Field Gulls - Seahawks vs. Bengals: Gametime, TV schedule, Radio info, odds, injury updates, predictions, and full live coverageThe stupidest name in smart football analysis.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50215/fieldgulls-fav.png2015-10-14T10:09:28-07:00http://www.fieldgulls.com/rss/stream/92499922015-10-14T10:09:28-07:002015-10-14T10:09:28-07:00Sherman Smith talks Thomas Rawls, 'Hawks run game
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Via 710 ESPN Seattle. </p> <p>Seahawks running backs coach Sherman Smith joined<a target="_blank" href="http://mynorthwest.com/category/pod_player_sports/?a=9993430&p=1013&n=Danny,%20Dave%20and%20Moore"> the Danny, Dave, and Moore show on Tuesday</a> to talk a little bit about the emergence of Thomas Rawls, and what it will mean when Marshawn Lynch returns. Listen in.</p>
<p><iframe allowtransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:100%; height:130px;" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://kiroradio.com/710embed.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Faudio.kiroradio.com%2Fseattle%2Fkiro%2F2015%2F10%2Fc_dannydaveandmoore101315_9993430.mp3&name=Seahawks+running+backs+coach+Sherman+Smith+on+the+emergence+of+Thomas+Rawls&show=Danny%2C+Dave+and+Moore"></iframe></p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/14/9531239/sherman-smith-talks-thomas-rawls-seahawks-run-gameDanny Kelly2015-10-13T08:00:06-07:002015-10-13T08:00:06-07:0012 Silver Linings to that stupid, stupid loss
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As someone who spends much of my week writing and tweeting about the Seattle Seahawks, people often want to talk to me about the Seahawks. They don't really give a shit about what I have to think about politics, religion, philosophy, history, science, technology, dating, love, life, happiness, or woodwork. Just the Seahawks.</p>
<p>Which is fine, because I don't know jackshit about those other things. (I mean, "woodwork" is just another stupid politics issue that I have no opinion on because I have no knowledge of those events other than they were called "woodwork and bernstein.")</p>
<p>Well, when it comes to the Seahawks this week, much of the chatter I heard was ... "This fucking blows." And it did blow. The Cincinnati Bengals were down 17 points headed into the fourth quarter (the Bengals were 2-87 all-time when losing by at least that much headed into the fourth), and they came back and won it in overtime because of a total collapse in all three phases of the game by Seattle.</p>
<p>The Seahawks were 73-0 all-time when leading by 17 or more headed into the final quarter.</p>
<p>None of that is fun to think about. None of it helps you put the game behind you and move on to the next. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/11/9500795/seahawks-bengals-instant-reaction-nfl-seattle-cincinnati">What I said on the instant reaction show this week was that sports fandom was a "mental construct"</a> that didn't really have any bearing on your real world life and that "hey, what if one of your parents died? That would be worse, right?" and that seemed to help some people.</p>
<p>But here are 12 more silver linings from the game on Sunday that I also think are pretty valuable.</p>
<p><b>1. <span>Thomas Rawls</span>' Enormous Balls</b></p>
<p>Rawls rushed for 169 yards against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>, tied for the 13th-most by a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> player in a regular season game. It was the most rushing yards by a Seattle player since Shaun Alexander in 2006. That's right, <span>Marshawn Lynch</span> has never rushed for more than 150 yards in a regular season game with the Seahawks; his overall career high with the team is 157 yards in their <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> game win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> last season.</p>
<p>Rawls is also the youngest player in Seattle history to ever rush for at least 150 yards in a game.</p>
<p>He's only the second rookie in Seahawks history to rush for at least 100 yards twice during his first season. The other being Curt Warner in 1983, when he did it seven times. Hey, there are still 11 games left to go this year!</p>
<p>If you had said four years ago that Rawls would be a stud NFL running back (which I'm not saying he is yet, but I'm also not hating what I'm seeing so far either) it would not have been that crazy. He was a top recruit at Michigan with Heisman hopes. Things did not work out there, but there's some pedigree and talent there that you won't see with most undrafted free agents.</p>
<p>Rawls has rushed for 326 yards through five weeks and that's without playing much in the first two games. He is averaging 5.62 YPC, which is the most ever by a Seahawks RB through five weeks with at least 200 rushing yards. He's doing so behind an offensive line that most of us refer to as "turrible."</p>
<p>If you come away with one positive out of this game, or these past few games, remember this: <span>Thomas Rawls</span> is reinforcing the point I've been making over and over for the last couple of years, which is that you can find a lot of really talented running backs outside of the first round. Sometimes really, really, really far out of the first round. Is he as talented as <span>Todd Gurley</span>? Probably not. But would their draft value :: talent ratio be pretty close?</p>
<p>It might turn out that way, yes.</p>
<p><b>2. The Bengals are an AFC team</b></p>
<p>Your most important record is your overall record, and the Seahawks are an unfortunate 2-3.</p>
<p>Your second-most important record is your division record, and the Seahawks are an unfortunate (but it's early) 0-1.</p>
<p>Your third-most important record is your conference record, and the Seahawks are just 2-2.</p>
<p>Games against the opposite conference are bonus points where you try and prop up your overall record, but if Seattle is going to lose a shitty heartbreaker like this one, make it happen against a team from the AFC.</p>
<p><b>3. The game was on the road</b></p>
<p>The Seahawks are 0-3 on the road this season, which will have people start bring <i>that</i> up again, but let's not forget that they've had three fourth quarter leads on the road. So even if they had to go on the road in the playoffs -- should they make it that far -- they're competitive. Bad teams are not competitive in that way. The Seahawks are not a bad team.</p>
<p>They have six more home games and five more road games remaining.</p>
<p><b>4. The Bengals are actually good</b></p>
<p>It was pretty disheartening to see Cincinnati come into Seattle in 2011 and destroy the Seahawks unlike any way they've been destroyed since, but the two games and two teams are entirely different now. The Bengals were in their first season of turning around, and now they're looking right into the face of Bright Eyes.</p>
<p>Andy Dalton is playing like a maniac, in large part because of having A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, Giovani Bernard, Jeremy Hill, Andrew Whitworth, Marvin Jones, Mohamad Sanu, and two more first round picks on the offensive line with <span>Andre Smith</span> and Kevin Zeitler. It's arguably the best offense in football. Their defense isn't too bad either, with Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Adam Jones, Ray Maualuga, Reggie Nelson, and three more first round picks in the secondary with Darqueze Dennard, Leon Hall, and Dre Kirkpatrick.</p>
<p>Seattle had a 24-7 lead on the road to a team that could very well be going to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">the Super Bowl</a>. It's just that every now and then they fall apart. They figure out that last part about how they stopped having a lead, and suddenly the Seahawks still look like the best team in the NFL.</p>
<p><b>5. The schedule isn't too untight</b></p>
