Here is a Yahoo story about Sam Darnold's maternal grandfather. He was on the 1964 gold medal Olympic Volleyball team, was the Marlboro Man, and a fire fighter. What a guy!
REALLY hoping Emmanwori will be good to go by Sunday. No word on whether the injury is to the same ankle he hurt in game 1 or not, or whether that even matters. He was listed as 'limited' so I think that's a good sign. He changes everything on defense.
As to the Sam Darnold 'narratives', I give a great big YAWN! And honestly, I've seen as many positive comments about him lately than negatives. Funny how winning big games will do that. Even if he wins the SB I'm sure those same 'narratives' will surface the first bad game he has......'oh, there's THAT Sam Darnold again'. Whatever. I care about Seahawk success and nothing else. People can say whatever they want. WE JUST DON'T CARE!
On a totally separate note...does anyone doing draft sims have any later round CB's without injury history when we pick at 186? I feel like the CB pool dries up very quickly. I like Domani Jackson but he's coming off injury...
I haven't even started draft sims yet. Being in the SB has kept me from even being that curious. Funny how already having a really good team diverts my interest in draft prospects. I'll get after it after we win (hopefully) on Sunday.
The way Bezos has managed the Washington Post, maybe we don’t want him as a suitor for the Hawks? That’s meant as business criticism, not politics, btw.
Bugliosi is 100% correct in my experience in business, different field. The number of "experts" and highly credentialed prestigious folks I deal with who lack basic real world (ie getting results) competence, never ceases to amaze.
The only cure for this I know of is teaching from first principles, so people understand what they are actually trying to accomplish and how it can be achieved. Without this most just do the generic conventional thing they were taught by another non competent person, which usually doesn't fit the problem at hand (the world is very complex!). And the small number of actually competent competitors they are up against will easily beat that every time.
MM clearly coaches this way, it is said McVay is mostly a "teaching coach" as well. Results speak for themselves, even if the average talking head can't explain it.
JS has talked about looking for and keeping coaches that are great teachers. I think you are correct that this is a strength of MM, and feeds in to your other comment about him being one of the few defensive play-calling head coaches. He has to be able to share his process/vision effectively in order to trust his offensive staff to pull off in-game decision making. It's not just having faith in your subordinates. It's having confidence in your teaching methods to get the results you expect from your staff and players. I think MM is also very good at setting reasonable expectations for his staff and players based on their experience and position. He sets them up to exceed his expectations, but isn't afraid to let them go when it's not working.
Regarding the "Seahawks for Sale" story- We know that the team must be sold eventually and that the NFL loves the Pats, so I wouldn't rule out a fake leak. Knowing that it has to happen someday I've come up with my dream ownership group to avoid the evil tech bros. I want Melinda French and Mackenzie Scott, and we'll call them the "Billionaire ex-Wives Club. Jody Allen can remain in a management/minority ownership role for continuity since I don't want to mess up the good thing we've had going almost since the moment Paul Allen took over.
Drake's a good dude so wouldn't ever wish him harm. A 'distraction' perhaps, like, "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your jock strap!" Too long? Well, given his first name perhaps an emphatic strongly worded "QUACK!!". Enjoy the game!
MM would be the first defensive play calling HC in history to win a SB. Leslie Frazier explained how unusual it is, as it takes the HC somewhat out of the flow of the game on offense, including TOs, challenges, etc.
But now Saleh is saying he'll call defense in TN. Hawks seem to be ahead of the curve.
Oh Sam our little red headed step child. People only remeber the errors and your failures, they can't get past your past. People lack vision, pioneers are few nowadays. SSJ, please keep feeding us your content less we all starve.
Really glad to see this article - I am so tired of the Sam Darnold “narrative”. Let’s face it, that narrative led to an extremely bad personnel decision by the Vikings, right?
Having watched Sam all year, there’s been something different about the INTs compared to last year - and we basically had the same amount, Sam 14, Geno 15. But with Geno, it felt like a behavior, something inherent, you could see it coming as he got under pressure and rolled out, such a “no no no no, don’t do it Geno . . . ahh sh—!” moment over and over. It looked like poor decisionmaking, off-script.
With Sam, different story. Interceptions seemed to come in aggressive playcalling situations. Can’t prove it, I just know I didn’t have many of those gut-level, Sam-is-an-idiot, reactions. (Maybe a couple times during the 1st Rams game). My theory is that the offense has played aggressive, stayed aggressive, because the defense allows it. Someone commented this week (sorry, can’t remember who), that the Pats 5 turnovers against the Texans resulted in a pick 6 plus 4 other drives without a first down. Perfect example of how a top defense allows the offense to be more aggressive and make more mistakes. Same with the Rams game - Sam threw picks, D kept us in the game, offense stayed aggressive and made more mistakes, and aside from a killer punt we take that game into OT.
