Monday cyber surfing: A trio of Bowls
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Jan. 30, and was over the weekend:
Brandon Marshall stole the Pro Bowl show on Sunday with four touchdown receptions, and the Associated Press has the details: “He was selected the game’s MVP, and his name now will join the likes of Walter Payton and Jerry Rice on the MVP banners at Aloha Stadium. ‘You know what? I wanted it,’ he said. ‘It’s a Pro Bowl. Some guys are playing 100 (percent), some guys are playing 90, some guys aren’t playing at all, but it means a lot to be up in the rafters with some of these guys.’ ”
Here at Seahawks.com, we take a closer look at the contributions of the five Seahawks who played in the game: “In a game that featured 100 points and 1,162 total yards, Marshawn Lynch managed to run for 43 yards in the NFC’s 59-41 loss to the AFC in the Pro Bowl at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium on Sunday.”
Michael Robinson’s Pro Bowl week included a trip to Happy Valley, where the ex-Nittany Lions quarterback spoke at the memorial service for former Penn State coach Joe Paterno, and the Associated Press caught up with the Seahawks’ fullback after practice on Saturday: “Robinson arrived in the islands Tuesday only to fly out after the next day’s Pro Bowl practice to speak at the memorial services of his college coach, Joe Paterno. He then returned to Honolulu on Friday night on Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight’s jet. ‘Besides my religion and my mom, coach Paterno is the reason I’m here,’ Robinson said after practice Saturday.
Bucky Brooks at NFL.com has his second mock draft, and has the Seahawks selecting North Carolina’s Zach Brown: “This pick certainly stands out as a surprise, considering Boston College’s Luke Kuechly is a more accomplished player, but Brown’s speed and athleticism drew rave reviews at the Senior Bowl. He would upgrade the explosiveness of the Seahawks’ linebacker corps.”
Speaking of the Senior Bowl, Tom Pauline at SI.com has his risers and sliders from Saturday’s all-star game, including Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu: “If scouts were hoping to be wowed by Ta’amu, all they need to do is watch the Senior Bowl game film. The big defensive tackle was dominant every time he lined up and was a constant nuisance for opponents. He collapsed the pocket on several occasions, overpowering opponents to make plays behind the line of scrimmage or force the action. His quarterback pressure at the end of the first half ended what looked to be a potential scoring drive for the South. In the second half the South was forced to double team Ta’amu in the attempt to slow him down.”
Actually, the Senior Bowl is all about the practices, which is why most NFL coaches leave well before the game. So Rob Rang at NFLDraftScout.com, via CBSSports.com, has his all-practice team, including high praise for North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples: “Unquestionably the most talented player in the game. Has been unblockable, at times.”
And Alex Marvez at FoxSports.com takes a pre-game look at two quarterbacks who have something to overcome – their height, or lack of it: “It’s easy to see why Boise State’s Kellen Moore and Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson might not make it in the NFL. They’re short. Most teams won’t consider drafting or even signing a quarterback under six feet tall. Moore was officially measured at 5-foot-11¾ inches earlier this week at the Senior Bowl. Wilson stood 5-foot-10 5/8 inches. ‘We walk around a lot together to make it look like football is played at that height,’ Moore said with a smile.”
As for that game that’s this week, Peter King is in Indianapolis and has his “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com to kickoff the Super Bowl coverage: “First, a word about how both teams are going to spin this as a totally different game than the one four years ago, with each team having so many new players and each team in a totally different place. Yes, one word: bunk.”
NFC, Seahawks come up short in 2012 Pro Bowl
In a game that featured 100 points and 1,162 total yards, Marshawn Lynch managed to run for 43 yards in the NFC’s 59-41 loss to the AFC in the Pro Bowl at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium on Sunday.
It was the second Pro Bowl appearance for the Seahawks’ leading rusher, but Lynch’s first for the NFC as his previous trip was in 2008 while playing for the AFC’s Buffalo Bills. Lynch averaged 5.4 yards on his eight carries on Sunday, all in the second half.
The Seahawks also had four players making their first Pro Bowl appearances: cornerback Brandon Browner, who was credited with three tackles; strong safety Kam Chancellor, who was credited with one; and free safety Earl Thomas and fullback Michael Robinson, who started for the NFC.
Thomas was voted to the team in balloting by players and coaches in the NFC, as well as fans, while Lynch, Browner, Chancellor and Robinson were added as injury or illness replacements.
The MVP award went to Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had four touchdown catches and caught six passes for 177 yards.
