Photoblog: Overtime and Out.
The Seahawks traveled to the Valley of the Sun for the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Both teams sought a victory to finish the season with an 8-8 record, but the Cardinals prevailed in overtime, 23-20.
The roster says he's a rookie but receiver Ricardo Lockette looked All-Pro in a three-piece suit as he boarded the team charter.
Upon arrival in Phoenix, Tarvaris Jackson walks from the plane to the buses in the warm sunshine.
On game day, injured left tackle Russell Okung talks with general manager John Schneider during the early warmup period.
Rookie receiver Doug Baldwin listens to music as they players make final preparations to take the field.
Players including Chris Maragos gather for their traditional team prayer shortly before leaving the locker room prior to kickoff.
Chris Clemons takes a moment to himself on the sidelines as the Seahawks wait for the Cardinals to be introduced.
Leon Washington is brought down after a gain in the first quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson stiff-arms Arizona's Daryl Washington in the backfield.
Arizona's dangerous receiver Larry Fitzgerald is brought down by Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne, who led Seattle's defense with nine tackles.
Seahawks defensive tackle Alan Branch breaks through to sack Arizona quarterback John Skelton.
Running back Leon Washington dives for the corner of the end zone to score Seattle's first touchdown on a 48-yard run in the third quarter.
Cornerback Brandon Browner (39) and safety Earl Thomas (29) both leap high to prevent a completion to Arizona's intended receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
David Hawthorne's hard hit on Arizona's Andre Roberts sent the Cardinal receiver's helmet flying.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman races down the left sideline after intercepting a pass that set up a Seattle field goal.
Atari Bigby put a big hit on Arizona's kickoff returner A.J. Jefferson with the help of Earl Thomas.
Seattle's biggest offensive highlight came when rookie receiver Ricardo Lockette made a juggling one-handed catch for a 61-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was pumped after Lockette's touchdown tied the game at 20-20 in the fourth quarter.
Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald showed why he's one of the best in the game, hauling in three catches on the final drive of overtime.
Seattle's Red Bryant had blocked three field goals already this season, but couldn't get his big hands on the final kick in overtime.
In the quiet locker room after the game, players brought their hands together for the final time of the 2011 season.
Head coach Pete Carroll spoke on the phone as the team boarded the charter bound for Seattle after the game.
Each member of the team's traveling party has a name plate above their seat, and the Seahawks Director of Video Thom Fermstad's was waiting for him on his final road trip. Fermstad is retiring after the season and has been with the club since Day One of its existence.
Cyber surfing: Monday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Jan. 2:
Steve Kelley at the Seattle Times looks at a very bright moment from the Seahawks’ 23-20 overtime loss to the Cardinals: “Tarvaris Jackson had all day to throw, which meant Ricardo Lockette had all day to run, and we’re starting to find out that when Lockette is running, amazing things can happen. Down 20-13 in the middle of the fourth quarter, Lockette streaked down the left sideline, gaining speed with every stride. He fought off cornerback Marshay Green with his right hand and somehow was able to keep his concentration and catch Jackson’s bomb in stride for a 61-yard game-tying touchdown. It was a truly remarkable play in the Seahawks’ unremarkable 23-20 season-ending overtime loss to Arizona. But more important, it just might have been the harbinger of many touchdown explosions to come from the free-agent rookie from Division II Fort Valley (Ga.) State.”
Also at the Times, Danny O’Neil looks at how the season finale mirrored the Seahawks’ season: “The game didn’t decide the fate of this Seahawks season. It mirrored it almost perfectly, though, from a first half that was packed with Seattle penalties but not much offense, to a second-half comeback that was impressive and unexpected, but ultimately futile. That story line of the Seahawks’ 23-20 overtime loss at Arizona on Sunday was pretty much the story of this whole year. ‘Typical of our season,’ quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said. ‘A slow start, us picking it up in the second half. Unfortunately we came up short, but I’m very proud of the guys in the locker room.’ “
Eric Williams at the News Tribune looks at Larry Fitzgerald’s latest big day against the Seahawks, as the Cardinals’ Pro Bowl wide receiver had eight catches for 148 yards in the second half and overtime: “And Fitzgerald took over the game when his team needed him most, in overtime, with the decision in the balance. He made an acrobatic catch for 26 yards in the middle of the field on a third-and-3 play. He also had two more catches on the drive, including a one-handed, 12-yard catch across the middle that put his team into field-goal position. ‘He is incredible,’ said Arizona quarterback John Skelton, who targeted Fitzgerald a game-high 18 times. ‘Whenever the ball is in his general direction, he makes plays. He makes your life as a quarterback much easier. The tenacity that he has when the ball is in the air is incredible, especially when it’s down in overtime like that and we need the yardage for the field goal.’ ”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has a “Wrap-Up” of the Seahawks’ overtime loss to the Cardinals, and here’s what he liked: “This was another intense, physical battle between NFC West teams late in the season. Penalties are not something I would generally list under the “what I liked” category, but personal fouls against Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, Paris Lenon, Early Doucet and Levi Brown reflected the spirited nature of this game. Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch continued to punish defenders with his aggressive running, breaking free from Calais Campbell and running over Daryl Washington on two early runs. He and Leon Washington gave the Seahawks another strong team outing on the ground (170-plus yards). Leon Washington’s 48-yard rushing touchdown and 47-yard kickoff return in overtime were key plays.”
