Seahawks’ special teams rank among best in NFL
Not that we needed someone to tell us this, but the Seahawks’ special teams were among the best in the NFL during the 2012 season.
The Seahawks’ units that are coordinated by Brian Schneider finished fifth in the rankings compiled by Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News. He ranks each of the 32 teams in 22 categories, awarding points on those rankings – one for the best, 32 for the worst.
In Gosselin’s rankings, the Seahawks had 302 points to finish behind the Vikings (253.5), Bengals (276), Ravens (277) and Dolphins (296) – who were the only team among the Top 5 that did not advance to the postseason.
The Seahawks’ special teams scored 24 points, to tie the Titans for most in the league. And the Seahawks’ four scores came from four different facets as Richard Sherman returned a field goal that was blocked by Red Bryant 90 yards for a touchdown in Week 16 against the 49ers; Malcolm Smith recovered a muffed punt as he was crossing the goal line for a TD in Week 14 against the Cardinals; Jeron Johnson returned a punt that was blocked by Smith for a score in Week 3 against the Cowboys; and Leon Washington returned a kickoff 98 yards for a TD in Week 12 against the Dolphins.
“We were very consistent this season,” Schneider said. “Very consistent. We had the big plays, but the thing that jumped out at me was the consistency.”
Schneider’s units also were ranked No. 3 by Football Outsiders, who factor five elements in their rankings – field goals and PATs, kickoffs, kickoff returns, punts and punt returns. The Seahawks had ranked No. 16 in 2011.
“This thing could be going on for a while,” punter Jon Ryan said. “It’s not a flash-in-the-pan type thing, where it’s just a one-year fluke that we played well on special teams. We’re going to just keep building on this and keep on working on that goal of owning the NFC West.”
Friday in Hawkville: Marcus Trufant looking to add to his playoff memories
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Jan. 11:
Cornerback Marcus Trufant (left) defends wide receiver Doug Baldwin (right) during practice this week.
FOCUS ON
Marcus Trufant. No one on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster has played in more postseason games (10) than the veteran nickel back. And no one grew up watching this team longer than the Tacoma-born Trufant, either.
So, as the team puts in its final preparations for Sunday’s divisional playoff game against the Falcons in Atlanta, who better to lead us through a trip down Postseasons Past?
We asked Trufant for his favorite team memory from the six playoff teams he has been on, and his selection was the obvious.
“The (NFC) Championship game we played during our Super Bowl run (in 2005) was pretty big,” he said of the 34-14 victory over the Panthers. “To be able to do it at home, be able to do it in front of the fans, it was a pretty good feeling.”
Especially for a player who followed the team as a kid growing up.
“It does kind of hit you like that,” Trufant said when asked if there was a moment in that game where it hit home that he had just helped his hometown team get to the Super Bowl. “But it’s just one of those things. It is football. And if you do right and your team is hitting on all cylinders, then the opportunity is there.”
Just as it for this season’s playoff team, which is one victory from a return to the NFC Championship game.
“For us now, that’s what we’ve got to do,” Trufant said. “We’ve just got to fight to be right. Try to do everything well and just try to practice hard and get better every day.”
We also asked Trufant for his favorite individual postseason memory, and his response was very telling for a player who has been a team-first, individual-accolades-a-distant-second warrior since the Seahawks selected the cornerback from Washington State University if the first round the 2003 NFL Draft.
“You know what? After a while a lot stuff just seems to run together,” said Trufant, who had a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown to ice a wild-card win over the Redskins in 2007.
“So I’m about being in the present. I’m just trying to help out the team to get another victory. We want to take it one step at a time and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
LONGWELL, CHUKWURAH READY
Kicker Ryan Longwell and defensive end Patrick Chukwurah just joined the team this week to replace the injured duo of Steven Hauschka and Chris Clemons. Coach Pete Carroll said after practice that both are ready for Sunday’s game.
“I thought Longwell did a good job,” Carroll said. “He hit his kicks and fit together nicely with (holder) Jon Ryan to get the timing down. … He’s a seasoned vet. He’s been through it. If anybody can handle it, he will be able to handle all the buildup to it.”
As for Chukwurah, who last played in an NFL game in 2007, Carroll said, “Pat did fine. He’s in a backup role for us. But he showed enough that he’s going to be dressing for the game.”
INJURY REPORT
The official end-of-the-week status report, as issued by the team:
Doubtful
CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring)
Questionable
S Jeron Johnson (hamstring)
Probable
RB Marshawn Lynch (foot)
WR Sidney Rice (knee)
Lynch practiced on a limited basis today after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday to rest a sprained foot. “He’s fine. He’ll be alright,” Carroll said. Johnson also got his first work of the week, on a limited basis. Maxwell and Rice did not practice, but Rice is expected to be ready of the game after practicing fully on Wednesday and Thursday.
For the Falcons:
Out
CB Christopher Owens (hamstring)
Questionable
DE John Abraham (ankle)
S Charles Mitchell (calf)
Probable
S William Moore (hamstring)
CB Dunta Robinson (head)
Abraham, who leads the Falcons with 10 sacks, has been limited all week.
STAT DU JOUR
Last week, the Seahawks allowed the Redskins to drive 80 yards to a touchdown on their first possession, but managed to come back and win the game. That’s not advisable this week, because the Falcons have been almost unstoppable when they score a TD on their opening drive. Here’s a look at what the Falcons did on their opening drives during the regular season, and how that worked out for them:
Opponent, outcome First drive
Chiefs, W, 40-24 Touchdown
Broncos, W, 27-21 Touchdown
Chargers, W, 27-3 Touchdown
Panthers, W, 30-28 Punt
Redskins, W, 24-17 Punt
Raiders, W, 23-20 Interception
Eagles, W, 30-17 Touchdown
Cowboys, W, 19-13 Punt
Saints, L, 31-27 Touchdown
Cardinals, W, 23-19 Interception
Buccaneers, W, 24-23 Field goal
Saints, W, 23-13 Touchdown
Panthers, L, 30-20 Punt
Giants, W, 34-0 Touchdown
Lions, W, 31-18 Punt
Buccaneers, L, 22-17 Punt
In the games where they’ve scored TDs on their first possession, the Falcons are 6-1 and the wins came by an average of 17 points. In their other two losses, they opened with punts. In their other seven wins, when they opened with five punts, a field goal and an interception, the average margin of victory was five points.
