The best thing the Seahawks can do is win this game with Ken Walker. Just imagine how confusing it will be for the national media, as well as opposing DCs game planning for us in the playoffs, if K9 gets 225 total yards and 2 TDs. Let's give Charbs another 80 yards and a short TD run.
With Cross out for sure, and Jones questionable, I think we're going to see a lot of 12, 13 and 22 personnel packages with Saubert/Kallerup helping the left tackle. As long as our defense plays to their high standard, this seems like a good setup for our best running game of the year.
Re: Cooper Kupp, there is another aspect to him that's I think run its course now but needs to be said: he and DeMarcus Lawrence brought intangibles that even coaches can't do -- which is watching how these guys approach the game. On a young team like Seattle's, and esp with a JSN who has had a Tyler Lockett (but was prioritizing self-protection at this stage in his career) and a DK Metcalf who was prima donna-ing it (and now JSN could rightly prima-donna). All the players say it, but I don't think they're credited enough for the locker room dynamics they've strengthened AS PLAYERS. You'd think Kupp could transmit that as a coach but it's different watching the guy in the weight room, the film room, the practice field and during games, selling out the way he does 100% of the time. Maybe not worth paying up for this sort of thing next year, but it's been part of our story.
DeMarcus too, but he additionally his performing at a Pro Bowl level.
What GREAT signings Mr Schneider!
And then the third unsung guy NOBODY talks about but I continue to wonder how much of MacDonald's maturity is because Leslie Frazier has so many laps around the track, as his adviser.
SSJ would be great to have one of your phenomenal insights articles on Leslie Frazier and his role on this amazing team
I read often how Kupp is at the end of the line, but my goodness, watch him block in that Carolina game! And yes, to your point, his presence in the WR and QB room is priceless and underappreciated (but not by the Seahawks). Yes, he doesn't churn out 1000 yard seasons anymore, but that's not what we need from him. For next year, we goes from #2 to #3 WR, and yes we'll have to re-work his contract a bit to make things work financially, but I'll guarantee you Macdonald will want him back next year. Kubiak too.
Would he make a good WR coach? I certainly think so. I think he's got the brain to be a good OC down the road if that's what he wants. But I don't think we're quite there yet.
I’m so cranked for this game. This team is on the precipice of greatness! The Hawks have proven themselves to be tough and resilient. The MOB attitude is perfect for the situation.
I expect a few surprises from Shanahan, but McDonald and Kubiak will have some of their own. And it will all boil down to a Hawks victory of more than 10 points.
**Rival** - Definitely the 49ers. Why? Stories and resentments. Baldwin and Sherman got no respect in the draft and still didn’t get picked up by Harbaugh, not to mention the long time rivalry with and opposite personality of PC. The “Merry Christmas” taunt. Eating turkey on the 49ers logo. A story about Harbaugh honking at and flipping off the Seahawks team bus. Players tweeting “Shehawks” and “Forty Whiners.” It wasn’t just fans being belligerent. It was deep within the organizations.
**Darnold** - The toadies found that they could criticize Darnold without blowback. When he stumbled at the end of last season, they came back out of the woodwork. He doesn’t whine or act like a victim, but he’s become an easy punching bag. When Ernest Jones stood up for him, that was great.
If someone criticizes Sam, defending him with numbers won’t help. They can always cherry pick a bad moment and double down. But if you say, “You can always tell when somebody doesn’t understand football; they criticize Sam Darnold”, that turns the tables. There’s a cost for the criticism. Now they have to defend themselves.
As long as the toadies get an emotional boost from criticizing Sam, they’ll keep doing it. When there’s an emotional cost, the story will change.
I can't quote a strong opinion of yours regarding Cross. I hope it didn't seem like I was trying to impeach a past statement of yours. I was, inarticulately, asking if you've formed a more concrete sense of his value as he nears the time when he will need to be extended. Has Jones' performance given more clarity regarding Cross' relative value?
It seems like he's going to be costly to retain, and I wonder if that just might be a cost of doing business if you want a left tackle who can put his shoes on the correct feet and tie them too. My sarcasm isn't a shot at Cross, but our somewhat unheralded signing of Jones as a swing tackle seems much more meaningful in light of how he's holding down that spot in Cross' absence. I'm curious how that information will factor into the future of that important position.