Thomas was involved in one of Marshall’s TD catches, as the second-year free safety appeared to be in position to intercept the pass. Instead, Thomas collided with another NFC defensive back, and Marshall was able to kick the ball with his leg and catch the carom for the score.
Thursday cyber surfing: Lynch upstaged
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Jan. 26:
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times checks in from the red carpet at last night’s Sports Star of the Year banquet: “The incredible still occurs, and some of it happened last year. Marshawn Lynch’s 67-yard touchdown run in the Seahawks’ playoff victory over the Saints was one such moment. So was Sounders FC winning a third consecutive U.S. Open Cup. Yet both of those moments were topped by Eastern Washington winning a national football title as the sports story of the year.”
Bob Condotta at the Times has the list of winners.
Here at Seahawks.com, via SoundersFC.com, we take a look at Gary Wright, who was named Executive of the Year at the event: “Gary Wright’s office at Virginia Mason Athletic Center could be mistaken for a combined Sounders FC/Seahawks mini museum. It is filled with mementos from the 32 seasons he spent with the NFL team, features memorabilia from his three years as senior vice president of business operations for the MLS club and includes souvenirs from his love affair with the game they call soccer in the United States. But two items among the photos, jerseys, plaques and other tributes – aside from the pictures of his five grandchildren in their kit – mean the most to Wright: The Sounders FC Brand Wheel, which is framed and on the wall behind his desk; and a “full” team photo of the club, which includes all the employees as well as the players, that dominates another wall. These two objects also explain how Wright is approaching being named Executive of the Year at 77th annual Sports Star of the Year banquet on Wednesday night at Benaroya Hall.”
Dave Boling at the News Tribune weighs in on the Seahawks having five participants in Sunday’s Pro Bowl – Earl Thomas, Michael Robinson, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner and Marshawn Lynch: “They’re all young (average age 25), they were all acquired during the two-year reign of Pete Carroll/John Schneider, and all but one has represented a bit of a reach in some respects. What it says, then, is that these managers are willing to take a few chances, and they seem effective at targeting talent when they do.”
The Seahawks’ contingent has left Mobile, but preparations continue for Saturday’s Senior Bowl. Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com, via CBSSports.com, says Boise State pass-rusher Shea McClellin is using the week to emerge from the shadows of more heralded teammates: “ ‘Don’t write too much about the guy,’ one high-ranking scout said following practice Wednesday.‘We’ve been on him all year long and don’t want others jumping on him now.’ Sorry, but it is unfathomable that McClellin’s play this week was unnoticed by the rest of the league. Listed by the Broncos at 6-3, 255 pounds, McClellin was moved around a great deal but saw the majority of his snaps at defensive end, where he’s currently rated by NFLDraftScout.com as a fourth-round value. McClellin accepted the invitation to the Senior Bowl, anticipating he would remain at the position but perhaps see some time at linebacker. Instead, he has worked almost exclusively at linebacker, taking virtually every snap Wednesday on the weak side and proving his versatility and draft grade are perhaps significantly underrated.”
Rang also looks at a trio of players who have forced him to reevaluate his assessments, including Boise State’s George Iloka: “At nearly 6-4 and 222 pounds, Iloka looks more like a potential linebacker than a free safety, but his athleticism and instincts have been on display all week long. He intercepted a pass during Tuesday’s practice, making an impressive diving pick-off of Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins in front of Massachusetts’ H-back Emil Igwenagu. Iloka is not surprisingly a bit high in his back pedal but he showed surprising agility and burst when asked to drop down and cover receivers when the offense switched to a three receiver set. In a relatively weak year for safeties (outside of Alabama’s Mark Barron), Iloka’s size, athleticism and experience (40 consecutive starts) stand out.”
Simon Samano at NFL.com takes a look at Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, who might be short in stature but is long on intangibles: “In 2011, his only season with the Badgers after transferring from North Carolina State, Wilson led Wisconsin to an 11-3 record, including a heartbreaking defeat to Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Wilson finished with a career-high 33 touchdown passes to just four interceptions and dramatically improved his accuracy with a 72.8 completion percentage. Those numbers speak volumes, but what makes Wilson “intriguing,” as NFL network draft guru Mike Mayock says, are his intangibles. Mayock has even gone so far as to compare Wilson to Doug Flutie.”
Seahawks remember Joe
Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson and wide receiver Deon Butler are in Happy Valley, where former Penn State coach Joe Paterno is being remembered following his death on Sunday.
