I hate to be contrary but I like Woolen. He has all the physical tools, speed , length, hops. He’s just missing some mental tools. And he’s gotten better as the years gone on. Still making mistakes but much better. I’d make him an offer.
SJ, do you have your keynote speech written for the Football Writers Association of America annual dinner? Wait, you weren't invited to give that speech?
It seems that the NFC West (except the Cards) made all the right moves prior to the season. One could make the argument that the Niners, Rams and the Seahawks could’ve won the Lombardi this year.
The Seahawks have hit the “no-clue-let’s-mock-them-a-pass-rusher” level in their roster building. They don’t have too many holes that can immediately be plugged here, so let’s just give them another front seven player to add to that defense.
The top teams by DVOA since 1978, including playoffs.
1991 Washington: 53.9%
1985 Bears: 52.3%
2007 Patriots: 51.0%
2025 SEAHAWKS: 46.4%
1989 49ers: 45.1%
1996 Packers: 44.9%
4th best team DVOA since DVOA was a thing. And the 3 teams ahead of them were monsters. I'm not a big analytics guy, but DVOA seems to be highly correlated with success, and the Seahawks were at or near the top all year.
I giggle every time a rewatch the Rylie Mills sack of Drake Maye. He drags the RG AND the QB down simultaneously......because, why wouldn't you? It looks a bit WWE'ish, which is why it's so comical.
John's got a pile of cash to spend, and not a lot that needs to be done with the roster. Tory Horton proved what he was, and he'll be back next year. The aforementioned Rylie Mills to add depth to the d-line. We'll see what some of the o-line rookies from last years draft look like in the spring and summer. It would be great to sign Shaheed, Thomas, Bryant and K9, but that won't eat into the space that JS has all that much. I it will be interesting to see where the cash gets prioritized. I don't think the current 2026 cap space number even includes the cap carry-over from 2025.
Bobo, I think, they'll want back as well, and that number should be modest. Big contributor on Special Teams, and a very good run-blocker.
When you're in the Super Bowl, the offseason is staring you right in the face by the time the football ends. Lots of work for John ahead of Mar 11th.
Know you’re not a big fan of strength of schedule this early, but I was suprised to see we’re middle of the pack at 14th hardest (Rams 13, Niners 18, Cards 3 bc they have to play the division twice). We have a bunch of hard games but getting Raiders, Cards twice, Giants/Moons/‘Boys and even the Chiefs is having a dilutive effect. Plus the Panthers (again) as division champs but 8-9.
An “analyst” (ESPN?) admitted that the Hawks were better 2-53. That wouldn’t matter, though, because Vrabel and Maye were the best coach-QB pair in the NFL. Well, half of the best pair spent the whole game looking worried and resigned; the other half, dazed and confused while doing his best Max Brosmer impression.
What got me is that the SB was in many ways a typical Hawks game right down to the intensity and smothering defense. The SB wasn’t the first time MM recognized that his defense could dominate the game as long as the offense played it safe. This could have a regular season game against the Vikings or the Niners.
I've been reflecting on the complementary nature of punting and defense. When you have a strong defense and then you add a great punter, that really is a kind of force multiplier, isn't it. Yesterday's game and Dickson's performance being a prime example.
Going pretty far back (2018) but I seem to recall another 'wrong move' was trading up in the 5th round to draft Dickson.
If you build a team around offense, it doesn't really make sense to have the highest paid punter. If you build around defense, it makes a lot of sense.
Sure feels odd. Maybe other team fans do this but I almost never see fans enjoying Special Teams as much as Seahawk fans do. Dickson just pumped. And Myers with scoring records. Thank you JS for this team.
I loved the Mills play but Hall did same as well. Now we know why Pili was inactive and we’ve liked Pili a lot on here. Coach Mac and Durde hid Mills from the Pats OLine coaches!!!! Man what fun that defense was last night. Murphy. Hall. My guy JReed (said it 3 years ago that was a huge win by JS to sign him back), Mills. Spoon. Nick making big tackles. Big Cat. Love. Then we had EJ leading tackles again. Drake slicing around. Just fun. Then the Special Teams!!!
