Kupp is what he's always been, just a hair slower. Smart, tough, reliable. He'll do what he does, and the connection with Sam will evolve. Hopefully he'll get his hands on a few balls this weekend.
Hopefully Spoon and Love will be available. MacDonald didn't discuss them much in his press conferences, so I assume they are 'banged up' and the days off are just to allow whatever is ailing them to settle down. They are both tough as hell, so here's hoping. Both would be big losses.
I'm not worried about the defense (other than the injuries). I think they'll hold up against the Steelers. I'm hoping the offense starts to find itself a bit. The Steelers have some solid vets on the defense, so they should be a challenge, although the Jets put up almost 400 yards on them. We'll see.
I'm starting to wonder if the whole Jalen Milroe thing is just a purposeful distraction for the other team. Talk about the packages you have for him, make the other team spend time planning for what that might look like, and then don't use him at all......or may only for a play or two. It would be smart. Don't stretch him too much, too soon, but force the other team to waste their time. They'll probably use him more on the week coach MacDonald doesn't talk about him at all.
Not uncommon for NFL teams to have a rough outing on the first game. It happens more often than not. This is Sam, Donald team, if he can turn it around, which I fully expect the first game won’t matter. If it is an encore of the first., well, that’s the reason coaches and quarterbacks make the big bucks. Wnat a life, every game day you get to be picked apart by millions of people.. wishing Sam Donald and the Seahawks my best for Sunday
Bengals with their explosive offense and second best Wr in the land and Burrow throws for even less yards than Darnold, against a defense not neatly on par with the Whiners. Totally agree.
I'm not all that worried about JSN getting most of the targets as much as I was disappointed with the number of plays we ran and the time of possession difference. After all, a QB can only target one player per play, and if JSN is open, and Sam sees him open, he's should pass him the ball. Targeting a different player just to balance our attack seems dumb. The play calling is what should give other receivers targets, and if they are open I expect Sam to make the pass. Either they were not open or the plays first read was JSN most of the time.
The play calling was one of our biggest problems. They didn't roll Sam out at all that I remember. They didn't use play action to speak of either. Both of those calls allow for longer developing plays and more reads and easier vision sometimes (with roll outs). Calling plays with empty backfields should be used only when it's obviously a passing down or a passing situation such as the last two minutes of a half.
I am gobsmacked by the play calling. I don't understand the mindset that developed that game plan.
The first game changed absolutely nothing in my mind about Kupp. I do think part of the allure to sign him, is his blocking ability. But he is also not a replacement to DK, which is the main point people make when talking about Kupp. He is fine but who is going deep?
I think Darnold (Kubiak) needs to make a concerted effort to get guys involved. The team wants Darnold to be a point guard. Good point guards not only feed their best player (JSN) but they also are very vigilant about making sure all players are engaged in the game. Often times in basketball that means getting the role players involved early before going to the stars late.
I would love to see the first 2 drives hit 4-5 different receivers. I care less about the yardage but more about the message it sends.
Horton, your main deep threat, something that is desperately needed in this offense, needs to be targeted. Zero targets is unacceptable. If I am Kubiak or MM, I am pulling Darnold aside and saying look, you have to throw the ball deep and his name is Horton.
I am looking forward to Sunday. Can't wait to see how things go and hopefully come away with a big win. One win changes a ton from a perception standpoint especially on the road in Pitt.
Tilting the offense towards JSN in week 1 may work to our advantage in week 2. Maybe the Steelers scheme around taking him away, which will open up opportunities elsewhere. But I agree that the early (scripted) plays should attempt to hit WR's, TE's, and RB's in different concepts.......just to give the Steelers more the think about. And hopefully we stay with the concepts the guys are familiar with, and just run them really well. Make the Steelers beat you, don't beat yourself.
I watched the in season hard knocks with Pitt being one of those teams. I think Tomlin has sat in the team room with the game tape saying “Here is number 11 … we will be aware of where he is on the field at all times. He is a beast! And he will torch us if he slip. Which we won’t.”
Looking forward to Sunday would love to see the ball spread early especially.
I think Kupp will be involved this week. Hopefully we get a big win.
He's a PNW native son. I know that means next to nothing in the long run, but It gets him a little grace from this observer. And this 'hidden value' column points out some innate grit that just might come with that.
I'm done with making predictions after shaming myself with last weeks predictions. Trying to predict the future seems foolish to me. I would like to see SSJ discontinue encouraging us to make predictions. There are more worthy subjects to fill our time with.
It can be fun at times, I admit, and I make no judgements on anyone having fun.
SSJ makes prediction all the time. He predicted Geno would not be resigned, I disagreed, he was right. He said Fant would be released, I agreed, he was right. He felt MVS was going to make the 53, I disagreed, I finally got one right! I like to hear what he and others have to say about the Seahawks. I like to read their reasons. It helps me refine mine. Just ignore my rose colored glasses outlook and predictions. I’m not sure if this platform lets you block commenters you don’t want to see, but that might also be an option.
Come on, Danno, I would never block you, or anyone here. I'm not talking about educated quesses to interesting possibilities based on facts and reasoning, I am talking about predicting who will get so many yards,, and predicting outcomes. I share your optimism and often expect better results than are likely, but as a group exercise or similar I would like to move in a more useful direction.
Kupp is what he's always been, just a hair slower. Smart, tough, reliable. He'll do what he does, and the connection with Sam will evolve. Hopefully he'll get his hands on a few balls this weekend.
Hopefully Spoon and Love will be available. MacDonald didn't discuss them much in his press conferences, so I assume they are 'banged up' and the days off are just to allow whatever is ailing them to settle down. They are both tough as hell, so here's hoping. Both would be big losses.
