In regards to Johnson- Good interviews are sometimes very misleading- Some people are just good talkers ,BS'ers ,yes they know there stuff but are not who you really think they are. I go down this path because I've seen this up close and personal having ran a small business for 37 years. The best smoozer is not usually the best candidate. Sometimes it is the more quiet serious lead by example people ( usually) that are the better hire!!! I know I personally prefer them over the political ass kissing step on other types that usually seem to get moved forward!
For a moment just think where the hawks would have been THIS year if they would have had a middle of the road Defense? On Offense if the Hawks get a TOP notch center (preferably a FA) and have health on the O-line that is all they need, right Now! I was a strong advocate of Quinn or MacDonald, wavering back and forth! But am Pleased with the choice! JS probably made the right decision, as we will find out, but I truly feel pretty confident in this decision! NOw it is drafting in positions that JS doesn't really have a great deal of success-Either go get a top notch FA center(PLEASE) or draft the best one out there! and get some studs on the D line (especially the interior NT)- I truly don't believe it is that tough to get top notch LB's , there are always several there almost every year ! Just need to know them and see them! That is where I believe MacDonald can truly help JS! If just a few correct decisions are made this off season ,Seattle can be in the MiX Next year!
For all the talk about change, the Hawks picked someone with a career remarkably like Pete. They both had limited careers as players, worked as DB or LB coaches before becoming known as defensive wizards, they both emphasized maximizing players strengths and helping them be their best. McDonald is a young head coach, but Pete was only in his early forties for his first NFL head coaching slot.
I love watching good defenses stymie an offense so I hope McDonald is able to recreate Pete’s early Seattle success. I hope the comment that I read elsewhere turns out to be correct to the effect that perhaps it’s better to have the best defensive coach in the division than to have the 3rd best offensive coach. (Sorry I can’t give the exact attribution.)
I was in on Macdonald as soon as I heard Pete was no longer coach but I had no idea we would sign DK for what we got him for. We all call some good and some not so good
I wonder how much of how i feel about the Seahawks offense is actually true? Like, crazy talented, but just sort of middling and inconsistent? I don’t have numbers, but what if we took our points per game in relation to how many minutes they actually spend on the field and extrapolate the ppg to match up to 30 min? Where would they rank then? How about if the offense was on the field for 35 min?
I also was hoping to see an OC hire, but the more time i let this sink in the more i wonder this. I sure miss those days when i was more excited to watch the defense take the field so i could watch the opposing offense leave the field on 4th down shaking their heads, thinking, “WTF just happened?”
Just wondering, is it possible that the offense, even with Geno at the helm, is actually much better than perceived? Maybe they just need the time on the field. It’s seemed for quite sometime that opposing defenses just aren’t that tired by the end of our games.
The fact that you chose to make such an unsolicited personal attack against me for the John DeFilippo take is just not cool Joe. What other receipts are you keeping? Joe Lombardi? Jim Chaney? smfh I thought we were friends, man.
I was not sold on McDonald from early accounts for the reasons you stated and a defensive coach just seemed so boring. But the more I think of our division opponents the antidote probably is not more offense power leading to shootouts; it really may be how you slow those teams down. Speculation aside on Johnson, it’s incredibly interesting that he broke up via text with Washington (while they were on the way to prom no less!). That’s super strange regardless of the feel good ending for him staying in Detroit. For all that was made about that union being all but inked pen to paper, what a weird way to stand up a professional football team. How does that bode for his reputation going forward? I admit I was disappointed when the news broke and thought we missed out on “the guy”.
I really do trust that John picked a great candidate and it’s exciting to see Mike as excited for this organization as we are for him. In his introductory press conference my ears immediately perked up when JOHN said “it’s about the players” - not something I had heard our leadership say before in exactly those words. Then Mike stated several times how his coaching style is centered on them; finding out what makes them tick and then putting them into positions to succeed. I love that message and the foundation we are building. If he is being as authentic as he says he is, then he will have the left and the right hand of “care for the man but hold him accountable.” Now that is keeping the culture but bringing in a fresh new start. I wish the next 6 months happened tomorrow so we could watch this team again. Until then I’ll just keep reading a few thousand words a day on my favorite sportsball team. Appreciate your thoughtful and humble insights, Joe!
