Cyber surfing: Monday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Nov. 28:
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at the not-so-funny thing that happened to the Seahawks in the fourth quarter of what was an expected victory over the Redskins on Sunday: “The victory was going to show just how far these Seahawks have come in their second season under coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks led by 10 points with 12 minutes to play, a young team ready to show it was coming of age against Washington. Instead, Seattle showed just how far it has to go. A game that began with the Seahawks taking issue with Washington’s players stomping on their logo at midfield ended with Seattle kicking itself over a 23-17 loss. ‘We can’t let games like this slip away,’ fullback Michael Robinson said. ‘That’s another characteristic of a young team. It’s about time we start growing up.’ “
Jerry Brewer at the Times writes that the loss was a painful reminder that you can’t assume anything with the Seahawks: “For the first time this season, the Seahawks invented a way to lose a game that they deserved to win. The initial reaction is to call it uncharacteristic, but it’s not like the Seahawks have a history of success. They haven’t been in this situation enough to develop a characteristic. Ahead by 10 points with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Seahawks were eyeing a three-game winning streak. They were about to improve their record to 5-6, just one victory from reaching .500 for the first time this season. They were on the cusp of making you wonder if you had dismissed them too soon.”
Also at the Times, Steve Kelley says that Tarvaris Jackson was no match for what the Seahawks needed from him with the pressure on in the fourth quarter: “In a defining fourth quarter Sunday, after the Seahawks’ defense uncharacteristically squandered a 17-7 lead and the team needed a lift, Jackson gave them nothing, not even a first down. ‘When we got into going-quick mode at the end, we weren’t very efficient getting our stuff done,’ coach Pete Carroll said. ‘I would think we would be better than that. T-Jack is doing everything he can, but we need to look at the film and see how he played and his decisions and things like that. But I know he’s trying his tail off to get it done.’ “
John McGrath at the News Tribune says there was plenty of blame for everyone after this fall-from-ahead defeat: “It takes a village to assemble a fourth-quarter flop like that – linemen, defensive backs, receivers, the quarterback, the coaching staff – and nobody escaped blame. ‘There were too many things that happened at the end of the game,’ Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said, ‘that shouldn’t have happened.’ ”
Dave Boling at the New Tribune says Carroll has to find a way to penalize the repeat offenders as penalties continue to pile up: “The truest of the postgame quotes came from Seahawks coach Pete Carroll: ‘We have to coach better; I need to do a better job with these guys.’ While crediting Carroll for building an aggressive and intense group of players who will take no abuse – even if it’s during the coin toss – he and his staff have been wildly ineffective at stemming the weekly avalanche of penalty flags.”
Also at the News Tribune, Eric Williams leans on wide receiver Mike Williams for where this team goes from here: “The Seahawks don’t have much time to put this one in the rearview mirror with Philadelphia, 38-20 losers to New England on Sunday, traveling to Seattle for a Thursday night game. ‘Regardless of what anybody’s record is, if you give a team enough chances they can come away with a win,’ Mike Williams said. ‘So it just sucks, man. We really practiced and prepared hard to come in here and get our third win in a row. But with a short week, we’ve got to try and swallow this one and go get ready for Philly.’ ”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald says Carroll shouldered the blame for the fourth-quarter loss: “With so many mistakes plaguing his team, particularly penalties — the Seahawks’ nine penalties Sunday gives them 55 in their past five games — Carroll said the blame should fall on him, but also that changes to the lineup could be coming. ‘I take it, I don’t have any problem taking it,’ Carroll said. ‘I’m not getting it done. It has to come to a position where we make the right choices. We’ll figure it out. But, I told them, it’s me. … Sometimes you just have to put other guys in the game. If the same guys keep making mistakes, you have to put other guys in. We’ll have to take a look at that.’ ”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has his “Rapid Reaction” on the Seahawks’ loss, including this item: “Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant blocked a field-goal try for the third time this season, this one when the game was tied in the second quarter. The block was key because the Redskins were dominating time of possession and had little to show for it. Bryant blocked an extra-point try after a Redskins touchdown put Washington ahead, 20-17, with 6:18 remaining.”
