Doubling up is what Pete/John do. This year was OT, Edge, CB, and WR. I suspect they view Lock as the first half of a double down for QB. That is the way I see it and I Love it! People keep talking up Baker M, Jimmy G or Question ? for this year. Forget it.
Unless a TRUE no-brainer becomes available, another QB just isn't going to happen until next year. We went 2x on four positions this year and next, they will go for the 2nd half at QB and likely go 2x on Interior O-line and Interior D-line.
The new OTs are rather proficient at Pass-pro, but these lines do take time to develop cohesion for the run game. Nevertheless, Kenneth Walker III is a Bonafide star. Dude looks better than Zeke Elliott and more like Saquon Barkley - a little smaller but Oh So Powerful with a superior (nearest to Barry Sanders I have seen) change of direction. Thus his skill will help the line.
Rashaad Penny might be less suited than Walker for the early season Offensive Line at this time - expect a stronger 2nd half from him...
Kenneth, you are not the only one who is looking level-headed at this team's return to contender status. It feels like they are a draft/off season haul away.
I think the real tale of the tape will be measured in 2023. Seattle will not only have a full hand of draft picks (see Joe's Hypothesizing article), the possibility of around 55 Mil (from 71 plus, Field Gulls 6/2/22) in cap space after signings. That some pretty good free agency operating capitol. One can only hope Seattle can find a few more late round picks and UFDA to add to that next year. Seattle did well in 13 because they had so much depth at multiple positions. Injuries are a fact of life in sports especially the NFL. I think Seattle is well on their way to reestablishing that depth on their roster. Additions at QB, OL, DL, CB RB and LB could go along way to that end in 2023.
I think the one caveat that I'm looking forward to in 2022 is the youth that Seattle has under Carroll and a younger coaching staff that begs to instill enthusiasm on a team that has been missing since 2013-14. Let's put some fun back into the game and see the glass half full for 23. Seattle may once again present an aurora of hope in an era where pessimism seems to have supplanted the term "on any given Sunday" Barnwell's bashing may be a good omen for Seattle to reinstall that "chip" and an air of expectation on Sunday's that hometown fans have been missing. Let the games begin.
Even if we don't reclaim that 2013 magic and bring home a championship, these next three years (at least) are going to be a lot of fun, and way more interesting than the last three. The Sound of the Seahawks may not have been great film making, but it got me pumped about the future of our defense, from players to staffing changes to the shift in philosophy. Great offseason! Excited to find our QBOTF! Happy 1212 Kenneth! Go Hawks!!!
I love where the Hawks are and feel optimistic. Really looking forward even though I expect it to be a down season. My hopes are higher for the season following but, that said, I'm under no illusion that a return to the Superbowl is likely to occur anytime soon. Each year, only two teams get to the Superbowl and only one wins so it's not reasonable to expect that level of success.
Younger fans don't get that. Those of us who have been around a while should. In 2013, I remember people remarking that we need to enjoy this season because it may not happen again in our lifetimes. That's all the more true because the Seahawks were fairly dominant that year. Sure, there were moments of luck and the whole thing could have come tumbling down. But overall, that team imposed its will on opponents. In that sense, it was a throwback, as most years anymore a team gets lucky at the right time to win it all. Not entirely lucky -- some combination of skill, desire and luck. But luck is a very significant component. The Rams almost got intercepted at the end of the San Francisco game -- as an example. Was just dumb luck that they won. I'd give them a 20% chance of getting back to the Superbowl this year and a 10% chance of winning back to back. They're good but not great. If Donald, Ramsey or Stafford suffer a significant injury, dial it way back from there.
Fortunately, I don't assess seasons in terms of the result. Rather, for me, it's about the experience. To what extent was I entertained? Only one team wins it all, no one knows who it will be until it happens, and then it's in the past. The next day, we're all in the same boat, thinking and dreaming about "next year". So making it all about winning the biggest prize is a losing proposition and a setup for repeat disappointment.
The role of luck in pro football is huge. While it can be decisive in any close game in any sport, the large number of games played smooths out the impact in baseball, basketball, and hockey but magnifies it in football. Fans don’t like to admit this, but it’s true.
Sure. Not just in football but in life. We pretend we live in a meritocracy but the biggest indicator of success is the family one comes from. Kids from wealth and privilege receive opportunities and second chances that kids from socially and financially constricted homes can't even imagine. There's a huge correlation between career success and the success of one's family in prior generations.
There's an element of meritocracy to our society but people exaggerate its impact. Some people are smarter, more conscientious, harder working than others. But not in a way that correlates well with success. In other words, one person might be a million or even a billion times richer than another. No one is a million, let alone a billion (or even a thousand or a hundred or even ten) times smarter, harder working or more conscientious than anyone else.
