From a hawks perspective

[GoHawks1212]

I came to these forums this morning to see what you're opinions were on the sloppy game that was played yesterday. This is in no way a "gloat" post, as there really wasn't any play from either team yesterday worth gloating about. However, I wanted to comment on some of the things I read here this morning.

Before I get started, I want to say that there has already been one post from a Seahawks fan that was deleted off these forums today, and I was warned prior to the game yesterday about a post that I supposedly "Smack talked". Apparently i'm at risk for a perma ban, which to be honest is humorous as my only intention has been to enjoy and help others enjoy a friendly rivalry within the division. If my opposing views are offensive, I do apologize.

With that being said i'll quit ranting and get to the core of my post.

I believe that harsh weather affects any team that plays in it, regardless if the seahawks practice in seattle, there is still no way to completely be "prepared" in an environment with 30mph winds and steady rain. This kind of weather changes the look of the game, and the winner is usually the team that capitalizes the most off of their opponents mistakes. Field position and simply holding onto the football become paramount in these types of games, and many times determine the outcome.

I truly feel that there is nothing that can really be determined after a game like yesterday. I feel that both teams offensive lines suffered simply due to the fact that people pressuring the QB are wet, slick and can easily squeeze by or around the lineman. I also believe that both teams quarterbacks really struggled with the wet ball. As a Seahawks fan, I would hope that Matt had some kind of "advantage" here, but this simply isn't true.

To those who believe that this game should have been a blowout, and the seahawks "couldn't" seal the deal, I only partially agree. There were 2 or 3 field goals that would have been touchdowns, if you subtracted the boneheaded penalties that occured at just the wrong time (or right time in the cardinals case). Like I said before, you really can't make any confident determinations about this game.

Yesterday I don't believe Max Hall was the answer, but I don't know if it's time to give up on him just yet. He went in to a hostile environment, and played in terrible weather, in only his second NFL start. Not to mention that I don't think the game plan was catered towards helping Max out. (Which if I was coach, I would be doing everything I could to help Max out, it's his first away game for cryin out loud.)

All said and done, I truly don't know where this division stands. The hawks merely put themselves in a good position this weekend, nothing more, nothing less. I also don't know what to expect when the hawks go into UoP stadium in 3 weeks. Are the same teams going to show up? Or is there going to be actual coordination on either teams side? I don't think anyone really knows the answer here.

P.S. Cardinals D did look fantastic, one thing I am worried about for the matchup in 3 weeks.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I came to these forums this morning to see what you're opinions were on the sloppy game that was played yesterday. This is in no way a "gloat" post, as there really wasn't any play from either team yesterday worth gloating about. However, I wanted to comment on some of the things I read here this morning.

Before I get started, I want to say that there has already been one post from a Seahawks fan that was deleted off these forums today, and I was warned prior to the game yesterday about a post that I supposedly "Smack talked". Apparently i'm at risk for a perma ban, which to be honest is humorous as my only intention has been to enjoy and help others enjoy a friendly rivalry within the division. If my opposing views are offensive, I do apologize.

With that being said i'll quit ranting and get to the core of my post.

I believe that harsh weather affects any team that plays in it, regardless if the seahawks practice in seattle, there is still no way to completely be "prepared" in an environment with 30mph winds and steady rain. This kind of weather changes the look of the game, and the winner is usually the team that capitalizes the most off of their opponents mistakes. Field position and simply holding onto the football become paramount in these types of games, and many times determine the outcome.

I truly feel that there is nothing that can really be determined after a game like yesterday. I feel that both teams offensive lines suffered simply due to the fact that people pressuring the QB are wet, slick and can easily squeeze by or around the lineman. I also believe that both teams quarterbacks really struggled with the wet ball. As a Seahawks fan, I would hope that Matt had some kind of "advantage" here, but this simply isn't true.

To those who believe that this game should have been a blowout, and the seahawks "couldn't" seal the deal, I only partially agree. There were 2 or 3 field goals that would have been touchdowns, if you subtracted the boneheaded penalties that occured at just the wrong time (or right time in the cardinals case). Like I said before, you really can't make any confident determinations about this game.