Klint, Mike and Sam have dialed the aggression up and down for game strategy. It’s been great to watch. Way different from last year.
Separate comment on the coaching carousel: here’s my theory on why Benton stays. He left the Niners after 4 years to follow Saleh to the Jets. Lasted 2 years, gotta believe he regrets that move a bit. Then, out of the league for a year, hired by another crappy team (Saints), lasted one year. Now with a SB team - so why follow Klint to another dumpster fire?? Can’t imagine a significant money difference. He and John will work this out as long as JB likes the new OC.
Re: the commenter who posted about the NE inefficiency with HOU turnovers; it was Sea Hawk Run! He posted it on a couple of threads to be sure it was seen by as many as he could.
I don't watch much film or take notes like some of us seem to do, but it kind of seemed like a lot of SD's interceptions were bounces off a helmet or a receiver's chest. Perhaps a throw that shouldn't have been made (?), but not entirly Sams fault.
That's part of why we're seeing our turnovers regress downward towards the mean. We can't be that unlucky that long...it's changing. Let's hope it stays!
Narratives stick. You can live more than half a life, and a family member will still tell “that story.”
Not only can narratives miss the mark, they can lead to a shallow view of the world, which is comfortable for many.
I watched a video with Robert Turbin yesterday, and he emphasized that it’s about matchups, more than anything. For instance, eyes and data tell us that the Seattle D line is elite. Match them up with the Rams OL, and they are neutralized.
Fortunately, the Pats don’t have the Rams’ OL. Their left side has two rookies who have struggled at times. Advantage Seattle.
So, where does Sam struggle with interceptions? Not accuracy. The Rams got him and Kubiak on some pre-snap reads. It looks to me like they’ve been more careful about dealing with defenders who jump routes. He’s had batted balls, and threw to a dropping DT. Sam has been more active in moving the launch point to avoid nearby defenders. He’s tried to make something from nothing. Lately, he’s been willing to take safe sacks and protect the ball.
And yes, he can still be aggressive when we need points.
If Sam plays like he has recently, the old narrative doesn’t apply.
Regarding matchups, their DTs are strong. Bradford also has strength. When he makes good first moves, he can hold his own. But expect their interior line to get some wins. Expect some screens, and quick passes. Walker loves the outside. It’s not an ideal matchup, but we have ways to respond.
BTW, based on matchups, Turbo thinks NE will be lucky to get 10 points. I like his analysis!
Turbo! The one guy who shrugged off SB 49. “It’s not the first time a coach called a pass on second down. We didn’t execute it.” Words to that effect. The rest of the team would have done well to take his attitude.
Speaking of narratives, why is story that Pete shouldn’t have called pass? Because Pete didn’t choose to throw Russ, Lockette, or Bevell under the bus.
When Sam threw a pick in the red zone against the Rams, nobody was saying that it was a horrible play call. It was, “Darnold throws yet another interception.”
We don’t say, “Russ threw another interception”, even though he threw four picks just the game before.
We could have railed against Lockette for not running hard enough, just as we could yell at Russ for throwing too far in front, despite seeing the safety crashing down.
We could blame Bevell for thinking that Kearse would be able to move Browner.
I mainly blame Russ, if he puts it in Lockette’s gut, it’s not intercepted. If Russ tucks and runs, he might have scored. If he pumps and holds, it’s pass interference, or he can then throw it over Butler’s head. But no, Russ throws it exactly where the crashing safety can pick it.
But the narrative is that Russ throwing an interception was Pete’s fault for calling pass.
For context, Tom Brady holds the record for the most TD passes within the five yard line with 649 TDs. He threw three interceptions from that part of the field.
People also forget that Marshawn fumbled at the goal line the game before against San Fran. I don't have an issue with a pass in that circumstance, but not one that Browner has seen 100 times. Surely we can have a wrinkle ready for such circumstances. Anyway, water under the bridge. That was probably the toughest loss I've had to endure.
To me, it was a tough break. Wyman says that the hardest play for a defender is to pull off an interception while colliding with another player. Run that play 100 times and 99 of them the pass is complete or incomplete. Anyway, I can’t bring myself to criticize a coach for wanting to use all of his plays. I guess you could argue that the pass should have gone to Lynch, but it didn’t.
