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***Official SEAHAWKS Playoff Thread*** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter DoctorDetroit
- Start date
seahawk 17
Footballguy
Seattle signed Herndon and Dyson to replace Lucus. As you will see below their stats are just as good. Trufant beats Lucus in all stats except solo tackles. Lucus signed for 13mil upfront, Herndon/Lucus came about 8-9 mill cheaper.Tackles: Lucus 62, Herndon/Dyson 69, Trufant 55
Solo: Lucus 60, Herndon/Dyson 38, Trufant 50
Assists: Lucus 7, Herndon/Dyson 5, Trufant 9
Sacks: Lucus 0, Herndon/Dyson 5, Trufant 1
Forced Fumbles: Lucus 0, Herndon/Dyson 2, Trufant 1
Pass Defensed: Lucus 13, Herndon/Dyson 18 , Trufant 55
INT's: Lucus 6, Herndon/Dyson 3, Trufant 1
Int return yards: Lucus 0, Herndon/Dyson 2, Trufant 0
TD's: Lucus 62, Herndon/Dyson 69, Trufant 55
I'm not saying he's not good. Seattle replaced him fine and it allowed them to sign Hasselbeck and Walter Jones.
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DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
Carolina was criticized at the time for overpaying for Lucas and Seattle couldn't afford him. We didn't let him go by choice, we let him go because we didn't have the $. I think he's a top ten CB myself and Carolina was brilliant for giving him a good payday. That said I hope he plays like #### on Sunday.This Carolina fan is glad they didn't.I think I read somewhere yesterday that he'd given up exactly one TD this season.
seahawk 17
Footballguy
I went to school in the US, what do you expect?
Kilgore Trout
Footballguy
You will be hard pressed to get someone to agree that either Dyson or Herndon, or hell, even Trufant is as good a CB as Lucas is. Sure, it may have been smart for Seattle to save the money for other players, but there is no denying the talent that Lucas has.If I am Seattle, I attack Gamble. Its only his second year, and he has been known to blow coverage every now and then. And yes, Jurevicius provides an interesting matchup with Manning. The only thing I can say about Manning is he is known for making big plays when it matters. But he may be outmatched when Seattle goes with 3 WR (which is what, all the time?). I think that Seattle's WR vs. Carolina's secondary is one of the most important matchups in the game. Carolina was giving up a lot of yards to the slant last weekend, and I hope they can shore that problem up when they play on Sunday.
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
Trufant is still a bit inexperienced but he is in Lucas' area code. Dyson was a year or two again and Herndon is lucky he is not on the practice squad. Seattle runs the slant better than anyone in the NFL so I'm looking for the Panthers to suck in that department once again.
If I am Seattle, I attack Gamble. Its only his second year, and he has been known to blow coverage every now and then. And yes, Jurevicius provides an interesting matchup with Manning. The only thing I can say about Manning is he is known for making big plays when it matters. But he may be outmatched when Seattle goes with 3 WR (which is what, all the time?). I think that Seattle's WR vs. Carolina's secondary is one of the most important matchups in the game. Carolina was giving up a lot of yards to the slant last weekend, and I hope they can shore that problem up when they play on Sunday.
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
fridayfrenzy
Footballguy
Prepared to get lit up Lucas....or you can take one of your many Interference calls.
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DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
10.5 hours to the game. GO HAWKS!
seahawk 17
Footballguy
I am a huge fan of the Seahawks, bud I don't make roster moves. As I pointed out Seattle didn't think he was that good for the amount of money he wanted. I think he is a fine CB. What's the problem?
If I am Seattle, I attack Gamble. Its only his second year, and he has been known to blow coverage every now and then. And yes, Jurevicius provides an interesting matchup with Manning. The only thing I can say about Manning is he is known for making big plays when it matters. But he may be outmatched when Seattle goes with 3 WR (which is what, all the time?). I think that Seattle's WR vs. Carolina's secondary is one of the most important matchups in the game. Carolina was giving up a lot of yards to the slant last weekend, and I hope they can shore that problem up when they play on Sunday.
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DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
2.5 hours away. For someone who has had sports as a top 3 life priority for the past 27 years or so, it's one of the biggest professional sporting events ever. 1997 Stanley Cup Finals1984 World Series2006 NFC Champinship Game1997 NHL Western Conferernce Finals2004 NBA FinalsI'm not nervous like last week because I'm enjoying this. Who knows how many times my team will play in a game like this. Let's play one more in Detroit guys. GO HAWKS!
mad sweeney
Footballguy
Good luck guys, I'm oddly calm. Doubt that will last long.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
I'm still pretty nervous---not quite as much as last week, but the game hasn't started yet. We'll see.