Sando also takes a look at the 2012 opponents for each of the NFC West team, and has this to say about the Seahawks: “Another season, another trip to Chicago. The Seahawks will have played the Bears eight times since 2006, counting playoffs. The scheduling rotation sent the third-place team from the NFC East (Dallas) to the third-place team from the NFC West (Seattle). The Seahawks also drew the third-place team from the NFC South, which means they’ll be facing Cam Newton on the road. Also, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are coming to CenturyLink Field. Will the Seahawks have a new quarterback? Marshawn Lynch gets to face his old team, Buffalo, on the road.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the Seahawks’ 7-9 record this season being an improvement from last season’s 7-9 record: “Last season, their nine losses came by an average of 21 points; this season it was by an average of 9.8 points. Last year, the Seahawks lost games by 34 (to the Giants), 30 (to the Raiders) and 23 (to the Buccaneers) points. This year, their most lopsided losses were to the Steelers (24-0) and Bengals (34-12). In 2010, all their losses were by double-digits. This season, there were four losses by 10-plus points, but they also dropped games by two points (twice), three points (twice) and six points. On defense, they entered Sunday’s game ranked No. 9 in the league, after finishing 27th last season. On offense, the running game improved from 31st in 2010 to 21st entering their finale. ‘Without question, we’re a different team than we were last year,’ coach Pete Carroll said. ‘The way we’re playing. The margins we’re dealing with are so much better. Even when we got beat, we had chances to win.’ ”
We’ve also got our “Game at a Glance,” as well as Tony Ventrella’s video review.
For a look at the rest of the league on a wild final Sunday of the regular season, there’s Clark Judge’s “Judgements” at CBSSports.com; and Don Banks’ “Snap Judgments” at SI.com.
Tuesday in Hawkville
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Nov. 29:
FOCUS ON
Tarvaris Jackson. Having only three days between games this week was expected to test the Seahawks’ quarterback, and therefore the entire offense, because of the strained pectoral in his throwing shoulder.
But Jackson threw in all phases of practice today, after also getting in some throws in the walk-throughs Monday night and this morning.
“It felt pretty good,” Jackson said of throwing the day after Sunday’s loss to the Redskins, with an eye on Thursday night’s nationally televised game against the Eagles at CenturyLink Field.
“I guess it’s kind of healing a little better, so that’s good. That’s good for the future, also. We’re seeing that it doesn’t take me as long to recover, so that’s the one positive I got from Sunday.”
There was another positive today, when Jackson three on three consecutive days for the first time since injuring his right shoulder in the Week 5 win over the Giants.
“It’s interesting, particularly in a short week,” coach Pete Carroll said. “This is a lot to ask of him. He feels good enough to do that.”
Jackson is back at practice, but not out of the woods because of the nature of the injury and the position he plays.
“We have to manage this all the way through this,” Carroll said. “We don’t have all the answers. We listen very carefully to what he feels like and he’s been tuned in to it and the trainers have stayed very close with him to figure it out. And so far they’ve been able to get him ready to play every week.
“We really rely on him quite a bit on this. He’s the one who has to tell us what he feels like.”
Today, Jackson let his actions speak for him.
ON THE FIELD
The players worked for 90 minutes, outside in 41-degree weather that felt colder because of a steady breeze. Stocking caps replaced helmets, as Carroll is scaling back on the physical aspects of practice because of the short week.
“You have to mix all aspects here and have them mentally right or they don’t have a chance,” Carroll said. “Physically, we can only do the best we can – we can just get them as right as we can. … Now it’s about getting their minds right so that they can play football again.
“It’s a big physical demand for these guys to come back and play Sunday and Thursday, but hopefully we’ll do this really well.”
Right tackle Breno Giacomini, center Max Unger and practice-squad running back Vai Taua were the only players to practice in shorts and short sleeves.
OPPONENT WATCH
Nnamdi Asomugha. While playing for the Raiders the past eight seasons, you always knew where to find the All-Pro cornerback – on one side of the field, taking away any and all receivers who dared test his coverage skills; or on one receiver, eliminating him from the passing game.
Since signing with the Eagles in free agency, Asomugha’s role definitely has changed.
“I’m playing the slot a whole lot more. I’m playing safety a whole lot more in certain situations,” Asomugha said today during a conference-call interview. “So there’s few different things.
“In Oakland, you just knew it was play corner and take that guy out of the game. Here, I’ve been moving around everywhere and just figuring out where I fit based off the calls and based off the particular position that I’m playing on that down. Because pretty much every game I’ve been at every position that you can think of in the secondary and even some down there in like a linebacker spot.”
IN ’N OUT
Sidney Rice is not expected to play Thursday night because of the concussion he got in Sunday’s game.
“It’s very slim that he has a chance to play,” Carroll said. “There’s not a helmet that he could put on his head that he could play with this week.”
