SB Nation - Jon Ryan

Patrick Kerney Subtly Swings into Irrelevance

John Morgan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:40:20 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

Above we can see where the blitz broke down.

That drive was another pin in the Seahawks hopes. Seattle barely budged the ball before Jon Ryan and Seattle's coverage unit combined to undo the Seahawks field position advantage. The resulting drive would sap what was left of Seattle's comeback chances.

Marion Barber scurried for six and Tony Romo converted the first on a pass to Martellus Bennett. Seattle, for its part, put a lick on Bennett: Aaron Curry standing him up and Jordan Babineaux delivering the blow.

Then, for a brief shining moment, Darryl Tapp nearly undid a half's worth of damage and put Seattle back in the lead. It was another moment where Seattle missed by inches. Tapp rushed around left end and forced back Flozell Adams enough to block out Romo's preferred throwing lane. Tapp jumped as Romo motioned and Romo tucked before taking another attempt. The ball sailed behind intended receiver Roy Williams, but where a good break nets a pick six, Josh Wilson skidded and the pass proved too errant. Ironically, an accurate pass results in a pick six.

Then the wheels came off. Seattle was attacking and Romo forced consecutive offside penalties to convert the first. Penalties would decide this drive.

Lawrence Jackson moved into right defensive tackle alongside Tapp, and stopped the next two plays near single-handedly. He tackled Barber after two and read and reacted to a draw and curled in to stop Barber for a loss of one. Jackson has looked every bit the end I wanted him to be: aware, active, athletic and everywhere.

From the official NFL rule book:

Actions that constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

. . .

(e) Cutting off the path of a receiver by making contact with him without playing the ball.

This play pissed off a lot of Seahawks, but the ruling was justifiable if not maybe right. Marcus Trufant was attempting to curl underneath Miles Austin's deep route. Jordan Babineaux was to play over top, though he clearly wasn't deep enough and would have been beat on a clean throw attempt. Trufant curled into Austin's route. The contact looked incidental, with Trufant clearly not attempting to cut off the path of Austin, but he did cut off the path of Austin and Dallas got the call. So it goes.

In the same play, but of less interest, Nick Reed dropped into cover and was literally stride-for-stride with Patrick Crayton. That a player - and damn Crayton is slow.

Seattle cued up a Marshall seven-man blitz and forced an incomplete.

Seattle sent Josh Wilson on its next blitz and Deon Grant hit Crayton to force an incomplete.

Third and 9: Miles Austin for 16. This was a failure of pass rush. The blitz design was..not so good. One could see it working, but there was one major flaw inherent in its design. Perhaps this graphic can illuminate what I mean. For sake of clarity, I'll only show the key players.

You'll have to excuse me if that's too subtle, for I am a humble caveman confused and frightened by your modern world. It's a perfectly cromulent blitz design and swinging Patrick Kerney across the line should give him a strong matchup against the left guard, but Kerney is far too slow to get into the action before Romo finds an open receiver. This will rile some feathers, but do not be surprised if Seattle drafts a defensive end in the first round of next year's draft.

Cory Redding and David Hawthorne combined to delay the inevitable. Redding created the pressure and Hawthorne hit the ball out of Jason Witten's hands. A play later Roy Williams palmed the ball into the end zone and the Seahawks fell behind by two scores to end the half.

Seattle got the ball back and ran a simple run to kill the clock. The fun was over. The third quarter awaited.

Leading by Example: Jack Del Rio versus Seattle Seahawks Punter Jon Ryan

River City Rage — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:29:14 -0000

More photos » by Phil Coale - AP

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I mentioned this on the BCC Radio Show last night, but Jack Del Rio decided to "fire up the troops" by cursing at Seattle's punter Jon Ryan.

Read for yourself:

"It was just kind of crazy, man. Jon Ryan was out there punting, and I guess he may have been in Jacksonville's area. And he (Del Rio) just grabbed the ball and threw it and was like, 'Get the [expletive] on your side of the field.' "

Now, this didn't make for a grudge match or anything like that. Houshmandzadeh was clear about that.

"I think he was just trying to get his guys pumped up. It didn't work," Houshmandzadeh said. "I like Jack Del Rio, though. He's a former player. I like him as a coach. Those are the type of guys that wish they were still playing and wish his guys had the intensity that he played with. He was just trying to get them fired up. It's not a big deal. I thought it was kind of funny, disrespectful, but a lot of coaches do a lot of different things to get their guys pumped up. "

Really? Acosting the Punter is considered "getting their guys pumped up?" It sounds like the actions of a desperate bully. Not to mention that this sort of behavior looks really insecure after a 41-0 beatdown. Seattle didn't really need much in the way of punting anyhow, if Jack had wanted to make a statement, how about going and punching Matt Hasselbeck in the ribs, that might have at least done something. (Please note, I'm not actually advocating punching any injured player).

Your thoughts?

Greg Knapp Leaves Me Missing the Fullback Draw

John Morgan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:03:04 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

Why run a futile fullback draw when you can run a futile play-action, fullback pass?

