Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that offensive tackle Damion McIntosh is headed to Seattle for a visit on Tuesday.
McIntosh, a 10-year veteran, was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, and would help provide depth at tackle for Seattle.
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Must be Solari ties from his days in KC.
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Well, that and a lot of teams don’t want to guarantee veteran salaries, so quite a few semi decent vets sit on the sidelines week one and then teams race around trying to plug the holes that they found in week one… 10 year veteran comes with a decent chunk of salary, and if they are on the roster for the first game, the entire season salary is guaranteed and counts against the cap.
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With all due respect to Holmy, it was really fun to watch the Seahawks again! Gone is alot of the predictability on Offense, a Defense playing with more energy and determination ! In short, REFRESHING !! Hats off to the new coaching staff ! And even though it’s only the first week of the season I’m pretty sure we fans can expect as fun and unpredictable a season as we’ve enjoyed since the early Holmy days.I think Mora and staff will be able to better motivate the team on the road (in my opinion something Holmy did not handle well) and also better manage injured players because of the depth they have now at most positions.These players won’t be rushed back into action too soon. Also I think the new coaching staff will manage the game better, especially making better Defensive adjustments as the game goes on.
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While I’m certainly not going to claim Mora is better than Holmy (until he wins us a Super Bowl or two) — it sure as heck is nice to watch defensive coaches who aren’t named John Marshall.
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I liked seeing dog and blitz packages that actually seemed to surprise the opposing offense.
Pass rushers actually came in clean and unblocked at times, and put pressure on the QB, unlike last year when they would send 7 guys and every one of them would get picked up, even by the worst teams.
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Yes, I’m really excited about Bradley’s defense. It’s creative and fast and strong. I look forward watching it develop as the season unfolds. Yesterday was the first chance I have has to see Curry in person (no practices). TV doesn’t do justice to how fast he is. He’s going to live up to all the hype.
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I don’t think Holmy ever trusted a DC like he did with Fritz. Too bad Fritz died before he could really turn our Defense on. Probably the single biggest hole in Holmy’s game.
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You might be right about the trust issue with a DC, but Fritz was also the most competent. I had no problems with Rhodes until health issues got in the way. And Marshall did well that first year. However, I think a big part of that was because of Tubbs and because he had the element of surprise on his side since nobody knew of him as a DC and his (vanilla/boring) tendencies. Once people figured out, in his first full season in control, that he’d blitz seven and knew where each of them would be coming from… the defense was kind of doomed, regardless of the talent. Holmy does deserve criticism for being loyal to an incompetent (and this loyalty bit him in the ass because the defense sucked a lot worse b/c of it, which hurt the entire team). People can point to all of the “great” defensive numbers they want to in ’07… but, seriously, look at the QB “competition” we faced.
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While I agree with the exciting quality we all noticed yesterday, it’s a long, long season to any real success in the NFL. So we’ll just have to see how well all this “new” energy and creativity plays out farther down the road, when it’s been countered and rather effectively adapted to by other teams. After 30+ years of (loyally) watching the Hawks, it’s pretty clear to me by now that unless they can win at least half their games on the road, not all that much is going to happen really, when all is said and done later this year and into next. But I’m still showing up…and dreaming on. Their apparent balance is what impressed me most yesterday, and wasn’t it nice to finally see them able to move the ball on the ground a bit better later in the game…when it counted more?
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Yes. While it was frustrating to watch the running game stall at times, the ability to run late(r) in games is an important factor in winning consistently. And next week will be a nice test to see how this team is equipped to win on the road. Of course all excitement is qualified after just one game, but what a great block to build on.
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I think the Seahawks have a great chance of winning the division and possibly a playoff game… but I think this year will be more one of preparation for next year analagous to a boxer trimming off those last few bits of flab and really muscling up for the big prize fight that is the superbowl… we have a great mix of veterans and young guns right now which I believe is a recipe for success as long as the veterans still produce and the young guys show that they can understand the schemes and get better. O-line and quarterback figure to be our areas of concern in the draft and over the off-season I expect ownership to take an especially long hard look at this team and see what parts are necessary and which parts are expendable. This team already looks a lot leaner and meaner, but I attribute that a decent amount to us playing the Rams. Sidenote: Steve Spagnoulowhatsit has given his team the right hard-nosed attitude and they really fought for it on Sunday… the Rams will be a team to be reckoned with in a few years if they can just get a couple more quality veterans/good draft picks (I don’t think the latter will be an issue tho =)) and of course not have 12 men on the field hahahahaha
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Can someone tell me why I’m so worried about the status of Walt and Spencer? Oh yeah, the former is aged and the latter has been a bleeder so far in his career. Makes me uneasy and I am crossing my fingers for Sunday that they both play and are fine for the entire season. That last part just sounds way too good to be true though.
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We need tackle depth. If this is the guy, so be it, we need help there whether Walter is back or not. Willis has creaky knees, and Locklear is holding down the fort at left tackle.
