I know Russell and Bevell gets the blame for slow starts, but that has always been the case even with Tarvaris and Hasselbeck at the helm, and I had posted stats on that years ago, and the year with Hasselbeck was with a different OC so that tells you that Pete has more control of the tempo of the game or at least have the responsibility of the slow start.
The year with Hasselbeck they went pass heavy and they went 7-9
The year with Tarvaris they went balanced for 3 quarters and passed more in the 4th and that might contribute to being behind, and Tarvaris wasn't known as a comeback king as we saw what usually happens in the 4th, they went 7-9. In Tarvaris' 2nd half of the season the identity of the team was Lynch and they decided to build around him.
Wilson's rookie year, they rushed for all 4 quarters more than they have passing, they went 11-5. Wilson's rushing help contribute to the running attack, taking the league by storm.
The Superbowl year, I've notice that we were a balance attack for 3 Quarters, and really hammered down teams in the 4th with running plays, it was almost double the amount of passing as we were more in the lead.
2014 and 2015 had the same style of play, 1st Quarter we rushed more, passed more in the 2nd, balance attack in the 3rd, and closed the game out with more rushing.
As you can see to get the game the way that Pete loves is that our running game has to contribute big to it, and Pete even said that they will still let Wilson use the read option even though they know he is a bit hobbled. He knows the run game has to be there and knows that Wilson is a big contributor to that. Is it wise to let Wilson run on plays? Who knows but it seems like Pete still wants that to be a threat.
Start with the run and end with the run
Pete is responsible for the Tight End Plays, I've checked his USC stat days (2001-2009) to see what the TE offered. They weren't heavily featured except for 2007, Fred Davis 881 yards and 8 TDs. This explains why we don't use our TE's more, his system doesn't utilize them in the passing plays like we would like. Bevell and Cable's past resumes have shown they have used TEs pretty well.
I think Bevell and Cable do get more of the blame because they are in the front of their respective position. In the end Pete has final say on what they can and can't do.
I think with the line and everyone having to gel again, it will take at least 8 games until they start peaking.