Robinson and Butler played for Paterno, and the Nittany Lions, and have said repeatedly what an impact their time at Penn State and with Paterno meant to their careers and lives. Former Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram also played for Paterno at Penn State.
And Robinson and Engram were included in the memories shared Tuesday by Paterno’s son, Jay.
“There’s Slot Left 62Z Post, Bobby Engram’s touchdown against Michigan, we won the game in ’94 out there,” Jay Paterno said.
“There’s a touchdown, Mike Robinson to Derrick Williams, Northwestern in ’05,” he added.
Ivan Maisel at ESPN.com was at the ceremony in University Park, Pa., and provides additional details here.
Friday cyber surfing: A Pro Bowl quintet?
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Jan. 20:
The big news yesterday was Michael Robinson being added to the NFC Pro Bowl team, joining Earl Thomas. But Mike Sando at ESPN.com points out that three more Seahawks also could be headed to Hawaii if the 49ers win the NFC Championship Game on Sunday: “We should expect (Marshawn) Lynch to join Robinson on the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster if the 49ers advance to the Super Bowl. … A 49ers victory Sunday would also send Seattle cornerback Brandon Browner and strong safety Kam Chancellor to the Pro Bowl as alternates. Browner would replace the 49ers’ Carlos Rogers. Chancellor would replace the 49ers’ Dashon Goldson.
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times has the word on Robinson replacing an injured John Kuhn in the Pro Bowl: “Robinson has played two seasons with the Seahawks, signing after the 49ers released him before the 2010 season. He was one of five Seahawks named a Pro Bowl alternate, a list that includes cornerback Brandon Browner, strong safety Kam Chancellor, running back Marshawn Lynch and punter Jon Ryan.”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald gets into what makes Robinson a Pro Bowl-caliber player, through the eyes of Lynch: “ ‘We built the identity of the team through a fullback,’ he said. ‘That just goes to everything he does and brings to the team as far as his run blocking and his leadership in the huddle.’ “
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at how Robinson’s Pro Bowl trip is just the latest achievement in his breakthrough season: “Prior to the season, he was voted a special teams co-captain. After the team struggled to a 2-6 start, Robinson helped shove the running game into a much more productive gear, as the Seahawks averaged 134.9 yards in the final nine games compared to 77.7 in the first seven. Individually, Robinson scored the first receiving touchdown of his career, returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, finished tied for third with 10 coverage tackles on special teams and forced a fumble that set up a touchdown. But mostly, Robinson helped Lynch do his Beast Mode thing by throwing his 6-foot-1, 223-pound body into much larger linebackers – including the Ravens’ Ray Lewis, the 49ers’ Patrick Willis, the Redskins’ London Fletcher and the Bears’ Brian Urlacher. ‘He doesn’t have this on his jersey for no reason,’ Lynch said, pointing to the captain’s patch on Robinson’s jersey.”
Speaking of Lynch, you can vote here for his TD run that ended in a shower of Skittles as NFL play of the year.
The Associated Press, via NFL.com, says former Seahawks executive Tim Ruskell has been interviewed for the Bears’ general manager position: “The Bears are looking to replace Jerry Angelo, who was fired after the Bears finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. Ruskell served as the Seahawks’ general manager from 2005 to 2009 before being hired by Chicago in April 2010.”
For a look at Sunday’s conference championship games, there’s Clark Judge’s “Peek at the Week” at CBSSports.com; and John Clayton’s “First and Goal” at ESPN.com.
Monday in Hawkville
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Jan. 2:
FOCUS ON
The not-so-long goodbye. The players cleaned out their cubicles in the locker room today, always a sweet-and-sour experience, after completing their exit physicals and before a final team meeting.
“We’re going to be going our separate ways,” quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said, less than 24 hours after their season ended with a 23-20 overtime loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. “A lot of guys are going to be tuning into the playoffs and wishing that we were in there and had that opportunity. But time will fly by.
“Guys are going to get with their families and enjoy that time and before you know it in April we’ll be back here and ready to get started.”
April? That’s right. As part of the new CBA which came out of the 136-day lockout that erased the offseason in 2011, the offseason workout program and OTA sessions that usually began in March will be delayed this offseason.
So this was a last chance for the players to be with their teammates as a team for awhile. Some players made the rounds getting teammates to autograph helmets. Other exchanged jerseys. All filled large boxes with their belongings.
“This team took a turn this year from last year,” fullback Michael Robinson said. “It went from the coaches pretty much directing us, to this year we kind of took ownership of the team. It became our team, and that’s what you like to see at this level.
