I've been thinking about this one question all off-season: Why do our Seahawks play so dynamically, so explosively when compared to every other team in the NFL? And how do they routinely create plays that seem almost "fluky" in their execution when they need them most? Think of the Browner return from last's nights game as an example. I will reference this play later, but for now, lets get back to to the meat of the question, why do we play the way we play?
And I think I've come to a conclusion; it's the coaching.
Now that may seem like a rather obvious statement, but lets look at current coaching trends in the NFL. NFL coaches, by and large, are promoted and paid for their dynamic schemes and inventiveness. Coaches-offensive and defensive and head coaches alike, are now stars, household names who scour the sidelines flashing arrogant and knowing smiles at the opposing sideline. Most "coaches" aren't paid nowadays for their coaching...teaching players how to be better players...but for their schemes and play calling.
Likewise, GM's no longer look for players that can be "coached up", but rather, flash players who will make an immediate difference for their coaches aggressive play calling. Blame it on the Mel Kieper's of the world, but draft picks are now judged on their immediate impact. Players who do not make an immediate impact are claimed busts. "Coaches" plug these players deemed good fits into their schemes and expect results. A coaches job is no longer about the mundane day to day betterment of their draft picks, but more about how these talents execute in the coaches scheme. It's become a plug and play league.
Now we have the Seahawks, a team that seeks out competitive players, (short for players willing to work hard to be better) who have rare talents, but need to be coached up. This long view of player development is extremely rare. But look at the results. Browner, Sherman, Clemons, Tate, Wagner, Turbin, Lynch, Wilson, Chancellor...etc...etc.
Now how does all this "coaching" play out on the field? Lets look at Browner's fumble return form last nights game for a reference. It's third down, the defense is tired, they have their backs against the wall, Manning won't let them rest. A touchdown seems a forgone conclusion. But instead our dt's got low, something they learned in practice and held the line, the running back now decides to go over the ground swell of human bodies, Farwell knows he has one option, he puts his head right into the ball, just like he was coached, the ball squirts out and the Bronco's stand still thinking the play is over, but Browner knows it not over because he spent countless ours perfecting his reactions during the fumble drill, Browner grabs the ball and then speeds past several miffed Broncos who are now watching him run down the sideline for a touchdown. You could almost see them asking, "that didn't really happen did it?"
That play had nothing to with a good play call, it had everything to do with great coaching and having players willing to do the work, then execute as eleven players on the field.
The Seahawks are doing something nobody else is, playing complete football and playing it fast and furious. The result? Crushing victories over teams who on paper should win. And it all comes down to something very old fashioned...good coaching.
And I think I've come to a conclusion; it's the coaching.
Now that may seem like a rather obvious statement, but lets look at current coaching trends in the NFL. NFL coaches, by and large, are promoted and paid for their dynamic schemes and inventiveness. Coaches-offensive and defensive and head coaches alike, are now stars, household names who scour the sidelines flashing arrogant and knowing smiles at the opposing sideline. Most "coaches" aren't paid nowadays for their coaching...teaching players how to be better players...but for their schemes and play calling.
Likewise, GM's no longer look for players that can be "coached up", but rather, flash players who will make an immediate difference for their coaches aggressive play calling. Blame it on the Mel Kieper's of the world, but draft picks are now judged on their immediate impact. Players who do not make an immediate impact are claimed busts. "Coaches" plug these players deemed good fits into their schemes and expect results. A coaches job is no longer about the mundane day to day betterment of their draft picks, but more about how these talents execute in the coaches scheme. It's become a plug and play league.
Now we have the Seahawks, a team that seeks out competitive players, (short for players willing to work hard to be better) who have rare talents, but need to be coached up. This long view of player development is extremely rare. But look at the results. Browner, Sherman, Clemons, Tate, Wagner, Turbin, Lynch, Wilson, Chancellor...etc...etc.
Now how does all this "coaching" play out on the field? Lets look at Browner's fumble return form last nights game for a reference. It's third down, the defense is tired, they have their backs against the wall, Manning won't let them rest. A touchdown seems a forgone conclusion. But instead our dt's got low, something they learned in practice and held the line, the running back now decides to go over the ground swell of human bodies, Farwell knows he has one option, he puts his head right into the ball, just like he was coached, the ball squirts out and the Bronco's stand still thinking the play is over, but Browner knows it not over because he spent countless ours perfecting his reactions during the fumble drill, Browner grabs the ball and then speeds past several miffed Broncos who are now watching him run down the sideline for a touchdown. You could almost see them asking, "that didn't really happen did it?"
That play had nothing to with a good play call, it had everything to do with great coaching and having players willing to do the work, then execute as eleven players on the field.
The Seahawks are doing something nobody else is, playing complete football and playing it fast and furious. The result? Crushing victories over teams who on paper should win. And it all comes down to something very old fashioned...good coaching.