“We just don’t want to get too caught up in that,” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “We want to play the whole game fast and explosive, regardless of what happens the first series. So we know we’re going to have to make some adjustments as this game goes on. But the biggest thing is to keep our poise with the crowd noise and things like that – nothing that our guys haven’t come across before.”
UP NEXT
The team flew to Atlanta following today’s practice and will hold its Saturday walkthrough there.
The winner of Sunday’s game will meet either the 49ers or Packers in the NFC Championship game next Sunday. The Packers and 49ers play in San Francisco on Saturday night.
YOU DON’T SAY
“The big thing is having the corners that allow us to be aggressive. But the other thing is having a guy that can play the middle third that cover from redline to redline. You really need those three components.” – Bradley in discussing the virtues of cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner and Pro Bowl free safety Earl Thomas in matching up against the Falcons’ trio of Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez
Thursday in Hawkville: Sunday proved to be a very happy birthday for Clinton McDonald
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Jan. 10:
FOCUS ON
Clinton McDonald. So, what do you get a guy who already has so much for his birthday? How about a fumble recovery to ice the team’s first road playoff victory since 1983?
That was the case for McDonald on Sunday, which just happened to be his 26th birthday, when he fell on a fumbled snap by Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III with 6½ minutes to play in the Seahawks’ 24-14 victory. And McDonald’s reaction was typical of why the nose tackle has become such a popular player in only his second season with the team.
“I told him, ‘That’s a great birthday present.’ And he said, ‘It’s a birthday present for the team,’ ” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said after practice, which was held in the indoor practice facility. “That’s really his mentality. Like a lot of our guys, it’s whatever they can do to help us play at the highest level.”
Because of the win, and McDonald’s play, the Seahawks will play at a higher level – Sunday’s divisional playoff game against the Falcons in Atlanta, with the winner advancing to the NFC Championship game.
And this week, McDonald will be anchoring a nickel line that won’t have sack leader Chris Clemons, who will have surgery next week to repair the knee ligament and meniscus he tore in the game last Sunday. So the rush-end opposite first-round draft choice Bruce Irvin could be rookie Greg Scruggs; or perhaps outside linebacker Mike Morgan; or even Patrick Chukwurah, who was signed to fill Clemons’ roster spot on Wednesday but hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2007; or a combination of the three.
The given is that McDonald will continue to be the leader of that group.
“He is really, I don’t know if inspirational is the right word, but the guys really rally around him,” Bradley said. “He does a great job with that group of bringing everybody together – the young guys, the older guys, he kind of meshes between them both.”
There is the risk of trying to do too much to make up for the loss of Clemons, who has had double-digit sacks in each of his three seasons with the Seahawks. So McDonald also will be into risk management this week.
“I don’t feel like there’s extra pressure,” he said. “I just feel like we’ve got a man down and guys are made to step up in this situation. So we’ve just got to show what we know.”
Just as McDonald and Irvin, who had a fourth-quarter sack of RGIII, did after Clemons went out in the third quarter against the Redskins.
“I wouldn’t say I’m worried,” McDonald said. “We know what we’re missing in Chris Clemons. But at the same time, we’ve still got a game to play. We’ve still got to take that field and go out and produce.”
PLAYER WATCH
Chukwurah. The just-signed defensive end and special teams player did more today than during his first practice with the team on Wednesday. He’ll likely do even more on Friday. It’s all part of trying to get him ready for some spot action against the Falcons.
“It’s tough,” Bradley said. “He’s been lifting (weights) in gyms and riding ellipticals. This is going to be a little bit different. But some of the third-down situations, if he’s a rusher, get 15-16 reps. That’s what we’re looking at.”
As well as special teams. “He’s been very good on special teams in the past,” said Bradley, who was with the Buccaneers when Chukwurah played with them in 2007. “They’re taking a look at him there to see where he is conditioning-wise, what he can handle.”
RUSSELL WILSON UP FOR ANOTHER AWARD
Russell Wilson, the Seahawks’ rookie quarterback, is a finalist for the Vizio Top Value Performer award as someone who has performed above and beyond expectations.
“Overlooked by the majority of the league, Wilson lasted until the third round of the 2012 draft. Earning $390,000 in 2012, he completed 252 passes for 3,118 yards and 26 TDs, tying a league record for passing TDs by a rookie. Exceeding all expectations, he’s an ideal choice for the Vizio Top Value Performer award,” is what they said about Wilson in naming him a finalist.
You can vote here for Wilson.
INJURY REPORT
The official report, as issued by the team:
Did not practice
S Jeron Johnson (hamstring)
RB Marshawn Lynch (foot)
CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring)
No change for the Seahawks, as Lynch, Johnson and Maxwell sat out for a second consecutive day to rest injuries that have sidelined them at times during practice in previous weeks.
For the Falcons:
Did not practice
CB Christopher Owens (hamstring)
Limited participation
S William Moore (hamstring)
DE John Abraham (ankle)
S Charles Mitchell (calf)
Full participation
CB Dunta Robinson (head)
The only change for the Falcons was Mitchell being limited after sitting out on Wednesday.
STAT DU JOUR
Lynch rushed for 99 yards in the second half of Sunday’s win over the Redskins, after having 33 in the first half. It was just the sixth time in 17 games this season, and the first in the current six-game winning streak, that Lynch has had more yards in the second half than the first. Here’s a look at his half-and-half performances, starting with the season opener against the Cardinals:
First half Second half
Opponent No.-Yards No.-Yards
Cardinals 10-40 11-45
Cowboys 10-22 16-100
Packers 16-71 9-27
Rams 10-62 10-56
Panthers 7-28 14-57
Patriots 9-26 6-15
49ers 9-55 10-48
Lions 7-80 5-25
Vikings 11-55 15-69
Jets 14-39 13-85
Dolphins 9-12 10-34
Bears 7-51 12-36
Cardinals 8-69 3-59
Bills 9-100 1-3
49ers 12-64 14-47
Rams 8-66 10-34
Redskins 8-33 12-99
UP NEXT
“Turnover Thursday” gives way to “No Repeat Friday” as the team will hold its final full practice before flying to Atlanta for Sunday’s game. The Saturday walkthrough will be held in the Atlanta area.
Pro Bowl free safety Earl Thomas got into the Thursday theme by picking off two passes, while cornerback Richard Sherman also had an interception.
