Big Question about the O-line will be what do they do when Haynes comes back? Cut him and try to get him on the Practice Squad? Or cut someone on the 53?
Haynes comes off IR for the next game. Bradford strikes me as a guy who thinks he's not on parr with the rest of the guys in seeing what his task is. He knows who he is meant to attack, but once the ball is hiked, he's guessing when it goes off the rails (often). He gets busy over thinking. Rather than move and hit, he's late. Sundell and Lucas would do well to make it simple for him until he finds his feet. Make it work, Koob.
Bradford just doesn't work his feet. Watching him against Zabel is night and day. Zabel is constantly and quickly moving his feet. Adjusting leverage and keeping his man moving or at bay. AB plays like someone is holding his ankles. If he can just come off the ball and lean into someone, then that's fine. But pulling or cross facing he really struggles with, or at least, he's not consistent with it.
He's just a big man hoping his size will be enough? I've caught photos of him backed up into tangling feet with Abe, which really worries me. Watching Sundell and Zach communicate gives me hope AB's neighbors will find a way to communicate in a way he hears. If Abe see's trouble, then just tell Bradford in plain english, as code doesn't seem to seep in. Instead of "Blue right! Blue right!" just say "Kick Bosa's ass, Tony!"
Our other two rookie O-linemen will hopefully grow between now and next year. Plus I wouldn’t be surprised if the went with an O-lineman in round 3 or 4 in the draft. The Hawks seem to have greatly improved their scouting ability for identifying talent in the past few years. Two years ago we had many holes to fill on the roster. Last year we had fewer holes. We’re young with potentially improving talent at many positions. We have money to extend players who are playing well. Things could look good for quite a few years to come. It’s an exciting time to be a Seahawk fan.
He’s played better than last year. I’m sure they are putting out their 5 best linemen. Right now Bradford is one of them. Richman and Cabeldue are being developed, but that might not see results until next year.
True. I may want to take back my desire to see Sundell move to RG permanently if he gets pushed around a lot tomorrow night. People may run around Bradford sometimes, but they rarely/never run through him. Maybe he'll be fine to play and we won't have to find out.
I think Bradford's injury may be a blessing in disguise. I think it's past time to come to grips with the fact that Bradford is not a NFL quality O lineman and find one that's at least mediocre. He's a bust! Too bad, so sad! It's time to tke the bull by the tail and face the situation!
Totally unrelated to Seahawks, but my son and grandson got to see last night’s Mariners game at T Mobile park. We saw Cal Raleigh hit his 59th and 60th home runs of the season, Luis Castillo pitch an absolute gem (retiring 22 or 23 batters faced while striking out 10, and saw the M’s clinch the AL West crown for the first time in 24 years.
WOOHOO! It was a GREAT game.
And I expect a Seattle win tonight to complete a great sports week.
One thing that sticks out to me as the Hawks deal with injuries is what a good job John Schneider has done with the roster (70+). There is GOOD depth that has been coached well. We get to see another example tonight (hopefully) with Brady Russell.
I hate watching long videos and podcasts. I just watched the Jon Gruden TNF preview. It was an hour long. I watched the whole thing. Jon is very entertaining and informative. It was a fun and easy watch.
"he needs to get a case of whoop ass and use it. "
FYI Jones was actually playing ball and I think doing well enough in relief of Cross before his injury.
As for invisible stats. Apparently it does exist or something close. The Athletic had a write up of the rookie RBs and lack of sensation. They actually noted that while Jeanty YPC is poor, apparently the OLine is so bad, Jeanty has more YAC than he has yards. So, is the Seahawks “poor OLine history” potentially an offshoot of a PC team????
Man I’m so out of it. I didn’t see Ouzts is outsssss. Sucks. Brady is no Ouzts. And Brady should NOT be wearing that uniform number. It needs to be in the Ring of Honor. But, next man up. Brady is a good kid. Great attitude. One of those do almost anything guys. Which we as fans love.
