Is Pete Carroll going to coach the Seahawks in 2023? - Yes. I don't feel he's ready to call it quits, and i don't see anyone higher up the organization sacking him. Should PC coach this team in 2023? Very different question, and for me would depend who else was in contention for that HC job - but most likely i'd pick PC because i still think he's got something to offer.
Should Geno Smith finally write back? - Nah, he's still been playing above expectation even in the last few struggling weeks. Although we need to see more from him to even consider a Tag level of wage commitment, especially ahead of the Draft and with Lock hovering in the wings.
Will we see the special Kenneth Walker III again? - Absolutely! Injury, and awful O-Line, and Rookie adjustments. He's shown enough to know he'll be special again (but yes, we still need more RB depth, although i don't like the idea of re-signing Penny and yet again hoping he can stay healthy).
DK — Do Better - Definitely!
Is Quandre Diggs playing his final three games with Seattle? - I hope so! He's not the same player post-injury, and we cannot afford to keep both him and Adams. And it's Diggs that offers the most savings this season. Not to say Adams doesn't also have issues he needs to fix too!
The Uchenna Nwosu extension debate - I knew Nwosu would thrive in Seattle (he was one of my favourite Chargers and overall NFL players). To me he's earning a better longer deal, i'd take the shot now rather than in a year when he's got two double digit sack years under his belt. We can definitely make the cap space work, and i can't think of another player on the 'Hawks who's got a better claim to an extension right now.
Is Jordyn Brooks a fifth-year option player? - No, but i would try and negotiate him to a proper extension. He's not a Bobby Wagner (although barely any LB's are, that's why Bobby will be in the HoF), but he's good enough to have a space on this team. Plus we could probably get this done at a cheaper per-year rate for the first two years allowing us to take stock again in 2025/26 if he's going to be a career Seahawk or not.
It’s odd to see Rob be so logical/calm in his video and yet so ruthless in blacklisting fans with different opinions from his blog (me). He does not like a different point of view.
I do not believe the best decision is to move on from Pete. Having said that, I think the reasons Rob states are valid and have merit. But I would prefer to let PC finish out the rebuild that he started in really good fashion. The 2022 draft looks great as well as the trade with broncos.
We are in a division that has major problems for the foreseeable future with rams and cardinals in bad situations. The Niners are peaking now but will likely run into cap space and lack of draft options soon. What will the division look like in two years? I like the hawks chances.
This article as well as the Geno make great points about where to save cap space and what to do with Geno. And you still have lock.
Draft pick plus cap space equals a bright future. Stay the course.
Some people want to say the franchise is in a bad situation, I just don’t see it that way, I just think it’ll take a couple more years and we will be on top of the division.
How fun would this season be if the Seahawks got hot and won their next 5 games? Dare to dream. If they played like that did during that one stretch, they're a tough out.
I knew going into the season that run defense was going to be a problem. I kept reading about all these players they signed and the over-emphasis was rushing the passer. I saw--weak against the run--and was worried. Shelby Harris is an automatic re-sign for me. He's been great. A name we have no heard enough is Boye Mafe. Hope he's going to be good.
Woods has been missed of late. That line can't take he and Harris missing. It can't take Al missing. Mone going down is a concern too.
I'm not sure about Pete. I don't think he's going anywhere. Even if it finishes sideways, he's such a believer in what he and John build that I think they'll stay on task.
Walker's great. The noted bad play of the interior line needs to be cleaned up, but KWIII is great.
Resign Penny, and draft another RB or UFA more good backs. Compete.
And I sure hope we're not done seeing the Lock competition because I believed it before the season, and I still do now that what they're asking the QB to be in this offense can be done by Lock, as well, maybe better than Smith.
I hope Pete is reading Seaside Joe. All your cap casualties are pretty much on the mark. I would only question Big Al. Not a big contract and when he was on the field, he did add some positives.
One tough question, how do we replace all these positions? Add in Barton and Brooks, that is a lot of guys that need to be replaced. Thus, as much as some of these players deserve to go, we will have to keep some of them. We can't draft and sign enough FA's to replace most of the up front D.
Geno. Pete needs to give the least amount of money possible to keep him. At best, he is going to win one of the remaining 3 games. Leaves him with a pretty average record. Not a $30M QB. If some other team would take a chance on him, good for Geno. Absolutely, positively NO LONG TERM deal for Geno. His wish and the future of the Seahawk's QB position are not mutually the same. Geno is NO LONG TERM ANSWER.
