Seahawks News Thread
- Thread starter savage
- Start date
Retweeted by Seattle Seahawks
Steve Sarkisian
@COACH
·
I took the ice bucket challenge and now I'm calling out P @pete and the @Seahawks. #FightOn #Chillin4Charity Coach Sarkisian "Ice Bucket Challenge" - YouTube
Steve Sarkisian
@COACH
· I took the ice bucket challenge and now I'm calling out P @pete and the @Seahawks. #FightOn #Chillin4Charity Coach Sarkisian "Ice Bucket Challenge" - YouTube
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is being investigated by police in Bellevue, Washington, after an “allegation of an assault and personal property damage,” according to a statement from the Bellevue Police Department.
Lynch has not been arrested or charged, and police say they have not determined whether Lynch was actually involved in the incident.
“The Bellevue Police Department is in the process of gathering the facts of this alleged incident, including verifying whether or not Mr. Lynch was in fact involved,” police said in a statement. “No arrests have been made. There is no further information available at this time.”
Police have not gone into detail about the nature of the allegation, but they did say it was over an incident at an apartment building early on Sunday morning, and that “no domestic violence or sexual assault was involved in the allegation.” The only information police have released about the alleged victim is that she is female....
Marshawn Lynch investigated after assault allegation | ProFootballTalk
Lynch has not been arrested or charged, and police say they have not determined whether Lynch was actually involved in the incident.
“The Bellevue Police Department is in the process of gathering the facts of this alleged incident, including verifying whether or not Mr. Lynch was in fact involved,” police said in a statement. “No arrests have been made. There is no further information available at this time.”
Police have not gone into detail about the nature of the allegation, but they did say it was over an incident at an apartment building early on Sunday morning, and that “no domestic violence or sexual assault was involved in the allegation.” The only information police have released about the alleged victim is that she is female....
Marshawn Lynch investigated after assault allegation | ProFootballTalk
Last edited:
Props:
BUTCHER 206
Looks like this will turn out as absolutely nothing. Seahawks already came out and publicly stated its "bogus". Usually teams do there typical PR response "we respect the law enforcement to fully investigate blah blah blah" not make a statement bluntly saying its bogus. During camp there is a curfew and bed check so I'm speculating Seahawks knew Lynch was where he was supposed to be.
Props:
GTS and GTS
When it comes to training camp impressions, not one was more impressive than Harvin
A year ago, Percy Harvin was just starting an arduous recovery after having hip surgery. This summer, the multi-talented Harvin was the most impressive player in the Seahawks’ just-concluded training camp.
The task was traditional, and should have been easy: Selecting an MVP from the Seahawks’ just-concluded training camp.
MVP (most valuable player) morphed into MVC (most valuable camper) and then became simply BP (best player), but it took carrying the initials to MIP (most impressive player) to reach not only a consensus but a unanimous selection: Percy Harvin.
And the most impressive aspect about Harvin is that he participated – fully and impressively – from the first practice on July 25 to the 13th practice on Wednesday. Remember, Harvin had hip surgery last Aug. 1, so he never was a factor in camp and was limited to a handful of snaps in one regular-season game.
“You have no idea,” Harvin said through a smile when presented with the what-a-difference-a-year-makes scenario. “My body is feeling tremendously good. I’ve actually reached some gears that I didn’t know I had. I’m feeling very, very fast right now.”
Harvin isn’t just feeling fast, he looks fast. Freakishly fast. Intimidatingly fast. Gone-in-a-blur fast. Whether he’s catching passes from the flanker spot, out of the slot or coming out of the backfield. A healthy Harvin presents a dynamic that was missing from the Seahawks’ offense last season after he was acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings in March.
“To have Percy for an entire training camp has really helped a lot,” quarterback Russell Wilson said after completing his third training camp, but the first with Harvin among his options. “Our connection, as you saw today, he made a lot of plays, was doing a lot of great things.”
And Harvin’s dossier of receptions in the final practice came during a workout when he figured to be limited after having his leg and foot stepped on during Tuesday’s session.
“To have Percy out there with his explosiveness, his tough mentality is great,” Wilson said. “We love him as a teammate.”
Make that a teammate who makes those around him better.
“Good players always help everyone else,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “And Percy is an outstanding player. He’s explosive. He makes plays. That makes everyone around him better.”
To say that Harvin is on schedule slights what he is doing. To say he is ahead of schedule doesn’t tell the whole story, either.