I think Brady Russell will probably do a fine job at FB. He's a smart player, has good instincts, and is big/strong enough to get in the way of tacklers. I think KK and MM are excited for him to have this opportunity, more than they are dreading the loss of Ouzts. All that being said, it super sucks to lose Ouzts as we were just getting the hype train rolling!!!
I’ve been digging into Brady Russell’s background — and I’m more convinced than ever that 2025 is his moment. He’s been quietly grinding on special teams, sacrificing and earning trust.
In high school, he was better known as a defensive end than a tight end — and was only rated a two-star recruit.
He chose to walk on at a Power 5 school (Colorado) rather than take a lower-division scholarship.
Early on in college, he earned praise on special teams and as a scout team “marathoner” — doing the dirty work that doesn’t get glory.
Over his Colorado career, he wasn’t a massive statistical star, but in 2021 he became the first tight end in 15 years to lead Colorado in both catches (25) and yards (307).
His final college stat line: 78 receptions, 799 yards, 3 touchdowns — modest, but earned in a tumultuous environment (multiple coaching changes, poor team records).
Russell’s background includes significant military ties: born on a Marine Corps base, his father served in the Air Force, and his family lineage includes military veterans. This kind of upbringing seems to blur naturally into his “do your job, hustle every snap” reputation.
He’s been called someone who “forces his way onto the field” — not through flash, but through consistency, willingness to block, run, and hit on special teams.
Wearing my Murphy jersey tomorrow. I am happy that I got it last year after the draft, but was a bit underwhelmed by his 1st year production. I think the new haircut has given him the strength he needed to become a wrecker that he has been so far.
In the spirit of non sequitors and as a mercy for low tech geezers who are drowning in a contemporary tsunami of acronyms...if one is writing an article using them, throw in what they stand for in the first sentence (in parentheses perhaps?). In a world of texting and keeping it short, acronyms are breeding like Tribbles. I am overdosing on 'acronyms' (not even sure I spelled that right). So, WTFDTLM (What The F**k Do Those Letters Mean?).
I had to scroll up to find out what acronym you were referring to, I had already forgotten about DVOA.
Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average. I was probably too nonchalant about the reference because the question was nonchalant as well. It's been going around for 15+ years. Does that make it mainstream or commonplace? Not at all. I should have explained it.
Yes, I shouldn’t have phrased it that way, it was a serious ask.
I for one would appreciate the DVOA ratings of the rest of the NFC West week to week, as well as the Hawks next opponent. I am presuming they still rate special teams, so would be interested to know if the hawks are no.1 (I expect them to be).
For those not familiar with DVOA, it is a rating of a team’s efficiency in each phase of the game. But for simplicity you can ignore the actual percentages, and just note where they rank against the 31 other teams. The Seahawks D was rated no.1 for three years straight I believe between 2012 - 2015, the prime LOB years, but referencing DVOA fell out of favour amongst Hawk fans once the team’s decline set in, and their DVOA rating fell with it.
I just ignore them. I have no idea what any of them mean. In the 60s and 70s, it was simple, carries, yards, yards per carry. Catches, yards, yards per catch. If you asked someone in 1970 how many hurries did he get, they’d look at you cross-eyed. I’d rather spend my time watching video vs looking at rows and columns of numbers that supposedly say this plate is great and this one stinks. My son would disagree, but he’s a heck of a lot smarter than I am. It just isn’t fun for me to sit there and read numbers.
Then you have the YouTube people who put out a video reading these numbers to you saying this player had a so so game against Pittsburgh and NO. If I’m not mistaken I think Murphy got a so so grade against Pittsburgh and maybe NO. I don’t know who was saying so but it was one of the Hawks YouTube channel “analysts.” And I’m thinking, ‘did you even watch the game?’ Murphy was a beast!