Sando also takes a deeper look at the problems that ail the Seahawks and offers this conclusion: “The final five games of the season should help us figure out to what degree such issues reflect youthful aggression. Carroll’s occasional lapses in game management – lapses even Carroll anticipated – suggest coaching is also playing a role. There is room for improvement all the way around.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at how the ingredients were there for a third win in a row, but the team’s best unit couldn’t finish: “Marshawn Lynch ran for 100-plus yards for the third time in the past four games, and scored a touchdown in his seventh-consecutive game. Red Bryant blocked his third field-goal attempt of the season, and then got a hand on a PAT attempt as well. Cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman both intercepted passes. Just the kind of three-phase effort the Seahawks needed to run their winning streak to three games entering Thursday night’s nationally televised game against the struggling Philadelphia Eagles at CenturyLink Field. One problem: The Washington Redskins outplayed the Seahawks in the fourth quarter rallying for a 23-17 victory on Sunday to snap their six-game losing streak. This wasn’t how this afternoon was supposed to go, as any momentum gained from the Seahawks’ two-game winning streak evaporated in a downpour of penalties and a flurry of missed opportunities.”
We’ve also got recaps in “Game at a glance,” Tony Ventrella’s video review and a photo gallery.
For a look at the rest of the league, there’s John Clayton’s “Last Call” at ESPN.com; Clark Judge’s “Judgements” at CBSSports.com; and Peter King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com.
On this date
A look at the memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on Nov. 21:
1976: Sherman Smith scores on a pair of 1-yard runs and Steve Largent catches six passes for 101 yards and a TD, but it’s not enough as the expansion Seahawks fall to the Saints 51-27 at the Kingdome.
1982: In their first game after the eight-week NFL players’ strike, and with Mike McCormack taking over as interim coach for Jack Patera, Steve Largent catches a 34-yard touchdown pass from Jim Zorn with 49 seconds left in a 17-10 victory over the Broncos in Denver.
1999: Ricky Watters scores three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving, as he compiles 174 combined yards in a 31-19 victory in Kansas City, where the Seahawks had lost their previous games against the Chiefs.
2004: Michael Boulware intercepts a pass and returns it 63 yards for the touchdown with 56 seconds to play in a 24-17 victory over the Dolphins in Seattle. Trent Dilfer also throws a 21-yard TD pass to Jerry Rice.
2010: Matt Hasselbeck passes for 366 yards, with Mike Williams catching six passes for 109 yards, and David Hawthorne has 12 tackles and an interception. But the defending Super Bowl champion Saints prevail 34-19 in New Orleans. The game is a prelude to the team’s rematch in a wild-card playoff game in Seattle that season.
Cyber surfing: Monday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Nov. 21:
Jerry Brewer at the Seattle Times not only looks the Seahawks’ defensive effort in Sunday’s 24-7 win over the Rams in St. Louis, he examines how entertaining it is to watch these guys play: “You call it boring. They call it ideal. You call it low scoring. They call it a fight. You call it ugly. They call it a party. The Seahawks engaged in a defensive tussle with the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, and while it had its sleepy moments, the Seattle defense wound up frolicking in the Edward Jones Dome. The Seahawks won exactly the way they’re built to win, resting their forearm on the opponent’s neck and flashing a sadistic smile all the while. This rugged, oversized yet agile, young defense turned boorish against the offensively challenged Rams.”
Also at the Times, Danny O’Neil looks at the significant of a victory others might view as insignificant: “Seattle went on the road and made St. Louis look like exactly what it is: the lowest-scoring team in the NFL. No surprises, just 60 minutes of stout defense that turned the Rams’ offensive flow into a puddle. ‘In the big picture, nobody is going to care a whole lot about it,’ coach Pete Carroll said. ‘But for us, it’s a very big deal.’ “
Also from O’Neil, a look at the battle of the battered offensive lines in Sunday’s game: “The Seahawks’ line did show improvement after struggling early. Seattle allowed four sacks in the first half, none in the second. ‘We just got together at halftime and said, ‘Hey, man, let’s go,’ ’ (right tackle Breno) Giacomini said. ‘We weren’t playing like we were expected to play, and we just had to turn it up a little bit.’ “
Eric Williams at the News Tribune looks at how the Seahawks handled early adversity before taking control of the game. Said wide receiver Mike Williams: “Really the best part of the game was handling adversity. They came out with a lot of energy. They created the short field with a couple turnovers early. And they got one in there, but the defense held tough. So that’s big to get a win like that when it wasn’t pretty, and when it didn’t start out right.”