Are there any young QBs in the league that have already outstayed their short welcomes. Could Pete and his coaches turn any of these guys into something? (we don't even know the answer to this question as it pertains to Lock, although we likely know the answer to that question). Zach Wilson comes to mind. If NYJ would utilize him properly, ie roll him out of the pocket, he is pretty effective. When they leave him in the pocket, he is a disaster.
Nwosu, yup, let's keep him. One of the very few (bright?) lights on the D's front.
DK, start acting like a professional, not a Ramsey or Latimere. I would like to think you are above those guys when it comes to being a pro. DK has an officials' target on his back, time to shed that target DK.
Sign Penny, for sure. I have said it before, Penny and K9 could make for a very effective RB team. BUT, they certainly need some O line help. Kenneth, you suggested a number of FA C's yesterday, let's target a couple of these guys and significantly upgrade C. Gabe is a total disaster, almost as much as Blythe. Pete, spend some money on C and possibly RG (not sure if we have an acceptable RG in the wings or not, kind a revolving door at that position).
Only watching TV, I don't have a very good view of defensive fits or how well does a receiver run his pattern. Having said that, Jordan Brooks doesn't seem to be able to shed blocks very well. Coverage is not his bag either. A decision I could only make if I knew he would keep getting better. Right now Quandre is struggling physically. I heard him say on another players mic I can't push off on my right leg. Will this get better, often the second year is better after major injury. No matter what Geno has had a very good year for all but the elite QBs in the NFL. Having said that he was nervous against the Niners and for good reason. Put the transition on Geno. Pete believes he can get this play from Drew Loch. If we go that way and it doesn't work out Pete will resign, I don't see fired in the future.
This is good stuff, Kenny. I intended to reply to each of your points and see commentators have already done so--really this is a rich and thoughtful piece.
So many of these questions depend on the last three games. If the team doesn’t show some of its mid-season flair in them, I think you have to say no to just about every keep ‘em question here, including Pete. Seasons that end in such a bad slide leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. And if the D doesn’t improve, even if Pete stays you have to consider cleaning house on all staff and most personnel.
I am rooting for a winning record, which would be a notable accomplishment. That would also mean a winning record in the division and a sweep of the Cards and Rams. That is worth something for me.
Sparks from Walker and Metcalf probably also mean Geno has righted the ship and we have something to build on offensively. Without that again I have to question the entire structure.
I would like to see Godwin and Goodwin takeTyler's snaps. I think GI might be a gem in the fly sweep motion game. Most guys who run it are WR's with RB skills but he may work in reverse. Dareke needs snaps but not at the expense of a more explosive option.
As for Walker, I'm actually happy that against the Niners he was less boom-and-busty and got 5 yards gains quite consistently, ending with an inch under 4 YPC, with just one bigger run. As Chargers fans know well enough, highlight reels are not enough to win games.
One other guy that likely will not be back is Bruce Irvine. ANOTHER D front 7 guy to replace. I would love to see Bruce join the Seahawks in some coaching assistant role. Maybe it is my imagination but I think Barton has played better since Bruce came back.
Jordyn Brooks seems to lack instincts out there on the field, a really sharp contrast to his predecessor, Bobby Wagner. He just seems to guess where the RB is going to go and guesses wrong a lot of the time and ends up in the wrong hole. Watch most of the long runs against the Seahawks this year and see where Brooks is, usually in the wrong spot and can't get close to make a tackle. I don't expect him to be Wagner (very few can), but his instincts against the run are a big piece of the run defense problem.
What if they do all the things you want with player turnover and they don't improve? How long do the coaches get a pass? Then again, maybe that's the plan. Make the Seahawks bad and they will be worth less money. Then Jody can afford to buy the team, LOL.
I'll keep pushing back against the idea that San Francisco and the LA Rams did a better job of drafting and team building. Both franchies benefited from high draft picks due to abysmal seasons. The Rams traded their future for a one year run and are still riding on picks from the Jeff Fisher era (Aaron Donald).
Pete will coach through at least 2025. Rebuilding is what he and John do best.