“I was supposed to be sitting out every other practice,” he said. “But I’ve been going every day. Like I said, I’m feeling very good. I’m explosive. I’m coming out of my breaks with no problem at all. I’m feeling very confident and I’m ready to go.
“It’s going to be a good year for me.”
Other honor campers:
Best Defensive Players
Michael Bennett and K.J. Wright. While you could find Bennett lined up at the five-technique end spot that now-departed Red Bryant filled the past three seasons or inside in the nickel line, Wright was the last-starter-standing among the linebackers for most of camp. But each was consistent, and consistently good. That shouldn’t be surprising. Bennett led the NFL’s top-ranked defense with 8.5 sacks last season after being signed in free agency. Wright has ranked among the Top 5 tacklers in each of the past three seasons. And his productive presence on the weak-side has been even more important this summer with middle linebacker and leading tackler Bobby Wagner and strong-side ’backers Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith sidelined.
Best Offensive Player
Doug Baldwin. The already-productive Baldwin is one of those receivers who can take advantage of the additional coverage that Harvin will draw. He has moved from flanker to split end, but continues to impress – and also will continue to work from the slot. “Doug is an ultimate competitor. We love the way he competes,” Bevell said. “He’s catching the ball well. I think something that kind of showed up is his speed. I think his speed is a little underestimated, and his speed definitely has shown up at camp.” So Baldwin definitely is not pedestrian.
Best Special Teams Player
Steven Hauschka. They don’t call this guy “Hausch-Money” for nothing. In addition to going three-for-three on field goal attempts in the opener against the Broncos, Hauschka has been the picture of consistency in practice.
Best Rookie
Paul Richardson. Right tackle Justin Britt and middle linebacker Brock Coyle have played more – Britt while trying to lockdown the starting spot and Coyle while stepping in for Wagner. But the coaches, players and scouts who offered opinions all tabbed the speedy receiver who was the team’s top draft choice in May. “Here’s very talented,” Bevell said. “Obviously we know that he’s got great speed. He’s got great quickness. But the best thing is for him to have the opportunity to get reps. We really like him. We feel like we kind of know what he can do. But it takes time.”
Best Free Agent Addition
Kevin Williams. How is it that the Super Bowl champions are able to add a six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle to the mix so late in the process? That question answers itself, because Williams signed with the Seahawks on June 16 because he wants a chance to help them win another Super Bowl. He turned 33 on Saturday, but Williams’ performance during training camp shows he has plenty left to do just that.
Most Improved Player
Phil Bates. He has looked like an NFL wide receiver since signing with the Seahawks as a rookie free agent in 2012. This camp, Bates has played like an NFL wide receiver. He has used his size (6-1, 220) to battle defenders and displayed the ability to catch the ball in traffic. At one of the most-competition positions on the team, Bates has been one of the most-competitive players.
Best Quote
“It’s just one of those love affairs that you almost want to leave your wife for. It just keeps going and going and going. And the fans just make it so much better to come out there; it makes it easier to practice.” – Michael Bennett on the 31,000-plus fans who attended the 12 open-to-the-public practices
When it comes to training camp impressions, not one was more impressive than Percy Harvin
A year ago, Percy Harvin was just starting an arduous recovery after having hip surgery. This summer, the multi-talented Harvin was the most impressive player in the Seahawks’ just-concluded training camp.
The task was traditional, and should have been easy: Selecting an MVP from the Seahawks’ just-concluded training camp.
MVP (most valuable player) morphed into MVC (most valuable camper) and then became simply BP (best player), but it took carrying the initials to MIP (most impressive player) to reach not only a consensus but a unanimous selection: Percy Harvin.
And the most impressive aspect about Harvin is that he participated – fully and impressively – from the first practice on July 25 to the 13th practice on Wednesday. Remember, Harvin had hip surgery last Aug. 1, so he never was a factor in camp and was limited to a handful of snaps in one regular-season game.
“You have no idea,” Harvin said through a smile when presented with the what-a-difference-a-year-makes scenario. “My body is feeling tremendously good. I’ve actually reached some gears that I didn’t know I had. I’m feeling very, very fast right now.”
Harvin isn’t just feeling fast, he looks fast. Freakishly fast. Intimidatingly fast. Gone-in-a-blur fast. Whether he’s catching passes from the flanker spot, out of the slot or coming out of the backfield. A healthy Harvin presents a dynamic that was missing from the Seahawks’ offense last season after he was acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings in March.
