Hawks at the halfway mark: An evaluation
Posted By Eric Williams on November 11, 2009 at 7:18 am
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JOE BARRENTINE/TNT
To attain coach Jim Mora’s stated goal of reaching the playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks have some work to do.
Like last season, the Seahawks can partially blame their poor start (3-5 this season, 2-6 in 2008) on an unforeseen rash of injuries that forced Seattle to juggle lineups on both sides of the ball.
However, the somewhat predictable wear and tear on Seattle’s aging cornerstone players such as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, offensive tackle Walter Jones, defensive end Patrick Kerney and cornerback Marcus Trufant – the four positions most general managers build teams around – have resulted in this team underperforming during the first half of the season.
And the road to the playoffs doesn’t get any easier. The Seahawks will play the next three games away from home, with trips to Arizona, Minnesota and St. Louis. They finish the season with five of their last eight games on the road.
Mora evaluates the first half this way:
“It was definitely hard for us to find consistency, as I’ve said, because of the new staff, new scheme, and then the plethora of injuries,” he said. “But as we move forward, we’ve got guys back. Now, we’re not going to get Lofa (Tatupu) back, and we’re not going to get Walt back, so that’s out of everyone’s minds.
“The guys that are here, they’re practicing, and they’re going to be playing. I expect us to keep working hard, and every day, come in here and try to get better as a football team. We went 1-3 the first quarter, and 2-2 the second quarter. Now we’ve got to try and improve on that. That’s what we’ll do. That’ll be our focus.”
With that, here are the midseason grades for the Seahawks.
Quarterbacks
Starter Matt Hasselbeck missed two games after suffering a rib injury against San Francisco. Hasselbeck has been solid when healthy, throwing for 1,307 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions in six games. The Seahawks are 3-3 with Hasselbeck as the starter.
Backup Seneca Wallace had an uneven performance filling in for Hasselbeck, losing both games against Chicago and Indianapolis. Neither quarterback received great pass protection with the juggling of the offensive line. Hasselbeck showed toughness in his ability to run the offense efficiently while still being banged up. Because of the team’s struggling running attack, Mora might decide to put the ball in Hasselbeck’s hands more and let him manage the game.
Grade: C-plus
Running backs
The Seahawks are 30th overall in rushing, averaging 84.5 yards a game. The team has not had much consistency up front because of the injuries. That said, the switch to the zone blocking scheme has not been a smooth transition, with the running backs and offensive line still working on getting the timing down.
Seattle got rid of its best short-yardage back in T.J. Duckett and signed veteran Edgerrin James, only to release him last week. Julius Jones leads the team with 382 yards and two touchdowns, but he has only 97 rushing yards in his past three games.
Grade: D
Wide receivers
Unlike last year, the receivers have stayed healthy. Nate Burleson is having a good season. A year removed from knee surgery, he leads the teams in receptions with 45, and also has three touchdowns.
The offseason signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh has been as good as advertised. He has 41 receptions and three touchdowns in the first half of the season. But Hasselbeck and Houshmandzadeh have not always been on the same page in reading the defense. And Houshmandzadeh also received some unwanted attention because of the emotion he shows at times when things aren’t going his way.
Grade: B-minus
Tight ends
In his second season, teams are now game-planning for John Carlson. He’s third on the team with 33 receptions for 372 yards and two scores, which puts him on pace to break last season’s franchise records he set for a tight end in receptions and receiving yards. Still, because of injuries on the offensive line Carlson has had to remain at the line of scrimmage more to help protect Seattle’s quarterbacks, and his run blocking is still a work in progress.
Backup John Owens has been a solid, and rookie Cameron Morrah looks like he has potential to contribute in the future.
Grade: B
Offensive line
They’ve had four different starters at left tackle, three different starters at left guard, and five different starting lineups in eight games.
Cornerstone offensive tackle Walter Jones is on the injured-reserve list for the rest of the season, unable to return from offseason microfracture knee surgery.