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What to say about the ensuing drive. Seattle started on its four and didn't get much farther. The first play was a run, and it ended when Brandon Frye couldn't hold off Justin Smith. No surprise there. Then Matt Hasselbeck scrambled for two. That scrambling fool. Finally, Greg Knapp dialed up a play call so defeatist it makes the fullback draw look daring.

Seattle aligned two wide receivers, left and right, an "I" formation and John Carlson at tight end. He started on the left and motioned right. San Francisco was in a 4-2 nickel. Matt Hasselbeck motions to Justin Griffith and then throws to Justin Griffth. Griffith drops it. Net loss: About three yards. Covering Griffith: Patrick Willis. Grape Nuts: Neither a grape nor a nut.

Jon Ryan punts it 36 yards.

Seahawks Shutout Rams at Home, Score 28 in Rout

John Morgan — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:25:28 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

John Carlson would have topped a hundred yards, but he's kinda slow.

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Seattle earns it first shutout since 2007 and its most dominant win since 2005. The Rams suck. How bad is to be determined. Seattle beat St. Louis almost as bad as a professional team can be beat -- like a red-headed rented mule. Rams fans hope that adding a left tackle will resurrect their offense are now crushed -- crushed as badly as the Rams were today.

Before we get on to the revelry, let's talk a few faults. Jon Ryan is costing Seattle field position with his punts. It's not going to kill Seattle to run with a just average punter, but I hope Tim Ruskell looks for an upgrade on Ryan as he looked for an upgrade on Ryan Plackemeier last season. Live by the in-season, die by the in-season signing, Ryan.

Matt Hasselbeck was awful to start the game. He stared down receivers, threw into double cover and lobbed some easy to pick ducks. He was picked and gave the Seahawks faithful an awful fright. A bad Hasselbeck is a quarterback that can't lead this team to the playoffs. He worked off much of the rust against presumably a very bad pass defense, and we can all hope this was early season hiccups. Clearly, Seattle recovered.

Linebackers Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu left the game with a groin injury and a hamstring injury. Neither sounded severe, but keep your eyes peeled. Groin and hamstring injuries can be nagging.

Now onto the goods. The coaches deserve credit. Both the offense and defense kept the attack varied and unpredictable and that is the essence of good play calling. Gus Bradley didn't shoot himself in the foot with lame three-stooges blitzes, did blitz early and knew when to trust the front four. This is what a well-run, well-designed and well-executed game looks like, and it took a quarter to appear, but when the gears clicked into place, the Seahawks were ruthless and efficient.

The offense mixed pass and run and didn't abandon either though both faltered, even failed. The line did its dirty work, keeping pressure off Hasselbeck and creating seams for Julius Jones. All three heads of the running back attack contributed; Julius Jones the star, but Justin Forsett showed up on third downs and Edgerrin James grinded out euthanasia yards.

Seattle's wide receivers excelled. Even without Deion Branch, the Rams were lost trying to cover Seattle's three very good receiving threats. Nate Burleson defenders might win the long battle, because in Greg Knapp's looser system, he is emerging as not just a weapon, but a star. The screen pass thrown to him in the first was beautiful and efficient, and the kind of new-breed play calling Seattle has needed for the last three years.

Hasselbeck rounded into form, and if he can find comfort within this system, he has the kind of varied weapons to show off his always excellent read. John Carlson declared himself as the best young tight end in football. He was absurdly valuable getting good gains, converting firsts and, on one drive, being unstoppable to the end zone.

The defense never stopped. The shutout says it all. Bradley lets the kids taste blood. Nick Reed responded by hitting Steven Jackson in the backfield. That exemplified the incredible depth Seattle showed. The secondary was solid. Nickel corner Josh Wilson was sound in cover and just missed a pick six. Seattle lost two of its elite linebackers and Will Herring and David Hawthorne subbed in without the defense slipping. Herring made a few nice plays in cover and Hawthorne exhibited his strength as a run stopper.

This is the way you start a season. This is the way a new regime steps in and asserts its authority. This is how a team starts on the road to a special season: One week at a time.

Game Ball: The Twelfth Man. When Seattle was lagging and Matt Hasselbeck losing his brains all over the field, the fans stepped up and deafened St. Louis into two false starts and three time outs spent. The men and women of Qwest earned that blowout.

The Ten Seasons of the 2009 Seattle Seahawks

John Morgan — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:15:48 -0000

More photos » by Reed Hoffmann - AP

Matt Hasselbeck, his health and his ability to defy age-related decline, will determine how good the 2009 Seahawks can be.

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I hate long goodbyes. Better to offer the offseason a hand and then walk away. The season starts tomorrow. As a fan, you work so hard and care so much, but have no control over how the team plays. This season could be epic. It could be The Season. The Season. It could be just another season. It could be the second straight season the Seahawks fall apart. On the eve of the regular season, and with too much to say, here is ten season projections, from miserable to awesome.

Seattle Seahawks 3-13

While Matt Hasselbeck is healthy today, any number of things could end that in a flash. He misses most of the season. Seneca Wallace regresses. The line is further thinned by injuries and caves. The running game exhibits its star power. One or more wide receivers is injured.