“To have Percy for an entire training camp has really helped a lot,” quarterback Russell Wilson said after completing his third training camp, but the first with Harvin among his options. “Our connection, as you saw today, he made a lot of plays, was doing a lot of great things.”
And Harvin’s dossier of receptions in the final practice came during a workout when he figured to be limited after having his leg and foot stepped on during Tuesday’s session.
“To have Percy out there with his explosiveness, his tough mentality is great,” Wilson said. “We love him as a teammate.”
Make that a teammate who makes those around him better.
“Good players always help everyone else,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “And Percy is an outstanding player. He’s explosive. He makes plays. That makes everyone around him better.”
To say that Harvin is on schedule slights what he is doing. To say he is ahead of schedule doesn’t tell the whole story, either.
“I was supposed to be sitting out every other practice,” he said. “But I’ve been going every day. Like I said, I’m feeling very good. I’m explosive. I’m coming out of my breaks with no problem at all. I’m feeling very confident and I’m ready to go.
“It’s going to be a good year for me.”
Other honor campers:
Best Defensive Players
Michael Bennett and K.J. Wright. While you could find Bennett lined up at the five-technique end spot that now-departed Red Bryant filled the past three seasons or inside in the nickel line, Wright was the last-starter-standing among the linebackers for most of camp. But each was consistent, and consistently good. That shouldn’t be surprising. Bennett led the NFL’s top-ranked defense with 8.5 sacks last season after being signed in free agency. Wright has ranked among the Top 5 tacklers in each of the past three seasons. And his productive presence on the weak-side has been even more important this summer with middle linebacker and leading tackler Bobby Wagner and strong-side ’backers Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith sidelined.
Best Offensive Player
Doug Baldwin. The already-productive Baldwin is one of those receivers who can take advantage of the additional coverage that Harvin will draw. He has moved from flanker to split end, but continues to impress – and also will continue to work from the slot. “Doug is an ultimate competitor. We love the way he competes,” Bevell said. “He’s catching the ball well. I think something that kind of showed up is his speed. I think his speed is a little underestimated, and his speed definitely has shown up at camp.” So Baldwin definitely is not pedestrian.
Best Special Teams Player
Steven Hauschka. They don’t call this guy “Hausch-Money” for nothing. In addition to going three-for-three on field goal attempts in the opener against the Broncos, Hauschka has been the picture of consistency in practice.
Best Rookie
Paul Richardson. Right tackle Justin Britt and middle linebacker Brock Coyle have played more – Britt while trying to lockdown the starting spot and Coyle while stepping in for Wagner. But the coaches, players and scouts who offered opinions all tabbed the speedy receiver who was the team’s top draft choice in May. “Here’s very talented,” Bevell said. “Obviously we know that he’s got great speed. He’s got great quickness. But the best thing is for him to have the opportunity to get reps. We really like him. We feel like we kind of know what he can do. But it takes time.”
Best Free Agent Addition
Kevin Williams. How is it that the Super Bowl champions are able to add a six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle to the mix so late in the process? That question answers itself, because Williams signed with the Seahawks on June 16 because he wants a chance to help them win another Super Bowl. He turned 33 on Saturday, but Williams’ performance during training camp shows he has plenty left to do just that.
Most Improved Player
Phil Bates. He has looked like an NFL wide receiver since signing with the Seahawks as a rookie free agent in 2012. This camp, Bates has played like an NFL wide receiver. He has used his size (6-1, 220) to battle defenders and displayed the ability to catch the ball in traffic. At one of the most-competition positions on the team, Bates has been one of the most-competitive players.
Best Quote
“It’s just one of those love affairs that you almost want to leave your wife for. It just keeps going and going and going. And the fans just make it so much better to come out there; it makes it easier to practice.” – Michael Bennett on the 31,000-plus fans who attended the 12 open-to-the-public practices
When it comes to training camp impressions, not one was more impressive than Percy Harvin
Take aways from tonight in terms of players:
Schoefield looks much better in his stand LB position than at LEO. Its nearly night and day.
Michaels is a much improved pass blocker, which is a very good sign.
OL looked much different with more starters back. RB's were actually getting holes to run through.
Our QB's are athletic. I have to say, Pryor just oozes athleticism. I never thought he would amount to shit, but he has looked very good this year.
