The first Seahawk game I went to was in 1998, preseason vs Colts in the Dome. Peyton Manning was playing as a rookie and I had heard a lot about him leading up to the draft, but I only rarely watch NCAA and I had seen a lot of busts at QB since I started watching in 89-90 so whatever. Swear to god (can't find a box score to prove it) but his first pass went for a touchdown and I thought to myself "Hmmm this guy might be pretty good" uh yeah.....he turned out pretty freakin good!
I remember the Russell Wilson TD pass in the 3rd preseason game in 2012, to a vet receiver that didn't stick with the team.......maybe Kellen Winslow Jr? It sticks with me because I remember thinking, that's it, he's won the starter job. And so he had.
Bryan Walters WR with Seahawks back during the super bowl era, is being interviewed by Brock and Salk. Towards the end of the interview he is asked what the WR room thought of Russell Wilson. They agree the statute of limitations is up and they can talk about it. It seemed it was universal that Russ was not liked. Walters gives an example of why doing an imitation of Russell Wilson in the process. I was listening and not watching and I swear he did sound exactly like Russel’s voice. It’s on the Seattle Sports YouTube channel, in the last 5 minutes or so of the interview.
Indeed. I much prefer interviews with actual players, coaches or people involved in the sport to the chatter of ESPN/Fox/PFF “experts” telling you what to believe about a team or player. You always pick up something you didn’t know vs something not worth knowing. “The Athletic” podcast today had one guys saying the Seahawks on defense were either the 6th or 9th best defense in the NFL from weeks 10-18 based on two different measures. One fellow said they couldn’t be a really good defense because they didn’t have the requisite number of elite players. The other fellow on the podcast said maybe not, but they had solid to real good players everywhere with the possible exception of Jobe, and not having weaknesses at any position allows MM to get what he wants out of the defense and he can come up with a solid game plan against any offensive scheme. I was hoping they would sign Revel in round 2, but that didn’t happen. I do hope Jobe can be “solid” or they have a plan to add a CB to fortify the CB room. I would also argue that they may have some elite players on the defense waiting to happen. Leo is elite if he stays healthy. Witherspoon could take the next step to elite, as could one or two of Mafe/Hall/Murphy/Knight/Woolen. We could be a top 5 defense this year, even without many defensive draft picks to bolster the defense.
I listened to The Athletic podcast yesterday. I was struck by the futility of the exercise because those guys were going solely on the basis of last year and didn’t bother to project player improvement. This might fine with a veteran squad, but not with a defense that has as many players on their rookie contract as the ‘Hawks do.
Without Lockett and Geno, with the additions of 11 rookies, the average age of the Seahawks have got to be near the youngest in the league. That one guy on the podcast, Derrick Klossen, actually said on a podcast last week, that the Seahawks were obviously in rebuilding mode because they got rid of Geno and DK. With 32 teams in the league, it’s virtually impossible for these general knowledge guys to provide worthwhile information. If I was going to have a general football podcast, I would have 32 teams experts that spent all their time getting to know one team. Then call upon these people to offer their opinions which might actually be somewhat reliable when it came to specific teams. The audience would be far better off in the case of Klossen if he just admitted he doesn’t have a decent understanding of the Seahawks and can’t offer anything meaningful to the discussion.
Kasen Williams absolutely going off during preseason and then getting cut...I thought that was odd being that he looked so good. Never quite got that one, but maybe he was just hyper athletic and didn't know ball...
Kasen Williams, Tanner McEvoy, Jazz Ferguson, John Ursua, the list goes on of preseason WR heroes who never made much regualr season impact. Being professional football players however, I'd assume they all "knew ball".
I’m re-watching all the Seahawks games from last season in preparation for this year’s games. I really have a bad memory for the preseason games. I can remember some of what transpired in the regular season games one, but nothing of the three preseason games struck me as something I could recall.
