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*** Panthers vs Seahawks *** (2 Viewers)

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Take it for what it's worth, but the Carolina beat writer just stated on Seattle sports radio that Peppers will see limited action.

 
Lofa Tatupu once took a karate class from Chuck Norris. He can now cover four people at once while still helping with the pass rush.
Once Steve Smith jumped so high he almost touched the Good Year blimp. Some swear they saw him sprout wings. He will fly over Lofa Tatupu.
 
Some game analysis:I've done three Carolina game reports during the second half of the season and had the opportunity to write some detailed notes. Here's a little bit of what I expect to see with regard to Steve Smith...The Panthers like to get Smith involved early using quick hitches and WR screens at the line of scrimmage. Delhomme will pivot quickly after the snap and fire a pass to Smith. If the TE is in motion towards Smith's side of the field its a give away that the WR screen is coming. Also if he lines up in the slot on Smith's side. They're setting him up to block the CB as soon as Smith gets the pass. They run some sort of similar play at least two or three times in the first half of every game I've done. The logic here is to pull the CBs up in tight coverage so he can blow by them later.If a hack like me can realize this is coming after watching three games I fully expect the Seahawks to be prepared for it. If not, I'm going to be really disappointed.Another thought: Peppers and Rucker are quick around the corner. Not just quick, they're really fast, especially Peppers. I expect to see the Seahawks try to use this against them. Should set up Alexander for some decent runs off the guards as both DEs will allow themselves to be kicked out wide at the snap. Possibly off of delays or draws. I think it would be more effective out of the shotgun, but Seattle doesn't utilize that formation.

 
The Panthers like to get Smith involved early using quick hitches and WR screens at the line of scrimmage. Delhomme will pivot quickly after the snap and fire a pass to Smith. If the TE is in motion towards Smith's side of the field its a give away that the WR screen is coming. Also if he lines up in the slot on Smith's side. They're setting him up to block the CB as soon as Smith gets the pass. They run some sort of similar play at least two or three times in the first half of every game I've done. The logic here is to pull the CBs up in tight coverage so he can blow by them later.

If a hack like me can realize this is coming after watching three games I fully expect the Seahawks to be prepared for it. If not, I'm going to be really disappointed.
Yeah, they have been running this play all season. They depend a little too much on it, but it can be effective if Smith makes the CB miss the tackle, which he often does. But there have been a couple times that the CB has been able to jump this play, and I fear a turnover can be caused if the defense is able to snuff this play out early. As a slightly different wrinkle, Carolina used Drew Carter in this play against Chicago.
 
Another player to keep an eye on is Darrell Jackson. In 3 career playoff games, he has 26 catches for 329 yards and 2 td's. The guy comes up big in the playoffs.

 
Lofa Tatupu once took a karate class from Chuck Norris. He can now cover four people at once while still helping with the pass rush.
Once Steve Smith jumped so high he almost touched the Good Year blimp. Some swear they saw him sprout wings. He will fly over Lofa Tatupu.
He may able to fly over Lofa Tatupu, but the entire Seahawks team can merge, like the Constructicons, to form a giant Seahawk that stretches into the upper stratosphere. This giant Seahawk will pluck Steve from the air and digest him over 1000 years like a damn Sarlaac.
 
Another player to keep an eye on is Darrell Jackson. In 3 career playoff games, he has 26 catches for 329 yards and 2 td's. The guy comes up big in the playoffs.
Darrell Jackson is being outfitted with two heatseeking Sidewinder missile platforms for this game.
 
:lmao:Smoo, please hang around the Shark pool for a while, we all need to laugh more.

 
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He may able to fly over Lofa Tatupu, but the entire Seahawks team can merge, like the Constructicons, to form a giant Seahawk that stretches into the upper stratosphere. This giant Seahawk will pluck Steve from the air and digest him over 1000 years like a damn Sarlaac.
So you think a giant robotic seachicken can stop Steve Smith? You may not be aware of this, but when Steve Smith broke his leg he was sent to a secret location by the US military for an experimental new personal weapon system. They outiftted him with laser-beam eyeballs and an anti-cloaking device. In between games, Smith is used to fight terror and he even finds time to save kittens from treetops.And if that's not enough to win the game, Delhomme has the ability to summon bayou creatures and control them at will. Qwest field will be overrun by alligators, snakes, and snapping turtles. Alexander's concussion will be forgotten as his legs are eaten off by an alligator.

