Seahawks Stuff...

[jootep]

Any chance we will benefit from the Seahawks having one less day of rest and a long trip to and from DC?

 

[Clay_Allison]

Would be smart to make Catches Like a Retard beat you.

Chances are it is going to bounce off his chest or go right through his hands if he tries to catch with those.

Didn't work for New Orleans.

 

[BipolarFuk]

Didn't work for New Orleans.

No, but I'll bet he costs us a game or two because he can't catch properly.

 

[jsmith6919]

Any chance we will benefit from the Seahawks having one less day of rest and a long trip to and from DC?

The adderall will negate that

 

[Cotton]

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys vs. Seahawks preview
October, 10, 2014

By Terry Blount and Todd Archer | ESPN.com


So much for thinking this would be the easy home game on the Seattle Seahawks' October schedule. The Dallas Cowboys come to CenturyLink Field on Sunday as the hottest team in the NFL, winners of four consecutive games.

The Cowboys also have the league's leading rusher in DeMarco Murray, running behind a young offensive line that is playing like some of the great Dallas lines of past glory and Super Bowls remembered.

The Cowboys may be the most surprising team in the NFL so far, but Sunday's game against the defending Super Bowl champions will be a stern test and an indication of just how good this Dallas team really is.

ESPN NFL Nation Cowboys reporter Todd Archer and Seahawks reporter Terry Blount preview the game and answer key questions about the matchup.

Blount: Todd, I guess the obvious question right off the bat is what everyone up here wants to know. Are the Cowboys for real? They've won four in a row, but those wins have come against teams with a combined record of 7-12.

Archer: I'm still on the fence a little bit but coming around. The past two wins against the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans were different than the ones against the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams. I'm not sure we'll see the Titans and Rams win many more games. I expect the Saints and Texans to contend for a playoff spot. I've had a hard time buying in because of the Cowboys' defense. While they have been better than anybody really could have imagined, I think some of it is smoke and mirrors. They don't rush the passer well. They've had run defense issues. They have not allowed as many big plays through the air, but I think the lack of a pass rush will eventually catch up with them as the offenses they face get better.

Offensively, the Cowboys can compete with the best in the NFL, so if they can continue to dominate the time of possession, then they can really help the defense.

Terry, no team has repeated as a Super Bowl winner since New England in 2003-04, so there isn't a good recent history here. How have the Seahawks dealt with attempting to repeat as Super Bowl champs so far? Has it been a burden?

Blount: On the contrary, I think it has inspired them, but it's the first question everyone asks. Will the success and all the accolades spoil them and will they become complacent? It just ain't happening. The Seahawks still are a young football team with a lot to prove. What they have learned is that every opponent is going to give them their best shot, hoping to knock off the champs. But the Seahawks seem to thrive on a challenge. Tell them they can't do something, like win back-to-back Super Bowls, and they make it their mission to prove they can.

Todd, the Cowboys made a big commitment to improve their offensive line in the draft and it looks like it's paying off. Has the O-line play been a key to their success?

Archer: Without question. They have invested in the offensive line with three first-round picks in Zack Martin, Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith in three of the past four years. They haven't been this good up front since 2007 when the Cowboys were 13-3 and had three Pro Bowlers in Flozell Adams, Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis. Those guys had some wear on them. Martin, Frederick and Smith are just 24 years old. Scott Linehan came to the Cowboys with a passing reputation but people forget how well the Minnesota Vikings ran the ball when he was in charge of that offense with Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss. DeMarco Murray leads the NFL with 670 yards on 130 carries. I'm not sure he can continue at this pace but he has been terrific, in part, because of the guys blocking for him.

Terry, the Cowboys are trying to pattern some of their defensive philosophy on what the Seahawks do, especially by rotating guys on the defensive line. We just talked about the Dallas offensive line, but what stands out about the Seahawks' defensive line?

Blount: First, the D-line has a lot less experience than it had a year ago. Defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant are now in Jacksonville, and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald signed with Tampa Bay. Between the three of them, they accounted for 19 years of experience. They also totaled 90 tackles and 11.5 sacks last season. Aside from adding veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams, they've been replaced by younger, less experienced players such as rookie defensive end Cassius Marsh and second-year defensive tackle Jordan Hill. So far, they haven't been as productive as a unit as last's season group. Defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril are playing a lot more snaps. They've all played well against the run, which will get tested this week by Murray, but they haven't been as productive as pass rushers.

