Nice catch about Eagles. I just read that too. We talk about how bad AB and the line are, are what do you, most stacked box attempts and Eagles and their great oline and great RB are right there. Maybe just maybe our oline just needs more 70% completion and big pass plays to start getting oline fewer defenders to block against.
I'll be working on 'positive regression' for the rest of the day. Thanks for that.
What's real about the Seahawks?
- They will run the ball. The degree of success is still TBD, but they will run it, stacked box or no.
- JSN will be a top 5 receiver, and is a threat to break some Seahawk WR records if he plays all 17 games.
- Sam Darnold will remain solid at QB. Some games better than that, and one or two stinkers in there as well.
- Murphy's ascent, and I can't tell you how important that will be.
What's not real?
- The targets per game of Horton and Kupp. They will both be going up.
- Barner will not be a PNW secret for much longer
- Spoon will not end the season with zero interceptions
I'll have to go digging to see what the most rookie snaps in a season record is for the Seahawks. Especially with Emmanwori back, that seems like a possibility.
If I remember correctly, our first ever win was against Tampa Bay back in 1976. Mike Curtis, Middle LB, Super Bowl winner with the Colts (Baltimore) picked up in the expansion draft, blocked a last minute FG att , that would have sent the game into OT,
I don't really get caught up in "draft what ifs?" because there is always the dud who gets drafted too early and the GOAT who gets drafted too late (Brady was selected 199th). The only pick that doesn't have to worry about half of that is the #1 pick, but we all know what it takes to get there.
My big draft "what if" is what if the Patriots picked Rick Mirer at #1 and the Seahawks got home state boy Drew Bledsoe at #2. One more reason to hate the Patriots.
Thanks for taking the time to apply your analysis to our questions and comments. During the week, i'm just too busy to spend a lot of time reading about the seahawks. Were I to do so, I'd be giving up family time. During the week, you're my only source for seahawks intel. In fairness though your articles often take longer to read because of the depth and amount of analysis. Keep doing what you're doing and know that you're appreciated.
So I think the Seahawks also semi-demoted another starter…Riq Woolen. The analyst at All-22 (whom I LOVE) indicated Jobe and Woolen had swapped places and coverages…effectively making Woolen CB3. It was in the “Chaos” video linked the other day.
Was it the move many of us wanted, and we just didn’t see it?
Easy to miss when they're in nickel so much of the time. I think Woolen only came out when they went to the 3 safety look, but yes, it was he who left the field, not Jobe.....which pretty much says it all.
It's crazy to think we've had such success with a dinged up secondary. We get the crew together and it's go time. I think the league is aware of Seattle now, but I don't think they have yet to even see the monster that is coming once our defense is all present. On another note, I've been overly critical of our D ends/edge personnel. They might not be producing stats but there's not always opportunities to produce stats. Once teams realize the consistency of the pressure, they adjust and RPO or quick hit so the d line has essentially no chance to get sacks/tfl. The best any d end can hope for is to chase the play and help when possible. There are several instances where our edges do a great job, everything you could ask of a player, and it doesn't lead to a sack tfl or even a tackle. But what else could they do? On a long enough timeline stats will begin to accumulate, or opposing teams will limit their playcalls severely, either way it's a win.
The last three games the front has done well to pressure the QB with a very low blitz rate. Rogers certainly looked pressured and his performance wasn’t great. Sacks might not have been there against NO, but the pressure was and they didn’t have a good game and 66% of their offense came after the game was already over. Murray looked frightened like a deer in the headlights.
I think MM puts a lot of responsibility on the edges to rush in a constrained and structured way to keep containment. They are not free to take the path that will get them there the fastest. So Murray only had one run where he escaped the containment. That’s huge with a QB that can run like that. I think there was some concern for that against NO as well. The Edges are getting pretty good pressure and keeping containment. It’s cost them a few sacks, but the pressure has caused turnovers and incompletions. Kudos to the edges for playing within the defensive system and not chasing individual glory.
Well said...I'll add if you can control a players eyes, you've got em. It's as good as blocking them out interfering with them in some way. Murray pulls his eyes down (most QBs do) and can't see two things at once. The great ones look past the incoming pressure and can still see what's happening close to them without focusing directly on the pressure. But it's a rare skill.
Yeah, Murray often bails before he has to. Contrast Darnold (and Geno did this too) who stand in hoping a receiver pops open and makes the play. Of course he sometimes gets whacked by a DLman, but that’s why you get paid. If you bail early, you leave food on the table.
