Why the hell are we so good? (A theory)

[nsport]

You can compete all you want, but it's more than that. If I have a bunch of players show up at my practice who need to learn more about rugby and tell them to go out there and compete, but teach them nothing, than the finished product is just going to be a bunch of aggressive players who don't know how to play the sport properly. I just think the coaching up of players on this team is overlooked. After all, our best unit is our secondary and guess who started out as a secondary coach? Pete.

I just wanted to stack onto this comment. You are 100% right - but one thing that is missing from overzealous Rugby players is the full meaning of "Always Compete" - it means to embody the concept of true competition. That feeds on all levels - as a person, as a player, as a learner. One thing that is abundantly true concept I gleaned from his book: If I compete with myself at all times, it really doesn't matter who lines up against me. I know the standard I set for myself will be higher than his standard. I know I will win because of it.

 

[Seahawk Sailor]

Several times during the interviews last game, players alluded to it. "The game's slowed down a lot from practice." "The game is a lot easier than what we see every day." That matters. When you're coached to go 100% all the time, competing for your job, with a legitimate shot at winning or losing it based on your play, it matters. When you practice harder than you have to play, it starts to show.

 

[gargantual]

Several times during the interviews last game, players alluded to it. "The game's slowed down a lot from practice." "The game is a lot easier than what we see every day." That matters. When you're coached to go 100% all the time, competing for your job, with a legitimate shot at winning or losing it based on your play, it matters. When you practice harder than you have to play, it starts to show.

Some great points you made.

I think I know the answer to this before I even ask, but since I never followed USC (or college ball at all for that matter), do any of you USC alumni out there remember Pete's players making comments like this during his stint as their head coach (the game seeming slower than practice, etc)?

 

[falcongoggles]

Bingo. These guys know that they could lose their job. Draft status and salary doesn't matter. If someone's better than you, they'll play, or the coaches will find a way to get both of you on the field. You have to play every play like the guy behind you is ready to come in and excel. Because he is.

Compare it to...say a government worker. When you are guaranteed a job, and it takes moving heaven and hell to get you out, your job performance goes down the toilet. I've never worked harder than when I was in construction. They could fire your ass literally at any minute and there was a border full of hungry people just waiting to take your job for less than what you got paid. That's some real motivation.

Please save commentary like this for the shack or war and politics. I'm a government worker, active duty captain, Afghanistan veteran, F-16 pilot, distinguished Air Force Academy graduate and Olmsted Scholar. I work 12 hour days to ensure that our Air Force is the greatest on the planet and am willing to sacrifice my life so you can work a construction job in peace. I am a government worker.

 

[brimsalabim]

I'm pretty sure he did not mean the military when he said govt worker. Thank you for your service.

 

[BlueTalons]

Bingo. These guys know that they could lose their job. Draft status and salary doesn't matter. If someone's better than you, they'll play, or the coaches will find a way to get both of you on the field. You have to play every play like the guy behind you is ready to come in and excel. Because he is.

Compare it to...say a government worker. When you are guaranteed a job, and it takes moving heaven and hell to get you out, your job performance goes down the toilet. I've never worked harder than when I was in construction. They could fire your ass literally at any minute and there was a border full of hungry people just waiting to take your job for less than what you got paid. That's some real motivation.

Please save commentary like this for the shack or war and politics. I'm a government worker, active duty captain, Afghanistan veteran, F-16 pilot, distinguished Air Force Academy graduate and Olmsted Scholar. I work 12 hour days to ensure that our Air Force is the greatest on the planet and am willing to sacrifice my life so you can work a construction job in peace. I am a government worker.

I'm pretty sure he meant a union job...but I don't want to turn this into "bashing people in unions" (my wife works for a union.)

Back to this thread...

There are many great points made and I agree with 90% of it. Carroll has created a culture that is unique in the NFL. But if you REALLY look at it...who is the successful guy that makes this all even possible? Paul Allen "only" helped create one of the most successful companies in the world! There is a culture that make very talented people want to work there. The Seahawks are very much a reflection of Paul Allen's vision - we are the "Microsoft" of the NFL. Thus we attract free agents that want to come here (a destination as was pointed out in another thread.) We grow very bright and talented individuals to meet and exceed their potential. We are CONSISTENT with our philosophies. (And I say "we" because as a fan, I have bought into what is being sold and as a "true" fan I am a Seahawk!!)