JS will actually have to decide what to do with Jones before he needs to make any decisions regarding Cross, so let's see if Jones is even a Seahawks next season. I agree that Jones looks to have been a good signing last offseason and perhaps that will make resigning him more difficult. I think that's about all the speculation that can be made at this point.
Cross is going to be overpaid by us or someone else no matter what Jones does as a Seahawk. He's got youth and experience, and the market will, therefore, demand he be paid based on potential and not just performance alone. He will be initially overpaid, but he may also exceed the value of his next contract, in the long run.
To me it feels like the Rams have just barely overtaken the 9ers as the "biggest Seahawks rival." But I think both rivalries have intensified since 2024 when the Seahawks finally upgraded to a modern HC and defensive scheme. As a fan it's pretty fun to watch three nearly-evenly-matched teams duke it out at the top of the division (and, really, the NFL.)
Here's hoping my two favorite players this year (Barner and Drake Thomas aka the Mighty Duck) have big games on either side of the ball to secure the W
Right now the mock drafts have the Seahawks picking 32, which, I guess, means they think we're favored to win the Super Bowl.
As SSJ notes, that probably means a few players will leave for fancy contracts elsewhere, and good luck to them. It might also mean someone like Kupp retires. It also means our guys will have played A LOT of football, will have limited recovery/rehab/weight-lifting time for the next season. Good thing most of 'em are young. We should expect the elders to play fewer snaps next year, and MM has been elite at managing that.
My point, once I get to the third paragraph, is this: Win or not, being as good as we demonstrably are makes us a much more desirable landing place for free agents than we have been in ages. (I keep reading that we couldn't even get the center who went to the Bears, but he WANTED to go to the Bears.) That should give the team more flexibility, in theory, though I briefly combed through the unrestricted free agent list a couple nights back when I should have been less actively not sleeping, and it didn't inspire...confidence. Can we find another inside linebacker, maybe another safety, perhaps a backup guard...or a starter, even?
It all makes assessing team needs harder than it has been, and makes me wonder how the scouting department is being tasked right now.
And then there's the coaching staff. Some of it's going to get poached, but I'm hoping we are able to retain enough for the systems to stay intact. (Also, anybody notice our running game has picked up since Polamalu stepped away? Not at all to slag on a the coach, just a weird thing.)
I'm thinking SSJ has it right, the way to get a good addition to a team like ours is via trade -- esp this year when the draft class is (again) considered weak.
BTW, weak draft classes put a premium on great scouting so it's a chance for us to separate further from the rest. For example, look at our class from '25 (which was also a weak draft class). We got Zabel and today I'd prob only trade him for Ward or Will Campbell, of anyone that went earlier (could argue Loveland and Warren too, but not for our situation). And then we trade up and get Emmanwori, and then find another great 5th rounder in Horton (not to mention Milroe could be a steal since we are developing him correctly). So I'm hopeful we'll use our draft capital well. But would def support trading draft picks for known talent.
Your thought on Polamalu is one that I had also wondered about. They didn't make much of it at the time, but I wondered whether there was some kind of misalignment they were trying to correct. The running game has improved, but it isn't anything crazy. YPC is up from 3.98 to 4.63 which is significant. On a per game basis up 10 yards per game, but on slightly fewer carries per game. The past two games has been the significant jump, so maybe it's just taking a few weeks to get the adjustments to take.
I'll tell you this......if the Seahawks can develop a consistent running game, they will be deadly.
The way his leaving was phrased, I thought it was a health issue, either his or in his near family. They said he would continue to contribute in some way. I dunno, and it's none of my business. Except the results are...something.
I did some digging and all I could find is them citing 'personal reasons' without any further clarifications on what those were, which as you say is totally understandable if it's a private matter.
What occurred to me on the question of roster changes if Seattle doesn't make the SB or has an early exit from the playoffs, is "What a difference a year makes!!" Before preseason, it felt like the consensus here was 9-8 or maybe 10-7 -- winning the division or especially the #1 seed was a pretty extreme take back then (admittedly given Darnold uncertainty, and JSN wasn't viewed by ANYONE as the dominant receiver in football).
We're young, we're nasty and we lead with defense and the running game. Hope we don't over-react either way, this is a very strong team and it's built to last.
