SuperBowl...or Bust?

[rjdriver]

I agree that things have to go your way to win it all. I remember in 05' against the NYG and all those missed kicks, against the Cowboys, when there was the late interception.

Saw the same sort of thing with NO when they had their run a few years back.

I am expecting that of our team this year. We lost nothing but close games last year, strange games. Red zone opportunities against AZ. Close game in Detroit. Bad roughing call in MIA. Trick play in St. Louis. Uncharachterisric drops in SF. Defensive collapse in ATL (and Chicago) during the last ticks.

This year, I expect us to be on the winning end of these games. Unless there is a catastrophic injury, it's super bowl or bust for me as well. That is the universal way to measure success.

Remember how you felt the moment the clock wound down in the NFCCG? The moment you had tears in your eyes after all the emotion invested in this franchise? Was it because you finally figured out they were better? No, it was because they won. I spent two weeks repeating to myself, "We are going to the Super Bowl"

I want to spend next summer saying "We are freaking Super Bowl champions."

 

[LudwigsDrummer]

Sadly, in a way, the Media has kinda put Superbowl or bust on our backs.

In a lot of other fans eyes, we are still the underdogs that have more to prove. The gale us with tales of undeserved victories (wk 3) and teams being unprepared for us. They complain about the hubris that erupts from our fandom. They call us bandwagoners. They basically say that last year was a fluke, ala, 2011 detroit lions. Or, the paper champions award of equal or lesser value to the "Dream Team" Eagles.

At this point we are favorites from most people to be in the bowl, along with Denver. The toke bowl. The 420 start time.

I cant say much for Denver, but yea, were kinda at that label now whether we like it or not.

Toke bowl and a 420 start. Tire, you crack me up.

 

[LudwigsDrummer]

The season will be a failure for me if we do not win the Super Bowl, yes. Absolutely.

It was, last year, as well. And this team is better.

For any of the Holmgren teams, I would have thought an attitude like this would be both crazy and unhealthy. But for the current team? This team has dynasty written all over it. Every season that it doesn't win it all is a wasted opportunity. We aren't going to win the SB every year, we might win every 3rd year if we are fortunate, but we should feel like Super Bowl favorites every season for a long time.

Agree totally that we are shaping up to be the next New England Pats type dynasty.

 

[HawkWow]

RJDriver....

Good points. The satisfaction of knowing we were better than Pittsburgh did very little for me. I felt like I was kicked in the gut for weeks. But part of that pain was knowing we would not be as good the following year.

I don't have that level of concern this time around. We are young, physical, talented, aggressive and well coached. We have players that can be trusted to play whether they are getting the big bucks or not. Everybody on this team wants to be here and they enjoy each other. Other than the O-line, this team makes the 05 team look like girls.

I too think we need this SB, but I'd have to let the season play out before I could define it as a bust. I don't define the 05 season as a bust.

 

[volsunghawk]

First off, I'll be very disappointed if we don't win it all. Without a doubt. But I recognize that fans of 31 teams each year feel that way... even fans of perennial contenders like New England.

But to be honest, my greatest hope for the Seahawks has never been "I want them to win the SB." It has been the hope that they become one of the league's perennial dominant teams. A team that you KNOW is going to make the playoffs year in and year out, and any year they don't make it is considered a fluke. Because as we've seen time and time again, anything can happen in the postseason. A 9-7 type team can defeat a 16-0 team. A team that gave up record numbers of yards on the ground can suddenly become a brick wall. There's always some unexpected key play here or there that can turn the entire character of the playoffs.

That's why I don't worry as much about the SB win... because I believe that if our team can maintain what they have now, if they become one of the league's regular contenders, the SB win will come. And there's a good chance that multiple SB wins could come.

 

[TwilightError]

This whole sport is constructed so that only one team will be happy after the season and 31 will be disappointed. If we would win it even once, after that it would be easier to handle the disappointments of an ending season.. You know, then we could say that atleast we will always have 201?.. And now we have a great window to do it, so I'm gonna be more anxious than normally until we have it..

 

[Scottemojo]

Shit happens. Clemons getting hurt changed everything, something similar can always happen. But barring the unforeseen, I expect to be watching the Hawks in February.

 

[Memphislaw]

My greatest hope is for a Super Bowl. I am sick of 49er fans referring to our lack thereof. Russell will take us to the promised land, I have never been more certain of anything in my life.

