Second item on Darnold. First thanks for some of those numbers. Trevor and SD guarantees the same….For me a QB, needs to be over 60% completion, over 10 yards per reception. SD is over 10 yards per pass not just receptions. That’s amazing with a 70% completion. Fields btw net negative passing yards due to the sacks. Fields, who many wanted to come to Seattle, could muster 50 yards passing. -11 yards of passing offense. Ouch.
First JSN just something. And all those stats. Wow. But one thing he will never have. He will never have the top 3 all-time highlights in Seahawks history of absolutely crushing a piece of trash DB sending him into tomorrow (back then Harden would have gone into concussion protocol), caused fumble, recover fumble play. :-). But unbelievable. Said before he’s got some Doug Baldwin attuned to QB combined with Tyler Locket body and foot control. Just please don’t have the DK stupidity. Ugh.
Walker has no power to speak of, and Charbonnet is slower than the vast majority of the number one RB's throughout the league. He is not more powerful than most other RB's but he has improved in that area and we'll see how much he keeps improving. That's how I feel about our running backs. The guy on IR, and George Holani and the RB on our practice squad are all faster than Charbs and might produce better results except there is no doubt Charbs is our best at pass protection and as a third down back because of that.
Have we any word on Jerrin Reed's injury yesterday? I have it in my head that the harder we must fight, the more injuries we amass. I 'felt' the team began idling back somewhere in the 3rd quarter both to minimize further harm and take advantage of a 2 score buffer. Seems Pete did this also, giving us our close finishes. Trouble is, once idled back, I don't see anyone revving back up. Most likely I am wrong in this. Also, are there stats on counting 3rd downs? How many per game/per drive. The Rams seemed good at getting to First in 2 downs or less. Could A.I. chart an easy answer?
JSN spinning ball was only thing he got called for...he was taunting several times throughout the game. This is not new, I've seen him barking in the faces of beaten defenders, jumping around quickly from one to another staring each beaten defender in the face, looking back and waving at beaten defenders...I love me some confidence, but he's putting himself above the team at times and I can't stand that stuff but dang he's good.
Rough game. Rough humor. High emotions. It's Football. Nice guys get to exercise their alter ego. I'm good with the Refs riding herd on unbridled passions, (aka Branch in the Lion's game last night) but getting nitpicky hurts the Game. A flag could be tossed on any and all plays. And yeah, Refs can get pissy, too. It's why they stringently police themselves, especially when it affects outcomes. They elevate their allstars to playoff games. The Super Bowl employs only the best of the best (used to have beers with one). Truth is, even their influence I consider a part of the game. Complications- I love them.
I don't know if it was from day 1 or when it was added but it seems to me the fullback is essential to our running game. Let's get him back ASAP and see how that effects things and then pass judgement on our RBs.
Now for an unbiased opinion. I think Sam Darnold is the best QB this team has ever had. Russ was good but I don't think he could see over the line sometimes. For his size, I think Sam is as good as any QB EVER. By size I mean there are/were some players where they could use their size to an advantage. For example, Ben Roethlisberger was harder to sack because of his size.
So I say guarantee the rest of Sam's contract and sign him to an extension right now. Write the bonus so that he can get part of over the remaining years of this contract, It will get him more money now and reduce the hit later. Think about it SSJ, Sam and JSN for the next 8-10 years? If that don't blow you mind, well, it will make you think hard. Seriously really hard.
Let me say I was an early doubter. But I'm a believer now. I'm on the bandwagon. I'm in the tent. I have drank the Koolaid. Point the crowd in my direction, I am ready. I give SSJ all the credit. Onward and Upward!
Remember last year when they announced who the new manager would be? Wilson was a great player, but I don’t think he’d ever managed anything. I am glad I was wrong.
Might not be completely but there have been some that understand the nuances of moving guys around etc. that’s where the good managers show their differences. But yes not nearly the chess match football with 11 on 11.
I am still with you about the need for edge rush help. I think Lawrence is great for the run defense and will have some good games as a pass rusher but is not a difference maker in that department. I don't think Mafe or Hall are either but they could both develop into that type of player. Right now I am doubtful that will happen.
I like your points about Darnold and the encouragement to trust that what he is showing is what he is. I live in Minnesota and have had a chance to watch all of his games last year. I kept waiting for him to fall off and he never did... I am excepting the last 2 games. I am seeing the same, maybe a little better, Sam this year.
It is crazy the number JSN is putting up and we are roughly only at the first third of the season. I can't wait to see what is final tally is at season end.
As far as the runningbacks, I am good with both. We just faced an elite run defense and it looked like it to my eyes.Both backs have shown they can generate yards when they have holes to run through and I have faith other teams will not stack the box as much when teams start focusing their attention on the pass defense more.