“Nothing else can motivate you more than your peers.”
Among the items Robinson tucked into his storage box was a tool belt that was presented to him by his running backs peers – Marshawn Lynch, Leon Washington and Justin Forsett.
“It signifies that I come to work and I can fix a lot of problems,” said Robinson, the lead blocker for Lynch’s career-best 1,204-yard season and also a special teams captain this season. “That’s going to be in my locker forever now.”
GOAL-KEEPER
Jon Ryan broke his own franchise records for punting average (46.6) and net average (39.3), but he also reached a personal goal: Leading the league in punts inside the 20-yard line.
“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do, because it’s such an important stat,” Ryan said.
He had 34, to nudge the Broncos’ Britton Colquitt by one. And that one came in overtime during Sunday’s loss. Ryan’s total also ties the franchise record that was set by Jeff Feagles in 1999.
MOVING ON
Jeff Ulbrich, the Seahawks’ assistant special teams coach the past two seasons, is leaving to become special teams coach/linebacker coach on Jim Mora’s staff at UCLA. Luke Butkus, a quality control/offensive line coach the past two years, will become the offensive line coach at Illinois, his alma mater.
GIDDY-UP
The Seahawks will host the Cowboys in 2012, because they finished third in the NFC East. It had been reported that the Eagles would return to CenturyLink Field, but they finished second in their division based on a tiebreaker with the Cowboys.
The rest of the Seahawks home-and-away lineup is available here.
STAT DU JOUR
They did it. The defense finished No. 9 in the NFL, allowing an average of 332.2 yards. The Seahawks’ defense had finished among the Top 10 in the league only five other times in franchise history, and the last time was in 1997. Here’s a look at those defenses compared to this season’s unit:
Year Rank; average yards allowed
2011 No. 9; 332.2
1997 No. 8; 303.1
1992 No. 10; 286.4
1991 No. 8; 293.9
1990 No. 9; 288.1
1984 No. 6; 310.2
UP NEXT
Coach Pete Carroll will hold his season-ending news conference on Tuesday.
YOU DON’T SAY
“More games.” – Robinson when asked what was missing at this point
Cyber surfing: Thursday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Dec. 29:
Mike Sando at ESPN.com looks at the mold-breaking strong safeties in Sunday’s season finale – the Seahawks’ Kam Chancellor and the Cardinals’ Adrian Wilson: “(They) tower over the other strong safeties in the NFC this season. That is true not only in their accomplishments – Wilson is a Pro Bowl starter, Chancellor a first alternate – but in their physical dimensions. They are the biggest starting strong safeties in the NFL at a time when the prevailing NFL trends have led teams in another direction at the position. Wilson stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 230 pounds. Chancellor goes 6-3 and 232. The other 30 starting strong safeties average 6 feet and 207 pounds.”
Sando also has a look at the injury situations that matter for both teams. First, the Seahawks: “The Seahawks, like the Rams, have a long list of players on injured reserve. Unlike the Rams, their 53 active players are relatively healthy, and they have developed young depth throughout the roster. Linebacker David Hawthorne and receiver Ben Obomanu missed practice Wednesday. Both have knee injuries. Depth at receiver is a concern for the Seahawks now that Sidney Rice and Mike Williams are on injured reserve. The team expects to have Obomanu against Arizona on Sunday.” But also the Cardinals: “It’s looking like John Skelton will remain the Cardinals’ starting quarterback while Kevin Kolb continues to work through concussion-related symptoms. Kolb is practicing on a limited basis. Skelton was the player Cardinals officials made available to Seattle reporters on a conference call Wednesday. Patrick Peterson’s injured Achilles’ tendon will not require surgery, but his availability for Sunday remains in question. Peterson, right tackle Brandon Keith and free safety Kerry Rhodes missed practice Wednesday. Playing without Peterson on Sunday would affect the Cardinals significantly in the return game and on defense. Running back Beanie Wells was limited. His knee injury remains a factor. Wells has not exceeded 15 carries in any of the Cardinals’ past three games. He has had no runs longer than 9 yards in the four games since setting a franchise record with 228 yards against St. Louis.”
Joshua Mayers at the Seattle Times looks at Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Shaun Alexander in 2005: “ ‘I feel I became a pro this year,’ said Lynch.”