YOU DON’T SAY
“Most significant NFL Wednesday injury report line: “ATL – DE John Abraham (ankle), limited.” He’d better not be limited Sunday, two weeks after what looked to be worse than the apparently nasty ankle sprain Abraham suffered in the last game of the season. Not quite sure why, with Seattle missing its best pass rusher (Chris Clemons, torn ACL on the FedEx cow pasture last week) and Abraham likely not at full health, I pick only 30 points to be scored here. I think both secondaries will play stout and smart, and the physicality of the Seattle back four (or five, or six) will have a big impact on the game.” – Peter King in predicting a 17-13 Seahawks victory at SI.com
Wednesday in Hawkville: Ryan Longwell, Patrick Chukwurah relish joining team for playoff run
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Jan. 9:
FOCUS ON
The new guys. That would be kicker Ryan Longwell and defensive end Patrick Chukwurah, who were signed today to replace the injured duo of Steven Hauschka and Chris Clemons.
That these two are joining the Seahawks as they’re preparing for Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the Falcons in Atlanta only heightens the storybook nature of their returns to the NFL. Longwell last kicked in league in 2011 for the Vikings, while Chukwurah hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2007 with the Buccaneers.
Longwell is here because Hauschka strained a calf in the wild-card win over the Redskins on Sunday and would not have been able to kick off against the Falcons. Chukwurah was signed because Clemons will need surgery to repair the ligament and meniscus he tore in his left knee in that game. Each was signed after going through a workout on Tuesday, and Hauschka and Clemons were placed on injured reserve to clear roster spots.
For Longwell, it’s a homecoming. He was born in Seattle, grew up in Puyallup and fondly remembers going to Seahawks game at the Kingdome with his grandfather – before his family moved to Bend, Ore., when he was in the ninth grade.
“It’s an awesome opportunity and I feel really blessed to be here,” said Longwell, who also kicked for the Packers (1997-2005) before joining the Vikings in 2006. “It’s kind of an honor to put on the helmet that you grew up watching.”
What had Longwell be up to? “To be dead honest with you, my wife was probably the happiest person that I got called into work,” he said. “Because we were actually training all fall for the Disney Marathon this Sunday. Got her out of that, and got me out of it, too.”
For the Nigerian-born Chukwurah, he figured a return to the NFL was out of the question after he had played two seasons in the UFL and was out of the football the past three seasons.
“It’s pretty much one of those stories you don’t think will ever happen,” said Chukwurah, who had played for the Vikings (2001-02) and Broncos (2003-06) before going to the Bucs. “I was at home, working from home, and I just got a call from my agent and he was like, ‘Hey, you want to go to Seattle and play for a couple of weeks?’ I’m like, ‘No, you’re not serious.’
“So I just came here with the mindset if this this is going to be my last shot, just to give it all I’ve got and leave it out there.”
Longwell will handle all the kicking chores against the Falcons, but coach Pete Carroll said he wasn’t sure what Chukwurah’s role would be on Sunday. In addition to playing defensive end, he’s also a special teams player.
Whatever comes his way, Chukwurah plans to be prepared as well as ready.
“To me, it’s a blessing,” he said. “I never would have thought this would happen. The fact that it’s happened, and it’s happened so fast, you’ve got to take it in stride and just be grateful that you get an opportunity and make the best of it.”
OPPONENT WATCH
Tony Gonzalez. What more can be said about the most-productive tight end in NFL history? In his 16th NFL season, and fourth with the Falcons, Gonzalez caught 93 passes for 930 yards and eight touchdowns.
Falcons coach Mike Smith got his turn to sing the praises of Gonzalez today during a conference-call interview.
“Tony has beaten father time,” Smith said. “To watch this guy, at his age (36), perform how he has performed this year and the three previous years, he’s been a great mentor to all of our young guys on our team. Not just the offensive players.
“Tony has got an outstanding work ethic. Probably nobody works harder than he does in taking care of his body and working on the fine points of the skillset that it takes to play the tight end position. And I think that’s the thing that most of our guys have taken from Tony. He’s one of the first guys out there, and he’s going to make sure that he’s catching balls. And now everybody is out there catching balls early and in between drills. Defensive linemen are out there early hitting the sled. And I think a lot of that has to do with watching Tony Gonzalez and the success that he’s had.”
INJURY REPORT
The official report, as issued by the team:
Did not practice
S Jeron Johnson (hamstring)
RB Marshawn Lynch (foot)
CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring)
That’s it. Everyone else participated in the session that was held in the indoor practice facility. And Lynch, Johnson and Maxwell sat out to rest injuries that have sidelined them at times during practice in previous weeks.
For the Falcons:
Did not practice
CB Christopher Owens (hamstring)
S Charles Mitchell (calf)
Limited participation
S William Moore (hamstring)
DE John Abraham (ankle)
Full participation
CB Dunta Robinson (head)
The Falcons used their bye week to self-scout practice, but also to heal up.
“I think it was good for our guys,” quarterback Matt Ryan said during a conference-call interview. “Every team has guys that are nicked up at this point of the year. For us to get a chance to get those guys some rest and to get them a little bit healthier is good for us. I think one of the good things that Coach Smith does, that he did this past week, was we were in here the entire week. We were working and staying in that rhythm and I think that’s helped us.”
PARCTICE SQUAD MOVE
Defensive tackle Myles Wade was signed to the practice squad. To clear a spot, defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga was released.
The 6-foot-1, 300-pound Wade, a rookie from Portland State, was with the Buccaneers during training camp.
STAT DU JOUR
The Seahawks already have faced four players who finished among the Top 5 in the NFL in receptions. Now comes the Falcons’ trio of Gonzalez (No. 9) and wide receivers Roddy White (tied for 10th) and Julio Jones (tied for 18th). Here’s a look at how the other top-ranked receivers did against the Seahawks, their season totals and their averages against the rest of the league:
Calvin Johnson, Lions
No. Yards
Season 122 1,964
Vs. Seahawks 3 46
Avg. vs. rest of NFL 7.9 127.9
Brandon Marshall, Bears
No. Yards
Season 118 1,508
Vs. Seahawks 10 165
Avg. vs. rest of NFL 7.2 89.5
Wes Welker, Patriots
No. Yards
Season 118 1,354
Vs. Seahawks 10 138
Avg. vs. rest of NFL 7.2 81.1
Jason Witten, Cowboys
No. Yards
Season 110 1,039
Vs. Seahawks 4 58
Avg. vs. rest of NFL 7.1 65.4
UP NEXT
“Competition Wednesday” gives way to “Turnover Thursday” as the players continue to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.