I know a couple of extremely wealthy people (my wife's cousin and an old high school friend). The former was an early Amazon employee. The other hit it big as a physician who opened a series of clinics and was ultimately bought out. To their credit, they each cite luck as the largest component of their success. Which is true. Both are smart and hard working. But so are a lot of other people not nearly as wealthy.
There was a time when it was possible for a well run football team to become a dynasty. In those days, there was a larger skill component that went into it. Certain front offices were more skilled and functional than others, though there was luck too. These days, there's a lot more luck because the NFL has made countless moves to even the playing field between teams. The salary cap and free agency, combined, have completely changed the game. No team that gets dominant can afford to keep all of its talent together for long. So teams have to be particularly smart in assessing who to pay and who to cut. And then they need to pray that the players paid stay healthy and remain as good as they were.
Thinking back to Seattle's LOB defense, Schneider did his best to keep the most important players. That meant letting other guys go. It meant not investing in the offensive line and hoping Wilson could make up for it with his ability to scramble and improvise. Not bad as an educated guess. We remember how it played out. Chancellor's injury was the biggest blow. Didn't help that Thomas was a head case.
Wilbur Wright was once told that he and his brother were proof of what someone with no advantages could accomplish in America. But we had every advantage, he replied: Parents who encouraged us to learn and think for ourselves and we live in a supportive community (the Wright Brothers loved Dayton—go figure.) Modesty forbade Wilbur adding that he was born a genius—talk about luck!
My criticism of Schneider is that he would not alter his approach to free agency when he failed to rebuild the OL in the draft. Instead of signing proven players—Jack Conklin comes to mind—he kept bargain hunting. Which created this revolving cast of has-beens and never-wases, and likely contributed more than anything the franchise QB losing confidence and trust in the front office. (I don’t buy that Russell Wilson’s ego was the problem.)
Trouble is the salary cap. There's only so much to go 'round. Wasn't crazy about the Adams trade but I get why he went for it. Wound up looking smart that first year.
As for the Wright Brothers, there are lots of rags to riches stories. They do happen. At the same time, it's clear that one is far more likely to be successful if you come from a successful family. Not a little more likely but a WHOLE LOT.
Think of it this way: If you come from poverty, you may be able to work your way out but you had better do everything right and not take a lot of time screwing around. Screw up in any one of a thousand ways and you're done. Whereas, a kid from wealth gets endless chances. Those of us in the middle often get second chances but not thirds and fourths and fifths.
Doubling up is what Pete/John do. This year was OT, Edge, CB, and WR. I suspect they view Lock as the first half of a double down for QB. That is the way I see it and I Love it! People keep talking up Baker M, Jimmy G or Question ? for this year. Forget it.
Unless a TRUE no-brainer becomes available, another QB just isn't going to happen until next year. We went 2x on four positions this year and next, they will go for the 2nd half at QB and likely go 2x on Interior O-line and Interior D-line.
The new OTs are rather proficient at Pass-pro, but these lines do take time to develop cohesion for the run game. Nevertheless, Kenneth Walker III is a Bonafide star. Dude looks better than Zeke Elliott and more like Saquon Barkley - a little smaller but Oh So Powerful with a superior (nearest to Barry Sanders I have seen) change of direction. Thus his skill will help the line.
Rashaad Penny might be less suited than Walker for the early season Offensive Line at this time - expect a stronger 2nd half from him...
Kenneth, you are not the only one who is looking level-headed at this team's return to contender status. It feels like they are a draft/off season haul away.
I think the real tale of the tape will be measured in 2023. Seattle will not only have a full hand of draft picks (see Joe's Hypothesizing article), the possibility of around 55 Mil (from 71 plus, Field Gulls 6/2/22) in cap space after signings. That some pretty good free agency operating capitol. One can only hope Seattle can find a few more late round picks and UFDA to add to that next year. Seattle did well in 13 because they had so much depth at multiple positions. Injuries are a fact of life in sports especially the NFL. I think Seattle is well on their way to reestablishing that depth on their roster. Additions at QB, OL, DL, CB RB and LB could go along way to that end in 2023.
I think the one caveat that I'm looking forward to in 2022 is the youth that Seattle has under Carroll and a younger coaching staff that begs to instill enthusiasm on a team that has been missing since 2013-14. Let's put some fun back into the game and see the glass half full for 23. Seattle may once again present an aurora of hope in an era where pessimism seems to have supplanted the term "on any given Sunday" Barnwell's bashing may be a good omen for Seattle to reinstall that "chip" and an air of expectation on Sunday's that hometown fans have been missing. Let the games begin.
Even if we don't reclaim that 2013 magic and bring home a championship, these next three years (at least) are going to be a lot of fun, and way more interesting than the last three. The Sound of the Seahawks may not have been great film making, but it got me pumped about the future of our defense, from players to staffing changes to the shift in philosophy. Great offseason! Excited to find our QBOTF! Happy 1212 Kenneth! Go Hawks!!!
