I havent been able to watch any Seattle games, but I keep hearing how unique the defense is.

The main feature is the large corners. Plus playing a former DT at DE. Carroll is using a variation of an old 49er defense where Haley's role is what Clemons is doing now. That is my simple take.

Lots of defenses are big, and lots of defenses are fast, but very rarely can you combine the two the way Pete has done with this team. We have big bodies out there, but still have the quickness to get to the ball at any point on the field. The perfect example of this in one play, was the way Browner made the play where he literally stole the football against the panthers. Browner, who is 6'-4" and about 220 or so, was rushing in towards Cam behind the line of scrimmage on an option play. Cam waited for Browner to make his move and commit to rushing him, and quickly tosses the ball outside, but Browner, as big as he is, was able to turn on a dime, get to the receiver just after the ball, reach in and literally just take that ball out of his arms for the turnover. Bigger guys can't always do this, but our guys seem to be very good at pursuit and power. It's a unique combination that makes our defense very tough to beat

Premium talent at every level, including depth. Some of our 2nd stringers are starters for other teams. They have a rare combination of speed and size that is unmatched in the NFL history books. Our defensive backs are bigger than any combo in history, and they are nasty. Jason Whitten still drops passes because we put it in his head that as soon as he touches a ball, he's getting clocked. Ball Hawks, period. These guys not only hit hard, but 9 times out of 10, they are reaching in and taking the ball out of your hands as opposed to just putting you on your ass. They are a brotherhood, and they feed off each other. Sometimes I feel like they will evoke a penalty just to prove that it won't matter. It's just different than anything I've ever seen on our field before, and I don't see any defenses out there now either that are as abnormal as this group.

4 - 3 I take it.

How have they faired vs the no huddle? The Pats have been using Oregon's offense this season. Does Seattle substitute like most defenses to keep players fresh?

When run a hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense. We line up like a 4-3 but our DL is more like 3-4 personel. Our pass rushing DE's are undersized at about 240-250lbs and Big Red is a 330lb DE. We have a very motivted DL who give 110% and cause alot of havoc in the backfield and collapse the pocket. We have two 6'3+ corners who love to play press and are very physical, not only do they do that well they are confident and can be left alone allowing our super speedy FS Earl Thomas to play centerfield. Our SS is huge at 6'3 230 and once he lays the boom WR's & TE's seem to hear footsteps. Our LB's are not spectacular but get the job done. KJ Wright is huge in a lanky kind of way, he looks like a DE but have speed and quickness of a much smaller man. Our defense is aggressive and tackles very well.

if we shut out the Patriots many of us will be saying the best defense of ALL TIME

Aaron Rodgers tried the whole no-huddle thing for the first half of the game against the Seahawks. resulted in 8 or 9 sacks. hopefully brady can move within the pocket decently on sunday or they'll be dragging him out of the Clink.

My non X's and O's eyes says it's their unique combination of size, speed and NASTINESS that separates them from any other defense in the NFL.

Wenhawk wrote: Our LB's are not spectacular but get the job done.

people need to stop saying this. Our LBs are quietly a very good unit.

This will be a battle

NE Offense
1st TDs
1st Yards per game
1st Points per game
3rd Rushing yards
8th Passing yards

Seattle Defense
1st TDs
1st Yards per game
2nd Points per game
4th Rushing yards
6th Passing yards

East Coast Offense wrote:This will be a battle

NE Offense
1st TDs
1st Yards per game
1st Points per game
3rd Rushing yards
8th Passing yards

Seattle Defense
1st TDs
1st Yards per game
2nd Points per game
4th Rushing yards
6th Passing yards

That just about says it all right there. What a match up.

No weaknesses, that's what makes this defense unique. In the past we've been strong at certain positions, but there was always a glaring weakness. Not anymore, we have speed, quickness and nasty everywhere.

Quickness and size, on top of the fact that everyone attacks the ball.