YOU DON’T SAY
“He’s playing his style. Has he crossed the line? I don’t think so. He’s hanging on that line at times. But that’s who he is. Our guys respect Richard Sherman. They know whatever he might put out there he can back up. And he’s done that.” – Carroll when asked about the second-year cornerback “crossing the line” with his physical style of play
Friday in Hawkville: Trufant and Thurmond questionable
A recap of the events at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Dec. 21:
FOCUS ON
Cornerbacks. Those who returned to practice, as well as the one who wasn’t at today’s practice.
Marcus Trufant and Walter Thurmond got some reps with the No. 1 defense. Trufant has missed the past three games, while Thurmond sat out last week’s game – both with hamstring injuries. Is it possible they could be ready for Sunday night’s nationally televised game against the NFC West-leading 49ers at CenturyLink Field?
“They made it through this day,” coach Pete Carroll said. “We’ll go all the way to game time with those guys. They’ve got to show us they can play.
“We’ve got to make sure we make a good decision on that. They have been out for a couple of weeks. But it’s good to just get them close to getting back.”
Trufant and Thurmond are listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game.
Richard Sherman, who leads the team with six interceptions, will be able to play against the 49ers, Carroll said. Sherman was excused from practice today and Thursday because he is appealing his four-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.
“I’m anticipating that we’ll have him,” Carroll said. “I have heard nothing else at this point.”
Missing practice time is not ideal, especially heading into such an important matchup, but Carroll said, “He is as smart a football player as we have on our team. He’s totally into everything that we’re doing. We can tell when he’s not out here, because he is so sharp and he communicates to other guys. He knows when he left that he was preparing to miss a couple of days. We sent him with a bunch of stuff, so he should be fine.”
In the meantime, second-year corner Byron Maxwell and rookie Jeremy Lane got most of the work with the No. 1 defense.
INJURY REPORT
The official end-of-the-week status report, as released by team:
Questionable
S Jeron Johnson (groin)
WR Sidney Rice (foot)
CB Walter Thurmond (hamstring)
CB Marcus Trufant (hamstring)
Probable
DT Alan Branch (ankle)
RB Marshawn Lynch (back)
CB Richard Sherman (not injury related)
RB Robert Turbin (illness)
RB Leon Washington (illness)
Branch practiced for the second consecutive day. “We’re surprised we got Alan Branch back,” Carroll said. “He’s going to go.”
Rice was limited today after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. “We’re still going to make sure he can run on game day,” Carroll said. “He feels pretty good right now. But we’ve got to get to game day and run him and see how he can tolerate it. He thinks he’s playing. He feels like he’s going to.”
Johnson was rested because of the groin injury he got in practice this week. “We don’t think it’s bad at all,” Carroll said. “There’s a really good chance he’s playing.”
For the 49ers:
Doubtful
LB Clark Haggans (shoulder)
Questionable
DT Justin Smith (elbow)
LB Tavares Gooden (ribs)
WR Mario Manningham (shoulder)
DT Will Tukuafu (concussion)
Probable
K David Akers (pelvis)
OG Alex Boone (knee)
LB NaVorro Bowman (shoulder)
LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder)
CB Tarell Brown (shoulder)
S Dashon Goldson (foot)
RB Frank Gore (wrist)
OG Mike Iupati (shoulder)
RB Bruce Miller (shoulder)
CB Carlos Rogers (knee)
LB Aldon Smith (shoulder)
S C.J. Spillman (illness)
LB Patrick Willis (shoulder)
Carroll is planning on having to face Justin Smith. “He’s a tremendous football player,” Carroll said. “I think he’s going to play. If there’s ever a guy that’s going to fight through whatever, he’s going to make it. I’d be surprised if he didn’t. He must really be hurt if he doesn’t play, because he’s going to get out there. He’s a fantastic competitor.”
STAT DU JOUR
Almost lost in everything else going on in Sunday night’s game is the impact that Gore has had on this series since entering the league in 2005. In the games where Gore has rushed for more than 100 yards, the 49ers are 4-0. When the Seahawks hold Gore to fewer than 100 yards, the 49ers are 3-6. Here’s a look at what he’s done against the Seahawks:
Triple-digit games (4-0)
Year Att. Yards Avg.
2006 24 212 8.8
2006 29 144 5.0
2009 16 207 12.9
2012 16 131 8.2
Double-digit games (3-6)
Year (W-L) Att. Yards Avg.
2005 (L) 2 5 2.5
2007 (L) 16 79 4.9
2007 (L) 13 72 5.5
2008 (W) 19 61 3.2
2008 (L) 18 94 5.2
2009 (L) 9 25 2.8
2010 (L) 17 38 2.2
2011 (W) 22 59 2.7
2011 (W) 23 83 3.6
UP NEXT
The players will have a walkthrough on Saturday, their final on-field preparation for Sunday night’s game. And remember, the game starts at 5:20 p.m. because it was flexed into the primetime spot on NBC.
YOU DON’T SAY, PLAYER EDITION
“Yeah, we definitely talk about it. It’s a championship game. That’s the way we approach it this week – it’s a championship game. We’re going to have to prepare and play like it. We know it will be a great one.” – quarterback Russell Wilson when asked if the players have allowed themselves to talk about clinching a playoff berth with a win over the 49ers
YOU DON’T SAY, COACH EDITION
“I’m really looking forward to it. I know our guys are. It’s been really like a celebration of being a football coach and a player when you get here. It’s just that much fun at CenturyLink. The way that the fans respond so consistently and they love it so much, it is a factor. I mean, I can feel it. It changes the energy level. So hopefully we can perform up to that. We don’t have to do much about it, but show up and play well. And they’ll be doing their thing. It is a boost and we’re excited to be finishing up here at home.” – Carroll when asked about the final two regular-season games being played at CenturyLink Field
Game at a glance: Seahawks 30, Vikings 20
A recap of the Seahawks’ 30-20 victory over the Vikings at CenturyLink Field on Sunday:
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Russell Wilson. With all due to respect to Adrian Peterson, who ran for 182 yards, Wilson wins this one 3-2 – as in touchdown passes to rushing touchdowns.
