football-reference.com calculates the Hawks' win probability at that point to be 84.9 percent.</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201502010sea.htm"> </a></p>
<p>But before the Hawks can run another play, Carroll burns his second timeout. Eyebrows raise across the PNW and everywhere the Patriots are loathed -- but still there's no panic to be had with that decision. 66 seconds remain. More than enough time to run four plays.</p>
<p>With 1:06 left, the ball is snapped and handed to Marshawn Lynch, who gains four.</p>
<p>39 seconds elapse before the next play -- the stupid play of stupidity -- commences. It's those 39 seconds, poofed away by indecision and gamesmanship and fear of scoring too quickly, that nudge Carroll to turn to his OC and demand a safe pass play on second down, one that would either result in an incompletion or a touchdown. To preserve the possibility of running plays on third and fourth down, if necessary.</p>
<p>Point is, Carroll called for a pass play not to "waste" a down. That's just how he worded it, clumsily, in the unlistenable post-game moments. He did it to salvage the play-calling flexibility he squandered mostly by himself.</p>
<h4>Batting Third: The Rookie</h4>
<p>Malcolm Butler. Proof that Carroll remains right about a lot of important things.</p>
<p>He's an undrafted free agent from the University of West Alabama, which is not the most prestigious school in that state, I'm told. He's a young backup, born in the nineties (!), who practiced thoroughly for a pay-off moment that actually arrived.</p>
<p>Butler has told us he diagnosed the play, having prepared for it. Preparation matters. He took a chance, a gamble -- but it was an educated one. He got to Lockette a split-second early, the way our corners sometimes do, because why not? What did he have to lose? He knew where the ball would be. He practiced this play. And his sure hands clinched a championship. It was a brilliant moment for an unheralded, undrafted, aggressive young piece of depth who happened to be playing his best on the biggest stage because he was ready. Like I said, Pete Carroll is right about a lot of important things.</p>
<p>Here's what I know. A receiver isn't supposed to be bending this direction a split second after the ball arrives. Butler did it. He got there first, when getting there second meant defeat.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ua2ryTPLdfwKjw_grBxe5Luym0c=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444648/16912792-mmmain.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Malcolm Butler knew, or guessed, the pass was coming. He made a play. If Butler were a Seahawk, based on his last play, we would induct him into the LOB and we would love him and squeeze him and call him George. And all such kind of things.</p>
<p>Instead, he's third on this shit list.</p>
<h4>Batting Cleanup: The Emperor</h4>
<p>Was it brilliant or stupid, Bill Belichick's decision to let the clock run after Lynch's carry? If it were any other coach I'd say stupid. You want to save time for your offense to drive down the field. You want 30-45 seconds for that desperation field-goal drive. Not 20. And you can't expect your defense to make a stop here, on the one, against an opponent armed with three downs and Beast Mode. Certainly not when your short-yardage defense is one of the worst in the league.</p>
<p>But Belichick's unconventional choice forced Carroll to use a timeout he wanted to conserve.</p>
<p>BB also prepared his team for that goal-line play. That's kind of what coaches do. So when Butler jumped the route and changed the course of sports history, it was in part because his coach nudged him in that direction.</p>
<div>I'd wager any other coach in his situation uses a timeout after Lynch's near-score, and doesn't have his team prepared nearly as well. Next time, all other things being equal, let's not face The Hoodie.</div>
<h4><br></h4>
<h4>Batting Fifth: The So-Called Rocket</h4>
<p>I'm no route expert but Lockette's footwork looks imperfect, at best, on film.</p>
<p>Pre-snap formation, with routes:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8NAyNstOyMTUNgbfkTqS3tbYrXc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444698/Butler-Interception-Cover-757x364.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Enter the .gif of pain.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ASn3HWItdFnwI3P8JkjKtZkzD4s=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444706/Malcolm-Butler-intercepts-Russell-Wilson-markup.0.gif">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Forget the interception, forget the pang of regret. Focus on Lockette's feet.</p>
<p>1. A stutter-step at the snap. This is part of the plan, as the red slanty arrow suggests. So far, so good. Unless it's too long a delay, in which case maybe a few valualbe hundredths of a second are lost.</p>