It's almost like watching for negative space...ie spaces where the defenders are not moving into. If you watch the defense only and not look for your own targets, you can see where the holes are starting to form, cross that with what you know are stress points for this play and attack where the ven Dia gram says they over lap. If the given play has no obvious overlap...bail. But if not grip it and rip it baby
Great writeup. Very much enjoyed the history lesson flowing into the jersey combos.
I'll take the draft what ifs question and spin it a little. I enjoy watching the careers of every QB some fans/media personality types said we should or wanted to draft since 2022:
Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, Spencer Rattler, Malik Willis, Hendon Hooker etc.
The list is too long to remember and name them all. But when I see these guys names pop up, I always say, "Dang, I remember reading some article about this QB or opinion that the Seahawks should draft this guy, or what were they thinking not drafting this guy, etc."
I like JS' strategy instead. Think finding QBs with experience and stigma to their names has been a competitive advantage.
I'm so glad I didn't spend countless hours writing about draft QBs from 2022-2025. Just couldn't see it happening with any of them. But if it did, like Milroe, great we'll get to him after the fact and it's confirmed the Seahawks actually drafted one.
Yes …I remember all those articles and you were right on the money. Very enjoyable to read.
Speaking Milroe/draft QB stuff … I would be interested to know what the difference is between prospect Milroe and prospect Anthony Richardson. I’m sure there’s some stuff but to me they seem so similar.
Traits. But the NFL is lousy at turning QB traits into starting QBs. QBs particularly need experience playing their position and should succeed in college. Milroe’s draft fall may be a league-wide reaction to the Colts’ failure. And Fields. And Milroe’s hand size. And his Sr Bowl showing. And the fact that he is totally relearning his throwing mechanics.
Hopefully he develops, because I have to think that Haynes, Cabledue and Olu were worse options. I hate that the lowlight reel of Bradford that made its rounds on social media. As a rebuttal, Brian Nemhauser posted all of his reps on QB dropbacks from the Cardinals game and it was a very different look outside of some of those plays from the "worst of" collection. While I don't think he'll be a Pro Bowler, he's the best player capable of playing LG we currently have on the roster evidently. Which is a shame, because I thought Haynes was drafted for zone blocking and going to fit right in with Kubiak's scheme. But he's stashed away on IR with no promising starts to his resume. I'm glad at least the tackle positions and left guard seem taken care of, knock on wooden knees.
Think the other name in play is Sundell rotating to guard and Olu as center -- but Sundell playing so well they don't want the disruption. Spread the peanut butter too thin over two positions instead of one. This whole thing may be an indictment of both Bradford and Olu.
If I can dream? Draft another guard in R1, go get Kadyn Proctor, move him inside and start road-grading people. Will help our newly-extended Lucas and Sundell too.
Stacked boxes… Unlike Grubb, who didn’t face stacked boxes and couldn’t commit to the run, Kubiak laughs in the face of stacked boxes, commits to the run, and somehow is able to come out with the W, so far. As you point out, continued success by Darnold will result in a lighter box and an eventual better success in the running game.
About Carolina’s wows you speak about - Can you believe they had the opportunity to sign Darnold and/or Mayfield and let them both walk? Ouch!
Run first does not necessarily mean unbalanced attack which is what the Hawks are at this point in the season. Let us hope the Hawks force TB to defend the pass and then gouge TB with big run.
Maybe Bryce Young is taking the path of Darnold on the Jets or Mayfield on the Browns. Perhaps as much or more of these top QB busts has more to do with the teams and coaches as it does the QBs themselves. The Seahawks can take a stab at fixing Young after Darnold’s run ;)
Nice catch about Eagles. I just read that too. We talk about how bad AB and the line are, are what do you, most stacked box attempts and Eagles and their great oline and great RB are right there. Maybe just maybe our oline just needs more 70% completion and big pass plays to start getting oline fewer defenders to block against.
The Rams have 2 first round picks this year? Fuuuuuu**
I'll be working on 'positive regression' for the rest of the day. Thanks for that.
What's real about the Seahawks?
- They will run the ball. The degree of success is still TBD, but they will run it, stacked box or no.
- JSN will be a top 5 receiver, and is a threat to break some Seahawk WR records if he plays all 17 games.
- Sam Darnold will remain solid at QB. Some games better than that, and one or two stinkers in there as well.
- Murphy's ascent, and I can't tell you how important that will be.
What's not real?
- The targets per game of Horton and Kupp. They will both be going up.