'If the opportunity is there to improve a weakness, Seattle should take it'...now let's assess the weaknesses and also those who we cannot re-sign. I'm guessing we do not re-sign Woolen, Mafe, and possibly Bryant gets priced out. So we try to fill those spots and any retirees etc in FA/trades and the draft. If we look at best value and peak age, I would think we look for WR, CB, and S in the draft, whereas our older peak players in the trenches we might try to find through FA/trade ideally? Our draft stock is low, luckily we don't likely need much and we can focus on toys and upgrades hopefully. Cap increases and dead money reducing will open the gates, hope we don't splash spend and get big names. Be methodical and wise, find good team fits and value. I would avoid any large amounts being spent on any one person. It could throw off the teams balance and overall chemistry. The super bowl window is wide open baby, let the fresh air in!
This SB win was a nice redemption for all 12s and Seahawk fans. No longer will the interception at the goal line for SB49 be the defining moment of SB history for this franchise. It will always be a fact and something that every player and coach from that era will live with, but it is no longer a day of infamy for the fanbase. Now, this SB60 win is the defining moment for this era of Seahawks football. JS has his redemption, too, as he is the only significant person still here from SB49.
The game itself seemed a bit mundane in that it lacked offensive fireworks. This was a classic defensive game from the outset. The Patriots prepared to not let JSN beat them and limited him greatly. The CB Gonzales kept the Patriots in the game and prevented a blowout. They did what they could to disrupt Sam and their defense was stout in the redzone. Sam throughout this season featured his arm talent as well as his propensity to give the ball away. But he grew and evolved into a QB who could make the plays when most needed as well as simply manage the game as he did for the last victory of the season. He went from being turnover prone all throughout his career to making no turnovers in the entire playoffs. In fact, nobody turned the ball over at all during the playoffs. What an incredible trajetory of improvement and rising to the challenge each and every way towards the path to the SB.
I love Sam's redemption story even though he won't really acknowledge it is as such. He may not care about the narrative and noise made about him, but as a fan I can appreciate it and revel in the dismantling of the said narrative. I was one who only saw Sam as the one "seeing ghosts" when he signed on with us after Geno left. I didn't and nobody really saw this story arc coming. It's such a great story. The greatest redemption story in the NFL as one sports personality put it yesterday. Sam did it. It is just so cool that he is our guy. He belongs to Seattle and to the 12s. A cast away first round bust to a SB champion. This is as sweet as it gets.
Today, the day after SB victory, I feel the redemption of waiting for years for our team to get back into the main dance and to wash away that last notorious game that caused the demise of the great LOB team and slow decline of the Pete Carroll era. It is fun to imagine and to fantasize about other future SB wins--a dynasty! I dare dream only because we won this one. We are champs again and the future is bright and open with wonderful possibilities. It will be tough to reach the SB again as it always is. Change is constant. We need a new OC. Key players will leave. But, we won. So today is redemption to replace the goal line failure that's been on a non-stop loop with that of the defensive ferociousness of MOB. It feels like the city and region and anywhere there are 12s have been cleansed. We are a Super Bowl CHAMPIONSHIP city again. Cleansed and redeemed. What a glorious day.
OT: GMA ran through a long line of clips of the SB ads this morning. I didn't recognize even one of them and I never left the room during the game. The blessing of selective hearing. I wonder if any of those companies see a surge in their businesses after the game.
I hate to be contrary but I like Woolen. He has all the physical tools, speed , length, hops. He’s just missing some mental tools. And he’s gotten better as the years gone on. Still making mistakes but much better. I’d make him an offer.
Sorry to say I had to watch the Super Bowl from my ICU. But I got to see it and it was beautiful. Never in doubt What a wonderful feeling.
And they say I can go home in a couple days. Nice.
SJ, do you have your keynote speech written for the Football Writers Association of America annual dinner? Wait, you weren't invited to give that speech?
What was your favorite moment of the season?
Mine was the decision to go for two against the Rams - the play was great - but the decision was “wow, they’re going for two!” Yes, let’s go!