Also at the News Tribune, Dave Boling looks at how the Seahawks were able to overcome losing the right side of their offensive line during the past week: “Center Max Unger said the team got deeper into their game plan in the second half, and that helped matters. ‘It’s a road win over a divisional opponent, so that’s big, these things are hard to come by. But we’re not going to win a lot of games like that.’ ”
Dave Wyman at 710 ESPN takes a look at a really big day for a really big man: “That sounds like a comical thing to say about a 345-pound man until you watch his drop. (Red) Bryant planted his foot, opened his hips up into a perfect 45 degree angle and ran backwards and sideways 10 yards, catching the ball 12 yards deep. True, his buddy Brandon Mebane did him a favor by tipping Bradford’s pass up in the air, making it more like a catch in “3 flies up,” but Bryant hauled it in perfectly. Then he did his best impersonation of a running back by fending off one tackler, switching the ball over into his other hand so he could fend off another, slamming that perspective tackler to the ground, and hanging on to the ball through the play.”
Christian Caple at PI.com offers his post-game thoughts, including this one: “Welcome back, Chris Clemons. The Seahawks entered the game with only 14 sacks this season – third-fewest in the NFL – and getting Clemons going again was going to be the key to getting more pressure on the quarterback. Problem solved. This week, at least, against a weak Rams offensive line that was missing left tackle Rodger Saffold. It showed. Clemons finished with three sacks and forced both of Sam Bradford’s fumbles, the last one late in the fourth quarter that sealed the game.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com provides this overview of the NFC West from a day when the division’s four teams matched up, including a comparison of how the Seahawks and Rams have built their teams: “The Seahawks, now in their second season with coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider, have done a better job building up their roster. They’ve gotten better at every position but quarterback. They’ve been better prepared than the Rams for injuries.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we also give some love to Chris Clemons and Red Bryant for their efforts in Sunday’s suffocating defensive effort. Clemons earned “Player of the game” honors, while Bryant’s interception was the best play of the game.
There’s also Tony Ventrella’s video recap.
For look at the rest of the league in Week 11, there’s John Clayton’s “Last Call” at ESPN.com; Clark Judge’s “Judgements” at CBSSports.com; and Peter King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com, where Seahawks punter Jon Ryan gets a nod: “Punters can’t play much better than Ryan did Sunday in St. Louis. Nine punts, a 49.7-yard gross average, with a net average of 44.9 yards. After six of his nine punts, the Rams started from their 20 or worse. The Rams didn’t have a drive longer than 42 yards on 15 possessions, and being consistently backed up by Ryan and the Seattle punt team was one very good reason.”
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: Sunday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Nov. 20:
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times examines the unique personality that is Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks’ leading rusher who is enjoying a run of personal success with the first back-to-back 100-yard rushing efforts of the career and rushing TDs in each of his past five games to tie for the fourth-longest stretch in franchise history: “The hit had to hurt. That was apparent to anyone who saw Marshawn Lynch go down last Sunday. ‘He got stuck by a linebacker pretty good,’ Seahawks tight end Zach Miller said. ‘And the first thing he does is he stands up and starts screaming in excitement.’ Welcome to the Marshawn Lynch Experience, where the volume’s always cranked up to 11, the script is being written on the fly, and the only thing certain is that whatever Lynch does will be as unexpected as it is entertaining. He is a free spirit and a fierce runner who has scored a touchdown in his last five starts entering Sunday’s game in St. Louis, and he comes with an alter ego. Meet Beast Mode, which isn’t a nickname so much as a state of mind for Lynch’s relentlessly aggressive style when running the ball or cracking a joke.”
O’Neil also has his keys to today’s game between the Seahawks and Rams, including this one involving Rams running back Steven Jackson: “Remember when Steven Jackson carried the ball only 11 times in Seattle’s Week 17 victory over St. Louis last year? Yeah, that won’t happen again Sunday. Not with Sam Bradford slowed by an injured ankle and the Rams rediscovering the fact that they do have one of the better backs in the league. Jackson has carried the ball 25 or more times in each of St. Louis’ last three games, and he has rushed for more than 125 yards in each of them. Seattle needs to be prepared for a heaping helping of Jackson.”
Dave Boling at the News Tribune looks at how the Seahawks will be trying to win back-to-back games under coach Pete Carroll just once in a season and a half: “It’s not just Carroll’s crew that has been deficient in sustaining success. The Seahawks have not won more than two games in a row since the 2007 season. Perhaps it’s a natural part of rebuilding a program, but the Seahawks need to learn how to sustain success. It’s not just a matter of pulling off the occasional big win but validating it by whipping somebody in their own weight class, so to speak, the next week.”