I think what sticks in my mind from a preseason game was when Lock and Geno were competing for the job. I remember Lock getting Covid and that was how the competition ended. I’m guessing that was how it would have turned out if he played, but I do remember worrying that perhaps we chose the wrong QB because of a fluke illness. At the time I was slightly concerned about it, but in the end it all worked out.
Wait a minute. I did remember Dee Eskridge’s TD, and the support of the team for him. Of course we all knew it was too little too late. But I really loved the support he got. I did remember that from a preseason game.
The Athletic just published an article on “must-watch” games for each NFL team. Only one team had more than one, which was our beloved Seahawks (who always seem to be brushed aside) with THREE!!:
- Steelers bc of DK Metcalf wanting to show us up
- Rams in LA bc of Kupp wanting to show them up
- Vikings bc of Darnold wanting to show them up.
I was so proud, for a minute there it almost felt like we were from NY or CA 🤣
I really hope that Pete and Geno get warm welcomes back. I understand that each fan has the right to their own opinion, but I'd like to think that the class and better-than-average-fan knowledge Seattle is known for will overshadow the "boo every opponent" minority. It may be more mixed for Geno, I guess. But, ultimately, he was a good guy here even if you're one who is happy he's gone.
Apparently, "revenge" plays well. Idk, I guess in some situations. But, I think it's more a product of content creators looking for something to write about.
DK asked to leave: you're welcome, and good to see you again, Dekalin.
Min had JJ probably starting last year before he got hurt and Darnold played well. He is a smart vet. I don't think he has much ill-will or EXTRA motivation on top of his own competitive ambition to be the best he can be. I may be wrong.
Kupp is similar to Darnold, only he has something to prove to the entire league: he isn't washed. Does he have sour grapes because LA didn't offer him a new contract? I imagine he really is happy to be back home like he said he is, and he is a millionaire like all these guys.
Making it in amd staying in the NFL is enough for most guys, and I would say almost every established star or vet to give 100%, "revenge" and simple language definition don't allow for more than 100% effort. There is no such thing as 110% effort, only redefining what 100% looks like.
If it's headed that way already, what's to stop MM from scheduling joint practices before each preseason game, and maybe even 1 before the week before preseason wk1? Is there some sort of collectively bargained reason why 2 is all most teams, including us, do?
I’ve played a lot of Australian football and I was always taught to train the way you play. And it seemed to work. I was never really a fan of practice matches, or training for that matter, against other teams coz you never wanted to go all-out for fear of getting injured before the real deal. And if you’re not working all-out, you’re not benefitting. That’s my player perspective anyway. The only way to get ‘match fit’ is to play matches.
I guess it’s more nuanced though when it comes to coaching and play calling, but I’d argue the same applies. If your players aren’t going all-out, then you’re not getting a true perspective of the play.
The coaches might agree with you too. But there’s just no chance that they’re ever going to let their important players risk an Achilles tear or acl tear in a preseason game again. It could still happen in practice, but is less likely and they can guarantee no hits. That’s just the times we live in.
Yes, that’s what I’m saying. I’m not a great fan of preseason games or practices against other clubs. I just think it’s too risky and not beneficial enough.
For the most part, the players will put forth their max effort in whatever situation the coaches put them in. The coaches want to see everyone playing all-out, but within the structure that they have some control over and can set rules for. But you're totally right, Dale. There's just no substitute for the real thing, and playing all out in games that don't matter just doesn't make sense. In well run organizations there has to be a certain level of trust between coaches and players that you're going to show us your best, and we're going to protect you as best we can.
I’m not sure I agree. I think the players on the bubble, trying to earn a place will play all-out, but those with existing contracts /safer positions won’t want to risk it. And why would they? I see pre-season stuff against other teams as for those bubble players, which is fine. But it’s nothing you couldn’t get from in-house training, and you’re less likely to get injured in-house because there’s more control.
Ultimately, these guys are all individuals that will react in different ways to the situations the coaches place them in. Some of that will be derived from the stakes they are playing for, and some will just come down to personality.