Todd, there were a lot of concerns about the Cowboys' defense entering the season after seeing DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher leave, and losing linebacker Sean Lee for the season to an injury. But it has held three of the first five opponents to less than 20 points. Who has been a big surprise for them on defense?

Archer: If you go back to my first question, you'll see that I'm scratching my head on just how they are doing this. But there's no question the biggest surprise is Rolando McClain. He wasn't in football last year and retired twice since his last game with the Oakland Raiders in 2012. He has brought a presence with him that this defense lost when Lee injured his knee in the spring. If he can't play this week, then that is a major blow for the Cowboys. It also speaks to how tenuous things are for Dallas that a guy who retired twice and hadn't played since November 2012 is their central figure. In the secondary, Orlando Scandrick has played well since coming back from a suspension, so much so that the Cowboys don't miss 2012 first-rounder Morris Claiborne, who is out for the year with a knee injury. The guy who deserves a ton of credit is coordinator Rod Marinelli. He's doing a lot of magic with glue, in my opinion.

Terry, I remember when the Cowboys played up there a few years ago, Russell Wilson was mostly a caretaker quarterback. How has that evolved, or is this still a run-first team that relies on Wilson to keep drives alive?

Blount: Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, it's a run-first team, but make no mistake about it: This is Wilson's show, plain and simple. Anyone who sees him now as a "game-manager" just hasn't been paying attention, especially the past two games. You could argue they wouldn't have won against Denver or Washington without him. He led the team on an 80-yard, game-winning drive in OT to beat Denver. And Monday night, despite an awful night for the offensive line, he rushed for a Monday-night record 122 yards and threw two TD passes. As I've said all season, I honestly believe he's the best quarterback in the league. Wilson won't put up the gaudy numbers because the Seahawks don't throw the ball as much as most teams. What he will do is find a way to win, often in the most difficult of circumstances.

 

[ravidubey]

As I've said all season, I honestly believe he's the best quarterback in the league.

I have definitely become a believer in Russell Wilson. His defense and running game give him a lot of leeway, but he's done whatever it takes to win and always seems to use his head.

We haven't seen him forced into many shootouts or have to come from behind too often, but he would probably be up to the task if pressed.

Key is lane discipline not allowing him to beat the front to the outside with his legs.

 

[Cotton]

Marshawn Lynch keys Seattle offense
October, 10, 2014

By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com

Marshawn Lynch has surpassed the 100-yard mark just once in the past 10 games, but he remains the epicenter of Seattle’s offense.

Let him run wild, and the Cowboys have no chance. Dallas ranks 20th in the NFL in run defense, allowing 122.0 yards per game.

Arian Foster ran through the Cowboys for 157 yards on 23 carries last week. The Cowboys will have middle linebacker Rolando McClain available to help stop Lynch.

McClain aggravated his strained groin late in the fourth quarter against Houston and missed overtime, but he practiced Friday and is expected to play.

If McClain's playing time is limited, the Cowboys will probably use rookie middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens at middle linebacker when he needs a break.

“He’s a great player. He’s a dominant running back who, in many ways, establishes the identity of their team,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s physical, he’s downhill, he's really hard to tackle, and he plays with a relentless spirit to him.

“I think he’s under-appreciated as a receiver and as an athlete. He has great change of direction and body control and great hands. He makes a ton of plays and shows up for them every week.”

Lynch has caught eight passes for 85 yards in the past two games. His 30-yard catch-and-run last week helped clinch the Seahawks’ win over Washington.

 

[Cotton]

Scout's Eye: Third Down Conversions Are The Key Stat
Posted 2 hours ago

Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout

Cowboys Win If:

I thought one of the best games to study when preparing for this game against the Seahawks was their matchup against the San Diego Chargers in Week 2. The way the Chargers were able to attack the Seahawks was impressive because they managed to put them in several bad situations without making huge chunk plays.

Phillip Rivers was content to stay ahead of the chains and take what the Seahawks were willing to give him with some timely draws and simple pass plays underneath to backs and tight ends. The Chargers ran 75 offensive snaps to the Seahawks’ 40 that day and held a time of possession advantage of 42:15 to 17:45.