<p>It's cliche and often comes back to bite people in the ass for saying it, but as the old saying goes: If I'm not being bitten in the ass, then what am I paying you for?</p>
<p>The cliche is that this really is the toughest part of the Seahawks schedule. Road games in St. Louis, Green Bay, and Cincinnati. If they come out of next weekend 3-3 after beating the 4-0 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, then it's all pretty much as you could have expected going into the season.</p>
<p>After that, Seattle plays in San Francisco -- typically a difficult team to face, but arguably a dumpster fire of denim in 2015.</p>
<p>Then they go to Dallas -- also looked like one of the toughest games of the season beforehand, but could very well be against <span>Brandon Weeden</span> or <span>Matt Cassel</span> by the time Week 8 rolls around. Not that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> will roll over, but if the Seahawks can't beat Weeden or Cassel, the playoffs were never meant to be.</p>
<p>After the bye week, the Seahawks get five of their last eight at home, including the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> (what state of health and mind will they be in by then?), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a>. Their road games are the 2-2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a>, 1-4 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>, and 4-1 Cardinals. At that point, perhaps Week 17 could still be setting up for a division-winning showdown. Or maybe <span>Carson Palmer</span> steps on a thorn midseason and the Cards blow another three-game lead in the division late in the season.</p>
<p>Not that that's ever happened within the last year.</p>
<p><b>6. How do we keep underrating Russ?</b></p>
<p><span>Russell Wilson</span> makes so few mistakes that when we notice him make even one mistake, we blow it up to be the biggest mistakes a quarterback has ever made in the NFL.</p>
<p>Despite playing behind the worst pass-blocking offensive line we could have imagined, Wilson is having what I argue is the best start to a season of his career. He has posted a passer rating of at least 90 in each of the first five games (that's never happened before in franchise history) and he's also rushed for 198 yards. He and <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span> (2005) are the only QBs in team history to throw for 200 yards in each of the first five games, as well.</p>
<p>When people complain about Wilson, I turn into a teenage girl because I can't even.</p>
<p>I'm much more impressed with Wilson than I was for most of last season and he was still really good last season. He helped get the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl. His plus/minus rate stats were 100 or better across the board last year (100 is league average) as they have been during every season of his career. That's Y/A, net Y/A, adjusted net Y/A, completion percentage, TD%, INT%, and passer rating. He's never been below average in any of those categories during any one of his first three seasons.</p>
<p><b>And people still find a way to bitch about it. </b></p>
<p><b></b>Bitch about it? Watch Matt Hasselbeck play the last couple seasons of his Seattle career and bitch about it. Watch Charlie Whitehurt and bitch about it. Watch Tarvaris Jackson and bitch about it. Watch the entire rest of the NFL, find me five QBs who have played better since 2012 and this season and bitch about it because even with Andy Dalton and Carson Palmer rising up this year, <span>Peyton Manning</span>, <span>Drew Brees</span>, <span>Andrew Luck</span>, and Matt Ryan are all playing worse than Wilson. Ben Roethlisberger and <span>Tony Romo</span> are out. Active quarterbacks today that are better than Wilson? There aren't possibly more than a few.</p>
<p>Bitch about that.</p>
<p><b>7. <span>Jimmy Graham</span> is coming along just fine</b></p>
<p>Wilson has been playing with <span>Doug Baldwin</span> for four years. He's been playing with <span>Jermaine Kearse</span> for four years. It's going to take more than five games to develop chemistry with Graham, who also happens to lead the team in targets this season. And as far as chemistry goes, Baldwin had the worst season of his career during Wilson's rookie year with many saying they had none and never would. That's obviously changed. Baldwin has been a free throw for Wilson this season, but pretty soon it's gonna be a lot of Graham dunks.</p>
<p>(That's a pun of "slam dunks" but also works because Jimmy used to have that touchdown celebration that was later ruled illegal because it owned the opponent too hard for sucking so much compared to Graham.)</p>
<p>The issue is that they get guys like Graham so that they can convert on third down, move the chains, and run the clock down as they should have in the fourth quarter on Sunday. That didn't happen, but if they have to learn their lesson about it, best they fix it now than not realize they have a problem until December or January.</p>
<p><b>8. The offensive line finally did a "this actually doesn't suck hella" job</b></p>
<p>Wilson was sacked four more times and I'm not gonna say that they did all that great, but their performance actually didn't suck hella. If they can string together 11 more games of not sucking hella, the rest of the team is gonna figure out a way to fix itself because the rest of the team is mostly very talented.</p>
<p><b>9. <span>Cliff Avril</span> should make the Pro Bowl this season</b></p>
<p>That's not something Avril has ever done but as a guy who has often fallen behind like six or seven other dudes on this defense in terms of "name recognition" or "importance," Avril is arguably the best player on the defense right now. He has four passes defensed, which is more than <span>Richard Sherman</span>.</p>
<p>This week had had a sack, three more QB hurries, four tackles, and three stops. He is second among all 4-3 DEs in QB hurries with 16 (Michael Bennett is first with 17), tied for second in tackles (with Bennett), and sixth in stops (Bennett is tied for second.)</p>
<p>Did I mention Michael Bennett?</p>
<p><b>10. You don't win the first quarter (especially when you lose mega hard in the fourth quarter)</b></p>
<p>But the message remains the same. The Seahawks are in the first "third" of their season. First "quarter" if they make the playoffs. They are 2-3. Let's look at some recent Super Bowl winners and see how they looked after five games:</p>
<p><i>2014 -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> (3-2)</i></p>
<p>People were asking Bill Belichick if <span>Tom Brady</span> should be benched after a 41-14 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> that sent them down to 2-2. They also lost 33-20 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a>. Seattle's biggest loss in the last four seasons is by 10 points.</p>
<p><i>2012 -- Baltimore Ravens (4-1)</i></p>
<p>The Ravens had no issues in the beginning of the season and started off 9-2, but nearly missed the playoffs entirely after losing four of their last five games. There was probably a lot less confidence in Baltimore going into the 2012 playoffs than there is about the Seahawks' SB chances right now.</p>
<p><i>2011 -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> (3-2)</i></p>
<p>Do I need to even go over the Giants or has this been covered in "Sports are fucking weird 101"?</p>
<p>The Giants rebounded to go 6-2 but then lost five of the next six games. They sucked. Hard. And they won the Super Bowl over a much better team.</p>
<p><i>2010 -- Green Bay Packers (3-2)</i></p>
<p>The Packers ultimately fell to 3-3 after back-to-back OT losses. They went 3-5 on the road that season. At one point they were 8-6. People thought they were definitely talented and that <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> was talented, but very few things went right for the Packers that season ... until the playoffs.</p>