Just observationally, ironically it doesn't seem like interior pressure is SD's kryptonite as it is with elite pocket passers, because he doesn't really know how to climb the pocket very well anyway. Edge rushers seem to cause way more chaos for him.
Otoh there was the period where interior DL were getting hands on a lot of his throws. That seems to have been cleaned up, though I haven't seen commentary on what changed.
"Narratives stick. You can live more than half a life, and a family member will still tell “that story.”
So true, and I bet each of us here have examples.
"Not only can narratives miss the mark, they can lead to a shallow view of the world, which is comfortable for many."
Equally true, and so many otherwise intelligent people I know see everything from a narrative lens and dismiss facts that dare to run contrary to it.
I've been rocking Seahawk gear the last 2 weeks at work, and so many sports fans have chatted with me. If I have to hear "If Darnold doesn't mess it up" or "maybe y'all won't pass at the 1 this time" again, I'm going to start wearing a Rob Lowe NFL hat until after the game.
I agree, sort of. I'd be OK with 14-13, but I'd feel sooo much better if SD passes for four TD's and New England is lucky to get 3 FG's. 31-9!! Rub their noses in the turf.
About Nate Scheelhaase: Wasn't Shane Waldron once a hotshot coaching prospect poached from the Rams? These things don't always pan out. Waldron was difficult to watch.
Here is a Yahoo story about Sam Darnold's maternal grandfather. He was on the 1964 gold medal Olympic Volleyball team, was the Marlboro Man, and a fire fighter. What a guy!
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/sam-darnolds-grandfather-dick-hammer-210757468.html
REALLY hoping Emmanwori will be good to go by Sunday. No word on whether the injury is to the same ankle he hurt in game 1 or not, or whether that even matters. He was listed as 'limited' so I think that's a good sign. He changes everything on defense.
As to the Sam Darnold 'narratives', I give a great big YAWN! And honestly, I've seen as many positive comments about him lately than negatives. Funny how winning big games will do that. Even if he wins the SB I'm sure those same 'narratives' will surface the first bad game he has......'oh, there's THAT Sam Darnold again'. Whatever. I care about Seahawk success and nothing else. People can say whatever they want. WE JUST DON'T CARE!
dang ! Hope Mr. Emmanwori heals well, whether he plays soon or not.
On a totally separate note...does anyone doing draft sims have any later round CB's without injury history when we pick at 186? I feel like the CB pool dries up very quickly. I like Domani Jackson but he's coming off injury...
I haven't even started draft sims yet. Being in the SB has kept me from even being that curious. Funny how already having a really good team diverts my interest in draft prospects. I'll get after it after we win (hopefully) on Sunday.
I hadn't started...but it's a long wait from nfc championship until Superbowl.
The way Bezos has managed the Washington Post, maybe we don’t want him as a suitor for the Hawks? That’s meant as business criticism, not politics, btw.
If everyone in the Pacific Northwest would pitch in about $500 to Seaside Joe, Kenneth Arthur could probably buy the team. That's my vote.
Bugliosi is 100% correct in my experience in business, different field. The number of "experts" and highly credentialed prestigious folks I deal with who lack basic real world (ie getting results) competence, never ceases to amaze.
The only cure for this I know of is teaching from first principles, so people understand what they are actually trying to accomplish and how it can be achieved. Without this most just do the generic conventional thing they were taught by another non competent person, which usually doesn't fit the problem at hand (the world is very complex!). And the small number of actually competent competitors they are up against will easily beat that every time.
MM clearly coaches this way, it is said McVay is mostly a "teaching coach" as well. Results speak for themselves, even if the average talking head can't explain it.
JS has talked about looking for and keeping coaches that are great teachers. I think you are correct that this is a strength of MM, and feeds in to your other comment about him being one of the few defensive play-calling head coaches. He has to be able to share his process/vision effectively in order to trust his offensive staff to pull off in-game decision making. It's not just having faith in your subordinates. It's having confidence in your teaching methods to get the results you expect from your staff and players. I think MM is also very good at setting reasonable expectations for his staff and players based on their experience and position. He sets them up to exceed his expectations, but isn't afraid to let them go when it's not working.
I think I have an extra copy of Erraticism on dvd somewhere if you want.
The DEI world does not take well to checking their premises.
Regarding the "Seahawks for Sale" story- We know that the team must be sold eventually and that the NFL loves the Pats, so I wouldn't rule out a fake leak. Knowing that it has to happen someday I've come up with my dream ownership group to avoid the evil tech bros. I want Melinda French and Mackenzie Scott, and we'll call them the "Billionaire ex-Wives Club. Jody Allen can remain in a management/minority ownership role for continuity since I don't want to mess up the good thing we've had going almost since the moment Paul Allen took over.