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
GO.....................SEAHAWKS! GO.....................SEAHAWKS! GO.....................SEAHAWKS! GO.....................SEAHAWKS! GO.....................SEAHAWKS!
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
Great first half for the Seahawks but a blown call turns a 20-0 game into a 20-7 game. Need to come out in the second half with the ball and get some points.
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
Getting closer boyz.
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
Let's go Hawk fans! Steelers have 15,000 members on this forum!
NorvilleBarnes
Footballguy
Congrats! Good luck in Detroit!
Kilgore Trout
Footballguy
Congratulations to the Seahawks. They thouroughly outplayed the Panthers on both sides of the ball and proved they were the best team in the NFC. I was very nervous about this game, and for obvious good reason. I have ties to Seattle and I am really happy for the city and its great fans. I will be a Seahawks fan in two weeks when they face the Steelers.I am upset that the Panthers didn't put forth a better effort, but they were tired and wounded, and also faced a superior team. I'm still glad they got to the NFC Championship and I hope they can try to make another run next year. They just need a consistant running game.
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seahawk 17
Footballguy
I don't really feel I have to address anything further about the Carolina game.Everything I said came true. Seattle took care of their business. The only thing I didn't think about was Nick Goings getting knocked the #### out by little Lofa Tatupu.Yesterday is yesterday now we lay our focus towards our first time Super bowl.
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
I can relate. The sun is shining all day today no matter what happens. This is great.It's 6:30 in the morning... I'm hungover and heading to work... AND my in-laws are staying with me for the weekend. BEST. DAY. EVER.Wow, I can't believe how good this feels
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DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
I think what may have surprised Panther fans and people not completely familiar with the team was Seattle's dominance vs the Panthers D. Keep in mind the Panthers were the #2 unit in the playoffs including a dominant shutout of the Giants the league's 4th best offense in the regular season.
In the Regular season the Panthers were:
3rd in total defense, 4th against the run, and had the fifth best scoring defense.
Seattle compiled 390 total yards (mostly in the first three qtrs) including 190 on the ground. They scored 34 points against this defense that for the most part, was great all year long.
I bring this point up because I said it before and I'll say it again: Seattle when they click, cannot be stopped. Pittsburgh was 4th in total defense, 3rd against the run, and 3rd in scoring defense in the regular season. They are statistically lower in the playoffs because with the exception of the Cincinnati game, they have been playing from ahead. They are an impressive defensive unit just like Carolina is. Just food for thought to anyone who doubts the Seahawks offense which is the NFL's best unit both statistically and real-time.
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
From this group do you really have to worry? This is by in large a nervous bunch just happy to finally have something to flap our wings about. I'll also be at the game and I'll make sure they adhere to the same standards we have here. Noisemakers for everyone!
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
There is going to be a lot of soul eating on the menu for Hutchinson then. That's ok, we're use to it. I have no doubts for once in my 28 years as a Seahawks fan and it's strange.
seahawk 17
Footballguy
Bettis is comming home, we have heard it a 100,000 times. So I would also like to point out so is Steve Hutchinson...alumni of University of Michigan. 
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
As long as people stay in the areas where the events are they will have no problems. From what I've seen it is pretty well organized eventwise and downtown isn't dangerous anyway. If you want a tour of the bad areas, look me up and I'll drop you...I mean show you....around.What in Detroit is there to do in Detroit in January/February?
Dumb idea to have the SB in a city that people cannot walk around comfortably. Plus, its cold outside!
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
Seattle locals,What is being said in the city? Anything we're not hearing out here? How excited is everyone? Compare it to when the Mariners were in the ALCS those couple of times. Just curious. Also if any news comes out of local media outlets post it in here. I'm always interested and any other Seahawk fans not living in the PNW probably are too. Thanks.
seahawk 17
Footballguy
Hawks among top Net searches THE NEWS TRIBUNEPublished: January 25th, 2006 02:30 AM The Seattle Seahawks were hot in cyberspace Tuesday. Two days after clinching the franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl, stories about the team and individual players were among the most searched for, viewed and e-mailed information on the Internet.Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck topped the most-searched-for list on MSN.com and was listed as the “top mover” on Yahoo’s Buzz Index, which ranks the subjects people are searching for on its site.A Washington Post story about Sea-hawks owner Paul Allen sticking by coach Mike Holmgren was among the top five most viewed on MSNBC.com Tuesday, and a New York Times story describing the Seahawks’ appeal to geeky sports fans – “A New Breed of Pocket Protector” – was the 24th-most e-mailed article on that newspaper’s site Tuesday.And, of course, four of the top five most popular stories at thenewstribune.com were Seahawks-related.Fans might complain that their team gets no respect, but, at least on Tuesday, the Hawks were getting plenty of clicks. Adam Lynn, The News Tribune
seahawk 17
Footballguy
One turnover that helped
Seahawks’ offseason changes worked wonders on the field
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Published: January 25th, 2006 02:30 AM
KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks upgraded their offense this season by retaining key players and parting with two troubled starters.
