The Seahawks were supposed to be terrible this year because they were supposed to have nothing at QB. NOT because the defense was gonna suck.
Instead they hit the lottery with a top 5 level player at the position and can't do anything with it. Just like it's been for the last 8 seasons. Nothing's changed. The QB has to play at a near perfect level to win games consistently because so many of the other parts around him are floundering.
So, I was pointing out how they needed to go back to the old defense midway through the ATL game early in the season. They finally did this in the first AZ game and had instant results for a month.
Way better than I could have ever anticipated. I was expecting improvement, mainly due to personnel fit. But they played like a top 5 defense.
I then pointed out that teams were going to dust off the old Pete Carroll beaters, and start to adjust, with Seattle's defense declining back to what it looked like under Norton eventually, but it fell off far bigger, and way faster that it is hardly believable there were ever playing at a top 5 level, though they in fact were.
Adjustments. Seattle is being outmaneuvered on the chess board. Hurtt is in over his head. Pete can't be a full time babysitter.
However, as bad as the defense played. McDaniels chose to chip and double Nwosu a lot, taking Seattle's best pass rusher out of the game. Meanwhile Seattle chose to let Maxx Crosby go 1-on-1 against a rookie all game with no help, and then acted surprised when he impacted the game. This isn't a new thing, either.
It's the lack of attention to detail that I've been harping on for YEARS that will always hold the Seahawks back. Contrary to what a lot of Seahawks fans believe, you don't need the most talented team by far in the league to win the Superbowl. Pete does, to overcome his sloppiness, and this is where it gets misconstrued.
Pete wants to run the ball. (Can't run the ball.)
Pete wants to play great defense (Can't play great defense.)
How many seasons do you need to see before you realize it isn't gonna happen? It doesn't take 10 years to build a defense. It takes 1 to turn it around, and it takes 2 to fully build it. And it takes a 3rd year to put it over the top if necessary. If the right people are in place.
If things were simple, you'd hire an actual Defensive Coordinator. One of the best in the league, given Seattle's resources. But, y'see - Pete and the Defense are a packaged deal. Like Holmgren and his offense were.
If you want the defense to change you're gonna need Pete to promote himself up to an executive position, or fire him as the coach. Otherwise the same issues we've been discussing for YEARS will continue to happen.
The Defense is vet filled. They are not young. (They are young at CB, obviously.) That excuse doesn't fly, and is a cop out. Their D-Line I'd argue is too old, but I digress.
I tried to warn people they were giving Pete too much of JS's and Geno's deserved credit. That is where I give most of the credit for this season. I give Pete credit for developing the young DBs, but most of Pete's issues that have been on display are still intact. Nothing has changed.
Pete has given away the ATL, NO, TB, and LV games. 80% of the teams losses lay at the feet of Pete Carroll, and his underling Hurtt, blowing it by not even showing up on defense. Play at a 24th in the league level in those games and those are all wins.
Pete could've had a 12 win season given the schedule with so many weak opponents and a top 5 QB, even make a playoff run, but he just can't help himself. Pete gonna Pete.
Draft picks are not going to fix this defense. They of course could use better personnel, every team could. Their biggest issues are coaching and scheme related.
Having D-Lineman lineup in the same technique's over and over as you're getting burned repeatedly with no adjustments isn't a talent issue. I mean how many times do you have to keep putting your hand on the hotstove and realize it's actually hot?
At this point, Hurtt has singed off all of his fingers and he still keeps doing it. Bad Hire, and Pete is responsible for said hire.
I understand Pete will continue to get a pass, and nothing will change. That is what makes it frustrating for so many Seahawks fans.
Instead they hit the lottery with a top 5 level player at the position and can't do anything with it. Just like it's been for the last 8 seasons. Nothing's changed. The QB has to play at a near perfect level to win games consistently because so many of the other parts around him are floundering.
So, I was pointing out how they needed to go back to the old defense midway through the ATL game early in the season. They finally did this in the first AZ game and had instant results for a month.
Way better than I could have ever anticipated. I was expecting improvement, mainly due to personnel fit. But they played like a top 5 defense.
I then pointed out that teams were going to dust off the old Pete Carroll beaters, and start to adjust, with Seattle's defense declining back to what it looked like under Norton eventually, but it fell off far bigger, and way faster that it is hardly believable there were ever playing at a top 5 level, though they in fact were.
Adjustments. Seattle is being outmaneuvered on the chess board. Hurtt is in over his head. Pete can't be a full time babysitter.
However, as bad as the defense played. McDaniels chose to chip and double Nwosu a lot, taking Seattle's best pass rusher out of the game. Meanwhile Seattle chose to let Maxx Crosby go 1-on-1 against a rookie all game with no help, and then acted surprised when he impacted the game. This isn't a new thing, either.
It's the lack of attention to detail that I've been harping on for YEARS that will always hold the Seahawks back. Contrary to what a lot of Seahawks fans believe, you don't need the most talented team by far in the league to win the Superbowl. Pete does, to overcome his sloppiness, and this is where it gets misconstrued.
Pete wants to run the ball. (Can't run the ball.)
Pete wants to play great defense (Can't play great defense.)
How many seasons do you need to see before you realize it isn't gonna happen? It doesn't take 10 years to build a defense. It takes 1 to turn it around, and it takes 2 to fully build it. And it takes a 3rd year to put it over the top if necessary. If the right people are in place.
If things were simple, you'd hire an actual Defensive Coordinator. One of the best in the league, given Seattle's resources. But, y'see - Pete and the Defense are a packaged deal. Like Holmgren and his offense were.
If you want the defense to change you're gonna need Pete to promote himself up to an executive position, or fire him as the coach. Otherwise the same issues we've been discussing for YEARS will continue to happen.
The Defense is vet filled. They are not young. (They are young at CB, obviously.) That excuse doesn't fly, and is a cop out. Their D-Line I'd argue is too old, but I digress.
I tried to warn people they were giving Pete too much of JS's and Geno's deserved credit. That is where I give most of the credit for this season. I give Pete credit for developing the young DBs, but most of Pete's issues that have been on display are still intact. Nothing has changed.
Pete has given away the ATL, NO, TB, and LV games. 80% of the teams losses lay at the feet of Pete Carroll, and his underling Hurtt, blowing it by not even showing up on defense. Play at a 24th in the league level in those games and those are all wins.
Pete could've had a 12 win season given the schedule with so many weak opponents and a top 5 QB, even make a playoff run, but he just can't help himself. Pete gonna Pete.
Draft picks are not going to fix this defense. They of course could use better personnel, every team could. Their biggest issues are coaching and scheme related.
Having D-Lineman lineup in the same technique's over and over as you're getting burned repeatedly with no adjustments isn't a talent issue. I mean how many times do you have to keep putting your hand on the hotstove and realize it's actually hot?
At this point, Hurtt has singed off all of his fingers and he still keeps doing it. Bad Hire, and Pete is responsible for said hire.
I understand Pete will continue to get a pass, and nothing will change. That is what makes it frustrating for so many Seahawks fans.