Feels good to see Harvin!
Gilliam actually looks impressive at LT. Yes, it was against other 3rd stringers, but he has great technique.
Simon is going to push Maxwell for PT....you read it here first. That kid has lots of talent and that pick 6 was legit, fuck the refs.
I like what Scruggs brings to the DL. Very versatile.
Mayowa is going to make some noise.
Mike Morgan is trying to take over Malcolm Smith's PT...that kid is fast and likes to find the ball behind the line of scrimmage. He has always been that, but he looks hungry this year.
Last but not least, i was a bit underwhelmed by the WR corp for this game. None of the young guys really did enough to show they want a spot.
Schoefield looks much better in his stand LB position than at LEO. Its nearly night and day.
Michaels is a much improved pass blocker, which is a very good sign.
OL looked much different with more starters back. RB's were actually getting holes to run through.
Our QB's are athletic. I have to say, Pryor just oozes athleticism. I never thought he would amount to shit, but he has looked very good this year.
Feels good to see Harvin!
Gilliam actually looks impressive at LT. Yes, it was against other 3rd stringers, but he has great technique.
Simon is going to push Maxwell for PT....you read it here first. That kid has lots of talent and that pick 6 was legit, fuck the refs.
I like what Scruggs brings to the DL. Very versatile.
Mayowa is going to make some noise.
Mike Morgan is trying to take over Malcolm Smith's PT...that kid is fast and likes to find the ball behind the line of scrimmage. He has always been that, but he looks hungry this year.
Last but not least, i was a bit underwhelmed by the WR corp for this game. None of the young guys really did enough to show they want a spot.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks' offense primed for big season
The Seattle Seahawks are poised to make a run at a second straight Super Bowl title, but this time around, the offense could play a much bigger role. The expanded playbook that this team has put on display in the preseason leads me to believe the unit will not only complement a defense that remains stellar in every area, but it will challenge opponents to come up with exotic schemes to defend a vastly improved offensive attack.
Given some time to take an extensive look at the All-22 Coaches Film from Seattle's first two preseason contests, I've come up with three reasons for the "12s" to be really excited about the offense that Pete Carroll is assembling in the Pacific Northwest:
1) Seattle will allow Russell Wilson to become a bigger playmaker in 2014.
Despite recording a 24-8 regular-season record -- as well as 10 game-winning drives and eight fourth-quarter comebacks -- in his brief career, Wilson is viewed as a game manager by many observers. Skeptics suggest the third-year pro is simply a caretaker in the backfield who greatly benefits from a potent running game and a dominant defense.
Yes, the Seahawks heavily rely on the run (Seattle ran the ball on more than 50 percent of its offensive plays in 2013) and a devastating D, but I believe Wilson is a dynamic playmaker poised to join the ranks of the quarterbacking elite, thanks to the implementation of a diversified offense that will give him more opportunities to torment opponents with his arm and legs.
Now, I know the "12s" already believe Wilson deserves a seat at the table, based on his impressive two-year resume (see: 100.6 career passer rating and a 52:19 TD-to-INT ratio), but the fact that he has just three 300-yard passing games (playoffs included) to his name makes it hard to attribute the Seahawks' success to the presence of a franchise quarterback in the backfield. Considering Wilson has attempted 30-plus throws just seven times in 32 regular-season starts, it's safe to say Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has kept his young quarterback on a short leash.
Looking at the Seahawks' first two preseason games, however, I've seen Bevell incorporate a variety of formations and concepts to create more chances for Wilson to make plays on the perimeter. Although some of these tactics have been used sparingly by the Seahawks in the past, the continued maturation of Wilson as a passer and playmaker has prompted the team to open up the playbook more frequently.
Watching Seattle's 41-14 win over the San Diego Chargers last Friday, I noticed the Seahawks using a variety of empty formations with Wilson on the field. These formations are ideal for shorter quarterbacks (Wilson's listed height is 5-foot-11) because the spread set removes defenders from the box, opening up passing lanes. Additionally, the empty formation allows Wilson to quickly determine whether the defense is in man or zone, based on the deployment of linebackers and safeties. With Wilson's running skills also adding a dimension to the scheme, Seattle can really put defenses in a bind by clearing out the backfield.
Let's take a look at a few examples ...