The defense improved after parting with 11 players who started games last season, plus four role players.
The Seattle team that will face AFC champion Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL features 22 new players from the version that lost to St. Louis in a wild-card playoff game last January.
First-year president Tim Ruskell could say he knew the changes would instantly produce the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
But there were risks in turning over 43 percent of the roster in less than 11 months.
“There is a formula and there is a way to get to that point,” Ruskell said after a 34-14 victory against Carolina in the NFC title game Sunday. “You don’t know how quickly it’s going to happen.”
The Seahawks improved as the season went along.
Their veteran offense appeared strong enough to overcome a poor second half against Jacksonville in the season opener.
No one could say whether the young and reconfigured defense would bounce back from lapses that helped the Jaguars and Washington Redskins defeat the Sea-hawks in the season’s first month.
“We had our ups and downs with the defense this year,” Ruskell said, “but you have to say toward the end there they really jelled.
“The key to defense is aggression, being physical and playing together. And each week those aspects got a little bit better.”
The defense played its best game of the season against the Panthers. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme threw two interceptions before he completed a pass. The Panthers rushed for 36 yards.
“I talked with (defensive coordinator) Ray Rhodes and we both agreed that that was as fine a game executed as we could remember, all around,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “They were better than good. They were really good. Physical, smart, and they made key plays. They just set their mind to it and did it.”
The addition of rookie middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu stands out as the most important change on defense. He led the team in tackles during the regular season, adding four sacks and three interceptions.
“We’re so proud of what he’s done,” Ruskell said. “He really unified this group and became the quarterback of this group and the leader of this defense in a short period of time. My hat’s off to him.”
Other key additions on defense included left end Bryce Fisher (nine sacks), tackle Chuck Darby, linebacker Leroy Hill (71/2 sacks) and cornerbacks Andre Dyson and Kelly Herndon.
The Seahawks also did some addition by subtraction.
“We have been in the newspaper for playing football and not other stuff,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said.
“That wasn’t always the case last year.”
Coaches had tired of behind-the-scenes clashes with linebacker Anthony Simmons, a former first-round pick released last March. The organization also released receiver Koren Robinson and right tackle Chris Terry, talented players with off-field problems.
Holmgren’s thinking on such matters seems to have changed with time.
“If he’s really a good player, obviously most guys you give them a little more rope because – it’s interesting – you think you need them to be good,” Holmgren said. “I’m not so sure that’s always the best way to go. But you think you need him to be good and sometimes that works.
“And if it doesn’t work, eventually they leave. And you might get a player of a little lesser talent but he’s unselfish, a team guy, great in the locker room and a funny thing happens: You are a better team.
“Those lessons are very difficult to learn, particularly if you think the player is the player you need to win one more game, two more games, get to the playoffs, get to the championship game.”
Holmgren has been careful to differentiate among players no longer with the team. The Seahawks tried to re-sign defensive end Chike Okeafor and cornerback Ken Lucas, for example. Linebacker Chad Brown could have returned had he been willing to accept a steep pay cut.
Through all the changes, Seattle’s defense will never be mistaken for the one that finished 26th in the NFL rankings last season.
Okeafor, Lucas, Brown, Simmons, Cedric Woodard, Rashad Moore, Antonio Cochran, Orlando Huff, Terreal Bierria, Tracy White and Solomon Bates started games for Seattle’s defense last season.
None of the 11 returned this season. Defensive role players Anton Palepoi, Brandon Mitchell, Kris Richard and Bobby Taylor also moved on.
Parting with that many players can send a defense into rebuilding mode. In this case, the rebuilding was done on the fly.
“Most often, you can’t fill the void right away,” Holmgren said. “So, what has to happen is that all 11 players have to come together and make up for any little differences you may have lost in the deal.
“That’s what you do. And I thought the organization did a nice job.”
Reinfeldt in 49ers’ plans?
Seahawks vice president Mike Reinfeldt would be high on the San Francisco 49ers’ list if the franchise decides to name a president, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported.