 
He may able to fly over Lofa Tatupu, but the entire Seahawks team can merge, like the Constructicons, to form a giant Seahawk that stretches into the upper stratosphere. This giant Seahawk will pluck Steve from the air and digest him over 1000 years like a damn Sarlaac.
So you think a giant robotic seachicken can stop Steve Smith? You may not be aware of this, but when Steve Smith broke his leg he was sent to a secret location by the US military for an experimental new personal weapon system. They outiftted him with laser-beam eyeballs and an anti-cloaking device. In between games, Smith is used to fight terror and he even finds time to save kittens from treetops.And if that's not enough to win the game, Delhomme has the ability to summon bayou creatures and control them at will. Qwest field will be overrun by alligators, snakes, and snapping turtles. Alexander's concussion will be forgotten as his legs are eaten off by an alligator.
Alexander's legs are merely illusionary. He maintains this form and appearance solely to avoid arousing our suspicion. He is, in actuality, a hyper-intelligent shade of blue from a dimension we cannot even begin to comprehend. If you think an alligator scares him, you really don't understand whom you're messing with.
 
He may able to fly over Lofa Tatupu, but the entire Seahawks team can merge, like the Constructicons, to form a giant Seahawk that stretches into the upper stratosphere.  This giant Seahawk will pluck Steve from the air and digest him over 1000 years like a damn Sarlaac.
So you think a giant robotic seachicken can stop Steve Smith? You may not be aware of this, but when Steve Smith broke his leg he was sent to a secret location by the US military for an experimental new personal weapon system. They outiftted him with laser-beam eyeballs and an anti-cloaking device. In between games, Smith is used to fight terror and he even finds time to save kittens from treetops.And if that's not enough to win the game, Delhomme has the ability to summon bayou creatures and control them at will. Qwest field will be overrun by alligators, snakes, and snapping turtles. Alexander's concussion will be forgotten as his legs are eaten off by an alligator.
:eek: I knew it.

 
He may able to fly over Lofa Tatupu, but the entire Seahawks team can merge, like the Constructicons, to form a giant Seahawk that stretches into the upper stratosphere. This giant Seahawk will pluck Steve from the air and digest him over 1000 years like a damn Sarlaac.
So you think a giant robotic seachicken can stop Steve Smith? You may not be aware of this, but when Steve Smith broke his leg he was sent to a secret location by the US military for an experimental new personal weapon system. They outiftted him with laser-beam eyeballs and an anti-cloaking device. In between games, Smith is used to fight terror and he even finds time to save kittens from treetops.And if that's not enough to win the game, Delhomme has the ability to summon bayou creatures and control them at will. Qwest field will be overrun by alligators, snakes, and snapping turtles. Alexander's concussion will be forgotten as his legs are eaten off by an alligator.
:eek: I knew it.
Don't let them scare you. NASA won't tell you this, but the earth almost got hit once by an asteroid the size of Belgium. It was on a direct collision course with us. The only thing that saved us was that they sent Josh Brown up in the space shuttle and he booted that sucker straight towards Saturn. It shattered into tiny pieces and completely filled in the Cassini Division.
 
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Seattle [ 36 ] ** [54.55%]Carolina [ 30 ] ** [45.45%]I think Carolina sucks so much, they're actually drawing some of the Seattle votes across their event horizon. I anticipate complete gravitational collapse if something isn't done about this soon.

 
Well, he has been shut down during the year in a handful of games, so I am not sure what you are talking about.

2 CAR NE 4 rec 34 yds 4 CAR GB 2 rec 12 yds 10 CAR NYJ 3 rec 34 yds 12 CAR BUF 3 rec 55 yds 16 CAR DAL 1 rec 18 ydsI realize the game was when he got ejected early, but can not recall which one exactly. I believe the Dallas game.
Here are the results of those games:NE 17 Car 27(W)

GB 29 Car 32(W)

NYJ 3 Car 30(W)

Buf 9 Car 13(W)

Dal 24 Car 20(L)

Smith got ejected in the 3rd quarter of the Dallas game & as far as I'm concerned, Carolina won that game, the GW FG Dallas kicked was blocked by Ken Lucas, but the ref saw it otherwise even after replay PLUS that was a B.S. roughing call. Beside the point. My point is, in the games Smith got shut down, it allowed others to make plays.

Ive been lurking here since FFToday went down (golden eagles there). I saw that no one had called out the above stats & thought I'd add my .02 I'm a Panthers PSL owner (since 1995 & I was at the NE & GB games above). I don't claim to be an insider nor have any special insight, but I am a huge fan of the Panthers.

That being said, I think Carolina is going to win, but if they don't, they will have lost to a great team in Seattle.

 
Well, he has been shut down during the year in a handful of games, so I am not sure what you are talking about.