Sgt. Largent wrote:No weaknesses, that's what makes this defense unique. In the past we've been strong at certain positions, but there was always a glaring weakness. Not anymore, we have speed, quickness and nasty everywhere.

3rd down is still the weakness IMO.

O-LineFan wrote:Aaron Rodgers tried the whole no-huddle thing for the first half of the game against the Seahawks. resulted in 8 or 9 sacks. hopefully brady can move within the pocket decently on sunday or they'll be dragging him out of the Clink.

NEs no huddle is different than GBs. One word plays called at the line as fast as NE can line back up. Its like the 2 minute offense.

GB doesnt run the ball well IMO. They put it all on Rodgers shoulders.

AF_Hawk wrote:

Sgt. Largent wrote:No weaknesses, that's what makes this defense unique. In the past we've been strong at certain positions, but there was always a glaring weakness. Not anymore, we have speed, quickness and nasty everywhere.

3rd down is still the weakness IMO.

Agreed. I was talking personnel, not scheme or specific overall deficiencies. In the end though, giving up points is all that counts, and the Hawks D is #1 in that category.

AF_Hawk wrote:3rd down is still the weakness IMO.

I think that's more because they go to a soft zone and rely too much on a 3 or 4 man rush to generate pressure. That's more a scheme thing than talent. Wouldn't be surprised to see the team take it up a notch on the aggressive side to alleviate this problem.

I can't wait for this matchup. I respect the tar out of the Pats offense, their coach's ability to scheme, and Tom Brady.

This is a game that is going to really let us know where our D is. Back in our Super Bowl run, there were certain things throughout the season that proved that team up. I've never been so calm following a team as that one. I loved the evolution of that team and that season.

This team has to go through that process and the Pats are perfect to match up against at this point.

I can't wait until we have a game that we win easily (i.e. offense gets it going). These nail-biters are taking years off of my life...

East Coast Offense wrote:NEs no huddle is different than GBs. One word plays called at the line as fast as NE can line back up. Its like the 2 minute offense.

GB doesnt run the ball well IMO. They put it all on Rodgers shoulders.

To be fair, where it's been really effective is at Gillette where the crowd noise is obviously going to be a lot quieter.

I think the no huddle plays right into the strengths of the Seahawk defense.. they feed off the crowd noise and after awhile could tee off on Brady.

With Hernandez coming back, I expect to see more 2 TE looks with you guys trying to establish the running game (no easy feat against this D though, as they're 3rd against the run).

Going to be a very fun matchup.

peachesenregalia wrote:

Wenhawk wrote: Our LB's are not spectacular but get the job done.

people need to stop saying this. Our LBs are quietly a very good unit.

No doubt. KJ Wright is playing Pro Bowl good right now at Sam and Bobby Wagner is going to be really special (and this game is going to be a great test for him). Leroy is playing some of the most consistent ball of his life I think and has been a huge stabilizing factor on the entire defense. The LB corps isn't the "jewel of the defense" the way it was back in the Hill/Tatupu/Petersen days, but they are still an above average unit.

AF_Hawk wrote:

Sgt. Largent wrote:No weaknesses, that's what makes this defense unique. In the past we've been strong at certain positions, but there was always a glaring weakness. Not anymore, we have speed, quickness and nasty everywhere.

3rd down is still the weakness IMO.

Not last week. We were stingy on 3rd down. Carolina went 2-11 or 18% success rate. IF we win this game WE MUST have the 3rd down conversion % below 30%, IMO. In a few games we've allowed over 40%. THat can't happen in this game.

3rd down is the most important down for this game- Both for the offense and defense. If we play 3rd down on offense/Defense like our first 4 games. ie. Offense converted=28%, defense allowed conversions =43% then we will lose the game.