It seems that the NFC West (except the Cards) made all the right moves prior to the season. One could make the argument that the Niners, Rams and the Seahawks could’ve won the Lombardi this year.
Yahoo Sports has posted its first 32-team mock draft, and what they had to say about the Seahawks was kind of funny:
32. Seattle Seahawks — Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
The Seahawks have hit the “no-clue-let’s-mock-them-a-pass-rusher” level in their roster building. They don’t have too many holes that can immediately be plugged here, so let’s just give them another front seven player to add to that defense.
I thought this was interesting.
The top teams by DVOA since 1978, including playoffs.
1991 Washington: 53.9%
1985 Bears: 52.3%
2007 Patriots: 51.0%
2025 SEAHAWKS: 46.4%
1989 49ers: 45.1%
1996 Packers: 44.9%
4th best team DVOA since DVOA was a thing. And the 3 teams ahead of them were monsters. I'm not a big analytics guy, but DVOA seems to be highly correlated with success, and the Seahawks were at or near the top all year.
I giggle every time a rewatch the Rylie Mills sack of Drake Maye. He drags the RG AND the QB down simultaneously......because, why wouldn't you? It looks a bit WWE'ish, which is why it's so comical.
John's got a pile of cash to spend, and not a lot that needs to be done with the roster. Tory Horton proved what he was, and he'll be back next year. The aforementioned Rylie Mills to add depth to the d-line. We'll see what some of the o-line rookies from last years draft look like in the spring and summer. It would be great to sign Shaheed, Thomas, Bryant and K9, but that won't eat into the space that JS has all that much. I it will be interesting to see where the cash gets prioritized. I don't think the current 2026 cap space number even includes the cap carry-over from 2025.
Bobo, I think, they'll want back as well, and that number should be modest. Big contributor on Special Teams, and a very good run-blocker.
When you're in the Super Bowl, the offseason is staring you right in the face by the time the football ends. Lots of work for John ahead of Mar 11th.
Thanks for this, Chris, keep on Evolving. hah, hah. (look at his byline)
Know you’re not a big fan of strength of schedule this early, but I was suprised to see we’re middle of the pack at 14th hardest (Rams 13, Niners 18, Cards 3 bc they have to play the division twice). We have a bunch of hard games but getting Raiders, Cards twice, Giants/Moons/‘Boys and even the Chiefs is having a dilutive effect. Plus the Panthers (again) as division champs but 8-9.
whoa. . . !
"and even the Chiefs is having a dilutive effect." ~ Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
An “analyst” (ESPN?) admitted that the Hawks were better 2-53. That wouldn’t matter, though, because Vrabel and Maye were the best coach-QB pair in the NFL. Well, half of the best pair spent the whole game looking worried and resigned; the other half, dazed and confused while doing his best Max Brosmer impression.
What got me is that the SB was in many ways a typical Hawks game right down to the intensity and smothering defense. The SB wasn’t the first time MM recognized that his defense could dominate the game as long as the offense played it safe. This could have a regular season game against the Vikings or the Niners.
Love the Staton quotes!
I've been reflecting on the complementary nature of punting and defense. When you have a strong defense and then you add a great punter, that really is a kind of force multiplier, isn't it. Yesterday's game and Dickson's performance being a prime example.
Going pretty far back (2018) but I seem to recall another 'wrong move' was trading up in the 5th round to draft Dickson.
If you build a team around offense, it doesn't really make sense to have the highest paid punter. If you build around defense, it makes a lot of sense.
ps. Go Ampipe!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOKk79bzSdM
Clark, The Dog, must be miffed by
"@Realclark25 is taking nine QBs over Sam Darnold right now"
Sure feels odd. Maybe other team fans do this but I almost never see fans enjoying Special Teams as much as Seahawk fans do. Dickson just pumped. And Myers with scoring records. Thank you JS for this team.