Reinfeldt has worked for the Sea-hawks in six of the past seven seasons.
Mike Sando: 425-822-9504
mike.sando@thenewstribune.com
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/
Seahawks’ offseason changes worked wonders on the field
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Published: January 25th, 2006 02:30 AM
KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks upgraded their offense this season by retaining key players and parting with two troubled starters.
The defense improved after parting with 11 players who started games last season, plus four role players.
The Seattle team that will face AFC champion Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL features 22 new players from the version that lost to St. Louis in a wild-card playoff game last January.
First-year president Tim Ruskell could say he knew the changes would instantly produce the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
But there were risks in turning over 43 percent of the roster in less than 11 months.
“There is a formula and there is a way to get to that point,” Ruskell said after a 34-14 victory against Carolina in the NFC title game Sunday. “You don’t know how quickly it’s going to happen.”
The Seahawks improved as the season went along.
Their veteran offense appeared strong enough to overcome a poor second half against Jacksonville in the season opener.
No one could say whether the young and reconfigured defense would bounce back from lapses that helped the Jaguars and Washington Redskins defeat the Sea-hawks in the season’s first month.
“We had our ups and downs with the defense this year,” Ruskell said, “but you have to say toward the end there they really jelled.
“The key to defense is aggression, being physical and playing together. And each week those aspects got a little bit better.”
The defense played its best game of the season against the Panthers. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme threw two interceptions before he completed a pass. The Panthers rushed for 36 yards.
“I talked with (defensive coordinator) Ray Rhodes and we both agreed that that was as fine a game executed as we could remember, all around,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “They were better than good. They were really good. Physical, smart, and they made key plays. They just set their mind to it and did it.”
The addition of rookie middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu stands out as the most important change on defense. He led the team in tackles during the regular season, adding four sacks and three interceptions.
“We’re so proud of what he’s done,” Ruskell said. “He really unified this group and became the quarterback of this group and the leader of this defense in a short period of time. My hat’s off to him.”
Other key additions on defense included left end Bryce Fisher (nine sacks), tackle Chuck Darby, linebacker Leroy Hill (71/2 sacks) and cornerbacks Andre Dyson and Kelly Herndon.
The Seahawks also did some addition by subtraction.
“We have been in the newspaper for playing football and not other stuff,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said.
“That wasn’t always the case last year.”
Coaches had tired of behind-the-scenes clashes with linebacker Anthony Simmons, a former first-round pick released last March. The organization also released receiver Koren Robinson and right tackle Chris Terry, talented players with off-field problems.
Holmgren’s thinking on such matters seems to have changed with time.
“If he’s really a good player, obviously most guys you give them a little more rope because – it’s interesting – you think you need them to be good,” Holmgren said. “I’m not so sure that’s always the best way to go. But you think you need him to be good and sometimes that works.
“And if it doesn’t work, eventually they leave. And you might get a player of a little lesser talent but he’s unselfish, a team guy, great in the locker room and a funny thing happens: You are a better team.
“Those lessons are very difficult to learn, particularly if you think the player is the player you need to win one more game, two more games, get to the playoffs, get to the championship game.”
Holmgren has been careful to differentiate among players no longer with the team. The Seahawks tried to re-sign defensive end Chike Okeafor and cornerback Ken Lucas, for example. Linebacker Chad Brown could have returned had he been willing to accept a steep pay cut.
Through all the changes, Seattle’s defense will never be mistaken for the one that finished 26th in the NFL rankings last season.
Okeafor, Lucas, Brown, Simmons, Cedric Woodard, Rashad Moore, Antonio Cochran, Orlando Huff, Terreal Bierria, Tracy White and Solomon Bates started games for Seattle’s defense last season.
None of the 11 returned this season. Defensive role players Anton Palepoi, Brandon Mitchell, Kris Richard and Bobby Taylor also moved on.
Parting with that many players can send a defense into rebuilding mode. In this case, the rebuilding was done on the fly.
“Most often, you can’t fill the void right away,” Holmgren said. “So, what has to happen is that all 11 players have to come together and make up for any little differences you may have lost in the deal.
“That’s what you do. And I thought the organization did a nice job.”
Reinfeldt in 49ers’ plans?
Seahawks vice president Mike Reinfeldt would be high on the San Francisco 49ers’ list if the franchise decides to name a president, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported.
Reinfeldt has worked for the Sea-hawks in six of the past seven seasons.