Also at the Times, Danny O’Neil checks in with Brandon Browner, who has gone from CFL cornerback to Pro Bowl alternate in his first season with the Seahawks: “ ‘I kept my room TV on the NFL Network,’ he said. ‘Throughout the whole time I was in the CFL. It never left the NFL Network unless I was playing a video game. That was a must-have.’ That long-distance relationship is what makes this season, and Browner’s selection as a Pro Bowl alternate, one of the most unlikely, endearing stories not just on the Seahawks, but in the entire league. ‘Brandon just comes out of nowhere,’ coach Pete Carroll said.
Eric Williams at the News Tribune says the selection of Earl Thomas to the Pro Bowl and the first alternate status of Browner and strong safety Kam Chancellor indicates the secondary should be an area of strength for seasons to come: “Seattle defensive backs coach Kris Richard sensed this group was special during training camp. ‘I’m very humbled by the acknowledgement,’ Richard said. ‘And it’s a testament to the guys’ hard work and their dedication. And it’s been emphasized from Day 1. They set high standards for themselves, and have competed well to live up to or surpass those standards.’ ”
Also at the News Tribune, Dave Boling says Thomas earned his Pro Bowl berth: “Many players in the NFL say they aspire to greatness. Far fewer are willing to put in the work it takes to earn it. Earl Thomas is one of those. And this week it was recognized when Thomas was voted the Seahawks’ first Pro Bowl starter since 2008. ‘We always know what we’re going to get out of Earl,’ defensive end Red Bryant said. ‘He’s the hardest worker. He studies hard. He’s all about his teammates and he’s all about business.’ ”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald looks at how the depth on the injury-depleted offensive line has helped the second-half surge in the running game: “As seems to be the case every year with the Seahawks, offensive line injuries have piled up this season, but unlike the past couple of seasons when injuries have caused the offense to go stagnant, the Seahawks have managed to show continuous growth even as starters go down with season-ending injuries.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at how Earl Thomas, a Pro Bowl starter, and cornerback Brandon Browner and strong safety Kam Chancellor, first alternates, shared their recognition with their teammates on the Seahawks’ ninth-ranked defense: “Said Thomas, ‘As a whole, we’ve been playing great together. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those guys. You’ve got guys that deserve to be here – guys like ‘Big Red’ (defensive end Red Bryant); ‘Clem’ (defensive end Chris Clemons); Kam has been playing great; both our corners (Browner and rookie Richard Sherman). I could name the whole defense. It’s just great when you have that kind of chemistry back there and everybody knows each other.’ ”
We’ve also got a look at Michael Robinson’s real role in “Wednesday in Hawkville”: “In official Pro Bowl parlance, the Seahawks’ lead-blocker is listed as the first alternate at fullback to the NFC squad that was announced Tuesday. But Tom Cable has a different take on the situation. ‘I have a running joke, I think the fullback is just a pseudo guard,’ Cable, the team’s assistant head coach/offensive line coach said today after practice. ‘I think he has to buy in like they do up front (on the line) about where he fits. You can’t fit in the middle; you’ve got to fit on the outside half. Or you’ve got to fit in the middle on this. Or whatever it is, to where you fit. So you’re just like a lineman to me. You have to be in the right place at the right time. Mike has been exceptional at growing that way.’ ” And there’s also Tony Ventrella’s video recap.
Peter King at SI.com gives a thumbs-up to Thomas’ selection to the Pro Bowl in this video report. And Doug Farrar at YahooSports.com looks at hidden Pro Bowl players on defense, including the Seahawks’ Chris Clemons, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor; and on offense, including Marshawn Lynch, Michael Robinson and Doug Baldwin.
Wednesday in Hawkville
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Dec. 28:
FOCUS ON
Michael Robinson. In official Pro Bowl parlance, the Seahawks’ lead-blocker is listed as the first alternate at fullback to the NFC squad that was announced Tuesday. But Tom Cable has a different take on the situation.
“I have a running joke, I think the fullback is just a pseudo guard,” Cable, the team’s assistant head coach/offensive line coach said today after practice. “I think he has to buy in like they do up front (on the line) about where he fits.
“You can’t fit in the middle; you’ve got to fit on the outside half. Or you’ve got to fit in the middle on this. Or whatever it is, to where you fit. So you’re just like a lineman to me. You have to be in the right place at the right time. Mike has been exceptional at growing that way.”
Whatever Robinson is doing, it’s working. Heading into Sunday’s season finale against the Cardinals in Arizona, the Seahawks have rushed for 100-plus yards in seven of their past eight games – after doing it twice in their first seven games. Saturday, in a two-point loss to the 49ers, Marshawn Lynch became the first player this season to score a rushing touchdown against the NFC West Champions, as well as the first back to rush for 100-plus yards against San Francisco since 2009.