I think they'll have a hard time moving on from Diggs in year one of his contract. I've previously lobbied for Diggs to be moved to the slot corner with Seattle drafting a player capable of playing single high safety. With a new defensive line, Adams, and Diggs at the line of scrimmage our run stopping problems would be over but it absolutely requires an Earl Thomas like talent at free safety. Brian Branch is my man.
Smith's numbers declined when the running game died and our time of possession plummeted. Every QB depends on a decent running game; show me a QB putting up good numbers without one. When your time of possession goes down the QB feels compelled to do more in fewer plays. Look at the investment the Chiefs made in their running game and run blocking linemen even thought they have Mahomes.
Run blocking per PFF:
Charles Cross 57.6
Damien Lewis 63.6
Autstin Blythe 46.9
Gabe Jackson 55.6
Phil Haynes 58.0
Gabe Lucas 63.4
The line has done well in pass blocking grades but run blocking is another issue. For comparison, tackle Trent Williams ranked first with a 94.1 grade. Guard, Chris Lindstrom has a 92.1 grade. Center, Creed Humphrey, has an 89.3 run blocking grade. Overall, Damien Lews is doing better than I thought; he's ranked 21st among guards while Haynes is 48th and Jackson 61st. Austin Blythe is the 37th ranked center. Lucas is ranked 47th and Cross, 59th.
If you don't take Brooks' 5th year option who will play linebacker? He's better than anybody else on the team. Your options are free agency and the draft. Simpson is the best linebacker but he's still a rookie and free agency usually costs more than what you get in return.
Finally, Nwosu is a no brainer (which is my specialty). He's arguably the best player on defense and he acutally plays the run instead of just wildly pass rushing.
They will pick up Brooks's 5th year option. Why? Brooks is the defensive captain. He's call the signals and gets everyone set. This was his first time with that responsibility and the coaches like how he has settled down and learned. The only way Brooks doesn't come back is if we have another defensive coaching overhaul and I don't see that happening.
Isn't Pete one of the most loyal decision makers to his players? I've heard him say it as a key factor when signing Seahawks to above market deals "...and he's one of us" (Dissly, Diggs, Poona, Mone, Myers-K). He's going to keep 4 out of the 6 cut options mentioned and give Brooks a 5th yr. Part of their goal is to give good men a good payday for life after football. You know what I'm trying to say?
Is Pete Carroll going to coach the Seahawks in 2023? - Yes. I don't feel he's ready to call it quits, and i don't see anyone higher up the organization sacking him. Should PC coach this team in 2023? Very different question, and for me would depend who else was in contention for that HC job - but most likely i'd pick PC because i still think he's got something to offer.
Should Geno Smith finally write back? - Nah, he's still been playing above expectation even in the last few struggling weeks. Although we need to see more from him to even consider a Tag level of wage commitment, especially ahead of the Draft and with Lock hovering in the wings.
Will we see the special Kenneth Walker III again? - Absolutely! Injury, and awful O-Line, and Rookie adjustments. He's shown enough to know he'll be special again (but yes, we still need more RB depth, although i don't like the idea of re-signing Penny and yet again hoping he can stay healthy).
DK — Do Better - Definitely!
Is Quandre Diggs playing his final three games with Seattle? - I hope so! He's not the same player post-injury, and we cannot afford to keep both him and Adams. And it's Diggs that offers the most savings this season. Not to say Adams doesn't also have issues he needs to fix too!
The Uchenna Nwosu extension debate - I knew Nwosu would thrive in Seattle (he was one of my favourite Chargers and overall NFL players). To me he's earning a better longer deal, i'd take the shot now rather than in a year when he's got two double digit sack years under his belt. We can definitely make the cap space work, and i can't think of another player on the 'Hawks who's got a better claim to an extension right now.
Is Jordyn Brooks a fifth-year option player? - No, but i would try and negotiate him to a proper extension. He's not a Bobby Wagner (although barely any LB's are, that's why Bobby will be in the HoF), but he's good enough to have a space on this team. Plus we could probably get this done at a cheaper per-year rate for the first two years allowing us to take stock again in 2025/26 if he's going to be a career Seahawk or not.
It’s odd to see Rob be so logical/calm in his video and yet so ruthless in blacklisting fans with different opinions from his blog (me). He does not like a different point of view.
I do not believe the best decision is to move on from Pete. Having said that, I think the reasons Rob states are valid and have merit. But I would prefer to let PC finish out the rebuild that he started in really good fashion. The 2022 draft looks great as well as the trade with broncos.