Yesterday I don't believe Max Hall was the answer, but I don't know if it's time to give up on him just yet. He went in to a hostile environment, and played in terrible weather, in only his second NFL start. Not to mention that I don't think the game plan was catered towards helping Max out. (Which if I was coach, I would be doing everything I could to help Max out, it's his first away game for cryin out loud.)

All said and done, I truly don't know where this division stands. The hawks merely put themselves in a good position this weekend, nothing more, nothing less. I also don't know what to expect when the hawks go into UoP stadium in 3 weeks. Are the same teams going to show up? Or is there going to be actual coordination on either teams side? I don't think anyone really knows the answer here.

P.S. Cardinals D did look fantastic, one thing I am worried about for the matchup in 3 weeks.

Our QB issues aside... one can't help but wonder what would've transpired had we not had our rookie Punt Returner one-hand a muff, or worse, a seasoned veteran attempt to play footsy on a kick-off...or, if Hightower didn't decide to hand the ball over to you guys after a great long run.

Seriously, you had 3 drives that started inside our 20. And yet, at the start of the 4th quarter we still had a shot...
I really don't see us turning the ball over 5 times when we next see you guys in 3 weeks. IMHO, I actually think you guys will have walked into a serious lions den and will get routed. The Hags ran the ball just well enough on Sunday, however, in 3 weeks, Lynch and Forsett will be lucky to put up a collective 60 yards on the ground. And Hasselback will be pounded... Meanwhile, I see Beanie and Hightower owning your supposed "top run defense". Hell, they averaged nearly 6 yards a carry on Sunday! And whether it's Max or Da - it won't matter... Either one will be good enough in a game where our defense will along salt away the victory.
Revenge will be sweet, yet oh so painful for the Hags.

Ok... 'nuff of that. I do need to mention how impressed I was with Williams. Great story there for sure...
And Thomas looks like a true gamer. Nice addition there as well.
Okung went out early so wasn't able to get a solid glimpse of his ability. However, it wasn't lost on me that once he went down, your running game fell apart and we were suddenly able to get to Hasselback.

See ya in 3 weeks!

 

[Big Deal]

Good post. I have to say that we were not prepared to play in that weather and it is more on the coaching than anything else. Max Hall looked like he had never thrown a wet ball before, his throws were not even close did they even practice with a wet ball??

I think in AZ we win that game, hopefully they learn how to defend Williams by then, that was getting sad at the end. Hopefully they put Breaston on punt return duty even if he is just out there to fair catch and not risk injury.

Your team looked like the team with a better game plan, just as you said, I game like this is all about ball control and field position, and we were outcoached.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

how anyone can take anything from yesterday's game, other than the fact that these two teams suck, is beyond me. neither should be allowed to call themselves a .500 team, much less above .500.

oh, and max hall sucks. and derek andersons sucks.

 

[Russ Smith]

I really don't like Billick much but the one point he made yesterday, over and over and over, that was good, was how big a role the crowd noise plays. You do that silent count stuff and the defense times it and gets a great jump. There are 4-5 plays where live I thought Seattle was offsides but they weren't, they just timed the silent count.

Then the other way we had a situation where Seattle can change plays and Seattle can hear the snap count, but the Cards still have to guess. It's a huge advantage on the line on both ends.

Everyone who played QB in the NFL recently says the same thing, Seattle is the loudest stadium in the NFL and you can't underestimage the advantage it gives to them in a game.

Add in bad weather and a truly awful performance by Hall, and we weren't going to win. But with those turnovers, just sealed the deal.

 

[PJ1]

Not sure I agree that Hasselback didn't have an advantage playing in that weather vs a rookie starting his second game. Not to mention he is just a better QB. You guys are looking pretty good right now but will have a tough time when you play at Arizona.

Good post and congrats on the win.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I was there and the weather was not bad at all.It rained a couple times shortly but for the most part. It was windy though.