Every time Peterson scored – on 1- and 4-yard runs in the first half – Wilson answered. The Seahawks’ rookie quarterback threw TD passes of 6 yards to Golden Tate and 11 yards to Sidney Rice in the first quarter, after Peterson scored his 1-yarder. After Peterson’s 4-yarder pulled the Vikings even in the second quarter, Wilson gave the Seahawks the lead for good with his 11-yard TD pass to Tate with 44 seconds left in the first half.
“We talked about that during the week, being able to try and contain him,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said of Wilson. “That’s what happens when he scrambles, he is able to make some plays. He made some plays today when he scrambled out of the pocket.”
That Wilson did. He scrambled for 4 yards and also picked up a yard on keeper on a fourth-and-1 play in the 12-play, 80-yard drive to his third TD pass. In the third quarter, Wilson had back-to-back plays where he ran for 8 and 2 yards on the nine-play, 72-yard drive to a 3-yard TD run by Marshawn Lynch. As the Seahawks were running out the clock in the fourth quarter, Wilson scrambled for 13 yards.
But his bottom-line contributions were the three TD passes, giving him nine in four home games – with no interceptions.
“Russell played really well, did a great job of handling all the situations and the different players and the thing that we did,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “He fit us together nicely.”
And that makes it fitting for Wilson to get this honor, even on a day when Peterson ran wild in the first half.
PLAYS OF THE GAME
Offense: There was Peterson’s 74-yard run on the second play of the game, but cornerback Brandon Browner pulled him down a yard short of the goal line. So let’s go with the second TD pass from Wilson to Tate, as style points put it over the top. And speaking of over the top, that’s how Tate got the ball across the goal line – by going up and over Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson and then extending an arm.
“He made a spectacular play,” Wilson said. “He has a great desire to get into the end zone, which is pretty awesome. Luckily, the ball was across the line there before it got knocked out.”
Luckily, indeed. “I’m just glad we got the ball,” Tate said. “On the way back (to the sideline it was), ‘Congratulations.’ ‘Good job.’ ‘Make sure you’re on the ball.’ That’s one of the things we really stress in this organization – protect the ball. It’s all about the ball. Defense. Offense. Special teams. We always want to get the ball, or maintain possession of the ball. So that was very important. And I’m going to practice on a pad.”
Defense: While Browner had an interception with 5½ minutes to play to seal the deal, nickel back Marcus Trufant turned in a two-fer play when the Seahawks really needed it in the first quarter. The Vikings already had scored on the opening possession of the game, and then forced the Seahawks to punt. But on third-and-10, Trufant forced Percy Harvin to fumble and then recovered the ball. Three plays later, Wilson passed 6-yards to Tate for a game-tying TD.
“He made a nice cut, I was coming across the middle and just trying to make a tackle,” Trufant said. “I ended up getting my shoulder, hand or something on the ball. I saw it pop up and I was just trying to get on the ball before anybody else got to it.”
It was the kind of play that dominated the conversation during the week in the meetings rooms at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
“All week, it’s been about getting the ball out,” Trufant said. “So you’ve got to take the practice plays and bring them to the field.”
Special teams: Steven Hauschka’s 40-yard field goal with 6½ minutes to play. Yes, Vikings’ rookie Blair Walsh kicked a 55-yarder. And yes, the Vikings’ Kevin Williams blocked Hauschka’s PAT after Wilson’s third TD pass. But Hauschka’s late kick gave the Seahawks a 10-point lead.
INJURY REPORT
Linebacker and leading tackler K.J. Wright went out in the first quarter with a concussion and did not return. He was replaced by second-year ’backer Malcolm Smith in the base defense and veteran ’backer Leroy Hill in the nickel defense.
Center Max Unger went out with a hand injury in the third quarter, but returned on the Seahawks’ next possession. Lemuel Jeanpierre stepped in for Unger on the final five plays of the drive that ended with Lynch’s TD run.
John Moffitt, who had missed the past five games with a knee injury, started at left guard because James Carpenter was ruled out for Sunday’s game on Saturday. Carroll said that Carpenter had not been feeling well all week, and they didn’t know if it was caused by him getting a flu shot on Monday or a concussion he got in last week’s game or Wednesday’s practice.
“It’s usual the way it came about,” Carroll said. “I’m glad we held him out. We’ll figure out what it is by next week and see where we stand.”
WORTH NOTING
The Seahawks held Harvin to 73 combined yards – 24 on four carries, 10 on two receptions and a 39-yard kickoff return. He had been averaging 159.3 in his triple-threat role.
The Seahawks have scored 24 and 30 points in back-to-back games, and 24, 24 and 30 in three of their past four games. The 30 points against the Vikings were a season high.
The Seahawks held the Vikings to 3 of 10 on third-down situations, after allowing their first eight opponents to convert 43.9 percent.
The Seahawks scored touchdowns on their first four red-zone possessions, and added a field goal on their fifth. In last week’s loss to the Lions in Detroit, they had two touchdowns and a field goal in three red-zone possessions.
Rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner had a team-high 10 tackles to take over the club lead from Wright. Wagner also had his second sack of the season.
Safety Jeron Johnson and rookie lineman Greg Scruggs also had sacks, while Hill and rookie rush-end Bruce Irvin each had half a sack.
Because they held the ball for more than 12 minutes in the fourth quarter and nine minutes in the third quarter, the Seahawks had a hefty advantage in time of possession – 36 minutes to 24 minutes. The Seahawks also ran 18 more plays than the Vikings with a season-high 71.
YOU DON’T SAY
“There were a couple of times I said to myself, ‘Nice move, nice cut or whatever.’ He does a great job of being physical, and that’s what I’m all about. So he has my utmost respect.” – Peterson on Lynch
Week 4 – The Real Rob Report
Fullback Michael Robinson brings us another episode of “The Real Rob Report”, this time catching up with longtime Seahawks equipment manager Erik Kennedy, who details his equipment team’s seven-day-a-week responsibility.
Mike Rob also talks with kicker Steven Hauschka, stands by as cornerback Brandon Browner and safety Jeron Johnson debate the greatest rapper of all-time, showcases guard John Moffitt’s new mustache, and catches a discussion between cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Winston Guy on the qualities of good hair vs. bad hair.
Stay tuned to Seahawks.com for more updates from “The Real Rob Report” and be sure to subscribe to Robinson’s YouTube channel for his latest video features.
Thursday in Hawkville: Carroll has a ‘lid’ on passing game right now
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Sept. 27:
FOCUS ON
No. 32. Not second-year safety Jeron Johnson, who wears that number. That’s also where the Seahawks’ passing offense ranks in the league after three games. When asked about it, coach Pete Carroll pointed the finger directly at himself.
