Seattle Seahawks | Tuppence Talks NFL

From the sidelines: Seahawks vs. Raiders

Filed under Seattle Seahawks by on September 6, 2011 at 10:02 pm {no comments}

Friday’s preseason game was a little more than the Seahawks’ final exhibition of 2011 — it was also the NFL’s final preseason matchup of the summer.

And as such, Coach Pete Carroll joked that his team was playing in the Super Bowl of the preseason.

“It’s on in every bar in America,” a grinning Carroll told the players in the locker room before kickoff. “Show them who we are. Let it rip. Don’t miss this chance.”

Carroll’s motivational ploy for the fourth and final preseason game sure worked, as the Seahawks went out and dominated all phases en route to a 20-3 victory over the Raiders at CenturyLink Field on Friday night.

But more important than the big-time victory — or the stellar performances by the defense, wideout Golden Tate and several other key backups — was that the Seahawks took a step forward in their preseason-long maturation and identity-finding process.

“We’re learning about ourselves,” Carroll said during Thursday night’s team meeting at a local hotel. “There is extraordinary power when you know who you are. We’re going to find out more about us on Friday. Show us something cool.”

On Friday, they got closer to knowing who they are and will be in 2011. The offense started clicking, the defense locked down the Raiders and several individuals rose up to leave their mark on the victory.

“It was so good to see you play all phases so well,” Carroll said in the locker room after the game. “That was a really good way to finish it off.”

The performance on Friday now carries the Seahawks into the 2011 season, where unlimited promise, buoyed by a strong preseason finale, lies ahead.

“We’re going to have a heck of a football season,” Carroll exclaimed, wrapping up his postgame speech. “There’s no doubt about it.”

What exactly the season looks like obviously remains to be seen, but Carroll and the Seahawks now charge forward into the regular season with confidence and a better feel for their identity — all thanks to an impressive effort in the “Preseason Super Bowl.”

“We’ve got to come back as one, all phases, together, doing it as one,” Carroll implored. “If we do that, nothing can hold us back.”

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Up next: San Francisco 49ers

Filed under Seattle Seahawks by on September 6, 2011 at 6:31 pm {no comments}

When: Sunday, 1:15 p.m., Candlestick Park

Record: 2-2 in the preseason; 6-10 last season, when they won five of their last nine games.

Where they rank: No. 24 on offense in 2010 (19^th rushing, 18^th passing); No. 13 on defense (6^th rushing, 24^th passing)

Series: Seahawks lead 13-11, as the teams split the series last season with the Seahawks winning the opener in Seattle 31-6 and the 49ers winning 40-21 in Week 14 in San Francisco.

Star power: Patrick Willis. What hasn’t the multitalented linebacker done since the 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2007 draft? He has been to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons, and led the team in tackles each season – averaging almost 150. He also led the NFL in tackles in 2009 (152) and 2007 (174). But this season, the 49ers also will look to Willis to pressure the opposing QB more often. He had six of his career 15 sacks last season.

Unsung hero: Vernon Davis. Unsung? The Pro Bowl tight end? Well, not exactly, but the freakishly talented Davis should be able to produce even more if Michael Crabtree and just-added Braylon Edwards can stretch the field from their wide receiver spots. And that’s saying something after Davis became the first tight end in franchise history to lead the team in receptions, receiving yards and TD catches in back-to-back seasons. He caught 78 passes and scored 13 touchdowns in 2009, but those totals dipped to 56 and seven last season.

On the spot: Alex Smith. Here’s been here before, and so have we. Since being the first pick overall in the NFL Draft in 2005, Smith has had six coordinators and two significant shoulder injuries. But he’s back, on a one-year contract. Smith has not had a 16-start season since 2006 and started 10 games in each of the past two seasons. Last season, he lost the starting job to Troy Smith and also separated his left shoulder in the seventh game. Smith is 3-5 in eight starts against the Seahawks, but he had a three-TD game against them in San Francisco last season.

Burning question: Can Jim Harbaugh succeed where Dennis Erickson (9-23 in 2003-04), Mike Nolan (18-37 in 2005-08) and Mike Singletary (19-22 in 2008-10) did not? That definitely is the 49ers’ plan, after they lured Harbaugh from Stanford. That definitely is Harbaugh’s plan. “I mean, without excuse, without hesitation, losing is not an option and that’s what we aim to do,” the former NFL QB said at his introductory news conference on Jan. 7.

Number to know: The 49ers are 9-3 in the NFC West the past two seasons.