Also at the News Tribune, Eric Williams looks at the Rams’ disappointing start, and how they’re handling it. Says QB Sam Bradford: “I feel like we have gotten better, but it just didn’t pay off and it’s frustrating when it doesn’t happen like that. Our slow start has definitely been something that we’ve had to overcome, but I feel like we have gotten better. In the past three weeks, we’ve played better football and as the year winds down, hopefully we’ll just continue to get better.”
Remember when the Seahawks and Rams met in last season’s finale to determine the NFC West title? John Boyle at the Everett Herald does: “Both teams hope a victory today over a division rival can spark a second-half turnaround. However, unlike last season, neither team will be in a playoff battle in the season’s final weeks, not with San Francisco (8-1) running away with the division. Just beyond the season’s midway point, the NFC West is almost completely upside down from the way a lot of people were expecting it to be. This game, a rematch of last year’s Week 17 winner-take-all finale, is another reminder of what an odd year it’s been in the division.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com wonders if the Seahawks will be able to exploit the Rams’ injury-depleted secondary: “As much as the Seahawks have leaned on the ground game recently, the Rams’ injury situation at cornerback could, in theory, coax them into a more pass-happy approach. The Seahawks could also try running the ball from personnel groups featuring three-plus wideouts. That is one of the more interesting strategic possibilities in the NFC West this week.”
Christian Caple at PI.com has “Five Things to Watch” in today’s game, including the new-look right side of the Seahawks line because of the losses of James Carpenter and John Moffitt to season-ending knee injuries in the same week: “The injuries come at a particularly unfortunate time for a Seahawks offensive line that appeared to be turning the corner, a big part of the reason Lynch was able to rush for more than 100 yards in each of the last two games. So in steps Paul McQuistan at guard and Breno Giacomini at tackle. Both have seen playing time this season, with McQuistan filling in for Robert Gallery when he was out with a groin injury while Giacomini split time with Carpenter early on. The expectation doesn’t change even though the right side of Seattle’s line will be in surgery this week. ‘The good news is the training is kicking in, the system and all that,’ Cable said. ‘So it’s a negative thing in terms of having two young guys who were really starting to come into it and losing them, but at the same time those other guys are ready to go. We should move forward and continue to get better.’”
NFL.com has the word on Rams tackle Rodger Saffold being placed on IR on Saturday after tearing his pectoral lifting weights on Friday: “Mark LeVoir is expected to start for Saffold at left tackle on Sunday. The team announced that rookie offensive tackle Kevin Hughes was promoted from the practice squad to take Saffold’s place on the active roster.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we lean on Tom Cable to explain how the Seahawks can produce more six-point plays in the red zone, and here’s what the team’s assistant head coach/offense line coach had to say: “I just think we have to be a little more detailed down there. We’re getting some opportunities in the last few weeks down there, so we’ve got to capitalize on them. To me, that means a little sharper throw, a little sharper protection, a little sharper cut in the run game – whatever it is, just a little more detail. It’s a shorter field and everything happens so much quicker. I’m not sure we’ve caught up to that part of it yet, but we will soon.”
We also look at today’s game in our weekly “Matchup box” and Tony Ventrella’s shot-on-location video preview.
For a look at the rest of the league, there’s John Czarnecki’s Week 11 preview at FoxSports.com, including his observation on the Seahawks-Rams game: “A year after leading Seattle in receptions with 65, Mike Williams has virtually disappeared this season. He is eighth on the team with just 12 catches for 130 yards and a TD. Williams has missed two games this season with a concussion and a hamstring issue, but he’s not getting open and Jackson has quit looking his way.”
On this date
A look at the memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on Nov. 14:
1976: Jim Zorn passes for two touchdowns and runs for a third, but it isn’t enough as Fran Tarkenton throws a 5-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to rally the Vikings to a 27-21 victory over the Seahawks in Minneapolis.
1982: The Seahawks’ game at St. Louis is cancelled, the last before the players’ strike ends.
1993: Eugene Robinson has 11 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in a 22-5 victory over the Browns at the Kingdome. The defense forces seven turnovers as Robert Blackmon scores on a 5-yard fumble return and Antonio Edwards registers a safety.