<p>2. But then, his right foot makes its cut. Watch it stab toward the sideline. That's either a sloppy move that flushes even more hundredths flushed down the toilet, or a poor sell to the outside that also happens to be useless.</p>
<p>3. As the .gif loops, keep your eyes on Lockette after the cut. Look at that windy path to the goal line. Another tenth of a second wasted, maybe more. When Lockette arrives at the half-yard line to meet the ball and catch the title-winning pass, he's the second guy there because of Butler's more direct route.</p>
<p>Other folks might well disagree with me on this critique of footwork, but on a timing route where two-tenths of a second matter enormously, I'm more likely to blame a receiver on his third team, with 25 career catches to his name, than the star quarterback, for the ball ending up in a different location than the ball-catcher.</p>
<p>That being said...</p>
<h4>Batting Sixth: The Texas Rangers' Second Baseman</h4>
<p>Yes, that being said, if there's one thing we've grown to expect from Russell Carrington Wilson, it's ball security.</p>
<p>On this play, with so much at stake, <i>on second down</i>, it's imperative to the imperative power that he prize ball security over scoring.</p>
<p>And yet, after weeks, months, seasons of careful decisions, Wilson failed to protect the ball on one play. <b>The </b>play. He could have placed it where only Lockette had a chance at it. It could have been lower, it could have been released .05 seconds later once he noticed Lockette's imperfect route and Butler crashing in.</p>
<p>He didn't do any of those things. In another goal-line situation on a different day, he might be the prime goat for submitting the same imperfect decisions and execution. Not today.</p>
<h4>Batting Seventh: The Designated Hitter</h4>
<p>In happier days, Brandon Browner used to be <i>our </i>DH.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rrPC3g8LNOjZWhRi2WqYNJzGElA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444716/giphy.0.gif">
</figure>
</p>
<p>But when he gave Kearse just enough resistance at the line of scrimmage, he allowed Butler's Gamble to pay off, for the rookie to run unimpeded to the spot where the title was lost/won.</p>
<p>It's the little things. Inches, fractions of seconds, hesitations and lack thereof.</p>
<p>As the .gif replays below, watch only Browner this time -- he initiates contact with Kearse on the Seattle side of the line of scrimmage. Only after that is he driven back a couple yards. Browner's immediate burst of physicality is what allows Butler to sneak in behind him. If there is no initial contact, the ball is in Lockette's hands at the half-yard-line and a sloppy route is forgotten to history.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ASn3HWItdFnwI3P8JkjKtZkzD4s=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444706/Malcolm-Butler-intercepts-Russell-Wilson-markup.0.gif">
</figure>
</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Batting Eighth: The Onetime Hero, The Onetime Goat</h4>
<p>Jermaine Kearse, goat of the NFCCG...</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uNlBHwPvnrsayZ5EwzJfptkcNC8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444770/Russell-Wilson-pass-intended-for-Jermaine-Kearse-intercepted-by-Ha-Ha-Clinton-Dix-markup.0.gif">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Until he wasn't.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S0KMq-t2Lx_-3jd3dhSnNlhRx70=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444742/jermaine-kearse-seahawks-zone-header.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Jermaine Kearse, minor goat of XLIX for this heart-breaking fourth-quarter drop...</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-68awmrdx-1BADKucQHRMBJYVVY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444744/GettyImages_462642564.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Until he wasn't.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1tdhtkZMv9vGG45cLNpAOmD7dDU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3444738/kearse-catch.nocrop.w529.h316.2x.0.gif">
</figure>
</p>
<p>His effort on the title-squandering pick doesn't rise to the level of goat. It's not his fault he drew the assignment of holding Browner at bay long enough to keep Butler rubbed out of the play. But scroll up and watch the .gif of pain one last time, and picture Kearse winning the early push against his old teammate... or don't, if you want to sleep tonight.</p>
<h4>Now You Vote?</h4>