- Barner will not be a PNW secret for much longer
- Spoon will not end the season with zero interceptions
I'll have to go digging to see what the most rookie snaps in a season record is for the Seahawks. Especially with Emmanwori back, that seems like a possibility.
"I'll be working on 'positive regression' for the rest of the day. Thanks for that."
Yeah, many of us can look forward to this.
Seems like last year had 4514 rookie snaps, which is the most ever. So far this year we're averaging 40 snaps/game less.
If I remember correctly, our first ever win was against Tampa Bay back in 1976. Mike Curtis, Middle LB, Super Bowl winner with the Colts (Baltimore) picked up in the expansion draft, blocked a last minute FG att , that would have sent the game into OT,
I don't really get caught up in "draft what ifs?" because there is always the dud who gets drafted too early and the GOAT who gets drafted too late (Brady was selected 199th). The only pick that doesn't have to worry about half of that is the #1 pick, but we all know what it takes to get there.
Always wondered how Dan McGwire would have turned out if not for that pesky broken hip. He was the guy I'd use in Tecmo Bowl II.
My big draft "what if" is what if the Patriots picked Rick Mirer at #1 and the Seahawks got home state boy Drew Bledsoe at #2. One more reason to hate the Patriots.
Me too. The two teams played early in the year and it was one of the very few games I wanted to lose.
Thanks for taking the time to apply your analysis to our questions and comments. During the week, i'm just too busy to spend a lot of time reading about the seahawks. Were I to do so, I'd be giving up family time. During the week, you're my only source for seahawks intel. In fairness though your articles often take longer to read because of the depth and amount of analysis. Keep doing what you're doing and know that you're appreciated.
Family takes precedence, Good going, Bret.
So I think the Seahawks also semi-demoted another starter…Riq Woolen. The analyst at All-22 (whom I LOVE) indicated Jobe and Woolen had swapped places and coverages…effectively making Woolen CB3. It was in the “Chaos” video linked the other day.
Was it the move many of us wanted, and we just didn’t see it?
Easy to miss when they're in nickel so much of the time. I think Woolen only came out when they went to the 3 safety look, but yes, it was he who left the field, not Jobe.....which pretty much says it all.
On another note, Emmanwori listed as a full participant today. We could be relatively healthy for Sunday’s big game between ex Carolina QBs.
It's crazy to think we've had such success with a dinged up secondary. We get the crew together and it's go time. I think the league is aware of Seattle now, but I don't think they have yet to even see the monster that is coming once our defense is all present. On another note, I've been overly critical of our D ends/edge personnel. They might not be producing stats but there's not always opportunities to produce stats. Once teams realize the consistency of the pressure, they adjust and RPO or quick hit so the d line has essentially no chance to get sacks/tfl. The best any d end can hope for is to chase the play and help when possible. There are several instances where our edges do a great job, everything you could ask of a player, and it doesn't lead to a sack tfl or even a tackle. But what else could they do? On a long enough timeline stats will begin to accumulate, or opposing teams will limit their playcalls severely, either way it's a win.
The last three games the front has done well to pressure the QB with a very low blitz rate. Rogers certainly looked pressured and his performance wasn’t great. Sacks might not have been there against NO, but the pressure was and they didn’t have a good game and 66% of their offense came after the game was already over. Murray looked frightened like a deer in the headlights.
I think MM puts a lot of responsibility on the edges to rush in a constrained and structured way to keep containment. They are not free to take the path that will get them there the fastest. So Murray only had one run where he escaped the containment. That’s huge with a QB that can run like that. I think there was some concern for that against NO as well. The Edges are getting pretty good pressure and keeping containment. It’s cost them a few sacks, but the pressure has caused turnovers and incompletions. Kudos to the edges for playing within the defensive system and not chasing individual glory.
Well said...I'll add if you can control a players eyes, you've got em. It's as good as blocking them out interfering with them in some way. Murray pulls his eyes down (most QBs do) and can't see two things at once. The great ones look past the incoming pressure and can still see what's happening close to them without focusing directly on the pressure. But it's a rare skill.
Yeah, Murray often bails before he has to. Contrast Darnold (and Geno did this too) who stand in hoping a receiver pops open and makes the play. Of course he sometimes gets whacked by a DLman, but that’s why you get paid. If you bail early, you leave food on the table.
It's almost like watching for negative space...ie spaces where the defenders are not moving into. If you watch the defense only and not look for your own targets, you can see where the holes are starting to form, cross that with what you know are stress points for this play and attack where the ven Dia gram says they over lap. If the given play has no obvious overlap...bail. But if not grip it and rip it baby
That's beautiful news.