“I really think this is me holding the lid on it right now,” Carroll said. “I’m overseeing all of that.”
The Seahawks don’t just rank last in passing offense, they are the only team in the league that is averaging more yards rushing (141.3) than passing (127.7).
“What’s more important to us is that we take care of the football,” Carroll said. “More than anything. I don’t care about the yards.”
In that phase, the Seahawks have turned the ball over only twice – on an interception by rookie QB Russell Wilson on the final play of the first half and his lost fumble on the first series of the second half, both in the season-opening loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. Only the unbeaten Falcons and Patriots have fewer turnovers that the Seahawks.
Third-down conversions? That’s another story. The Seahawks are converting 29.3 percent on the pivotal down, which is limiting their opportunities to get more plays and therefore their chances to generate more yards. Only the Buccaneers (.256) and Redskins (.275) are converting a lower percentage on third downs.
“The thing we’re concerned about, we’ve got to convert on third downs,” Carroll said. “We have to get better there.”
This lid-on situation would be no different if Matt Flynn was the quarterback, Carroll said, pointing out that Wilson has now started three games in the NFL compared to two for the Flynn – who was signed in free agency during the offseason after being the backup to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay the past four seasons.
“We’re just trying to grow around the style of this football team that gives us a chance to be really physical and really tough and don’t give up anything,” Carroll said. “It’s really a product of me. So if you’re going to be mad at somebody, be mad at me.”
PLAYER WATCH
(AP Photo/Jon Ferrey)
Now it’s time for Johnson, who has stepped in as the third safety in the bandit sub package with the Seahawks defense. Rookie Winston Guy opened the season in the role, but Johnson has taken over the past two games.
“Jeron has been really disciplined for us,” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “The whole defense really takes pride in doing their job and doing it right and execution. We gave Jeron a chance and he fit right into the mode. He’s very detailed and the guys really trust him back there.”
Johnson made plays while subbing for strong safety Kam Chancellor during the preseason, which earned him a look in the bandit.
“I think that’s a reflection of coach Carroll,” Bradley said. “Because he always pushes us: ‘Find the guys and then give them an opportunity. You’ll be surprised.’ We always thought that Jeron was a guy who shows up more on the game field than in practice. Sure enough, he had a great preseason. He kind of turned our head then. So we gave him an opportunity and he’s been really solid.”
OPPONENT WATCH
When Jeff Fisher took over as coach of the Rams this year, he wanted better play from his cornerbacks. So Cortland Finnegan, a Pro Bowl corner while with the Titans, was signed in free agency.
In three games for the Rams, Finnegan has three interceptions and also is third on the team with 19 tackles.
“I think he recognizes things, because he’s pretty experienced,” Wilson said. “He’s also aggressive. That’s the way he plays. You have to understand that and be smart with the football in terms of throwing the ball on him and making plays on him. You have to understand that he’s a great playmaker. We have a lot of respect for him.”
INJURY REPORT
The official report, as issued by the team:
Did not practice
OT Breno Giacomini (pectoral)
OG John Moffitt (knee)
LB Leroy Hill (calf)
DT Jason Jones (knee)
Limited participation
DT Greg Scruggs (wrist)
DT Jaye Howard (foot)
Full participation
WR Doug Baldwin (shoulder)
CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring)
With Giacomini and Moffitt still out, Frank Omiyale worked at right tackle and Paul McQuistan at right guard with the No. 1 line – with James Carpenter replacing McQuistan at left guard. With Hill out, Malcolm Smith not only stepped in at weakside linebacker, he stepped up – tipping and almost intercepting one pass and taking another from the grasp of tight end Anthony McCoy.
For the Rams:
Did not practice
RB Steven Jackson (groin)
OT Rodger Saffold (knee)
DT Matt Conrath (knee)
S Matt McDaniels (hamstring)
Limited participation
DT Michael Brockers (ankle)
OT Wayne Hunter (knee)
Full participation
DE Eugene Sims (illness)
PRACTICE SQUAD SHUFFLE
With Giacomini and Moffitt missing the past two days, rookie guard Rishaw Johnson was re-signed to the practice squad. He had been released last Friday.
Also signed was running back Lonyae Miller, who had been with the Cowboys (2010-2011) and Raiders (2011-2012).
To clear spots on the eight-man squad, linebacker Korey Toomer was placed on practice squad/injured and tight end Sean McGrath was released.
STAT DU JOUR
Marshawn Lynch continues to be the NFL’s leading rusher since Week 9 of last season. But who is chasing Lynch over the past 12 games? Here’s who:
Player, team Att. Yards Avg. TD
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks 283 1,246 4.4 10
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars 236 1,180 5.0 6
Ray Rice, Ravens 222 1,143 5.1 10
Reggie Bush, Saints/Dolphins 191 1,053 5.5 6
UP NEXT
“Turnover Thursday” gives away to “No Repeat Friday,” as the players will have a midday practice. The team will leave for St. Louis on Saturday following a morning walkthrough.
YOU DON’T SAY
“Some people think he’s unique. I definitely do think he’s unique. That’s what makes him so good. He’s a little different in terms of that, which is a good thing.” – Wilson when asked about Lynch’s, well, unique personality
Game at a glance: Seahawks 27, Cowboys 7
A recap of the Seahawks’ 27-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in their home opener on Sunday at CenturyLink Field:
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Marshawn Lynch. There were so many candidates from this impressive performance, but the Seahawks’ Beast Mode-running back remains the metronome by which this team beats.
He finished with 122 yards on 26 carries, including a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that slapped the exclamation point on this one. As always, it wasn’t so much that Lynch got the yards, but how he got them. He averaged 2.2 yards on 10 first-half carries, then exploded for 100 yards on 16 carries in the second half – including a 16-yard run on the first play of the half and a 36-yarder on the eight-play, 90-yard drive in the third quarter that was capped by rookie QB Russell Wilson throwing a 22-yard TD pass to tight end Anthony McCoy.
“It was very much needed, and I’m glad we got it,” Lynch said of the running game producing 182 yards and the offense getting 315 yards.
Offered Pro Bowl fullback Michael Robinson, “You might get pumped up to hit 24 (Lynch) in the first quarter and he might get three yards. But in that fourth quarter, you really don’t want to hit him. He gets stronger. Our offensive line gets stronger.
