It’s probably lame to be a wet blanket here but everyone skipping the next three games to get to the biggie against the Rams… um? The NFC North is the best division in the
NFL this year, with only the Bears truly being wretched. Did you watch how good GB was vs the Lions? The Packers are very good. That’s going to be way harder than this week. And you’ve got to not let off the gas in Chicago and have another Jets-like mess, and then come home and play probably the best defense besides the Eagles D in the NFC. Seattle could heartbreak to 8-9. They shouldn’t; they “should” manage 10-7. But I’ll be the jerk and say if it was your house or your car you were betting, you’d only feel comfy in one of these games. Remember: Momentum may be a thing in-game, but week to week it’s not. And Seattle is improving but probably a year behind being anything considered “scary.” It’s fun again, but don’t count on the playoffs. You really need two wins at least….
If the Seahawks beat the Packers, people will be talking about them as a legit playoff threat. What a fun season so far. At least a lot more fun than four and a half weeks ago.
Laumea's personality might be the biggest impact on this o-line. He's the classic big, strong, mean and belligerent lineman you want, and he can add that personality into some of the more cerebral types. He didn't look at all out of place on Sunday, and wasn't one bit intimidated by anyone he lined up against. I love the 'I don't have to deal with you, you have to deal with me!' vibe the guy gives off. Olu made very few mistakes as well, and held up in pass protection really well. When pressure came, it was coming off the edges. I don't remember the Cardinals getting much push in the middle of the line.
The Bills had no answers for the Rams weapons on Sunday, so if the Rams are healthy when we play them again they'll be a handful. Geno and the offense will likely have to put up 30 pts to give us a shot. I'm down with the whole FTR's thing, but have to admit, the offense is really good when healthy. We need to make hay against that defense.
Saw the same thing with Laumea. Loved seeing his reaction after Charbs’ run to the goal line before the hawks 2nd TD (also the effort by DK on the block).
I think he is a great fit for the other personality types on the line, as you said.
Really just stopped by to say, "I was wrong." I figured seven wins would about do it this season. Clearly our coaches know things! And, also, weren't our playoff chances like 5% a few weeks back, all of us muttering about draft choices? Yeah, this is better. Thanks all.
These stats, though cool, are wacky. How much of this statistical analysis is AI? The shifting Playoff possibility percentages are simply amazing. Must be crazy and complex new statistical analysis that wasn't easily possible before.
For now the machines will probably help to make the game better, but it is at least a little weird. I do like some of it, though. The new emphasis on being aggressive in precarious 4th down situations must be built on confidence that percentages are in your favor. It is exhilarating. The Hawks went for it way on the wrong side of the 50. I know Dickson was kaput, but still.
And maybe the first big AI contribution will be in timeouts and clock management. A number of coaches could use it. The data is there to be collected and the coordinators' press box could be connected directly to the brainiac.
Slippery slope though. It could easily get down to algorithms that simply call all of the plays.
I've always believed in the idea that it is crucially important for a team to peak at the right point in the season. If anything is true about the Hawks, it is that they are playing their best ball of the season right when it matters most. They keep surprising me. This is going to be a fun ride.
Have to Toot my own horn- Sataoa is looking like the real deal in just two starts, mistake free, NO but he is playing overall very well. Been calling for him to at least get a chance since preseason. Even Laken is playing better. Both our tackles played average actually with Lucas probably having his worst game in awhile. RIQ, Yea RIQ, played like he did in his first year, very good! I felt like Grubb actually ran too much at times on 1st and 2nd down in the third quarter especially, but it worked out and overall best game This Team has played all year! Seattle needs to split with the Pack and the Vikings, should beat the Bears(no jinx) and then I truly hope we can beat the Hated Rams and their very good but seemingly arrogant HC. Go Hawks!!!
IMO, continuity is one of the keys to Oline success. I’d LOVE to have the same five guys start next season. When players KNOW what the player next to them is going to do, warts and all, I think that results in superior line play.
YES, as the now pundits from ex-oline playing days always state, it takes a year to year and a half for an O-line to truly jell together. I would be looking for someone at LG but I think if Lucas can stay healthy now we have our other four with Sataoa bringing it just after only two NFL starts.
I'd rather roll the dice with someone other than Tomlinson next season. Even if we end up paying 10 times more for the same level of play, or waist a 3rd round pick on another disappointment, I'd rather try someone that might be an answer instead of running it back someone who definitely is not. I know he's cheap this year and I'd keep him at that value, but if he's gonna cost $4ish million for another season, I'd rather see us try someone else.
Unlike others, I'm completely fine with JS's frug-OL approach, but you gotta keep throwing darts until something sticks if you're going to play it that way. The point is to find value, so don't settle until you are definitely underpaying someone.
Might be interesting to have a conversation about what positions we think important enough to pay heavily for, and whether expensive free agents are worth it (or almost as much a gamble as rookies, given issues of fit and fitness). I continue to worry that college offenses do an increasingly poor job preparing IOL players for the NFL. Not competent to say that's the way of things, but I keep hearing it.