 

[TeamoftheCentury]

The season will be a failure for me if we do not win the Super Bowl, yes. Absolutely.

It was, last year, as well. And this team is better.

For any of the Holmgren teams, I would have thought an attitude like this would be both crazy and unhealthy. But for the current team? This team has dynasty written all over it. Every season that it doesn't win it all is a wasted opportunity. We aren't going to win the SB every year, we might win every 3rd year if we are fortunate, but we should feel like Super Bowl favorites every season for a long time.

It's time for a ring. No longer satisfied with the "we'll get 'em next year" mentality. Get it done. Just... GET... IT... DONE!!!

Russell Wilson is special. Marshawn Lynch is beast mode. John Schneider is genius. Pete Carroll exemplifies leadership. Golden Tate... is Golden. Richard Sherman is Shut Down. Kam Chancellor is a Snot Knocker. Bobby Wagner... see Kam Chancellor. Doug Baldwin is Percy Harvin-like. Sidney Rice is a gamer. Red Bryant is a disruptive load. Earl Thomas is money. Brandon Mebane Means Business. Tom Cable knows football... and the OL confirms that. The Defense is "sick" (as a youth football player here in Orlando put it to me this week.) The 12th Man is the best home field advantage in football. I could go on and on. It's our time. It... Is... Our... Time.

Yes, everyone knows only 1 team hoists the Lombardi Trophy when all is said and done. Make no mistake. THAT is the prize. You play... to win... the game! Not "Well fellas, we had a great season" and on with the optimistic talk about someday.

I agree this team is now in dynasty mode and perhaps that first Super Bowl Championship is the most challenging hurdle. Until then, what a waste of an opportunity when there is talk of potential dynasty. That should weigh heavily on the matter just as it does. That's how fans and the media speak while the players just go play football.

Injuries will happen, but this team should be built to continue playing at a championship level despite most injuries that can arise in this collision sport. But, we'll certainly take an injury free season from this point forward!

Thank you. THANK YOU JS/PC for bringing a winning culture to our beloved Seahawks! Now, there's a little matter to take care of...

This is as good a year as any to dominate... to take care of business in the regular season in order to get that invaluable home field advantage. It's as good a year as any to not waste arguably the greatest opportunity this franchise has ever had as it embarks on another promising season. It's a great year to rise above the rest as Super Bowl Champions.

 

[EverydayImRusselin]

So being a BSU fan as well as a Seahawks fan, I've been this excited before about my team. In 2010 BSU had a very dominant team, something like 15-20 of those guys ended up in the NFL. Kellen Moore, Doug Martin, Austin Pettis, Titus Young, a dominating defense, it was eerily similar to this Seahawks team. They were rolling right along until they ran into Kaepernick and Nevada. That one loss was enough to knock them out of the title hunt. The let down after that was immense. I recall waking up the next morning and going to the store and everyone in the store was kind of just walking around in a daze like "did you see what just happened?"

Thankfully this Seahawks team doesn't have to go 16-0 to have a chance at a title, but the expectations for me are just as high as that BSU team's were. I will be very bummed if we don't win it all. I just want one of my sports teams to win one damn title in my lifetime (I was only 7 when UW won and we had just moved to Kent that summer).

 

[13thMan]

SB or bust?? Ummmm...... let's win the division first maybe at least??

I love how everybody is treating this season like a cakewalk to the Meadowlands....

This team has what it takes, but c'mon let's be a little grounded.... one game at a time.

 

[TaterHawk]

For me just getting to see the hawks in ANY playoff game is my mark of a successful season. I don't set any expectations above that. Last year they had two..so Great season in my book

 

[60niners]

No. Super Bowl this year, or come close and have a great shot at it next year. This team is built for perennial success.

This.

I know this won't be well-received, but last year was the first winning record since 2007... I don't know if I'd call that a Bowl-or-Bust scenario.

I think if any team is facing Bowl-or-Bust it'd have to be the Falcons... They will slowly start to fall apart if they can't find a way to get to the dance or win it... You can only stay a top competitor for so long before your opportunities start dwindling.

