If Gipson was a straight-up trade for Taylor, that would be a win for the Seahawks. At least Gipson can set an edge, shed blockers, and make a tackle--something that is definitely not in Taylor's skill set. Gipson is definitely not in the same class as Nwosu though, but maybe with Gipson the DL can survive Nwosu's absence and not fall completely apart like it did last year.
True dat. Gipson just has to be able to hold a place in the rotation and look ok for this to be a solid add. Hall is looking more like the player he was hyped to be when drafted, and Boye is going to thrive in this D.
Damn. Chen's knee is key to his speed. Even "healed" it should take more time than we wish. The Up-Side is we will get stronger in the second half of the season. Hall has looked ferocious... as a back-up. He'll have to carry that extra weight, but then Coach Mack knows his guys. He'll be ready.
In the 5 minutes of research I just completed on cut blocks and chop blocks, I've decided that both should be illegal. Make it so, NFL!
Also, even if cut blocks are technically allowed, maybe all coaches and coordinators can agree we don't call those plays in preseason. I bet you don't run that in practice at full speed against your own OLBs. I don't know anything about Teller, and maybe he's not a nice guy, but I'm more upset with the Browns OC/O-Line coaches for calling that play in a preseason game against first string players. He's just executing what was called (though something got mixed up between him and the RB which is why it was an illegal chop block). The devil on my shoulder is suggesting that the OC called that specifically to get back at Nwosu for getting to his QB on the play prior.
It's hard for me to call that a cut block. Nwosu was past him and the guy made a desperation lunge at his knees. Most cut blocks I see come with the guy in front of him and are used to get a D-lineman's hands down.
I agree and admit that I don't really know the rules well enough to weigh in, but if it looks like a dirty/dangerous play, then I don't really care what the rule book officially says.
Always unfortunate to lose someone to injury, however, if there is any silver lining is that he is missing potentially weaker part of the schedule and could view it as getting reinforcements back part way through the season. Not the end of the world but he is a great player.
It seems this offseason has been riddled with Geno Smith support as people dig into the numbers more and more.
Here is yet another one from Warren Sharp, who says in no way he should be compared to Derek Carr. And saying that he is the most accurate QB. I have been saying this for quite some time and people are starting to figure it out:
He just needs to avoid the head-scratching plays. He has had 1-2 every game or 2 since taking over. Pete has said as much when asked what Geno needs to do to get better, over the hump, or become a "Franchise QB". We just don't quite know MikeMac's opinion yet. I fully believe Geno can get us to the SB. I just hope he will.
Let's go! I'm getting jacked for the regular season!
And I think Geno agrees that he could get better. That is exciting. He is already very good and has more upside!
I think Geno will be considered the top tier QB in NFC after this season and probably the best QB in the NFC. We will see but that is my opinion.
Compare that to Stafford. I have no idea how Stafford can get better than last year when he was awesome. In other words, it is far easier for him to get worse than it is for him to even stay the same.
It was only 5 tosses, but I'm seeing Geno with a script totally unknown to the opponents and excelling with it. Pete went with variations on basic schemes that McVay/ Shanahan found entirely predictable. No doubt Geno labored with it. Waldron going to Chicago will give me a sense of the amount of demands Carroll put on his Assistants.
Yeah ... I echo your sentiment. It's odd to me to read some people's opinion that Geno has hit his ceiling. I don't believe that is true. I am very excited to see what he does with Grubb.
I too hope Geno can improve, but I’m sceptical. What you pointed out that the way ‘he’ can improve is with a better scheme (Grubb’s). That’s not him improving, that’s the coach organising plays that better suit his skills.
We’re in the loooooongest 2 weeks of the year. Everything’s set for the season to kick off…and we all get to wait 2 weeks…that to me feels like 2 months.
I wonder how high the DK extension is on John Schneider’s priorities. I’d like to see them handle it quickly, but it seems like they have to deal with Geno first.
I continue to temper my enthusiasm for the start of the season for two reasons: (1) I’ve seen Baltimore’s opponents’ scoring in the first half of 2022 (learning a complex scheme), and (2) linebackers seem to be the linchpin of the scheme and we’ve been grasping for more talent there, pretty much since the Tyrese stretch pick in the draft. We’re going to have to be patient with this team. Miami dropped 42 on the Ravens in game 2 of 2022; our D gets them in game 3 this year. Shanahan has that game circled in red - it’s the first time he gets to see his offense against MM’s Seahawks crew while it grows into this new defensive scheme.
This was largely my thinking, until recently. I assumed that there would be growing pains for at least the first 6-8 games until the defense started to hit their stride. Missed assignments, broken coverages, etc that cause us to give up yards & points that perhaps we see less of later in the year.