I like that….the billionaire ex-wives club!
I’ve tuned out this laziness. Teams don’t go 16-3 in spite of their QB or with an erratic QB. It doesn’t take an analyst to know that.
I'll be at the House of Jeans... Taking SSJ family requests for discouraging things to yell at Drake Maye 😋
Went to the 2014 SB as well, which was shellshocking. Time to bust all those ghosts!
Drake's a good dude so wouldn't ever wish him harm. A 'distraction' perhaps, like, "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your jock strap!" Too long? Well, given his first name perhaps an emphatic strongly worded "QUACK!!". Enjoy the game!
Hey SJ, did you study law, or have you been in some legal trouble? I hope it’s the prior.
I was confused for a minute, but I think the entire beginning of this post was a quote from Bugliosi.
Sitting on a jury is one front row seat to the incompetence of the lawyers. Real life cases on the news and in documentaries is another resource.
These days one doesn't have to look far to find folks who have studied law AND break it on a regular basis. 🤔
MM would be the first defensive play calling HC in history to win a SB. Leslie Frazier explained how unusual it is, as it takes the HC somewhat out of the flow of the game on offense, including TOs, challenges, etc.
But now Saleh is saying he'll call defense in TN. Hawks seem to be ahead of the curve.
Oh Sam our little red headed step child. People only remeber the errors and your failures, they can't get past your past. People lack vision, pioneers are few nowadays. SSJ, please keep feeding us your content less we all starve.
Really glad to see this article - I am so tired of the Sam Darnold “narrative”. Let’s face it, that narrative led to an extremely bad personnel decision by the Vikings, right?
Having watched Sam all year, there’s been something different about the INTs compared to last year - and we basically had the same amount, Sam 14, Geno 15. But with Geno, it felt like a behavior, something inherent, you could see it coming as he got under pressure and rolled out, such a “no no no no, don’t do it Geno . . . ahh sh—!” moment over and over. It looked like poor decisionmaking, off-script.
With Sam, different story. Interceptions seemed to come in aggressive playcalling situations. Can’t prove it, I just know I didn’t have many of those gut-level, Sam-is-an-idiot, reactions. (Maybe a couple times during the 1st Rams game). My theory is that the offense has played aggressive, stayed aggressive, because the defense allows it. Someone commented this week (sorry, can’t remember who), that the Pats 5 turnovers against the Texans resulted in a pick 6 plus 4 other drives without a first down. Perfect example of how a top defense allows the offense to be more aggressive and make more mistakes. Same with the Rams game - Sam threw picks, D kept us in the game, offense stayed aggressive and made more mistakes, and aside from a killer punt we take that game into OT.
Klint, Mike and Sam have dialed the aggression up and down for game strategy. It’s been great to watch. Way different from last year.
Separate comment on the coaching carousel: here’s my theory on why Benton stays. He left the Niners after 4 years to follow Saleh to the Jets. Lasted 2 years, gotta believe he regrets that move a bit. Then, out of the league for a year, hired by another crappy team (Saints), lasted one year. Now with a SB team - so why follow Klint to another dumpster fire?? Can’t imagine a significant money difference. He and John will work this out as long as JB likes the new OC.
Re: Benton; 🤞
Re: the commenter who posted about the NE inefficiency with HOU turnovers; it was Sea Hawk Run! He posted it on a couple of threads to be sure it was seen by as many as he could.
Thanks for mentioning them!
I don't watch much film or take notes like some of us seem to do, but it kind of seemed like a lot of SD's interceptions were bounces off a helmet or a receiver's chest. Perhaps a throw that shouldn't have been made (?), but not entirly Sams fault.
That's part of why we're seeing our turnovers regress downward towards the mean. We can't be that unlucky that long...it's changing. Let's hope it stays!
Yes - and you could argue that those plays are related to the quick-hitter Kubiak system as much as anything.
Narratives stick. You can live more than half a life, and a family member will still tell “that story.”
Not only can narratives miss the mark, they can lead to a shallow view of the world, which is comfortable for many.
I watched a video with Robert Turbin yesterday, and he emphasized that it’s about matchups, more than anything. For instance, eyes and data tell us that the Seattle D line is elite. Match them up with the Rams OL, and they are neutralized.
Fortunately, the Pats don’t have the Rams’ OL. Their left side has two rookies who have struggled at times. Advantage Seattle.