 

[40yearfan]

GoHawks 1212. Put a roof on your frickin' frackin' stadium.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

how anyone can take anything from yesterday's game, other than the fact that these two teams suck, is beyond me. neither should be allowed to call themselves a .500 team, much less above .500.

oh, and max hall sucks. and derek andersons sucks.

Yeah, just another reminder at how bad football can be when you have crappy qb play. That game was painful to watch and incredibly discouraging.

 

[desertdawg]

Savor the taste, enjoy first place. Next game should be fun.

 

[Russ Smith]

I was there and the weather was not bad at all.It rained a couple times shortly but for the most part. It was windy though.

Might depend where you were sitting it sure looked like it was raining much of the game on tv.

I do think Whiz had an interesting point if not excuse that the new rule on where the umpire is played a role in the sloppiness. In the past, the ump would stand over the ball until the end before the C would come in and the ump would line up in the middle of teh defense. Now they lineup behind the offense, they have to leave the ball earlier which means the ball gets much wetter before every snap.

I still think in the end Hall was just bad, but it was an interesting point about how the rule impacts in wet weather.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Might depend where you were sitting it sure looked like it was raining much of the game on tv.

I do think Whiz had an interesting point if not excuse that the new rule on where the umpire is played a role in the sloppiness. In the past, the ump would stand over the ball until the end before the C would come in and the ump would line up in the middle of teh defense. Now they lineup behind the offense, they have to leave the ball earlier which means the ball gets much wetter before every snap.

I still think in the end Hall was just bad, but it was an interesting point about how the rule impacts in wet weather.

It wasn't that bad of a rain. If that affected either team, then every stadium needs a dome. It rained hard before hand and really hard afterwards so the field was likley wet. There was, maybe twice, in the 1st half where it came down decent but in the 2nd half, i'm not sure it rained much at all. In fact the sun was even out for a bit. It was a pretty gusty wind though.

 

[football karma]

weather / no weather

you cant gift 10 points to any team in the NFL on horribly misplayed punt/kicks and expect to win.

I can accept some turnovers -- but the ones that are simply unforced errors will make you crazy.

 

[Mitch]

GoHawks1212...I don't usually respond to cameo posters who are fans of our opponents, but I very much appreciated the sincerity and even-headedness of your post. And I agree with your candid assessments.

Thus...I'd like to share with you what I have learned about your Hawks the past few weeks.

First of all, I would be disingenuous if I said I like Pete Carroll. I cannot stand the fact that in today's sports world, coaches can violate rules and leave programs in shambles and land even more lucrative contracts somewhere else. Like John Calipari, for example. He should have been banned for at least a few years.

These guys are master manipulators...

But...it's not Pete Carroll I am impressed with anyway...it's your staff and your new management.

The Marshawn Lynch trade was masterful and could well clinch the NFC West.

Even better...getting a 4th rounder for Deion Branch? Highway robbery. You basically got Lynch for Branch, almost even steven.

Your coordinators are very very smart...because they are keeping things very basic and simple...and they are playing the game aggressively.

For example...last week in Chicago you won that game because on offense no one could stop Mike Williams (simple slants and fades is all)...and, after getting exploited deep by Jay Cutler a couple of times, you adjust by amping up the edge pressure from your safeties no less, and Mike Martz never adjusts! Those two smart but rather simple decisions sustained drives on offense and took Cutler out of the game.

Same yesterday. Smart and simple. More heavy doses of Mike Williams, a 100 yard effort fro Marshawn, and 8/8 on field goals by Mare (including penalties...the guy is unreal, 1212, he's great..and in that weather!). And on the other side...edge rushes by DBs and DEs causing quick passes that your DBs (all 7 or 8 of them) can handle...and not the deep passes that leave you vulnerable...which if you pressure quickly won't be possible unless the QB can buy time somewhere, somehow.

BTW, I taught with Lofa Tatupu's dad, Mosi, here at Foxborough H.S. (MA) and regard Lofa and his dad (RIP) with the highest regard.