We are in a division that has major problems for the foreseeable future with rams and cardinals in bad situations. The Niners are peaking now but will likely run into cap space and lack of draft options soon. What will the division look like in two years? I like the hawks chances.
This article as well as the Geno make great points about where to save cap space and what to do with Geno. And you still have lock.
Draft pick plus cap space equals a bright future. Stay the course.
Some people want to say the franchise is in a bad situation, I just don’t see it that way, I just think it’ll take a couple more years and we will be on top of the division.
Great read.
How fun would this season be if the Seahawks got hot and won their next 5 games? Dare to dream. If they played like that did during that one stretch, they're a tough out.
I knew going into the season that run defense was going to be a problem. I kept reading about all these players they signed and the over-emphasis was rushing the passer. I saw--weak against the run--and was worried. Shelby Harris is an automatic re-sign for me. He's been great. A name we have no heard enough is Boye Mafe. Hope he's going to be good.
Woods has been missed of late. That line can't take he and Harris missing. It can't take Al missing. Mone going down is a concern too.
I'm not sure about Pete. I don't think he's going anywhere. Even if it finishes sideways, he's such a believer in what he and John build that I think they'll stay on task.
Walker's great. The noted bad play of the interior line needs to be cleaned up, but KWIII is great.
Resign Penny, and draft another RB or UFA more good backs. Compete.
And I sure hope we're not done seeing the Lock competition because I believed it before the season, and I still do now that what they're asking the QB to be in this offense can be done by Lock, as well, maybe better than Smith.
I hope Pete is reading Seaside Joe. All your cap casualties are pretty much on the mark. I would only question Big Al. Not a big contract and when he was on the field, he did add some positives.
One tough question, how do we replace all these positions? Add in Barton and Brooks, that is a lot of guys that need to be replaced. Thus, as much as some of these players deserve to go, we will have to keep some of them. We can't draft and sign enough FA's to replace most of the up front D.
Geno. Pete needs to give the least amount of money possible to keep him. At best, he is going to win one of the remaining 3 games. Leaves him with a pretty average record. Not a $30M QB. If some other team would take a chance on him, good for Geno. Absolutely, positively NO LONG TERM deal for Geno. His wish and the future of the Seahawk's QB position are not mutually the same. Geno is NO LONG TERM ANSWER.
Are there any young QBs in the league that have already outstayed their short welcomes. Could Pete and his coaches turn any of these guys into something? (we don't even know the answer to this question as it pertains to Lock, although we likely know the answer to that question). Zach Wilson comes to mind. If NYJ would utilize him properly, ie roll him out of the pocket, he is pretty effective. When they leave him in the pocket, he is a disaster.
Nwosu, yup, let's keep him. One of the very few (bright?) lights on the D's front.
DK, start acting like a professional, not a Ramsey or Latimere. I would like to think you are above those guys when it comes to being a pro. DK has an officials' target on his back, time to shed that target DK.
Sign Penny, for sure. I have said it before, Penny and K9 could make for a very effective RB team. BUT, they certainly need some O line help. Kenneth, you suggested a number of FA C's yesterday, let's target a couple of these guys and significantly upgrade C. Gabe is a total disaster, almost as much as Blythe. Pete, spend some money on C and possibly RG (not sure if we have an acceptable RG in the wings or not, kind a revolving door at that position).
Only watching TV, I don't have a very good view of defensive fits or how well does a receiver run his pattern. Having said that, Jordan Brooks doesn't seem to be able to shed blocks very well. Coverage is not his bag either. A decision I could only make if I knew he would keep getting better. Right now Quandre is struggling physically. I heard him say on another players mic I can't push off on my right leg. Will this get better, often the second year is better after major injury. No matter what Geno has had a very good year for all but the elite QBs in the NFL. Having said that he was nervous against the Niners and for good reason. Put the transition on Geno. Pete believes he can get this play from Drew Loch. If we go that way and it doesn't work out Pete will resign, I don't see fired in the future.
This is good stuff, Kenny. I intended to reply to each of your points and see commentators have already done so--really this is a rich and thoughtful piece.
So many of these questions depend on the last three games. If the team doesn’t show some of its mid-season flair in them, I think you have to say no to just about every keep ‘em question here, including Pete. Seasons that end in such a bad slide leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. And if the D doesn’t improve, even if Pete stays you have to consider cleaning house on all staff and most personnel.