The fact that this is Rice’s second concussion this season only increases the concern.
“Because of that, we’re going to be very careful at this point and that’s why I’m saying I’m everything but ruling him out,” Carroll said. “We have to take care of him.”
Rice will be replaced in the starting lineup by Ben Obomanu.
Also sitting out practice today was cornerback Byron Maxwell, while middle linebacker David Hawthorne and cornerback Richard Sherman were limited. But defensive tackle Alan Branch returned after missing Sunday’s game and not practicing last week because of a sore ankle.
When Hawthorne and Sherman weren’t on the field, K.J. Wright moved to the middle, with Malcolm Smith stepping in on the strong side for Wright; and Roy Lewis worked on the left side for Sherman in the base defense and Kennard Cox took over in the nickel because Lewis slid inside.
Here’s the injury report:
Did not practice
WR Sidney Rice (concussion)
CB Byron Maxwell (illness)
Limited participation
LB David Hawthorne (knee)
CB Richard Sherman (calf)
Full participation
QB Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral)
DT Alan Branch (ankle)
For the Eagles:
Did not practice
OT King Dunlap (concussion)
LB Moise Fokou (ankle)
WR Jeremy Maclin (hamstring, shoulder)
QB Michael Vick (ribs)
Limited participation
CB Nnamdi Asomugha (knee)
RB LeSean McCoy (toe)
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle)
Full participation
DT Cullen Jenkins (thumb)
STAT DU JOUR
Believe it or not, the NFL does not keep track of blocked field goals and PATs. So there are no records to use as a gauge for Red Bryant’s efforts this season. But the last player to block a field goal and a PAT in one game – as Bryant did on Sunday – was the Browns’ Shaun Rogers against the Bengals on Oct. 4, 2009.
Here’s how the kick-blocking Bryant stacks up in club history:
Most blocked kicks in a season
Player (year) No. (blocks)
Red Bryant (2011) 4 (three FGs, one PAT)
Mike White (1982) 3 (two FGs, one PAT)
Joe Nash (1989) 3 (three FGs)
Craig Terrill (2010) 3 (three FGs)
Most blocked FGs in a season
Player (year) No.
Red Bryant (2011) 3
Joe Nash (1989) 3
Craig Terrill (2010) 3
Mike White (1982) 2
Joe Nash (1984) 2
Craig Terrill (2006) 2
Most blocked FGs in a game
Player (year) No.
Red Bryant (2011) 2
Craig Terrill (2010) 1
Craig Terrill (2008) 1
(accomplished many times, Terrill had the last two)
Most blocked PATs in a game
Player (year) No.
Red Bryant (2011) 1
Terry Wooden (1995) 1
(11 others also had one block; Wooden was the last to do it)
Most career blocks (FGs and PATs)
Player (years) No. (blocks)
Joe Nash (1982-96) 10 (eight FGs, 2 PATs)
Craig Terrill (2004-10) 8 (eight FGs)
Mike White (1981-82) 5 (2 FGs, 3 PATs)
Jeff Bryant (1982-93) 5 (3 FGs, 2 PATs)
Red Bryant (2008) 4 (3 FGs, 1 PAT)
STATS ’N STUFF
Rookie wide receiver Doug Baldwin ranks fifth in the NFL with 19 third-down receptions.
Punter Jon Ryan is sixth in the league, and second in the NFC, in average (48.3); and ninth in the league and fifth in the conference, in net average (40.1).
Leon Washington is eighth in punt return average (11.2) and 13th in kickoff return average (24.2).
The Seahawks rank 14th in defense, 11th against the run and 20th against the pass; and 30th in offense, 27th rushing and 25th passing.
UP NEXT
Since today was Wednesday and Thursday in this shortened week, tomorrow will be Friday and the players will hold their final “full” workout before the game.
Tickets are available of Thursday night’s game, as well as the Dec. 12 game against the Rams, and can be purchased here.
TOYS FOR TOTS
The Seahawks are holding their annual Toys For Tots drive at Thursday night’s game. Fans are asked to bring new unwrapped toys, which will be distributed to needy children in the Seattle community. Monetary donations also are welcome.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I should have followed through with that thought, because the thought I had in my mind was coach (John) Wooden always said, ‘A coach’s greatest ally is the bench.’ That’s what was going through my mind. And it was much easier to access that bench when you had 110 guys (like it did at USC). When you’ve got 45 or 46 guys, it’s a little harder.” – Carroll when asked about his post-game comment on Sunday about replacing players who were guilty of repeated penalties
Tuesday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Nov. 22:
FOCUS ON
Leroy Hill. The veteran linebacker played in all of one game in 2010 before going out with a season-ending calf injury. So second-year coach Pete Carroll wasn’t exactly sure what he was getting when the team decided to re-sign Hill in late July.
Carroll relied on scouting reports supplied by defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Dan Quinn, the defensive line coach the past two seasons before leaving to become defensive coordinator at the University of Florida.
“They talked about him with high praise, about his toughness and his love for the game and that kind of stuff,” Carroll said.