And projected starting left guard Mike Wahle did not pass a physical and retired before training camp. So the projected starting left side of the line for 2009 never played a single snap in a game.
Offensive line coach Mike Solari had done an admirable job coaching this group, and now that they are getting healthier their performance should improve.
Grade: C-minus
Defensive line
Seattle is tied for 12th in the league in sacks with 20, a big improvement over last season. New defensive line coach Dan Quinn has raised the level of play in young defensive ends Lawrence Jackson and Darryl Tapp. And along with rookie Nick Reed and veterans and Cory Redding, the defensive end position is a plus for Seattle.
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane has been solid inside and is continuing to improve after making the switch to more of a pass-rusher.
Grade: B
Linebackers
The play of second-year linebacker David Hawthorne has been the story of the season on defense. He has started only three games, but he’s second on the team in tackles with 44, and also has three interceptions and two sacks. Hawthorne has done a nice job filling in for Tatupu, who is out for the season after having surgery on a torn pectoral muscle.
Rookie Aaron Curry has been impressive at times, making explosive plays, but he’s also shown some growing pains. He has 44 tackles, along with two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Grade: B-minus
Defensive backs
The shift to more of a Cover 2 scheme as the team’s primary coverage has helped the Seahawks’ secondary, which has shown a marked improvement from last season, when they led the league in giving up passing plays of 20 yards or more with 59.
This season, Seattle has given up only 15 passing plays of 20 yards or more, which is tied for second in the league.
Safety Jordan Babineaux has played better in the past two games, including getting a sack against Detroit. And veteran cornerback Trufant played better in his second game back after dealing with a back injury to start the season. Seattle had only three interceptions heading into the Detroit game, where they forced Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford into five picks.
Grade: C-plus
Kicker
After missing two field goals against Chicago in the third game of the season, Olindo Mare has made 11 in a row. He is 14 of 16 (87.5 percent) in field goals, with a long of 47 yards. He also has put 30 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks, which puts him at fifth in the league.
Grade: B-plus
Punter
Jon Ryan is fifth in the league in punting average at 47.4 yards per punt, and also has 13 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, tied for 13th in the league. Ryan also did a nice job of hooking up with Carlson on a 42-yard fake punt against Arizona.
Grade: B
Wow, Eric....I wish you were my calculus professor in college!
Eric, it seems as though you've left out two important grades. An overall evaluation of the team. And a grade for the coaching staff.
Mora talks about accountability. My feeling is that these things start from the top down rather than the other way around. That everyone from TR down to the final player in the PS should be on point, including Mora and his staff.
no coaches grade? I would probably give the coaches a C-minus and I question your comment of "unforeseen rash of injuries" in your earlier comments. I think these injuries were a foreseen problem even before training camp started. I would grade the player personnel department a D for not having the foresight to see that injuries could still be a problem and the organization not addressing some team deficiency example- lack of secondary improvement & an unsettled RB situation
Grading for the coaching staff would produce a plethora of Cs and Ds I would imagine.
The only grading here I would take issue with are the 0-line and RB. As for o-line; I can understand there might be a tendency to be lenient on that unit because of injuries but I think the grade should reflect how the players on the field have performed. And for me, this unit has been well below average. We may very different expectations for Jones vs Williams at LT but it was Williams who was out there being graded, so to speak. And so on down the line. Conversely, a D grade for the running backs seems unfairly harsh. There are few RB corps in the league today that would be able to produce much of anything behind what Jones, Forsett and co. have been able to do.
On a side not, 20 sacks is a nice total to this point but I really would like to see them apply more consistent pressure rather than sacks or nothing. Work in progress...
I'd give the Seahawks beat writers an A+ and especially for doing such high quality work for a losing team.