I do believe that whatever happens between now and when we play the Rams, that will be a surefire test for whether or not we have any business thinking of ourselves as SB ready. Even though I know that undeserving teams have found their way to the SB and even won the game, and I'd grin and take it if that happened to us, but generally, even if we miss the playoffs for some reason, if we beat LA at this point, I would enter the offseason a happy person. Maybe not my best prose, but too lazy to rewrite.
I think we all knew after their rookie seasons that we had just drafted two very good tackles, and Lucas's play after his return has confirmed that -- as has Cross's play this year. So we're really talking about the IOL, and depth. I'd love us to grab ourselves a TOP guard in FA (not a Jonah Jackson or a Damien Lewis who are fringe good). Problem is all the good guards in FA are RG and I'm not a fan of moving great guards to being just good guards on the other side. And I'm intrigued with how Olu Laumea and Lucas are working out -- seems like the right side is now stronger than the left despite Cross playing so well.
So I'm thinking Tyler Smith, go get him John. Cowboys will have a cap problem and will need to extend Smith in 2025 or risk losing him in 2026 as they start juggling Dak's $89m cap hit in 2025 and $67m hit in 2025 (seriously??). Smith and Cross start running over people on the left side, and Geno getting even more breathing room from his blind side.
I watched the Chiefs/Chargers game last night and the Chiefs line is reminding of the typical Seahawks line. The undisputed best QB of the generation has been made to look pedestrian behind that line.
All that is to say is, just another example of how good Geno Smith has been over the last 3 years.
Just incredible play from him all around and hopefully the line can turn the corner and keep playing well. But even if it slides a little we know Geno still operates at a high level under pressure.
And, their RT lines up ridiculously deep pre-snap, and leaves early almost every time......and no flag. At least, that's what he was doing on the 2 games I've seen of them this year. Didn't see last night's game.
True dat, although KC the reverse of Seattle, have strong IOL (Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, would love to have any of them) but shitty tackles.
It’s probably lame to be a wet blanket here but everyone skipping the next three games to get to the biggie against the Rams… um? The NFC North is the best division in the
NFL this year, with only the Bears truly being wretched. Did you watch how good GB was vs the Lions? The Packers are very good. That’s going to be way harder than this week. And you’ve got to not let off the gas in Chicago and have another Jets-like mess, and then come home and play probably the best defense besides the Eagles D in the NFC. Seattle could heartbreak to 8-9. They shouldn’t; they “should” manage 10-7. But I’ll be the jerk and say if it was your house or your car you were betting, you’d only feel comfy in one of these games. Remember: Momentum may be a thing in-game, but week to week it’s not. And Seattle is improving but probably a year behind being anything considered “scary.” It’s fun again, but don’t count on the playoffs. You really need two wins at least….
If the Seahawks beat the Packers, people will be talking about them as a legit playoff threat. What a fun season so far. At least a lot more fun than four and a half weeks ago.
Whoever would have thought we would collectively be 49'er fans, even if for only one Thursday evening?
Laumea's personality might be the biggest impact on this o-line. He's the classic big, strong, mean and belligerent lineman you want, and he can add that personality into some of the more cerebral types. He didn't look at all out of place on Sunday, and wasn't one bit intimidated by anyone he lined up against. I love the 'I don't have to deal with you, you have to deal with me!' vibe the guy gives off. Olu made very few mistakes as well, and held up in pass protection really well. When pressure came, it was coming off the edges. I don't remember the Cardinals getting much push in the middle of the line.
The Bills had no answers for the Rams weapons on Sunday, so if the Rams are healthy when we play them again they'll be a handful. Geno and the offense will likely have to put up 30 pts to give us a shot. I'm down with the whole FTR's thing, but have to admit, the offense is really good when healthy. We need to make hay against that defense.
Saw the same thing with Laumea. Loved seeing his reaction after Charbs’ run to the goal line before the hawks 2nd TD (also the effort by DK on the block).
I think he is a great fit for the other personality types on the line, as you said.
The team is gelling!
Really just stopped by to say, "I was wrong." I figured seven wins would about do it this season. Clearly our coaches know things! And, also, weren't our playoff chances like 5% a few weeks back, all of us muttering about draft choices? Yeah, this is better. Thanks all.
Loved this post SJ. So much info.
These stats, though cool, are wacky. How much of this statistical analysis is AI? The shifting Playoff possibility percentages are simply amazing. Must be crazy and complex new statistical analysis that wasn't easily possible before.
For now the machines will probably help to make the game better, but it is at least a little weird. I do like some of it, though. The new emphasis on being aggressive in precarious 4th down situations must be built on confidence that percentages are in your favor. It is exhilarating. The Hawks went for it way on the wrong side of the 50. I know Dickson was kaput, but still.
And maybe the first big AI contribution will be in timeouts and clock management. A number of coaches could use it. The data is there to be collected and the coordinators' press box could be connected directly to the brainiac.
Slippery slope though. It could easily get down to algorithms that simply call all of the plays.
I've always believed in the idea that it is crucially important for a team to peak at the right point in the season. If anything is true about the Hawks, it is that they are playing their best ball of the season right when it matters most. They keep surprising me. This is going to be a fun ride.