2 CAR NE 4 rec 34 yds 4 CAR GB 2 rec 12 yds 10 CAR NYJ 3 rec 34 yds 12 CAR BUF 3 rec 55 yds 16 CAR DAL 1 rec 18 ydsI realize the game was when he got ejected early, but can not recall which one exactly. I believe the Dallas game.
Here are the results of those games:NE 17 Car 27(W)

GB 29 Car 32(W)

NYJ 3 Car 30(W)

Buf 9 Car 13(W)

Dal 24 Car 20(L)

Smith got ejected in the 3rd quarter of the Dallas game & as far as I'm concerned, Carolina won that game, the GW FG Dallas kicked was blocked by Ken Lucas, but the ref saw it otherwise even after replay PLUS that was a B.S. roughing call. Beside the point. My point is, in the games Smith got shut down, it allowed others to make plays.

Ive been lurking here since FFToday went down (golden eagles there). I saw that no one had called out the above stats & thought I'd add my .02 I'm a Panthers PSL owner (since 1995 & I was at the NE & GB games above). I don't claim to be an insider nor have any special insight, but I am a huge fan of the Panthers.

That being said, I think Carolina is going to win, but if they don't, they will have lost to a great team in Seattle.
You do realize that Carolina doesn't have Davis or Foster, right?In those games, Foster and Davis at least helped out in the run game. The Hawks have a stout run defense and Goings (although a good 3rd stringer) does not strike fear into anyone.

If you limit SS and have shut down the running game, how are the Panthers going to move the ball?

Carter, Proehl, Colbert, Mangum?? :lmao:

 
I agree with Friday Frenzy.  If the Bears can score 20, Seattle should be able to score at least 35.

I like Washington's defense better than Carolina's and the score didn't really reflect that, that game wasn't really close.

I also agree Trufant covering Smith with Boulware or even Tatupu helping  out should get the job done.
Every game is different. New York Giants almost beat Seattle at Seattle, and the Giants scored 0 points against Carolina. As far as covering Steve Smith, the more people covering him will leave Drew Carter open who is actually the fastest person on Carolina's team.
Lofa Tatupu once took a karate class from Chuck Norris. He can now cover four people at once while still helping with the pass rush.
most people think a meteor that struck the yucatan peninsula caused the dinosaurs to become extinct. WRONG... it was the aftermath of a lofa tatupu reverse spinning roundhouse kick to chuck norris' head.
 
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I agree with Friday Frenzy.  If the Bears can score 20, Seattle should be able to score at least 35.

I like Washington's defense better than Carolina's and the score didn't really reflect that, that game wasn't really close.

I also agree Trufant covering Smith with Boulware or even Tatupu helping  out should get the job done.
Every game is different. New York Giants almost beat Seattle at Seattle, and the Giants scored 0 points against Carolina. As far as covering Steve Smith, the more people covering him will leave Drew Carter open who is actually the fastest person on Carolina's team.
Lofa Tatupu once took a karate class from Chuck Norris. He can now cover four people at once while still helping with the pass rush.
most people think a meteor that struck the yucatan peninsula caused the dinosaurs to become extinct. WRONG... it was the aftermath of a lofa tatupu reverse spinning roundhouse kick to chuck norris' head.
:thumbup:
 
the cosmic echo thought to be the smoking gun of the big bang is actually the residual sound emanating from the future in which there is an epic, titanic collision of worlds between tatupu & mike anderson in the 2006 super bowl so violent that it sent off reverbarations & shockwaves backwards in time.

 
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Well, he has been shut down during the year in a handful of games, so I am not sure what you are talking about.

2 CAR NE 4 rec 34 yds 4 CAR GB 2 rec 12 yds 10 CAR NYJ 3 rec 34 yds 12 CAR BUF 3 rec 55 yds 16 CAR DAL 1 rec 18 ydsI realize the game was when he got ejected early, but can not recall which one exactly. I believe the Dallas game.
Here are the results of those games:NE 17 Car 27(W)

GB 29 Car 32(W)

NYJ 3 Car 30(W)

Buf 9 Car 13(W)

Dal 24 Car 20(L)

Smith got ejected in the 3rd quarter of the Dallas game & as far as I'm concerned, Carolina won that game, the GW FG Dallas kicked was blocked by Ken Lucas, but the ref saw it otherwise even after replay PLUS that was a B.S. roughing call. Beside the point. My point is, in the games Smith got shut down, it allowed others to make plays.

