Re the 2005 MVP, Pat Kirwan has written that, in effect, a great running back needs a great line and a great line needs a great running back. The line has to open a hole (or holes); the back has to hit the hole *and* make the first would-be tackler miss and get himself loose. I.e., the line provides opportunity, and the back has to be good enough to take full advantage. Could Maurice Morris have done that as well as Shaun Alexander and run up the same numbers? Could he have held up for 370 carries? It’s also worth asking if Matt Hasselbeck would have been as effective.
Obviously I’m an Alexander fan who thinks that he gets a bad rap. Seventeen hundred carries and 180 receptions in five years…so what if he made an occasional business decision? My guess is that any RB with that kind of workload did.
I remember watching that game live on TV.. What a stiff arm to put Porter down on his butt. And then to see Hass was down field trying to block. What a play.
Ocrapocrapocrap...I've been doing it completely wrong all these years. From here on out, I'm going to behave better. I promise. I never, ever meant to be disrespectful!
For me, it's a real shocker that Walter Jones tied with Shaun Alexander in your poll about who should have won MVP.
My memory is fuzzy, but my recollection of Alexander is him laying down to avoid tackles, questionable injuries, and a lack of passion for the game....at least late in his career. It bothered me when he did that, as it bothers me when Tyler does it. I get the self-preservation and 'live to fight another day' approach, but I don't like it. Makes some sense for Tyler given his size, but not a running back...a position that is supposed to take/give the hit to make yards. My memory of Shaun is probably not fair to him, but it's what popped into my head when i saw the poll result. I was glad when he was done.
On the flip side, Shaun doesn't get all those touchdowns without a solid line...anchored by Walter Jones! He was a stud lineman and in my mind it's no contest between the two.
Probably some of this is guys that touch the ball get votes and guys that don't don't...linemen get the shaft when fans are voting. Again, no disrespect to Shaun but Walt was the man!
Walter Jones says that he never played with anyone who wanted to score a touchdown like Shaun. Nothing but respect and admiration for him. Marshawn Lynch’s career high in carries (315) would have been Alexander’s fourth-highest. Alexander was a fine receiver out of the backfield too--59 receptions in 2002 including one that he broke for 80 yards. (The receptions dropped only because Alexander was too valuable as a rusher.) On Nov 11, 2001, Shaun set a team record by rushing for 266 yards against the Raiders in a freezing and windswept Husky Stadium. I was there -- it was an epic performance. Great football player.
Wow...great information and puts a different light on it. I was at that Husky stadium game too I believe. If we are thinking about the same game...the Seahawks came back late to win and it was cold and wet and windy as I recall. What made that special for me? I was at the game with a buddy from Boston who is a diehard Raiders fan. He actually invited me to go and got the tickets. He got so mad he left the game with about 4 minutes to play. I almost lost my ride home! If that's the game you are referring to that was a special night. Thanks for providing more context regarding Shaun...I see why many voted for him.
That’s the one! The wind was so fierce and swirling that all four goalpost pennants were flying in different directions. Alexander scored three touchdowns over an 11-minute span in the second half to put the Hawks in control. Here’s the game log: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200111110sea.htm
Like, with reservations for Tyler Lockett. Am quite glad that he isn't taking needless hits and so continues to get open over 'n over again, keeping the chains moving as well as scoring TD's. You did say, "Makes some sense for Tyler given his size ..." so maybe we're in agreement there. 'n Yes, O-Linemen just don't get the respect they deserve.
We are in agreement. You are 100% correct...Tyler is a great receiver and has had a wonderful career making big catches and key receptions when we needed them. I still really value the player that looks for the contact to get that extra few inches...but appreciate we get to enjoy Tyler more because he avoids injury-hits when he can.
What player or moment do you think could happen this year to make 'Hawks louder than the Swifties were at Lumen Field?
Charbs doing his own quake run vs the 49ers? DK stiff-arming a Rams DB into next week to score a winning TD? Geno going throwing his 56th TD of the year? Or could it be Spoon tackling someone so hard the ball pops in Riqs hands to then blast the return home?
It was really crazy to see "fans" not want to make the playoffs last year for draft pick reasons.
That run happened only because we won the division at 7-9. That is one of the most iconic plays in Seahawks history but there would've been some "fans" that would've never wanted it to happen. Crazy. I was at that game and is still one of the most memorable and best experiences in that stadium.
Making the playoffs at 7-9 could be the reason the Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2013. Marshawn wasn't a huge fan favorite until that play and not sure his career would have lasted in Seattle if not for that extra game opportunity.
For context, I remember the 2012 preseason when Wilson burst on the scene and surprised everyone. I remember telling my (now) wife that if Pete was going to stay true to his philosophy of “always compete” that he would need to make Wilson the starter...
Pete has always been true to his philosophy and I think it’s one of the reasons that our training is always so interesting / exciting.
It’s even more exciting this year because we have a few positions, especially DB, with a lot of depth and we get to see these guys push each other.
I’m really hoping that Dee and Brown can fulfill their potential, and if so, I’m sure they will have opportunities to contribute. Even if they aren’t starting.
Injuries happen and having depth is critical for any team with aspirations of a deep playoff / Super Bowl run.
Re the 2005 MVP, Pat Kirwan has written that, in effect, a great running back needs a great line and a great line needs a great running back. The line has to open a hole (or holes); the back has to hit the hole *and* make the first would-be tackler miss and get himself loose. I.e., the line provides opportunity, and the back has to be good enough to take full advantage. Could Maurice Morris have done that as well as Shaun Alexander and run up the same numbers? Could he have held up for 370 carries? It’s also worth asking if Matt Hasselbeck would have been as effective.
