After not playing a snap in his first week back from a high-ankle sprain against Detroit last week, offensive tackle Sean Locklear fully participated in practice on Wednesday and looks on track to play against Arizona on Sunday, reports Ryan Divish of the TNT.
Gregg Bell of the Associated Press talks to offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s sudden change of philosophy – with a little bit of prodding by head coach Jim Mora – to pass the ball more offensively.
Greg Johns of Seattlepi.com talks to Seahawks running back Justin Forsett about the scary play his former Cal teammate Jahvid Best endured against Oregon State last week.
Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com focuses on the improved play of cornerback Marcus Trufant.
Rod Mar of Seahawks.com offers these riveting images from the Detroit game.
John Boyle of the Everett Herald focuses on the Seahawks road woes, heading into a three straight weekends on the road for Seattle.
ESPN’s Mike Sando offers this midseason report on Seattle.
ESPN’s John Clayton gives Seattle a ‘C’ in this NFC West midseason report.
I talked with KJR’s Ian Furness in our weekly conversation about Seattle’s upcoming game in Arizona and where the Seahawks stand at the midway point of the season in this audio link.
Liz Mathews of ESPN 710 Seattle has audio interviews with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, defensive end Darryl Tapp, CB Marcus Trufant and other in this practice report from Wednesday.
Rod Mar’s pictures are so good, look forward to them every week. I especially like the the one this week of Jackson coming out of the tunnel and of Tapp bear hugging Josh in the end zone.
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Hmmm… McIntosh has proven to be one of our top 5 best linemen (film doesn’t lie) and he’s going to be on the bench if Lock is healthy? Meanwhile, Spencer AND Unger get to keep their jobs, even though both are playing well below average! And Willis has experience at RG (and is/was much better than Unger at it) and yet we’re going to leave him at RT so McIntosh can ride the pine? And keeping Willis at RT ensures that Carlson will have to spend more time helping out in pass protection b/c that isn’t a srong suit for Ray. Maybe if Mare had made those FGs against Chicago, Mora would be in a more sane frame of mind and wouldn’t prove to be the clown many painted him out to be (and that I disagreed with – which makes me look dumber by the day for defending that hiring in the first place).
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I disagree that Unger has played “well below average”. There have been some gaffs and rookie lapses but over all I’ve been impressed. His growth and continued improvement shouldn’t be disrupted because Lock is now healthy, after starting half the season. If it were my decision, while I believe in consistency, I would replace Willis with Lock. Willis’ mobility is a liability in pass pro and limits how effective he is moving laterally in this system. He’s at his best moving straight ahead, road grater style.
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Duke and BonnyK, if the best fit for Willis is to be a straight ahead blocker and Unger will eventually be under Center . Why wouldn’t we move Willis to RG, insert Lock at RT and leave McIntosh alone, getting the best 5 on the field while at the same time getting Unger acclimated with his position of the future? I refuse to believe that Spencer or Unger grades out on film better that Dmac.
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I agree.
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The problem is Bobby that your analysis is based on observation, evidence, and common sense. There’s no way you could predict some of the boneheaded decisions Mora is making. At least you’re flexible enough to change your opinion based on the facts.
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I meant BobbyK….. Sorry.
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Because in this scheme Willis would be even less effective at guard, in my view. I simply don’t think he’s be quick enough. Injuries or a collapse in play all together, I think it’s the interior (Sims, Spencer, Unger) followed by Big Mac at LT that need to stay together. Just my opinion.
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I think it’s a great opinion too, Duke. I thought of that, but like his wingspan and some other stupid stuff. I know Willis is much more suited for the smash mouth type of offense and he’s certainly not the ideal “athletic” type that the ZBS looks for… I just think McI/Sim/Ung/Wil/Loc is our best option. I’ve certainly been wrong before…
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Although it’s not always the case, tackles are normally more athletic than guards and part of the reason they are on the outside. I know Willis isn’t the perfect fit in the ZBS though at guard (as stated).
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“I would replace Willis with Lock. Willis’ mobility is a liability in pass pro and limits how effective he is moving laterally in this system. He’s at his best moving straight ahead, road grater style. ”
Totally agree. As I mentioned once earlier – i re-watched the game and Willis had a very poor game in pass protection. If Lock comes back, put him in his natural spot at RT.
One note re Unger, it’s neither here nor there re how he’s playing at Guard, but in re-watching the game, you could make the case that the single most crucial play of the game was his recovery of yet another Seahawk fumble, when we were already down 17-0. It was a real hustle play too, ball didn’t bounce right to him or anything, he just got to it first.
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Bobby – I know, it seems counter intuitive. To think that the guard doesn’t need to be terribly agile has been a norm but it almost seems in this scheme that the interior needs to move as well or better than the tackles.
pdway – That fumble recovery was pure hustle and I agree that is may have been the single most important play of that game. They HAD to stop the bleeding at that point.
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Agreed.
I love Unger and he is having a solid season for a rookie. We all want more right away, but it sucks having to wait. The ’10 Max Unger is going to be so much better!!! I wish we didn’t have to wait for it.
“They” say that the biggest jump for players at most positions is from year 2 to year 3… I can’t wait to see what Carlson does next year!!! (what about Mebane???)
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Carlson is so damn good. When this line situation gets sorted out and he won’t be required to stay in as much, the sky will be the limit. I’m thinking in the Gonzales mold.
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