Robbie Smash, man. I don't come out of my chair for a block very often, but he had two that I just thought epitomized what this offence can be. And he's a rookie. If Zabel, Emmanwori, Arroyo, Horton and Ouzts continue to evolve and contribute more each week, that would bode very well for the Seahawks late in the season.
I said last week Walker was trickle, trickle, gush.....without much gushing lately. He cured that Sunday, so hopefully the gushing continues.
I think the criticism of Walker was fair. As long as it was from the last year of games and not just game 1. (Seahawk Nerd has been on the difference since prior to 2024 season).
I am happy to see him reach his potential in Game 2 and hope that that continues.
Even the people that were critical of Walker, were never critical of his potential. Both crowds can be right at the same time. But everyone should be inspired and happy about the game 2 performance on the road in Pitt.
Also, I thought Seaside Joe Chris H was right on the money with his comment: "K9 looked way more decisive today, mostly. A few dancing in the backfield moments, but he was better at getting in a lane and exploding. Hope he keeps it up."
Yessir ... be decisive, cut back (don't always bounce) and hit the gas pedal.
Lastly, just happy to see guys like Woolen and K9 bounce back week 2. From a leadership perspective it is very hard to know how to get the most out of the guys. Some coaches keep everything in house. MM chose to kind of callout Riq publicly and left K9 criticism to the blogs. The strategy to motivate people is person to person. Good sign for Coach MM!
I'm glad you brought up Hall's holding call against Pittsburg, but I'm not sure it is quite as valuable as a sack since they gain another chance for a play. To my eye, Hall WAS the best pass rusher out there and that might include Watt... LOL we wish. I saw Watt getting closer and closer and it seemed to me Watt exhibits the same characteristics as Aaron Donald of old in that they both seem to get stronger as the game goes on. Abe was out there battling on every play. I think he can relax now that the hardest part of the season is over. (Just joking, of course)
I swear I saw this SOMEWHERE today, but can’t find it now. Boye Mafe had the highest pass rush we in rate of the game yesterday at 37+ percent. I know he had no sacks, but he was highly effective in pressuring Rogers.
That would shock me. Mafe seems to get stuck on blocks and not finish plays...and I don't mean he misses tackles(which he does) I mean he gives up sometimes if the play goes away from him or he gets washed. I hate that, as a coach I would bench players for that the first time I saw it. You will always give max effort, no matter what. Just my two cents, but if mafe played with spoons desire and focus, he'd be so much better than just meh imo.
We better sign Kenneth. If we don't it will probably turn out like Saquon Barkley where one of our division rivals signs him and then he goes for 2,000 yards and we lose all our division games to them.
I know it is 4th down, sometimes it is best to take the sack. I didn't mean for the comment to be overly harsh. Just meant, was he trying to throw the ball away to avoid the sack or throw to the TE which looked like a very low percentage play given all the Steelers in the way? Still unlucky to have it intercepted and returned.
Overall, I just see this play so often in NFL. Part of the reason the analytics say to go for it on 4th (especially at the goal line) is because of the field position you are giving the other team if you don't get it (Plan B). Far too often I see QBs take ridiculous risks (last year Kyler Murray in Seattle a good example near mid field) in these situations. If I am the coaching staff, I am letting Darnold know, you don't need to go crazy on 4th down, field position is part of the equation.
If he thought, he could complete the pass then I'm ok with the risk. But you are back peddling with a guy in your face another LB in the way and the corner charging hard. Tough to say how much mustard he could get on it to keep it out of harms way.
Also, I am not concerned with SD turnovers in a game like this. I would much rather have a QB pushes the ball downfield and gets explosive plays than what we saw in the first game against the Niners even though I can't remember a single risky play by Darnold. Good QBs should throw interceptions because they are pushing the ball downfield.
While I have gone 180 degrees on Jay Harbaugh, I’ve actually been pro Kupp and Walker. I’ve maintain Walker can give us 1400+ yards since last season, and I’ve felt Kupp will give us more than what Lockett gave us last year. The key to both is staying healthy. Kupp looks like he’s healthier than he’s been in years - at the moment - and Walker looks 100% healthy.
As for extending Walker, I think the team should be careful with guaranteed money. Walker’s injury history has to make you hesitant to tie up a ton of money in a player who could he out for an extended period at any moment. I look at Lucas and see a player who took less than he might have gotten going to the end of the year and free agency. Would walker sign a 3 year extension with limited guarantees?
As for Bradford, I would argue he’s playing decently, and if you look at the Vikings RG Will Fries, a solid argument could be made after 2 games Bradford is playing at least as well as $88 million dollar Will Fries.
As you pointed out looong before the off-season started, The Hawks D finished last season a top 10 defense. No one here would see the Hawks D as a top 5 defense to be surprising at all. Judy Battista is obviously a know nothing regurgitator.
Robbie Smash, man. I don't come out of my chair for a block very often, but he had two that I just thought epitomized what this offence can be. And he's a rookie. If Zabel, Emmanwori, Arroyo, Horton and Ouzts continue to evolve and contribute more each week, that would bode very well for the Seahawks late in the season.
I said last week Walker was trickle, trickle, gush.....without much gushing lately. He cured that Sunday, so hopefully the gushing continues.