Niners but I don't know exactly why, just more of a visceral reaction to them.
And I remain convinced what got Pete fired was his degradation against both -- and in particular the feeling of helplessness up against Shanahan and McVey, always felt like the coaching was a bigger problem than the QB or whoever. Was pretty much resigned to losing all four of those games every year, hoping to maybe go 1-3.
But between the two of them, FTR but Niners my most hated
I'm nervous about this one, but I also would take Seattle and the points if forced to bet. We're a better team. They're playing better on offense right now, but our defense is miles better. Special teams is probably a wash lately. I don't love the idea of starting a 3rd stringer at left tackle, but hopefully that doesn't happen. I'm going 34-20 and Sam has 2 TDs 1 INT. If we win this game handily and Sam balls out, I'm making an AI Ghostbusters/Darnold as picture as my new profile pic for the playoffs.
I think Sam balls out! I have JSN 150+ yards and a TD. Kupp has a regular season swan song game with a TD and at least 2 big catches on 3rd downs. Barner is also going to be dancing in the end zone. So I look forward to your new profile pic.
I'm so weary about the running Sam Darnold narratives, I've tuned out. Say whatever you want. He'll play on Saturday, and I expect play well. Sometimes in life you can be revered and have done nothing of note, and sometimes nothing one does is good enough, no matter how much success you have. That's the world we live in.
Biggest rivalry for me is San Fran, but only because the owned our asses, and then we owned their asses, and now I hope we flip that script again in the next few years. I dislike the Rams more (FTR's!!), but I think the 9'ers are the biggest true rivalry.
I hate the 49ers too, was at the tip game and it was great. I remember feeling that way about Denver in the old AFC days. I’m going with 28-13 Seahawks, but I’d be happy with Dano score too!
49ers are the team I hate the most, mainly because of the early 2010s and the PC and JH beef “what’s your deal?!”
But I have to acknowledge that the Rams have had our number for the past 8 years.
This is the year we exorcise those demons!
The best thing the Seahawks can do is win this game with Ken Walker. Just imagine how confusing it will be for the national media, as well as opposing DCs game planning for us in the playoffs, if K9 gets 225 total yards and 2 TDs. Let's give Charbs another 80 yards and a short TD run.
With Cross out for sure, and Jones questionable, I think we're going to see a lot of 12, 13 and 22 personnel packages with Saubert/Kallerup helping the left tackle. As long as our defense plays to their high standard, this seems like a good setup for our best running game of the year.
Re: Cooper Kupp, there is another aspect to him that's I think run its course now but needs to be said: he and DeMarcus Lawrence brought intangibles that even coaches can't do -- which is watching how these guys approach the game. On a young team like Seattle's, and esp with a JSN who has had a Tyler Lockett (but was prioritizing self-protection at this stage in his career) and a DK Metcalf who was prima donna-ing it (and now JSN could rightly prima-donna). All the players say it, but I don't think they're credited enough for the locker room dynamics they've strengthened AS PLAYERS. You'd think Kupp could transmit that as a coach but it's different watching the guy in the weight room, the film room, the practice field and during games, selling out the way he does 100% of the time. Maybe not worth paying up for this sort of thing next year, but it's been part of our story.
DeMarcus too, but he additionally his performing at a Pro Bowl level.
What GREAT signings Mr Schneider!
And then the third unsung guy NOBODY talks about but I continue to wonder how much of MacDonald's maturity is because Leslie Frazier has so many laps around the track, as his adviser.
SSJ would be great to have one of your phenomenal insights articles on Leslie Frazier and his role on this amazing team
I read often how Kupp is at the end of the line, but my goodness, watch him block in that Carolina game! And yes, to your point, his presence in the WR and QB room is priceless and underappreciated (but not by the Seahawks). Yes, he doesn't churn out 1000 yard seasons anymore, but that's not what we need from him. For next year, we goes from #2 to #3 WR, and yes we'll have to re-work his contract a bit to make things work financially, but I'll guarantee you Macdonald will want him back next year. Kubiak too.
Would he make a good WR coach? I certainly think so. I think he's got the brain to be a good OC down the road if that's what he wants. But I don't think we're quite there yet.