First Kenneth I agreed with your logic and I think Kafka was a good guess. Second I was wrong about candidates seeing the Moons as a good job because the top candidates Harbaugh McDonald and Johnson clearly did not. And I wonder if Johnson and the Seahawks came down to a disagreement about QB. Johnson resurrected Goff’s career and could have seen the answer to the offense to get better on the offensive line, rather than trying to immediately improve the quarterback position. After all most of what Johnson knows about Geno is the two Detroit games, arguably his two best games as a Seahawk. Macdonald on the other hand is much more likely to answer the question about what the offense needs in terms of being able to pressure the defense by making the defense account for the QB on every play - run or pass. Something Geno despite his accuracy and ability to make every throw doesn’t do. I am still not inclined to believe that the Seahawks are moving on from Geno in February just to save 1O or so million against the Cap (will have.sign someone) as I don’t believe they are in the tear it all down and win 4 games mode. But if they can improve this year they will. To me Ken’s trade to Pittsburgh makes the most sense if the Seahawks can draft the Qb this year. Word is the Seahawks are trying to move up. We will see if that happens.
"By all accounts, the Ravens beat the Seahawks so badly last season that Macdonald literally took Pete Carroll’s job from him that day." What does this actually mean? I haven't been following all the press conferences and twitter comments. Whose accounts? What does "literally" mean? Did Jody say, "Yeah, after a 6-2 team blew out a 5-2 team, we decided to axe Pete?" I realize myth making is part of sports and thus, sports journalism. But I'd like to know if this is fact or this is myth making. And if it's literally fact, what the literal facts are. As I say, I've only been following SJ and occasionally FG.
I think if you youtube the MacDonald introductory press conference, and see JS's comments about the Ravens / Seahawks game, you will understand. JS said when he talked to the Seahawks offensive players after the game, they were shell shocked by the Raven's defense; they couldn't understand what happened for them to lose so badly. Carroll's boss said that openly about Carroll's performance AT HIS SUCCESSOR'S INTRODUCTION! So Seaside Joe's take seems pretty plausible to me.
Although I still think the nail in the coffin was the Williams trade = 'Jody, just give me this guy for a 2nd round pick and I'll win it all!' Then the defense tanks. You're fired.
A swing and a miss for you on Kafka, but I'm still sold on you as an excellent writer that uses solid methods and logic to make good predictions and a helluva lotta sense....
JS a small gap in your post, especially about Johnson. Agree with everything and loved your research and top 10 list. Totally agree maybe he’s not the best interviewee. Like EB the past couple of years. But I’m curious if Johnson is possibly asking for more control like PC. And no way JS would do that
After reading that the Hawks made the hire knowing who their new head coach had in mind for the key positions on his staff, how long before we have an announcement on the OC? Seems like it should be sooner rather than later.
I like the sense of TEAM coming out of Detroit. Seems they all agreed to make no changes until after a Super Bowl, maybe even a Super Bowl WIN. Probably shook hands with the new Owner on this. The NFL is designed around an inescapable assumption we will all do what is in our immediate best interests. As Aaron Glen chooses also to stay at DC, I see they are peeing all over this assumption. There's a good argument the NFL detests Detroit. These upstarts just doubled down on reveling with this hatred as a Badge of Honor. If any of the Coaches wanted to be liked, they'll get a dog. As of now, they are dictating terms, not taking them. Your first guess was best: Ben Johnson. He will play the charm option when The Game demands it. Meantime, this Sport is getting a make-over. Attitude is everything. Screw the old assumptions. Watch as it takes the League by storm.
He has made his point: they are there to win. Not tie. Not settle. Win. The entire Team got it before the playoff. It looked to him as though the team wished to sit on their lead and he had to wake them up. Instead, they were in a hell of a battle and had done their best to get far enough for a FG. That mistake is on Campbell.
In every way I expected Ben Johnson to be our next coach. I felt sure it would be an OC, especially after JS mentioned that OCs just get poached, even though I'm pretty sure that's not true at all historically.