Walker and Charbo are doing there job if we are seeing %39.1 stacked boxes. The stats dont show it, but they are obviously effecting the defense stacking the box and biting on play action.
Once defenses play the pass more and stack the box less, and they will punish those unstacked boxes.
Nelly I 100% agree with your comment. Darnold and JSN are making defenses pay for stack boxes. All the teams in the league knows that you have to pick your poison with Seattle Seahawks offense and staking the box is not working so well.
Yup! Stack 8 in the box, die by play action. Go Nickel to stop Darnold, and you get the ground and pound.
The funniest thing about it all is that we are still getting stacked boxes without Ouzts on the field. It shows how fearful defenses are of our run game.
On your RB question; it seems to me that Walker has got to be frustrating the coaches to no end. The guy is a dynamic, elusive and gifted back. But to my (admittedly uneducated) eyes it seems that he constantly fails to run the play as designed. He always seems to want to dance then bounce outside. There was one run yesterday where the intended hole appeared to be about 3 yards wide, but instead of hitting the hole he bounced outside for a loss. That pattern seems abate in the early third quarter, at least for a little while.
On the other hand, Charbs seems to always run the play as called, even when the line doesn't open up for him. He clearly does not have a ceiling as high as K9, but his floor seems higher.
The curious part to me is the way each is being used. Charbs seems better suited to early downs and grinding out tough yards. K9 seems better suited to being a change of pace third down back. I'm guessing that K9 lacks skills in pass pro and blitz pickups?
Even since his college days he likes to run outside and then he often would cut back. It does not work so well at this level, the players are so much faster.
Yes. That’s true. He needs to just hit the pile hard and get what he can That is what I found so frustrating about him a few games ago. He had a decent amount of yards but when you subtract the number of yards, he lost by stopping and getting negative yards. It did not look as good.
I think K9 is the better pass pro and more dynamic receiver even if he looks stiff...he's totally suited to be the third down CoP back. Walker needs to read blocks better...that's it.
It's why Pete's running backs retired early. If opening lanes is so damn rare, why pay much for O-Linemen? Our guys now measure themselves by this metric.
It does feel good for Seattle to have the best QB/WR duo in the entire NFL right now. Rare air indeed, and I'm loving it. Still need to get that running game to be more reliable. The Jags were sitting on those outside zones, and were bringing numbers almost every time. On the plus side, that overcommitment is what sprung Barner on that route for 61 yards that sealed the game. It's like the NFL read that the Seahawks want to run the ball a lot and are just not letting them.....but maybe that's fine if they continue to be the most explosive passing team, and maybe one thing is leading to the other.
I would like to know what's up with Tyrice. Is it just performance, Thomas' production, or does he still have lingering health issues? He was a tackling machine in the back half of last year, so such a large regression seems odd to me. We're one injury away from needing him to play every down.
Here's hoping we get some of our defensive backfield back for Monday.
KenJoe, is it too early to argue about QB1 in ‘27?
Looks like we’ll get draft comp better than #92 for Sam, based on his play and apparent scheme fit for Shanahan WC offense.
Everyone will howl about replacing him with Zach Wilson, or maybe whoever the J-E-T-S draft with the 1st pick next year. That next J-E-T-S developmental (destruction?) job will be too early, so Milroe might get a season after Zach.
Love the guy. I found the TE's generally struggled with run blocking for some reason yesterday, as did some of the o-line. Some of those runs got no further than the centre's arse.
Yeowza, the Titans fired their head coach!
Third. Yes our OLine still needs work. But, and hope this comes through, our OLine isn’t this bad and hasn’t been. https://links.e1.nytimes.com/a/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=17fdf59c758b4ae4abbba67e158d8b3e&_e=LZyJr-mFRCc8hIZChFXfdQ4ib0UgbyfJgD6QyMm6iswQDQObLr5zapwkHobyFpeNB0ha_kNLxpYLRmDvNlXBvATA6HcFe8J1o47KHqY7Xx5zC1DTPNZyFZ_w52MN9ljLdCgom4FNhMPt9phJnoe3rLochtreM7iGibW1iE_ZL99JYbxQ3llbHoEI47nni4V5YKLMQDBeXklv9VsdxWSsUy0CthKrJDrUN-OFZ6QbUONC_eAMUnpn3eGhwRZJw8pLtqoj3HgnGJIS8iQRdBDV2Xcm9CMl6-E4d4DW10FcFy2ATWg37BU9pbFSA8lb3b-6QkfPDV7JLb9qFJZG9bDAkPdj9CwSHIgofyMY0bNmGGW7ICge2HSXPkco_MevliZMPdiv_Ul8grCGb0YV2BofXZ_BNwXKBH3nPdG3UaKZ4zg%3D
Second item on Darnold. First thanks for some of those numbers. Trevor and SD guarantees the same….For me a QB, needs to be over 60% completion, over 10 yards per reception. SD is over 10 yards per pass not just receptions. That’s amazing with a 70% completion. Fields btw net negative passing yards due to the sacks. Fields, who many wanted to come to Seattle, could muster 50 yards passing. -11 yards of passing offense. Ouch.