<p>There are more and more examples of course. The 2007 Giants, the 2005 Steelers, the 2001 Patriots. But there's plenty of evidence just in the last five seasons alone. Including Super Bowl losers like the 2014 Seahawks (started 3-3, were 6-4 later after a loss to the Chiefs), the 2011 Patriots (were a ho-hum 5-3 at the midway point.)</p>
<p>The Seahawks are two OT losses from being 4-1. That's something that frustrates me, but it's not something I am going to panic about.</p>
<p><b>11. Seattle is still a top-tier rushing offense and rushing defense</b></p>
<p>The Seahawks are ranked third in YPC despite not having Marshawn Lynch for three games, basically. They are fourth in YPC allowed. This is an old school concept of how to win football games, but it's also a big part of why they've won so many football games. So really a lot has stayed the same, while it's really been a number of very unlucky, unfortunate, unpredictable, and fixable things that have been the difference between Seattle being tied for first in the division and being where they are now at.</p>
<p>By midseason, if they are 5-3 or 4-4, then they'll be in good position to rebound with a combination of Lynch <i>and</i> Rawls. With a receiving corps that also could include <span>Paul Richardson</span> and may also see <span>Tyler Lockett</span> get better at some of the issues he's had this year. That certain members of the offensive line will go from zero career starts at that position (which is three of the five starters) to perhaps eight, or even nine starts! That some of these QB hurries and QB hits from Avril and <span>Bennett</span> will turn into sacks, as you'd expect they would. That Frank Clark will be getting better and better as the weeks go by. That Cary Williams will have markedly improved in a new system by Week 10 than where he was at in Week 1. That Marcus Burley and <span>Tye Smith</span> will be healthy. That Kam Chancellor, who didn't practice with the team until three weeks ago, won't have nearly as much rust on his shoulders. That...</p>
<p>Do you see where I'm going with this?</p>
<p>If there's a 2-3 team in the NFL that's a serious threat for the Super Bowl (and there are a lot of 2-3 teams in the NFL right now) then obviously that team is the Seahawks. They're not "fine" but as long as they keep their head above water, then the team you see in December and January could be much, much more than just<i> fine.</i></p>
<p><b>12. Losing is actually cool</b></p>
<p>A lot of people don't know this, but losing is actually cool. No really, it is. My cousin Brian, who is a sophomore at Riley High, told me that losing is cool and winning is for suckers. Why do you think all the finest babes at Central McKinley date the jocks at Riley? Because they haven't been to State in over 30 years. He said it makes you like, "more interesting" or something. I don't know. But if the Seahawks win another game this season, they'll never get the babes, bro.</p>
<p>Whenever one of my team's loses a game, that's just what I always remind myself of: Losing is cool, winning is for fools.</p>
<p>Hey, can you like, do my math homework, bro? Doing math homework is even like, more super cool. How do you think Steven Hocking got all them super fine baberinos in that movie with the guy from Jupiter Ascending?</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/13/9513647/12-silver-linings-to-the-seahawks-stupid-loss-to-the-bengalsKenneth Arthur2015-10-12T16:44:38-07:002015-10-12T16:44:38-07:00Pete Carroll Monday presser notes
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Pete Carroll spoke to the media Monday afternoon and debriefed reporters on what was a disappointing loss to the Bengals. Here are some notes. Originally published at <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seahawks/comments/3oij1x/seahawks_vs_panthers_week_6_monday_presser_with/" target="_blank">Reddit.</a></p>
<h4>Coach Carroll:</h4>
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<p>No matter how many times he watches the film he can't get the end to change. Still working on it, came to some conclusions about some stuff. We came out and played our best football for the most part. They captured the momentum and energy they needed to finish the game off. It's tough. We gained some ground in some areas, we can get better, play at home, get on track in areas that help us down the stretch here.</p>
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<p>Without question the line of scrimmage was the best it has been. We came off the ball well, we ran the football how we like to. We needed a first down or two in the 4th quarter to put the game away but it was a big improvement for us. The communication was good, Russell Wilson helped us in protection a few times. Sharpest we have been. Had 30 carries against the Bengals.</p>
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<p>Any sequence in the fourth quarter could have stopped them in there. We had third and shorts, by design we were trying to stay in 3rd and 6 or less vs these guys. Frustrating we didn't get any of them.</p>
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<p>No one thing on the lack of 3rd down conversions.</p>
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<p>We weren't sitting back or waiting on them, we were trying to continue with the pressure on defense in the 4th quarter. We rushed them better than any team has this year. We had some technique errors, leverage problems and stuff that would have helped us if we did it right. We missed some fine points.</p>
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<p>Can't even explain how we are winning these games with negative turnover ratio and are losing these positive ratio games. Our stats aren't supporting it for the first time in 16 years.</p>
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<p>Jordan has a strained quad, thinks it will be a couple weeks.</p>
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<p>Bobby has a strained pec, will find out how that works for him.</p>
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<p>Marshawn should be on track for Thursday, should be back for the game.</p>
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<p>Will feel really comfortable with Thomas Rawls in the RB2 spot. He has exceeded our expectations at this point.</p>
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<p>We were in hurry up in OT which is why Fred Jackson was in there.</p>
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<p>The zones in deep coverage didn't get it done with giving up touchdowns, Kam did his assignment right. Breakdown in communication which we cleared it up after the first one but on the second they just beat us with the rhythm of it.</p>
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<p>Russell Wilson saw Tyler Lockett late in OT, could have easily gone to Doug which had a chance for a big play there too. Threw it late and couldn't get the ball there. Russell did some really good things, his numbers are there, he had a couple of opportunities on 3rd downs that we are kicking ourselves over. Missing Jimmy Graham on a crucial 3rd and 8, Doug Baldwin on some.</p>
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<p>Normally Marshawn comes in and out pretty regularly so we will put Rawls in there when Marshawn goes out, probably 8-10 carries in a regular game.</p>
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<p>Rawls is doing alright in non running game. Trying not to over burden him (with blocking). That is why Fred plays a lot in 3rd downs for us. Is just an experience game, asking a lot to get all of that right (blocking). Rawls is in all the passing stuff on 1st and 2nd down.</p>
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<p>Fred Jackson is healthy, amazing how he is healed.</p>