In the following screengrab, the Seahawks break the huddle in an empty formation, with running back Christine Michael aligned at the bottom of the screen and tight end Luke Willson positioned in the slot. The Seahawks have moved their RB and TE into unique positions to make it easy for Wilson to read whether the Chargers are in man or zone, based on which defenders match up over Michael and Willson. When linebacker Manti Te'o runs outside to handle the running back, Wilson knows the Chargers are in some form of man coverage:
Wilson quickly spots the slot defender blitzing off the edge and looks for a hot receiver or an open running lane to flee the pocket:
With the secondary locked in man coverage, Wilson escapes the rush up the middle and finds enough room to run for a 13-yard gain:
In the next screengrab, the Seahawks are in an empty formation on third-and-8, with Willson and Michael aligned on the hips of the offensive tackles. The Chargers are defending the formation with a soft zone coverage designed to take away the deep ball, while conceding underneath throws to the flat:
Wilson reads the flat defender running down the seam and notices that the linebacker is too far away to make a play on Willson:
Wilson makes the easy toss to the tight end and watches Willson work up the field for a big gain on a simple "pitch and catch":
The Seahawks also used a mix of bootlegs and movement-based passes that put Wilson on the perimeter with the option to run or pass based on the coverage. Although Wilson will be encouraged to throw the ball more often to preserve his health, his ability to run around and pick up first downs with his feet can make up for a poor play call or exceptional coverage down the field.
Overall, the Seahawks have expanded their playbook to incorporate more traditional drop-back passes to complement the play-action concepts that comprised the bulk of the playbook in the past. With the zone-read running game also available, the Seahawks' offensive growth could help Wilson go from good to great in 2014.
2) The Percy Harvin Effect takes the Seahawks' offense to another level.
When the Seahawks traded for Harvin last offseason, I was curious how Carroll would take advantage of an explosive runner/receiver/returner threat. Injuries kept Harvin on the sidelines for all but three games (postseason included), but his mere presence on the field in those contests changed the way opponents defended the Seahawks, leading to more big plays for the unit.
Looking back at his appearances against the Vikings, Saints and Broncos, it was apparent that those defenses paid close attention to his whereabouts, judging by the alignment of safeties prior to the snap. Still, Harvin made an impact on fly sweeps, bubble screens and quick routes, and he also opened up the field for the rest of the Seahawks' offensive weapons.
After watching the Seahawks' stellar performance against San Diego last Friday, it's clear to me Harvin will make a huge impact as a versatile weapon on the perimeter. Seattle will make a concerted effort to feed him on a variety of clever plays designed to get him loose in space. From the aforementioned quick routes and receiver runs to a handful of vertical throws, the Seahawks likely will attempt to get Harvin 10-plus touches per game.
In the following screengrab, on the first offensive play of the game against San Diego, the Seahawks motion Harvin to the outside of the formation to create a stack alignment in one of their ace formations. Harvin will take a few steps up the field before retreating to receive the screen pass from Wilson:
Wilson fakes a handoff to Marshawn Lynch before turning to fire the ball to Harvin:
Harvin picks up a quick 8 yards.
These are the high-percentage throws that loosen up the defense early, help Wilson find a rhythm as a passer and eventually create more space for Lynch and Robert Turbin to run between the tackles.
The next series of screengrabs illustrates how Harvin's speed and quickness create big-play chances on vertical throws. The Seahawks break the huddle aligned in a trips formation, with Harvin positioned on the inside. He will run a sail route underneath a pair of go-routes:
The Chargers are playing man coverage, but Harvin's speed and quickness allow him to separate from the defender out of the break:
With plenty of room to lead Harvin away from coverage, Wilson throws a dart to the boundary that results in an easy first down:
......
The Seattle Seahawks are poised to make a run at a second straight Super Bowl title, but this time around, the offense could play a much bigger role. The expanded playbook that this team has put on display in the preseason leads me to believe the unit will not only complement a defense that remains stellar in every area, but it will challenge opponents to come up with exotic schemes to defend a vastly improved offensive attack.
Given some time to take an extensive look at the All-22 Coaches Film from Seattle's first two preseason contests, I've come up with three reasons for the "12s" to be really excited about the offense that Pete Carroll is assembling in the Pacific Northwest:
1) Seattle will allow Russell Wilson to become a bigger playmaker in 2014.