Mostly agree with the grades, but here are my differences:
DL: B (should be C)
First of all, I don't see our DL as our strength on that side of the ball, which their grade suggests. Total sacks is a misleading number, and it should not always be a credit to the DL. Now, if our DL was getting those sacks by applying consistent pressure I might agree with the grade, but they aren't. And I'd have to go back and check, but I'd guess that a number of their sacks are coverage sacks, not to mention sacks from other positions.
QB: C+ (Should be B)
Given that we can't run the ball, which is no secret, teams are (or should be) loading up against the pass. Despite this, and the utter lack of protection at times, Matt is still putting up good (not great) numbers. I realize that Seneca's 2.5 games at the helm are skewing this grade, but Matt's 6.5 games should be bringing the grade up more than Seneca brings it down.
P: B (Should be C)
First the good: I must admit, he does a pretty decent job getting punts inside the 20. Also, he has dramatically improved overall compared to last year. Now on to the bad: I hate it when everyone points at Ryan's punt average to measure how good of a punter he is. When he has room to really boom it, time after time he outkicks our coverage, which leads to big returns. While his gross average may be 47.4 ypp and 5th in the league, the true stat to look at is his net average, which is 37.8 ypp, good for a whopping 22nd in the league, hence my C grade.
Other than that, I think the grades are pretty accurate.
Well done, Eric.
Should be Matt's 5.5 games...
this should be a pass/fail course.
mora = FAIL.
Ya know, I hated group projects in school because there's always a Spencer or Wrotto to pull down everyone else's grade. To me, it's more interesting and more accurate to break it down by player.
Adams, Jamar —?
Babineaux, Jordan — C
Branch, Deion— C
Bryant, Red — ?
Burleson, Nate—A
Butler, Deon—B
Carlson, John—A
Cole, Colin—C
Curry, Aaron—B
Forsett, Justin—A-
Frye, Brandon—?
Gibson, Mike—?
Grant, Deon—C
Griffith, Justin—
Hasselbeck, Matt—A
Hawthorne, David—A
Herring, Will—?
Hill, Leroy—B
Houser, Kevin—?
Houshmandzadeh, T.J.—A-
Jackson, Lawrence—B
Jennings, Kelly—C
Jones, Julius—C
Jones, Walter—N/A
Kerney, Patrick—C
Laury, Lance—C
Lewis, D.D.—?
Lewis, Roy—?
Locklear, Sean—B
Lucas, Ken—C
Mare, Olindo—B
McIntosh, Damion—B
Mebane, Brandon—B
Milloy, Lawyer—C
Morrah, Cameron—?
Obomanu, Ben—?
Owens, John—?
Rankin, Louis—?
Redding, Cory—C
Reed, Nick—B
Roehl, Tyler—C
Ryan, Jon—B-
Schmitt, Owen—C
Sims, Rob—C
Spencer, Chris—D
Tapp, Darryl—C
Tatupu, Lofa—B-
Teel, Mike—?
Terrill, Craig—C
Trufant, Marcus—B
Unger, Max—C
Vallos, Steve—D
Walker, Derek—?
Wallace, Seneca—C-
Willis, Ray—C
Wilson, Josh—B
Wrotto, Mansfield—D
Here's a roster you can cut and paste.
Adams, Jamar—
Babineaux, Jordan—
Branch, Deion—
Bryant, Red—
Burleson, Nate—
Butler, Deon—
Carlson, John—
Cole, Colin—
Curry, Aaron—
Forsett, Justin—
Frye, Brandon—
Gibson, Mike—
Grant, Deon—
Griffith, Justin—
Hasselbeck, Matt—
Hawthorne, David—
Herring, Will—
Hill, Leroy—
Houser, Kevin—
Houshmandzadeh, T.J.—
Jackson, Lawrence—
Jennings, Kelly—
Jones, Julius—
Jones, Walter—
Kerney, Patrick—
Laury, Lance—
Lewis, D.D.—
Lewis, Roy—
Locklear, Sean—
Lucas, Ken—
Mare, Olindo—
McIntosh, Damion—
Mebane, Brandon—
Milloy, Lawyer—
Morrah, Cameron—
Obomanu, Ben—
Owens, John—
Rankin, Louis—
Redding, Cory—
Reed, Nick—
Roehl, Tyler—
Ryan, Jon—
Schmitt, Owen—
Sims, Rob—
Spencer, Chris—
Tapp, Darryl—
Tatupu, Lofa—
Teel, Mike—
Terrill, Craig—
Trufant, Marcus—
Unger, Max—
Vallos, Steve—
Walker, Derek—
Wallace, Seneca—
Willis, Ray—
Wilson, Josh—
Wrotto, Mansfield—
Why the harshness on Spencer? I see a adequate center (who would make a better guard) that when healthy is good enough. Honestly, next year I would like to see Unger -C and Spencer - G but that's me.