In regards to Johnson- Good interviews are sometimes very misleading- Some people are just good talkers ,BS'ers ,yes they know there stuff but are not who you really think they are. I go down this path because I've seen this up close and personal having ran a small business for 37 years. The best smoozer is not usually the best candidate. Sometimes it is the more quiet serious lead by example people ( usually) that are the better hire!!! I know I personally prefer them over the political ass kissing step on other types that usually seem to get moved forward!
For a moment just think where the hawks would have been THIS year if they would have had a middle of the road Defense? On Offense if the Hawks get a TOP notch center (preferably a FA) and have health on the O-line that is all they need, right Now! I was a strong advocate of Quinn or MacDonald, wavering back and forth! But am Pleased with the choice! JS probably made the right decision, as we will find out, but I truly feel pretty confident in this decision! NOw it is drafting in positions that JS doesn't really have a great deal of success-Either go get a top notch FA center(PLEASE) or draft the best one out there! and get some studs on the D line (especially the interior NT)- I truly don't believe it is that tough to get top notch LB's , there are always several there almost every year ! Just need to know them and see them! That is where I believe MacDonald can truly help JS! If just a few correct decisions are made this off season ,Seattle can be in the MiX Next year!
For all the talk about change, the Hawks picked someone with a career remarkably like Pete. They both had limited careers as players, worked as DB or LB coaches before becoming known as defensive wizards, they both emphasized maximizing players strengths and helping them be their best. McDonald is a young head coach, but Pete was only in his early forties for his first NFL head coaching slot.
I love watching good defenses stymie an offense so I hope McDonald is able to recreate Pete’s early Seattle success. I hope the comment that I read elsewhere turns out to be correct to the effect that perhaps it’s better to have the best defensive coach in the division than to have the 3rd best offensive coach. (Sorry I can’t give the exact attribution.)
I was in on Macdonald as soon as I heard Pete was no longer coach but I had no idea we would sign DK for what we got him for. We all call some good and some not so good
I wonder how much of how i feel about the Seahawks offense is actually true? Like, crazy talented, but just sort of middling and inconsistent? I don’t have numbers, but what if we took our points per game in relation to how many minutes they actually spend on the field and extrapolate the ppg to match up to 30 min? Where would they rank then? How about if the offense was on the field for 35 min?
I also was hoping to see an OC hire, but the more time i let this sink in the more i wonder this. I sure miss those days when i was more excited to watch the defense take the field so i could watch the opposing offense leave the field on 4th down shaking their heads, thinking, “WTF just happened?”
Just wondering, is it possible that the offense, even with Geno at the helm, is actually much better than perceived? Maybe they just need the time on the field. It’s seemed for quite sometime that opposing defenses just aren’t that tired by the end of our games.
EXACTLY!~
The fact that you chose to make such an unsolicited personal attack against me for the John DeFilippo take is just not cool Joe. What other receipts are you keeping? Joe Lombardi? Jim Chaney? smfh I thought we were friends, man.
I was not sold on McDonald from early accounts for the reasons you stated and a defensive coach just seemed so boring. But the more I think of our division opponents the antidote probably is not more offense power leading to shootouts; it really may be how you slow those teams down. Speculation aside on Johnson, it’s incredibly interesting that he broke up via text with Washington (while they were on the way to prom no less!). That’s super strange regardless of the feel good ending for him staying in Detroit. For all that was made about that union being all but inked pen to paper, what a weird way to stand up a professional football team. How does that bode for his reputation going forward? I admit I was disappointed when the news broke and thought we missed out on “the guy”.
I really do trust that John picked a great candidate and it’s exciting to see Mike as excited for this organization as we are for him. In his introductory press conference my ears immediately perked up when JOHN said “it’s about the players” - not something I had heard our leadership say before in exactly those words. Then Mike stated several times how his coaching style is centered on them; finding out what makes them tick and then putting them into positions to succeed. I love that message and the foundation we are building. If he is being as authentic as he says he is, then he will have the left and the right hand of “care for the man but hold him accountable.” Now that is keeping the culture but bringing in a fresh new start. I wish the next 6 months happened tomorrow so we could watch this team again. Until then I’ll just keep reading a few thousand words a day on my favorite sportsball team. Appreciate your thoughtful and humble insights, Joe!