Also, Byron is ball'n!! Him and the D front are why the DB's are feasting. The Card's QB moves like a hummingbird on crack...so seal those edges and bury that little bird! GO HAWKS!
So disappointed to see Ouzts out on IR. Horton looks impressive...reminds me of a big Devonta Smith from the Eagles. Poor Zabel, it's like once every game he's out of control in some respect. He's getting whipped one play. Then he snaps out of it and is good to go...
I think everyone feels that way. Hopefully he can come back at 100% after the bye. I have no idea what the injury is, but he was walking on it after the game.
I went back and watched the first half of the Saints game last night (what a weird game). I don't think Darnold came close to getting a pressure other than that Bresee free rusher play (could be mistaken but don't recall much pressure). Not only that, but he was standing in some huge pockets and/or rolling out into space.
Darnold was excellent last game. Pretty much perfect. The arm talent is there. The command is there. It is awesome stuff.
That also may have been one of the easiest games I have seen at the NFL level for a QB. Which is not meant to be a knock on him. He played exceptional football. It is to say, he had no pressure (other than 1 play), he had great field position all game, he got a redo on the opening drive due to a dumb personal foul call after the Hawks were stopped and then a punt return TD, and a block easy TD. So he played with the lead all day.
Also, great game by Kubiak and the O-line. Even though the run game may not have been efficient, they are sticking with it and teams are respecting it, which helps the pass game and protection.
I would love to see that type of football all year! But, chances are things will get tougher at times during an NFL season. And I am excited to see how SD plays in those environments and situations.
Lastly, just real excited for the game Thursday. I thought the Pitt game was a fork in the road game. This one is a mini-fork in the road game. But I do think this is a true "Are you for real?" game. National TV, standalone game, on the "road" (tons of Hawks fans in Arizona).
This could be a coming out party and dominant win telling the country the Hawks are for real? Or will it be a week 1 slog, toss up type game? I'm thinking more of the blowout we are here type game.
Maybe I’m seeing through rose-colored glasses, but I’m not too concerned about the run game. Yet, anyway. So far, defenses have been making Darnold beat them. If he keeps playing as you describe, DCs won’t be so eager to focus on the run, which should open things up for Walker and Charbonnet.
I hope we take the right fork this week. Not necessarily the right fork if the left fork is better ;) I’m with you on another big win. In my dreams, Seahawks 31, Cards 10. Darnold 300 yards passing, Murray 3 turnovers. (One strip sack, two INTs)
Can you imagine what the ESPN/football people would be saying if that happened?
The defense's two games last year against the Cards was some of the best football I have seen in a long time. I am itching to see if they can do it again.
One of my favorite plays to watch from last years was the Bryant pick 6 INT vs the Cards. Incredible play by Spoon to prevent Murray’s attempt to run for the 1st down. He throws it up and Spoon thinks it’s incomplete, so he is facing the Card’s sideline and trash talking. Then he realizes the pass was intercepted and in a flash he’s racing downfield to block for Bryant and help get the TD. It’s hilarious to me. Spoon playing at 110%, mouthing off, oops! Back to 110% again.
BACK: Witherspoon, Love
DOUBTFUL: Emmanwori
QUESTIONABLE: Bradford, Mafe, Charbonnet
Maybe Bryce Cabeldue era?
Anyone but AB at RG is an upgrade. He is not the answer, so let’s go to plan B. Cabledue can’t be much worse
Sorry for any misleading info before. Apparently the Seahawks are listing Charbonnet as questionable actually.
If we had to lose an O-lineman, Bradford would be my pick. Maybe Sundell slides right and Olu steps in.
MM laid out that exact order before week 1 as part of the depth chart in a press conference. Olu is iOL #2 with Sundell sliding over.
Big Question about the O-line will be what do they do when Haynes comes back? Cut him and try to get him on the Practice Squad? Or cut someone on the 53?