Ive been lurking here since FFToday went down (golden eagles there). I saw that no one had called out the above stats & thought I'd add my .02 I'm a Panthers PSL owner (since 1995 & I was at the NE & GB games above). I don't claim to be an insider nor have any special insight, but I am a huge fan of the Panthers.

That being said, I think Carolina is going to win, but if they don't, they will have lost to a great team in Seattle.
You do realize that Carolina doesn't have Davis or Foster, right?In those games, Foster and Davis at least helped out in the run game. The Hawks have a stout run defense and Goings (although a good 3rd stringer) does not strike fear into anyone.

If you limit SS and have shut down the running game, how are the Panthers going to move the ball?

Carter, Proehl, Colbert, Mangum?? :lmao:
Sure, but you do realize that the Panthers finished 6-2 last year with Goings as their starting RB WITHOUT Smith, Davis, & Foster? He had 821 total yards in 2004 running behind an O-line that wasn't as good as this years. He had 4 100+ yard games, I think.The one missing piece from 2004 is obviously Muhammed.

You can :lmao: all you want about Carter, Proehl, Colbert, & Mangum, but I think they'll move the ball just fine. With Seattle having to commit at least 2 players to stop Smith, someone will be open somewhere, probably Proehl.

Carolina will NOT lose this game because Seattle simply stops Smith, that didn't work for anyone else in 2005 (As proved above). They will win if they make Delhomme throw INT's or Goings puts the ball on the ground. In Carolina's 2005 losses:

NO - Delhomme 2 INTs

@ Miami - Delhomme throws INT on possible GW drive in Miami territory

@ Chi - Delhomme throws 2 INTs in their own territory that both led to all but 3 of the points Chicago scored that day

Tampa - Delhomme throws INT inside the Red Zone to Ronde Barber in the 2nd half

Dallas - I already covered this one :hot:

 
Don't be surprised if fatigue and injuries play a factor this week when the Carolina Panthers meet the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game. No fewer than seven players were forced to miss at least portion of Sunday's game in an extremely physical 29-21 win over the Chicago Bears.DeShaun Foster (out)vs @Atlanta 165 yardsvs @NY Giants 151 yardsvs @Chicago 54 yards (injured)The biggest question could be the shoulder of defensive end Julius Peppers, who left the game late in the second half after injuring his shoulder while diving to make a touchdown-saving tackle. Peppers did not return to the game, even with the season on the line, so you know he had to be hurting.Among the other Carolina players who left portions of the game with injuries included linebackers Dan Morgan and Brandon Short, fullback Brad Hoover and cornerback Chris Gamble. Of those, all but Gamble had pre-existing injuries and were listed on the team's injury report last week.www.foxsports.com

 
Seattle beat Carolina last year 23-17. I don't see why they won't do it again.
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another. Carolina only lost by 6 points in that game, even though they had so much going against them. Even though the Panthers are banged up once again and have lost Foster and Peppers is a question mark, they are in better shape now then they were when they played Seattle last season.
 
The best way to stop Steve Smith is to get pressure on Jake Delhomme. The Seahawks led the NFL in sacks this year. Jake has a tendancy to throw the ball up for grabs when under pressure.

 
Sure, but you do realize that the Panthers finished 6-2 last year with Goings as their starting RB WITHOUT Smith, Davis, & Foster? He had 821 total yards in 2004 running behind an O-line that wasn't as good as this years. He had 4 100+ yard games, I think.

The one missing piece from 2004 is obviously Muhammed.

You can :lmao: all you want about Carter, Proehl, Colbert, & Mangum, but I think they'll move the ball just fine. With Seattle having to commit at least 2 players to stop Smith, someone will be open somewhere, probably Proehl.

Carolina will NOT lose this game because Seattle simply stops Smith, that didn't work for anyone else in 2005 (As proved above). They will win if they make Delhomme throw INT's or Goings puts the ball on the ground. In Carolina's 2005 losses:

NO - Delhomme 2 INTs

@ Miami - Delhomme throws INT on possible GW drive in Miami territory

@ Chi - Delhomme throws 2 INTs in their own territory that both led to all but 3 of the points Chicago scored that day

Tampa - Delhomme throws INT inside the Red Zone to Ronde Barber in the 2nd half

Dallas - I already covered this one :hot:
Carolina has been a one trick pony this offseason, so why would you assume that with their 3rd string RB and limiting Steve Smith that they will be OK. When has Proehl ever shown this year that he can take the reigns and move the ball? He averages 1.5 catches a game....and you think he will be the one who will move the ball for the Panthers. Steve Smith has 80% of the Panthers points this offseason and not mention how many yards. If you limit Steve Smith, then they will not be able to move the ball. Its easier said than done though.