Also in the coaches’ scouting report? “They said he’s one of the toughest guys on the team and if you’re going to pick one guy to go fight for you, a lot of guys would pick him,” Carroll said. “It was attractive when you talk about linebackers.”
Hill has gone out and walked their talk. Entering Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins at CenturyLink Field, Hill is third on the team in tackles (61), second in sacks (two) and also among the leaders in passion and determination.
“He’s totally all of that,” Carroll said, referring to what Bradley and Quinn had told him about Hill. “He’s a really committed football player and loves the game.”
That was never more obvious than during the video review of Sunday’s 24-7 victory over the Rams in St. Louis. While showing the “great effort” plays, Hill was featured three times.
“Three plays that he had extraordinary effort running across the field to make a play,” Carroll said. “The first two times, he didn’t get there. The third time, he runs 30-40 yards and makes the play that he could have given up on because he didn’t get there the first two times.
“He’s got great nature about him and great competitiveness and toughness. Fortunately, he’s playing really well and doing a great job for us and we were able to get him back.”
ONE IN, ONE OUT
The club signed wide receiver Isaiah Williams to its practice squad today, and released wide receiver Patrick Williams to clear a spot.
Isaiah Williams (6-3, 200) signed with the Ravens as a rookie free agent in 2009. He also was with the Steelers in the offseason and training camp last year. He had been on the Cardinals’ practice squad this season. At his Pro Day workout at Maryland in 2009, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and had a 41-inch vertical jump.
STATS ’N STUFF
The Seahawks rank 11th in the league in total defense, allowing an average of 333.0 yards; and eighth in rushing defense, allowing 100.0 yards.
Punter Jon Ryan is fifth in the league in average (48.7) and 11th in net average (39.8) – despite having two punts returned 55 and 56 yards for touchdowns and a 30-yarder that was partially blocked. He’s also tied for third in punts inside the 20-yard line (19).
Leon Washington is sixth in the league in punt return average (12.0). Chris Clemons is ninth in sacks (eight), and sixth among defensive ends.
Middle linebacker David Hawthorne and free safety Earl Thomas continue to share the lead in tackles (65), while Doug Baldwin and Sidney Rice continue to share the lead in receptions (32). Baldwin is tied for 10th in the league in third-down receptions (15).
Heath Farwell has taken the lead in special teams tackles (eight).
STAT DU JOUR
The Seahawks’ and Redskins’ defenses are among the stingiest in the NFL when it comes to allowing touchdowns. The Seahawks have given up 18, the Redskins 19. Here’s how they stack up in the league:
Team TDs allowed
Ravens 13
49ers 14
Lions 16
Browns 17
Dolphins 17
Texans 17
Seahawks 18
Jets 18
Redskins 19
Steelers 19
Jaguars 19
UP NEXT
The players return from their “off” day on Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday’s game. The team also will practice earlier on Thursday to allow the players to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Sunday’s game is the first of three in a row at home for the Seahawks. Tickets are available for each game and can be purchased here.
YOU DON’T SAY
“When it’s over, and you’re sitting there winning championships. It doesn’t matter if you’ve won every game right now. You haven’t done anything yet. It ain’t over. You haven’t made it to the playoffs. You haven’t won a division. You haven’t done any of that stuff yet. All of that, you postpone that until they put an asterisk by your name and you’ve accomplished something.” – Carroll, asked when victories start to mean something
Photoblog: Ramming the Rams
The Seahawks, fresh off of an impressive upset of the Baltimore Ravens, headed to St. Louis to face their familiar division foe at the Edward Jones Dome.
In the visitors locker room at the Edward Jones Dome, tight end Anthony McCoy sat alone with his thoughts in the minutes before the Seahawks took the field.
With less than a week to prepare to start in place of injured right guard John Moffitt, veteran Paul McQuistan was still reviewing his playbook in the locker room before the game.
The Rams were determined to test Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner early and often, and he made a pass defense on former Washington State receiver Brandon Gibson.
St. Louis defensive back Quintin Mikell intercepted a pass from Tarvaris Jackson but then found himself face-to-face with Seahawks lineman Robert Gallery.
Seattle ran the ball successfully for the third game in a row, with Marshawn Lynch doing the lion's share of the work.
Seattle's big defensive linemen Alan Branch and Red Bryant celebrate after stopping Rams running back Steven Jackson.
Safety Earl Thomas gets pumped after the defense held St. Louis to a three-and-out.
Linebacker K.J. Wright corrals St. Louis tight end Stephen Spach in the first half as the defense kept the Rams off the field.
Receiver Sidney Rice fought is way into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown reception from Tarvaris Jackson to tie the game at 7-7 in the second quarter.
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan continued his fine play, landing four punts inside the St. Louis 20-yard line.
Leon Washington returns a punt 37 yards along the Seahawks sideline.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin continued his knack for finding open spaces, and his 35-yard catch late in the first half kept a Seahawks scoring drive alive.
Defensive end Chris Clemons wreaked havoc on the Rams, here creating a sack and fumble by St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford.
Red Bryant applied pressure on Bradford as well.
Raheem Brock joined the pressure party, chasing Bradford out of the pocket on this play.