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<p>Cary Williams went really aggressive at the receiver, and mistimed his time of jam. In position but penalties called on him that he was in very good position on. He was better the week before and technique wise he could be a little cleaner, he would tell you that.</p>
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<p>Bennett lost his mind a bit, he will tell you he was too aggressive. In the old days (‘60s) that was what you did (beat up the QB when your defense gets an INT). The plan in the calls we made in the 4th quarter were ones we were successful with before. They just didn't work for multiple reasons.</p>
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<p>First time we really felt the punt coverage was off, got out of wack a little bit. The mechanics of the kick (Jon didn't get the ball like he normally does), got a little out of wack on our coverage. Had some backup guys in there because of injuries. It became a factor, the field position became tilted. With their returns they won that exchange handedly.</p>
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<p>Think Kearse and Baldwin are really maximizing their chances. They are almost 100% on targets-catches. Very consistent and very tough, and doing the smart things too. The blitz to Doug was a great execution by Russ and Doug. Those guys really come through, terrific leaders for us.</p>
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<p>Team mood was pretty quiet, whole room feels it. Conversation already went to Wednesday and taking the things we improved on and carry them forward. The stuff on O-line, it was a big move for us. Looking forward to getting going again.</p>
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<p>Think we are more on the topic of what it takes to play how we want to play compared to last year, last season we were six games in and floundering. Hoping that marker stays with us and this week is when we get moving, we are running out of time to make a turn around here early.</p>
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<p>Bobby's pec could be a couple weeks if it doesn't respond, but he could also play this week if it does, we'll see.</p>
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<p>Marshawn has been an incredible player for our team. The fact that he brings the confidence and toughness and play making ability, when you go without one of those guys others have to step up (which Rawls has), but Marshawn his Marshawn for a reason. It's a big deal to not have him, but he is really proud of Thomas and what he did with his opportunities.</p>
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<p>Tempo off the football, moving the LOS, way more consistent with our pickups and targeting, adjusted to some stuff that happened in the game, sharp off the ball for O-line. Felt attitude wise like what we have been in the past.</p>
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<p>With Jordan Hill out it depends on what happens, if Demarcus Dobbs comes back we will do some things. We have a few options but we don't like getting much thinner than this.</p>
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<p>Rawls has had the chance to really substantiate that he is physical and tough. Rawls works so hard in practice and always tries his hardest but you could finally see it in games. He is breaking tackles, making runs, getting up after his runs end and is ready for the next one.</p>
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<p>Tharold Simon will have surgery on his toe, had it on his other foot as well, is a problem he has to do with.</p>
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<p>We'd love to get more from Jimmy, from everybody. He did well in this game but we could use more. Only completed 15 passes in this game, need to get more out of him but also need to get more out of the other guys.</p>
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<p>Opportunity for Steve Sarkisian to get right and get well, pulling for him. This isn't about coaching now, it is about his personal life. Knows he is committed to getting things right. Has dialog with him. Will be there to support him.</p>
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<h4>My Thoughts:</h4>
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<p>I saw a meme saying they hate Bevell because he has the roster he has on Offense and goes "Run Run Pass" over and over against the Bengals. And personally I really want answered why our passing route scheme is so elementary and predictable, however, Pete saying the plan for this game was to stay in 3rd and 6 or less should really inform you about the play-calling Bevell would be limited to. When you are actively trying to make just a few yards on 1st down and a few yards on 2nd down so you can be in 3rd and 6 or less, you can't take big chances calling for intermediate or deep routes with Jimmy or Tyler or Doug very often. Do I think our short passing game route concepts could be improved? Yes! Do I think we can do so much more pre-snap and with route concepts to get receivers open almost right away? Yes! But this information should hep put in perspective our game-plan, and why it didn't look how we wanted it to. And to be fair, for three quarters it was going quite well. We had a dominant run game, we had a healthy passing game, but then everything fell apart.</p>
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<p>Interesting that at least the first TD pass to Eifert wasn't on Kam. Every indication and analysis (former players) I have seen said Kam looked out of position, but I don't believe Pete would lie to protect Kam. So yet again just another example of the fan base, analysts and even experienced former players getting analysis/blame wrong. How many of us jumped on Kam for getting it wrong (at least once)? And it turns out he was doing his job correctly...worth thinking about.</p>
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<p>I hope and pray that Bobby responds well and is out at most this Panther game. Thankfully I like what I have seen from Brock Coyle but he just isn't a All-Pro MLB with sideline to sideline speed. I have a sneaking suspicion that Hill will always been a guy that gets hurt for a few games every season. Not like ACL tear hurt but sprained this, bruised that, etc.</p>
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<p>Really I want to see two things again the Panthers; 1) Our finishing instinct back. We can't wait 4 games for Earl to freak out in practice and snap everyone back in sync. We need our D to stop being garbage in the 4th quarter. We also need our Offense to step up and start scoring in the 4th quarter. 2) I really need to see our O-line play the same as they did vs the Bengals or better. I honestly wouldn't feel too shabby if our O-line played at the level we saw vs the Bengals for the rest of the season, I feel like I saw our '13-'14 O-line out there. If they actually improve and by week 10 or 13 look even better and are even more consistent, then wow...we owe Tom Cable & Pete Carroll a bit of an apology and a cookie. If they continue to play like we saw them play against the Bengals or better from here on out, then we truly did weather the storm (first few weeks) but got to a place finally where they look serviceable, sometimes even good.</p>
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https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/12/9515379/seahawks-lose-to-bengals-pete-carroll-monday-presser-notesNathan Watt2015-10-12T10:35:16-07:002015-10-12T10:35:16-07:00The Pete Carroll Show, Week 5