First Kenneth I agreed with your logic and I think Kafka was a good guess. Second I was wrong about candidates seeing the Moons as a good job because the top candidates Harbaugh McDonald and Johnson clearly did not. And I wonder if Johnson and the Seahawks came down to a disagreement about QB. Johnson resurrected Goff’s career and could have seen the answer to the offense to get better on the offensive line, rather than trying to immediately improve the quarterback position. After all most of what Johnson knows about Geno is the two Detroit games, arguably his two best games as a Seahawk. Macdonald on the other hand is much more likely to answer the question about what the offense needs in terms of being able to pressure the defense by making the defense account for the QB on every play - run or pass. Something Geno despite his accuracy and ability to make every throw doesn’t do. I am still not inclined to believe that the Seahawks are moving on from Geno in February just to save 1O or so million against the Cap (will have.sign someone) as I don’t believe they are in the tear it all down and win 4 games mode. But if they can improve this year they will. To me Ken’s trade to Pittsburgh makes the most sense if the Seahawks can draft the Qb this year. Word is the Seahawks are trying to move up. We will see if that happens.
"By all accounts, the Ravens beat the Seahawks so badly last season that Macdonald literally took Pete Carroll’s job from him that day." What does this actually mean? I haven't been following all the press conferences and twitter comments. Whose accounts? What does "literally" mean? Did Jody say, "Yeah, after a 6-2 team blew out a 5-2 team, we decided to axe Pete?" I realize myth making is part of sports and thus, sports journalism. But I'd like to know if this is fact or this is myth making. And if it's literally fact, what the literal facts are. As I say, I've only been following SJ and occasionally FG.
I read that as metaphor.
Reasonable question.
I think if you youtube the MacDonald introductory press conference, and see JS's comments about the Ravens / Seahawks game, you will understand. JS said when he talked to the Seahawks offensive players after the game, they were shell shocked by the Raven's defense; they couldn't understand what happened for them to lose so badly. Carroll's boss said that openly about Carroll's performance AT HIS SUCCESSOR'S INTRODUCTION! So Seaside Joe's take seems pretty plausible to me.
Although I still think the nail in the coffin was the Williams trade = 'Jody, just give me this guy for a 2nd round pick and I'll win it all!' Then the defense tanks. You're fired.
Thanks.
A swing and a miss for you on Kafka, but I'm still sold on you as an excellent writer that uses solid methods and logic to make good predictions and a helluva lotta sense....
Love your honesty. Just subscribed.
JS a small gap in your post, especially about Johnson. Agree with everything and loved your research and top 10 list. Totally agree maybe he’s not the best interviewee. Like EB the past couple of years. But I’m curious if Johnson is possibly asking for more control like PC. And no way JS would do that
After reading that the Hawks made the hire knowing who their new head coach had in mind for the key positions on his staff, how long before we have an announcement on the OC? Seems like it should be sooner rather than later.
I like the sense of TEAM coming out of Detroit. Seems they all agreed to make no changes until after a Super Bowl, maybe even a Super Bowl WIN. Probably shook hands with the new Owner on this. The NFL is designed around an inescapable assumption we will all do what is in our immediate best interests. As Aaron Glen chooses also to stay at DC, I see they are peeing all over this assumption. There's a good argument the NFL detests Detroit. These upstarts just doubled down on reveling with this hatred as a Badge of Honor. If any of the Coaches wanted to be liked, they'll get a dog. As of now, they are dictating terms, not taking them. Your first guess was best: Ben Johnson. He will play the charm option when The Game demands it. Meantime, this Sport is getting a make-over. Attitude is everything. Screw the old assumptions. Watch as it takes the League by storm.
If Detroit wants to win a super Bowl , They need to quit being so idiotic on fourth down decisions - IE the HC needs to get a grip!
He has made his point: they are there to win. Not tie. Not settle. Win. The entire Team got it before the playoff. It looked to him as though the team wished to sit on their lead and he had to wake them up. Instead, they were in a hell of a battle and had done their best to get far enough for a FG. That mistake is on Campbell.
I understand , BUt I just don't agree . As I have stated before, Always take the points until the 4th quarter then make those decisions!
So who is the OC gonna be big guy!
In every way I expected Ben Johnson to be our next coach. I felt sure it would be an OC, especially after JS mentioned that OCs just get poached, even though I'm pretty sure that's not true at all historically.