Mike Sando: 425-822-9504
mike.sando@thenewstribune.com
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/
seahawk 17
Footballguy
Are Steelers impostors or chameleons? DARRIN BEENE; The News TribunePublished: January 25th, 2006 02:30 AM The Pittsburgh Steelers are not what they seem. In their past two playoff wins, the Steelers have shown themselves to be more than just a grind-it-out running team with a blitz-crazy defense. Pittsburgh upset the Colts in Indianapolis in an AFC divisional playoff game by taking the reins off second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for two first-quarter touchdowns in the Steelers’ 21-18 victory.Sunday, in the AFC Championship Game in Denver, the Steelers came out throwing again and scored on their first four possessions. In the first half, Roethlisberger passed for 180 yards and two touchdowns to help Pittsburgh take a 24-3 lead that turned into a 34-17 victory against the Broncos.“I remember talking to coach (Ken Whisenhunt, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator) about a lot of new stuff he put in for (the Denver game),” Roethlisberger said. “I said, ‘Coach, we’re a pretty good offense, so let’s stay with what we do.’ But he called a great game.”It’s a style not usually associated with the Steelers and it raises a question: Which Pittsburgh team – the one that finished fifth in the NFL in rushing during the regular season or the one that has shown no qualms about passing the ball in the playoffs – will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in Detroit on Feb. 5? History has proven Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher is more than happy to run the ball, control the clock and avoid costly turnovers. This season, Pittsburgh’s running game, behind Willie Parker, averaged 138.9 yards per game.But Cowher and his staff realized the Steelers had to do something different in the playoffs against high-scoring teams such as Denver and Indianapolis.“If you fall behind against (Denver), it’s going to be a long day,” Cowher said. “We talked very much about the importance of starting fast and taking them out. It was a little bit like … Indianapolis. This was a team that had not been behind a lot and we tried to start fast.”In three playoff games this season, Roethlisberger has avoided the mistakes he made in his first foray into the postseason. He’s thrown for 680 yards in 72 attempts with one interception. That wasn’t the case last season. In two games and 52 attempts, Roethlisberger threw five interceptions, three in a 41-27 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC title game in Pittsburgh.That seems like ancient history, say coaches and teammates, who praise Roethlisberger for the strides he’s made in his second season.“We have a good young quarterback who didn’t play young,” Cowher said. “He’s very composed. You can see it from last year to this year. It’s night and day.”Against Denver, the Steelers showed they can to mix it up on defense, too.Pittsburgh’s plan against the Broncos was pretty much the same as it is every week: Stop the run and focus on getting after the quarterback, in this case Denver’s Jake Plummer. The Steelers were able to do both, but it wasn’t with the all-out blitzing schemes that defensive coordinator **** LeBeau is famous for. They did blitz, but they also bluffed the blitz.Pittsburgh sacked Plummer three times, but more importantly, the Steelers forced him into four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions). One interception was made by linebacker Larry Foote, who was deep in coverage.“(LeBeau) came up with a great game plan. We call him ‘The Wizard’ around here,” said Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, who had the other interception. “He always puts us in a great position.” Darrin Beene: 253-597-8656darrin.beene@thenewstribune.com
seahawk 17
Footballguy
Hawks at loss for words, still in state of disbelief DAVE BOLING; THE NEWS TRIBUNEPublished: January 24th, 2006 02:30 AM Kirkland – Mike Holmgren had a description for the somewhat dazed, wide-eyed look he detected on a number of Seattle Seahawks players Monday morning. Some of them, he said, still appeared to be wandering around in that “Pinch-Me Stage.”Fans across Pugetopia, conditioned by decades of frustration, may share the syndrome. Perhaps it just takes time to shed the stubborn suspicion that some manner of cosmic recount will reverse Sunday’s NFC Championship Game win over Carolina and revoke the team’s berth in Super Bowl XL. After all, this franchise has been stuck in the Punch-Me Stage most of the time since 1976. Other Seahawks have progressed beyond the stunned-stagger but still struggle to articulate their feelings. This group includes customarily lucid and expressive quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. “I don’t know if I really have the words,” Hasselbeck said Monday. “Sometimes it almost doesn’t seem real, and then other times it seems very real and you’re looking at a very good Pittsburgh Steelers team. And that’s real.”The sense of contagious speechlessness has been widespread among the Seahawks after Sunday’s win, Hasselbeck said.