And Lynch is the first to point to Robinson for his thankless contributions for everything Lynch and the running game has been able to accomplish as the Seahawks have won five of their past seven games.
Not bad for a guy who played quarterback in college, and didn’t become a true lead-blocking fullback until he signed with the Seahawks last season.
“No. No. I didn’t think that,” Robinson said when asked if he ever envisioned himself being a Pro Bowl alternate at the position when he entered the NFL. “But it’s definitely an honor to know that people thought that much of me to vote for me to be an alternate.
“But again, the coaches did a great job putting me in advantageous situations and all I had to do was go play.”
At a Pro Bowl level.
“He’s not maybe the most physical guy at it, but he’s very intelligent and he’s just continued to grow like everybody else,” Cable said.
IN ’N OUT
Leading tackler David Hawthorne and starting split end Ben Obomanu sat out today’s 90-minute practice to rest sore knees. Obomanu tweaked his in the Christmas Eve game against the 49ers, while Hawthorne has been playing with a sore knee for much of the season.
With Hawthorne out, strongside ’backer K.J. Wright and Heath Farwell both worked at middle linebacker with the No. 1 defense.
Coach Pete Carroll said he thinks Obomanu will be able to play Sunday, but when asked about the receiving crew if the 6-foot-1 Obomanu can’t play, he said, “Well, it’s getting thin. And we’re getting younger.” Carroll then laughed as he added, “And we’re also getting shorter.”
That’s because 6-5 Mike Williams, 6-4 Sidney Rice and 6-6 Kris Durham are on injured reserve. So with Obomanu watching today, the wide receivers were Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Deon Butler, all 5-10; and 6-2 rookie Ricardo Lockette.
“Ricardo Lockette is towering over everyone right now,” Carroll cracked.
Here’s the official injury report:
Did not practice
MLB David Hawthorne (knee)
WR Ben Obomanu (knee)
Full participation
CB Kennard Cox (hamstring)
QB Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral)
DT Clinton McDonald (concussion)
LB Malcolm Smith (concussion)
Cox, McDonald and Smith were back after sitting out the game against the 49ers and not practicing last week.
For the Cardinals:
Did not practice
OT Brandon Keith (ankle)
CB Patrick Peterson (Achilles)
S Kerry Rhodes (ankle)
Limited participation
S Sean Considine (foot)
S Rashad Johnson (knee)
QB Kevin Kolb (head)
RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring)
RB Chris Wells (knee)
Full participation
CB Michael Adams (shoulder)
John Skelton is 5-2 as the starting QB in Kolb’s absence, but the concussed Kolb was the Cardinals’ big acquisition this season.
Asked about his QB situation during a conference-call interview today, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt put it this way, “We’ve been preparing (Kolb) to play with the idea that he was going to get better and be able to do it and then he would have a setback. So we’re kind of in that cycle right now. As he continues to progress, he won’t have those and then he’ll be able to play. So we’re working Kevin, and we’re working John. And we’re trying to see if Kevin can be ready or not.”
STAT DU JOUR
Despite allowing a touchdown and three fields in the second half of Saturday’s two-point loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks’ defense still ranks second in the league in touchdowns and points allowed in the second half this season. Here are the leaders in both categories:
Second-half defensive TDs allowed
Team No.
Browns 8
Seahawks 10
Lions 11
Ravens 12
Second-half defensive points allowed
Team No.
Browns 104
Seahawks 109
Steelers 110
Lions 114
Ravens 117
UP NEXT
The players will be back at it on their final Thursday of the regular season, with meetings, a walk-through and practice as they continue to prepare for Sunday’s season finale.
YOU DON’T SAY
“He’s just a guy that really is open even when he’s not open. He makes a quarterback’s life easier. He’s a big target out there. Even when he does get covered, it attracts a lot of attention and it opens things up for other guys. Being a young quarterback and having someone like that in your development really helps.” – Skelton on teammate Larry Fitzgerald, who has caught 93 passes for 1,222 yards and 10 touchdowns in 15 career games against the Seahawks
Tuesday in Hawkville
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Dec. 27:
FOCUS ON
Zach Miller. The Seahawks’ tight end went to the Pro Bowl last season while playing for the Oakland Raiders, in large part because he caught 60 passes and had 66 receptions the previous season.