I’m so cranked for this game. This team is on the precipice of greatness! The Hawks have proven themselves to be tough and resilient. The MOB attitude is perfect for the situation.
I expect a few surprises from Shanahan, but McDonald and Kubiak will have some of their own. And it will all boil down to a Hawks victory of more than 10 points.
**Rival** - Definitely the 49ers. Why? Stories and resentments. Baldwin and Sherman got no respect in the draft and still didn’t get picked up by Harbaugh, not to mention the long time rivalry with and opposite personality of PC. The “Merry Christmas” taunt. Eating turkey on the 49ers logo. A story about Harbaugh honking at and flipping off the Seahawks team bus. Players tweeting “Shehawks” and “Forty Whiners.” It wasn’t just fans being belligerent. It was deep within the organizations.
**Darnold** - The toadies found that they could criticize Darnold without blowback. When he stumbled at the end of last season, they came back out of the woodwork. He doesn’t whine or act like a victim, but he’s become an easy punching bag. When Ernest Jones stood up for him, that was great.
If someone criticizes Sam, defending him with numbers won’t help. They can always cherry pick a bad moment and double down. But if you say, “You can always tell when somebody doesn’t understand football; they criticize Sam Darnold”, that turns the tables. There’s a cost for the criticism. Now they have to defend themselves.
As long as the toadies get an emotional boost from criticizing Sam, they’ll keep doing it. When there’s an emotional cost, the story will change.
Ken,
I can't quote a strong opinion of yours regarding Cross. I hope it didn't seem like I was trying to impeach a past statement of yours. I was, inarticulately, asking if you've formed a more concrete sense of his value as he nears the time when he will need to be extended. Has Jones' performance given more clarity regarding Cross' relative value?
It seems like he's going to be costly to retain, and I wonder if that just might be a cost of doing business if you want a left tackle who can put his shoes on the correct feet and tie them too. My sarcasm isn't a shot at Cross, but our somewhat unheralded signing of Jones as a swing tackle seems much more meaningful in light of how he's holding down that spot in Cross' absence. I'm curious how that information will factor into the future of that important position.
JS will actually have to decide what to do with Jones before he needs to make any decisions regarding Cross, so let's see if Jones is even a Seahawks next season. I agree that Jones looks to have been a good signing last offseason and perhaps that will make resigning him more difficult. I think that's about all the speculation that can be made at this point.
Cross is going to be overpaid by us or someone else no matter what Jones does as a Seahawk. He's got youth and experience, and the market will, therefore, demand he be paid based on potential and not just performance alone. He will be initially overpaid, but he may also exceed the value of his next contract, in the long run.
To me it feels like the Rams have just barely overtaken the 9ers as the "biggest Seahawks rival." But I think both rivalries have intensified since 2024 when the Seahawks finally upgraded to a modern HC and defensive scheme. As a fan it's pretty fun to watch three nearly-evenly-matched teams duke it out at the top of the division (and, really, the NFL.)
Here's hoping my two favorite players this year (Barner and Drake Thomas aka the Mighty Duck) have big games on either side of the ball to secure the W
Right now the mock drafts have the Seahawks picking 32, which, I guess, means they think we're favored to win the Super Bowl.
As SSJ notes, that probably means a few players will leave for fancy contracts elsewhere, and good luck to them. It might also mean someone like Kupp retires. It also means our guys will have played A LOT of football, will have limited recovery/rehab/weight-lifting time for the next season. Good thing most of 'em are young. We should expect the elders to play fewer snaps next year, and MM has been elite at managing that.
My point, once I get to the third paragraph, is this: Win or not, being as good as we demonstrably are makes us a much more desirable landing place for free agents than we have been in ages. (I keep reading that we couldn't even get the center who went to the Bears, but he WANTED to go to the Bears.) That should give the team more flexibility, in theory, though I briefly combed through the unrestricted free agent list a couple nights back when I should have been less actively not sleeping, and it didn't inspire...confidence. Can we find another inside linebacker, maybe another safety, perhaps a backup guard...or a starter, even?
It all makes assessing team needs harder than it has been, and makes me wonder how the scouting department is being tasked right now.
And then there's the coaching staff. Some of it's going to get poached, but I'm hoping we are able to retain enough for the systems to stay intact. (Also, anybody notice our running game has picked up since Polamalu stepped away? Not at all to slag on a the coach, just a weird thing.)