“I think the biggest thing is no one really knew what to say,” the quarterback said. “When Mike got up and spoke, when Mr. (Paul) Allen got up and spoke, when (guard Steve Hutchinson) got up, no one really had the words. That’s OK because, like we’ve said all year, it’s not what you talk about, it’s what you do.”The most sincere expression of emotions that Hasselbeck was able to put into words was that of profound humility.“It’s just a humbling experience to know that all the people who set out to play in this Super Bowl, we’re one of the teams that gets to go play in it,” Hasselbeck said. “To have the opportunity to be called World Champions is an incredible opportunity. We’ve worked so hard for it and it’s an amazing, amazing thing.”Running back Shaun Alexander displayed different symptoms Monday, being frozen in an irreducible perma-grim. “I just can’t stop smiling,” Alexander said. “I woke up this morning and went downstairs to get breakfast and my wife turned on the news, which she never does, and she’s like, ‘Man, every channel is about us going to the Super Bowl’” Alexander claims his answering machine is filled and his cell was jammed with 87 text messages. Family and friends filled his house for a Sunday night celebration, Alexander said.And when the guests headed off and the house was quiet, Alexander did what all multi-millionaire NFL MVPs do: He cleaned.“I love my wife and she was knocked out, so I was cleaning at 2 o’clock this morning,” Alexander said, acknowledging that some of that residual energy was a function of excitement. “It’s just a fun time. I’m so proud of everybody in this organization right now. We have a true family atmosphere where everybody is doing whatever it takes for us to win and keep going. It’s fun.”Holmgren heads into this frantic fortnight with a different perspective, having led Green Bay to a pair of Super Bowl appearances before joining the Seahawks. But he hasn’t been there for eight seasons, a span in which he’s had time to think about the experience.“It’s been very special,” Holmgren said. “I’ve been through it a couple times, and then all of a sudden, when you go through it and then there’s a little bit of a lapse between the next one, you kind of think about it. ‘Gee, I didn’t enjoy it enough the last time I did this. If ever given the chance again, I’m going to kind of soak it up a little more.’ So, I’ve tried to do that.”Holmgren savored the evening with family, going to dinner with his wife and four daughters. At times, diners approached with polite congratulations. Holmgren gobbled it up.“It’s been a nice time,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed this. I’ve reflected more this time on where we are. We still have another game to play, but that was pretty neat last night.”Monday morning, Holmgren was back to work, dealing with some of the organizational challenges of going to Detroit … “the tickets, and the airplane seats and the hotel rooms and all that stuff.”Having considerable experience with Super Bowls, Holmgren told the players what to expect in practice this week, what would happen in Detroit, and how they should approach the challenge presented by the Steelers. But in some cases, the most effective action he could take with players was more simple and direct.Pinch them. Dave Boling: 253-597-8440dave.boling@thenewstribune.com
seahawk 17
Footballguy
Bracing for Blitz-burghPittsburgh rush takes zone coverage to new levelBy CLARE FARNSWORTHSEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTERKIRKLAND -- The last time the Seahawks' high-octane offense ran into an aggressive, attacking 3-4 defense, it didn't -- run very well, that is.Back in Week 7, the Dallas Cowboys held NFL Most Valuable Player Shaun Alexander to his lowest output (61 yards) in a full game this season. That Oct. 23 game at Qwest Field also was the last time a regular-season opponent kept Alexander out of the end zone during a year in which he scored an NFL-record 28 touchdowns. The Pittsburgh Steelers also will come at the Seahawks with a 3-4 front when they meet in Super Bowl XL Feb. 5 in Detroit.Of greater concern, however, is how the Steelers will come after the Seahawks with their zone blitz scheme originated by Pittsburgh defensive coordinator **** LeBeau to counter the West Coast style in which the Seahawks' offense is rooted.They don't call it Blitz-burgh for nothing. "It's all about pressure," Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter told reporters after the Steelers completed their playoff road sweep of the AFC's three top-seeded teams Sunday with a 34-17 rout of the Denver Broncos."You know his system works because it has worked everywhere (LeBeau) has been," Porter said.It's definitely working now, which has the Seahawks offensive coaches working overtime."First of all, it's a very effective, difficult defense to play against," coach Mike Holmgren said. "You must ... prepare for and develop a plan for the zone blitz."Otherwise, it can make you look very foolish during the game."The Steelers are the best blitzing team in the league, in large part because they come after an opponent with a variety of looks, and variations off those looks.It's a defense that is designed to give up short gains, if any gains at all. That's why the