<p>So there's no ninth batter. I ran out of blame. Instead, I'm genuinely as intrigued to your feelings on the future of the coaching staff. As a parting shot, please participate in the poll below.</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2015/2/25/8036765/patriots-seahawks-XLIX-the-blame-game-bevell-carroll-everyone-else-so-stupidJohn Fraley2015-02-04T16:20:04-08:002015-02-04T16:20:04-08:00Kam Chancellor played through torn MCL, bone bruise in Super Bowl<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Kam-Chancellor-Richard-Sherman-and-Earl-Thomas-played-with-and-through-serious-injuries/f35b464e-b6a3-42eb-a5a1-2f6418c5fe53">Kam Chancellor played through torn MCL, bone bruise in Super&nbsp;Bowl</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Wow.</p></p></div>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/4/7982317/kam-chancellor-played-through-torn-mcl-bone-bruise-in-super-bowlDanny Kelly2015-02-04T07:00:05-08:002015-02-04T07:00:05-08:00Cigar Thoughts Broadcast: Season Finale
<figure>
<img alt="Farewell for now, friends" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BUrHu42TPJoE-3L_RxP-IM3O9oQ=/452x675:2184x1830/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45623078/usa-today-8363382.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Farewell for now, friends | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Brent and Jacson get together for the last time this season to recap the season and look forward to next.</p> <p>Welcome back, guys. Went a little more free form with the final episode, as I figured we're probably not in the mood to spend an hour rehashing the events from Sunday. Instead, we focused more on reflecting on what was a truly beautiful season. Among the things we cover:</p>
<p>*Quick <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl" class="sbn-auto-link">Super Bowl</a> recap<br>*"The Call"<br>*Darrell Bevell's future<br>*Off-season approach<br>*Free agency<br>*Draft<br>*Positions of need<br>*Salary structuring<br>*Favorite moments<br>*And a lot of good ol' fashioned football conversation<br><br>Hope you enjoy. Look for this series to pick back up around draft time. Thanks again guys, for an amazing year.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JacsonBevens">Jacson on Twitter</a> /// <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BrentMCole">Brent on Twitter</a> /// <a target="_blank" href="http://fieldgulls.com/cigar-thoughts">Cigar Thoughts hub</a></p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/4/7976039/cigar-thoughts-broadcast-season-finaleJacson Bevens2015-02-02T12:31:54-08:002015-02-02T12:31:54-08:00Cigar Thoughts: The Super Bowl and the life after
<figure>
<img alt="This was a catch. Somehow." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kYNITx8y6CtG77roLRQe-YB3w8o=/477x383:2627x1816/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45610288/usa-today-8361479.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This was a catch. Somehow. | Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The New England Patriots won their fourth Super Bowl, beating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24. But this isn't just about that.</p> <p>This article is the most challenging thing I've ever attempted as a writer. I have written about bad teams, mediocre teams, average teams, good teams, and a championship team. All of those come with a certain set of expectations. With a bad team, you worry less about the wins and losses, instead keeping an eye on development. With mediocre and average teams, you focus on the team coming together, making "the leap". When a team is good, you start to let hope creep in and a sense of extending that hope for as long as possible emerges. Championship teams are the easiest to write about because, well, who doesn't want to be a part of that?</p>
<p>This one though- this team, this season, this outcome -- I just don't have a point of reference for any of it. I still think the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> were the best team in the NFL this year and I think they played well enough in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">the Super Bowl</a> to win but they came up one play, one yard, one decision short of back-to-back championships- of football immortality and it's the proximity to that furnace of glory that makes the loss burn so hot. It would almost be easier if they lost by a couple scores. Expectations are everything and the <i>expectation</i> for this team was to win the Super Bowl. Think about that: in a game of innumerable variables, all of which are played out by some of the smartest coaches and most athletic people our country has to offer, in which 32 teams are all vying for the same thing, we <i>expected</i> the Seahawks to win it all.</p>
<p>I've never had that before, at least not like this. Last year I thought the Seahawks were the best team in the NFL too, but they had a bunch of bumps in the road along the way and a lot of injuries and a lot of close calls and, most importantly, they had never won it all before. We could all imagine what a championship looked like but we'd never actually experienced it before. Then came Super Bowl 48, an <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2014/2/2/5372736/super-bowl-seahawks-broncos-nfl-2014-malcolm-smith-mvp-odds-russell-wilson-peyton-manning-43-8" target="_blank">obliteration</a> of the best challenger the AFC could muster and a team that, in their own right, was making a case for being considered one of the all-time greats. All of a sudden, winning a Super Bowl was not only a reality, it seemed <i>easy.</i></p>