First JSN just something. And all those stats. Wow. But one thing he will never have. He will never have the top 3 all-time highlights in Seahawks history of absolutely crushing a piece of trash DB sending him into tomorrow (back then Harden would have gone into concussion protocol), caused fumble, recover fumble play. :-). But unbelievable. Said before he’s got some Doug Baldwin attuned to QB combined with Tyler Locket body and foot control. Just please don’t have the DK stupidity. Ugh.
Walker has no power to speak of, and Charbonnet is slower than the vast majority of the number one RB's throughout the league. He is not more powerful than most other RB's but he has improved in that area and we'll see how much he keeps improving. That's how I feel about our running backs. The guy on IR, and George Holani and the RB on our practice squad are all faster than Charbs and might produce better results except there is no doubt Charbs is our best at pass protection and as a third down back because of that.
Have we any word on Jerrin Reed's injury yesterday? I have it in my head that the harder we must fight, the more injuries we amass. I 'felt' the team began idling back somewhere in the 3rd quarter both to minimize further harm and take advantage of a 2 score buffer. Seems Pete did this also, giving us our close finishes. Trouble is, once idled back, I don't see anyone revving back up. Most likely I am wrong in this. Also, are there stats on counting 3rd downs? How many per game/per drive. The Rams seemed good at getting to First in 2 downs or less. Could A.I. chart an easy answer?
How have you never tried to spin a football before? It's quite satisfying and, as a sports writer, it's an experience you need to have. Homework!
(note: this is not an endorsement for JSN to commit taunting penalties - that was super dumb)
JSN spinning ball was only thing he got called for...he was taunting several times throughout the game. This is not new, I've seen him barking in the faces of beaten defenders, jumping around quickly from one to another staring each beaten defender in the face, looking back and waving at beaten defenders...I love me some confidence, but he's putting himself above the team at times and I can't stand that stuff but dang he's good.
He learned some bad habits from Metcalf.
Rough game. Rough humor. High emotions. It's Football. Nice guys get to exercise their alter ego. I'm good with the Refs riding herd on unbridled passions, (aka Branch in the Lion's game last night) but getting nitpicky hurts the Game. A flag could be tossed on any and all plays. And yeah, Refs can get pissy, too. It's why they stringently police themselves, especially when it affects outcomes. They elevate their allstars to playoff games. The Super Bowl employs only the best of the best (used to have beers with one). Truth is, even their influence I consider a part of the game. Complications- I love them.
I don't know if it was from day 1 or when it was added but it seems to me the fullback is essential to our running game. Let's get him back ASAP and see how that effects things and then pass judgement on our RBs.
Now for an unbiased opinion. I think Sam Darnold is the best QB this team has ever had. Russ was good but I don't think he could see over the line sometimes. For his size, I think Sam is as good as any QB EVER. By size I mean there are/were some players where they could use their size to an advantage. For example, Ben Roethlisberger was harder to sack because of his size.
So I say guarantee the rest of Sam's contract and sign him to an extension right now. Write the bonus so that he can get part of over the remaining years of this contract, It will get him more money now and reduce the hit later. Think about it SSJ, Sam and JSN for the next 8-10 years? If that don't blow you mind, well, it will make you think hard. Seriously really hard.
Let me say I was an early doubter. But I'm a believer now. I'm on the bandwagon. I'm in the tent. I have drank the Koolaid. Point the crowd in my direction, I am ready. I give SSJ all the credit. Onward and Upward!
Forgot to say
GO MARINERS!
Remember last year when they announced who the new manager would be? Wilson was a great player, but I don’t think he’d ever managed anything. I am glad I was wrong.
Baseball's managers are rarely difference makers the way coaches are in the NFL.
Might not be completely but there have been some that understand the nuances of moving guys around etc. that’s where the good managers show their differences. But yes not nearly the chess match football with 11 on 11.
Thanks for the great article SSJ!
I am still with you about the need for edge rush help. I think Lawrence is great for the run defense and will have some good games as a pass rusher but is not a difference maker in that department. I don't think Mafe or Hall are either but they could both develop into that type of player. Right now I am doubtful that will happen.
I like your points about Darnold and the encouragement to trust that what he is showing is what he is. I live in Minnesota and have had a chance to watch all of his games last year. I kept waiting for him to fall off and he never did... I am excepting the last 2 games. I am seeing the same, maybe a little better, Sam this year.