However if the offense/defense does more like the Carolina game (off=50%, defense= 18%) and the offense converts 35-40% of their 3rd down's and the defense limits the PAT to 30% than SEattle has a very good chance at winning, IMO

jlwaters1 wrote:

AF_Hawk wrote:

Sgt. Largent wrote:No weaknesses, that's what makes this defense unique. In the past we've been strong at certain positions, but there was always a glaring weakness. Not anymore, we have speed, quickness and nasty everywhere.

3rd down is still the weakness IMO.

Not last week. We were stingy on 3rd down. Carolina went 2-11 or 18% success rate. IF we win this game WE MUST have the 3rd down conversion % below 30%, IMO. In a few games we've allowed over 40%. THat can't happen in this game.

3rd down is the most important down for this game- Both for the offense and defense. If we play 3rd down on offense/Defense like our first 4 games. ie. Offense converted=28%, defense allowed conversions =43% then we will lose the game.

However if the offense/defense does more like the Carolina game (off=50%, defense= 18%) and the offense converts 35-40% of their 3rd down's and the defense limits the PAT to 30% than SEattle has a very good chance at winning, IMO

Unless they start trending towards improvement I won't believe it. One game doesn't mean it isn't a problem.

Here are some of the things which make us so different.

The Secondary. Both starting corners (Browner, Sherman) are among the tallest, most physical in the NFL. Browner is 6'4 and 220lbs while Sherman is 6'3 and 195lbs. Browner plays the most physical game I've ever seen from a corner. Sherman is physical but is more of a pure cover corner built in the spirit of Champ Bailey in that he's a corner who plays more like a WR. Backing these two freaks of nature are two of the best safeties in the NFL. Kam Chancellor is a devastating hitter at 6'3", 230lbs with speed to keep up with pass catching TEs. He plays in the box a majority of the time and is therefore more like a 4th linebacker on the field. We are able to employ 8 man fronts a lot of the time due to the elite athleticism afforded by Earl Thomas, the ridiculously speedy free safety, with some of the best instincts I've ever seen at the position. Earl Thomas gives us the ability to run single high safety looks while allowing our corners to play tight and physical at the line.

The linebackers. While this crew is overshadowed by the elite play of the secondary, they are quietly playing some really damn solid football. We have a rookie starting at MLB in Bobby Wagner, and his play has been stellar so far with flashes of elite ability the past couple games. We grabbed KJ Wright in the fourth round of the draft last year and he was able to replace first round bust, Aaron Curry, by midseason. Now, KJ Wright is becoming the player we all should have had in Curry. He is a terror who makes plays sideline to sideline. He enjoys making running backs cry three yards behind the LOS. Adding age and experience to the group is Leroy Hill, who has always been solid.

The D-Line. These guys are monsters. Arguably, the most unique thing about our defense is the way the defensive line plays in our base 4-3 look. Red Bryant plays a sort of hybrid "5 technique" role, similar to that of a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. Opposite him is Chris Clemons, our rush end, with Brandon Mebane manning the nose (in spectacular form this season), with Alan Branch manning the 3 tech spot. Bryant, Mebane, and Branch all frequently occupy two blockers while Clemons terrorizes the quarterback and makes plays in pursuit. I won't even get into the substitution packages since there are so many different pressure looks, overloads, and new wrinkles involving Bruce Irvin and Jason Jones.

Hasselbeck wrote:To be fair, where it's been really effective is at Gillette where the crowd noise is obviously going to be a lot quieter.

It seemed to work good in Buffalo. NE prepares for crowd noise extremely well. The old Colts dome was very loud and NE didnt seem to have a problem there.

I think the no huddle plays right into the strengths of the Seahawk defense.. they feed off the crowd noise and after awhile could tee off on Brady.

The Seattle D may not get a rest.

With Hernandez coming back, I expect to see more 2 TE looks with you guys trying to establish the running game (no easy feat against this D though, as they're 3rd against the run).

Going to be a very fun matchup.

Hernandez is a game day decision. The Pats wont rush him back for any reason. Especially an NFC game.

Danny Woodhead has had success in this league because hes small, shifty and hard to find.