“When we’re rocking like that, that’s what we want to do. We want to run the ball, we want to play-action (pass) off that and give our defense a rest so they can go out there and dominate.”
UNSUNG PLAYER OF THE GAME
Frank Omiyale. Russell Okung was expected to start at left tackle, despite bruising his left knee in last week’s opener against the Cardinals. But after working out before the game, the coaches decided he couldn’t go. That put Omiyale in harm’s way – or at least in the line of the fire that Cowboys’ pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware in capable of generating.
Ware’s stat line: no sacks, one tackle for a loss, one QB hit.
“Frank is a guy who’s been around the League for an extended period of time,” Wilson said of Omiyale, who started 31 games the past three seasons for the Bears but was making his first start for the Seahawks.
“He has great knowledge of the game. He works extremely hard. The fact that we thought Russell was going to be able to play, but he couldn’t go today, so Frank stepped up and did a tremendous job. I mean an unbelievable job. He’s been doing that for years, so you kind of expect that out of him. Just the way he goes about his business, the way he approaches the game, approaches the week. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Asked about the game plan against Ware, coach Pete Carroll said, “Our plan was to hope he didn’t kill us.”
PLAYS OF THE GAME
Offense: Wilson’s TD pass to McCoy, which came from a three-tight set on the right side. McCoy was in the middle, between Zach Miller (inside) and Evan Moore (outside). When they broke from the line, the cornerback had to take either McCoy or Moore.
“We kind of put the corner in a big predicament,” said McCoy, who had a team-high five receptions in addition to his first NFL touchdown catch. “He had to cover both me and Evan on the play. He chose one and left me open.”
Yes, the way the play unfolded caught McCoy by surprise.
“I’m like, ‘Man, we’re in the red zone and I’m this open?’ ” McCoy said. “I was kind of expecting someone to be there on the catch, but no one was there. It was a great play call.”
Defense: With the Seahawks holding a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, the Cowboys had driven from their 20-yard line to the Seahawks’ 24. But on a second-and-10 play, Pro Bowl cornerback Brandon Browner intercepted Tony Romo’s pass that was intended for tight end Jason Witten.
“I’m kind of mad that I got caught,” said Browner, who returned the pick 35 yards. “I felt like I had a shot to go all the way, but I was a little gassed out there.”
Special teams: The Seahawks forced (Robinson) and recovered (Earl Thomas) a fumble on the opening kickoff to setup a field goal. But the next time the Cowboys got the ball, the Seahawks’ special teams scored. Second-year linebacker Malcolm Smith blocked a punt and second-year safety Jeron Johnson picked up the ball on a hop and ran three yards for a TD.
“Malcolm was inside of me and I was rushing to the outside,” Johnson said after scoring his first TD since he was a senior at Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif. – and playing middle linebacker. “Nobody blocked Malcolm and the ball bounced right to me.
“It was a big play. Special teams showed up big today.”
Big hit of the day: Golden Tate, come on down. The 202-pound wide receiver drilled Sean Lee, the Cowboys’ 245-pound linebacker, with a vicious block on Wilson’s 14-yard scramble in the fourth quarter.
“Now I see why Kam (Chancellor, the team’s Pro Bowl strong safety) likes defense,” said Tate, who was making his 2012 debut after sitting out the opener with a knee injury. “It felt great.
“It’s a momentum boost. All of sudden we had momentum and drove the ball all the way down the field.”
Eight plays later, Lynch scored his TD, but only after Tate caught an 8-yard pass on third-and-4 to give the Seahawks a first down at the Cowboys’ 3.
INJURY REPORT
Cornerback Byron Maxwell left the game with a hamstring injury and wide receiver Sidney Rice did not finish the game.
But Carroll said he was unaware that anything was wrong with Rice. “He looked OK in the locker room,” Carroll said. “I didn’t see anything. I don’t have any update on that. He was not on the injury list.”
WORTH NOTING
The Seahawks have won four consecutive home openers, and nine of their past 10.
The defense got their hands on seven of Tony Romo’s passes, including two each by Leo end Chris Clemons and linebacker K.J. Wright.
Chancellor had a team-high nine tackles.
Rookie rush-end Bruce Irvin got his first NFL sack. Or at least half of one, as he shared the team’s only sack with Jason Jones. Those are the two players the Seahawks added during the offseason – Irvin in the first-round of the NFL Draft, Jones in free agency – to improve their pass rush.
On the Seahawks’ 90-yard TD drive in the third quarter, they did not face a third-down situation.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I knew it was going to be electric, and it was more than I could ever imagine. The crowd is a huge, huge advantage for our football team. And when the 12th Man is that loud and that energetic, it really helps our offense, our defense, our special teams and just continues to boost us.” – Wilson, after playing his first regular-season game at CenturyLink FIeld.
Thursday cyber surfing: Rice’s return
Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, August 23.
Head coach Pete Carroll tossed a couple of important announcements our way after practice on Wednesday – cornerback Roy Lewis will undergo knee surgery and there is no specified date for his return at this time, and wide receiver Sidney Rice is expected to see his first action of the preseason Friday night at Kansas City.
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times has his story on Rice’s return to action, “It wasn’t until Sidney Rice got put on his butt that you knew he was back. It happened Tuesday during a passing drill at practice, when free safety Earl Thomas hit Seattle’s top wide receiver. Thomas pulled up a little bit, but the blow was enough to knock Rice off his feet. ‘It was great,’ coach Pete Carroll said. Great? Rice is coming off twin shoulder surgeries this offseason, a guy who has missed more regular-season games (17) than he has played over the previous two years and had 11 anchors installed in each shoulder this offseason. ‘He needed to feel that and know that could happen,’ Carroll said.”
Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune has his story on Rice’s return, “…the sixth-year veteran has been full-go this week and has taken a couple of hard shots from Seattle’s first-team defense without suffering any ill effects. ‘We’re anxious to see him get out there,’ Carroll said. ‘He’s had a fantastic process getting back. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s practicing really, really well. And so we’ll get him a little bit of (playing time) just to break the ice on that one.’ “
Scott Garbarini of The Sports Network previews the Seahawks-Chiefs preseason matchup, “With a chance to seize a starting quarterback position that’s still up for grabs, [Russell] Wilson will draw a surprise start for the Seahawks as they head to Arrowhead Stadium for a rehearsal contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. Wilson, Seattle’s third-round choice in this past April’s draft following a stellar collegiate career at North Carolina State and Wisconsin, entered camp as the underdog in a three-man battle to be the team’s No. 1 signal-caller. The rookie has been terrific in his two preseason appearances — albeit against second-team defenses — to emerge as perhaps the favorite to be under center when the Seahawks open the regular season at Arizona on Sept. 9.”