The special teams is miserable.

The pass rush is insufficient and the secondary collapses. Colin Cole is pushed around and opponents begin breaking long runs. Tackles are a mirage. Brandon Mebane doesn't develop. Curry plays like a rookie. Patrick Kerney plays like a 32 year old.

The Broncos make a surprise playoff run.

Seattle Seahawks 4-12

Matt Hasselbeck is injured and ineffective. He misses significant time. Seneca Wallace plays to form. The line is a mix of injured and plain ineffective. The running game is insufficient and teams key on the pass. The wide receivers suffer nagging and debilitating injuries.

The special teams sucks.

The pass rush is sporadic and the secondary unreliable. Colin Cole is pushed around and opponents begin breaking long runs. Tackles are one part impressive, three parts unreliable. Brandon Mebane is stout against the run but does not develop as a pass rusher. Blitz attempts expose the secondary and Seattle allows long touchdown passes.

The Broncos are respectable.

Seattle Seahawks 5-11

Matt Hasselbeck is injured and ineffective. He plays through injury but is very limited. Seneca Wallace plays to form. The line is mildly effective at full strength, but injuries disrupt continuity and leave the line weakened and disorganized. The running game creates bad down and distance and forces three and outs. The wide receivers and John Carlson play up to the level of their quarterback.

The special teams is a weakness, but forgettable.

The Seahawks depend on four man rushes and are picked apart underneath. Seattle can't stop third down, and eventually allow big plays. Colin Cole buys time in the middle but does not clog. Seattle mixes in dominant run defense with bad tackles, interspersing stops for loss with long gains allowed. Brandon Mebane excels against bad guards, but is shut down by better offensive lines. The starting defensive ends are injured, thrusting role players into regular action. Teams attack the edges and the Seahawks consistently let close games become lopsided in the second half.

The Broncos are okay.

Seattle Seahawks 6-10

Matt Hasselbeck is ineffective. He starts all season, but proves he is at his end. The line is weak, and brings out the worst in Hasselbeck and the run game. Edgerrin James and Julius Jones mix runs of four yards with runs of two yards. The wide receivers play well, but Hasselbeck double clutches them into doom.

The special teams is a weakness, but forgettable.

The defense smothers weaker teams, but can't win close games. The defense is good, but exposed against stronger offenses. Turnovers are infrequent, bunching in big wins, but disappearing against better opponents. The run defense is able, but not dominating. The pass defense is mediocre and suffers spurts of complete ineffectiveness. Marcus Trufant never fully recovers, and Seattle is forced into a zones-only scheme that allows big yards and long drives. Sacks are interspersed with long conversions.

A frustrating team that looks like it's improving, but needs an offensive overhaul.

The Broncos are below average.

Seattle Seahawks 7-9

Matt Hasselbeck is effective, but sometimes injured. He starts most of the season and has some good games. The line is weak, but only occasionally dismantled. It buys Hasselbeck time, but blows assignments and allows ugly and untimely sacks. The running game is mediocre, but relied on to a fault. Edgerrin James, Julius Jones and Justin Forsett amass big total yards, but poor yards per attempt. The wide receivers are deep and strong and match well against most opponents.

The special teams is forgettable.

The defense smothers weaker teams, and occasionally stars. It mixes dominant, high turnover games with sloppy, high yardage and points allowed games. It looks good against good teams and good against bad teams, but is liable to collapse against good or bad alike. The secondary is disorganized and touchdowns appear out of successful looking defensive stands. The pass rush is sporadic and significantly better at home. The run defense is very good, but too often it forces good passing teams to abandon the run and prey on the Seahawks secondary. Marcus Trufant returns but isn't a difference maker.

The Seahawks are a reasonably balanced team that doesn't get breaks, and doesn't contend.

The Broncos are bad.

Seattle Seahawks 8-8

Matt Hasselbeck is effective, but sometimes injured. He starts most of the season and has some excellent games. The line is below average, but usually steady enough. It creates time and stops free blitzers. The running game is quietly effective. The rotation plays Seattle's back to their strengths, and each looks average at what they do. The wide receivers are deep and strong and blow out weak secondaries.

The return game is good, but the punt coverage is sloppy and sometimes painful. Olindo Mare hits a cold streak.

The defense smothers average and weak teams and keeps Seattle in every contest. It mixes dominant, high turnover games with decent, high yardage, moderate points allowed games. It gets blown out at least once. Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane make a pseudo-Williams Wall West and shut down runs up the middle. Poor health from the ends thrust role players into regular play, and they get pass rush, but turn the outside run defense into a high-risk crapshoot. The secondary allows yards, but forces turnovers and tightens in short yardage.

The team is average at pass defense, very good at run defense, below average on special teams, average rushing the ball and average passing the ball.

The Broncos lose to the Raiders.

Seattle Seahawks 9-7

Matt Hasselbeck is effective and mostly healthy. He starts 14+, but begins showing signs of age. Seneca Wallace is steady when he starts. The line is average to good pass blocking, but doesn't show mastery of run blocking until late in the season. The backs take what's given to them and nothing more. All three are quietly effective receivers, but don't total many yards. John Carlson emerges and teams struggles to stop Seattle's steady ability to convert first downs. The offensive is effectively station-to-station, but creates few big plays.

