SB Nation User Blog: SSreporters

A Snapshot of the Seahawks from a Seahawks Fan's Perspective (Turning Into a Questions Session)

SSreporters — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:59:22 -0000

Hey everybody, I'm SSreporters, Seahawks fan, founder and writer of my blog Stupid Sideline Reporters, and someone who is going to try to be the resident visitor to the opponent's blog for the rest of the season (I started with the Giants last week sadly).

I haven't been able to watch Green Bay much because CBS just loves giving Seattle some pointless Raiders or Chiefs game, but what I gather is that your offensive line is teetering towards atrocious and running the football (or stopping it for that matter) is a challenge.

Now I'll give you a snapshot of how the Seahawks play and what you can expect.

A good running game, but severely underused. Your pal Mike Holmgren is killing me by being "balanced" and/or throwing more than running. Julius Jones is on pace for over 1200 yards rushing, TJ Duckett you could say is playing like a poor man's Brandon Jacobs (literally, he runs over people and can't catch the ball), and Mo Morris and Leonard Weaver are very dangerous runners as well. Now that Mike Wahle is the correct answer at LG, and Shaun Alexander gone, our running game is quite strong.
A good offensive line. After giving up 5 sacks to Buffalo's blitzes, the Seahawks have only given up 4 sacks the last 3 games, and the 2 that came against the Giants were with Senece "15 step drop" Wallace in the game.
Pass rush. Of course they can't get to Eli Manning when the goal is to only rush 3 or 4. But at home this is a different team and they have produced 9 sacks in 2 home games. Considering GB's offensive line and the health of Aaron Rodgers, it's could be a big problem.
Run defense. Come on, you try stopping Brandon Jacobs. Seattle has held Marshawn Lynch, Stephen Jackson, and Frank Gore all well under 100 yards with a combined 60+ carries given.

Now for the negatives:

A joke of a secondary. I don't know what happened, but this secondary is awful. Aaron Rodgers can throw it deep all day because Brian Russell is a terrible safety, and Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson are beaten on the big play quite often.
No passing game. Matt Hasselbeck has thrown some poor passes (1 TD and 4 INTs this season), and the ones that are on target are dropped by stiffs like Billy McMullen. There is absolutely no deep threat so there's another plus for Green Bay now that Deion Branch is out again.
Our playcalling. Mike Holmgren and John Marshall (our d-coordinator) are equally terrible playcallers.....not an opinion, it's fact, just look at the games we've played.
Lack of a true special teams standout. Special Teams has been a big weak point, with our new punter Jon Ryan hitting touchbacks like he thinks he gets a point like in the CFL, and our kick and punt returners fumbling kicks at will. Also given up several long punt returns including one to Roscoe Parrish.
Our total defense is ranked 26th in the league. Not good.

That's what I can give you, there's your snapshot, if you want to go into specifics then ask away in the comments section.

Good luck this Sunday!

Locker Out For 6-8 Weeks

SSreporters — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:56:30 -0000

Which probably means that there is a chance that he is done for the season.

The Huskies' star was injured Saturday night against Stanford. Coach Tyrone Willingham says Locker had surgery Monday morning to repair the fracture and that the typical recovery time is between six and eight weeks.

Locker was Washington's best offensive talent, throwing for 512 yards and a touchdown, and running for 180 yards and three scores in the Huskies' first four games. He was injured throwing a block in the second quarter of the Huskies 35-28 loss to Stanford.

Can it really get any worse? The best player on the team is out of 6-8 weeks? And even worse, Ronnie Fouch, a redshirt freshman is going to try and help U-Dub win a game?

Anyway, this is a huge loss, considering he IS the offense. Hate to say it, I look at the schedule, outside of Wazzu, I cannot see even 1 win out of this. Not with this defense, not with this young and inexperienced group of offensive players, and most importantly, not with this coach.

Holmgren Says Bumpus Still Punt Returner; Taylor on Thin Ice

SSreporters — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:24:39 -0000

I was reading the sports section of the Everett Herald today because I couldn't find a newspaper, and coach Holmgren said Michael Muffapunt is still the punt returner:

"He's really a good punt catcher, and he misjudged it," Holmgren said. "(The Rams') Donnie Jones got off a beautiful punt, and Michael, like an outfielder, misjudged the ball. It doesn't happen very often, and I don't think it will happen with Michael very often."

He's a good punt returner, and I'm glad it looks like he'll be on the team for now. Now, Holmgren mentioned this on Courtney Taylor:

"[his] role has changed for us."

