Serious question: Why did Pete pull Russ in the 4th?

[mikeak]

I only want to see him run qb sneaks from the 1 yard line in the playoff...

 

[Seahawk Sailor]

I hated it at the moment but the way it worked out, it seems like a genius move.

Yeah, I'm with you there. Glad it worked out, but it could very well have catapulted us to a loss and the 4th seed. I'd much rather have another double-digit win season and the 3rd seed than go into the playoffs on a losing streak, the 4th seed, and the worst season in a while, with a loss to the near-winless 49ers. That would have been a terrible way to try and protect your quarterback for a few minutes of play.

 

[HawKnPeppa]

I agree with the sentiment that the decision wasn't consistent with the "always compete" mantra. Further, it doesn't agree with "can you win a game in the 1-3rd quarter." Pete should have never accepted that the Atlanta game was a done deal. Turns out the Saints gave themselves a chance to win that one in the end, though the odds were long (onside kick).

Very happy that the results agreed with what they predicted, but I don't think Pete will accept any premature conclusions in the future.

 

[BlueThunder]

Not exactly sure why he did it, but reading through the Niners game-day thread, they thought it was a pretty obnoxious snub of their team. That alone makes it worth it IMO... :lol:

 

[LeftHandSmoke]

Could have gone awry but it didn't, in SF, Detroit or Atlanta.

Seemingly getting overlooked is that the confidence shown in Boykin was well-placed. He started a bit erratic with the fumble/recovery but was otherwise sharp. Good connections with Tanner, excellent 1st down throw across his body running to his right, also looked fast on his run to the right for the game-clinching 1st down. Solid outing, if not spectacular.

 

[sutz]

Could have gone awry but it didn't, in SF, Detroit or Atlanta.

Seemingly getting overlooked is that the confidence shown in Boykin was well-placed. He started a bit erratic with the fumble/recovery but was otherwise sharp. Good connections with Tanner, excellent 1st down throw across his body running to his right, also looked fast on his run to the right for the game-clinching 1st down. Solid outing, if not spectacular.

Solid is what we needed, not spectacular. He delivered. That last drive in the 4 minute drill was almost perfect.

 

[LoneHawkFan]

The number three seed is so important for I would rather play Atlanta in the second round over Dallas

You're crazy, in my opinion. I'd rather play against a couple of rookies than against an offense xperienced QB in his prime and likely MVP...no way I'd rather play Atlanta.

 

[rcaido]

The number three seed is so important for I would rather play Atlanta in the second round over Dallas

You're crazy, in my opinion. I'd rather play against a couple of rookies than against an offense xperienced QB in his prime and likely MVP...no way I'd rather play Atlanta.

Yeah factor in the possibility of playing Greenbay then Atlanta. I thought the 4th seed would have been better. It work itself out in the end, we dont have to play Greenbay unless they beat the Giants & Cowboys. Good thing if they do, we will have Homefield advantage if we play in the championship game.

 

[Ozzy]

I got the impression from the post game presser that Pete after thinking about it after the fact sort of questioned himself but it all worked itself out so who cares. I definitely think in hindsight he would want the #3 seed over the #4 seed. If gives us an outside shot at a home game in the championship game. Not a huge deal but not big fan of it to be honest.

 

[Jimjones0384]

I'm curious to hear coach explain himself for this in his press conference.

He had to realize the #3 and #4 seeds were still up for grabs at that point

That was my point, why throw away a higher seed? Seems dumb.

Seems to me it didn't throw away anything, other than risk of injuries to key starters.

 

[Jimjones0384]

We were up 9 with like 9 minutes left. Even though we won I still don't understand the decision outside of keeping Russell healthy, however that doesn't make sense with the game in doubt.

I'm just curious to hear what others think, because I thought it was a weird decision.

What would you be on here saying if Russell got hurt, and they lost the 2 seed anyway. I don't understand why anyone is questioning this, they won.

 

[HawkFan72]

Pete said today that they saw the Atlanta score and knew they didn't have a shot at the #2 seed so he pulled everyone so they could rest up for Saturday. He didn't want any key injuries in the final minutes playing a team that had nothing to lose in a game that was already getting chippy.

 

[nash72]

There is no good reason for it because it was wrong. Pete did it because he didn't feel the 49ers could score anymore points. When they did, it was an 'Oh Crap' moment, but Pete's ego being what it is, he left the 2nd stringers in and luckily won the game. That's all it was.

 

[Hawks46]

With that OL ? Shouldn't have to ask. It's just a matter of time before he gets blown up.

Take him out and rest him up a bit. Minimize the hits. Get Boykin some reps, because you never know.

And it honestly didn't matter if we won or lost. Falcons had the 2nd seed sewn up.

 

[nash72]

And it honestly didn't matter if we won or lost. Falcons had the 2nd seed sewn up.

It did matter though. A loss would have meant a matchup with the New York Giants instead of the Detroit Lions in the first round. It also would have meant that if they faced the Green Bay Packers later in the playoffs, the game would have been played at Lambeau Field instead of CenturyLink Field. It was stupid.

 

[SeaChat]

Once Pete heard the outcome of the Falcon game, the outcome of our game became meaningless so far as relevancy. There was no reason to risk any of our key players health any further. Pull them off the field and make damn sure that we come out on the field at home against the Lyons with as many of our key players, healthy and rested as we can.

Smart move. I would have supported that move if we were trailing the 49ers by 10 points at the time. We needed the moral boost of a win on the road against a conference team, but I think Boykin and the bunch we tossed in as replacements were all more than capable of having won the game if need be.

I am glad we got out of there with a W, that might seem trivial to some but we broke the VooDoo curse of not being able to win on the road against a division team. Now we can go forward into the play offs without that mojo crap hanging around in the back of our heads.

I have always maintained that the Seattle Seahawks self confidence and their belief in themselves dictates their success or failure more than any other single factor. This win may just be the thing that allows them to take this thing all the way home with a super bowl trophy this year.

 

[SoCalSeahawk]

Pete made a bone head decision and he got away with it, end of discussion.

 

[therealjohncarlson]

Because he only cared about getting the bye in playoffs, otherwise, I doubt he really cared that much about matchups, IMO. He treats all opponents the same, not any better or worse

You actually think from a game planning perspective this is true? hmmmm

 

[Mistashoesta]

....trying to put as little pounding on them as possible going into next week

[youtube]ZDZLNj-d5NY[/youtube]

https://youtu.be/ZDZLNj-d5NY

 

[Seafan]

Putting in the scrubs but then horrible clock management. I thought PC was a details guy.