The return game is strong, the coverage units forgettable and Olindo Mare matches his career field goal percentage.

The defense is sporadically dominant. It humiliates better opponents, but keeps weak opponents in the game. The run defense is top ten, and opponents struggle to control the clock. The pass rush is present and picks are interspersed through the linebackers and secondary. Aaron Curry and Leroy Hill become upper-tier pass rushing linebackers, and the two create matchup problems for opponents. The secondary allows yards, but bends more than breaks.

The team is average defending the pass, good at defending the run, good at passing and average running the ball.

The Broncos lose to the Raiders, twice.

Seattle Seahawks 10-6

Matt Hasselbeck is effective and healthy. He begins showing signs of age, but also proves he will age gracefully. Chris Spencer returns and starts most of the season at center. The line steps up its pass blocking and Hasselbeck spreads the ball. The zone blocking rushing scheme is intermittent, but effective enough, often enough to be promising. The backs take what's given, and Julius Jones breaks out against weaker opponents. When Deion Branch is healthy, teams are overmatched against three wide receiver sets, and an efficiently station-to-station offensive explodes against weaker opponents.

The return game is strong to excellent. Jon Ryan punts well. Olindo Mare buries them at their twenty and is an average field goal kicker.

The defense is never bad. It holds its own against strong offenses and attacks and dismantles weak opponents. Its young core holds up its aging veterans. Lofa Tatupu regains forms and again is a run-stopping, pass defending and occasional blitzing force at middle linebacker. Aaron Curry and Leroy Hill attack the outside run game, wrack up sacks and take away the screen game. Patrick Kerney and Cory Redding become a balanced, steady and sometimes dominating presence on the ends. The depth is involved and Seattle gets contributions from Michael Bennett and Nick Reed. Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane turn into a somewhat-lopsided Williams Wall West, with Mebane breaking into the top ten of defensive tackles and Cole realizing a late peak to become steady and stout. The secondary allows yards, but forces turnovers and field goals.

A good pass offense, average rush offense, good pass defense and dominant run defense exploits a weak schedule into a playoff bid.

The Broncos get blown out by the Raiders.

Seattle Seahawks 11-5

Matt Hasselbeck is effective and healthy. He begins showing signs of age, but also proves he will age gracefully. Walter Jones and Chris Spencer return and start for most of the season. Max Unger develops quickly and the team is deep and talented at offensive line. The run game takes what is given and a little more, and weak run defenses crumble against high rush attempts. John Carlson develops into a matchup nightmare and teams scramble to defend him and Seattle's deep stable of wide receivers. The offense is station-to-station but almost unstoppably so. Not every drive scores, but few result in three and out. Deon Butler develops into a legitimate deep threat and has a few breakout games.

A healthy wide receiver corps allows Nate Burleson to return and he combined with Josh Wilson gives Seattle a top five kick and punt return team. Seattle's deep and young defense flashes its potential on return teams and what could be weakness turns into a strength. Olindo Mare buries opponents at their twenty and Jon Ryan defies odds and turns into a coffin corner undertaker.

Patrick Kerney bucks age and is reborn in a regular rotation. He nears or exceeds double digit sacks. Cory Redding becomes a force at left defensive end, making a handful of hustle sacks and shutting down rushes to the outside. Brandon Mebane makes the leap and opponents are forced to assign him extra blockers. Colin Cole thrives against single blocks and drives back guards and centers, making a few hustle sacks and disrupting multiple run plays. The linebackers are exceptional. Leroy Hill and Aaron Curry each notch five or more sacks, are seemingly everywhere, blow up screens, and turn outside runs into an impossibility. Curry and Lofa Tatupu are standout pass defenders and the underneath becomes a low-upside, high risk danger zone for opposing offenses. Tatupu slams interior rushes and thrives in Seattle's read-blitz defense. He gets sacks by picking his spots and clubbing down backs. Ken Lucas returns to form and Josh Wilson develops. Neither is great in coverage, but both can work a zone, limit yards after catch, tackle in the open field and grab interceptions. Deon Grant plays at exactly the level he's played his entire career. Jordan Babineaux proves potent by alternative, showing Seahawks fans the impact and usefulness of a league average safety.

A good pass offense, a good rush offense, a very good pass defense and a dominant rush defense.

Broncos are blown out by the Raiders, twice.

Seattle Seahawks 12-4 or Better

Matt Hasselbeck is effective and healthy. He defies age and joins the older but elite quarterbacks. Walter Jones and Chris Spencer return in week two, work into form and dominate after the bye. The offensive line is a happy surprise, and if rarely flashy, incredibly-steady pass blocking and able to cut and stretch opponents into dust. Julius Jones enjoys a late-career peak and becomes more and more a feature back as the season progresses. He executes as a rusher and turns tight-spot receptions into first downs and long gains. Deion Branch is healthy, Nate Burleson develops, John Carlson breaks out, Deon Butler flashes legitimate talent and T.J. Houshmandzadeh holds his ability. Seattle is five deep at wide receiver, Ben Obomanu is ignored by opponents and thus D.J.-Hackett valuable per target. The passing offense is top five.