Branch and Engram are expected to be back unless they collide with each other going after a poor pass from Brian Russell and they suffer concussions.

It would be Branch, Engram, Bumpus, Taylor, McMuffin, Colbert, and Robinson. Obviously one of them has to go. McMuffin had a better game last week and had some nice footwork on that catch down the sidelines that set up the Duckett TD in the first half. No point in cutting Colbert, Bumpus looks like he is safe for now, and Robinson hasn't played yet. In all likelihood Taylor is the odd man out with Jordan Kent in the practice squad, and hopefully Coutu also goes now that Mare is hitting touchbacks and is proving himself an adequate replacement for that other kicker.

The Herald also plagiarized reported that Mo Morris and Seneca Wallace would be active for the Giants game so this bye, this win, and the health couldn't have come at a better time.

Who do you think goes? And do you think we could see some possible trades instead of cuts?

Rams @ Seahawks TV Information

SSreporters — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:40:33 -0000

Because it's not a doubleheader day on FOX, Rams/Seahawks will be the only game you get at 1:05 PM. Also, because Seattle is playing a home game that did sell out, we will not be getting the doubleheader CBS game at 1:15.....so no Pittsburgh/Philadelphia, just the epic morning Bengals/Giants game at 10:00 AM.

The commentators will be Matt Vasgersian and JC Pearson, and our record with them commentating on our games is 4-2, including 2-0 with Rams games, and 3-0 if you count the one time Pearson was here last season but Vasgersian was not, and undefeated when either Vasgersian or Pearson has called a Seahawks home game. Yeah, I'm a dork. But hey, the Cubs have lost 7 in a row when Dick Stockton calls their games so......

Hope this helped, enjoy the football.

This 49ers Game Resembled 2004 in So Many Ways

SSreporters — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:10:16 -0000

I took a lot of positives out of that 49ers game (BTW, I picked the Niners to win in OT before the game started.....I hate being right all of a sudden), the running game has returned, Bumpus played well, and while I don't wish harm to Logan Payne, it was probably the football gods way of telling management that Payne should've been cut. I loved the front 4, and Patrick Kerney should add to his sack total with that invisible Rams offensive line. I thought the offensive line did extremely well to protect Hasselbeck and pull block for the running game. I think I'm in love with Mike Wahle..er....his blocking.

Now to the topic at hand. I know this article may get flagged and I may be banned forever, but these are risks you have to take. Mr. Morgan told me to research more, and I did.

What happened on Sunday was 2004 all over again, and it is kinda fitting that we got Koren Robinson back. Let me show you:

I counted about 4 or 5 drops last week, and probably 6 in the Buffalo game. In 2004, we were tied for 2nd in drops with 38, and if the stats hold true, we're on pace to eclipse that with such ease. It was a dropped pass that ended hopes of beating the Rams in the playoffs.
Another blown lead. A 14-0 lead is a bad thing in Seahawks football, because that's when Seattle just fades. In 2004, we blew leads against the Rams, Cowboys, Vikings, Cardinals, and 49ers, and went 2-3 (off the top of my head)....the Vikings win was only because Randy Moss throwing the football is a bad idea but you get the point.
Field goals. I'm sorry, you can't kick 3 field goals, and as soon as Seattle kicked the FG to go 30-27 up my heart sank. You don't just pass over and over again, go with Duckett, go with Jones, don't make your nicked up QB throw to receivers who can't catch! Oh yeah, 2004 was a year to kick field goals and lose for Seattle, which included 4 in a 23-12 loss and 30-20 loss to the Rams and Seahawks respectively.
Inability to win the close game. In '04, 6 of those 8 losses (including the playoffs) were decided by 11 points or less, with 2 blowouts to Buffalo and the Jets.
Poor secondary play. It's easy really, in '04 we had Boulware, in '08, we have Brian Russell. Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson have been less than average IMO in these first 2 weeks, and I tell ya what, I miss Ken Lucas. They are 70% the reason why 3rd and 14 is like an automatic first down for the other team (the other 30% being John Marshall's genius playcalling). JT O'Sullivan picked us apart like Vinny Testaverde did in the Dallas game, and like Drew Bledsoe did in that 38-9 Buffalo disaster.
Mediocre special teams. Remember that Arizona game I mentioned? The undoing came when Arizona took the lead on a blocked punt, and the longest return (punt or kick) was 48 yards from Bobby Engram. San Francisco got a big return once that set up their first field goal, a blocked punt that saw Babs run for a first down, and Josh Wilson's inability to just settle for a touchback.