 
Carolina has been a one trick pony this offseason, so why would you assume that with their 3rd string RB and limiting Steve Smith that they will be OK. When has Proehl ever shown this year that he can take the reigns and move the ball? He averages 1.5 catches a game....and you think he will be the one who will move the ball for the Panthers.

Steve Smith has 80% of the Panthers points this offseason and not mention how many yards. If you limit Steve Smith, then they will not be able to move the ball. Its easier said than done though.
I assume by offseason you mean post season. I guess they were a one trick pony when the defense shut out New York. If they do that Sunday (unlikely, of course ;) ), who cares what Smith does. And besides, if the other team is allowing Carolina to be a one trick pony, can you blame them? New York couldn't stop him & Chicago didn't really try. What should they do, not throw to him?I never said that Proehl would have to "take over the reigns" I simply said that he's the guy who's most likely to be open when teams over-commit to Smith. Proehl caught some big time passes this year in big time spots, he caught what should've been the GW TD in the Dallas game, AFTER Smith got ejected.

I'm not sure that Carter isn't going to be a factor, the reason Gardner got cut was because Carter was playing so well in practice, they wanted him on the field. To cut a veteran like Gardner & insert an unknown like Carter before the playoffs is odd, but they must know something.

Everyone also forgets that Colbert was a "sleeper" for some of us FF guys, even though he stunk almost every game.

To say that limiting Smith is the way Seattle is going to beat Carolina just isn't accurate, imo. And, to say that they are in trouble with Nick Goings isn't either. As a fan who has watched almost every play this season (and last), many in person, I ain't worried about Nick Goings.

As I've said above & others have said as well, no matter what's being said about Delhomme's playoff record, I've seen him throw too many dumb passes, I'm worred about him.

 
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Seattle beat Carolina last year 23-17.  I don't see why they won't do it again.
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another. Carolina only lost by 6 points in that game, even though they had so much going against them. Even though the Panthers are banged up once again and have lost Foster and Peppers is a question mark, they are in better shape now then they were when they played Seattle last season.
Seattle also finished 9-7 and lost at home to the Rams last year in the first round. The Seahawks are much, much better than they were last year and I don't even know why we are talking about it. These are two really good teams playing a game in late January 2006. 2004 is a long time ago on an NFL clock.
 
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Seattle beat Carolina last year 23-17.  I don't see why they won't do it again.
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another. Carolina only lost by 6 points in that game, even though they had so much going against them. Even though the Panthers are banged up once again and have lost Foster and Peppers is a question mark, they are in better shape now then they were when they played Seattle last season.
Seattle also finished 9-7 and lost at home to the Rams last year in the first round. The Seahawks are much, much better than they were last year and I don't even know why we are talking about it. These are two really good teams playing a game in late January 2006. 2004 is a long time ago on an NFL clock.
I was only talking about it because seahawk 17 brought it up. Last year means nothing, and I agree completely with you about Seattle being better this year than last year, especially on defense.
 
Seattle beat Carolina last year 23-17.  I don't see why they won't do it again.
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another. Carolina only lost by 6 points in that game, even though they had so much going against them. Even though the Panthers are banged up once again and have lost Foster and Peppers is a question mark, they are in better shape now then they were when they played Seattle last season.
Seattle also finished 9-7 and lost at home to the Rams last year in the first round. The Seahawks are much, much better than they were last year and I don't even know why we are talking about it. These are two really good teams playing a game in late January 2006. 2004 is a long time ago on an NFL clock.
I was only talking about it because seahawk 17 brought it up. Last year means nothing, and I agree completely with you about Seattle being better this year than last year, especially on defense.
I C. Yeah I don't think that matters whatsoever. They are the two best teams in the NFC this year, that's all I'm worried about.
 
Seattle beat Carolina last year 23-17. I don't see why they won't do it again.
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another. Carolina only lost by 6 points in that game, even though they had so much going against them. Even though the Panthers are banged up once again and have lost Foster and Peppers is a question mark, they are in better shape now then they were when they played Seattle last season.
This word does not mean what you think it means.
 
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another.
This word does not mean what you think it means.
Are you telling me that every tenth Panther wasn't killed last year? It sure seemed like it.
 
Seattle beat Carolina last year 23-17.  I don't see why they won't do it again.
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another. Carolina only lost by 6 points in that game, even though they had so much going against them. Even though the Panthers are banged up once again and have lost Foster and Peppers is a question mark, they are in better shape now then they were when they played Seattle last season.
This word does not mean what you think it means.
:lmao:
 
I'm just throwing stuff out there....I realize both teams are different this year. The national media (again) has a team rolling in to Qwest field and beating the Seahawks...based on what I have no idea...Another stat...Holmgren is 5-1 vs Carolina lifetime.

