How to shut down the MONSTER tight ends:

[hawk45]

Fair point Basis.

 

[SalishHawkFan]

In defense of FO's DVOA stats for the secondary"

You actually have to do more than read the rankings, you have to interpret the data. While it's true, the Hawks give up more yards per catch to #1 and #2 WR's than most of the NFL - that's fact, it can't be debated - it is also true that those 1's and 2's get thrown at far less than all but a handful of teams. The reason is because they can't get open. The stat is saying that when they do get open, they tend to get more yards on us than they do against other NFL teams. Vs TE's, other WR's and RB's, those positions get thrown to more often against us than against other teams. That's right there in FO's stats as well. and when those guys get catches, they don't get many yards because we tackle them quickly.

Now when you think about our style of defense, that makes sense. We put our CB's out on islands vs the 1's and 2's, bring Kam in close to get 8 in the box and let ET float deep centerfield to cover anyone who gets past. Since our CB's are the best in the league, they get very few passes thrown their way. But when those WR's do get open, it will be for more yardage. OTOH, since they don't get open very often, QB's are going to their slot receivers and TE's and RB's more often, but our LBers and Kam are stuffing those plays for short gains.

The net result is FO's has Seattle ranked as the #2 defense vs the pass.

 

[Hasselbeck]

It was surprising to me to learn that Seattle is actually elite at stopping TEs so far this year; Football Outsiders has us ranked #3 in DVOA while defending TEs. That wasn't the only surprise either -- here's our current ranks defending various positions in pass defense:

#1 WR: 26th
#2 WR: 27th
Other WR: 3rd
TE: 3rd
RB: 3rd

Exhibit A why I hate Football Outsiders.