Practice squad. (I gotta remember squad for scrabble)
Haynes comes off IR for the next game. Bradford strikes me as a guy who thinks he's not on parr with the rest of the guys in seeing what his task is. He knows who he is meant to attack, but once the ball is hiked, he's guessing when it goes off the rails (often). He gets busy over thinking. Rather than move and hit, he's late. Sundell and Lucas would do well to make it simple for him until he finds his feet. Make it work, Koob.
Bradford just doesn't work his feet. Watching him against Zabel is night and day. Zabel is constantly and quickly moving his feet. Adjusting leverage and keeping his man moving or at bay. AB plays like someone is holding his ankles. If he can just come off the ball and lean into someone, then that's fine. But pulling or cross facing he really struggles with, or at least, he's not consistent with it.
He's just a big man hoping his size will be enough? I've caught photos of him backed up into tangling feet with Abe, which really worries me. Watching Sundell and Zach communicate gives me hope AB's neighbors will find a way to communicate in a way he hears. If Abe see's trouble, then just tell Bradford in plain english, as code doesn't seem to seep in. Instead of "Blue right! Blue right!" just say "Kick Bosa's ass, Tony!"
Our other two rookie O-linemen will hopefully grow between now and next year. Plus I wouldn’t be surprised if the went with an O-lineman in round 3 or 4 in the draft. The Hawks seem to have greatly improved their scouting ability for identifying talent in the past few years. Two years ago we had many holes to fill on the roster. Last year we had fewer holes. We’re young with potentially improving talent at many positions. We have money to extend players who are playing well. Things could look good for quite a few years to come. It’s an exciting time to be a Seahawk fan.
And maybe Bradford never gets his job back
He’s played better than last year. I’m sure they are putting out their 5 best linemen. Right now Bradford is one of them. Richman and Cabeldue are being developed, but that might not see results until next year.
True. I may want to take back my desire to see Sundell move to RG permanently if he gets pushed around a lot tomorrow night. People may run around Bradford sometimes, but they rarely/never run through him. Maybe he'll be fine to play and we won't have to find out.
Oh yeah, you're probably right
I think Bradford's injury may be a blessing in disguise. I think it's past time to come to grips with the fact that Bradford is not a NFL quality O lineman and find one that's at least mediocre. He's a bust! Too bad, so sad! It's time to tke the bull by the tail and face the situation!
Saints game...2nd Qtr 5:40ish. Leonard Williams....yes sir!
Totally unrelated to Seahawks, but my son and grandson got to see last night’s Mariners game at T Mobile park. We saw Cal Raleigh hit his 59th and 60th home runs of the season, Luis Castillo pitch an absolute gem (retiring 22 or 23 batters faced while striking out 10, and saw the M’s clinch the AL West crown for the first time in 24 years.
WOOHOO! It was a GREAT game.
And I expect a Seattle win tonight to complete a great sports week.
One thing that sticks out to me as the Hawks deal with injuries is what a good job John Schneider has done with the roster (70+). There is GOOD depth that has been coached well. We get to see another example tonight (hopefully) with Brady Russell.
Here is a second TNF preview from Cynthia Frelund. A little shorter. Good job and easy on the eyes.
Here is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi2KXF01mhc
I hate watching long videos and podcasts. I just watched the Jon Gruden TNF preview. It was an hour long. I watched the whole thing. Jon is very entertaining and informative. It was a fun and easy watch.
"he needs to get a case of whoop ass and use it. "
"bad ass"
"Gruden Grinder"
"Seattle might be first in ass kickings."
"Plus four run reel"
Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkpaCbuH7hY
Joe will probably have it up tomorrow.
Cards look beat up...lot of o line likely out. We should push them around. Guessing we get em early and don't let up.
That makes it look like a trap game.
FYI Jones was actually playing ball and I think doing well enough in relief of Cross before his injury.