Great writeup. Very much enjoyed the history lesson flowing into the jersey combos.
I'll take the draft what ifs question and spin it a little. I enjoy watching the careers of every QB some fans/media personality types said we should or wanted to draft since 2022:
Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, Spencer Rattler, Malik Willis, Hendon Hooker etc.
The list is too long to remember and name them all. But when I see these guys names pop up, I always say, "Dang, I remember reading some article about this QB or opinion that the Seahawks should draft this guy, or what were they thinking not drafting this guy, etc."
I like JS' strategy instead. Think finding QBs with experience and stigma to their names has been a competitive advantage.
Should be another great game Sunday! Can't wait
I'm so glad I didn't spend countless hours writing about draft QBs from 2022-2025. Just couldn't see it happening with any of them. But if it did, like Milroe, great we'll get to him after the fact and it's confirmed the Seahawks actually drafted one.
Yes …I remember all those articles and you were right on the money. Very enjoyable to read.
Speaking Milroe/draft QB stuff … I would be interested to know what the difference is between prospect Milroe and prospect Anthony Richardson. I’m sure there’s some stuff but to me they seem so similar.
So from a prospect standpoint what is the takeaway? What makes Richardson the better prospect? Younger?
Traits. But the NFL is lousy at turning QB traits into starting QBs. QBs particularly need experience playing their position and should succeed in college. Milroe’s draft fall may be a league-wide reaction to the Colts’ failure. And Fields. And Milroe’s hand size. And his Sr Bowl showing. And the fact that he is totally relearning his throwing mechanics.
Great info.
I wonder if part of Mikroes fall is do due ARs lack of success
We have seen the opposite before. Part of Kyler high draft pick could be from Russell Wilson success.
Thanks!
From my hazy memory, Richardson had an excellent combine performance. I recall Milroe was perceived as having regressed in his final college season.
Combine performance … I do remember that also now that you mention it.
Thanks!
Richardson started 13 games. Milroe started 2 full seasons, plus a game earlier.
The asshole in me comes up with nicknames I'm not proud of. For Anthony Bradford:
Tony Turnstile
Hopefully he develops, because I have to think that Haynes, Cabledue and Olu were worse options. I hate that the lowlight reel of Bradford that made its rounds on social media. As a rebuttal, Brian Nemhauser posted all of his reps on QB dropbacks from the Cardinals game and it was a very different look outside of some of those plays from the "worst of" collection. While I don't think he'll be a Pro Bowler, he's the best player capable of playing LG we currently have on the roster evidently. Which is a shame, because I thought Haynes was drafted for zone blocking and going to fit right in with Kubiak's scheme. But he's stashed away on IR with no promising starts to his resume. I'm glad at least the tackle positions and left guard seem taken care of, knock on wooden knees.
Think the other name in play is Sundell rotating to guard and Olu as center -- but Sundell playing so well they don't want the disruption. Spread the peanut butter too thin over two positions instead of one. This whole thing may be an indictment of both Bradford and Olu.
If I can dream? Draft another guard in R1, go get Kadyn Proctor, move him inside and start road-grading people. Will help our newly-extended Lucas and Sundell too.
The mascot for Frosted Flukes
Stacked boxes… Unlike Grubb, who didn’t face stacked boxes and couldn’t commit to the run, Kubiak laughs in the face of stacked boxes, commits to the run, and somehow is able to come out with the W, so far. As you point out, continued success by Darnold will result in a lighter box and an eventual better success in the running game.
About Carolina’s wows you speak about - Can you believe they had the opportunity to sign Darnold and/or Mayfield and let them both walk? Ouch!
Run first does not necessarily mean unbalanced attack which is what the Hawks are at this point in the season. Let us hope the Hawks force TB to defend the pass and then gouge TB with big run.
As somone who was such a big fan of Bryce Young in 2023, I can't but think this man deserves his parole from Carolina.
Maybe Bryce Young is taking the path of Darnold on the Jets or Mayfield on the Browns. Perhaps as much or more of these top QB busts has more to do with the teams and coaches as it does the QBs themselves. The Seahawks can take a stab at fixing Young after Darnold’s run ;)
Who and when will Blue Bayou Bradford be replaced?
Blue Bayou Bradford sounds like it would be the name of a very good player.
Or a Louisiana band
The Who did one about it called " Behind Blue Guys"
Wasn't that a song by Linda Bradford?
Blue Bayou refers to all the defensive players who blow by him un impeded to our back field.