Despite recording a 24-8 regular-season record -- as well as 10 game-winning drives and eight fourth-quarter comebacks -- in his brief career, Wilson is viewed as a game manager by many observers. Skeptics suggest the third-year pro is simply a caretaker in the backfield who greatly benefits from a potent running game and a dominant defense.
Yes, the Seahawks heavily rely on the run (Seattle ran the ball on more than 50 percent of its offensive plays in 2013) and a devastating D, but I believe Wilson is a dynamic playmaker poised to join the ranks of the quarterbacking elite, thanks to the implementation of a diversified offense that will give him more opportunities to torment opponents with his arm and legs.
Now, I know the "12s" already believe Wilson deserves a seat at the table, based on his impressive two-year resume (see: 100.6 career passer rating and a 52:19 TD-to-INT ratio), but the fact that he has just three 300-yard passing games (playoffs included) to his name makes it hard to attribute the Seahawks' success to the presence of a franchise quarterback in the backfield. Considering Wilson has attempted 30-plus throws just seven times in 32 regular-season starts, it's safe to say Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has kept his young quarterback on a short leash.
Looking at the Seahawks' first two preseason games, however, I've seen Bevell incorporate a variety of formations and concepts to create more chances for Wilson to make plays on the perimeter. Although some of these tactics have been used sparingly by the Seahawks in the past, the continued maturation of Wilson as a passer and playmaker has prompted the team to open up the playbook more frequently.
Watching Seattle's 41-14 win over the San Diego Chargers last Friday, I noticed the Seahawks using a variety of empty formations with Wilson on the field. These formations are ideal for shorter quarterbacks (Wilson's listed height is 5-foot-11) because the spread set removes defenders from the box, opening up passing lanes. Additionally, the empty formation allows Wilson to quickly determine whether the defense is in man or zone, based on the deployment of linebackers and safeties. With Wilson's running skills also adding a dimension to the scheme, Seattle can really put defenses in a bind by clearing out the backfield.
Let's take a look at a few examples ...
In the following screengrab, the Seahawks break the huddle in an empty formation, with running back Christine Michael aligned at the bottom of the screen and tight end Luke Willson positioned in the slot. The Seahawks have moved their RB and TE into unique positions to make it easy for Wilson to read whether the Chargers are in man or zone, based on which defenders match up over Michael and Willson. When linebacker Manti Te'o runs outside to handle the running back, Wilson knows the Chargers are in some form of man coverage:
Wilson quickly spots the slot defender blitzing off the edge and looks for a hot receiver or an open running lane to flee the pocket:
With the secondary locked in man coverage, Wilson escapes the rush up the middle and finds enough room to run for a 13-yard gain:
In the next screengrab, the Seahawks are in an empty formation on third-and-8, with Willson and Michael aligned on the hips of the offensive tackles. The Chargers are defending the formation with a soft zone coverage designed to take away the deep ball, while conceding underneath throws to the flat:
Wilson reads the flat defender running down the seam and notices that the linebacker is too far away to make a play on Willson:
Wilson makes the easy toss to the tight end and watches Willson work up the field for a big gain on a simple "pitch and catch":
The Seahawks also used a mix of bootlegs and movement-based passes that put Wilson on the perimeter with the option to run or pass based on the coverage. Although Wilson will be encouraged to throw the ball more often to preserve his health, his ability to run around and pick up first downs with his feet can make up for a poor play call or exceptional coverage down the field.
Overall, the Seahawks have expanded their playbook to incorporate more traditional drop-back passes to complement the play-action concepts that comprised the bulk of the playbook in the past. With the zone-read running game also available, the Seahawks' offensive growth could help Wilson go from good to great in 2014.
2) The Percy Harvin Effect takes the Seahawks' offense to another level.
When the Seahawks traded for Harvin last offseason, I was curious how Carroll would take advantage of an explosive runner/receiver/returner threat. Injuries kept Harvin on the sidelines for all but three games (postseason included), but his mere presence on the field in those contests changed the way opponents defended the Seahawks, leading to more big plays for the unit.
Looking back at his appearances against the Vikings, Saints and Broncos, it was apparent that those defenses paid close attention to his whereabouts, judging by the alignment of safeties prior to the snap. Still, Harvin made an impact on fly sweeps, bubble screens and quick routes, and he also opened up the field for the rest of the Seahawks' offensive weapons.