Maybe the most telling stat from that game was that the Chargers were an incredible 10-of-17 on third down. The Cowboys come into this game leading the league in third down conversions at 54 percent, while the Seahawks’ defense at home is getting off the field 43 percent of the time -- which puts them in the middle of the pack.

Where this game will hinge for the Cowboys is staying ahead of the chains offensively. Manageable downs and distances are going to give them the opportunity to keep the ball away from this Seahawks offense. There are going to be some snaps for this Cowboys offense where things are not going to go well, but if they can play with patience and take what the Seahawks are willing to give, they have a shot to do the same thing to the Seahawks that the Chargers did.

Seahawks Win If:


There are so many ways the Seahawks attack your defensive scheme, but it all starts with Russell Wilson. In my opinion, he is the key in this game for them.

If the Cowboys don’t handle him in this game, he will make it very difficult for them to win. The problem in trying to defend Wilson is that he rarely makes any mistakes with the ball. He is more willing to take the ball and run up the field instead of throwing it up for grabs, and that presents problems. Where Wilson also puts the defenses in a bind is his ability to throw the ball on the run. In all of my years of scouting players, I have never seen a right handed quarterback break to his left and throw the ball with the velocity and accuracy that Wilson has shown. He can put the ball right on the money for some back breaking plays.

Where teams have had some success defending him is if you can build the rush around him by pushing the middle and keeping the edges tight and force him to throw moving straight back in the pocket. The Chargers were able to do that this season and the Cardinals in 2013. If you can get him to retreat in the pocket, two things happen -- he will either eat the ball and take the sack, or he will attempt to throw it into the stands. This Cowboys defense is going to have to play with discipline and focus to combat with all the tricks that Wilson has up his sleeve. If they play him any other way he will make it a very long day for them.

 

[Cotton]

Prediction: Cowboys lose close one
October, 10, 2014

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- For the longest time, the Cowboys have lived on Tony Romo’s right arm, but this year they have lived on DeMarco Murray’s legs. Murray leads the NFL with 670 rushing yards and he is on pace to equal the league record for carries in a season with 416.

He will be looking for his sixth straight game of at least 100 yards, which would tie Jim Brown for the longest streak of 100-yard games to start a season. Murray has been able to pick up chunks of yards with six carries of at least 20 yards, but the going was tougher against the Houston Texans last week when he had a career-high 31 carries go for 136 yards. Jason Garrett said Murray did a good job of picking up the dirty yards versus Houston.

They don’t get much dirtier than they do against the Seahawks, especially in Seattle. At CenturyLink Field, opposing offenses have averaged just 2.8 yards per carry. Only four runners have gained more than 100 yards at Seattle in the Pete Carroll era.

If the Cowboys win, Murray needs to be the fifth.

He might come close but he won’t get it done.

My prediction: Seahawks 27, Cowboys 20

 

[1bigfan13]

I'm wondering if the Cowboys will try to target the deep-along-the-sideline gaps in the Seahawks zone like we've seen the Broncos and Skins successfully do the past 2 games.

I imagine the Seahawks have worked on addressing that vulnerability and will probably look to bait Romo into throwing into that area.

 

[1bigfan13]

You're grasping at any ray of hope aren't you?

 

[Cotton]

You're grasping at any ray of hope aren't you?

It's all I've got this week.

 

[ravidubey]

And no one believed me that the 4-3 was better suited to stopping this gimmick.

 

[Simpleton]

Two 3-4 teams, San Francisco and Arizona, did the best job of containing Seattle's offense last year. I don't think it necessarily has to do with them playing a 3-4 but just the fact that they generally have very tough, physical, talented defenses.

 

[ravidubey]

Two 3-4 teams, San Francisco and Arizona, did the best job of containing Seattle's offense last year. I don't think it necessarily has to do with them playing a 3-4 but just the fact that they generally have very tough, physical, talented defenses.

Yep.

 

[boozeman]

10 Takeaways From Pete Carroll: Max Unger, Alvin Bailey "Day-To-Day"

Posted Oct 8, 2014



Tony Drovetto

Seahawks.com Writer & Produce


On Wednesday afternoon, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll met with the media ahead of his team's "Competition Wednesday" practice and preparation for their Week 6 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys (4-1) on Sunday at Seattle's CenturyLink Field.