Brandon Browner got the best of Rams receiver Brandon Lloyd on this pass along the Seahawks sideline.
With a lead, the Seahawks defense was free to pressure Bradford, and Roy Lewis got the sack on this play.
Defensive end Red Bryant rumbles upfield with the football after intercepting a tipped pass by Sam Bradford in the fourth quater.
Head coach Pete Carroll congratulates Bryant after the interception.
Chris Clemons claimed his third sack of the game and caused his second fumble which was recovered by David Hawthorne.
Seahawks fans were well-represented in St. Louis, and they gathered behind the team's bench in the fourth quarter to show their support.
Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and head coach Pete Carroll share a laugh in the game's waning moments.
In the locker room after the game, defensive captain Red Bryant spoke to the team, urging them to keep working hard and improving, focusing only one week at a time.
Game at a glance
ST. LOUIS – A recap of the Seahawks’ 24-7 victory the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday:
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Chris Clemons. On a day when the Seahawks’ defense was dominating, no one was more dominating than the team’s “Leo” defensive end.
Clemons’ stat line made quite a statement about his impact on the game: a career-high three sacks, three other hits on Rams QB Sam Bradford, two forced fumbles and a tipped pass. But his action spoke even louder.
“Clem had a great football game today,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He got great heat and made a big difference in changing the game and giving us a chance.”
Ravaging the Rams is nothing new for Clemons, who was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles last year. He had two of his team-leading and career-high 11 sacks last season in the game in St. Louis and added half a sack in the NFC West title-clinching victory over the Rams in the regular-season finale in Seattle.
Asked about his repeated success against the Rams, Clemons said, “I guess because it’s a division opponent, you play them more than once a year so you kind of get adjusted to them. They have some things that they try and do against me, but my biggest thing is just staying patient and getting the opportunities and taking advantage of them.”
That was definitely the case in the second half on Sunday.
In the third quarter, he got to Bradford and also forced a fumble that was recovered by nickel back Roy Lewis to set up a TD run by Marshawn Lynch. In the fourth quarter, Clemons had another fumble-forcing sack that was recovered by middle linebacker David Hawthorne to end a Rams’ drive that had reached the Seahawks’ 31-yard line. In between, Clemons split sacks with defensive end Red Bryant and Lewis.
“The biggest thing is, when they make mistakes just capitalize on them,” Clemons said. “Sam, he’s had a problem holding onto the ball this year. So we knew we’d get opportunities. Our biggest thing was just to stay focused and not give up on our rushes.”
PLAYS OF THE GAME
Defense: When a 330-pound defensive end intercepts a pass, well, it just doesn’t get any better than that. When that end uses a stiff to repel a 6-foot-3, 209-pound wide receiver like a gnat, well, it’s time to say, “Red Bryant, come on down.”
Bryant dropped into coverage of the second-and-19 play in the fourth quarter, so he was there to pick off a pass that was tipped by nose tackle – and best friend – Brandon Mebane. Three plays later, Justin Forsett scored on a 22-yard run.
“ ‘Bang’ did a great job of tipping the ball,” Bryant said, using Mebane’s nickname. “I just happened to be in the right position.”
Offense: The 14-yard TD pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Sidney Rice in the second quarter put the first points on the board for the Seahawks. But let’s go with the first play of the game, when Rice took the ball on an end-around and passed to Mike Williams for a 55-yard gain and the longest play of the game.
The Seahawks had worked on this play in practice at various times this season, but didn’t unleash it in a game until Sunday.
“I had the distance. I think I put a little bit too much air on it,” said Rice, who finished with a passer rating of 118.8. “It definitely was a ‘duck.’ I heard about it from Tarvaris as soon as I got to the sideline.”
Special teams: Where to begin after an extra-special effort from the Seahawks’ special teams? Jon Ryan had a 71-yarder among his nine punts for a 49.7-yard average, with four inside the Rams’ 20-yard line. Steven Hauschka gave the Seahawks a 10-7 halftime lead with a 19-yard field goal on the final play of the half and also produced three touchbacks on his four kickoffs. Heath Farwell had a pair of big hits for tackles covering kicks. But let’s go with Leon Washington’s 25-yard punt return to the Rams’ 40 in the second quarter because it set the table for the Jackson-to-Rice TD pass.
“The special teams’ effort was excellent today,” Carroll said.
INJURY REPORT
As Carroll put it, the Seahawks came out of the game “fairly clean.”
WORTH NOTING
Lynch scored a touchdown in his sixth consecutive game, the fourth-longest streak in franchise history behind Shaun Alexander, nine in 2005; David Sims, eight in 1978; and Chris Warren, seven in 1993-94.
Jackson spread his 14 completions among nine receivers – including three each to Rice and Doug Baldwin.
The Seahawks have won back-to-back games for the first time since Weeks 6-7 last season. They’ll try to make it three in a row next week against the Redskins at CenturyLink Field. Their last three-game winning streak was in 2007, when they won five consecutive games in Weeks 10-14.
Lynch finished with 88 yards, just missing his third consecutive 100-yard effort – which would have tied him for the second-longest streak in franchise history with Shaun Alexander (2004 and 2005). Alexander holds the record with four in a row, also in 2005.