<p>As you can tell, this article is not going to be much of a game recap. I don't have the strength nor the desire to wade neck-deep back into the all of the things that led to the final outcome. I don't know how many of you even want to read about it. If you do, the good news is that there will be hundreds of other articles that will give you the chance to do just that. Maybe, hopefully, at some point I can look back on this game and appreciate it for the incredible championship game that it was but I just cam't do it with any honesty just yet. For me, this time that I've taken off from work to write is more cathartic than anything. Catharsis is the reason I started writing in the first place as a lonely, awkward, unpopular teenager so many years ago: as an escape valve for thoughts and words and emotions that tumble around inside me until my brain swells like your bladder when you've gotta pee but are still minutes away from the nearest bathroom. The good news is that I haven't had to use writing as therapy for the Seahawks in a long time but I appreciate you indulging me now.</p>
<p>One of the great chicken-and-egg issues in my life has to do with sports and my favorite teams. Do I like football because the of the Seahawks or do I like the Seahawks because I love football? I don't know the answer for sure but if I had to guess, little Jacson fell in love with the sport first and was grafted into the 12th Man as a matter of geography and familial bequeathing. As a sports fan, what we saw yesterday was immaculate. A relatively cleanly played game featuring two of the most impressive franchises in the NFL's constellation. All of the silliness of the two weeks prior was removed in favor of two great teams playing great football. I mean, that Super Bowl had it all and for the first time in what seems like forever, the game-clinching defensive play wasn't made by Seattle.</p>
<p>Everything that came before it was beautiful though. Obviously the injuries to <span>Jeremy Lane</span> and <span>Cliff Avril</span> played a role in the outcome and there were a lot of things that both teams could have done better. In games as evenly played as this one was, a single play can have a huge impact and the closer to the end of the contest that the play takes place, the more indelible the imprint it leaves on us. Sure, the Seahawks could have called a run on that final play from scrimmage but <span>Jermaine Kearse</span> could also have caught <span>Russell Wilson's</span> perfect over-the-shoulder throw in scoring position when the team was up 24-14. Likewise, he could also have not made that miraculous catch in the final minute and the that final play call would have been rendered mute. <span>Tom Brady</span> could have not thrown a ball directly to Jeremy Lane in the endzone and Seattle could have found themselves in much the same position they were in against Green Bay. <span>Chris Matthews</span> could've been the same Chris Matthews he's always been and registered zero catches but instead he emerged like some hero made of sinew and sunshine and registered four enormous catches for 109 yards and a touchdown despite no career catches prior. I could keep doing this for a long time but my point is that it wasn't just one play -- it never is -- and I don't want to let my dissatisfaction over the outcome and the decision behind it to overshadow what was one of the great sporting events I've ever watched.</p>
<p>I read an essay some time ago, don't remember who it was by, that talked about attention. In it, the author spoke about the ideal of concentration and how we consider paying attention to be a brow-furrowing exercise that precludes all other thoughts. It reminded me of how a spotlight illuminates with great clarity the thing it shines on but simultaneously reduces all else to barely recognizable shadow. In a way, sports in general and the Seahawks in particular, have caused so much else in my life to fade into the dark relief provided by the scorching glare of my focus on sports. I don't feel guilty about it and would never try to make anyone else feel that way but it's a prioritization of my personal time that, like everything else, is worthy of re-evaluating and yesterday's dick-punch of a loss provides a great opportunity for that.</p>