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Pete Carroll joined <a href="http://mynorthwest.com/category/pod_player_sports/?a=9993351&p=1027&n=Pete%20Carroll%20Show" target="_blank">Mike Salk and Brock Huard on 710 ESPN Seattle</a> to break down what happened in Seattle's loss to the Bengals. Listen in.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://kiroradio.com/710embed.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Faudio.kiroradio.com%2Fseattle%2Fkiro%2F2015%2F10%2Fc_petecarrollshow101215_9993351.mp3&name=Pete+Carroll+on+why+the+Seahawks+couldn%5C%27t+finish+against+Cincinnati&show=Pete+Carroll+Show" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:100%; height:130px;" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/12/9510113/the-pete-carroll-show-week-5-via-710-espn-seattleDanny Kelly2015-10-12T08:24:22-07:002015-10-12T08:24:22-07:00Seahawks vs. Bengals: Snap count analysis
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<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let's take a look at the Seahawks' snap count from Sunday's game. That's all I got for you for an intro. Oh, uh, Marshawn Lynch, Marcus Burley, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Demarcus Dobbs, and Tye Smith missed the game with injuries, and Alvin Bailey was inactive because <a href="https://twitter.com/Bailey_67/status/651934572439973889" target="_blank">he tweets stupid shit</a>. Rookie OL Kristjan Sokoli was inactive as well.</p>
<h4>Offense:</h4>
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<p>Jimmy Graham's snap count share continues to gradually decline and I'm guessing it will bottom out somewhere right around that 70-73% mark from Sunday. When you look at the snaps share by fullbacks Will Tukuafu and Derek Coleman, it's clear the Hawks are running more "heavy" I-formation style sets of late, perhaps due to Thomas Rawls' running style and strengths.</p>
<p>It had seemed to me that Rawls is very good out of the I-formation and single back looks (perhaps better than he is in the shotgun read-option stuff), and sure enough his big touchdown run came from this type of look. I would guess that both Tom Cable and Pete Carroll like running this down-hill style because it's more smash-mouth than the read option.</p>
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.111%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/1y4q" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
<p>(Via @WhoIsJoseRivera)</p>
<p>It's pretty incredible that Rawls got 169 yards on just 31 snaps (only 52% of Seattle's overall offensive snaps) as he shared time with Fred Jackson (22 snaps) and Rod Smith (5 snaps).</p>
<p>At receiver, it's clear that the "big three" are Doug Baldwin (38 snaps), Jermaine Kearse (38 snaps), and Tyler Lockett (34 snaps). Ricardo Lockette is the fourth in line, and got 16 snaps, while Chris Matthews logged 13. I'm guessing that when a healthy Paul Richardson returns to the fold in a few weeks, he'll bump in front of those two, but we'll see.</p>
<p>Cooper Helfet got some playing time in this game as well, getting onto the field for 4 snaps.</p>
<h4>Defense:</h4>
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<p>Nothing terribly surprising in how the Seahawks' defense logged snap counts, except maybe that DeShawn Shead continues to be a very big part of the action. Shead played 58 snaps in the slot with Marcus Burley and Tye Smith still out, and his versatility as a safety, nickel, and boundary corner has been pretty huge for Seattle this year.</p>
<p>Frank Clark continues to see his playtime percentage slowly rise -- he was at 30% last week and 31% this week, and hopefully that will continue to grow as his role does with the defensive line. Cassius Marsh has been getting more snaps of late as well -- he played in 18% last week and 21% this week.</p>
<p>With Jordan Hill missing big chunks of this game, David King was the beneficiary. Brock Coyle was in for two plays when Bobby Wagner left with a pectoral strain.</p>
<h4>Special teams only:</h4>
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<p>As you can see, Mike Morgan, Steven Terrell, and Kelcie McCray are the three core "special teams guys" from this game. I noticed McCray on punt and kick coverage a few times, so perhaps that trade has added some value to that area.</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/12/9507791/seahawks-vs-bengals-snap-count-analysisDanny Kelly2015-10-12T07:37:57-07:002015-10-12T07:37:57-07:00Seahawks injuries: Wagner, Hill injuries crop up
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<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Seahawks had a few new injury situations crop up in their Sunday morning loss to the Bengals, with Jordan Hill and Bobby Wagner both missing time during the game.</p>
<p>Wagner left briefly with what the team called a strained pectoral muscle, and Pete Carroll didn't know what that meant going forward. "He finished the game," Carroll said. "He's sore, but he finished the game."</p>
<p>Carroll didn't know the extent of Hill's injury -- a quad strain -- either, and couldn't provide a timeline. Hopefully it's nothing too major. UPDATE: Carroll said this morning that Hill will be out "for a bit" so take a guess as to what that means. I'd venture at least one game will be missed.</p>
<p>Seattle's been banged up lately. They came into this game having just placed Tharold Simon on the Injured Reserve and were without the services of Marshawn Lynch, Marcus Burley, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Demarcus Dobbs, and Tye Smith, due to various injuries, and running back Fred Jackson played but may have been limited by an ankle sprain.</p>
<p>Seattle will look to get healthy this week as they return home to face the Panthers.</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/12/9507543/seahawks-injury-update-bobby-wagner-has-a-strained-pec-jordan-hillDanny Kelly2015-10-11T16:24:10-07:002015-10-11T16:24:10-07:00Cigar Thoughts: Seahawks blow lead to Bengals
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<figcaption>Yeah, kinda. | Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Seattle Seahawks let a 24-7 lead slip away in the fourth quarter, falling to 2-3 with an overtime loss to the still undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.</p> <p>Halfway through the third quarter, <span>Michael Bennett</span> forced a fumble on a sweep to <span>Rex Burkhead</span> that was scooped up by <span>Bobby Wagner</span> and taken in for a score. That put the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seahawks</a> up 24-7 with under 22 minutes to play and it looked for all the world like the Seahawks had finally been replaced by THE SEAHAWKS. Alas, that was the last high point we'd see from the defending NFC champs, as <span>Andy Dalton</span> and the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> did what so many other teams have against Seattle recently, which is to pick them apart in the fourth quarter.</p>
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<p>The beginning of this game was an exhibition in contrasting styles, with the Bengals coming out and hitting wide open receivers like they were running seven-on-seven drills. Dalton went 4-4 for 80 yards on that opening drive, a possession that ended with a short TD pass to <span>Tyler Eifert</span> over a flat-footed and seemingly confused <span>Kam Chancellor</span>.</p>
<p>With Cincinnati throwing (and landing) hooks and haymakers, Seattle came right back with a number of body blows in the form of <span>Thomas Rawls</span> power runs, including two short third down conversions, flavored with some timely completions- none of which were tastier than <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/11/9497883/russell-wilson-hits-jermaine-kearse-for-the-touchdown">this 30-yard score</a> from <span>Russell Wilson</span> to Jermaine Kearse. The thing that stood out to me most about that score was how long Wilson stood in a (gasp!) clean pocket in order to let that play develop. And in so doing, Seattle may have found a small reprieve in their pass protection moving forward. It wasn't so much that they were great in pass-pro, it was their ability to establish forward push on run plays that kept Bengals' rushers at bay.</p>