The Seahawks had a season-high five sacks. With his trio of sacks, Clemons now has eight.
In addition to the sacks, the Seahawks hit Bradford seven other times and broke up seven of his passes – their second-highest totals of the season in each category.
Rookie cornerback Richard Sherman and Clemons each had five tackles to lead the team. They became the fifth and sixth players this season to do it, joining linebackers Leroy Hill (3 times) and David Hawthorne (3), free safety Earl Thomas (3) and strong safety Kam Chancellor (2).
The Seahawks had substantial edges in total yards (289-185), rushing yards (126-42) and time of possession (35:00-25:00). The 185 yards allowed was their season low.
The Seahawks had 13 penalties for 100 yards, tying their season highs from last week’s game against the Ravens. But they won each game.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I feel like we brought our big-boy pads today.” – Bryant on the defense limiting the Rams’ Steven Jackson to 42 yards on 15 carries after he had 100-plus yards in each of his past three games
Cyber surfing: Wednesday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today. Oct. 26:
Mike Sando of ESPN.com has his weekly “risers and fallers” in the NFC West, and middle linebacker David Hawthorne checks in at No. 1 among the “risers.” Says Sando: “Eleven tackles, one sack and one interception constituted a rebirth for Hawthorne, who seemed to play more freely than at any point this season. I was tempted to list teammate Red Bryant in this spot after Bryant blocked two field goal attempts and provided strong run defense, but Bryant was already regarded as one of the most important players on the team. His stock was already high, in other words. Also, the penalty against Bryant for head-butting Browns tight end Alex Smith killed whatever fleeting hopes the Seahawks had for a last-minute comeback victory.”
Sando also has five observations from the Browns game, including: “Seattle’s wide receivers had not dropped a single pass heading into this game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Ben Obomanu and Doug Baldwin dropped passes Sunday. Throw in (tight end Anthony) McCoy’s two drops and Seattle suffered four in this game, one more than in the previous five games combined. Whitehurst targeted wide receivers 15 times, completing only four through a combination of errant throws and drops. Seattle had been much better in the passing game recently and I suspect they will be much better in the future. This was an unusually horrible game on that front.”
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at the Seahawks offense against the Browns, or the lack of it. Offers O’Neil: “The Seahawks were starting over, so to speak, going back to the beginning of this season when it was hard to know what — if anything — this offense could rely upon. The Seahawks scored a total of 37 points in the first 14 quarters and were considered among the worst offenses in the NFL. The no-huddle offense had been Seattle’s salve for the previous game and a half. Seattle scored 57 points in the previous six quarters entering Sunday’s game while using a no-huddle, hurry-up offense almost exclusively. All the progress and promise of the past game and a half disappeared on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland when the Seahawks managed 137 yards of total offense, its second-lowest total in a game in the past 10 years.”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune also examines the Seahawks never finding their offensive rhythm against the Browns. Says Williams: “The Seahawks have to put this one behind them and quickly figure out how to establish some offensive rhythm with Cincinnati coming to town Sunday. The Bengals are a surprising 4-2 and have the No. 2-ranked defense in the league.”
Dave Wyman, writing on the mynorthwest.com blog at 710 ESPN, says not to overreact to Charlie Whitehurst’s performance against the Browns. Offers the former Seahawks linebacker: “Whitehurst certainly did not play well – I think we can all agree on that. But now some are asking for third-string quarterback Josh Portis. That’s Josh Portis, undrafted rookie free agent from Division II California University in Pennsylvania. I always say that the most popular player on any NFL team is the backup quarterback. But it’s a never ending cycle when you jump on that bandwagon. Makes me wonder how many quarterbacks there would have to be on the team before people stopped asking to ‘get the next guy in there.’ “
Here at Seahawks.com, we got the weekly behind-the-scenes look at Sunday’s game with Ben Malcolmson’s “From the Sidelines” and Rod Mar’s photo blog.
We also examine the disparity in the Seahawks’ past two performances; take look at this week’s opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals; and recap the day in Tuesday in Hawkville. If that’s not enough, there’s also Shelly Son’s touching story about Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Tony Ventrella’s video report from Marcus Trufant’s Bowling and Billiards Classic.
Mike Pereira at FoxSports.com takes a look at the controversial block-in-the-back call that cost the Seahawks what would have been Leon Washington’s 81-yard punt return for game-winning touchdown against the Browns. He has a bigger problem with Fox analyst, and former Seahawks coach, Jim Mora calling it a “phantom call” than the call itself. Says Pereira: “The other thing that makes it difficult is the fact you’re officiating on ground level and often looking through bodies. It’s so much easier when we see the game from television cameras at a higher vantage point. On this play, you could see contact between Cleveland’s James Dockery and Cox, but Dockery was falling down, which made it appear like it was a block in the back. Maybe I’ll buy my buddy Mora a dictionary so he can look up the word ‘phantom.’ Like I said, this wasn’t a ‘phantom call.’ “
Photoblog: Mistakes by the Lake
The Seahawks came off their bye week looking for a second straight road win, this time visiting the Cleveland Browns.