After watching the pre-season and reading about the joint practices, I'm not as sure. If we agree that the Seahawks have more talent than their defensive performance showed last year, and that teams will find the Hawks defense far more challenging schematically, and therefore less predictable, one would perhaps think that the defense would have to be better than the last few years. That's not saying much I know, but it might be enough to be 5-3 after 8 games, and right in the thick of things.
Hopefully our starting LB's are healthy and ready to go for Denver. I have a fair amount of confidence in our DB's. The d-line should be good to great. With MacDonald's schemes, doesn't that add up to a better defense?
I too am trying not to be overly optimistic. Your two reasons for tempering enthusiasm are hard to argue with. But when I look at it in reverse, I have a hard time thinking this defense can be as bad as the last few years. And if it's better at the start, and improves during the season, I'll take that.
I hold the same concerns as you, Bob, that we follow the 2022 learning curve. Let's recognize the new tools MM now has, such as films to show what went wrong and where we need to be getting to. Toss in a situation where MM had to work with what he was given versus knowing what he has here PLUS a deep involvement in new hiring. The Broncos look to be a better test than I initially thot, so getting prepped for Miami will be more challenged. Soon after we come up against probably our greatest contest in Detroit, especially since we handed them one of their few losses last year. In Detroit, no less. We used 3 TE sets to assist Stone Forsyth at RT, which was a surprise to them. They now have that film, if Forsyth is again playing there... In Detroit. Again.
I am on the other side of the fence on this issue of preseason games- I MUCH prefer the four preseason games. I truly believe it not only helps the players, but also helps the coaching staff make good informative decisions on not only the players but also scheme decisions by seeing how vanilla works and could be bumped into in game usage. Such as punt and kick off returns and coverage. I have seen where some sites think DEE E might have made the team because of ONE great return, BOY I am again on the other side of that call. They have other guys that can fill that role and have possibly a better upside than a guy we've seen for 3 years and not do anything in a regular game, when given the chance Gipson seems like an upgrade overall over D Taylor who couldn't seem to understand his responsibility's playing the edge. There has been several Hawks players over the years that have benefited on playing in that 3rd and 4th game, or at minimum made it an easier call on who to keep and who to cut!
If Gipson was a straight-up trade for Taylor, that would be a win for the Seahawks. At least Gipson can set an edge, shed blockers, and make a tackle--something that is definitely not in Taylor's skill set. Gipson is definitely not in the same class as Nwosu though, but maybe with Gipson the DL can survive Nwosu's absence and not fall completely apart like it did last year.
It helps knowing that Mafe and Hall have looked mostly good throughout the preseason.
True dat. Gipson just has to be able to hold a place in the rotation and look ok for this to be a solid add. Hall is looking more like the player he was hyped to be when drafted, and Boye is going to thrive in this D.
Damn. Chen's knee is key to his speed. Even "healed" it should take more time than we wish. The Up-Side is we will get stronger in the second half of the season. Hall has looked ferocious... as a back-up. He'll have to carry that extra weight, but then Coach Mack knows his guys. He'll be ready.
In the 5 minutes of research I just completed on cut blocks and chop blocks, I've decided that both should be illegal. Make it so, NFL!
Also, even if cut blocks are technically allowed, maybe all coaches and coordinators can agree we don't call those plays in preseason. I bet you don't run that in practice at full speed against your own OLBs. I don't know anything about Teller, and maybe he's not a nice guy, but I'm more upset with the Browns OC/O-Line coaches for calling that play in a preseason game against first string players. He's just executing what was called (though something got mixed up between him and the RB which is why it was an illegal chop block). The devil on my shoulder is suggesting that the OC called that specifically to get back at Nwosu for getting to his QB on the play prior.
It's hard for me to call that a cut block. Nwosu was past him and the guy made a desperation lunge at his knees. Most cut blocks I see come with the guy in front of him and are used to get a D-lineman's hands down.
I agree and admit that I don't really know the rules well enough to weigh in, but if it looks like a dirty/dangerous play, then I don't really care what the rule book officially says.
Agreed, I think at that point, he should have just let him sack the QB at that point, Nwosu would have been gentle, just like before.
Ha ha... totally!
Always unfortunate to lose someone to injury, however, if there is any silver lining is that he is missing potentially weaker part of the schedule and could view it as getting reinforcements back part way through the season. Not the end of the world but he is a great player.
It seems this offseason has been riddled with Geno Smith support as people dig into the numbers more and more.
Here is yet another one from Warren Sharp, who says in no way he should be compared to Derek Carr. And saying that he is the most accurate QB. I have been saying this for quite some time and people are starting to figure it out:
https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/1828164189891838263
Absolutely. Now....
He just needs to avoid the head-scratching plays. He has had 1-2 every game or 2 since taking over. Pete has said as much when asked what Geno needs to do to get better, over the hump, or become a "Franchise QB". We just don't quite know MikeMac's opinion yet. I fully believe Geno can get us to the SB. I just hope he will.
Let's go! I'm getting jacked for the regular season!
I agree!