"Staying frug-OL." ... just gotta rec this, just gotta. KENJOE !
Have to Toot my own horn- Sataoa is looking like the real deal in just two starts, mistake free, NO but he is playing overall very well. Been calling for him to at least get a chance since preseason. Even Laken is playing better. Both our tackles played average actually with Lucas probably having his worst game in awhile. RIQ, Yea RIQ, played like he did in his first year, very good! I felt like Grubb actually ran too much at times on 1st and 2nd down in the third quarter especially, but it worked out and overall best game This Team has played all year! Seattle needs to split with the Pack and the Vikings, should beat the Bears(no jinx) and then I truly hope we can beat the Hated Rams and their very good but seemingly arrogant HC. Go Hawks!!!
Cross did do very well in the run game, which is exiting to me since that has been where he has garnered most of his previous criticism.
IMO, continuity is one of the keys to Oline success. I’d LOVE to have the same five guys start next season. When players KNOW what the player next to them is going to do, warts and all, I think that results in superior line play.
But I’m not a coach. Just a fan.
YES, as the now pundits from ex-oline playing days always state, it takes a year to year and a half for an O-line to truly jell together. I would be looking for someone at LG but I think if Lucas can stay healthy now we have our other four with Sataoa bringing it just after only two NFL starts.
I'd rather roll the dice with someone other than Tomlinson next season. Even if we end up paying 10 times more for the same level of play, or waist a 3rd round pick on another disappointment, I'd rather try someone that might be an answer instead of running it back someone who definitely is not. I know he's cheap this year and I'd keep him at that value, but if he's gonna cost $4ish million for another season, I'd rather see us try someone else.
Unlike others, I'm completely fine with JS's frug-OL approach, but you gotta keep throwing darts until something sticks if you're going to play it that way. The point is to find value, so don't settle until you are definitely underpaying someone.
Might be interesting to have a conversation about what positions we think important enough to pay heavily for, and whether expensive free agents are worth it (or almost as much a gamble as rookies, given issues of fit and fitness). I continue to worry that college offenses do an increasingly poor job preparing IOL players for the NFL. Not competent to say that's the way of things, but I keep hearing it.
I do believe that whatever happens between now and when we play the Rams, that will be a surefire test for whether or not we have any business thinking of ourselves as SB ready. Even though I know that undeserving teams have found their way to the SB and even won the game, and I'd grin and take it if that happened to us, but generally, even if we miss the playoffs for some reason, if we beat LA at this point, I would enter the offseason a happy person. Maybe not my best prose, but too lazy to rewrite.
What's our odds at winning the Super Bowl?
7000
For the non-gambling familiar, that's 70:1
If you don't mind me asking an ignorant question, why do they represent the bet that way? Thanks for any education you can give me.
It's based on the return a $100 bet brings.
I believe horse racing is still based upon a $2.00 bet. LOL
On our OL:
I think we all knew after their rookie seasons that we had just drafted two very good tackles, and Lucas's play after his return has confirmed that -- as has Cross's play this year. So we're really talking about the IOL, and depth. I'd love us to grab ourselves a TOP guard in FA (not a Jonah Jackson or a Damien Lewis who are fringe good). Problem is all the good guards in FA are RG and I'm not a fan of moving great guards to being just good guards on the other side. And I'm intrigued with how Olu Laumea and Lucas are working out -- seems like the right side is now stronger than the left despite Cross playing so well.
So I'm thinking Tyler Smith, go get him John. Cowboys will have a cap problem and will need to extend Smith in 2025 or risk losing him in 2026 as they start juggling Dak's $89m cap hit in 2025 and $67m hit in 2025 (seriously??). Smith and Cross start running over people on the left side, and Geno getting even more breathing room from his blind side.
I watched the Chiefs/Chargers game last night and the Chiefs line is reminding of the typical Seahawks line. The undisputed best QB of the generation has been made to look pedestrian behind that line.
All that is to say is, just another example of how good Geno Smith has been over the last 3 years.
Just incredible play from him all around and hopefully the line can turn the corner and keep playing well. But even if it slides a little we know Geno still operates at a high level under pressure.
Go Hawks.
And, their RT lines up ridiculously deep pre-snap, and leaves early almost every time......and no flag. At least, that's what he was doing on the 2 games I've seen of them this year. Didn't see last night's game.
I don’t know how he gets away with it 🤷
True dat, although KC the reverse of Seattle, have strong IOL (Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, would love to have any of them) but shitty tackles.
Great point.
The interior is so good.
But those tackles look like turn styles
"Geno posted season-highs in these categories in Week 14:"
Where are you getting your EPA data from? This is once again not accurate compared to RBSDM.com
Geno had at least a higher EPA in both the Lions and Patriots games. And higher EPA/play.
Would love to know if RBSDM.com is wrong and which data is accurate. I know it can probably change a little but there shouldn't be a huge discrepancy.
Here is Geno's weekly EPA (passing)
https://x.com/Clevta/status/1866514105563062748