Seahawks players relax in the lobby of the team hotel in-between meetings on Saturday in Cleveland.
The team took charter buses to Case Western Reserve University for their Saturday walk-thru on a field located between picturesque campus dormitories.
On Sunday, defensive lineman Alan Branch was on the field hours before kickoff, playing a little air guitar before taking on the Browns in the city that houses the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Deon Butler signed autographs for members of the 12th MAN who attended the road game.
Starting running back Marshawn Lynch took the field for pregame warmups before back issues prevented him from playing.
Red Bryant, the heart and soul of the Seahawks defense, fired up his teammates on the field during pregame.
Newly signed free-agent Heath Farwell heads out of the tunnel with the team during pregame introductions.
Seattle quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had a tough day and was sacked three times including this nine-yard loss in the game's opening drive.
Whitehurst was hit from behind and lost the ball on a fumble on this second quarter play.
Seattle's defense pressured Cleveland's offense all afternoon, and Red Bryant put a hard knock on Colt McCoy during the first half.
Colt McCoy is sacked by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, who was flagged for a personal foul on the play.
Head referee Mike Carey announces the penalty against Chancellor as Seattle's Chris Clemons seeks an explanation.
Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman upends Cleveland tight end Evan Moore.
Kam Chancellor and Leroy Hill celebrate a stop on third down during the second quarter.
Seattle's Chris Clemons continued his fine play with two quarterback sacks of Cleveland's Colt McCoy.
Seahawks medical staff attends to cornerback Walter Thurmond, who suffered a season-ending leg injury.
The Seahawks defense stood stout and David Hawthorne intercepted a McCoy pass deep in Seattle territory.
Leon Washington broke free on a punt return for an apparent touchdown that would have given the Seahawks the lead, but officals flagged Kennard Cox for an illegal block on the play.
Sidney Rice looks for the end zone on Seattle's lone excursion into Cleveland's red zone. The Seahawks were forced to settle for a field goal.
Red Bryant (79) blocked two field goals on the afternoon, including this key block in the fourth quarter.
Red Bryant celebrates with teammates Raheem Brock, David Vobora, and Sidney Rice after blocking the field goal.
Wide receiver Mike Williams fights but can't reach a ball thrown to him in double coverage on Seattle's final drive.
Offensive tackle Russell Okung leaves the sideline at the end of the 6-3 loss.
Head coach Pete Carroll walked through the locker room and spoke to each player after the game.
Cyber surfing: Monday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Oct. 24:
Also at the Times, Danny O’Neil writes that it was stunning that the 6-3 game remained that close with the way the Seahawks offense played. Offers O’Neil: “That Seattle had a chance was amazing considering just how poorly its offense played — which was skid-row, searching-for-loose-change poor. The Seahawks defense allowed just six points despite being on the field for almost 43 minutes, defensive lineman Red Bryant blocked two Cleveland field-goal attempts, and the Browns never got the ball inside the Seattle 30 until the final five minutes of the game.”
Also from O’Neil, a closer look at Bryant’s big day. Says O’Neil: “Bryant is at the heart of that defense, the biggest player on a rough-and-tumble front that is allowing 3.2 yards per carry, fewest of any defense in the league. He had three solo tackles against the Browns, hit McCoy twice and shared a sack. He also became the first Seahawk ever to block two field-goal attempts.”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune looks the Seahawks’ offensive woes with four starters on the sideline against the Browns. Says Williams: “The Seattle Seahawks let a winnable game slip away in a gut-wrenching 6-3 loss to Cleveland at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday. The two teams combined for the fewest points in a game involving the Seahawks in team history.”
Williams also looks at Bryant’s contrasting afternoon, offering: “He’s one of the inspirational leaders of the defense and sets the tone for Seattle’s stingy defensive line. But on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, burly defensive end Red Bryant made his presence known in a different capacity. On special teams. The 6-foot-4, 323-pounder blocked Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson’s attempts from 48 and 24 yards, the last one giving Seattle one last chance in the fourth quarter to win the game.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at all the things in the loss to the Browns that will haunt the Seahawks. As Whitehurst put it: “It’s extremely disappointing. In the end, we lost a game that was there to take.”
We’ve also got a recap, with Bryant as the “Player of the Game,” as well as Tony Ventrella’s video review and Rod Mar’s photo blog.
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has a wrap-up of the Seahawks’ loss. He’s what he liked: “Red Bryant blocked two field goal attempts. Leon Washington provided an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown, negated only by a questionable penalty for an illegal block in the back. The plays from Bryant and Washington were precisely what Seattle needed to stay competitive despite the horrible showing on offense. Strong safety Kam Chancellor continued to add a physical presence in the secondary, blitzing effectively and making players pay for carrying the ball downfield. He lifted Montario Hardesty off the ground and planted him on his back late in the game as Seattle held the Browns to a field goal attempt. Linebacker David Hawthorne played his best game of the season, making big hits and collecting an interception in the red zone. Defensive end Chris Clemons was disruptive, pressuring Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and roughing him up.”
For a look at what happened around the league in Week 7, there’s John Clayton’s “Last Call” at ESPN.com; Pete King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com; and Clark Judge’s “Judgements” at CBSSports.com.