I am rooting for a winning record, which would be a notable accomplishment. That would also mean a winning record in the division and a sweep of the Cards and Rams. That is worth something for me.
Sparks from Walker and Metcalf probably also mean Geno has righted the ship and we have something to build on offensively. Without that again I have to question the entire structure.
I would like to see Godwin and Goodwin takeTyler's snaps. I think GI might be a gem in the fly sweep motion game. Most guys who run it are WR's with RB skills but he may work in reverse. Dareke needs snaps but not at the expense of a more explosive option.
As for Walker, I'm actually happy that against the Niners he was less boom-and-busty and got 5 yards gains quite consistently, ending with an inch under 4 YPC, with just one bigger run. As Chargers fans know well enough, highlight reels are not enough to win games.
One other guy that likely will not be back is Bruce Irvine. ANOTHER D front 7 guy to replace. I would love to see Bruce join the Seahawks in some coaching assistant role. Maybe it is my imagination but I think Barton has played better since Bruce came back.
Jordyn Brooks seems to lack instincts out there on the field, a really sharp contrast to his predecessor, Bobby Wagner. He just seems to guess where the RB is going to go and guesses wrong a lot of the time and ends up in the wrong hole. Watch most of the long runs against the Seahawks this year and see where Brooks is, usually in the wrong spot and can't get close to make a tackle. I don't expect him to be Wagner (very few can), but his instincts against the run are a big piece of the run defense problem.
What if they do all the things you want with player turnover and they don't improve? How long do the coaches get a pass? Then again, maybe that's the plan. Make the Seahawks bad and they will be worth less money. Then Jody can afford to buy the team, LOL.
I'll keep pushing back against the idea that San Francisco and the LA Rams did a better job of drafting and team building. Both franchies benefited from high draft picks due to abysmal seasons. The Rams traded their future for a one year run and are still riding on picks from the Jeff Fisher era (Aaron Donald).
Pete will coach through at least 2025. Rebuilding is what he and John do best.
I think they'll have a hard time moving on from Diggs in year one of his contract. I've previously lobbied for Diggs to be moved to the slot corner with Seattle drafting a player capable of playing single high safety. With a new defensive line, Adams, and Diggs at the line of scrimmage our run stopping problems would be over but it absolutely requires an Earl Thomas like talent at free safety. Brian Branch is my man.
Smith's numbers declined when the running game died and our time of possession plummeted. Every QB depends on a decent running game; show me a QB putting up good numbers without one. When your time of possession goes down the QB feels compelled to do more in fewer plays. Look at the investment the Chiefs made in their running game and run blocking linemen even thought they have Mahomes.
Run blocking per PFF:
Charles Cross 57.6
Damien Lewis 63.6
Autstin Blythe 46.9
Gabe Jackson 55.6
Phil Haynes 58.0
Gabe Lucas 63.4
The line has done well in pass blocking grades but run blocking is another issue. For comparison, tackle Trent Williams ranked first with a 94.1 grade. Guard, Chris Lindstrom has a 92.1 grade. Center, Creed Humphrey, has an 89.3 run blocking grade. Overall, Damien Lews is doing better than I thought; he's ranked 21st among guards while Haynes is 48th and Jackson 61st. Austin Blythe is the 37th ranked center. Lucas is ranked 47th and Cross, 59th.
If you don't take Brooks' 5th year option who will play linebacker? He's better than anybody else on the team. Your options are free agency and the draft. Simpson is the best linebacker but he's still a rookie and free agency usually costs more than what you get in return.
Finally, Nwosu is a no brainer (which is my specialty). He's arguably the best player on defense and he acutally plays the run instead of just wildly pass rushing.
They will pick up Brooks's 5th year option. Why? Brooks is the defensive captain. He's call the signals and gets everyone set. This was his first time with that responsibility and the coaches like how he has settled down and learned. The only way Brooks doesn't come back is if we have another defensive coaching overhaul and I don't see that happening.
Isn't Pete one of the most loyal decision makers to his players? I've heard him say it as a key factor when signing Seahawks to above market deals "...and he's one of us" (Dissly, Diggs, Poona, Mone, Myers-K). He's going to keep 4 out of the 6 cut options mentioned and give Brooks a 5th yr. Part of their goal is to give good men a good payday for life after football. You know what I'm trying to say?