As for invisible stats. Apparently it does exist or something close. The Athletic had a write up of the rookie RBs and lack of sensation. They actually noted that while Jeanty YPC is poor, apparently the OLine is so bad, Jeanty has more YAC than he has yards. So, is the Seahawks “poor OLine history” potentially an offshoot of a PC team????
Man I’m so out of it. I didn’t see Ouzts is outsssss. Sucks. Brady is no Ouzts. And Brady should NOT be wearing that uniform number. It needs to be in the Ring of Honor. But, next man up. Brady is a good kid. Great attitude. One of those do almost anything guys. Which we as fans love.
I think Brady Russell will probably do a fine job at FB. He's a smart player, has good instincts, and is big/strong enough to get in the way of tacklers. I think KK and MM are excited for him to have this opportunity, more than they are dreading the loss of Ouzts. All that being said, it super sucks to lose Ouzts as we were just getting the hype train rolling!!!
I’ve been digging into Brady Russell’s background — and I’m more convinced than ever that 2025 is his moment. He’s been quietly grinding on special teams, sacrificing and earning trust.
In high school, he was better known as a defensive end than a tight end — and was only rated a two-star recruit.
He chose to walk on at a Power 5 school (Colorado) rather than take a lower-division scholarship.
Early on in college, he earned praise on special teams and as a scout team “marathoner” — doing the dirty work that doesn’t get glory.
Over his Colorado career, he wasn’t a massive statistical star, but in 2021 he became the first tight end in 15 years to lead Colorado in both catches (25) and yards (307).
His final college stat line: 78 receptions, 799 yards, 3 touchdowns — modest, but earned in a tumultuous environment (multiple coaching changes, poor team records).
Russell’s background includes significant military ties: born on a Marine Corps base, his father served in the Air Force, and his family lineage includes military veterans. This kind of upbringing seems to blur naturally into his “do your job, hustle every snap” reputation.
He’s been called someone who “forces his way onto the field” — not through flash, but through consistency, willingness to block, run, and hit on special teams.
I’m bullish on Brady!
Wearing my Murphy jersey tomorrow. I am happy that I got it last year after the draft, but was a bit underwhelmed by his 1st year production. I think the new haircut has given him the strength he needed to become a wrecker that he has been so far.
I hope there’s no one named Delilah on the Cards.
In the spirit of non sequitors and as a mercy for low tech geezers who are drowning in a contemporary tsunami of acronyms...if one is writing an article using them, throw in what they stand for in the first sentence (in parentheses perhaps?). In a world of texting and keeping it short, acronyms are breeding like Tribbles. I am overdosing on 'acronyms' (not even sure I spelled that right). So, WTFDTLM (What The F**k Do Those Letters Mean?).
After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF.
I had to scroll up to find out what acronym you were referring to, I had already forgotten about DVOA.
Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average. I was probably too nonchalant about the reference because the question was nonchalant as well. It's been going around for 15+ years. Does that make it mainstream or commonplace? Not at all. I should have explained it.
Yes, I shouldn’t have phrased it that way, it was a serious ask.
I for one would appreciate the DVOA ratings of the rest of the NFC West week to week, as well as the Hawks next opponent. I am presuming they still rate special teams, so would be interested to know if the hawks are no.1 (I expect them to be).
For those not familiar with DVOA, it is a rating of a team’s efficiency in each phase of the game. But for simplicity you can ignore the actual percentages, and just note where they rank against the 31 other teams. The Seahawks D was rated no.1 for three years straight I believe between 2012 - 2015, the prime LOB years, but referencing DVOA fell out of favour amongst Hawk fans once the team’s decline set in, and their DVOA rating fell with it.
I just ignore them. I have no idea what any of them mean. In the 60s and 70s, it was simple, carries, yards, yards per carry. Catches, yards, yards per catch. If you asked someone in 1970 how many hurries did he get, they’d look at you cross-eyed. I’d rather spend my time watching video vs looking at rows and columns of numbers that supposedly say this plate is great and this one stinks. My son would disagree, but he’s a heck of a lot smarter than I am. It just isn’t fun for me to sit there and read numbers.