Anyway, good win for you guys. Thanks for your insights. Let's see if you can handle our noise in three weeks!

 

[GoHawks1212]

Our QB issues aside... one can't help but wonder what would've transpired had we not had our rookie Punt Returner one-hand a muff, or worse, a seasoned veteran attempt to play footsy on a kick-off...or, if Hightower didn't decide to hand the ball over to you guys after a great long run.

Seriously, you had 3 drives that started inside our 20. And yet, at the start of the 4th quarter we still had a shot...

I really don't see us turning the ball over 5 times when we next see you guys in 3 weeks. IMHO, I actually think you guys will have walked into a serious lions den and will get routed. The Hags ran the ball just well enough on Sunday, however, in 3 weeks, Lynch and Forsett will be lucky to put up a collective 60 yards on the ground. And Hasselback will be pounded... Meanwhile, I see Beanie and Hightower owning your supposed "top run defense". Hell, they averaged nearly 6 yards a carry on Sunday! And whether it's Max or Da - it won't matter... Either one will be good enough in a game where our defense will along salt away the victory.
Revenge will be sweet, yet oh so painful for the Hags.

Ok... 'nuff of that. I do need to mention how impressed I was with Williams. Great story there for sure...
And Thomas looks like a true gamer. Nice addition there as well.
Okung went out early so wasn't able to get a solid glimpse of his ability. However, it wasn't lost on me that once he went down, your running game fell apart and we were suddenly able to get to Hasselback.

See ya in 3 weeks!

It was very brutal as a hawks fan to watch us kick 5 field goals(technically 7, if you count the 2 that didnt count because of penalties) and only score one touchdown. And yes, there most likely will not be 5 turnovers given to us when we come to UoP stadium. We have a serious offense identity crisis going.

Mike Williams is an absolute gem, no one took him seriously (hawks fans included) until recently, now most hawks fans have man crushes. Earl Thomas is a candidate for rookie of the year in my eyes, he's played brilliant. And lastly, our line is VASTLY different without Okung, however, it isn't the left side that concerns me. You guys exploited the right side all day long yesterday. We definitely still have some bugs to work out, or players to replace, probably both.

 

[GoHawks1212]

Not sure I agree that Hasselback didn't have an advantage playing in that weather vs a rookie starting his second game. Not to mention he is just a better QB. You guys are looking pretty good right now but will have a tough time when you play at Arizona.

Good post and congrats on the win.

Gotta agree with you here PJ. I should have clarified that vs all QBs in general, I don't see Hasselbeck having an advantage. When you compare a pro bowl QB to a rookie, there is obviously an advantage there, regardless of weather.

 

[GoHawks1212]

GoHawks 1212. Put a roof on your frickin' frackin' stadium.

We gotta live with this stuff, it's our only chance to show other people what we gotta deal with 10 months out of the year! LOL!

 

[GoHawks1212]

Might depend where you were sitting it sure looked like it was raining much of the game on tv.

I do think Whiz had an interesting point if not excuse that the new rule on where the umpire is played a role in the sloppiness. In the past, the ump would stand over the ball until the end before the C would come in and the ump would line up in the middle of teh defense. Now they lineup behind the offense, they have to leave the ball earlier which means the ball gets much wetter before every snap.

I still think in the end Hall was just bad, but it was an interesting point about how the rule impacts in wet weather.

Very good point. Didn't even think of the effect that might have on the game. They did say they were rotating in twice as many balls throughout the game, but what good does that do if the ball is soaked by the time it hits the QB's hands. Pretty dumb to be honest, maybe they need to get a ref that strictly keeps the balls dry and places them down right before the snap, then books it off the field, lol.

 

[82CardsGrad]

We definitely still have some bugs to work out, or players to replace, probably both.

Join the club brother...

 

[GoHawks1212]

GoHawks1212...I don't usually respond to cameo posters who are fans of our opponents, but I very much appreciated the sincerity and even-headedness of your post. And I agree with your candid assessments.