Game at a glance
CLEVELAND – A recap of the Seahawks’ 6-3 loss to the Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday:
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Red Bryant. The performance of the Seahawks’ 323-pound defensive end ran the gamut – physically and emotionally. Bryant set a club record by blocking not one, but two field goals – the first of his four-year career. He split a sack with nickel back Kennard Cox and hit Browns QB Colt McCoy two other times. He deflected a pass. He had four tackles and was a disruptive and relentless presence that set up many others for his teammates.
Bryant also was ejected late in the fourth quarter after head-butting Browns tight end Alex Smith.
In the locker room, Bryant shared the credit for his blocks with teammates, and also shouldered full responsibility for the personal foul that was so out of character.
Bryant on the blocks: “ ‘Heater’ (David Hawthorne) did a great job of pushing. Raheem (Brock) did a great job hitting the tackle. (Anthony) Hargrove did a great job of getting up on his guy. Everybody did a great job. They made it possible for me to slide through there.”
His teammates must have done all that, and more, because a 6-foot-4, 323-pound man does not “slide” through a crack. It takes something closer to a crevasse.
Bryant on his ejection, which gave the Browns a first down on a third-and-7 play: “I lost my composure. I push a guy and get kicked out of the game. You never know what’s going to happen if we give the ball back to our offense. It was just a dumb move on my part. I take full responsibility for it.”
Bryant also got in one last shot at Smith, offering, “He was talking (trash) the whole game. He was taking cheap shots at me. That’s what guys do when they can’t block you. He did a great job of getting in my head. I should play smarter than that.”
PLAYS OF THE GAME
Special teams: Phil Dawson’s 53-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. It provided the margin of victory. It also was his second 50-plus kick of the game, as the Browns’ veteran kicker hit a 52-yarder in the second quarter. It was the first time in his career that Dawson had two 50-yarders in a game.
Offense: Sidney Rice’s contorted catch of a 38-yard pass from Charlie Whitehurst in the third quarter. Not for what it was – which was the longest offensive play of the game, by 19 yards; but for what it could have been – a touchdown. Rice was wide open along the sideline, but had to stop, retreat and twist his torso to make the catch. His momentum carried him out bounds at the Browns’ 9-yard line, rather than into the end zone.
“I was right there on the sideline waiting on it,” Rice said. “I caught it and turned and tried to scoot up for a couple more yards, as much as I could get.”
Defense: Free safety Earl Thomas’ flying deflection of a deep pass from McCoy to Greg Little near the Seahawks’ goal line in the second quarter. Again, not so much for what it did in the moment, but the bigger picture. Cornerback Walter Thurmond, who was covering Little on the play broke his fibula and will miss the rest of the season. It’s significant, squared, because Thurmond was starting on the left side after Marcus Trufant was placed on injured reserve last Monday with a disc problem in his back. With Thurmond out, rookie Richard Sherman took over.
One that wasn’t: Leon Washington’s 81-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. The Seahawks’ return specialist did run from the Seahawks’ 19-yard line into the end zone, but the score was nullified because Cox was penalized for a push in the back. So Washington got credit for a 36-yard return on a play the Seahawks desperately needed – one that would have given them the victory.
“I looked back and I saw the flag, I should have felt a little better than that,” Washington said in the hallway outside the Seahawks’ locker room. “You get opportunities like that to help your team win a football game, you’re disappointed. … I haven’t seen the (play) yet. I’ll be interested to see it, to see what happened on the play.”
INJURY REPORT
In addition to the loss of Thurmond, the Seahawks played without Marshawn Lynch after the team’s leading rusher got back spasms during pre-game warm-ups.
The Seahawks also played without quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral), center Max Unger (foot) and tight the Zach Miller (neck/head).
Strong safety Kam Chancellor injured a knee, but returned and made a lift-and-slam tackle of Browns’ running back Montario Hardesty late in the fourth quarter.
WORTH NOTING
Speaking of Chancellor, he had a sack among his eight tackles and also broke up a pass.
Hawthorne had a game-high 11 tackles, including a sack, and also intercepted a pass. He now has 40 tackles to regain the lead in his quest be the team’s leading tackler for the third consecutive season.
Defensive end Chris Clemons had two sacks, upping his team-leading total to six.
The Browns had huge edges in time of possession (42:56 to 17:04), third-down conversions (12 of 24 to 2 of 12), total plays (84 to 50) and total yards (298 to 137).
Whitehurst’s passer rating in his first start of the season was 35.0. He was 12 of 30 for 97 yards and threw an interception.
Doug Baldwin did not catch a pass, but continues to lead the team in receptions (20) and receiving yards (330).
Jon Ryan averaged 50.1 yards on seven punts, with a net average of 42.4 and a long of 67 yards.
Washington was the team’s leading rusher (39 yards) and receiver (four catches).
YOU DON’T SAY
“We lost, so we’re going to take it hard. Yeah, (the defense) played, but we feel like we can bring even more. You’ve got to give the Browns some credit, but I’m proud of my guys, too.” – Bryant