Not this season, when the injury problems on the Seahawks’ line have called for Miller to use his skills as a blocker more than those as a receiver. Miller has 25 receptions heading into Sunday’s season finale against the Cardinals in Arizona, which ranks sixth on the team.
But don’t call his first season in Seattle a disappointment. Not in front of coach Pete Carroll.
“He’s had a real solid year for us,” Carroll said when asked about Miller not being as involving in the pass-catching aspect of the passing game. “He’s played really well. He’s consistently been there for us. He’s tough. He’s disciplined. You can count on him.
“We haven’t gotten the ball to him as many times, but I think just as we grow together – everything happened so darn fast at the beginning of this thing. The fact that he’s not caught 60 balls like he has in other years, that’s a different team, a different time and all that.”
With this team, at this time, Miller the pass-blocker has been needed more than Miller the pass-catcher. But that can change as the Seahawks move forward.
“I just think we’ll grow together,” Carroll said. “I’m not worried about it at all, and Zach is a heckuva player and he’s a big part of our team. He’s such a good dude, he doesn’t care. He’d like to help more, but he’s doing everything that we ask of him. He’s a real winner, so I’m not worried about that.”
THOMAS TO THE PRO BOWL
Free safety Earl Thomas is the starter on the NFC Pro Bowl team, which was announced today. He becomes the first Seahawk to be voted to the NFL all-star game since 2008.
The Seahawks also had five players get alternate status: cornerback Brandon Browner, strong safety Kam Chancellor and fullback Michael Robinson, who are first alternates; running back Marshawn Lynch, who is a second alternate; and punter Jon Ryan, who is a third alternate.
For more on the Pro Bowl selections, click here.
STAT DU JOUR
Chuck Knox and Mike Holmgren always said that with team success come individual honors, and the winningest coaches in franchise history were definitely right when it came to the Pro Bowl. The Seahawks’ two largest contingents to the NFL’s all-star game came in the seasons when they won 13, under Holmgren in 2005; and 12 games, under Knox in 1984. Here’s a look at the seasons the most Seahawks were voted to the Pro Bowl:
2005 (13-3 record, seven players): RB Shaun Alexander, QB Matt Hasselbeck, LG Steve Hutchinson, LT Walter Jones, FB Mack Strong, MLB Lofa Tatupu, C Robbie Tobeck.
1984 (12-4 record, seven players): CB Dave Brown, SS Kenny Easley, K Norm Johnson, QB Dave Krieg, WR Steve Largent, DT Joe Nash, ST Fredd Young.
2007 (10-6 record, six players): QB Matt Hasselbeck, LT Walter Jones, DE Patrick Kerney, LB Julian Peterson, MLB Lofa Tatupu, CB Marcus Trufant.
1986 (10-6 record, five players): KR Bobby Joe Edmonds, DE Jacob Green, WR Steve Largent, RB Curt Warner, LB Fredd Young.
1987 (9-6, five players): SS Kenny Easley, DE Jacob Green, WR Steve Largent, RB Curt Warner, LB Fredd Young.
UP NEXT
The players return from their “off” day to begin preparing for Sunday’s season finale against the Cardinals in Arizona with a walk-through, meetings and practice on Wednesday.