1999: Jon Kitna throws a 20-yard touchdown pass to Sean Dawkins midway through the fourth quarter as the Seahawks pull out a 20-17 victory over the Broncos at the Kingdome to run their record to 7-2.
2010: Olindo Mare kicks five field goals to tie the club record, Matt Hasselbeck passes for 333 yards – the 18th of his club-record 19 300-yard performances – and Mike Williams catches 11 passes for a career-high 145 yards in a 36-18 victory over the Cardinals in Arizona.
Monday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Nov. 7:
FOCUS ON
The second half. Not of games – when the Seahawks have outscored their first eight opponents 86-79 – but the season. Like it or not, the Seahawks have reached the halfway point of their second season under coach Pete Carroll at 2-6. It’s the first time they’ve started with that record since 2002.
The good news is that the Seahawks will play four of their next six games at CenturyLink Field, starting with Sunday’s matchup against the 6-2 Baltimore Ravens.
“There’s nothing easy about any of these matchups,” Carroll said of the second-half slate – which also includes home games against the Redskins, Eagles, Rams and NFC West-leading 49ers, as well as road games against the Rams, Bears and Cardinals.
“These games all make it very difficult. Here comes the Ravens. We’re going to have to play really good ball.”
The bad news, of course, is being 2-6 after playing on the road five times already.
“We’ve been struggling through the first half,” Carroll said. “We’ve been working to find a continuity and a level of execution that will get us some more wins. It hasn’t happened like we’d like.
“The things that can hold back a young team are holding us back – making mistakes; the penalty situation has caused us problems, especially the last three weeks; and always is the case when you turn the ball over.”
During their current three-game losing streak the Seahawks have been penalized 28 times for 226 yards and turned the ball over seven times in a three-point loss to the Browns; a 22-point loss to the Bengals, where they trailed 17-12 midway through the fourth quarter; and Sunday’s 10-point loss to the Cowboys.
“We have to clean that up,” Carroll said. “We have to get rid of turnovers and we’ve got to get these penalties where it’s in a manageable number, where it’s not disrupting drives and setting us back.
“Because the margins have been so close that they’ve been factors in games.”
INJURY REPORT
Linebacker and special teams player David Vobora got a concussion in Sunday’s game that “could be an issue” during the week, Carroll said.
Wide receivers Mike Williams and Sidney Rice also could be slowed early in the week with what Carroll labeled “nicks.”
Tarvaris Jackson feels a little better this Monday than he did last week, Carroll said, but the team’s starting quarterback is sore after throwing 30 passes on Sunday with a strained pectoral in his right shoulder.
“Really, we just kind of go day-to-day on how he responds,” Carroll said.
STAT DU JOUR
The Seahawks allowed season highs in rushing yards (163) and per-carry average (5.6) against the Cowboys, but slipped only slightly in the league rankings. They’re No. 13 in rushing defense (down from 11th) and third in per-carry average allowed (down from No. 1, when they were allowing 3.2 yards). Here’s a look at the league leaders in per-carry average allowed:
Team Avg.
Bengals 3.3
Ravens 3.4
Seahawks 3.4
49ers 3.5
Dolphins 3.8
Vikings 3.8
Broncos 3.9
Cardinals 3.9
UP NEXT
The players have their off day on Tuesday, while the coaches compile the game plan for the Ravens, before returning on Wednesday to begin prepare for Sunday’s game.
Tickets are available for the game and can be purchased here.
YOU DON’T SAY
“This team is a young team that’s going to be successful and be very, very good. I just wish we could get rid of the stuff that keeps us from demonstrating that. That’s what we’re working to try and figure out.” – Carroll
Cyber surfing: Saturday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Nov. 5:
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at Mike Williams, who is expected to return to the lineup at split end in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys after sitting out last week. Offers O’Neil: “Seattle signed Sidney Rice as a free agent with the belief he could be the team’s No. 1 receiving option. He has finished with more than 100 yards receiving in two of the five games he has played. Williams – who has missed two of the past three games because of injuries – was supposed to be the other side of that equation. He has nine catches in the five games he has played at a position with as much competition as any on the roster. Ben Obomanu started in Williams’ place last week, and he caught four passes for 107 yards.”