Aaron Curry is a monster. He nears double digit sacks, smothers rushers behind the line and proves to be a Lance Briggs-like pass defender. Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu show steady gains on their 2007 season and each make the Pro Bowl. Ken Lucas returns to form and Josh Wilson develops. Neither is great in coverage, but both can work a zone, limit yards after catch, tackle in the open field and grab interceptions. Marcus Trufant returns and Seattle has the best nickel defense in the NFL. Third downs become an exciting time for fans, as the mix of creative play calling, bad opponent down and distance, good pass rush and an exceptional nickel secondary combine to make Seattle one of the best third down defenses in the NFL.

A great pass offense, very good rush offense, dominant pass defense and dominant rush defense combine with an excellent special teams to make Seattle a Super Bowl contender.

Broncos fans envy Raiders fans. Kyle Orton craters. The locker room abandons Josh McDaniels. The defense, a minor strength to start the season, is first hit by injuries and then quits on the team. Losses pile up and the only story is: Will Denver become the second team in as many years to go winless? It will.

Poll

Seattle Will Finish 2009:

3-13

5 votes

4-12

0 votes

5-11

6 votes

6-10

13 votes

7-9

34 votes

8-8

82 votes

9-7

292 votes

10-6

429 votes

11-5

137 votes

12-4 or Better

111 votes

1109 votes | Poll has closed

Seattle Seahawks Announce 53 Man Roster, Marcus Trufant to PUP List

John Morgan — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:18:30 -0000

More photos » by John Froschauer - AP

Goodbye and good luck.

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Seattle has announced its 53-man roster. That roster does not include Marcus Trufant, who will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. That's bad news, but hopefully the right decision. Seattle rushed Deion Branch last season and effectively lost his roster spot.

The roster reflects a major youth movement with some fringe guys unseating former regulars. Could this be reflective of changing opinions on replacement value? A movement towards freeing cap space next year?

Courtesy Danny O'neil:


		Offense

Quarterback		Running backs		Fullback
Matt Hasselbeck	Seneca Wallace	Julius Jones	Edgerrin James	Justin Griffith
Mike Teel		Justin Forsett		Owen Schmitt
Offensive line		Wide receivers		Tight end
Sean Locklear	Walter Jones	Deion Branch	Nate Burleson	John Carlson
Max Unger	Rob Sims	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	Deon Butler	John Owens
Steve Vallos	Chris Spencer	Ben Obomanu		Cameron Morrah
Ray Willis	Mansfield Wrotto
Kyle Williams

		Defense

Defensive ends		Defensive tackles		Cornerbacks
Patrick Kerney	Cory Redding	Brandon Mebane	Colin Cole	Ken Lucas
Darryl Tapp	Lawrence Jackson	Red Bryant	Craig Terrill	Josh Wilson
Nick Reed	Derek Walker	Michael Bennett		Kelly Jennings
				Travis Fisher (!)

Linebackers		Safeties		Specialists
Lofa Tatupu	Aaron Curry	Deon Grant	Jordan Babineaux	Olindo Mare
Leroy Hill	Lance Laury	Lawyer Milloy	C.J. Walllace	Jon Ryan
Will Herring	David Hawthorne			Kevin Houser

CUTS: S Jamar Adams, DE Baraka Atkins, K Brandon Coutu, G Brian De La Puente, CB Marquis Floyd, T Na'Shan Goddard, S Courtney Greene, WR Mike Hass, CB Kevin Hobbs, FB David Kirtman, RB Devin Moore, CB Nate Ness, TE Joe Newton, WR Logan Payne, LB Dave Philistin, T Andre Ramsey, T William Robinson, QB Jeff Rowe, WR Courtney Taylor.

10 Quick Opinions:

Walter Jones is on the roster: This speaks for itself. Get well Franchise.
Seattle is super thin at Corner and Safety: This could foreshadow further moves.
Courtney Taylor Cut: It came down to the fourth preseason game and Ben Obomanu put the decision to rest.
Seattle deep at linebacker but no D.D. Lewis: I've never been a huge fan of Lewis. He is credited for being able to play any linebacker position, but he doesn't seem to play any of them well.
Special Teams: The lack of depth at wide receiver and safety means Seattle could struggle on cover units.
No Jordan Kent: Kent wasn't placed on IR. He was waived with a settlement. I think that ends his playing career. Other teams might ask, but will Kent answer?
Cameron Morrah: I didn't see much from Morrah, so Seattle must be convinced he is too good to cut. Interesting talent Seattle will let mature, but if a starting tight end goes down, I don't think Morrah is ready to contribute.
Derek Walker: Great size and showed up in the preseason. Walker could be the dark horse replacement for Cory Redding. Get your head up, today you are an NFL player.
Lots of depth on Offensive Line: With this many question marks and injuries, can you blame the Seahawks?
This is not over: One deadline met, but days to complete this roster. I doubt it will like it does today next Sunday.