Between in-house training, joint practices, and preseason games, the NFL has set up different tiers of competition. However as the competition level goes up, the level of coach control goes down. I 100% agree that preseason games should only be played by low-profile backups and bubble players. But do coaches glean just as much about these guys on the bottom of the roster from in-house training? I don't know.
The Raiders doing joint practices with the 9'ers I find very odd. For starters, he NEVER did them in Seattle, and when he was on Brock & Salk a week ago he reiterated he wasn't a fan. And now he's doing them. I find that odd. Maybe Tom Brady talked to him.
I've rarely watched preseason games to watch the starters anyway. I want to see the new guys and the rookies. We'll learn very little about our offense in preseason, other than perhaps a few tidbits about offensive line play and who's holding up. Kubiak will play not a single card with the 9'ers first up in the regular season. Two scoops of vanilla and that's it. No sprinkles, no nuts. Definitely no chocolate topping. No waffle cone. Just call nothing but tush-push plays.
It will be fun to watch Milroe just do the basic stuff. Under center work, footwork, ball out on time, etc. Just the basic easy stuff. Basic play action. See how he's coming along in a near zero pressure situation.
Starters should stand out against essentially bench players in these practises. Zabel wasn't getting respect until he went up against better players in the Senior(?) Bowl. If he proves his skills in practise games, I expect Kubiak will park him early with the starters, just to avoid injury. Seems I remember Nwosu taking a cheap shot against the Titans that cost him a year.
I still remember Chris Carson getting time in 2017 when Rawls was down, and thinking “holy cow we may have ourselves a real RB”. And how much better he looked than Eddie Lacey
What's the first "Seahwks preseason game" memory that comes to mind?
Curt Warner going on a 85 yard TD run in his 1st preseason game… against KC if I recall
The first Seahawk game I went to was in 1998, preseason vs Colts in the Dome. Peyton Manning was playing as a rookie and I had heard a lot about him leading up to the draft, but I only rarely watch NCAA and I had seen a lot of busts at QB since I started watching in 89-90 so whatever. Swear to god (can't find a box score to prove it) but his first pass went for a touchdown and I thought to myself "Hmmm this guy might be pretty good" uh yeah.....he turned out pretty freakin good!
I remember the Russell Wilson TD pass in the 3rd preseason game in 2012, to a vet receiver that didn't stick with the team.......maybe Kellen Winslow Jr? It sticks with me because I remember thinking, that's it, he's won the starter job. And so he had.
Bryan Walters WR with Seahawks back during the super bowl era, is being interviewed by Brock and Salk. Towards the end of the interview he is asked what the WR room thought of Russell Wilson. They agree the statute of limitations is up and they can talk about it. It seemed it was universal that Russ was not liked. Walters gives an example of why doing an imitation of Russell Wilson in the process. I was listening and not watching and I swear he did sound exactly like Russel’s voice. It’s on the Seattle Sports YouTube channel, in the last 5 minutes or so of the interview.
Great interview in general, too
Indeed. I much prefer interviews with actual players, coaches or people involved in the sport to the chatter of ESPN/Fox/PFF “experts” telling you what to believe about a team or player. You always pick up something you didn’t know vs something not worth knowing. “The Athletic” podcast today had one guys saying the Seahawks on defense were either the 6th or 9th best defense in the NFL from weeks 10-18 based on two different measures. One fellow said they couldn’t be a really good defense because they didn’t have the requisite number of elite players. The other fellow on the podcast said maybe not, but they had solid to real good players everywhere with the possible exception of Jobe, and not having weaknesses at any position allows MM to get what he wants out of the defense and he can come up with a solid game plan against any offensive scheme. I was hoping they would sign Revel in round 2, but that didn’t happen. I do hope Jobe can be “solid” or they have a plan to add a CB to fortify the CB room. I would also argue that they may have some elite players on the defense waiting to happen. Leo is elite if he stays healthy. Witherspoon could take the next step to elite, as could one or two of Mafe/Hall/Murphy/Knight/Woolen. We could be a top 5 defense this year, even without many defensive draft picks to bolster the defense.