I'm not worried about the defense (other than the injuries). I think they'll hold up against the Steelers. I'm hoping the offense starts to find itself a bit. The Steelers have some solid vets on the defense, so they should be a challenge, although the Jets put up almost 400 yards on them. We'll see.
I'm starting to wonder if the whole Jalen Milroe thing is just a purposeful distraction for the other team. Talk about the packages you have for him, make the other team spend time planning for what that might look like, and then don't use him at all......or may only for a play or two. It would be smart. Don't stretch him too much, too soon, but force the other team to waste their time. They'll probably use him more on the week coach MacDonald doesn't talk about him at all.
Is Kubiak proactive or reactive? We shall soon see.
Not uncommon for NFL teams to have a rough outing on the first game. It happens more often than not. This is Sam, Donald team, if he can turn it around, which I fully expect the first game won’t matter. If it is an encore of the first., well, that’s the reason coaches and quarterbacks make the big bucks. Wnat a life, every game day you get to be picked apart by millions of people.. wishing Sam Donald and the Seahawks my best for Sunday
Bengals with their explosive offense and second best Wr in the land and Burrow throws for even less yards than Darnold, against a defense not neatly on par with the Whiners. Totally agree.
I'm not all that worried about JSN getting most of the targets as much as I was disappointed with the number of plays we ran and the time of possession difference. After all, a QB can only target one player per play, and if JSN is open, and Sam sees him open, he's should pass him the ball. Targeting a different player just to balance our attack seems dumb. The play calling is what should give other receivers targets, and if they are open I expect Sam to make the pass. Either they were not open or the plays first read was JSN most of the time.
The play calling was one of our biggest problems. They didn't roll Sam out at all that I remember. They didn't use play action to speak of either. Both of those calls allow for longer developing plays and more reads and easier vision sometimes (with roll outs). Calling plays with empty backfields should be used only when it's obviously a passing down or a passing situation such as the last two minutes of a half.
I am gobsmacked by the play calling. I don't understand the mindset that developed that game plan.
The first game changed absolutely nothing in my mind about Kupp. I do think part of the allure to sign him, is his blocking ability. But he is also not a replacement to DK, which is the main point people make when talking about Kupp. He is fine but who is going deep?
I think Darnold (Kubiak) needs to make a concerted effort to get guys involved. The team wants Darnold to be a point guard. Good point guards not only feed their best player (JSN) but they also are very vigilant about making sure all players are engaged in the game. Often times in basketball that means getting the role players involved early before going to the stars late.
I would love to see the first 2 drives hit 4-5 different receivers. I care less about the yardage but more about the message it sends.
Horton, your main deep threat, something that is desperately needed in this offense, needs to be targeted. Zero targets is unacceptable. If I am Kubiak or MM, I am pulling Darnold aside and saying look, you have to throw the ball deep and his name is Horton.
I am looking forward to Sunday. Can't wait to see how things go and hopefully come away with a big win. One win changes a ton from a perception standpoint especially on the road in Pitt.
Tilting the offense towards JSN in week 1 may work to our advantage in week 2. Maybe the Steelers scheme around taking him away, which will open up opportunities elsewhere. But I agree that the early (scripted) plays should attempt to hit WR's, TE's, and RB's in different concepts.......just to give the Steelers more the think about. And hopefully we stay with the concepts the guys are familiar with, and just run them really well. Make the Steelers beat you, don't beat yourself.
Sam must distribute the ball or it will be Next Man Up.
I was thinking the same thing!
I watched the in season hard knocks with Pitt being one of those teams. I think Tomlin has sat in the team room with the game tape saying “Here is number 11 … we will be aware of where he is on the field at all times. He is a beast! And he will torch us if he slip. Which we won’t.”
Looking forward to Sunday would love to see the ball spread early especially.
I think Kupp will be involved this week. Hopefully we get a big win.
I don’t think anyone see Kupp as a replacement for DK. Very different receivers, not alike at all.
Yeah … I would agree.
And that is one of the major problems with the offseason.
Kubiak offense isn't about maximising shot plays and DK was shit at them anyway.
Hopefully not as much of a problem as it presently seems. I’m hoping Horton can still be a surprise packet. We just need to target him to find out.
Yes … we need to get other guys involved especially Horton.
Still hopeful also! Division is still wide open imo
He's a PNW native son. I know that means next to nothing in the long run, but It gets him a little grace from this observer. And this 'hidden value' column points out some innate grit that just might come with that.
Our offense comes alive this week. Kupp gets his TD. Hawks win by 2+ TDs.
I'm done with making predictions after shaming myself with last weeks predictions. Trying to predict the future seems foolish to me. I would like to see SSJ discontinue encouraging us to make predictions. There are more worthy subjects to fill our time with.
It can be fun at times, I admit, and I make no judgements on anyone having fun.
Opening Day wild optimism is a treat and who knows? Maybe a Player finds unfound enthusiasm. I've learned to never say never.
SSJ makes prediction all the time. He predicted Geno would not be resigned, I disagreed, he was right. He said Fant would be released, I agreed, he was right. He felt MVS was going to make the 53, I disagreed, I finally got one right! I like to hear what he and others have to say about the Seahawks. I like to read their reasons. It helps me refine mine. Just ignore my rose colored glasses outlook and predictions. I’m not sure if this platform lets you block commenters you don’t want to see, but that might also be an option.
Come on, Danno, I would never block you, or anyone here. I'm not talking about educated quesses to interesting possibilities based on facts and reasoning, I am talking about predicting who will get so many yards,, and predicting outcomes. I share your optimism and often expect better results than are likely, but as a group exercise or similar I would like to move in a more useful direction.
Spoons' limited availability means that the Stealers keep it close, but the Hawks pull away late for the W.
I still think the offense is going to go off and put points on the board. Big win brewing for the Hawks.