Seattle Seahawks Sack Oakland Raiders 31-21 to Sweep Preseason

John Morgan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:01:02 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Ben Obomanu ruled Qwest.

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Winners, Losers and Projecting
the Final 53 Man Roster

Winners

Dan Quinn: A great position coach finds hidden talent. It's perhaps the single greatest impact a position coach can have. In one draft, Quinn has found, coached up and scheme matched Nick Reed, Michael Bennett and Derek Walker. Quinn deserves some credit for Cory Redding too. Classes like this put position coaches in line for defensive coordinator positions--and head coaching positions.

Losers

Secondary: The front seven looked terrific throughout the game, but the secondary was sloppy, slow and not opportunistic. Seattle might lean on Jordan Babineaux to play two positions and keep seven defensive backs.

Courtney Taylor: Not sure he's cut, but it's very possible. I'd love to credit him for his sweet RAC on the Morrah moving pick, but we can't be sure he would have been open if not for the penalty. If he is cut, I expect him to make another team. Some receivers coach will see his athleticism and desire and give the kid a call.

Curt Menefee: It takes a special kind of genius to make sideline interviews more awkward and irritating, but Curt Menefee is that genius. Instead of sticking to pleasantries and platitudes, Menefee put on his reporter cap and got controversial. Asking Deon Butler about the poor quarterback play at Penn State or Darryl Tapp about how he feels about not starting does not inspire honest, insightful answers. It causes an athlete to bristle and be more guarded.

Seattle Seahawks 53 Man Roster

Deon Butler

Ben Obomanu

Tight End

John Carlson

John Owens

Joe Newton

Offensive Line

Kyle Williams

Defensive Tackle

Michael Bennett

Defensive End

Patrick Kerney

Cory Redding

Lawrence Jackson

Darryl Tapp

Nick Reed

Baraka Atkins

Linebackers

Leroy Hill

Corners

Kelly Jennings

Ken Lucas

Josh Wilson

(Free Agent or Trade)

Safety

Brian Russell

Deon Grant

Jordan Babineaux

C.J. Wallace

Specialist

Olindo Mare

Jon Ryan

Kevin Houser

PUP: Marcus Trufant

IR: Jordan Kent..Cory Withrow

Practice Squad

Derek Walker

(Acquired)

Winners, Losers and Projecting Seattle's 53 Man Roster

John Morgan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:35:12 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Ben Obomanu ruled Qwest.

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Winners

Losers

Seattle Seahawks 53 Man Roster

Quarterback

Matt Hasselbeck

Seneca Wallace

Mike Teel

Running Back

Julius Jones

Edgerrin James

Justin Forsett

Fullback

Justin Griffith

Owen Schmitt

Wide Receiver

Deon Butler

Tight End

John Carlson

John Owens

Joe Newton

Offensive Line

Kyle Williams

Defensive Tackle

Michael Bennett

Defensive End

Patrick Kerney

Cory Redding

Lawrence Jackson

Darryl Tapp

Nick Reed

Baraka Atkins

Linebackers

Leroy Hill

Corners

Kelly Jennings

Ken Lucas

Josh Wilson

(Free Agent or Trade)

Safety

Brian Russell

Deon Grant

Jordan Babineaux

C.J. Wallace

Specialist

Olindo Mare

Jon Ryan

Kevin Houser

PUP: Marcus Trufant

IR: Jordan Kent..Cory Withrow

Practice Squad

Derek Walker

(Acquired)

Projecting the Seattle Seahawks 53-Man Roster

John Morgan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:00:55 -0000

Seattle must cut its roster down to 75 tomorrow. This is news. It has already cut four players, Kevin Brown, Dan Curran, Shane Simmons and John Tereshinski. This is also news. Poor John Tereshinski couldn't even get the Seahawks to spell his name correctly. I've never found much drama in the final push to 53. Here are the guys, minus injury, I think are locks for the team. All 53.

Quarterback

Matt Hasselbeck

Seneca Wallace

Mike Teel

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Tight End

John Carlson

John Owens

Joe Newton

Offensive Line

Kyle Williams

Defensive Line

Michael Bennett

Linebackers

Leroy Hill

Cornerbacks

Safeties

Specialist

One of Olindo Mare or Brandon Coutu

Jon Ryan

Kevin Houser

IR

Walter Jones

. . .

If Jones isn't put on IR, Kyle Williams is signed to the practice squad displacing William Robinson.

Practice Squad

William Robinson

Kansas City Chiefs v. Seattle Seahawks Preaseason Game Three Preview

Chris Thorman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:48:30 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

3 months ago: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck throws during NFL football practice Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday in a preseason game in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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Where were you the last time the Kansas City Chiefs played the Seahawks? I only ask because I have a vivid memory of blogging about the game at Miss Arrowhead Pride's mother's house outside of Nashville, TN. The computer was in a tucked away back room on the second floor of the house, with a big window looking out onto the gravel driveway and the big, open spaces of the rural neighborhood. It was nice, calm and quiet.