<p>For example, the other day I was sitting on my couch at home while <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/PaulinaAntczak" target="_blank">Paulina</a> made dinner in the kitchen adjacent to me. Normally, when I get home from work or the podcast or the gym or whatever, my go-to is the remote and I almost immediately turn to the most appealing sporting event/program on at the time. That night, however, I found myself ignoring the TV altogether and watching my gorgeous bride-to-be cook. It was captivating. One of the most amazing things about Paulina is her sense of purpose and it's clear in everything she does. Even the way she moved from sink to stove, from the cupboards to the drawers was mesmerizing. She passes through the world with fearsome beauty, single-mindedly bent on not only finishing the task at hand but doing so with excellence. Here was a woman, <i>in my own house</i>, that is capable of accomplishing anything and being with anyone she wants and she chose me. And I ignore her a lot because I've compartmentalized her into the realm of the expected. She's been here for four years, she'll be here for the next 50, and I've let myself take that for granted. And yet there I was, transfixed by the same person that has been by me for so long, and it was like watching her for the first time. I wept a little because, well, <i>this</i> was life and it's damn good.</p>
<p>I've put a lot of things on the back burners over the last few months because I love football, I love the Seahawks, and I love writing for this website. It sucks that the season is over and it sucks that it ended the way that it did but this is not a team on the brink of collapse, no matter how we feel in the moment. This isn't some franchise that went all in on a bunch of high-priced veterans to make one run at a 'ship before disassembling and rebuilding. This wasn't a team that over-achieved and fluked its way into the Super Bowl. This is a <i>program</i> built to win forever, not as a catchphrase or a way to sell books but as a philosophy that does not mortgage future excellence for a taste of it in the present. The Seahawks are so young, so talented, so unified, and so committed to keeping the squad together that what we're seeing isn't a brief peak in the landscape of the franchise's history but an ascension to a high-altitude plateau the length of which surpasses the limits of our vision. I mean shit, go read the <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/2/7962147/seahawks-players-react-to-super-bowl-defeat" target="_blank">post-game comments from the players</a>. Look at how interchangeable their answers are from player to player. These guys, the ones who actually have to stand up and answer the public questions about the most heart-breaking athletic experience they've ever had and they all have this unbelievable calm, focused, perspective. Their lives aren't over; hell, a bunch of them are already talking about winning it all next year -- just like they did after winning the Super Bowl last season and just like they did immediately after that intestine-twisting loss in Atlanta the year before that. The team hasn't changed and for that, I'm exceedingly grateful.</p>
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<p>Morning AMERICA the birds are still chirping and I'm so Excited to be with my family finally .. Back to the country <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wereIneedtobe?src=hash">#wereIneedtobe</a></p>
— <span>Earl Thomas</span> (@Earl_Thomas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Earl_Thomas/status/562317081496911873">February 2, 2015</a>
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<p>Every setback has a major comeback. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreaterIsComing?src=hash">#GreaterIsComing</a></p>
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DangeRussWilson/status/562229359398756352">February 2, 2015</a>
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<p>At 26 years old I won't allow 1 play or 1 moment define my career. I will keep evolving. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Motivation?src=hash">#Motivation</a></p>
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DangeRussWilson/status/562297509687472129">February 2, 2015</a>
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<p>Speechless.. But we'll bounce back. Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/bbrowner27">@bbrowner27</a></p>
— <span>Bobby Wagner</span> (@Bwagz54) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bwagz54/status/562116692076003329">February 2, 2015</a>
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<p>Thank you God for giving us the opportunity.... That's all you can ask for....Thank you everyone for the support all year</p>
— <span>Richard Sherman</span> (@RSherman_25) <a href="https://twitter.com/RSherman_25/status/562102211262427136">February 2, 2015</a>
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<p>This is really hard to take now but in the long run it will make us stronger. Our guys are so strong and our future is bright. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHawks?src=hash">#GoHawks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/12s?src=hash">#12s</a></p>
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteCarroll/status/562322157338759168">February 2, 2015</a>