 
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2297452

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Ken Lucas left Seattle for the Carolina Panthers 10 months ago -- and the cornerback's departure is still affecting the Seahawks.

Seattle's offense had to change all of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's hand signals for audibles this week in preparation for Sunday's NFC title game against Carolina.

"Whether he remembers them or not, I don't know. But it wasn't worth the risk," Hasselbeck said Wednesday.

Last March, it wasn't worth the risk for the Seahawks to match the $36.5 million, six-year contract the Panthers gave Seattle's 2001 second-round draft choice.

Lucas has emerged as Carolina's shutdown cornerback. He had six interceptions and one fumble recovery in 15 regular-season games and has added two more interceptions in the Panthers' playoff wins, at the New York Giants and Chicago.

"I am actually shocked that he is not in the Pro Bowl this year," Hasselbeck said.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, were left with an injury-riddled defensive backfield. What is perhaps the weakest part of a 14-3 team will get its biggest test of the season Sunday: Panthers star receiver Steve Smith will be prancing through it -- seven days after he shredded Chicago's secondary for 12 catches and 218 yards receiving.

That makes some in Seattle silently long for Lucas.

"I thought Kenny was our best defensive back ... (but) we had 16 free agents and our front office was in a little bit of turmoil," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said. "Everyone has to know this: We didn't want to lose Ken Lucas. We wanted to keep Ken Lucas. And in free agency, when he became free, Carolina offered him just a phenomenal financial package. And he was gone."

But not forgotten.

In his place, the Seahawks have tried three starting left cornerbacks. Former Tennessee Titan Andre Dyson began the season there. Then, after he injured a hamstring, former Denver Bronco Kelly Herndon started six games.

Dyson came back for a Dec. 5 win at Philadelphia, returned an interception for a touchdown, then sustained a high sprain of his left ankle. In went nickel back Jordan Babineaux -- an undrafted free agent in 2004 from Southern Arkansas -- for the final four regular-season games.

Dyson returned last week, but said he was rusty from six weeks of inactivity. Plus, right cornerback Marcus Trufant, Seattle's best cover man, missed the Jan. 1 regular-season finale and then another week of practice with a lower back bruise.

The result has been five 300-yard passing days by opposing quarterbacks -- including one late in the season by a struggling Eli Manning of the Giants and one by Arizona's aging Kurt Warner.

There have been big plays in the defensive backfield: Dyson's score against the Eagles and Babineaux's interception of a pass by Dallas' Drew Bledsoe on the next-to-last play Oct. 23 in a game Seattle then won on a field goal with no time left.

But there have also been nine 100-yard receiving days against the Seahawks. All but two were by wide receivers, primarily against cornerbacks.

Thus, Smith and Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme couldn't be faulted for thinking they might have plenty of success on Sunday.

"I don't think we've ever gotten the chance to really jell," Dyson said. "We've had so many guys moving in and out."

Dyson has been left yearning for his days in Tennessee. His Titans had the same four starters in the secondary for four seasons.

"Once we had that camaraderie, it made it a whole lot easier," he said. "It was like clockwork."

Dyson said each Titans defensive back could anticipate where the other would be on any given play.

"Before a play, we would just nod our heads at each other and we knew what to do," he said.

There have sometimes been more shaking heads than nodding ones in the Seahawks' secondary this season.

"Most often, you can't fill the void right away," Holmgren said, referring to Lucas' loss. "It's tough to get a player for a player a lot of times."

So the Seahawks are left hoping four or five players can work together to contain Smith.

"I think it's going to take a group effort," Trufant said.

Trufant stayed on the right side no matter where Washington's top receiving threat, Santana Moss, was lined up last week.

"I think this is going to be the biggest challenge we've had all year," Trufant said.

 
Seattle beat Carolina last year 23-17. I don't see why they won't do it again.
When Carolina played Seattle last year they were on a losing streak, totally decimated with injuries, and were trying to mesh with one another. Carolina only lost by 6 points in that game, even though they had so much going against them. Even though the Panthers are banged up once again and have lost Foster and Peppers is a question mark, they are in better shape now then they were when they played Seattle last season.
So are the Seahawks
 
I'm just throwing stuff out there....I realize both teams are different this year. The national media (again) has a team rolling in to Qwest field and beating the Seahawks...based on what I have no idea...
Maybe because the Panthers have won 4 road playoff games in row (including 2003)? Not to mention that I have seen plenty of people picking Seattle to win. Its not like you're at home and favored by 4 or anything.I do think that this is Carolina's toughest challenge. They are beat up and this will be their fourth road game in a row. On top of that, Seattle has a great, well-balanced team. It will take a near flawless game by the Panthers to pull of the upset.