Familiar faces: S Dashon Goldson played at the University of Washington. Offensive assistant coach Bobby Engram played for the Seahawks (2002-08) and was voted to the 35^th Anniversary team. Offensive line coach Mike Solari coached for the Seahawks (2008-09). Secondary coach Ed Donatell coached at the University of Washington (1981-82). Tight ends coach Reggie Davis played for the Huskies (1994-98). Special assistant to the head coach Bill Nayes worked for the Seahawks (1999-2006), as did national scout Matt Malaspina (2000-04). Senior personnel advisor John Becker was the Seahawks offensive coordinator (1989-91).

The last word: “With everyone knowing the lockout was coming, this wasn’t the year to start being a head coach in the NFL. Jim Harbaugh is going to be a good coach in the NFL, but it’s going to be a rocky start for him.” – Former Raiders coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, to the San Jose Mercury News

By Clare Farnsworth

September 6, 2011 – 11:05 am

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On this date

Filed under Seattle Seahawks by on September 6, 2011 at 5:01 pm {no comments}

A look at the memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on Sept. 6:

1992 – The Bengals beat the Seahawks 21-3 at the Kingdome in Tom Flores’ first game as coach.

1998 – The Seahawks open their season with a 36-0 victory over the Eagles in Philadelphia as Ahman Green rushes for 100 yards on only six carries and Warren Moon throws two TD passes to Joey Galloway.

By Clare Farnsworth

September 6, 2011 – 9:19 am

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Cyber surfing: Tuesday

Filed under Seattle Seahawks by on September 6, 2011 at 4:31 pm {no comments}

Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Sept. 6:

Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times says that despite another busy cut-down weekend for the Seahawks, don’t expect the constant roster turnover of a year ago – when the club made 284 transactions. Offers O’Neil: “And while this week’s moves may feel similar to last season, that is where the comparison to 2010 will end, according to coach Pete Carroll. ‘I feel very confident that there won’t be a lot of moves from this point forward,’ Carroll said. ‘We’re strongly committed to the guys that we’ve chosen.’ ”

Eric Williams of the News Tribune was among the reporters gathered around Mike Williams after practice on Monday, and the team’s leading receiver from last season defended his new QB. Says Williams (Mike, not Eric): “It’s kind of unbelievable. If it’s overwhelming for a teammate, then it has to be enough for him. I just kind of want to tell everybody, ‘Back the hell up.’ Let him play. Let him have his shot to work and go out here and do his thing.”

John Boyle at the Everett Herald focuses on rookie James Carpenter getting work at left guard in practice, with Robert Gallery sidelined by a sprained knee. Says Boyle: “If Gallery can’t play, one of the options to replace him is apparently first-round pick James Carpenter, who up until Monday has strictly worked at right tackle, where he is projected as a starter. Carpenter saw action at guard, a position he played some in college, as well as his usually tackle spot Monday. The Seahawks also have Paul McQuistan and Lemuel Jeanpierre as options at guard.”

Also at the Everett Herald, former beat writer Scott Johnson is doing a series of features on Seahawks looking back at the “The Game of My Life.” It starts with defensive end Jacob Green, who picks a game against the Raiders on Dec. 22, 1984. Says Green: “My father had died that week, and I dedicated that game to him. I wasn’t in town for practice, and the coaches didn’t know if I was going to play. I didn’t even know if was I was going to play. But I played, and we beat the Raiders 13-7. I had 2½ sacks. I was out there for my father, and I played like I was possessed for that particular reason. I was really playing. We had Kenny Easley on defense and all these other people playing well: Jeff Bryant, Joe Nash, all those guys. But that was my day.”

Mike Sando at ESPN.com, prompted by a reader’s question, “defends” the NFC West. Says Sando: “Having a division winner with a losing record cannot overcome a one-game upset. The NFC South went 13-3 against the NFC West last season. I won’t be surprised if the Dallas Cowboys exceed expectations this season in part because they’re paired against this division. The NFC West needs to win non-division games more regularly to change perceptions. This division should improve in 2011.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we’ve got a bodacious recap of Monday’s practice, as well as a feature on what a weekend it was for rookie free agent safety Jeron Johnson and new kicker Steve Hauschka. There’s also Tony Ventrella’s video report and Rod Mar’s photos from practice. And because it was Monday, there’s also the Monday metatarsal musings.

Michael Lombardi at NFL.com compiles his own “dream team,” with a salary cap. There are no Seahawks on it, but it’s an interesting premise and project nonetheless. Says Lombardi: “Watching all the teams this weekend make cuts and set their 53-man rosters gave me the itch to build a team of my own. With players from all 32 teams serving as my candidate pool and working under the constraints of the $ 121 million salary cap, I put together my own 53-man roster. I used the base salaries of the players for the 2011 season and not their cap number, which gave me a little more flexibility in assembling my team. My point of emphasis for building this team was to make sure I had top players at what I believe to be four critical positions: 1. Quarterback; 2. Left tackle; 3. Defensive end; 4. Cover corner.”

By Clare Farnsworth

September 6, 2011 – 8:50 am

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