It is crazy the number JSN is putting up and we are roughly only at the first third of the season. I can't wait to see what is final tally is at season end.
As far as the runningbacks, I am good with both. We just faced an elite run defense and it looked like it to my eyes.Both backs have shown they can generate yards when they have holes to run through and I have faith other teams will not stack the box as much when teams start focusing their attention on the pass defense more.
Walker and Charbo are doing there job if we are seeing %39.1 stacked boxes. The stats dont show it, but they are obviously effecting the defense stacking the box and biting on play action.
Once defenses play the pass more and stack the box less, and they will punish those unstacked boxes.
Nelly I 100% agree with your comment. Darnold and JSN are making defenses pay for stack boxes. All the teams in the league knows that you have to pick your poison with Seattle Seahawks offense and staking the box is not working so well.
Yup! Stack 8 in the box, die by play action. Go Nickel to stop Darnold, and you get the ground and pound.
The funniest thing about it all is that we are still getting stacked boxes without Ouzts on the field. It shows how fearful defenses are of our run game.
On your RB question; it seems to me that Walker has got to be frustrating the coaches to no end. The guy is a dynamic, elusive and gifted back. But to my (admittedly uneducated) eyes it seems that he constantly fails to run the play as designed. He always seems to want to dance then bounce outside. There was one run yesterday where the intended hole appeared to be about 3 yards wide, but instead of hitting the hole he bounced outside for a loss. That pattern seems abate in the early third quarter, at least for a little while.
On the other hand, Charbs seems to always run the play as called, even when the line doesn't open up for him. He clearly does not have a ceiling as high as K9, but his floor seems higher.
The curious part to me is the way each is being used. Charbs seems better suited to early downs and grinding out tough yards. K9 seems better suited to being a change of pace third down back. I'm guessing that K9 lacks skills in pass pro and blitz pickups?
Even since his college days he likes to run outside and then he often would cut back. It does not work so well at this level, the players are so much faster.
The dancing seems to start after the play has broken down, which is happening a lot.
Yes. That’s true. He needs to just hit the pile hard and get what he can That is what I found so frustrating about him a few games ago. He had a decent amount of yards but when you subtract the number of yards, he lost by stopping and getting negative yards. It did not look as good.
I think K9 is the better pass pro and more dynamic receiver even if he looks stiff...he's totally suited to be the third down CoP back. Walker needs to read blocks better...that's it.
I think a lot has to do with teams stacking the box as SJ stated. It’s difficult to run through a wall of giants.
It's why Pete's running backs retired early. If opening lanes is so damn rare, why pay much for O-Linemen? Our guys now measure themselves by this metric.
Yep, Walker is not exactly renowned for his pass blocking.
It does feel good for Seattle to have the best QB/WR duo in the entire NFL right now. Rare air indeed, and I'm loving it. Still need to get that running game to be more reliable. The Jags were sitting on those outside zones, and were bringing numbers almost every time. On the plus side, that overcommitment is what sprung Barner on that route for 61 yards that sealed the game. It's like the NFL read that the Seahawks want to run the ball a lot and are just not letting them.....but maybe that's fine if they continue to be the most explosive passing team, and maybe one thing is leading to the other.
I would like to know what's up with Tyrice. Is it just performance, Thomas' production, or does he still have lingering health issues? He was a tackling machine in the back half of last year, so such a large regression seems odd to me. We're one injury away from needing him to play every down.
Here's hoping we get some of our defensive backfield back for Monday.
That’s the truth. We played with so many backups.
KenJoe, is it too early to argue about QB1 in ‘27?
Looks like we’ll get draft comp better than #92 for Sam, based on his play and apparent scheme fit for Shanahan WC offense.
Everyone will howl about replacing him with Zach Wilson, or maybe whoever the J-E-T-S draft with the 1st pick next year. That next J-E-T-S developmental (destruction?) job will be too early, so Milroe might get a season after Zach.
Am I missing something?
Why can't Sam The Man be the starter for the next ten years?
That is all I need. Cause well I'll probably be drooling by then.
I think he probably will. We have a good D and with an improved offense we can be set for some time
The guy that is impressing me is Barner. Good speed , sure handed and a very good blocker.
Last year Barner didn’t offer much outside of the red zone. It’s great to see him have an impact between the 20s.
I agree. I was singing his praises last season and wondering why he wasn’t being used more often. Well, now he is.
Barner is somehow not only our best blocking TE, but also doing what Arroyo is supposed to be doing.
May take a year, but when Arroyo develops more, great googa mooga our offense will be something to see!
Love the guy. I found the TE's generally struggled with run blocking for some reason yesterday, as did some of the o-line. Some of those runs got no further than the centre's arse.
Boy Howdy.