Both he and Charb gave our Linemen some growl to pattern after.
I think the support for Walker was fair.
I think the criticism of Walker was fair. As long as it was from the last year of games and not just game 1. (Seahawk Nerd has been on the difference since prior to 2024 season).
I am happy to see him reach his potential in Game 2 and hope that that continues.
Even the people that were critical of Walker, were never critical of his potential. Both crowds can be right at the same time. But everyone should be inspired and happy about the game 2 performance on the road in Pitt.
Also, I thought Seaside Joe Chris H was right on the money with his comment: "K9 looked way more decisive today, mostly. A few dancing in the backfield moments, but he was better at getting in a lane and exploding. Hope he keeps it up."
Yessir ... be decisive, cut back (don't always bounce) and hit the gas pedal.
Lastly, just happy to see guys like Woolen and K9 bounce back week 2. From a leadership perspective it is very hard to know how to get the most out of the guys. Some coaches keep everything in house. MM chose to kind of callout Riq publicly and left K9 criticism to the blogs. The strategy to motivate people is person to person. Good sign for Coach MM!
I hope the first thing MM puts up on the big screen in the next team meeting is that clip of Ouzts pancaking two linebackers! That was awesome!!!
That was awesome! And those guys (Pitt LBs) are good players too.
That was my favorite pick in the draft. Here is to more of that (and great blocking from Cross and Zabel on the play too).
PLay:
https://x.com/BaldyNFL/status/1967427408426098863
Lace up your shoes. Running for Walker - Week 2 = 5K.
I'm glad you brought up Hall's holding call against Pittsburg, but I'm not sure it is quite as valuable as a sack since they gain another chance for a play. To my eye, Hall WAS the best pass rusher out there and that might include Watt... LOL we wish. I saw Watt getting closer and closer and it seemed to me Watt exhibits the same characteristics as Aaron Donald of old in that they both seem to get stronger as the game goes on. Abe was out there battling on every play. I think he can relax now that the hardest part of the season is over. (Just joking, of course)
I swear I saw this SOMEWHERE today, but can’t find it now. Boye Mafe had the highest pass rush we in rate of the game yesterday at 37+ percent. I know he had no sacks, but he was highly effective in pressuring Rogers.
That would shock me. Mafe seems to get stuck on blocks and not finish plays...and I don't mean he misses tackles(which he does) I mean he gives up sometimes if the play goes away from him or he gets washed. I hate that, as a coach I would bench players for that the first time I saw it. You will always give max effort, no matter what. Just my two cents, but if mafe played with spoons desire and focus, he'd be so much better than just meh imo.
Saw this today:
https://x.com/SamHoppen/status/1967601404853604628
Seahawks number 1 in pressure rate. It's a beautiful thing
We better sign Kenneth. If we don't it will probably turn out like Saquon Barkley where one of our division rivals signs him and then he goes for 2,000 yards and we lose all our division games to them.
Tip of the Day?!?! THANKS JOE! Never heard of it before but I'll take it.
Make sure you take your tips in cash from now on ;)
I know it is 4th down, sometimes it is best to take the sack. I didn't mean for the comment to be overly harsh. Just meant, was he trying to throw the ball away to avoid the sack or throw to the TE which looked like a very low percentage play given all the Steelers in the way? Still unlucky to have it intercepted and returned.
Overall, I just see this play so often in NFL. Part of the reason the analytics say to go for it on 4th (especially at the goal line) is because of the field position you are giving the other team if you don't get it (Plan B). Far too often I see QBs take ridiculous risks (last year Kyler Murray in Seattle a good example near mid field) in these situations. If I am the coaching staff, I am letting Darnold know, you don't need to go crazy on 4th down, field position is part of the equation.
If he thought, he could complete the pass then I'm ok with the risk. But you are back peddling with a guy in your face another LB in the way and the corner charging hard. Tough to say how much mustard he could get on it to keep it out of harms way.
Also, I am not concerned with SD turnovers in a game like this. I would much rather have a QB pushes the ball downfield and gets explosive plays than what we saw in the first game against the Niners even though I can't remember a single risky play by Darnold. Good QBs should throw interceptions because they are pushing the ball downfield.
While I have gone 180 degrees on Jay Harbaugh, I’ve actually been pro Kupp and Walker. I’ve maintain Walker can give us 1400+ yards since last season, and I’ve felt Kupp will give us more than what Lockett gave us last year. The key to both is staying healthy. Kupp looks like he’s healthier than he’s been in years - at the moment - and Walker looks 100% healthy.
As for extending Walker, I think the team should be careful with guaranteed money. Walker’s injury history has to make you hesitant to tie up a ton of money in a player who could he out for an extended period at any moment. I look at Lucas and see a player who took less than he might have gotten going to the end of the year and free agency. Would walker sign a 3 year extension with limited guarantees?
As for Bradford, I would argue he’s playing decently, and if you look at the Vikings RG Will Fries, a solid argument could be made after 2 games Bradford is playing at least as well as $88 million dollar Will Fries.
As you pointed out looong before the off-season started, The Hawks D finished last season a top 10 defense. No one here would see the Hawks D as a top 5 defense to be surprising at all. Judy Battista is obviously a know nothing regurgitator.