And I think Geno agrees that he could get better. That is exciting. He is already very good and has more upside!
I think Geno will be considered the top tier QB in NFC after this season and probably the best QB in the NFC. We will see but that is my opinion.
Compare that to Stafford. I have no idea how Stafford can get better than last year when he was awesome. In other words, it is far easier for him to get worse than it is for him to even stay the same.
It was only 5 tosses, but I'm seeing Geno with a script totally unknown to the opponents and excelling with it. Pete went with variations on basic schemes that McVay/ Shanahan found entirely predictable. No doubt Geno labored with it. Waldron going to Chicago will give me a sense of the amount of demands Carroll put on his Assistants.
Yeah ... I echo your sentiment. It's odd to me to read some people's opinion that Geno has hit his ceiling. I don't believe that is true. I am very excited to see what he does with Grubb.
I think you just argued against your argument.
I too hope Geno can improve, but I’m sceptical. What you pointed out that the way ‘he’ can improve is with a better scheme (Grubb’s). That’s not him improving, that’s the coach organising plays that better suit his skills.
Either way, we can all hope for improvement.
To be clear:
Geno has been great and can still get better. His super power is accuracy. That is exciting.
Grubb has the potential to get more out of an already good passing game. That is exciting.
I’ve been saying it for months (as you know) and now the national media types are catching on like Warren Sharp.
What arguing against myself are you referring to? Happy to clarify
We’re in the loooooongest 2 weeks of the year. Everything’s set for the season to kick off…and we all get to wait 2 weeks…that to me feels like 2 months.
Tee that ball up and let’s go!
I wonder how high the DK extension is on John Schneider’s priorities. I’d like to see them handle it quickly, but it seems like they have to deal with Geno first.
I continue to temper my enthusiasm for the start of the season for two reasons: (1) I’ve seen Baltimore’s opponents’ scoring in the first half of 2022 (learning a complex scheme), and (2) linebackers seem to be the linchpin of the scheme and we’ve been grasping for more talent there, pretty much since the Tyrese stretch pick in the draft. We’re going to have to be patient with this team. Miami dropped 42 on the Ravens in game 2 of 2022; our D gets them in game 3 this year. Shanahan has that game circled in red - it’s the first time he gets to see his offense against MM’s Seahawks crew while it grows into this new defensive scheme.
This was largely my thinking, until recently. I assumed that there would be growing pains for at least the first 6-8 games until the defense started to hit their stride. Missed assignments, broken coverages, etc that cause us to give up yards & points that perhaps we see less of later in the year.
After watching the pre-season and reading about the joint practices, I'm not as sure. If we agree that the Seahawks have more talent than their defensive performance showed last year, and that teams will find the Hawks defense far more challenging schematically, and therefore less predictable, one would perhaps think that the defense would have to be better than the last few years. That's not saying much I know, but it might be enough to be 5-3 after 8 games, and right in the thick of things.
Hopefully our starting LB's are healthy and ready to go for Denver. I have a fair amount of confidence in our DB's. The d-line should be good to great. With MacDonald's schemes, doesn't that add up to a better defense?
I too am trying not to be overly optimistic. Your two reasons for tempering enthusiasm are hard to argue with. But when I look at it in reverse, I have a hard time thinking this defense can be as bad as the last few years. And if it's better at the start, and improves during the season, I'll take that.
I hold the same concerns as you, Bob, that we follow the 2022 learning curve. Let's recognize the new tools MM now has, such as films to show what went wrong and where we need to be getting to. Toss in a situation where MM had to work with what he was given versus knowing what he has here PLUS a deep involvement in new hiring. The Broncos look to be a better test than I initially thot, so getting prepped for Miami will be more challenged. Soon after we come up against probably our greatest contest in Detroit, especially since we handed them one of their few losses last year. In Detroit, no less. We used 3 TE sets to assist Stone Forsyth at RT, which was a surprise to them. They now have that film, if Forsyth is again playing there... In Detroit. Again.
It won't be Forsyth, can't Invision that- He might not even make the cut-we'll see later today.
I am on the other side of the fence on this issue of preseason games- I MUCH prefer the four preseason games. I truly believe it not only helps the players, but also helps the coaching staff make good informative decisions on not only the players but also scheme decisions by seeing how vanilla works and could be bumped into in game usage. Such as punt and kick off returns and coverage. I have seen where some sites think DEE E might have made the team because of ONE great return, BOY I am again on the other side of that call. They have other guys that can fill that role and have possibly a better upside than a guy we've seen for 3 years and not do anything in a regular game, when given the chance Gipson seems like an upgrade overall over D Taylor who couldn't seem to understand his responsibility's playing the edge. There has been several Hawks players over the years that have benefited on playing in that 3rd and 4th game, or at minimum made it an easier call on who to keep and who to cut!
Here's to nobody slipping on a McDonald's wrapper before the season opener.