Here are 10 key takeaways from Carroll's Wednesday press conference:

1. Carroll said center Max Unger (strained foot) and tackle Alvin Bailey (oblique) would be "day-to-day" this week. Unger was injured in Monday night's win against the Washington Redskins and Bailey sat out Week 5 after missing two days of practice last week.

2. With Unger's status in question, Carroll said former Bellevue High School standout Stephen Schilling is ready to step up as a potential fill-in at the center position, "We've been really, really excited about his play." The Seahawks also signed center Patrick Lewis to add depth at the spot, waiving cornerback Josh Thomas.


3. Running back Marshawn Lynch fully participated in the team's walk-through practice this morning. Back issues forced Lynch to start Monday night's game against the Redskins on the sideline, giving way to backup Robert Turbin in the early goings.

4. Cornerback Tharold Simon, who underwent knee surgery in early September, is "racing to get back" and close to returning, Carroll said.

5. Tight end Zach Miller, who had ankle surgery during the team's Week 4 bye, is "going to be a couple weeks from this point" before he returns, Carroll said.

6. Carroll said Super Bowl XLVIII MVP linebacker Malcolm Smith did not play a defensive snap on Monday against the Redskins because the team liked what they saw from Bruce Irvin, "We felt really good about his contribution." Opportunity was there for a Smith-Irvin split of reps at weakside linebacker, but Carroll said Irvin was playing so well they decided to keep him in.

7. Carroll said Russell Okung - like most players - is playing at less than 100 percent health, but he expects the Seahawks' left tackle to improve as he continues to build strength and confidence in the foot he had surgically repaired this past offseason that kept Okung off the field until mid-August.

8. Asked to compare his team's upcoming matchup with Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to what they've already seen from the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers, and Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning, Carroll said, "You know you've got a guy that can get it done." Carroll said Romo displays a different mobility, creativity, and ability to get out of trouble that the Seattle defense has yet to see this season.

9. Carroll said defensive tackle Brandon Mebane is playing the "best he's played" and is on "top of his game right now," especially against the run. Carroll's said Mebane's work in the middle of the Seahawks' defensive line is what gets the rest of the unit going.

10. And Carroll expressed confidence that his defense would eventually start to force the kind of turnovers they benefited from last season, noting that when they come, they come in bunches. The Seahawks have three takeaways through four games this year compared to the 11 they forced through the first four games last season.

 

[boozeman]

Thursday in Hawkville: Stephen Schilling prepared to step in at center if needed

Posted 21 hours ago



Clare Farnsworth

Seahawks.com Writer

A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Oct. 9, when the Seahawks held their “Turnover Thursday” practice as they continued to prepare for Sunday’s game against Dallas Cowboys at CenturyLink Field:

FOCUS ON: STEPHEN SCHILLING

No one was more surprised when Stephen Schilling was thrust into the middle of the Seahawks’ offensive line in Monday night’s game against the Washington Redskins than the fourth-year lineman.

“I didn’t actually see Max get hurt, so I didn’t have much time to really think. You kind of go in there and play,” Schilling said before Thursday’s practice.

Max, of course, is Pro Bowl center Max Unger. He went out with a foot injury midway through the fourth quarter, with the Seahawks leading 17-10 and facing a first-and-goal at the Redskins’ 5-yard line. Enter Schilling, who played the final three snaps on the 12-play, 53-yard drive that ended with Russell Wilson’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Marshawn Lynch.

Unger returned for the Seahawks’ final series, but he has missed practice the past two days. No one is willing to rule Unger out for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at CenturyLink Field, but if needed Schilling is ready – and working with the No. 1 line the past two days also has made him prepared.

“If called upon, I’m ready,” Schilling said. “Every week this season, I’ve been in there as the backup if he were to get hurt. So you just kind of prepare the same way and you’re ready to play if you’re needed. It helps to get more snaps, obviously, in practice. It helps your level of preparedness. But you always try to be prepared either way.”

Schilling was an All-American lineman at Bellevue High School, then played tackle and guard at the University of Michigan. He also played guard for three seasons with the San Diego Chargers before signing with the Seahawks in March.

He had played center in the preseason, but those three snaps against the Redskins were his first at the position in a regular-season game.

“We were able to finish off the drive, so it was good,” he said of the experience.

Wilson has developed a rapport with Unger. But if it’s Schilling on Sunday, Wilson also is prepared.