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John Marshall strikes again. Raiders get the miracle 50+ yd TD on 4th and 15 to go ahead by 3, 2 min. left, and then the Raiders defense just goes soft and Rivers picks them apart, all the way down the field for a TD and a Charger win.
All the Chargers needed was a FG to tie, and Marshall drops everyone back 10 yards (sound familiar?) and gives up the whole short zone. 5 completions later and SD is in FG range, with enough time to go for the kill (which they did with a draw play for a TD.)
This after hearing the ESPN commentary on Marshall’s improvements on defense (“stay in your gap, etc. etc.”)
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nmseafan,
come to think of it, I don’t recall a third and long draw play the entire game…(anybody else see one?)
Freedom,
ya, I thought that was vintage Marshall…play well until crunch time, then turn to custard…
Bobby,
The reason Marshall did so well his first year is that they kept Rhodes around to whisper in his ear…
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I was joking with my friends about the brand of “Smashmouth Football” that we all have come to know as the Seattle Seahawks. But all joking aside I saw a team that was nastier on defense and was gritty in the run game. I thought that even when we were getting only 2-3 yards on run plays, we were getting solid push, or holding ground on the run game, and I think we gave up 0 sacks and Matt only got hit once. Initially I thought Matt looked pretty bad, but was able to shake off the rust and looked good in the later part of the game. I like the different skills our 3 RBs bring to the table.
I also thought the Rams look like a team that could be a force to be reckoned with in the future. They have a young defense that has some quality players, and they competed harder than Rams teams of the last couple years.
On a side note, does anyone every read the Seattle times forums on Seahawks or comments on Seahawk topics? There are a lot of people that are such moronic idiots, you wonder if they’ve ever watched a game in the last decade.
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I don’t remember who, but someone said Red Bryant was inactive. Does anyone know why? And who went in to play noseguard when Cole went out to take a breather? I really believe that Bryant can come in and be a force at the nose this season.
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Apparently, some KC fans think that McIntosh is one of the worst O-linemen they have ever seen and is like a “turnstile” to DE’s and has contributed to some of their QB’s going down in the last two seasons in KC. Click on the Mike Florio link Eric supplied in his blog above.
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First power rankings of 2009 season now posted. Hawks are #1 for first time since I’ve done these: http://hawkblogger.blogspot.com/2009/09/hawk-blogger-2009-power-rankings-week-1.html
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princedan,
I too was surprised Red Bryant was inactive, and so far no one has given a reason. No one asked Mora at the post-game presser. As a result, it appeared that Colin Cole played more downs than any other defensive lineman. He exceeded my expectations, making plays inside and away from the line of scrimmage. But I would think they want Red in there to rotate with him.
I think one reason that worked is Bradley’s defense featured a lot less base and more three DE lines with the LDE moved inside next to Mebane. But I have to wonder if Red will be back in there to spell Cole and keep the line stouter against the SF rushing attack.
Also suprising was how little Mebane played on 1st and 2nd downs, with Terrill getting the bulk of those snaps. People have called Terrill a pass rushing DT, but he did the job on 1st downs.
What I liked most about the new d line was our many DEs rotating in and out to stay fresh and rush. Bradley has taken a page from the NYG playbook here I think. I think guys like LoJack benefitted from not having to be in there getting pounded 3 downs in a row. Great to see the new scheme taking shape.
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I don’t know, Stevo. If they didn’t feel Steven Jackson warranted the “stouter” version of their d line, not sure Gore will either. But I’ll admit that I am still learning what the rotation up front is. Like you, I was surprised by how much Terrill was in there. I was very impressed with how strong and dominate Tapp and Redding appeared to be on the edge. They each seemed to handle their respective tackles quite well. As I said in an earlier post, I’m really excited to watch this defense develop. There seems to be a very high ceiling for this group. The next few weeks will be good tests, on the road and Bears at home.
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Yup, the new schemes did look good… Against the Rams! I too am optimistic about the changes we’re seeing this season, but let’s get past Chicago before getting to ecstatic.
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I’m getting the feeling that G. Bradley still is unsure just how to use this talented group of lineman and sunday didnt do anything to cement an “optimal” lineup so to speak. damn nice place to be if you ask me.
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Based on what I saw out of Chicago and San Francisco in their first games, I think the Niners will be the harder team, especially since we are playing them in their house and the Bears are coming to ours. Also the Bears are missing Urlacher and Cutler… well, I know Greenbay has a great secondary, but he looked just awful (the second coming of Grossman haha).
I think the Niners will be our competition this year for the NFC West based on the attitude and discipline Singletary brings and the talent they have at the skill positions (of course all this goes out the window if the Hawks find a way on the Niner’s first play from scrimmage to get Cole, Bryant, or Mebane through untouched and crush Hill ala Rocky Bernard on Alex Smith a few years ago) One of my top five favorite all-time Seahawks moments…
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Playing Indy on the road at 10 a.m. pacific will be the first real test for us this year.