After watching the Seahawks' stellar performance against San Diego last Friday, it's clear to me Harvin will make a huge impact as a versatile weapon on the perimeter. Seattle will make a concerted effort to feed him on a variety of clever plays designed to get him loose in space. From the aforementioned quick routes and receiver runs to a handful of vertical throws, the Seahawks likely will attempt to get Harvin 10-plus touches per game.
In the following screengrab, on the first offensive play of the game against San Diego, the Seahawks motion Harvin to the outside of the formation to create a stack alignment in one of their ace formations. Harvin will take a few steps up the field before retreating to receive the screen pass from Wilson:
Wilson fakes a handoff to Marshawn Lynch before turning to fire the ball to Harvin:
Harvin picks up a quick 8 yards.
These are the high-percentage throws that loosen up the defense early, help Wilson find a rhythm as a passer and eventually create more space for Lynch and Robert Turbin to run between the tackles.
The next series of screengrabs illustrates how Harvin's speed and quickness create big-play chances on vertical throws. The Seahawks break the huddle aligned in a trips formation, with Harvin positioned on the inside. He will run a sail route underneath a pair of go-routes:
The Chargers are playing man coverage, but Harvin's speed and quickness allow him to separate from the defender out of the break:
With plenty of room to lead Harvin away from coverage, Wilson throws a dart to the boundary that results in an easy first down:
......
Props:
Palmer and Palmer
.....continued
......
In addition to putting the ball in the hands of the Seahawks' most dangerous offensive weapon, those plays force defensive coordinators to account for Harvin's whereabouts on every snap. This creates a huge advantage for the Seahawks when they use Harvin as a decoy.
In the next screengrab, the Seahawks are aligned in a trips formation, with Harvin again positioned on the inside. With Seattle facing a third-and-1, Harvin will run a bubble screen to lure a defender or two away from the box:
When Wilson notices that the Chargers are matched up well with Harvin on the perimeter, he executes the zone-read with Turbin between the tackles:
Turbin bursts up the gut to pick up a first down -- though Wilson could've popped a big run if he'd decided to keep the ball, with Chargers LB Tourek Williams (58) crashing hard on the inside run:
Now, let's take a look at one example of Harvin's mere presence creating a home-run opportunity in the passing game.
In the screengrab that follows, the Seahawks are aligned in traditional I-formation, with Harvin positioned at the bottom of the screen in the flanker spot. Harvin will run a go-route, while tight end Zach Miller will run a seam down the hashes. The Chargers are playing a cloud coverage on the strong side, with safety Jahleel Addae rolling over the top to take away the deep route to Harvin:
With Addae running to the sideline, Miller is left wide open down the middle of the field. Wilson delivers a perfect strike to his tight end, and the Seahawks pick up 37 yards:
3) Robert Turbin and Christine Michael are primed for expanded roles.
The Seahawks don't need to use a committee approach in the backfield, given the presence of bell-cow back Marshawn Lynch, but the team should consider giving Turbin and Michael more opportunities this season, due to their emerging games and the 28-year-old Lynch's advancing age. Turbin and Michael each offer the explosiveness and physicality that Carroll covets in his runners, yet they bring diverse skills to the offense that will help Bevell expand the playbook.
Turbin, a third-year pro, is a sledgehammer-type with a hard-nosed running style ideally suited for the Seahawks' zone-based ground attack. He is adept at spotting holes on the back side and wastes little time attacking the crease when it opens. What his one-cut running style lacks in pizzazz, it makes up for in efficiency: Turbin rarely loses yards on inside- and outside-zone runs, which is critical to staying ahead of schedule in today's game. With Turbin adept at executing runs from the traditional one-back and I-formations, the Seahawks can utilize the youngster as a power player at various stages of the game.
Michael, a second-year pro, is a flashy runner with explosive speed and quickness. He displays exceptional acceleration and burst in the hole while also showcasing outstanding vision, balance and body control. Thus, he is a home-run threat capable of breaking off big gains when he spots a crease between the tackles. Now, I must point out that Michael lacks patience at the point of attack, but his natural speed and athleticism make him a player who needs to see significant time on the field. In fact, I believe he is ideally suited to play in the Seahawks' shotgun sets; given his college experience in Texas A&M's spread, Michael is most comfortable executing the shotgun running game (zone-reads, draws and delays). With Wilson's extraordinary ball skills and running ability, Michael could prove lethal on a variety of zone-read plays.