I'm thinking SSJ has it right, the way to get a good addition to a team like ours is via trade -- esp this year when the draft class is (again) considered weak.
BTW, weak draft classes put a premium on great scouting so it's a chance for us to separate further from the rest. For example, look at our class from '25 (which was also a weak draft class). We got Zabel and today I'd prob only trade him for Ward or Will Campbell, of anyone that went earlier (could argue Loveland and Warren too, but not for our situation). And then we trade up and get Emmanwori, and then find another great 5th rounder in Horton (not to mention Milroe could be a steal since we are developing him correctly). So I'm hopeful we'll use our draft capital well. But would def support trading draft picks for known talent.
Your thought on Polamalu is one that I had also wondered about. They didn't make much of it at the time, but I wondered whether there was some kind of misalignment they were trying to correct. The running game has improved, but it isn't anything crazy. YPC is up from 3.98 to 4.63 which is significant. On a per game basis up 10 yards per game, but on slightly fewer carries per game. The past two games has been the significant jump, so maybe it's just taking a few weeks to get the adjustments to take.
I'll tell you this......if the Seahawks can develop a consistent running game, they will be deadly.
The way his leaving was phrased, I thought it was a health issue, either his or in his near family. They said he would continue to contribute in some way. I dunno, and it's none of my business. Except the results are...something.
I did some digging and all I could find is them citing 'personal reasons' without any further clarifications on what those were, which as you say is totally understandable if it's a private matter.
What occurred to me on the question of roster changes if Seattle doesn't make the SB or has an early exit from the playoffs, is "What a difference a year makes!!" Before preseason, it felt like the consensus here was 9-8 or maybe 10-7 -- winning the division or especially the #1 seed was a pretty extreme take back then (admittedly given Darnold uncertainty, and JSN wasn't viewed by ANYONE as the dominant receiver in football).
We're young, we're nasty and we lead with defense and the running game. Hope we don't over-react either way, this is a very strong team and it's built to last.
Niners but I don't know exactly why, just more of a visceral reaction to them.
And I remain convinced what got Pete fired was his degradation against both -- and in particular the feeling of helplessness up against Shanahan and McVey, always felt like the coaching was a bigger problem than the QB or whoever. Was pretty much resigned to losing all four of those games every year, hoping to maybe go 1-3.
But between the two of them, FTR but Niners my most hated
I'm nervous about this one, but I also would take Seattle and the points if forced to bet. We're a better team. They're playing better on offense right now, but our defense is miles better. Special teams is probably a wash lately. I don't love the idea of starting a 3rd stringer at left tackle, but hopefully that doesn't happen. I'm going 34-20 and Sam has 2 TDs 1 INT. If we win this game handily and Sam balls out, I'm making an AI Ghostbusters/Darnold as picture as my new profile pic for the playoffs.
I think Sam balls out! I have JSN 150+ yards and a TD. Kupp has a regular season swan song game with a TD and at least 2 big catches on 3rd downs. Barner is also going to be dancing in the end zone. So I look forward to your new profile pic.
I'm so weary about the running Sam Darnold narratives, I've tuned out. Say whatever you want. He'll play on Saturday, and I expect play well. Sometimes in life you can be revered and have done nothing of note, and sometimes nothing one does is good enough, no matter how much success you have. That's the world we live in.
Biggest rivalry for me is San Fran, but only because the owned our asses, and then we owned their asses, and now I hope we flip that script again in the next few years. I dislike the Rams more (FTR's!!), but I think the 9'ers are the biggest true rivalry.
31-9 on Saturday. No TD's for Purdy.
Agreed about the Darnold narrative and I will add the constant Bradford criticism is tiresome as well. Unlike you, I have a hard time tuning it out.
I got 31-13 Seahawks. I hope you’re right!
I hate the 49ers too, was at the tip game and it was great. I remember feeling that way about Denver in the old AFC days. I’m going with 28-13 Seahawks, but I’d be happy with Dano score too!
Ah Denver…with horse face as QB? Didn’t Boz call Elway something like that and then turn around and sell a bunch of t shirts at the game?
I think half the stuff I read about Boz was urban legend
Boz was fun but not really a LB.