Best chance I think the Hawks have is to build off of last year, and firm up the few weak spots, then they'll probably have it in the bag. Biggest weak spot? Road games. Hard to always be the #1 seed every year, so if you can't go on the road to win in Jan, chances of bringing home the Lombardi go way way down.

 

[Tical21]

I don't understand the premise of Super Bowl or bust. I guess there are down years where you have to look for moral victories, but I'm still disappointed we didn't win the Super Bowl in those years. Especially after so long, it will be nice to have one.

If the question is whether you really want to win the Super Bowl this year, of course!

If the question is whether or not you're going to scream and cry and be depressed for six months if it doesn't happen, of course not. It is only football. Things happen. They'll win it someday and it will be really cool, but I won't be any more or less of a fan or enjoy watching any differently than I always have.

 

[PlinytheCenter]

How about Super Bowl AND (HOF) Bust??

 

[warden]

There is something more important then holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The journey taken to get to the point of holding up that trophy is the most important thing. In 2010, I would look at what PC/JS were doing and I would think wow this is interesting. In 2011 which had to be my favorite year. (I was 15 years old in 1976 when I first became a Seahawk fan). For all those people in 2011 who put so much focus on Jack sucks and start CBJ or our 7 and 9 record, I feel for you, for you missed the most important aspect that season. Every week, week after week, you could see this team grow right before your eyes. You could see in 2011 that this team is on the right path to greatness. Watching this team develop into what it is today has been the most fascinating experience I have had. As a Seahawk fan. I will not come out and make such claims like I will be disappointed if we don't win the Superbowl, that the season is a bust. Nope not me, I am going to enjoy every moment this season brings. I will not get upset if we lose for that is just part of the Journey. This Pete Carroll era is just damn right fascinating. The best part is we have quite a few good seasons ahead of us to enjoy. I am just going to savor every moment of this season.

 

[-The Glove-]

No. Super Bowl this year, or come close and have a great shot at it next year. This team is built for perennial success.

This.

I know this won't be well-received, but last year was the first winning record since 2007... I don't know if I'd call that a Bowl-or-Bust scenario.

I think if any team is facing Bowl-or-Bust it'd have to be the Falcons... They will slowly start to fall apart if they can't find a way to get to the dance or win it... You can only stay a top competitor for so long before your opportunities start dwindling.

Best chance I think the Hawks have is to build off of last year, and firm up the few weak spots, then they'll probably have it in the bag. Biggest weak spot? Road games. Hard to always be the #1 seed every year, so if you can't go on the road to win in Jan, chances of bringing home the Lombardi go way way down.

I agree with this...we're so young and deep, it cant be Superbowl or bust. That scenario, IMO, are for teams who have been consistently good but the window was starting to close (Philly Eagles come to mind).

If the Seahawks don't win it this year, I have no doubt in my mind, the FO and the team will continue to get better for next couple years until we do finally get one.

 

[-The Glove-]

There is something more important then holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The journey taken to get to the point of holding up that trophy is the most important thing. In 2010, I would look at what PC/JS were doing and I would think wow this is interesting. In 2011 which had to be my favorite year. (I was 15 years old in 1976 when I first became a Seahawk fan). For all those people in 2011 who put so much focus on Jack sucks and start CBJ or our 7 and 9 record, I feel for you, for you missed the most important aspect that season. Every week, week after week, you could see this team grow right before your eyes. You could see in 2011 that this team is on the right path to greatness. Watching this team develop into what it is today has been the most fascinating experience I have had. As a Seahawk fan. I will not come out and make such claims like I will be disappointed if we don't win the Superbowl, that the season is a bust. Nope not me, I am going to enjoy every moment this season brings. I will not get upset if we lose for that is just part of the Journey. This Pete Carroll era is just damn right fascinating. The best part is we have quite a few good seasons ahead of us to enjoy. I am just going tosavour very moment of this season.

And this...good post, man!

 

[pmedic920]

What is your definition of BUST ? I think the the 2013 Seahawks have the ability to win the Super Bowl. I hope they do. I am optimistic they will. Do I think this team is a BUST if they don't ? Hell no. We are in the the early years of an era. The beginning of a dynasty. No way is this team a bust if they don't win the Super Bowl this year.

 

[NinerBuff]

It's SB or Bust for several teams:

NE, DEN, SF, SEA, ATL, and GB

For these teams, only a Lombardi Trophy will signify a positive step forward.