I love where the Hawks are and feel optimistic. Really looking forward even though I expect it to be a down season. My hopes are higher for the season following but, that said, I'm under no illusion that a return to the Superbowl is likely to occur anytime soon. Each year, only two teams get to the Superbowl and only one wins so it's not reasonable to expect that level of success.
Younger fans don't get that. Those of us who have been around a while should. In 2013, I remember people remarking that we need to enjoy this season because it may not happen again in our lifetimes. That's all the more true because the Seahawks were fairly dominant that year. Sure, there were moments of luck and the whole thing could have come tumbling down. But overall, that team imposed its will on opponents. In that sense, it was a throwback, as most years anymore a team gets lucky at the right time to win it all. Not entirely lucky -- some combination of skill, desire and luck. But luck is a very significant component. The Rams almost got intercepted at the end of the San Francisco game -- as an example. Was just dumb luck that they won. I'd give them a 20% chance of getting back to the Superbowl this year and a 10% chance of winning back to back. They're good but not great. If Donald, Ramsey or Stafford suffer a significant injury, dial it way back from there.
Fortunately, I don't assess seasons in terms of the result. Rather, for me, it's about the experience. To what extent was I entertained? Only one team wins it all, no one knows who it will be until it happens, and then it's in the past. The next day, we're all in the same boat, thinking and dreaming about "next year". So making it all about winning the biggest prize is a losing proposition and a setup for repeat disappointment.
The role of luck in pro football is huge. While it can be decisive in any close game in any sport, the large number of games played smooths out the impact in baseball, basketball, and hockey but magnifies it in football. Fans don’t like to admit this, but it’s true.
Sure. Not just in football but in life. We pretend we live in a meritocracy but the biggest indicator of success is the family one comes from. Kids from wealth and privilege receive opportunities and second chances that kids from socially and financially constricted homes can't even imagine. There's a huge correlation between career success and the success of one's family in prior generations.
There's an element of meritocracy to our society but people exaggerate its impact. Some people are smarter, more conscientious, harder working than others. But not in a way that correlates well with success. In other words, one person might be a million or even a billion times richer than another. No one is a million, let alone a billion (or even a thousand or a hundred or even ten) times smarter, harder working or more conscientious than anyone else.
I know a couple of extremely wealthy people (my wife's cousin and an old high school friend). The former was an early Amazon employee. The other hit it big as a physician who opened a series of clinics and was ultimately bought out. To their credit, they each cite luck as the largest component of their success. Which is true. Both are smart and hard working. But so are a lot of other people not nearly as wealthy.
There was a time when it was possible for a well run football team to become a dynasty. In those days, there was a larger skill component that went into it. Certain front offices were more skilled and functional than others, though there was luck too. These days, there's a lot more luck because the NFL has made countless moves to even the playing field between teams. The salary cap and free agency, combined, have completely changed the game. No team that gets dominant can afford to keep all of its talent together for long. So teams have to be particularly smart in assessing who to pay and who to cut. And then they need to pray that the players paid stay healthy and remain as good as they were.
Thinking back to Seattle's LOB defense, Schneider did his best to keep the most important players. That meant letting other guys go. It meant not investing in the offensive line and hoping Wilson could make up for it with his ability to scramble and improvise. Not bad as an educated guess. We remember how it played out. Chancellor's injury was the biggest blow. Didn't help that Thomas was a head case.
Wilbur Wright was once told that he and his brother were proof of what someone with no advantages could accomplish in America. But we had every advantage, he replied: Parents who encouraged us to learn and think for ourselves and we live in a supportive community (the Wright Brothers loved Dayton—go figure.) Modesty forbade Wilbur adding that he was born a genius—talk about luck!
My criticism of Schneider is that he would not alter his approach to free agency when he failed to rebuild the OL in the draft. Instead of signing proven players—Jack Conklin comes to mind—he kept bargain hunting. Which created this revolving cast of has-beens and never-wases, and likely contributed more than anything the franchise QB losing confidence and trust in the front office. (I don’t buy that Russell Wilson’s ego was the problem.)
Trouble is the salary cap. There's only so much to go 'round. Wasn't crazy about the Adams trade but I get why he went for it. Wound up looking smart that first year.
As for the Wright Brothers, there are lots of rags to riches stories. They do happen. At the same time, it's clear that one is far more likely to be successful if you come from a successful family. Not a little more likely but a WHOLE LOT.
Think of it this way: If you come from poverty, you may be able to work your way out but you had better do everything right and not take a lot of time screwing around. Screw up in any one of a thousand ways and you're done. Whereas, a kid from wealth gets endless chances. Those of us in the middle often get second chances but not thirds and fourths and fifths.
Double rec for this one, Parallax.
Won't be that dark when one can aready see the light at the end of the tunnel, if only with one's mind's eye.
Thanks Charley.