<p>On their second drive, AJ Green got loose against <span>Cary Williams</span>, catching a contested deep ball down the left sideline and prancing, as one does, into the end zone. Seattle was bailed out, however, as a holding call negated the score. Realizing that Williams, while excellent to date, might be out of his lane covering Green with no help, switched out of their scheme and had <span>Richard Sherman</span> start shadowing him. After that, there was a whole lotta nothin' from Green and, by proxy, from either offense for a long time. In fact, the scoring ceased altogether until the 'Gals moved the ball into 'Hawks territory late in the second quarter. That's when <span>Earl Thomas</span> recorded Seattle's first interception of the season, jumping a route near the pylon and returning it ~60 yards- a scamper negated by <span>Bennett's</span> schoolyard bullying of Dalton on the return.</p>
<p>No matter, Wilson found his groove and darted his way down the field to set up a short <span>Steven Hauschka</span> field goal that gave the Seahawks a 10-7 halftime lead. Emboldened, Seattle came right out of the tunnel and kept it going with another long drive, except this one ended when a pass intended for <span>Jimmy Graham</span> was tipped at the 10 yard line and picked off by Adam Jones. After another Bengals punt, <span>Thomas Rawls</span> went off. By the time he was done, Rawls had 169 yards on 23 carries, including a gorgeous 69-yard TD run that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/11/9498703/video-thomas-rawls-with-the-huge-td-run" style="background-color: #ffffff;">showcased everything you want to see from a halfback</a>. Rawls ran decisively, cut hard, ran through arm tackles, and accelerated away from defenders in the secondary. It was a complete play from a tailback that entered the season as little more than an afterthought and the best run of his career to date put Seattle up 17-7. And when Bennett forced the aforementioned fumble that led to Wagner's TD on the very next drive, it looked for all the world like the Seahawks had announced their return to the upper echelon of the NFL.</p>
<p>That's when the most troubling theme of the 2015 Seahawks experience- their fourth quarter defense, exposed itself like some kind of pervert. Up 24-7, Seattle needed just one stop <i>or</i> one score to seal it. They did neither, as Andy Dalton did what <span>Tom Brady</span>, <span>Nick Foles</span>, <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>, and <span>Matthew Stafford</span> had done before him; namely hitting short route after short route until one of those quick strikes ended up in the end zone. Another TD pass to Eifert, <i>on the same play as the first one, </i>found its way over the top of Chancellor again. After Seattle quickly gave the ball back, Dalton picked up where he left off, diming the ball around like a varsity QB getting practice reps in against the JV. That drive ended with a Dalton TD keeper to make it 24-21.</p>
<p>Seattle then punted <i>again</i> and Cincy wasted no time in getting the ball right back down into scoring range. There was a brief moment when it looked like Seattle's defense may bail themselves out for the second straight week when, on 3rd & 5 with no timeouts and 20 seconds left, Dalton was smeared from behind by Bruce Irvin. That forced a 4th down with the clock running and Cincy's special teams had to rush a fire-drill field goal as time ran out. <span>Mike Nugent</span> calmly nailed the kick and the game went to OT.</p>
<p>At that point I'll admit that even though the score was tied, it felt like Seattle was now playing short-stacked, with punts on each of their two overtime possessions confirming that. The Bengals stalled on their first drive in extra time but managed to maneuver down to the Seahawks' 25 with a few minutes left. Nugent then trotted back onto the field, adjusted for wind, called "bank" and bounced the game-winner in off the left upright.</p>
<p>It was a gross finish to an exciting performance and one that left me with a strange hollow feeling that I hadn't felt after any of the losses (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl" class="sbn-auto-link">Super Bowl</a> notwithstanding) in the last three years. I was fine with them losing this game going into it, but to watch them fold was both bewildering and heartbreaking. It was a feeling like the league had caught up to the Seahawks. And if that's the case, I shouldn't be surprised. Hell, I've been preaching since 2012 that this stay on the mountaintop wouldn't last forever and that every moment among the NFL's elite should be cherished.</p>
<p>For all of our propensity to call players and coaches idiots, the NFL is still made up of the finest football talent and football minds on the planet and the result is a landscape that constantly shifts in an effort to level those mountains. The Seahawks got a leg up a few years ago with a couple of insane draft classes maximized by cheap contracts and a scheme that fit their talent like new socks. The key to staying at the top of the hill isn't to simply be smarter or more talented than the competition; no, at the crux of it all, the key to sustained success is the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Now it's time to see if the Seahawks are capable of making those adjustments.</p>
<p>Other stuff:</p>
<p>-I mentioned the Seahawks' trend of defensive crumbling in the fourth quarter, so let me substantiate that. Starting with the Super Bowl, the Seahawks have now given up 56 fourth-quarter points in their last six games compared to 58 in the first, second, and third quarters combined over the same stretch. If you were to extrapolate the Seahawks' defense during the first three quarters of the last six games, they're allowing ~13 PPG. Their fourth quarter defense is allowing 38 PPG. I can't explain it and at this point, I'm not sure the coaches can either. Regardless of the why or how, the what has got to stop if this team is going to compete.</p>
<p>-In his second career start, Thomas Rawls ran for more yards in one game than <span>Marshawn Lynch</span> ever has as a Seahawk. Rawls now has 326 yards on 56 carries (5.6 YPC) in what basically amounts to 2.5 games of action. He's the real deal.</p>
<p>-Seattle came into this game with just six sacks and zero interceptions. They left with 10 and one. Those aren't incredible numbers but it was encouraging to see the defense fill the stat sheet a little bit.</p>
<p>-Jimmy Graham was targeted a team-high five times resulting in three catches for 30 yards. His efficiency remains admirable but the volume is disappointing. Late in the game, the Seahawks ran a stick route to <span>Luke Willson</span> in tight coverage and a deep ball to the diminutive Tyler Lockett. Both fell incomplete. I don't hate those plays but if you're not gonna throw them to Graham, what's he there for? Whatever, be as mad about it as you feel like. I'm still leaning towards the they'll-figure-it-out side of things but today's effort was a real bummer.</p>
<p>-Wilson was mostly good today, finishing 15-23 (65.2%) for 213 yards (9.3 YPA), a touchdown, and an interception for a final rating of 91.4. Unfortunately, almost all of that production was early in the game as Seattle's offense failed to acclimate to Cincinnati's defensive adjustments. Again, adjusting is what it's all about.</p>
<p>-On the flip side, Dalton shrugged off a middling middle of the game to finish 30-44 (68.2%) for 313 yards (7.1 YPA), 2 TDs, and an INT for an efficiency rating of 94.2. In reality, the only difference in production between the two QBs was volume, as Dalton threw the ball nearly twice as much as Wilson but was about equal in terms of efficiency.</p>