I loved the Mills play but Hall did same as well. Now we know why Pili was inactive and we’ve liked Pili a lot on here. Coach Mac and Durde hid Mills from the Pats OLine coaches!!!! Man what fun that defense was last night. Murphy. Hall. My guy JReed (said it 3 years ago that was a huge win by JS to sign him back), Mills. Spoon. Nick making big tackles. Big Cat. Love. Then we had EJ leading tackles again. Drake slicing around. Just fun. Then the Special Teams!!!
" Now we know why Pili was inactive and we’ve liked Pili a lot on here."
~ Next man up! ... in a strong pipeline for the future. injuries happen.
The 53+ The Ready Squad !
Here's hoping Anthony Bradford keeps on getting better.
We All We Got ! We All We Need !
'If the opportunity is there to improve a weakness, Seattle should take it'...now let's assess the weaknesses and also those who we cannot re-sign. I'm guessing we do not re-sign Woolen, Mafe, and possibly Bryant gets priced out. So we try to fill those spots and any retirees etc in FA/trades and the draft. If we look at best value and peak age, I would think we look for WR, CB, and S in the draft, whereas our older peak players in the trenches we might try to find through FA/trade ideally? Our draft stock is low, luckily we don't likely need much and we can focus on toys and upgrades hopefully. Cap increases and dead money reducing will open the gates, hope we don't splash spend and get big names. Be methodical and wise, find good team fits and value. I would avoid any large amounts being spent on any one person. It could throw off the teams balance and overall chemistry. The super bowl window is wide open baby, let the fresh air in!
This SB win was a nice redemption for all 12s and Seahawk fans. No longer will the interception at the goal line for SB49 be the defining moment of SB history for this franchise. It will always be a fact and something that every player and coach from that era will live with, but it is no longer a day of infamy for the fanbase. Now, this SB60 win is the defining moment for this era of Seahawks football. JS has his redemption, too, as he is the only significant person still here from SB49.
The game itself seemed a bit mundane in that it lacked offensive fireworks. This was a classic defensive game from the outset. The Patriots prepared to not let JSN beat them and limited him greatly. The CB Gonzales kept the Patriots in the game and prevented a blowout. They did what they could to disrupt Sam and their defense was stout in the redzone. Sam throughout this season featured his arm talent as well as his propensity to give the ball away. But he grew and evolved into a QB who could make the plays when most needed as well as simply manage the game as he did for the last victory of the season. He went from being turnover prone all throughout his career to making no turnovers in the entire playoffs. In fact, nobody turned the ball over at all during the playoffs. What an incredible trajetory of improvement and rising to the challenge each and every way towards the path to the SB.
I love Sam's redemption story even though he won't really acknowledge it is as such. He may not care about the narrative and noise made about him, but as a fan I can appreciate it and revel in the dismantling of the said narrative. I was one who only saw Sam as the one "seeing ghosts" when he signed on with us after Geno left. I didn't and nobody really saw this story arc coming. It's such a great story. The greatest redemption story in the NFL as one sports personality put it yesterday. Sam did it. It is just so cool that he is our guy. He belongs to Seattle and to the 12s. A cast away first round bust to a SB champion. This is as sweet as it gets.
Today, the day after SB victory, I feel the redemption of waiting for years for our team to get back into the main dance and to wash away that last notorious game that caused the demise of the great LOB team and slow decline of the Pete Carroll era. It is fun to imagine and to fantasize about other future SB wins--a dynasty! I dare dream only because we won this one. We are champs again and the future is bright and open with wonderful possibilities. It will be tough to reach the SB again as it always is. Change is constant. We need a new OC. Key players will leave. But, we won. So today is redemption to replace the goal line failure that's been on a non-stop loop with that of the defensive ferociousness of MOB. It feels like the city and region and anywhere there are 12s have been cleansed. We are a Super Bowl CHAMPIONSHIP city again. Cleansed and redeemed. What a glorious day.
I loved the mundaneness when those around me at our super bowl party kept talking about the “boring game” - not Seahawk fans.
Double rec on this, Dutcher.
OT: GMA ran through a long line of clips of the SB ads this morning. I didn't recognize even one of them and I never left the room during the game. The blessing of selective hearing. I wonder if any of those companies see a surge in their businesses after the game.