Thus...I'd like to share with you what I have learned about your Hawks the past few weeks.

First of all, I would be disingenuous if I said I like Pete Carroll. I cannot stand the fact that in today's sports world, coaches can violate rules and leave programs in shambles and land even more lucrative contracts somewhere else. Like John Calipari, for example. He should have been banned for at least a few years.

These guys are master manipulators...

But...it's not Pete Carroll I am impressed with anyway...it's your staff and your new management.

The Marshawn Lynch trade was masterful and could well clinch the NFC West.

Even better...getting a 4th rounder for Deion Branch? Highway robbery. You basically got Lynch for Branch, almost even steven.

Your coordinators are very very smart...because they are keeping things very basic and simple...and they are playing the game aggressively.

For example...last week in Chicago you won that game because on offense no one could stop Mike Williams (simple slants and fades is all)...and, after getting exploited deep by Jay Cutler a couple of times, you adjust by amping up the edge pressure from your safeties no less, and Mike Martz never adjusts! Those two smart but rather simple decisions sustained drives on offense and took Cutler out of the game.

Same yesterday. Smart and simple. More heavy doses of Mike Williams, a 100 yard effort fro Marshawn, and 8/8 on field goals by Mare (including penalties...the guy is unreal, 1212, he's great..and in that weather!). And on the other side...edge rushes by DBs and DEs causing quick passes that your DBs (all 7 or 8 of them) can handle...and not the deep passes that leave you vulnerable...which if you pressure quickly won't be possible unless the QB can buy time somewhere, somehow.

BTW, I taught with Lofa Tatupu's dad, Mosi, here at Foxborough H.S. (MA) and regard Lofa and his dad (RIP) with the highest regard.

Anyway, good win for you guys. Thanks for your insights. Let's see if you can handle our noise in three weeks!

When it comes to Pete Carroll, as a hawks fan it's kind of bitter sweet, at least for me. It's hard to deny that he had a large part in the downfall of USC, so in a way, it makes me wonder about if/when he does leave the Seahawks, how much of a wreck will our team be? And will he point the finger at someone else, much like he's done with USC, but given his "sympathy".

On the other hand, he's obviously lifted our team. Regardless of how the final outcome of this season is, he's made changes for the better. Proof is in the pudding so far.

The Marshawn Lynch / Deion Branch trade is one of these changes for the better i'm talking about. Our front office wouldn't be walked over, and this is obviously very encouraging for us. These kind of trades are what help define a winning franchise, we hope to see more of these in the future.

Gotta love a kicker who is automatic. Mare is truly amazing, he deserves a reneg on his contract in my opinion!

About Lofa, after going to many of the seahawks open practices where a limited number of fans could come watch, he was one of the few players who made it a point to not only come over to the fans and sign autographs, but actually have conversations, share the fans excitement, etc. From the exposure I have with him, he seems like a real stand up guy, and a staple of our defense. Pretty awesome guy. I imagine his dad must have been very similar. Appreciate you bringin that up, makes me like the guy even more.

And yes, it will be MUCH tougher in 3 weeks, going to Arizona and winning is no small feat. Especially with the Cards salivating for revenge. I imagine that game will be a little more exciting to watch on both sides. Here's to it.

 

[Catfish]

Hey-----GoHawks1212------I am not a moderator on this board, just one of the local fans-----but in my opinion, your sincere and accurate deductions of the game in Quest are more than welcome here. While I would agree that neither team played really well, I would say that the Cardinals turnovers overcame a determined defense put up by the guys in Red.

It was too bad that Max Hall had to endure a wet ball that he had no idea of how to handle, then to add the wind, (along with all the other obstacles he faces as a rookie), was just too much to soon.

I enjoy your insight into the 'test in the Quest', and sincerely look forward to a rematch of these teams in the 'dome in the desert' upcoming soon. Hopefully we will get to see more of the promise that Max brings to this team, and we certainly look forward to the RED SEA in the Desert being a problem for your team, as was your 12th man in Quest. It should be fun.