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Let me drink the seahawk kool-aid, and just wish to get passed the one in front of us: The SF 49′ers. One game at a time. Too many issues can come up – like injuries, crappy refs etc. Can we please have our QB settle into the offense earlier than late 2nd quarter? Can Mora reserve the use of his review for plays other than punts on the 1 inch line. (Unbelievably good play by the Rams special teams). Can we please have that kind of play out of our special teams.
The D played great, so can they repeat that performance. I’m not ready to say we out power the league with one game against the bottom rung.
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This is crazy. Yes,there is much to be excited about but this team was 4-12 last year,every game is a test. Indy will be the first time they are tested? You saw a much better team on Sunday than I.
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Seahawk Kool-aid?
After 4-12 last year I kinda think most Seahawk fans are reticent to annoit any team the division, including the Hawks. It’s more like they start the season 0-16, having to prove they can win each and every game. They’re 1-15 now, until they prove that they can beat another team. Can they beat the 9ers – you bet, but it won’t be easy, they have to improve (on their 1st qtr performance, especially).
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From my view of the last few years Hass and the receivers almost always start slow in the early season. I was not suprised to see the int’s and miscues in the first part of Sundays game. I was suprised to see the O get the running game started and Has and the WR’s also get it going midway through the game. The level of improvemet and creativity from Q1 through Q4 was refreshing to watch. New OC and system I suspect, Gotta love John Carlson and Nate and TJ when they all click. Heck, we even had good 3rd down performance later in the game, albeit aagainst the Rams.
the 9ers will be interesting as stated before due to being a road game and a Team with a determination and spunk not seen in years. But heck if we want to win a road game a division game on the West coast is a great place to start. The 9ers are the W Div. Team we need to beat twice to win the division. Arizona can be beat – see week 1. We must beat the 9ers to get a great start on the Division. Better run game and more pass rush from 4 D lineman is required. Keep the ball away from Gore/Coffee and keep getting third downs and moving the chains.
Getting DD back is a luxury most Teams don’t get. We were fortunate no one else got him and he knows all our 3 LB position. That’s excellent insurance! Another potential OT would also be insurance but seeing Walt back by week 3 – 4 would be the best news. Spencer – whatever. Vaallos is doing well and Unger at RG also did well in week 1. Keep up the improvement O line and we will do well running and passing.
GO SEAHAWKS
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Well,
If you follow Sando on ESPN we don’t even have to show up the rest of the season since the 49rs (according to their fans) have already won everything.
They say that their win against Arizona was so much better than ours and we might as well not even bother coming down this weekend.
Yes, it’s going to be a tough game, but Seattle has an excellent record playing in SF over the past few years.
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9er’s don’t have a consistent QB situation and I think our improved pass rush will cause indecision and a poor performance as in sacks and INTS. As long as we can stop the run we can contol the game as long as our Offense can eliminate turnovers and 3 and outs.
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Blitzkrieg here we come !!
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It’s gonna be a good game, but we’re gonna win.
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dukeshire
that team that Indy played was vastly better than the Rams… Indy’s offense started slow and turned it on as the game went on, kinda similar to our game. The difference being the Jags play in arguably the hardest division in the NFL and are only two years removed from playing in the AFC championship game as where the Rams haven’t sniffed the postseason in about as long as I’ve been watching football.
The reason I say it will be the first real test is that it is on their turf, at 10 a.m. pacific, against a team that has been top-tier on offense pretty much since I started watching football. I want to see how our defense handles playing a good offense away from the 12th man, early in da morning ‘cuz based on past years they have looked like a CFL team that couldn’t wait to get back to the northwest (see the Stealer’s 21-0 drubbing of the Seahawks in the superbowl rematch for the most pertinent example)
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Ya know, I don’t recall the Hawks offense looking as good in the first six games of the season as it did in the SECOND half of the lambs game…The O ALWAYS starts the season out slow as molasses. Maybe that was just a Holmy thing? Here’s hoping:)
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I don’t understand why everyone is SOOOOOO excited over the DL. They are improved, but I think that is as much from aggressive play calling as increased talent.
We did NOT get any kind of consistant rush on the QB until it got to the point we could pin our ears back and get after it. As a matter of fact until the Tatupu sack we had basically NO pass rush at all. Bulger had all day long during the first half of the game.
Lets hope that improves! mightily over the next few games or we could be in trouble!!
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The DC is just learning how to use his guys, expect slow starts and faster finishes for the next couple of games…
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xcman:
Were you watching the same game as I did? The front 4 generated a very good pass rush right from the get-go. The first 2 Rams series were 3 and outs and the 2nd one started in great field position for Rams. I think there is a tonne of potential there compared to past years and the depth is outstanding. I do agree that beating the Rams is not a big deal (niether will beating the 9ers IMO). Mora even commented that most of the time they were NOT blitzing too.
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zetes
how can you say beating the niners on their turf is not a big deal?
They are improved mentally and physically this year and if we beat them the win will put us 2-0 overall and in division. If we win the division we make the playoffs… I don’t follow your logic I guess is what I’m saying
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