Of course, I believe the Seahawks should continue to use Lynch as the lead dog, due to his proven production as a feature runner. But it's time to lighten the veteran's load during the regular season, to ensure he is fresh enough to make a big impact down the stretch and in the playoffs. The postseason is all about running the ball to win games, so clever utilization of a three-headed monster should make the Seahawks even tougher in the long run.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks' offense primed for big season - NFL.com
......
In addition to putting the ball in the hands of the Seahawks' most dangerous offensive weapon, those plays force defensive coordinators to account for Harvin's whereabouts on every snap. This creates a huge advantage for the Seahawks when they use Harvin as a decoy.
In the next screengrab, the Seahawks are aligned in a trips formation, with Harvin again positioned on the inside. With Seattle facing a third-and-1, Harvin will run a bubble screen to lure a defender or two away from the box:
When Wilson notices that the Chargers are matched up well with Harvin on the perimeter, he executes the zone-read with Turbin between the tackles:
Turbin bursts up the gut to pick up a first down -- though Wilson could've popped a big run if he'd decided to keep the ball, with Chargers LB Tourek Williams (58) crashing hard on the inside run:
Now, let's take a look at one example of Harvin's mere presence creating a home-run opportunity in the passing game.
In the screengrab that follows, the Seahawks are aligned in traditional I-formation, with Harvin positioned at the bottom of the screen in the flanker spot. Harvin will run a go-route, while tight end Zach Miller will run a seam down the hashes. The Chargers are playing a cloud coverage on the strong side, with safety Jahleel Addae rolling over the top to take away the deep route to Harvin:
With Addae running to the sideline, Miller is left wide open down the middle of the field. Wilson delivers a perfect strike to his tight end, and the Seahawks pick up 37 yards:
3) Robert Turbin and Christine Michael are primed for expanded roles.
The Seahawks don't need to use a committee approach in the backfield, given the presence of bell-cow back Marshawn Lynch, but the team should consider giving Turbin and Michael more opportunities this season, due to their emerging games and the 28-year-old Lynch's advancing age. Turbin and Michael each offer the explosiveness and physicality that Carroll covets in his runners, yet they bring diverse skills to the offense that will help Bevell expand the playbook.
Turbin, a third-year pro, is a sledgehammer-type with a hard-nosed running style ideally suited for the Seahawks' zone-based ground attack. He is adept at spotting holes on the back side and wastes little time attacking the crease when it opens. What his one-cut running style lacks in pizzazz, it makes up for in efficiency: Turbin rarely loses yards on inside- and outside-zone runs, which is critical to staying ahead of schedule in today's game. With Turbin adept at executing runs from the traditional one-back and I-formations, the Seahawks can utilize the youngster as a power player at various stages of the game.
Michael, a second-year pro, is a flashy runner with explosive speed and quickness. He displays exceptional acceleration and burst in the hole while also showcasing outstanding vision, balance and body control. Thus, he is a home-run threat capable of breaking off big gains when he spots a crease between the tackles. Now, I must point out that Michael lacks patience at the point of attack, but his natural speed and athleticism make him a player who needs to see significant time on the field. In fact, I believe he is ideally suited to play in the Seahawks' shotgun sets; given his college experience in Texas A&M's spread, Michael is most comfortable executing the shotgun running game (zone-reads, draws and delays). With Wilson's extraordinary ball skills and running ability, Michael could prove lethal on a variety of zone-read plays.
Of course, I believe the Seahawks should continue to use Lynch as the lead dog, due to his proven production as a feature runner. But it's time to lighten the veteran's load during the regular season, to ensure he is fresh enough to make a big impact down the stretch and in the playoffs. The postseason is all about running the ball to win games, so clever utilization of a three-headed monster should make the Seahawks even tougher in the long run.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks' offense primed for big season - NFL.com
Bradford out for the season with the Rams. AZ has a few injuries. Big bummers for them (hate eo see guys go down in pre season). Not sure what to make of the niners looking so bad (pre season, I agree doe's necessarily mean anything). While Seahawks are looking very sharp.
Last year after the Superbowl I said the scary thing was they did it without reaching their full potential. The offense was pretty vanilla all year. You add a dynamic offense this year? That is scary, real scary to think they could potentially be a better team this year.
Last year after the Superbowl I said the scary thing was they did it without reaching their full potential. The offense was pretty vanilla all year. You add a dynamic offense this year? That is scary, real scary to think they could potentially be a better team this year.