Yours is definitely the better break down. Justin Griffith couldn't catch a cold in the open winter. But I'll use the record of 3-5 stating below average. Factor in that the Bears game shoulda/coulda and we land on average.
I haven't given up. 07 Holmy went to the passing game. Well, TR has a majority of the payroll tied up in receivers - why a rush oriented OC? - so why not air it out. Carlson needs more touches. Forsett should become the primary back with Hass speeding up play, calling action from scrimmage. I'm not convinced that Hass calling the plays wouldn't be more successful than Knapp and his dump passes to Griffith.
We could be 4-4. Improve on the blowouts as we did against the Bears in '06 and this team is respectable. Overall the talent is comparable to that team everywhere but the D line 'IMO". Fact is, if the D line would step it up the 7 behind are probably better with the addition of Lucas, Wilson and experience.
The two upcoming games are by far the toughest remaining on the schedule. Hawks win them both and we naysayers ill need shut our pie holes. Not that I'm worried, mind you
That would be splendid! Wouldn't it? The remainder of schedule would seem a cake walk. So, guess I need to see the outcome of the following games before passing judgment although throwing TR to the Lions should have been done long ago.
Audible, I agree with Bird on Spencer, and I think that Wrotto did a much better job than Vallos. On the other hand, I agree with you that it is hard to grade the OL as a group because there are some people dragging down the play of the others. I personally would have pointed out Vallos (but maybe given him a D-), and Williams (solid F). Those were our real problems last time we played the Cards IMHO.
I see you are grading on a curve because of the low class average and were merciful to the class slower kids, but are unwilling to reward those playing better than can be expected considering their support. The coaches and management have been mercifully left off the list because their grades would certainly be weak, or clearly a fail in the case of the GM. It should be remembered that this team has only won 7 games in the last 24 real games and under his negligent management has been reduced to a bottom tier team from being a genuine contender.
If not graded on a curve: (JMO)
QB-Hasselbeck deserves a higher grade than a C+ because he plays hurt and can expect to be be hurt because of the weakness of his protection yet is brilliant when he's given a reasonable amount of time. ( A-) Wallace did not play well or smart when he played. Group grade (B)
RB- this group deserves a lower grade grade (F) based upon performance but the grade should be an incomplete (I) because it is hard to run a one cut and go running game when there is no place to go once you have cut. But there is no guy that you can give the ball to who could even come close to carrying the team. The FBs are both playing well and deserve some props. Grade = (I) =needs improvement, or (F) will be final grade.