The game, well, I don't have the most vivid memory the game for some reason (NFL.com has a ton of video snippets of the game if you want to re-live it) but I do remember that weekend being a relaxing time.

It was on October 29th, 2006. Here's an opening paragraph of a game recap from the Chiefs media release that will take you back:

Despite piling up 499 yards of offense and holding the ball for over 42 minutes, Kansas City needed late game heroics and four TDs from RB Larry Johnson to pull out this thrilling 35-28 win over Seattle. Chiefs QB Damon Huard – who was a game-time decision to play after suffering a groin injury in practice that week – turned in a career-high 312 passing yards and a 124.1 rating.

Those were the days! Geez, start an injured Damon Huard and he throws for over 300 yards and commands an offense that puts up 35 points. Wow. Ha, that's really taking me back right now. Back to the early days of this blog, when stuff like that would happen and I would just blog about how I'm not really sure that happened.

And....Eddie Kennison had 132 yards receiving that day. Ridiculous.

Okay AP readers. We know Eddie Kennison and Damon Huard aren't walking through that door. How can the Chiefs stop the Seahawks on Saturday night at Arrowhead?

Well, at Arrowhead is a start.

I've got the recent news, stats, an overall snapshot of the Seattle Seahawks this off season and preaseason, after the jump.

The big most recent news you need to know about the Seahawks is that they signed former Chiefs G Brian De La Puente. Wait, that's true but the Seahawks signing RB Edgerrin James a couple of days ago is actually a tad more important now that I think about it. John Morgan from Field Gulls summed up one fan's feelings on the James signing:

Inch back from the edge of your seats. Cease beer-fueled daydreams about preposterous trades. Quiet nightmare scenarios about Julius Jones' health. Seattle has signed a remarkably bland player and cut another to make room.

I see your Edgerrin James and I raise you a Bobby Engram! You guys even let him go. We need to have a "Whose veteran is more grisly?" contest.

Continuing on...

One of the great things about our fellow SB Nation bloggers is that there always putting out great content too. Take for example, our Seattle Seahawks blog Field Gulls. John Morgan runs the show over there and does a tremendous job. He's a great writer and a smart dude. Read some of his stuff. It's great.

So, by me saying that, I wanted to tie in the fact that I checked out Field Gulls today and of course there is a fantastic post up there, just what I was looking for:

Seattle Seahawks Road Back to the Super Bowl

In this post, John Morgan gives five things the Seahawks need to have happen to get back to the Super Bowl. It gives some good insight into what to expect this weekend, what the team could be shooting for, during the game where teams' starters play into the second half. The most important preseason game by far, if that's saying anything.

I've summed up John's post and and after that I dive into some stats and preview stuff.

5. Grow into a Dominant Rush Defense

I am putting the cart before the horse for a reason. Rush defense dominates in the playoffs, but it won't do much to get Seattle into the playoffs. The importance of rush defense is conditional on Seattle fulfilling the following four goals. This is the most easily attainable of the five.

4. Get Lucky

Seattle has some tough games ahead. Weeks three through eight are especially grueling. Wins earn playoffs, even if they aren't always the best indicator of quality. Earning home field would be huge, but even bigger would be getting a bye.

3. Channel 2007

Seattle's dominating pass defense in 2007 wasn't all smoke and mirrors. Yes, it dominated some bad quarterbacks. No, I'm not sure Troy Smith, A.J. Feeley or Alex Smith will ever see another professional snap. But seizing an opportunity is the essence of success.

2. Complete 2007

Seattle had the defense. It definitely had the passing attack. Its special teams were strong. But, good God damn did Shaun Alexander suck. Say what you will about Julius Jones, Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett, the 2009 Seahawks could not field a rusher more inept or self-defeating as Shaun Alexander circa 2007.

And #1, Field a top 10 pass offense.

Seattle had a top ten pass offense in 2007. It built that offense on -- in descending importance -- Bobby Engram, a good pass blocking line and Matt Hasselbeck playing out of his mind. He made Engram, less than a year recovered from Graves disease, look like a Pro Bowler. Passes from Hasselbeck to Engram were the tenth most valuable connection in the NFL.

Roster Snapshot

More good stuff from the Chiefs media release. I didn't block quote it because it's a lot of text. Here's a snapshot of the Seahawks:

Offense

The Seahawks finished 4-12 in 2008 and will be led in 2009 by head coach Jim Mora.

Three-time Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck enters his 11th NFL season and ninth with the Seahawks. He started seven games last season and owns 103 career starts with Seattle. QB Seneca Wallace (D4-03) made eight of his 12 career starts in 2008.

RB Julius Jones returns for his second season with the Seahawks after leading the team in rushing with 698 yards a year ago.

Nine-time Pro Bowl T Walter Jones (D1-97) enters his 13th season anchoring the offensive front. He is
joined by T Sean Locklear (D3-04), C Chris Spencer (D1-05), as well as Gs Rob Sims (D4-06) and Mansfield Wrotto (D4-07).