“I’m definitely comfortable with Schilling,” Wilson said. “He’s done a great job all preseason and the first few games, in terms of getting reps with him. I’m not sure if Max is going to play or not, and obviously being with Max is great because I’ve played with him so much.

“But Schilling is a guy who steps up. He stepped up the other night in a big moment. We’re down there in the red zone at the 5-yard line, and he steps into the game right there and makes some big plays for us. So I’m definitely comfortable with him. He’ll do a great job.”

INJURY REPORT: MARSHAWN LYNCH PRACTICES, KAM CHANCELLOR AND PERCY HARVIN DON’T


STAT DU JOUR: ON A COLLISION COURSE

Sunday, NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray can join Jim Brown (1958) as the only back in NFL history to rush for at least 100 yards in his team’s first six games. He’ll be looking to do it against a Seahawks’ defense that is ranked No. 1 in the league in rushing defense; and at CenturyLink Field, where the Seahawks have allowed only six 100-yard rushing performances in 4¼ seasons under coach Pete Carroll:

2013 Season
Player Team Date Yards
Mike James Buccaneers Nov. 3 158
Colin Kaepernick 49ers Jan. 19 130


2012 Season
Player Team Date Yards
Frank Gore 49ers Dec. 23 131
Adrian Peterson Vikings Nov. 4 182


2011 Season
Player Team Date Yards
Roy Helu Redskins Nov. 27 108


2010 Season
Player Team Date Yards
Jamall Charles Chiefs Nov. 28 173

Note: The Seahawks lost to the Chiefs and Redskins, but defeated the Vikings, 49ers (twice) and Buccaneers


The official report, as issued by the team:

Out
TE Zach Miller (ankle)

Did not practice
OT Alvin Bailey (oblique)
SS Kam Chancellor (ankle)
WR Percy Harvin (thigh)
CB Tharold Simon (knee)
C Max Unger (foot)

Full participation
RB Marshawn Lynch (not injury related)

Lynch was back after having his weekly day off from practice on Wednesday, but Chancellor and Harvin sat out to rest.

For the Cowboys:

Did not practice
LB Bruce Carter (thigh)
LB Cameron Lawrence (thigh)
LB Rolando McClain (groin)
CB Tyler Patmon (illness)

Limited in practice
DE Anthony Spencer (knee)
OT Jermey Parnell (chest)

Full participation
WR Dez Bryant (shoulder)
DT Henry Melton (calf)
QB Tony Romo (back)

Romo returned after sitting out Wednesday.

DOUG BALDWIN: HE’S PASSIONATE, NOT ANGRY


YOU DON'T SAY

“He was pretty funny on the sideline. He was kind of joking around. He was like, ‘Man, they don’t like me in Virginia no more.’”

Quarterback Russell Wilson, who is from Richmond, Va.; on the reaction of Percy Harvin, who is from Virginia Beach, to having three touchdowns against the Redskins nullified by penalties


His teammates have gotten a lot of mileage out of referring to Doug Baldwin as “Angry” Doug Baldwin. But the Seahawks’ second-leading receiver prefers another option, which he shared on the Mike & Mike Show on ESPN Radio when asked if he liked that “angry” tag.

“No, I don't,” Baldwin said. “To be honest with you, they call me angry because of the facial expressions that I make on the football field when I have the ball in my hands. For whatever reason, my face crunches up like I'm very agitated, to say the least. However, it's not that I play with anger. I play with passion. I love the game of football, as all these guys do, and I'm very passionate about it. So, I would characterize it as being passionate, not angry.”

UP NEXT: “NO REPEAT FRIDAY”

The players will hold their “No Repeat Friday” practice as they continue to prepare for their only home game in the month of October. After Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys at CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks will close the month by playing the Rams in St. Louis (Oct. 19) and the Panthers in Carolina (Oct. 26).

 

[ravidubey]

Carroll said Romo displays a different mobility, creativity, and ability to get out of trouble that the Seattle defense has yet to see this season.

9. Carroll said defensive tackle Brandon Mebane is playing the "best he's played" and is on "top of his game right now," especially against the run. Carroll's said Mebane's work in the middle of the Seahawks' defensive line is what gets the rest of the unit going.

 

[L.T. Fan]

It's all I've got this week.

Now you are where I have been living for sometime now.