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<p>A lot of things will be said about the Seahawks -- on radio, on TV, online -- over the next few days that will make me mad. Whether it's about the final play call, about the team's legacy and place in history, about the future, etc; there will be a lot of voices saying things that will keep me feeling lousy about what was, in all honesty, a pretty magical and enjoyable season. The great thing about that, though, is that I'm not obligated to listen. I don't owe them my anger. Nothing about what has already happened can change, the only thing we can do is decide for ourselves how much influence what gets said has over us. I, for one, will be tuning out for a while. There are a lot of great things in my life that I've been partially or wholly neglecting in favor of the Seahawks and I'm excited to get back to them. And when I do think about the Seahawks season, I'm going to try not to dwell on the painful way it ended but on the exuberance of the journey. So here are a bunch of .gifs, courtesy of the inimitable <a href="https://twitter.com/Jose8BS" target="_blank">@Jose8BS</a>, of a few of my many favorite moments from this season (some with volume, so adjust accordingly).</p>
<p>Enjoy, and go damn 'Hawks.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/JacsonBevens" target="_blank">Jacson on Twitter</a> /// <a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/cigar-thoughts" target="_blank">Cigar Thoughts hub</a></p>
<p>PS - I want to thank all of you not only for reading this article each week but the love you've shown me in the comments, on Twitter, Facebook, etc. I started writing because I liked to do it but now it has a great deal to do with how unified with you I've felt through this process. So thank you, again, for everything.</p>
<p><iframe style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden;-webkit-transform: scale(1);" height="360" width="640" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://gfycat.com/ifr/UnpleasantWeightyArmyant"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden;-webkit-transform: scale(1);" height="360" width="640" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://gfycat.com/ifr/DevotedDigitalKinkajou"></iframe></p>
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<p><iframe style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden;-webkit-transform: scale(1);" height="360" width="640" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://gfycat.com/ifr/PracticalPoshIcelandicsheepdog"></iframe></p>
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<p>Beastquake 1 and 2, all in one GIF <a href="http://t.co/wHy1jgQJcz">http://t.co/wHy1jgQJcz</a></p>
— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jose8BS/status/546932935845511169">December 22, 2014</a>
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<p>VIDEO: Russell Wilson throws it to <span>Luke Willson</span> for the 2-pt conversion <a style="background-color: #eeeeee;" href="https://t.co/vr52TaCxRk">https://t.co/vr52TaCxRk</a></p>
— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jose8BS/status/557722201349427200">January 21, 2015</a>
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<p><span>Steven Hauschka</span> jumps into the arms of <span>Kam Chancellor</span> after Seattle recovers the onside kick <a href="https://t.co/R3kj9QRueF">https://t.co/R3kj9QRueF</a></p>
— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jose8BS/status/557091228853231616">January 19, 2015</a>
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<p>Made a mashup of Kearse's catch with a shot of the crowd <a href="https://t.co/xsWDH8IStd">https://t.co/xsWDH8IStd</a></p>
— Jose Rivera (@Jose8BS) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jose8BS/status/556992413013508096">January 19, 2015</a>
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<p>***</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/2/7964117/super-bowl-49-xlix-seahawks-patriots-cigar-thoughts-sports-painJacson Bevens2015-02-02T10:51:30-08:002015-02-02T10:51:30-08:00A Head Coach Botched The End Of The Super Bowl, And It Wasn’t Pete Carroll<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/a-head-coach-botched-the-end-of-the-super-bowl-and-it-wasnt-pete-carroll/">A Head Coach Botched The End Of The Super Bowl, And It Wasn’t Pete&nbsp;Carroll</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/2/7964763/a-head-coach-botched-the-end-of-the-super-bowl-and-it-wasn-t-peteDanny Kelly2015-02-02T10:30:11-08:002015-02-02T10:30:11-08:00Inside Seattle's decision to pass from the 1<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/102175/inside-seattles-decision-to-pass-from-the-1">Inside Seattle's decision to pass from the&nbsp;1</a></h3>
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https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/2/7964621/inside-seattles-decision-to-pass-from-the-1Danny Kelly