Then you have the YouTube people who put out a video reading these numbers to you saying this player had a so so game against Pittsburgh and NO. If I’m not mistaken I think Murphy got a so so grade against Pittsburgh and maybe NO. I don’t know who was saying so but it was one of the Hawks YouTube channel “analysts.” And I’m thinking, ‘did you even watch the game?’ Murphy was a beast!
Doesn't surprise me that the 1st 4 letters is anal.
Also, Byron is ball'n!! Him and the D front are why the DB's are feasting. The Card's QB moves like a hummingbird on crack...so seal those edges and bury that little bird! GO HAWKS!
And don't let him break one up the middle.
So disappointed to see Ouzts out on IR. Horton looks impressive...reminds me of a big Devonta Smith from the Eagles. Poor Zabel, it's like once every game he's out of control in some respect. He's getting whipped one play. Then he snaps out of it and is good to go...
I'm still in Robbie Smash mourning. I'm hoping I feel better in 4 weeks.
I think everyone feels that way. Hopefully he can come back at 100% after the bye. I have no idea what the injury is, but he was walking on it after the game.
I went back and watched the first half of the Saints game last night (what a weird game). I don't think Darnold came close to getting a pressure other than that Bresee free rusher play (could be mistaken but don't recall much pressure). Not only that, but he was standing in some huge pockets and/or rolling out into space.
Darnold was excellent last game. Pretty much perfect. The arm talent is there. The command is there. It is awesome stuff.
That also may have been one of the easiest games I have seen at the NFL level for a QB. Which is not meant to be a knock on him. He played exceptional football. It is to say, he had no pressure (other than 1 play), he had great field position all game, he got a redo on the opening drive due to a dumb personal foul call after the Hawks were stopped and then a punt return TD, and a block easy TD. So he played with the lead all day.
Also, great game by Kubiak and the O-line. Even though the run game may not have been efficient, they are sticking with it and teams are respecting it, which helps the pass game and protection.
I would love to see that type of football all year! But, chances are things will get tougher at times during an NFL season. And I am excited to see how SD plays in those environments and situations.
Lastly, just real excited for the game Thursday. I thought the Pitt game was a fork in the road game. This one is a mini-fork in the road game. But I do think this is a true "Are you for real?" game. National TV, standalone game, on the "road" (tons of Hawks fans in Arizona).
This could be a coming out party and dominant win telling the country the Hawks are for real? Or will it be a week 1 slog, toss up type game? I'm thinking more of the blowout we are here type game.
Go Hawks.
Maybe I’m seeing through rose-colored glasses, but I’m not too concerned about the run game. Yet, anyway. So far, defenses have been making Darnold beat them. If he keeps playing as you describe, DCs won’t be so eager to focus on the run, which should open things up for Walker and Charbonnet.
Great point.
Exciting stuff. A dream situation to put defensive coordinators in a bind.
I hope we take the right fork this week. Not necessarily the right fork if the left fork is better ;) I’m with you on another big win. In my dreams, Seahawks 31, Cards 10. Darnold 300 yards passing, Murray 3 turnovers. (One strip sack, two INTs)
Can you imagine what the ESPN/football people would be saying if that happened?
The defense's two games last year against the Cards was some of the best football I have seen in a long time. I am itching to see if they can do it again.
One of my favorite plays to watch from last years was the Bryant pick 6 INT vs the Cards. Incredible play by Spoon to prevent Murray’s attempt to run for the 1st down. He throws it up and Spoon thinks it’s incomplete, so he is facing the Card’s sideline and trash talking. Then he realizes the pass was intercepted and in a flash he’s racing downfield to block for Bryant and help get the TD. It’s hilarious to me. Spoon playing at 110%, mouthing off, oops! Back to 110% again.