There are probably more examples, but here is one thing that has stood out to me in 2 games that has ZERO to do with 2004:

15 accepted penalties. I thought we were the most disciplined teams in the league? Some of those calls were BS mind you, but still that is too much. That's not Mike Holmgren football at all.

Enough negativity, time to beat the Rams, and if you're reading this stlcardinalsfang, is this part of the 12-4 process?

And a plea to Seattle, your 2004ness is showing, I want last year's team and the Super Bowl team back, don't let this season go bust because of it.

We have a Pro Bowl QB who will return to form once Engram and Branch are back, a revamped running game and a devastating defensive line, this season will not die despite what hacks like Steve Kelley think and/or imply.

GO HAWKS!

Breaking Down San Francisco Early

SSreporters — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:53:57 -0000

First off, I'm sorry I was quite the imbecile in the game thread today, I'm not a troll, but I am a bit of a pessimist and I say stupid things when I'm POed. However, I wasn't the only one who called this game over at 14-0 and the fact that I was the only one that got called out for it is a little harsh. I'll promise to behave better...especially when San Francisco falls flat in the first quarter.

Now from an early glimpse of highlights and game action, JT O'Sullivan had some nice moments, but he turned the ball over 3 times, and basically the 49ers are headed for Wrecksville, USA. O'Sullivan threw an interception, he can't run (sacked 4 times) so Seattle's pressure will be a problem for him, and he lost 2 fumbles.

The lone bright spots were Frank Gore, who looks like his old self again. Breaking tackles, powering his way through holes even though that offensive line is like swiss cheese, and Parys Haralson, the OLB who recorded 2.5 sacks.

San Fran turned it over 5 times overall, they barely had the ball for the most part (22:55 total).

Defense wasn't painfully bad, but it was less than stellar.

Seattle shouldn't be overconfident, but from the live action and the highlights I caught, San Francisco is the same team but with a new offensive coordinator.

Branch Out; Locklear Likely Out

SSreporters — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:30:05 -0000

Deion Branch will not play according to Holmgren from Sando's report.

Also, Sean Locklear will also likely not play with his injury. So that means Ray Willis will start at right tackle.

Coach Mike Holmgren says Branch will not play Sunday when the Seahawks open their season at Buffalo.

Branch was trying to get back in time for the season opener just seven months after having major reconstructive surgery on his left knee.

That means Burleson, Taylor, Kent, and Payne will be the guys for 4 WR sets.

And the starting line should be Jones, Wahle, Spencer, Sims, Willis.

I think Branch went too quickly, he and Engram should come back when Seattle has to face the Giants.

Sportsline Puts Wrong Logo For Seattle Seahawks

SSreporters — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:45:14 -0000

So Pete Prisco has his usual against the spread picks show on Sportsline video. A known Seahawks hater and has admitted to constantly picking the Cardinals to win the NFC West, Prisco had his line of excuses ready for picking the Bills to beat Seattle this weekend.

I guess Sportsline was caught sleeping, and I took a screen grab of the video shot, and it looks like our logo looks eerily similar to the Carolina Panthers.

via ssreporters.files.wordpress.com

Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, and Charissa Thompson to be at Seahawks/Bills Game

SSreporters — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:36:54 -0000

Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick will be calling Tampa/NO, Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan will be in San Francisco. Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston will be in Philly for Rams/Eagles.

Buck and Aikman don't touch anything Seattle related, they gotta have that Cowboys/Browns game so Aikman can talk about his playing days in Dallas over and over again.

Matt Vasgersian and JC Pearson are likely headed for San Diego since Vasgersian is the Padres announcer.

EDIT: Your announcers are:

Ron Pitts and Tony Boselli

*Cringes*.

But Charissa Thompson is there, so.....

As for the games themselves:

Jets @ Dolphins on CBS 7

Seahawks @ Bills on FOX 13

Cowboys @ Browns on FOX 13

Umenyiora Done For the Season

SSreporters — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:26:25 -0000

Osi Umenyiora will not get the chance to go around Walter Jones and sack Hasselbeck in week 5. Instead, his knee locked up in the Giants/Jets Bretts game, was carted off the field, and.......

Tore some ligaments, and he will be out for the season.

Umenyiora is one of my favorite players, but the Giants game in week 5 is an early pivotal match on the road, and not seeing him and having Mathias Kiwanuka possibly moving back to DE makes me feel a lot more comfortable.

Huge loss for the Giants, and I've writen them off already unless they win every road game.