<p>-The Seahawks finished with 200 yards rushing and 197 passing. That fits the bill for what Pete Carroll likes to do but the "when" is as important as the "what" and Seattle did all their whatting when they should have been whenning.</p>
<p>There are a lot of ways to view the Seahawks' first five games. On one hand, they are two overtime losses on the road away from being 4-1. On the other hand, they're a miracle fumble away from being 1-4. On another hand, they've had fourth quarter leads in all five games. On, um, yet another hand, every non-Jimmy Clausen QB they've faced has carved them up down the stretch. On hand #5, the Seahawks blew a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. On your mutant sixth hand, the 'Hawks were this close to beating an undefeated team on the road with an early start coming off a short week. Carroll said after the game that he thinks they're closer this year at 2-3 than they were last year at 3-3. The degree to which we believe him probably says more about us than it does about them.</p>
<p>Ultimately, this team is 2-3 and two games out of first place in their division. Personally, I find myself leaning towards Carroll's assertion and given his proximity to what's happening as well as their post-2011 track record, I don't know why I shouldn't. A year ago next week, the Seahawks had just lost consecutive fourth quarter leads to the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cowboys</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a>, traded their prize offensive acquisition for peanut shells, and seemed to be in complete disarray. That team won 11 of their next 12 and came within a yard of winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. And before you begin shouting that last year's team was obviously better than this year's, I encourage you to go back and read the comments sections after that Rams loss.</p>
<p>For me, it boils down to this: five games is, as much as we're loath to accept it, a small sample size. Are there concerns? Shit yeah there are. But recent history overwhelmingly suggests that Seattle is capable of identifying and rectifying them as the season goes along.</p>
<p>In 2012, the Seahawks started 4-4, then won eight of their next nine en route to coming a sliver's breadth away from the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game" class="sbn-auto-link">NFC Championship</a> game.</p>
<p>In 2013, the Seahawks started, well, who are we kidding. The 2013 Seahawks pretty much beat everybody on their way to their first Super Bowl win, but the savagery of their title game beatdown has obscured from memory how many close wins against bad teams the '13 squad had.</p>
<p>In 2014, the Seahawks started 3-3 before winning 11 of 12 and coming a sliver's sliver's breadth away from repeating as Super Bowl champs.</p>
<p>Sure, this season could go off the rails, but nothing about Seattle's talent or resiliency suggests that. On the surface (read: preseason expectations), the worst of their schedule is behind them. In reality, the 'Hawks draw their second consecutive undefeated opponent in the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> next week, who happen to be coming off a bye. A win back home will do a lot for the tenor and trajectory of this team. In the meantime, try not to freak out. Or do. I'm not your dad.</p>
<p>Onward, upward.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JacsonBevens">Jacson on Twitter</a> || <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/cigarthoughtspodcast">Cigar Thoughts Facebook Page</a> || <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/cigar-thoughts">Cigar Thoughts Hub</a></p>
<p>The cigar of the day is a fun little smoke- the 1875 from Romeo y Julieta, available for the best price I've found at <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641882&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.Famous-Smoke.com&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fieldgulls.com%2F2015%2F10%2F11%2F9497819%2Fseahawks-bengals-final-score-nfl-fantasy-cigar-thoughts" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">www.Famous-Smoke.com</a>. Flavorful without being too spicy, this tasty chunk makes for a really enjoyable small meal of a cigar and doesn't require too strong a potable counterpart.</p>
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/11/9497819/seahawks-bengals-final-score-nfl-fantasy-cigar-thoughtsJacson Bevens2015-10-11T15:27:29-07:002015-10-11T15:27:29-07:00Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson presser notes
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Seahawks lost to the Bengals in overtime Sunday afternoon, and Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson talked to reporters afterwords. Here are some notes on what was discussed. Originally <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seahawks/comments/3odlg6/seahawks_vs_bengals_post_game_presser_with_coach/">published at Reddit</a>.</p>
<h4>Pete Carroll:</h4>
<p><a href="http://www.seahawks.com/video/2015/10/11/pete-carroll-bengals-press-conference" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Video Link</a></p>
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<p>It was difficult to come out of this game having done so well. We played our best ball for the first 3 quarters. Really difficult to leave here not winning. I gotta look right at me, when you look across the board at not finishing on O, D, and ST. Gotta find a way to execute the way we need to to get off the field, to get first downs, etc. How we look at it is they needed one second to tie the game with the FG at the end of the 4th quarter.</p>
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<p>This will be really important film to watch, to see what changed between the first 3 quarters and the 4th.</p>
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<p>The run got stagnant, doesn't know why that would happen, we didn't change anything, we felt very good about the LOS today.</p>
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<p>Really tough loss for the team. We all share in it, there are too many different things across the board that it is spread throughout.</p>
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<p>Is baffled, we are clear about finishing and doing right longer. Shocked it's not happening with all these vets who have been raised in that culture.</p>
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<p>Changed it up to their hurry up to start OT, which is why Fred Jackson was in the game (not Rawls).</p>
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<p>Wagner had a strained peck, finished the game, was sore but finished the game.</p>
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<p>Jordan Hill quad strain.</p>
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<p>Putting Richard Sherman on AJ Green paid off. Cary bounced back later in the game.</p>
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<p>3-3 last year, thinks we are closer than we were then. We know the O-line is improving, anxious to see what happened in the 4th quarter but O-line is important for us to make progress.</p>
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<p>Were not dead and gone, just gotta get things fixed up. The group is full of strong individuals that will work to get it together. The baffling part is how great we were in the first 3 quarters. This team was on fire, look at that first drive.</p>
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<p>Couple of things early that we missed on Defense in terms of coverage. We adjusted.</p>
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<p>The LOS was much better all day long. That is the effect you bank on in the 4th quarter. We needed one more first down, not enough time left.</p>
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<p>Didn't think fatigue was a problem in the 4th quarter but needs to check on that.</p>
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<h4>Russell Wilson:</h4>