WR- the grade is fair but Burleson is showing that he deserves to be re-assesed higher, while Housh needs to just zip it and keep on working, soon things will be special because the signs are there. So far I wish we'd kept our 3rd rd. pick for the next draft because the coaches don't even seem to play Butler. Sadly Obo has continued being fragile but has played passably well as a WR in limited use but solidly on ST. The Branch experiment even now he's healthy has been a dismal failure we have not come close to getting value on any level. (B-)
TE- The group as a whole is a strength and Carlson is a developing All Pro,Carlson is worthy of of an A-. I give the group a (B+)
OLine- When you start the season with 40% of your planned OLine not there as any reasonable person should have anticipated and no sensible backup plan, you start off from behind. It's worse when the other 40% goes down with injury, then replacements get hurt, and you are now starting a rookie. This group has tried hard and Coach Solari has had to cobble together a group of career backups, street free agents, and repeatedly unhealthy players to even get an OLine on the field. On performance clearly they are the weakest group on the team and mostly responsible for the lack of performance of the team. This game we may actually see yet another starting shuffle but hopefully soon some stability and ability to pass protect and create some running creases. On performance they get an (F), on effort they get an (A) however in fairness it's really an ( (I) =needs improvement or (F) is the final grade ). However it's hard to polish a turd. You can play the injury card here but it should not be forgotten that this group has been weak as far as personnel since 2006 and seems to be getting worse, that is the responsibility of the guy in charge of personnel. Until the OLine is significantly improved the team is doomed to be weak on O. Grade = (D)
Offensive Coordinator- I wonder what we expected here, a new scheme, a weak OLine, no bell cow RB; this all translates to a lengthy period of adjustment or simply a weak O. There have been forced attempts at creativity, poorly executed mostly. Worst of all has been the stubborn reliance that somehow the running game will actually start to work and a failure to try things that even "Football for Dummies" would tell you will take some of the pressure off our beleagurred and as a result hurt QB and to use his skill with his arm to move the ball. Knapp has failed to work with what he has and it was only the final 3 quarters of the last game that showed they were prepared to put the ball in Hasselbeck's hands to allow the O to work.
So far Knapp gets an (F) on performance.
DLine- The assessment is is fair but the interior pressure needs to be improved and the line needs to be more consistent until this happens they are only just barely above passable. I still think the team needs a better RDE. or better results from the guys we have. (C+)
LB- Hard to grade this group because of the key injuries. Each of the backups has played well and Curry has flashed brilliance. Hawthorne has been special in relief of Tatupu. Each season much is expected from this group and each season they continue to under perform expectation. Considering how much this group is paid the results are not being shown on the field. (C+).
DBs- Given the injuries here we are only now starting to see what the starting group should look like. I expect the results from this group will only get better now Trufant is back. The Seahawks don't have many DBs with ball skills though. If this group could stay healthy maybe they'd deserve a higher grade. They are still allowing too many 3rd and long conversions, maybe that's the scheme but it they certainly are not a team strength.They really deserve a lower grade on results. Grade (C-). All in all more talent is needed here,
Defensive Coordinator- A rookie DC and a new scheme has not translated into a pressuring D as promised but statistically they are better than average. The Tampa 2 scheme has been figured out by smart OC's elsewhere around the league and the Seahawks have not been very creative in the use of blitzes and are reliably beaten on 3rd down as the seams of the zones are exposed. Bradley has not earned a high grade for the promised results shown so far. Grade (C-)
PK- Except for the 2 missed FGs in the Chicago loss Mare has played well and deserves a higher grade. His kickoff touchback % alone should raise his grade. He's been reliable and deserves a new contract.. Grade (A-)
P- Ryan's distance on punts is well above average and his punting has helped the team but his positional accuracy needs to improve his grade is appropriate as a (B).
LS- the best part of this position this season so far is that there have been no issues, our LS is invisible reliably doing his job. Grade (B+)
ST Coaching- This unit continues to have an every game fundamental breakdown in coverage and are getting little punt return results while the kick return performance is spotty. The unit appears to need more practice and discipline and has cost the team critically in several games. A better job needs to be done here. Grade (C-).
Head Coach- Given the team he'd been promised and the team he's had available so far he gets a pass but he needs to engage his brain before speaking to the press. Several of his decisions on the field have been dubious in terms of percentages. the team hasn't quit on him and appears to be a better team than what he's had them deliver so far. The failure of the defense to really be special is a negative for him given the resources given to it but TOP works against them and that comes back to weak OLine. To me the team could be more disciplined and take fewer penalties but all in all it's hard to criticize ahead coach who's ream has lost the highest number of games to injury in the league. Somehow though this team is not performing as well as whole as the sum of it's parts indicates it should be doing. The proof for Mora will come in the 2nd half of the season. Grade for now (C).