I listened to The Athletic podcast yesterday. I was struck by the futility of the exercise because those guys were going solely on the basis of last year and didn’t bother to project player improvement. This might fine with a veteran squad, but not with a defense that has as many players on their rookie contract as the ‘Hawks do.
Without Lockett and Geno, with the additions of 11 rookies, the average age of the Seahawks have got to be near the youngest in the league. That one guy on the podcast, Derrick Klossen, actually said on a podcast last week, that the Seahawks were obviously in rebuilding mode because they got rid of Geno and DK. With 32 teams in the league, it’s virtually impossible for these general knowledge guys to provide worthwhile information. If I was going to have a general football podcast, I would have 32 teams experts that spent all their time getting to know one team. Then call upon these people to offer their opinions which might actually be somewhat reliable when it came to specific teams. The audience would be far better off in the case of Klossen if he just admitted he doesn’t have a decent understanding of the Seahawks and can’t offer anything meaningful to the discussion.
I've long been curious on that. Thanx!
If you can find a link to that one, I'd be much obliged!
https://youtu.be/nwkCh4wQRwQ?si=LBSxSalCLGeUA1ot Skip to 18 minutes
Skip to 18 minutes, his imitation of Russell happens between 18 and 20 minutes
Oh, I didn't realize this was from TODAY! That clap along with his impersonation was brilliant!
Yeah, I was just listening to it in the background and I thought it was an awesome impersonation.
Kasen Williams absolutely going off during preseason and then getting cut...I thought that was odd being that he looked so good. Never quite got that one, but maybe he was just hyper athletic and didn't know ball...
Kasen Williams, Tanner McEvoy, Jazz Ferguson, John Ursua, the list goes on of preseason WR heroes who never made much regualr season impact. Being professional football players however, I'd assume they all "knew ball".
I’m re-watching all the Seahawks games from last season in preparation for this year’s games. I really have a bad memory for the preseason games. I can remember some of what transpired in the regular season games one, but nothing of the three preseason games struck me as something I could recall.
I think what sticks in my mind from a preseason game was when Lock and Geno were competing for the job. I remember Lock getting Covid and that was how the competition ended. I’m guessing that was how it would have turned out if he played, but I do remember worrying that perhaps we chose the wrong QB because of a fluke illness. At the time I was slightly concerned about it, but in the end it all worked out.
Oh yeah, Lock's COVID was a big one.
Honestly the ONLY thing that came to mind was Russell Wilson juking Eric Berry in 2012 and winning the starting QB job in pWK3 against the Chiefs.
Wait a minute. I did remember Dee Eskridge’s TD, and the support of the team for him. Of course we all knew it was too little too late. But I really loved the support he got. I did remember that from a preseason game.
Schedule-related rarity:
The Athletic just published an article on “must-watch” games for each NFL team. Only one team had more than one, which was our beloved Seahawks (who always seem to be brushed aside) with THREE!!:
- Steelers bc of DK Metcalf wanting to show us up
- Rams in LA bc of Kupp wanting to show them up
- Vikings bc of Darnold wanting to show them up.
I was so proud, for a minute there it almost felt like we were from NY or CA 🤣
I really hope that Pete and Geno get warm welcomes back. I understand that each fan has the right to their own opinion, but I'd like to think that the class and better-than-average-fan knowledge Seattle is known for will overshadow the "boo every opponent" minority. It may be more mixed for Geno, I guess. But, ultimately, he was a good guy here even if you're one who is happy he's gone.
Apparently, "revenge" plays well. Idk, I guess in some situations. But, I think it's more a product of content creators looking for something to write about.
DK asked to leave: you're welcome, and good to see you again, Dekalin.
Min had JJ probably starting last year before he got hurt and Darnold played well. He is a smart vet. I don't think he has much ill-will or EXTRA motivation on top of his own competitive ambition to be the best he can be. I may be wrong.