Eric Williams of the News Tribune catches up with Jon Kitna, the former Seahawks, Central Washington University and Lincoln High School QB, who is the backup to Tony Romo in Dallas and in his 15th NFL season. Says Williams, and Kitna: “Kitna’s in the final year of his contract with the Cowboys and doesn’t know what his plans are beyond this season. ‘The way I’m looking at it is, whenever I’m done here and my contract is up we’ll see what the Lord has in store with me and my family,’ Kitna said. ‘We’re good either way. If God presents us with another opportunity, we’re good with it. But we’re excited about the next phase of our life, too.’ Kitna’s wife, Jennifer, and the rest of family stayed locally in a home the family finished building in the Lakewood area in January. It’s the first time in his 15-year career that he’s lived apart from his family during the season, although they still see each other every couple of weeks.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has the “Final Word” on the NFC West heading into Week 9, including this nugget of an item on Marshawn Lynch: “Getting the ground game going stands as a top priority for the Seahawks over the final nine games of the season. The team expects to have its projected offensive line starting for the second week in a row after not playing together since Week 1. Marshawn Lynch hasn’t found much running room, but he does have a rushing touchdown in three consecutive games. He’s looking to become the first Seattle runner since Shaun Alexander in 2005 to score one in four consecutive games. The Cowboys allowed 239 yards rushing to Philadelphia last week after entering the game allowing a league-low 69.7 yards per game.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we take a look at the phenomenon that is “Friday Night Lights” through the Seahawks who played their high school football in Texas. Says middle linebacker David Hawthorne: “ ‘Friday Night Lights’ is real out there. We think we play football better than anybody else.’ ”
We’ve also got a look at Friday’s practice in words and video, including the latest on QB Tarvaris Jackson’s status for the game.
For a look at the rest of the league, there’s Clark Judge’s “Peek at the Week” at CBSSports.com; John Clayton’s “First and 10” at ESPN.com; and Peter King’s “Game Plan” at SI.com.
Cyber surfing: Thursday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Nov. 3:
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at the similarities and dissimilarities between the Seahawks and this week’s opponent, the Dallas Cowboys. Offers O’Neil: “The game Sunday in Dallas is between two teams on very different trajectories and two franchises that have taken very different approaches in building a team. Seattle is one of the youngest teams in the league, with the average starter being 26. The Seahawks took a chain saw to the old growth in the locker room to clear way for the youngsters to grow. The Cowboys are hoping this season hasn’t already passed them by, believing that Tony Romo, now in his sixth season as the starting quarterback, is going to find some consistency.”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune takes a longer look at Romo, and which QB the Seahawks might face this week. Says Williams: “The Seattle Seahawks don’t know which Tony Romo will greet them when they travel to Arlington, Texas, to take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Will it be the clutch Romo, who played with a broken rib while quarterbacking his team to a come-from-behind, 27-24 overtime victory at San Francisco – the 49ers’ only loss this season? Or will Seattle face the turnover-prone Romo, who lost a fumble and threw an interception in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys’ season-opening loss to the New York Jets? ‘He’s a good quarterback,’ Seattle defensive back Roy Lewis said. ‘He’s a gunslinger. He has that mentality. He definitely has that confidence about him that he feels like he can make any throw he wants to – which it works for him sometimes, and it works against him at other times. But that’s who he is, and we know that going into this game. I think we’re just going to have to be sound, because he is a big-play type of guy.’ ”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald looks at how the Seahawks’ stout defense is supportive of the struggling offense, rather than complaining about a lack of support. Says linebacker Leroy Hill: “It’s frustrating, because at the end of the day, whether you’re the No. 1 defense or the No. 2 defense, you want the ‘W.’ That’s why it’s a complete team effort — offense, defense special teams — but all we can do is just go out and keep doing our thing. We’re not pointing fingers or anything like that. We know it’s a team sport. We know there’s talent on offense, and everybody will pull together and do better. … We all know what we’ve got to do. We’re all grown men, and it is what it is right now. All we can do is keep going and play our side of the ball.”