GM- He's had 5 off seasons to refine a fundamentally strong team inherited by him when he arrived here, the results have been dismal, except for the 1st season and trend is southbound with a bullet. IMO Ruskell's vision for the team has failed to translate and it's time for a different and better vision. His draft performance has been spotty to weak, his trades of draft picks lame, his FA moves weak and expensive. He has reduced the team's fortunes and the depth is missing in too many key areas wile areas of problem remain weak. He has negligently of stupidly handled the OLine and it's renewal; and he simply does not deserve to have his contract renewed. The Seahawks can do better than him. Grade after 5 seasons (F)
The team collectively over the past season and a half grade (D) on results alone.
If we win the next two, I will reverse course and start screaming high from the tiger mt cable line - keep Mora and hail Ruskell. I seriously doubt I will need to do that - but it would be fine with me.
I honestly dont have that short of a view of these two. I think Mora deserves a C and ruskell a D -. Ruskell for the lack of foresight on the health and adequacy of the backups on the OL, and Mora for not gaming for what he has, instead of teaching his scheme (or knapps scheme).
A grade for the team as a whole? That's pretty easy...3/8 x 100% = 37.5%, which is an F on pretty much any grading scale.
The problem I have with Mora and Knapp is their lack of flexibility. Some of these coaches are as dogmatic about their coaching philosophies as some religions are about their doctrines. Ever see the bumper sticker that says, "God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It"?! That's what I'm talking about..very rigid, black-n-white thinking.
Why did it take half the season and five losses in eight games to figure out that a run first offense is a losing proposition this season?!
Why did we let Leonard Weaver sign with Philly?
Why do we fail to make adjustments at half-time and continue to get burned?
I think it boils down to stubborness that's fueled by pride and arrogance, so these guys allow themselves to be blinded by their own coaching philosophies.
When a system doesn't accommodate for the skill, experience, and talent of the personnel who are available, you get poor results. We need coaches who place more value on what works than on what looks good on paper. I just wish it didn't take five losses and a wasted season to topple Mora and Knapps ivory tower.
Jammer - excellent assessment. I think the DBs deserve a higher grade though. At times they are brilliant. Others you see a break-down, as if they are not intelligently shifting. Is that coaching or players? This is Mora's group under Holmgren. You would think that if Mora is the grand master, then this group should be well prepared.
I think it is one of the proof points that Mora should not be the head coach, and is only there because he is Tim's man from the ol' Atl days.
I must say that is a pretty decent write up. (Ruskell's F not with standing. He has had his positive moments that I will refrain from pointing out for the seemingly countless times.)
It's hard to grade Spencer fairly because he was supposed to be first round talent but instead has turned into a first round bust.
If we signed him as a free agent off the streets or as a fifth rounder, I might give him more credit, but he hasn't lived up to expectations and has provided a poor return on our investment.
His poor line calls are going to get our starting QB killed and end this season just like last season.
He has the physical tools and has had four years to learn how to play the position, but couldn't get it done, so we had to use a 2nd round pick this year to replace him. The next time we miss on 4th and 1 or give up 3rd and long because of a weak secondary, tip your hat to Spencer who is either lazy or just too dumb to play that position.
We could have drafted a RB, Safety, or a talented Guard if Spencer even came close to living up to expectations.
"His poor line calls are going to get our starting QB killed and end this season just like last season." I think this is a sentiment left over from Holmgren's comments nearly 2 years ago. Especially in the zone blocking system, where line calls don't play nearly the same role, this doesn't seem to be a fair criticism. However, it's hard to look past a game like Dallas, where he was caught seemingly off guard by the blitzes and stunts and defenders came untouched straight through through the A gap, to recognize they simply need to up grade the position. Max Unger, take a step to your left, please.