John Boyle of the Everett Herald catches up with defensive back Jeron Johnson as he battles to make the Seahawks’ roster, “Johnson was impressive during the preseason last year, too, which is how he made the roster as an undrafted rookie at the expense of, amongst others, fifth-round pick Mark LeGree. Although he was good enough to make the team last year and contribute primarily on special teams, Johnson feels like he has come a long, long ways since training camp a year ago. ‘It’s not too much different from what they asked of me last season,’ said Johnson, who like other rookies last year was behind thanks to the lockout, which eliminated offseason workouts. It’s just I had time to understand the defense more this year. The OTAs and minicamps helped tremendously. The lockout was my rookie year, so just having OTAs and minicamp helped out. … This year I’m playing a lot faster.’ “
Art Thiel of SportsPressNW.com says Russell Wilson deserves the start he is getting Friday night, “Wilson started 50 consecutive games and was only the fifth quarterback in college history to run for 1,000 and pass for 5,000. The guy’s a freak, and in the most flattering way. But hey, you don’t have to believe me, or even his ever-so-lightly hyperventilating coach, Pete Carroll. Listen to his teammates. ‘He’s playing at a level you don’t expect as rookie to be at right now,’ said Unger, the bearer of the foot-stool for his 5-foot-11 little buddy. ‘There are expectations for a guy you take higher in the draft — not saying third isn’t high — but you just don’t expect a guy taken in the third round to be in the running for the starting spot right away. To be in the competition this late says what he’s done in camp.” And this from wide receiver Golden Tate: ‘Russell wants to be the best. From the day I met him, he’s been the first one in and the last one out. Even when we had those five weeks off, he was coming in at 7 a.m. getting his work done, them lifting, then throwing with whatever guys were here. In meetings, he asks very good questions. Watching the game, you can see the kid is good, but he has worked so hard to get there. He’s so driven to be the guy for us.’ “
Doug Farrar of YahooSports.com has his story on the Seahawks naming Wilson the starting quarterback against Kansas City, “As Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Wednesday on SIRIUS NFL Radio, the decision isn’t as much about Flynn as it is about Wilson’s compelling play with and against non-starters, and the now imperative need to see where he is against the ones. ‘He’s been going with the twos, he’s had eight drives, and scored six times: five touchdowns and one field goal,’ Schneider told Adam Schein and Rich Gannon. ‘He’s been pretty dynamic. Matt’s done a nice job and has a good feel for the system … Russell’s done so much in the second half of these two games. Pete preaches competition all the time, he’d be remiss if he didn’t put this guy with the ones and see what he could do with that group.’ “
Gil Brandt of NFL.com names offensive lineman Breno Giacomini and rookie linebacker Bobby Wagner as players who must step up if the Seahawks are to be successful in 2012, “Offense: Breno Giacomini, offensive tackle: A former Packers prospect, Giacomini made a big leap in Week 11 of 2011, when he stepped into a starting role. The one-time college tight end has long arms and excellent work habits; his athletic ability and strength seem to have finally caught up with him. He’s the kind of player offensive line coach Tom Cable loves to develop. Defense: Bobby Wagner, linebacker: The competitive second-round draft pick must figure heavily into the Seahawks’ plans; perhaps encouraged by Wagner’s play, they traded free-agent acquisition Barrett Ruud to the Saints on Monday. The long-armed Wagner will make a lot of tackles, but he can also play in space.”
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com has his NFL head coach power rankings, and he has coach Carroll ranked in the ‘Middle of the pack’ with the likes of John Harbaugh, Mike Smith, Jeff Fisher, Gary Kubiak, Lovie Smith, Marvin Lewis, and Ken Whisenhunt.
Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com says to keep an eye on offensive tackle Russell Okung as a potential Pro Bowl candidate in 2012, “Injuries are the main issue for this young player. When healthy he demonstrates why he was a first-round pick. If he stays on the field for 16 games, the truth will come out about this athletic pass blocking left tackle.”
Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth has his story on Rice’s return, but asks what other receivers will step up, and catches up with wide receivers coach Kippy Brown on the topic, “About the only two givens at this late point in the preseason – and with the first roster cut from 89 to 75 players looming on Monday – are that Doug Baldwin will be the slot receiver and Sidney Rice will be the flanker. Baldwin won’t play against the Chiefs after having fluid extracted from a troublesome hamstring this week, and Rice will make his preseason debut at Arrowhead Stadium after spending most of the summer in a red no-contact jersey to protect his surgically repaired shoulders. But who will replace Mike Williams at split end? And who might be the fourth wide-out in the four-receiver sets? And, while we’re wondering, who fills the fifth and possibly sixth spots on the 53-man roster from the 13 wide-outs on the current roster? Kippy Brown, who coaches the position, can only wish he had the answers to those questions. ‘The competition is as open as it could be. It couldn’t be any more open,’ Brown said after Wednesday’s practice, when he continued to mix and match his receiver in trying to find the most-productive groupings. ‘It’s an interesting deal. Everybody is playing hard and trying hard. There are only so many reps. So there are going to be some difficult decisions.’ “
Farnsworth also has his ‘Wednesday in Hawkville‘ with a look at Edawn Coughman, “The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Coughman was still wearing his white No. 70 jersey, it’s just that he was working with the blue-jerseyed defensive linemen. ‘We took a little look,’ Carroll said. ‘I saw him in a little drill over here helping the offensive guys and he showed a little quickness. So we thought we’d give him a look. We put him on film rushing the passer a little bit.’ Coughman was signed in June after being released by the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. He played offensive line at Shaw University, but also has played defense in the past. ‘He has very good quickness, and he’s done a really nice job growing on offense,’ Carroll said. ‘I’m not yet ready to tell you he’s a two-way performer yet, but we’re working at it.’ “
Fantasy writer Scott Engel brings us a look at the Seahawks defense/special teams unit as it relates to fantasy football in 2012, calling the opportunistic unit undervalued and effective.
Lastly, Tony Ventrella has a look at Wednesday’s happenings in his Seahawks Daily.