YOU DON’T SAY
“To know that Earl is a starter and that Brandon and Kam are both first alternates, that’s pretty darn good.” – Carroll on the Pro Bowl announcement
Cyber surfing: Wednesday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Dec. 21:
Eric Williams at the News Tribune looks at the Cable effect on the Seahawks’ improved running game in the second half of the season: “(Tom) Cable also played a major role in increasing Marshawn Lynch’s effectiveness. The former California running back was well aware of the success Cable-led offenses have had running the ball. During Cable’s five years working with offensive lines in Atlanta and Oakland, his offenses finished out of the top 10 in rushing only once. ‘Their whole life they’ve just been given the ball and then go do their thing,’ Cable said about his conversation with Lynch. ‘And we all joke about it – they’re extreme that way. But he was more than willing to say, ‘Teach me. I’ll do it the way you need it, and just don’t let me off the hook if I don’t do it right.’ So big props if you will to him, to have that kind of integrity, discipline and desire to want to be great at it.’ ”
Also at the News Tribune, Dave Boling looks at Saturday’s game against the 49ers and how it could be a prelude to many more pivotal matchups between young and improving teams: “Don’t let anybody kid you, this has turned into a rivalry between two young teams on the rise, coached by a pair of very competitive men. This is not just another game. ‘They have clinched (the division) this year, and there’s nothing we can do about that now because we dug ourselves a big hole at the beginning,’ said Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill. ‘Our playoff hopes are still alive, so we’ve still got a lot to play for. (And) beating these guys would let them know we’re definitely still here. That would be a big statement.’ ”
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times also looks at the heightened rivalry between the Seahawks and 49ers: “Saturday’s game at CenturyLink Field is a chance for the 7-7 Seahawks to not only show how far they’ve come since that game, but how far they can go. ‘For us to continue to take the steps we want to as an organization and as a team,’ fullback Michael Robinson said, ‘we’ve got to start winning games like this. We’ve come from hoping to win to now expecting to win. And if we expect to be the team that we all want to grow into, we have to win games like this game.’ “
John Boyle at the Everett Herald looks at the Seahawks’ receivers now that Mike Williams has joined Sidney Rice on injured reserve: “Ben Obomanu, who will step into the starting lineup along with Golden Tate, has started five games this year and was a starter for six games last season. Tate, who struggled to get on the field as a rookie, has shown considerable potential this season and has started three games since Rice’s season ended. Deon Butler, who is coming back from a broken leg that kept him out of the first nine games this season, started eight games last year. Throw rookie Doug Baldwin, Seattle’s surprise leading receiver, into the mix and the Seahawks still feel good about their receiver group.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com looks at Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown scoring streak as the Seahawks’ Skittles-back prepares to test the 49ers’ streak of not allowing a rushing touchdown this season: “Lynch owns the NFL’s highest touchdown percentage on 2011 rushing attempts inside opponents’ 3-yard lines (minimum five attempts), according to ESPN Stats & Information. 49ers fans know where this one is headed. Their team’s defense hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown in its last 15 games, matching the 1985-86 Bears for the longest streak since at least 1970.”
Sando also has his weekly NFC West “Stock Watch,” and among his “risers” is Tarvaris Jackson: “Jackson completed 15 of 19 passes after halftime to help the Seahawks turn a 14-7 deficit into a 38-14 victory at Soldier Field. Jackson has three touchdowns with no interceptions over Seattle’s past three games. The Seahawks are 3-0 in those games and have reached 7-7 thanks largely to Jackson’s improved play. Seattle now has every reason to bring back Jackson as its starter heading into next season. The plan would still remain for the Seahawks to draft or otherwise acquire a younger quarterback to begin developing in 2012. On a side note, lots of other Seahawks deserved consideration in this spot, from Red Bryant, to K.J. Wright to Brandon Browner and others.”
Here at Seahawks.com, well, you might want to get another cup of coffee, because we’ve got the definitive behind-the-scenes look at Sunday’s big win over the Bears with Rod Mar’s photo blog and Ben Malcolmson’s “From the Sidelines”: “Considering all the Seahawks have gone through this season, could there have been a more appropriate way for Sunday’s game to unfold? Down 14-7 and downtrodden mentally, the Seahawks entered the locker room at halftime only to come out flying, outscoring the Bears 31-0 en route to a 38-14 obliteration at Soldier Field. Satisfying? Very much so. Symbolic? Even more so. Like Sunday’s game, the Seahawks entered the halfway point of the 2011 season at a low, crawling to a 2-6 record before the results turned. And like Sunday’s game, Seattle has emerged on fire in the second half, winning five of their last six and remaining in the playoff conversation into Week 16. It’s highly unlikely anyone outside of the head coach’s corner office at Virginia Mason Athletic Center thought that could’ve even been a possibility. But here they are at 7-7 and one of the hottest teams in the NFL, culling wins and momentum that could potentially result in great things this season but will undoubtedly equate to great things in the future.”
There’s also a look at “Thunder and Lightning,” the big-play safety tandem of Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas: “The hope when the Seahawks selected Thomas with the 14th pick in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft and then grabbed Chancellor with the second pick in the fifth round was that they would mesh their explosive talents just as they did on those two bang-bang plays. Asked about it, Chancellor broke into a large smile and offered, ‘ ‘Thunder and Lightning.’ We’re a tag team back there.’ The 6-foot-3, 232-pound Chancellor is obviously ‘Thunder.’ Thomas, who has run 40 yards in 4.37 seconds, is just as obviously ‘Lightning.’ Together, they form a formidable storm front in the Seahawks’ secondary.”
And there’s still more: a look at Ben Obomanu as the “Focus on” in “Tuesday in Hawkville”; a look at this week’s opponent, the 49ers, in “Up next”; and Tony Ventrella’s video recap.
