mistaowen
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- Nov 28, 2010
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"Lessons learned" feels like an appropriate phrase to describe this coaching staff's first year as the Seahawks' brain trust. There was plenty of good, plenty of bad, and plenty to grow from. Good teams steal the close games they lost and they simply aren't there yet. And that's okay, assuming they learn from this. Today encompassed all of it.
I would assume significant roster churn happens this offseason - cutting BOTH starting linebackers mid-season made it clear he isn’t willing to accept mediocre play. Seeing Woolen benched to start the game and then getting caught flat-footed on a deep shot to Justin Jefferson in such a critical moment (even if Love was also late) makes me think Woolen won’t be getting a big paycheck from us next year. Players who aren’t fully committed don’t fit the locker room culture MM is trying to build. Listen to how he talks about Spoon and Big Cat—that’s the core; that’s the mentality he wants.
Defensively - Mike MacDonald is an excellent in-game adjuster. Compare 3rd and 4th quarters versus the final 5–6 years of Pete’s defense, where we'd watch offenses put up 500 yards every god damn week. It's clear he put training wheels on his playbook, likely due to 1) the roster lacking key pieces (so far) and 2) this being year one for the staff. The run fits, designs, and schemes are much more simplified compared to what he attempted early on. The concepts he calls for clear passing downs are terrific. The way they generate pressure from creative looks without sending more than five rushers is something I’ve wanted to see from this defense for years. I’ve always been envious of the Rex Ryan Jets and the Ravens defenses, which disguise their calls at the LOS and completely change what they are actually in mid-snap. If the Seahawks can add a few more studs in the front seven and ideally upgrade the cornerback position, you just know he will bring some crazy shit next year.
He has also admitted this year has been a huge learning experience for him, learning how to run an entire organization, not just one side of the ball. I believe he’ll take this offseason in stride and we’ll see a very confident head coach next year.
Offensively - they have way more questions heading into next season. Geno Smith is statistically a top-10/15 quarterback but continues to make the same 3–4 poor decisions per game that plagued him early in his career. Sam Howell clearly isn’t ready, this is a weak quarterback draft class, and the team doesn’t seem inclined to mortgage the future on a massive trade. My guess is that Geno comes back next year, but the team will need to seriously consider its long-term plans at quarterback.
I liked the hiring of Ryan Grubb at the start of the season, and for the most part, he’s done a decent job as a first-time NFL play-caller. That said, games like today are becoming a pattern rather than an anomaly—he flat-out refuses to commit to the run game for some reason. I think he gets another season with a short leash and a clear mandate for improvement.
Improving the interior offensive line is an absolute necessity next year. Without significant investment or improvement in that unit, Schneider’s seat should be warm. All the blowouts this year have come against teams with excellent offensive lines that physically dominate the Seahawks. It’s been 8–10 years since Schneider fielded an above average offensive line, and for the most part, this has been a bottom-three unit in the league. That cannot continue going forward.
On the bright side, JSN's emergence as a #1 receiver has been great to watch. He is unguardable over the middle. DK Metcalf is clearly playing through an injury, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he requires offseason surgery. Props to him for battling through it, but his burst has been noticeably lacking since he went out earlier this year. Unfortunately, it’s probably the end of the road for Tyler Lockett. I don’t see how they justify his salary for a WR3 at this stage. If this is his final year, hang his jersey in the rafters.
Season is still alive, albeit on life support, but I think there's plenty to be excited about going into next year.
I would assume significant roster churn happens this offseason - cutting BOTH starting linebackers mid-season made it clear he isn’t willing to accept mediocre play. Seeing Woolen benched to start the game and then getting caught flat-footed on a deep shot to Justin Jefferson in such a critical moment (even if Love was also late) makes me think Woolen won’t be getting a big paycheck from us next year. Players who aren’t fully committed don’t fit the locker room culture MM is trying to build. Listen to how he talks about Spoon and Big Cat—that’s the core; that’s the mentality he wants.
Defensively - Mike MacDonald is an excellent in-game adjuster. Compare 3rd and 4th quarters versus the final 5–6 years of Pete’s defense, where we'd watch offenses put up 500 yards every god damn week. It's clear he put training wheels on his playbook, likely due to 1) the roster lacking key pieces (so far) and 2) this being year one for the staff. The run fits, designs, and schemes are much more simplified compared to what he attempted early on. The concepts he calls for clear passing downs are terrific. The way they generate pressure from creative looks without sending more than five rushers is something I’ve wanted to see from this defense for years. I’ve always been envious of the Rex Ryan Jets and the Ravens defenses, which disguise their calls at the LOS and completely change what they are actually in mid-snap. If the Seahawks can add a few more studs in the front seven and ideally upgrade the cornerback position, you just know he will bring some crazy shit next year.
He has also admitted this year has been a huge learning experience for him, learning how to run an entire organization, not just one side of the ball. I believe he’ll take this offseason in stride and we’ll see a very confident head coach next year.
Offensively - they have way more questions heading into next season. Geno Smith is statistically a top-10/15 quarterback but continues to make the same 3–4 poor decisions per game that plagued him early in his career. Sam Howell clearly isn’t ready, this is a weak quarterback draft class, and the team doesn’t seem inclined to mortgage the future on a massive trade. My guess is that Geno comes back next year, but the team will need to seriously consider its long-term plans at quarterback.
I liked the hiring of Ryan Grubb at the start of the season, and for the most part, he’s done a decent job as a first-time NFL play-caller. That said, games like today are becoming a pattern rather than an anomaly—he flat-out refuses to commit to the run game for some reason. I think he gets another season with a short leash and a clear mandate for improvement.
Improving the interior offensive line is an absolute necessity next year. Without significant investment or improvement in that unit, Schneider’s seat should be warm. All the blowouts this year have come against teams with excellent offensive lines that physically dominate the Seahawks. It’s been 8–10 years since Schneider fielded an above average offensive line, and for the most part, this has been a bottom-three unit in the league. That cannot continue going forward.
On the bright side, JSN's emergence as a #1 receiver has been great to watch. He is unguardable over the middle. DK Metcalf is clearly playing through an injury, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he requires offseason surgery. Props to him for battling through it, but his burst has been noticeably lacking since he went out earlier this year. Unfortunately, it’s probably the end of the road for Tyler Lockett. I don’t see how they justify his salary for a WR3 at this stage. If this is his final year, hang his jersey in the rafters.
Season is still alive, albeit on life support, but I think there's plenty to be excited about going into next year.