 
I'm just throwing stuff out there....I realize both teams are different this year.  The national media (again) has a team rolling in to Qwest field and beating the Seahawks...based on what I have no idea...
Maybe because the Panthers have won 4 road playoff games in row (including 2003)? Not to mention that I have seen plenty of people picking Seattle to win. Its not like you're at home and favored by 4 or anything.I do think that this is Carolina's toughest challenge. They are beat up and this will be their fourth road game in a row. On top of that, Seattle has a great, well-balanced team. It will take a near flawless game by the Panthers to pull of the upset.
I was watching and listening to ESPN last night and everyone (Joe Theisman, Salisbury, Ditka, etc) except DP picked the Panthers. I don't think having DP pick Seattle is a good thing but the more people picking Carolina the better as far as I'm concerned.
 
I'm just throwing stuff out there....I realize both teams are different this year.  The national media (again) has a team rolling in to Qwest field and beating the Seahawks...based on what I have no idea...
Maybe because the Panthers have won 4 road playoff games in row (including 2003)? Not to mention that I have seen plenty of people picking Seattle to win. Its not like you're at home and favored by 4 or anything.I do think that this is Carolina's toughest challenge. They are beat up and this will be their fourth road game in a row. On top of that, Seattle has a great, well-balanced team. It will take a near flawless game by the Panthers to pull off the upset.
I agree with all of this.
 
All doubt removed about Alexander's status

KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) - Shaun Alexander joked that his concussion might have made him smarter. The Seahawks are simply satisfied to know their MVP running back will be back on the field Sunday against Carolina.

All systems go for Alexander

The Seahawks announce MVP RB Shaun Alexander will play in the NFC championship game despite last week's concussion. Also, hear lineman Sean Locklear apologize for his recent arrest.

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren removed all doubt about Alexander's status Wednesday, announcing that the league rushing leader would play in the NFC championship game. So will starting right tackle Sean Locklear, who spent two days in jail this week and was released after being charged with assault.

Alexander sustained a concussion last Saturday in the first quarter of Seattle's win over Washington; he later said he was initially knocked unconscious, then was dazed for about 20 minutes.

Holmgren said Wednesday the All-Pro will be ready for the Panthers.

"Shaun's full go," the coach said. "He passed some tests we gave him yesterday. He participated in our walkthrough this morning. He's going to be fine."

In the full afternoon non-contact practice, Alexander split first-team practice time with backup Maurice Morris, who rushed 18 times for 49 yards in place of Alexander on Saturday.

Alexander, who rushed for a team-record 1,880 yards in the regular season, joked he learned something about himself over a four-day battery of doctors' tests.

"Oh yeah. I took all the tests and realized the guy knocked some sense into me," Alexander said of Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington, who appeared to hit the back of Alexander's helmet during a 1-yard loss Saturday. "I am actually smarter than I was before."

He also apparently has his sense of perspective back.

The potential free agent said on a conference call to Carolina reporters Wednesday he has an appreciation for the situation former Seahawks teammate Ken Lucas went through this past year.

When asked if he was sad to see Lucas leave Seattle, Alexander said: "I definitely was. But then, at the same time, who knows if I am going to be here or not?"

"I told him you never know, I might be out there with you. Whenever you lose a teammate it's rough. When you lose a friend it's worse," Alexander added.

Alexander has repeatedly expressed his desire this season to "win three or four Super Bowls for Seattle." But he said last month talks with the Seahawks on a contract extension were put off until after the postseason.

Meanwhile, Holmgren told Locklear he will start Sunday.

Locklear was in a Seattle courtroom Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. He is accused in a police report of grabbing his live-in girlfriend around the neck and leaving red marks on her neck and chest outside a Seattle nightspot early Sunday morning.

He spent two days in the King County Jail and is scheduled for a Feb. 13 hearing.

"As he explained to me exactly what happened, I believe I understand what happened. At that point I have made the decision that he will play in the football game," Holmgren said.

Locklear, 24, apologized to Seattle and his teammates.

"I want to start off today by apologizing to the community and everybody," the first-year starter said. "I'm not proud of the things I've done."

Locklear said Holmgren repeatedly talks to the team about ensuring personal affairs don't become news. Those warnings became even more frequent in October, after starting safety Ken Hamlin was lost for the season with a fractured skull from a street fight outside a bar.