Audible/Duke.... Nice job lookin' at Spencer... He's clearly hurting us behind all the coaches' kudo's.... If I'm a defensive coach, I have my eyes VERY focused on him.....
We've had some great analysis on here lately... Nice job ALL! Thx Eric and the Trib staff for the opportunity.......
when u grade someones performance u dont grade it on his look, color of skin, size of shoes or anything similar. It doesent matter if he was drat in first round on seventh. His performance is his performance, and expectations is expectations.
And if our DLine could make constant pressure they will be grade A.
marasin, i know the front 4 could apply constant pressure... it's just that GUS THE BUS won't let them.
A is Excellent.
B is very good.
C is average.
D is simply, passing.
F is failing.
I hate grade inflation and thinking the Seahawks offensive line is anywhere a C- is simply ignorant. I don't care about circumstances, we are talking about a grade for their performance. It eases the pain of Matt Hasselbeck none when a bunch of scrubs get him killed, or the starters. Performance is performance. And there's no way in hell the offensive line deserves anything over a D- and that's being kind. I hate it when kids always say they should get an A on something and end up getting a B. It's like they are being insulted by getting a B. Well, last I looked, a B is pretty damn good. So there's no way in hell a C- is fitting for the OL. Almost average certainly does NOT translate into our terrible line.
"However, the somewhat predictable wear and tear on Seattle’s aging cornerstone players such as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, offensive tackle Walter Jones, defensive end Patrick Kerney and cornerback Marcus Trufant "
Not sure that works on anyone other than Walter. Trufant is 28, should be closer to his prime than again. Kerney has 5 sacks. Hass broke ribs, which can and does happen to other QB's, and, as you noted, he's been good when in there.
But yeah, looking back now, the single biggest off-season failure was in not having the right info on the extent of Walt's injury and dealing with it. Those LT issues have killed us this year.
The fact that we've gone to a zone blocking scheme that is supposedly easier on the center just furthers my point about Spencer. He is still screwing up the easier ZBS calls and/or missing assignments that result in Hass getting sacked. How much coaching does he need to realize that 300 pound tackles running past him are supposed to be blocked before pouncing on your QB.
And, yes...expectations are a factor in assessing the performance of a player because there are a lot of incredibly talented players who are lazy or just can process information at an NFL speed. Either he's lazy, too slow mentally, uncoachable, or just doesn't care because we know that he has the physical skills to dominate at that position. Let's face it...Spencer is a slacker and center is too important a position to have some playing who nobody on the team is going to respect.
Is there anyone who wouldn't trade Spencer for 2005 Tobeck who was originally an undrafted FA?! Yeah, I didn't think so. I would rather have a guy with lesser skills and heart than a talented guy who constantly underachieves, if for no other reason than he brings more to the team and to the locker room.
I'm 23 and in pretty good shape, and I think if a helmet hit my shoulder, and my rib, it would break my rib, and hurt my shoulder. Hasselbecks age has nothing to do with this years injuries.
What will everyone think "IF" we get smashed by Ariz & Minn over the next two weeks.... ????
.......................On the year..... 3 - 7 !!!!! ...... ???
I hope we are competitive in each, but even then, we are a longshot to win either game.... A good yardstick on this team and it's coaching staff will be these next two weeks....
Quit'rs? Lost respect for the coaching? Rise above it all? Finger pointing? Play for pride?
I'm forty sumpin and that extra step lost at Hasselbecks thirty sumpin kept him outta the end zone. Ha ha lol, just felt the need for contradiction...
Ruskell put this miserable excuse of a team on the field and he needs to go.
Jammer...really enjoyed your report card...wit notwithstanding
Hey Audible!!! Youse deserves some of dem kudo's 2!
,,,,...... Nice Job!
Excile, you also haven't been working out like an nfl player for 8+ years, either.