<p><a href="http://www.seahawks.com/video/2015/10/11/russell-wilson-bengals-press-conference" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Video Link</a></p>
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<p>We didn't execute in the 4th quarter especially, even in the 3rd quarter a bit. Starts with Russ and goes from there. Gotta finds way to covert, we put the defense back out there too much. We felt like we were electric today all the way up to the 4th quarter.</p>
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<p>Thinks he played pretty good, not good enough to win though. Gotta watch the film and study, that is for everyone, our mindset is win or loss how can we get better. Looking forward to getting back to work, studying the tape and playing again.</p>
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<p>The Bengals made a couple of plays when we tried to convert on 3rd and 4 and 3rd and 2 late in the game.</p>
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<p>Thought he had Tyler with the long ball. Got hit and thinks he needed to get more "umph" on it. Will next time.</p>
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<p>Good thing is we were third and short most of the third and fourth quarter, bad thing is we didn't convert them. In OT we were in longer third downs.</p>
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<p>The O-line did a great job, think some of those sacks were on me if anything. Were in tune. Have been taking criticism but wow those guys fight. Wouldn't want to play with anybody else upfront. They fight their tails off.</p>
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<p>There is a first for everything (losing due to a opponent comeback in OT). They finished better than we did. Feels like it is on all of us, we are disappointed. Looking forward to the challenge.</p>
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<p>Feels similar to 3-3 last year. Feels the team morale, the under dog mentality is still there. Need to go back to work, prepare better than anybody else and go back into a game and play. We played a great 3 quarters, need to play 4.</p>
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<p>Rawls was lights out. He played physical, ran the bell very well. The way he practices transfers over to the game. The O-line was phenomenal today. They did a tremendous job of blocking, run blocking and pass protection. Rawls got loose a few times there.</p>
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<p>"Pass the Peace, Go Hawks!"</p>
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<h4>My Thoughts:</h4>
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<p>There was a lot I liked in this game up until the 4th quarter and OT. The O-line looked the best it has looked all season. I haven't re-watched the tape but Nowak's snaps looked clean, Russell had pockets with time to throw in, and the run blocking looked fantastic. Even <em>if</em> our O-line didn't get any better than what we saw today (so it stays this good/bad the rest of the season) I would feel okay. Our O-line today looked like the classic '13-'14 Hawks O-line, which is to say like 24th worst in the NFL not 32nd worst in the NFL. If the O-line can improve over this games performance and get even better, look out, Carroll and Cable might have actually been right that we just had to weather the storm (first handful of games) but that they would start to gel and improve and that their ceilings are higher than the guys we had in the past.</p>
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<p>Penalties and being weak against TE's, those murdered us. I was fine with the Seahawks losing this game going into it, I expected a loss, but seeing <em>how</em> we lost, us folding like that, giving up a 24-7 in the 4th quarter? Wow, worrisome. We don't have that killer "finishing" instinct anymore, not that it can't be found again. In the 4th quarter we lost on all fronts (O, D, ST)...that is depressing.</p>
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<p>Upside to this? Well the first 3 quarters looked great. Our D played great, got an INT, a forced fumble for 6, shut down the run big time and after some adjustments shut down AJ Green and the passing game. Our Offense came out and got first downs, and got a opening drive TD. We are throwing explosive passes multiple times a game while Russ stands in the pocket, sweet. All it really takes to win this game is for one third of the team to step up. The Defense could have stepped up, the Offense could have stepped up, and our ST could have stepped up. Why that is a good thing is going forward, what are the odds all three crap the bed again? All Pete needs to instill in this team (or the players find in themselves like last season after the Chiefs game) is the finishing mentality.</p>
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<p>More good news? Rawls looks to be <em>legit</em>. The Bears game wasn't a fluke. Yes he got good run blocking but he has great eyes, great moves, broke tackles, stayed on his feet and ran it into the end zone. <em>"Thomas Rawls: 169 Rush yds, most by a Seahawk since Shaun Alexander in 2006. Marshawn Lynch's career high is 153 yards."</em> So with our worst O-line the past few years, Rawls has a better career high than Lynch, and what...you don't think he is legit? You don't think he can be a RB1? You think he is "good for a UDFA"? :/ nah bruh, he good.</p>
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<p>The Jimmy Graham narrative is annoying but we had pockets today, we had time for routes to develop, where was he? When we need 5 yards for a first down where is the boot-leg pass play where he runs an out route on the first down line and gets thrown the ball? Where is he running seam routes? Don't tell me he was covered all game and couldn't have been used better, I just don't believe it. Upside is I saw him at least once make a good block on pass protection, and never saw him be a liability in blocking situations. We hear "we spread the ball around" and all that, but he really needs to be featured. He isn't just "another TE", he is an elite receiver, we need to put him in multiple situations throughout the game where he can make plays. (I'm not saying he shouldn't ever block by the way).</p>
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<p>Baldwin and Kearse are balling out with minimal (if any) drops of catchable passes. Kearse last I saw was on course to have a 900+ yard season and he's already tied last years TD total (1) in game 5 of the season. Pretty great. Tyler seems to be getting involved more into the deep passing game (not that we have time to pass) and in my opinion both deep balls to Lockett failed because of Russell. He didn't stand confident in the pocket and throw on time for the deep pass that Tyler got hit on, and the ball could have been placed better on the sideline rainbow ball that Tyler couldn't get two feet in-bounds on. Both Tyler <em>could</em> have made but Russ put him in a tough place both times as a rookie receiver.</p>
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<p>I don't have the stats but Sherman for the most part seem to shut down A.J. Green once he started following him. Yet again Sherman proving he is a shut down corner even when following.</p>
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<p>Next week it's the Panthers. We should have Beastmode back, it doesn't look like anyone got hurt in a way that will have them out for Sunday. We are at home against the Panthers. What I want to see? The O-line play as good as they did today or better and that overall "finishing" spirit show up in the 4th quarter on defense and offense.</p>
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https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/10/11/9501257/seahawks-bengals-pete-carroll-russell-wilson-press-conferencesNathan Watt