WR Nate Burleson has 200 career receptions for 2,735 with 24 TDs. Former Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, ex-Patriots WR Deion Branch and second-year TE John Carlson (D2-08) round out the receiving corps.

Defense

Two-time Pro Bowl DE Patrick Kerney and DT Brandon Mebane (D3-07) anchor the defensive front, combining for 10.5 sacks in 2008. They are joined by DT Colin Cole and DE Cory Redding.

Three-time Pro Bowl LB Lofa Tatupu (D2-05) led the club with 94 tackles (69 solo) in 2008. LBs Leroy Hill (D3-05) and LB Aaron Curry (D1-09) join Tatupu in the linebacking corps.

Pro Bowl CB Marcus Trufant (D1-03) owns 17 career INTs. S Deon Grant has started 128 straight NFL games. Veteran CB Ken Lucas returns after a sabbatical in Carolina, while S Brian Russell enters his eighth NFL campaign.

Former Pro Bowl K Olindo Mare, in his second season with Seattle, is the Dolphins all-time leader in field goals, scoring and fi eld goal accuracy. Second-year P Jon Ryan set career highs in average (45.6) and net average (37.9) in the 2008 campaign with the Seahawks.

The Seahawks First Two Preseason Games

How have the Seahawks been doing this preseason? Well they're 2-0 after taking down the Chargers and the Broncos.

In their first preseason game, the Seahawks beat the Chargers on the strength three turnovers in the second half by third-string Charger quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. I'm sure it also helped that LaDainian Tomlinson only played two series.

The Seahawks had 92 yards rushing and 158 yards passing, so it's clear that the three turnovers helped out quite a bit. Whitehurst's two picks and one fumble lined the Seahawks up at the San Diego 42, 37 and 39-yard lines.

The Seahawks won 20 to 14. Stats are here.

Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck is (still) got a few back issues but that appeared to not really bother him much in the Seahawks second win this preseason against the Broncos last week. It was Hasselbeck's second start. He threw five pass attempts in the preseason opener. He had sixteen last week.

Again, the Seahawk offense wasn't spectacular but effecient. They had 72 yards rushing and 178 yards passing. Their defense recovered two Bronco fumbles (I still think Chicago because I read Kyle Orton's name. That's going to take some getting used to.) and gave up 81 yards rushing and 201 yards passing.

The Seahawks won the game 27 to 13. Stats are here.

Chiefs/Seahawks Connections

And because I know you just eat up knowledge about the opposing teams in preseason, here are some Chiefs/Seahawks connections and some TV and radio info, courtesy of the media guide.

Kansas City WR Bobby Engram played eight seasons with Seattle (2001-08).
Chiefs LS Thomas Gafford spent time with Seattle in 2007.
Seattle offensive coordinator Mike Solari served as the OL coach
(’97-05) and offensive coordinator (2006-07) for Kansas City. He also
coached at Kansas (’83-85).
Seahawks offensive coordinator Greg Knapp attended training camp
with the Chiefs in ’86.
Seattle scout Mike Yowarsky was an assistant at Kansas (’84-88).
Seahawks scout Derrick Jensen is a native of Oswatomie, KS.
Seattle strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark worked at Kansas
(’77-78, ’82) and Topeka HS (’79-80).
Seattle TEs coach Mike DeBord coached at Fort Hays (’85-86).
Seahawks special teams coach Bruce DeHaven is a native of
Trousdale, KS and coached at Kansas (’79-81).
Seattle CB Travis Fisher played at Coffeyville Community College.
Former Seattle WR D.J. Hackett worked out for the Chiefs this off season but wasn't signed.

TELEVISION: The Chiefs Television Network will broadcast Kansas City’s preseason contests to 10 markets across the Chiefs Kingdom. Kevin Harlan calls the action, while former Chiefs CB Jayice Pearson provides the color commentary with sideline reports from former Chiefs T Rich Baldinger.

KCTV (Kansas City) KWCH (Wichita)
KQTV (St. Joseph) KSFX (Springfi eld)
KWBT (Tulsa) KMIZ (Columbia)
KMTV (Omaha) KCWI (Des Moines)
WIBW (Topeka) KODE (Joplin/Pittsburg)

RADIO: The Chiefs FOX Football Radio Network, anchored by KCFX-FM (101.1) in Kansas City, carries all Chiefs games. Eight-time Kansas Broadcaster of the Year, Mitch Holthus, is in his 16th year handling the play-by-play duties, while Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson adds color commentary with sideline reports from former Chiefs Pro Bowl long snapper Kendall Gammon. The KCFX pregame show begins at 6:00 PM.

Let us know where you're watching the game.

And please, nobody say man cave. Just don't. I can't stand that phrase. It makes me think of Mike Golic.

Poll

Where are you watching the Chiefs game this Saturday night?

At the game!

58 votes

Home

259 votes

Bar

23 votes

Friend's house

30 votes

Try to find some feed of it on the internet

91 votes

Recording it and watching it later

50 votes

Radio only

13 votes

Not watching it but I'll be on AP

13 votes

Not watching it at all

27 votes

Other (Leave a comment, introduce yourself)

11 votes

575 votes | Poll has closed

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