Now the part I really want to dive into... When someone is successful, what happens? Many things... People want to emulate you. They want to talk to you about everything to collect information. They want to investigate why you are so much more successful than them or others. You start to getting accused of not playing by the rules. You get hatted by others because you are successful. They even want to bring you down back to their level! This, folks, we have only seen the beginning of!

Go Hawks!

 

[Jac]

Several times during the interviews last game, players alluded to it. "The game's slowed down a lot from practice." "The game is a lot easier than what we see every day." That matters. When you're coached to go 100% all the time, competing for your job, with a legitimate shot at winning or losing it based on your play, it matters. When you practice harder than you have to play, it starts to show.

Some great points you made.

I think I know the answer to this before I even ask, but since I never followed USC (or college ball at all for that matter), do any of you USC alumni out there remember Pete's players making comments like this during his stint as their head coach and (the game seeming slower than practice, etc)?

That's another reason why this team feels like a high-end college atmosphere. In college, you have to keep competing and performing or you'll lose your starting spot to a hotshot freshman or sophomore. And like this current Seahawks team, there is the roster depth to make that a very viable possibility.

 

[Hawkboi]

The number one difference I see between Pete and Mike is the difference in team philosophy.

Mike picked players that would fit in his plans and schemes. Most times he wasn't interested in someone becoming a star, he wanted them to play his way.


Pete seems to genuinly try to put a player in a position to succeed. And as has been said they don't seem afraid to let the players know what they are doing and why, rather than just yelling at them to do this or that.

:les:

I so agree with you! I think we've become scary good!!

 

[TaterHawk]

That Denver game was like a playoff game in the first half. No stadium or fans are even close in the NFL.

Denver is very good and the yards prove it, but the Hawks are so physical in every phase of the game. Anyone else notice the number of players headed to the MRI machine after a game in Seattle? Teams are starting to notice. And in the back of their mind they will start to think it’s best to manage a game and just get out of Seattle in good health. Denver had 4 serious injuries (not that it’s a good thing) but no team will want to play here this year.. Some pro players do quit. No matter how good they are if the beating is not worth it they will quit. We saw a couple teams quit last year, and we will see it again this year.

12 is jacking this team up and it’s starting to carry over on the road

 

[Sgt. Largent]

We're good for a lot of reasons;

- good players
- good coaches
- good front office
- good competitive atmosphere that fosters hungry players
- good fans
- good home field advantage
- good schemes
- good preparation (the separation's in the preparation)

It all adds up to what we're seeing on the field right now. That's the beauty of team sports, there has to be so many moving parts working well in sync to be successful. When it does, it's a thing of beauty.

 

[falcongoggles]

When I was at the Air Force Academy I met Chad Hennings. He was a former falcon, A-10 pilot and then went on to win a bunch of championships with Dallas. He described to us their organization. He said everyone was professional and on point. From the person working the front desk to the head coach, everyone had an air of being the best and staying hungry. He compared this to the Bengals I believe which he said was a hot mess.

Obviously a solid organization starts from the top and trickles down. So Paul Allen, then the coaches, GM, etc. all the way down to the VMAC lawn crew and the bus drivers with the "all in" signs are a testament to this.

 

[Feed the Hawk]

I'd say it's composure.

Look at the Denver and San Diego sidelines the last two weeks and you'd see people yelling at each other. Not so w/ the Seahawks. Granted, we were kicking ass, but even when we are losing there doesn't seem to a loss in composure. This permeates from both Pete and Russel (and the leaders on D) and works it's way throughout the team. No panic, no blame, no egos battling, just a focus on constant improvement and playing our type of ball. Sure yelling can motivate people, but Pete and his guys lead by example and respect, which is a hell of a lot more powerful.

 

[AvengerRam]

Looking at it from the perspective of a Rams fan, I view Seattle as the toughest city to play in right now. San Francisco does not scare the Rams (look at last year). Arizona is a nice vacation. Seattle, on the other hand, is a place where bad things happen.