So, where does Sam struggle with interceptions? Not accuracy. The Rams got him and Kubiak on some pre-snap reads. It looks to me like they’ve been more careful about dealing with defenders who jump routes. He’s had batted balls, and threw to a dropping DT. Sam has been more active in moving the launch point to avoid nearby defenders. He’s tried to make something from nothing. Lately, he’s been willing to take safe sacks and protect the ball.
And yes, he can still be aggressive when we need points.
If Sam plays like he has recently, the old narrative doesn’t apply.
Regarding matchups, their DTs are strong. Bradford also has strength. When he makes good first moves, he can hold his own. But expect their interior line to get some wins. Expect some screens, and quick passes. Walker loves the outside. It’s not an ideal matchup, but we have ways to respond.
BTW, based on matchups, Turbo thinks NE will be lucky to get 10 points. I like his analysis!
Turbo! The one guy who shrugged off SB 49. “It’s not the first time a coach called a pass on second down. We didn’t execute it.” Words to that effect. The rest of the team would have done well to take his attitude.
Speaking of narratives, why is story that Pete shouldn’t have called pass? Because Pete didn’t choose to throw Russ, Lockette, or Bevell under the bus.
When Sam threw a pick in the red zone against the Rams, nobody was saying that it was a horrible play call. It was, “Darnold throws yet another interception.”
We don’t say, “Russ threw another interception”, even though he threw four picks just the game before.
We could have railed against Lockette for not running hard enough, just as we could yell at Russ for throwing too far in front, despite seeing the safety crashing down.
We could blame Bevell for thinking that Kearse would be able to move Browner.
I mainly blame Russ, if he puts it in Lockette’s gut, it’s not intercepted. If Russ tucks and runs, he might have scored. If he pumps and holds, it’s pass interference, or he can then throw it over Butler’s head. But no, Russ throws it exactly where the crashing safety can pick it.
But the narrative is that Russ throwing an interception was Pete’s fault for calling pass.
For context, Tom Brady holds the record for the most TD passes within the five yard line with 649 TDs. He threw three interceptions from that part of the field.
Yes, it’s valid to call pass at the goal line.
People also forget that Marshawn fumbled at the goal line the game before against San Fran. I don't have an issue with a pass in that circumstance, but not one that Browner has seen 100 times. Surely we can have a wrinkle ready for such circumstances. Anyway, water under the bridge. That was probably the toughest loss I've had to endure.
Pete publicly took the blame to protect Wilson.
To me, it was a tough break. Wyman says that the hardest play for a defender is to pull off an interception while colliding with another player. Run that play 100 times and 99 of them the pass is complete or incomplete. Anyway, I can’t bring myself to criticize a coach for wanting to use all of his plays. I guess you could argue that the pass should have gone to Lynch, but it didn’t.
Just observationally, ironically it doesn't seem like interior pressure is SD's kryptonite as it is with elite pocket passers, because he doesn't really know how to climb the pocket very well anyway. Edge rushers seem to cause way more chaos for him.
Otoh there was the period where interior DL were getting hands on a lot of his throws. That seems to have been cleaned up, though I haven't seen commentary on what changed.
I wish I could like this post 20 times.
"Narratives stick. You can live more than half a life, and a family member will still tell “that story.”
So true, and I bet each of us here have examples.
"Not only can narratives miss the mark, they can lead to a shallow view of the world, which is comfortable for many."
Equally true, and so many otherwise intelligent people I know see everything from a narrative lens and dismiss facts that dare to run contrary to it.
I've been rocking Seahawk gear the last 2 weeks at work, and so many sports fans have chatted with me. If I have to hear "If Darnold doesn't mess it up" or "maybe y'all won't pass at the 1 this time" again, I'm going to start wearing a Rob Lowe NFL hat until after the game.
Tomorrow at work I'm wearing every bit of Seahawks gear I can put on at the same time. Hat, hoodie, socks, gloves, the whole 9 yards.
I agree with you and Turbo! I'm thinking 31-10, but would settle for 14-13 or any other win.
I agree, sort of. I'd be OK with 14-13, but I'd feel sooo much better if SD passes for four TD's and New England is lucky to get 3 FG's. 31-9!! Rub their noses in the turf.
About Nate Scheelhaase: Wasn't Shane Waldron once a hotshot coaching prospect poached from the Rams? These things don't always pan out. Waldron was difficult to watch.
"Waldron? Good luck with that. Are we live?" -JSN after his rookie season.
That was rare moment of transparency, without really saying anything. Funny as hell though.
I remember that lol 🤙