Tim Booth of the Association Press, via PI.com, says Marshawn Lynch is shouldering the blame for the Seahawks’ lack of production in the running game. Says Lynch: “I’m the only one running. Who else’s fault could that be or who else’s responsibility could that be?” Says Booth: “It wasn’t the lowest point from a production standpoint since he joined the Seahawks, but it was impossible not to notice Lynch’s frustration last week against Cincinnati. Often with little room to run, Lynch finished with 24 yards on 16 carries. His 1.5 yards per carry was the worst of his career in any game where Lynch got more than 10 carries. Lynch flung his arms in disappointment and later was seen animatedly jawing with coaches on the sideline. ‘That means he cares. That’s what we want,’ center Max Unger said. ‘I’m not going to get mad at him for being (upset).’ “
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has his weekly injury situations that matter for the NFC West teams. For once, the Seahawks are relatively healthy: “Tarvaris Jackson is getting most of the practice snaps and will start against the Cowboys, barring a setback in his recovery from a pectoral injury. Jackson was much better than backup Charlie Whitehurst last week. He gives the Seahawks’ their best chance in the passing game. Receiver Mike Williams was a surprise game-day scratch against Cincinnati. He remains limited with a hamstring injury. Whether he plays matters less than it would have last season given how the passing game has been running through Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin and Ben Obomanu. Tight end Cameron Morrah is resting a knee injury. Depth behind Zach Miller has been a bit sketchy. Anthony McCoy has struggled. Update: Linebacker Leroy Hill (knee) did not practice.”
Sando also has a look at which backs in the division draw the most eight-man fronts.
Here at Seahawks.com, we examine the way coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider are building the Seahawks, and how a little patience is needed during the process. Says Schneider: “I always liken it to the ‘Three Little Pigs.’ You can build it with straw or stick. Or you can work your tail off and know that you’re doing the right thing and kind of do it the old fashioned way and have a big, strong, sturdy foundation. Then, you can weather all the storms.”
We’ve also got a closer look at Jackson returning to the starter role in practice in our daily “Hawkville” recap, as well as Tony Ventrella’s daily video report.
Monday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Oct. 31:
FOCUS ON
The defense. Somewhat overshadowed by the continuing problems on offense and breakdowns in the coverage units on special teams during Sunday’s 34-12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was how well the Seahawks defense played.
Again.
“The thing that does get lost a little bit in here is that we played very tough on defense again,” coach Pete Carroll said today. “We did a very good job in the second half, in particular.”
Say what? The Bengals put up 34 points. But two of their touchdowns came on late returns – the first on a punt for 56 yards, the second on an interception for 75 yards. Also, both the Bengals’ field goals also were set up by big returns – a 63-yard punt return and a 45-yard kickoff return.
The defense held the Bengals to that one field goal in the second half, not to mention 84 yards.
“The defense gave us a chance to hang in that football game, if we could make a few plays,” Carroll said. “The guys played very physically. They were intent on getting after the running game. It wasn’t perfect, but there was enough to put us in position to win.”
Again.
PLAYER WATCH
Ben Obomanu. When split end Mike Williams could not play against the Bengals because of a sore hamstring, Obomanu stepped in to catch four passes for 107 yards. On his 28th birthday, no less.
“That’s pretty neat,” Obomanu said after the game. “I’m glad the fans can take something away from the game. I know it’s pretty rare for somebody to play on their birthday. I know for me that may not have happened since I was a little kid playing Pee-Wee football, so I just wanted to come out and play hard and help our team get a win.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t do that. But at the same time, at least the fans can take something away from the game.”
Asked if Obomanu was pushing for more playing time, Carroll offered, “Ben’s always been pushing. Ben’s been a starter here and he’s a really good football player. Ben again came through and did a very nice job. It’s a competitive position for us.”
INJURY UPDATE
Carroll said he expects Williams to be OK for practice this week. Tight end Cameron Morrah bruised a knee in the game, so his status is uncertain for practice.
Also, wide receiver Deon Butler remains the last of the players on the physically unable to perform list after cornerback Roy Lewis was activated last week and Morrah the week before. Butler is ready to return, but Carroll said his situation is day-to-day.
STAT DU JOUR
To say that the Seahawks are playing “winning” defense is not just hyperbole. They rank No. 13 in the NFL coming out of Sunday’s games, and eight of the teams ranked above them have winning records. Here’s the Top 13, with the records of those teams:
Team Record
Ravens 5-2
Steelers 6-2
Texans 5-3
Chargers 4-2
Bengals 5-2
Browns 3-4
Jaguars 2-6
Jets 4-3
Cowboys 3-4
49ers 6-1
Eagles 3-4
Lions 6-2
Seahawks 2-5
UP NEXT
The players are off Tuesday, but will return Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington.
YOU DON’T SAY
“The Niners’ magic number to win the NFC West is six. Not since Nixon-McGovern has there been less drama in a race two months before it ends.” – Peter King, in his “Monday Morning Quarterback” on SI.com