Steelers play zone coverage behind the blitzers -- hence the name, zone blitz.The preferred option is to force the quarterback to throw into coverage he can't read -- which leads to interceptions, at best; incompletions, at the very least. There's also the part where the quarterback gets hit. A lot."It's very effective against the pass because of protection problems and because of the fact that it makes you think man (coverage) when it's zone," Holmgren said. "That's the whole theory behind that. So you kind of have to change your mindset."In the cyclical world of the NFL, coaches devise schemes to trump the schemes that were devised to trump theirs. LeBeau has been able to retain his upper hand by refining his signature system."That's why we call him 'The Wizard' around here," is the way cornerback Ike Taylor puts it. What the Steelers do can be as basic as having the defensive end engage the tackle so it looks like he's rushing the passer, only to retreat into the area vacated by the linebacker who was covering the tight end. That way the tight end is covered if the quarterback tries to go to him on a "hot" read -- and the linebacker has a clear path to the quarterback.It also can be as brash as overloading one side by blitzing the cornerback, linebacker and safety, creating a situation where there are too many bodies for the offense to block -- and too little time for the quarterback to get the ball to a receiver in the vacated area.That's just it: The Steelers want to show one thing and then do another; get the quarterback thinking man coverage only to throw into zone coverage."You have to recognize it," Holmgren said. "Instead of saying, 'It's man,' and then get fooled, you have to say, 'It's zone-blitz zone,' and run your game. That takes a very bright, courageous quarterback, and someone with a little experience seeing it. But it's tough."So is Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks Pro Bowl quarterback led the NFC with a 98.2 passer rating in the regular season and has only ratcheted his game to a higher level in the playoffs (109.6 rating, 67 percent completions).But the best way to combat the zone blitz is to run against it, something the Seahawks have been proficient at all season from their spread formations that feature three and four wide receivers."People have learned that you must run versus that defense," Holmgren said.Which brings the discussion back to Alexander -- and how much he has done all season, but how little he did against the Cowboys' 3-4 defense in October.Up Next: Pittsburgh SteelersWHEN/WHERE: Sunday, Feb. 5, 3:30 p.m., Ford Field, DetroitSTEELERS RECORD: 14-5; 3-0 in the playoffs, 11-5 in the regular seasonWHERE THEY RANK: Tied for No. 15 on offense (5th rushing, 24th passing) during the regular season; No. 4 on defense (3rd rushing, 16th passing)SERIES: Seahawks lead 8-6, including a 23-16 victory in the last meeting at Qwest Field in 2003STAR POWER: Hines Ward. There is no shortage of "name" players in the Steelers galaxy -- running backs Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, defensive dynamo Troy Polamalu, Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter, punter returner/receiver Antwaan Randle El, even the Pro Bowl tandem of guard Alan Faneca and center Jeff Hartings. But Ward, their big-play wide receiver, remains a huge reason for the Steelers success. He caught 11 touchdown passes and averaged 14.1 yards on his 69 receptions in the regular season and has 10 catches and two touchdowns in the playoffs.UNSUNG HERO: Casey Hampton. The Steelers nose tackle may be surrounded by players who get more recognition and make more plays, but the defense revolves around the job Hampton does of being a disruptive force in the middle of the line. His matchup with Steve Hutchinson, the Seahawks' All-Pro left guard, and Pro Bowl center Robbie Tobeck will be pivotal.ON THE SPOT: Polamalu. Huh? The Steelers strong safety has been voted All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. Isn't it the Seahawks offense that is on the spot trying to deal with him? Yes, and no. Polamalu is so aggressive and so involved in everything the Steelers do defensively that he will have to deal with a multitude of things thrown at him by the Seahawks -- Shaun Alexander, Jerramy Stevens, play action, misdirection, etc. BURNING QUESTION: What do the Steelers use for motivation now that they're favored in the Super Bowl? They repeatedly played the "no respect" card while knocking off the No. 3 (Bengals), No. 1 (Colts) and No. 2 (Broncos) AFC seeds to reach Detroit.FAMILIAR FACES: Cornerback Willie Williams played for the Seahawks (1997-2003) between stints with the Steelers (1993-96, 2004-05). Linebackers coach Keith Butler played for the Seahawks (1978-87) and ranks No. 2 on their all-time tackles list. Assistant defensive backs coach Ray Horton is from Tacoma and played the University of Washington. THE LAST WORD: "We're a road team. We're the Pittsburgh Steelers. It doesn't matter where we play." -- Polamalu-- Clare Farnsworth
seahawk 17
Footballguy