Obviously I’m an Alexander fan who thinks that he gets a bad rap. Seventeen hundred carries and 180 receptions in five years…so what if he made an occasional business decision? My guess is that any RB with that kind of workload did.
I remember watching that game live on TV.. What a stiff arm to put Porter down on his butt. And then to see Hass was down field trying to block. What a play.
My fave Beastquake reaction:
https://youtu.be/AhPXgKNwZc4
Thanks Paul for posting that video. No more evidence needed that he should have gotten the ball on the one yard line against the Pats.
Best Seahawks articles on the net, right here! Seaside Joe 2024!!
Thank you, Jeremy Brice!
Ocrapocrapocrap...I've been doing it completely wrong all these years. From here on out, I'm going to behave better. I promise. I never, ever meant to be disrespectful!
'em is "Power pellets".
wopwopwopwop... (that's my best text approximation of the Pacman noise).
For me, it's a real shocker that Walter Jones tied with Shaun Alexander in your poll about who should have won MVP.
My memory is fuzzy, but my recollection of Alexander is him laying down to avoid tackles, questionable injuries, and a lack of passion for the game....at least late in his career. It bothered me when he did that, as it bothers me when Tyler does it. I get the self-preservation and 'live to fight another day' approach, but I don't like it. Makes some sense for Tyler given his size, but not a running back...a position that is supposed to take/give the hit to make yards. My memory of Shaun is probably not fair to him, but it's what popped into my head when i saw the poll result. I was glad when he was done.
On the flip side, Shaun doesn't get all those touchdowns without a solid line...anchored by Walter Jones! He was a stud lineman and in my mind it's no contest between the two.
Probably some of this is guys that touch the ball get votes and guys that don't don't...linemen get the shaft when fans are voting. Again, no disrespect to Shaun but Walt was the man!
Walter Jones says that he never played with anyone who wanted to score a touchdown like Shaun. Nothing but respect and admiration for him. Marshawn Lynch’s career high in carries (315) would have been Alexander’s fourth-highest. Alexander was a fine receiver out of the backfield too--59 receptions in 2002 including one that he broke for 80 yards. (The receptions dropped only because Alexander was too valuable as a rusher.) On Nov 11, 2001, Shaun set a team record by rushing for 266 yards against the Raiders in a freezing and windswept Husky Stadium. I was there -- it was an epic performance. Great football player.
Wow...great information and puts a different light on it. I was at that Husky stadium game too I believe. If we are thinking about the same game...the Seahawks came back late to win and it was cold and wet and windy as I recall. What made that special for me? I was at the game with a buddy from Boston who is a diehard Raiders fan. He actually invited me to go and got the tickets. He got so mad he left the game with about 4 minutes to play. I almost lost my ride home! If that's the game you are referring to that was a special night. Thanks for providing more context regarding Shaun...I see why many voted for him.
That’s the one! The wind was so fierce and swirling that all four goalpost pennants were flying in different directions. Alexander scored three touchdowns over an 11-minute span in the second half to put the Hawks in control. Here’s the game log: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200111110sea.htm
Like, with reservations for Tyler Lockett. Am quite glad that he isn't taking needless hits and so continues to get open over 'n over again, keeping the chains moving as well as scoring TD's. You did say, "Makes some sense for Tyler given his size ..." so maybe we're in agreement there. 'n Yes, O-Linemen just don't get the respect they deserve.
We are in agreement. You are 100% correct...Tyler is a great receiver and has had a wonderful career making big catches and key receptions when we needed them. I still really value the player that looks for the contact to get that extra few inches...but appreciate we get to enjoy Tyler more because he avoids injury-hits when he can.
What player or moment do you think could happen this year to make 'Hawks louder than the Swifties were at Lumen Field?
Charbs doing his own quake run vs the 49ers? DK stiff-arming a Rams DB into next week to score a winning TD? Geno going throwing his 56th TD of the year? Or could it be Spoon tackling someone so hard the ball pops in Riqs hands to then blast the return home?
Similar to what you said at the end, how about Riq blocking more kicks to return for touchdowns? Such an underrated play!
It was really crazy to see "fans" not want to make the playoffs last year for draft pick reasons.
That run happened only because we won the division at 7-9. That is one of the most iconic plays in Seahawks history but there would've been some "fans" that would've never wanted it to happen. Crazy. I was at that game and is still one of the most memorable and best experiences in that stadium.
Making the playoffs at 7-9 could be the reason the Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2013. Marshawn wasn't a huge fan favorite until that play and not sure his career would have lasted in Seattle if not for that extra game opportunity.
I never get tired of watching that clip.
Never gets old!
For context, I remember the 2012 preseason when Wilson burst on the scene and surprised everyone. I remember telling my (now) wife that if Pete was going to stay true to his philosophy of “always compete” that he would need to make Wilson the starter...
Pete has always been true to his philosophy and I think it’s one of the reasons that our training is always so interesting / exciting.
It’s even more exciting this year because we have a few positions, especially DB, with a lot of depth and we get to see these guys push each other.
I’m really hoping that Dee and Brown can fulfill their potential, and if so, I’m sure they will have opportunities to contribute. Even if they aren’t starting.
Injuries happen and having depth is critical for any team with aspirations of a deep playoff / Super Bowl run.