Kupp is similar to Darnold, only he has something to prove to the entire league: he isn't washed. Does he have sour grapes because LA didn't offer him a new contract? I imagine he really is happy to be back home like he said he is, and he is a millionaire like all these guys.
Making it in amd staying in the NFL is enough for most guys, and I would say almost every established star or vet to give 100%, "revenge" and simple language definition don't allow for more than 100% effort. There is no such thing as 110% effort, only redefining what 100% looks like.
If it's headed that way already, what's to stop MM from scheduling joint practices before each preseason game, and maybe even 1 before the week before preseason wk1? Is there some sort of collectively bargained reason why 2 is all most teams, including us, do?
I don’t know…….
I’ve played a lot of Australian football and I was always taught to train the way you play. And it seemed to work. I was never really a fan of practice matches, or training for that matter, against other teams coz you never wanted to go all-out for fear of getting injured before the real deal. And if you’re not working all-out, you’re not benefitting. That’s my player perspective anyway. The only way to get ‘match fit’ is to play matches.
I guess it’s more nuanced though when it comes to coaching and play calling, but I’d argue the same applies. If your players aren’t going all-out, then you’re not getting a true perspective of the play.
The coaches might agree with you too. But there’s just no chance that they’re ever going to let their important players risk an Achilles tear or acl tear in a preseason game again. It could still happen in practice, but is less likely and they can guarantee no hits. That’s just the times we live in.
Yes, that’s what I’m saying. I’m not a great fan of preseason games or practices against other clubs. I just think it’s too risky and not beneficial enough.
For the most part, the players will put forth their max effort in whatever situation the coaches put them in. The coaches want to see everyone playing all-out, but within the structure that they have some control over and can set rules for. But you're totally right, Dale. There's just no substitute for the real thing, and playing all out in games that don't matter just doesn't make sense. In well run organizations there has to be a certain level of trust between coaches and players that you're going to show us your best, and we're going to protect you as best we can.
I’m not sure I agree. I think the players on the bubble, trying to earn a place will play all-out, but those with existing contracts /safer positions won’t want to risk it. And why would they? I see pre-season stuff against other teams as for those bubble players, which is fine. But it’s nothing you couldn’t get from in-house training, and you’re less likely to get injured in-house because there’s more control.
Ultimately, these guys are all individuals that will react in different ways to the situations the coaches place them in. Some of that will be derived from the stakes they are playing for, and some will just come down to personality.
Between in-house training, joint practices, and preseason games, the NFL has set up different tiers of competition. However as the competition level goes up, the level of coach control goes down. I 100% agree that preseason games should only be played by low-profile backups and bubble players. But do coaches glean just as much about these guys on the bottom of the roster from in-house training? I don't know.
The Raiders doing joint practices with the 9'ers I find very odd. For starters, he NEVER did them in Seattle, and when he was on Brock & Salk a week ago he reiterated he wasn't a fan. And now he's doing them. I find that odd. Maybe Tom Brady talked to him.
I've rarely watched preseason games to watch the starters anyway. I want to see the new guys and the rookies. We'll learn very little about our offense in preseason, other than perhaps a few tidbits about offensive line play and who's holding up. Kubiak will play not a single card with the 9'ers first up in the regular season. Two scoops of vanilla and that's it. No sprinkles, no nuts. Definitely no chocolate topping. No waffle cone. Just call nothing but tush-push plays.
It will be fun to watch Milroe just do the basic stuff. Under center work, footwork, ball out on time, etc. Just the basic easy stuff. Basic play action. See how he's coming along in a near zero pressure situation.
Starters should stand out against essentially bench players in these practises. Zabel wasn't getting respect until he went up against better players in the Senior(?) Bowl. If he proves his skills in practise games, I expect Kubiak will park him early with the starters, just to avoid injury. Seems I remember Nwosu taking a cheap shot against the Titans that cost him a year.
You remember correctly. Total cheap shot by the lineman.
I still remember Chris Carson getting time in 2017 when Rawls was down, and thinking “holy cow we may have ourselves a real RB”. And how much better he looked than Eddie Lacey