Refuse to snooze: Frenzy slow to buildIs it bewilderment with success or famous reserve?By CLAUDIA ROWE, GORDY HOLT AND LISA STIFFLERSEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTERSDespite gut-churning levels of noise -- football fans so loud that they constitute an actual weapon in the Seahawks' team arsenal -- collective response to Seattle's first Super Bowl contest might best be described as polite, though pleased, bewilderment.Understandable, perhaps, in a city where no male-dominated professional sports team has scored a championship anything since 1979. How, exactly, to show the world your team spirit when you have so little experience winning?"You've got probably 70 percent of the people here are on some kind of anti-depressants because of Seasonal Affective Disorder," said Vinnie Richichi, better known as "New York Vinnie," the garrulous and decidedly un-Seattle commentator on KIRO sports radio. "People don't let their emotions out here like they do in other places. It's the kind of town where you're told to sit down at a Rolling Stones concert. It's the kind of town where you have to be told, 'It's OK to go crazy.' "Not that Richichi and thousands more don't care about the Seahawks' stunning chain of victories that culminated Sunday in a 34-14 blowout against the Carolina Panthers -- or the fact that the Emerald City may finally be known for something other than gourmet coffee. In Seattle, the kind of no-holds barred Super Bowl frenzy that saturates cities such as Philadelphia or San Francisco in team colors, appears tastefully muted. Seattle fans love their Seahawks, they just don't wear that enthusiasm on their sleeves. Or backs, reader boards or windows."I root for them because I'm here," said Steve Oliver, who hails from Columbus, Ohio, and lives downtown. "But I'm not waving a flag for them off the balcony of my condo."Even other cities' championships can generate more heat here than our own. After Boston won the World Series in 2004, customers marched into Laughing Buddha Tattoo on Broadway, insisting that Red Sox logos be permanently inscribed on their skin. So far, though, no requests for the beaky, fierce-eyed Seahawk."I thought for sure we'd get a few," tattooist Ian Duca said.Grabbing a smoke outside the People's Pub in Ballard, Mark Olsen and a pal named Dean made plain where they were coming from."He's from Pennsylvania," Olson said, nodding toward Dean."I root for the Steelers," Dean said. Still, phone lines to radio sports shows have been clogged for days with rabid callers obsessing on all things Seahawks -- even though more than a few have noted the difference between this Super Bowl run-up and the halcyon days of the 1995 Mariners, when their slogan "Refuse to Lose" was taped to store windows, dorm room walls and barbershop mirrors. It still exists, whizzing past in the car windows of longtime fans. Meanwhile, the city is notably devoid of Seahawks paraphernalia. Downtown, the only commercial evidence even vaguely reminiscent of the blue-and-green team was a scoop of mint ice cream at Stone Cold Creamery on Westlake -- and it was a tastefully pale green at that.Walk the entire block-long lobby of City Centre and spy not a single Hawks notion. Scan the reader board outside Icon Grill, and learn only that Valentine's Day is coming. Sedat Uysal, owner of Cafe Paloma in Pioneer Square, has little love for professional football in Seattle. He opposed construction of Qwest Field. He resents what home games do to parking in the neighborhood. He wonders why folks can't channel all that energy toward something bigger than moving a ball up and down a field -- say, protesting social injustice or the war in Iraq. Still, he said he'd probably watch the game on Feb. 5.But steadily, and in unexpected corners, Seahawks fever is spreading.Monica Corsaro a Methodist minister leading an Equality Day rally at the capitol in Olympia on Monday, called out to the crowd, "We are gay, we are straight, and we are Seahawks fans!" to roars of appreciation. (God loves the Pittsburgh Steelers too, she noted.)At Rainbow Natural Grocery on Capitol Hill, Pinn Palermo, admittedly sports-oblivious, acknowledged that the home team victory had created a discernable atmospheric tremor."I will say that when they won, there was definitely a change in the air," the part-time cashier said. "But I'm also a yoga instructor, so I feel these things."Even sports fans not typically given to the cosmic are struggling to come up with reasons for Seattle's pleased but restrained response. John Moe, a radio talk show host and lifelong Hawks fan, blames disharmony in the stars. He devoted his Monday night show on KUOW-FM to a metaphysical exploration of the question, "Do Sports Matter?""We are in a tumultuous universe now -- a world that no longer makes sense -- because if you're a Seahawks fan, you don't understand this territory," he said in an interview."In Seattle, sports seasons don't end this way. They end in disappointment. So it's kind of like falling off a ladder and suddenly being able to fly. "Also, I'm Scandinavian, and we tend to see joy as a postponement of sorrow
DoctorDetroit
Chocolate Thunder
Thanks for the articles 17. What are they saying on sports radio? Anything we aren't hearing in the national media? Let us know if you hear something interesting that isn't being said nationally.