"He talks about it all the time," Locklear said. "That's his job. He's supposed to talk about it.

"But we, as grown men, should know what we are supposed to do, the rights and wrongs."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5253908

 
Warrick new punt returner

DARRIN BEENE; The News Tribune

Published: January 19th, 2006 02:30 AM

KIRKLAND – Jimmy Williams is out. Peter Warrick is in.

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren changed punt returners Wednesday after Williams muffed two punts in the team’s win against the Washington Redskins last week.

Williams averaged 5.7 yards per return during the regular season for the Seahawks, who rank 30th out of 32 NFL teams. Warrick, signed Sept. 1 after Cincinnati cut him, was the team’s punt returner for the first three games but yielded the job to Williams when he suffered a groin injury. He averaged 4.8 yards on six returns.

Holmgren admits he’s putting Warrick in a difficult situation and that Warrick might not have been totally healthy earlier in the season. Warrick played only four games for the Bengals last year after fracturing his shin, and his 2003 season ended early after he tore right knee cartilage.

“It’s the championship game, and we’re throwing everyone into the frying pan,” Holmgren said. “(Warrick) is running better. He has great hands but he is running better and my hope is returning punts, he can give us a little boost there.”

Warrick, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2000 draft, is no stranger to the job. In four seasons with the Bengals, Warrick returned 54 punts – two for touchdowns – and averaged 9.7 yards per return.

Special teams coach Bob Casullo said he doesn’t expect Warrick to have any problems Sunday against Carolina.

“It’s a position where if you’ve done it, you can continue to do it,” Casullo said. “If you haven’t done it, it’s perilously dangerous to do. It’s not like we’re throwing a guy back there who has never done it before. He brings a lot of talent and a lot of expertise to that position.”

Warrick said he will “be smart” Sunday.

“Catching punts really boils down to making the best decisions for the team,” he said.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/seaha...p-4932703c.html

 
Awesome. That must be the Giant Seahawk smoo was talking about. Looks like it is going to help carry Goings right over the goal line. :thumbup:
That would be the only way Goings could cross it. ;)
:o You're crazy talking now. I just realized both the starting running backs for the Panthers and Seahawks are #37. Some of my friends and I growing up have always had this thing about #37. It has a way of showing up everywhere like in movies, events, etc. My keeper the last 3 years in my fantasy league has been Alexander, Mr. #37. He goes back into the draft pool next season though, because we can only keep a keeper for 3 years. :( Anyway, I hope Goings #37 overpowers Alexanders #37 Sunday.
 
Awesome. That must be the Giant Seahawk smoo was talking about. Looks like it is going to help carry Goings right over the goal line. :thumbup:
That would be the only way Goings could cross it. ;)
:o You're crazy talking now. I just realized both the starting running backs for the Panthers and Seahawks are #37. Some of my friends and I growing up have always had this thing about #37. It has a way of showing up everywhere like in movies, events, etc. My keeper the last 3 years in my fantasy league has been Alexander, Mr. #37. He goes back into the draft pool next season though, because we can only keep a keeper for 3 years. :( Anyway, I hope Goings #37 overpowers Alexanders #37 Sunday.
If your being serious...there is no way Goings stats will be better than Alexander's. :no:
 
I was watching and listening to ESPN last night and everyone (Joe Theisman, Salisbury, Ditka, etc) except DP picked the Panthers. I don't think having DP pick Seattle is a good thing but the more people picking Carolina the better as far as I'm concerned.
Do you really think that the guys that pick at ESPN have an effect on the outcome of the game? The whole 'we aren't respected' bit is a tad overrated. If both teams aren't highly motivated to win the game, than coaching needs to be blamed. This is the NFC Championship for crying out loud.
 
I was watching and listening to ESPN last night and everyone (Joe Theisman, Salisbury, Ditka, etc) except DP picked the Panthers.  I don't think having DP pick Seattle is a good thing but the more people picking Carolina the better as far as I'm concerned.
Do you really think that the guys that pick at ESPN have an effect on the outcome of the game? The whole 'we aren't respected' bit is a tad overrated. If both teams aren't highly motivated to win the game, than coaching needs to be blamed. This is the NFC Championship for crying out loud.
No I'm just superstitious. I like the whole "under the radar" approach and the respect part isn't that big of an issue. No Seahawk fan will know what to do if the team is in the limelight so staying low is ok. I think you misunderstood my direction.
 
If your being serious...there is no way Goings stats will be better than Alexander's. :no:
It's which #37 has the better karma that day, not who has the better stats. A third string running back is unlikely to have better stats than the NFL MVP.
 

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