Not so fast... Bradley/Bevell staying?

This could get awkward...

Groundhog's Day: Just a Pass Rush Away

A great, yet sad photo from the .Com blog that says it all

Excuse my absence the past few days, I am still in mourning as I'm sure many of you are.  Despite one of the most magical comebacks in NFL Playoff history, the Seahawks season came crashing to an end at the foot of Falcons Kicker Matt Bryant.  It's almost fitting the way the Seahawks season ended.  Like Groundhog's Day with Bill Murray, it's a scenario that we saw play itself out numerous times in 2012/13.  To say the Seahawks deserved a better fate might be the truth, but we also can not deny that when you only play 1 1/2 quarters of decent football two weeks in a row, in the playoffs, you're asking for disaster.  The team managed to get by a hobbled RGIII and the Redskins in DC but in the ATL it was not meant to be.

Despite the "early" exit, yeah that's how I'm looking at it, there is SO MUCH to be proud of with this team.  There is talent bursting at the seams, confidence and bravado that allows the team to never feel like they are truly out of any game, no matter how big the lead.  Oh, and then there's this dude named Hustle Wilson, you might know him as Russell, not sure if you've ever heard of him before though.  Anyway, he's the team's unquestioned leader moving forward and yet again an outstanding effort and a great comeback late in the game was squandered by the team's defense, which started the season as the strongest unit on the team. 

What went wrong?  It's really quite simple.  The team's lack of pass rush finally came back to haunt them.  Sunday was nothing new for Seahawks fans who have followed the team closely this season and for the past several years.  The team's glaring lack of anything closely resembling a pass rush allowed Matt Ryan to dissect the Seahawks defense when they needed a stop most, with :31 seconds left on the clock.  Immediately after the Seahawks scored their go-ahead touchdown you just knew that :31 seconds was probably too much time.  Coupling with the Seahawks anemic pass rush was Gus Bradley's insistence upon running Zone Coverage while blitzing Winston Guy on one play and Marcus Trufant on another.  Neither blitzed got there and Ryan made quick work of the Seahawks Zone Coverage.  I'm not here to bash Gus Bradley, by all accounts he's one of the best coaches to play for in the game, but I will point out that having Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner play that far off the ball in that big of a situation is just asking for trouble.

Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell isn't getting left off the hook either, neither is Coach Carroll.  Both had their share of "WTF?!" moments.  Bevell's original gameplan and scripted plays were abysmal.  The Seahawks couldn't get anything going and Bevell was insistent upon establishing the run despite having a hobbled Marshawn and a Falcons Defense that was hellbent on eliminating the run from the opening whistle.  That doesn't mean you give up on the run entirely, no, but this wasn't the first time this season that we've seen Bevell's stubborn approach come back to haunt the 'Hawks.  Sprinkle in the decision to run Turbin on 3rd and 1, followed by Robinson on 4th and 1 and you've got a few reasons to believe that Bevell didn't have his best game on Sunday.

Carroll on the other hand struggled with clock management and also made a few decisions that left Seahawks fans scratching their heads.  Add in the fact that for the 2nd week in a row the team fell behind big early and you can honestly stand to question whether or not the team was fully prepared heading into 2 games of such magnitude.  Regardless, it's obvious that the Seahawks coaching trio didn't have their best day in Atlanta.

Yet the Seahawks still nearly came out victorious.  On the road, in a 10am game, against the #1 seed in the conference.  That's either a testament to how great this Seahawks team is and can be, or a testament to how overrated the Atlanta Falcons are.  I'm pulling for Atlanta from here on out, it'd be nice to see a team come from out of nowhere to defy all Vegas and "experts'" odds, but I'm not quite sure I have the most confidence in them.  Ehhh, who am I kidding?  I could give two shits less about the 3 remaining games in this NFL season and I could care less who ends up winning the Super Bowl.  I'm already looking ahead to the offseason and how the Seahawks can improve and ultimately win the Super Bowl next season.

Much of the talk today is focused on both of the Seahawks coordinators that I mentioned above.  Gus Bradley was apparently close to a deal with the Eagles yesterday to take over their shambles of a franchise as Head Coach, and Darrell Bevell was apparently edged out for the job in Chicago by Marc Trestman, he of CFL fame via the Montreal Alouettes and an apparent lover of Russell Wilson.  If you would have asked me yesterday morning, I would've told you that I'd be fine with both coordinators heading elsewhere.  First, it's good for them and their careers.  There are only 32 NFL head coaching jobs and when you get offered one you almost HAVE TO take it.  As such, neither coordinator strikes me as irreplaceable and in fact, I think the Hawks could stand to upgrade on both.  Might seem crazy considering how the defense finished #1 in the league in Scoring Defense and how the offense came together to become one of the best in the league by season's end, but it's possible.

However, Bradley is technically still with the Seahawks, as is Bevell.  I'm a big believer in continuity so if both happen to stay, or Bevell stays and Bradley goes, I could live with that.  To me, it honestly doesn't matter who the Offensive Coordinator is moving forward.  Russell Wilson strikes me as the "Peyton Manning type", he'll be calling all the shots moving forward and the coordinator is merely just a figurehead.  Bevell's job, if he stays, will be to get the hell out of Russell's way and provide him with a second set of eyes.  I expect Hustle Wilson to have more freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage starting next season and that will limit Bevell's role to some extent. 

Bradley on the other hand is apparently well respected and well loved by anyone who has ever met him.  I doubt many Seahawks fans are feeling all that bubbly about him, however, and most actually wouldn't mind his departure including yours truly.  The Seahawks defense is loaded with talent, and youthful inexperience, and is still not set in their ways.  They can adapt to a similar system with added emphasis on blitzing and even more man and press coverage.  The guy I'm looking at to possibly replace Bradley if he bolts for GREENer pastures in Philly is Dan Quinn, the former Defensive Line coach of the Seattle Seahawks and current Defensive Coordinator for the Florida Gators.  He's familiar with Pete Carroll and his philosophies, has a history of being one of THE BEST Defensive Line coaches in all of football, and believes in generating pass rush with creative blitzes.  All things that the Seahawks could use right about now.  Pete Carroll stated in his end of the season presser that the #1 priority right now is bolstering the pass rush, obviously.  Bringing in Dan Quinn would go a LONG way in achieving that goal and that's without even upgrading any of the talent along the defensive line and linebackers.  If Bradley goes, Quinn should be priority #1.

Another candidate who could surface is New Mexico State Head Coach DeWayne Walker.  His Aggie teams have been nothing short of awful, but he is a Carroll disciple and Carroll has stated that Walker "understands and has gotten to know" Carroll's system.  Walker was a finalist for the DC job when Carroll arrived in Seattle back in 2010 but Carroll eventually decided to stick with Bradley.  For those who want to see more blitzing and more creativity from the Seahawks defense, it should be noted that Walker worked under Gregg Williams who is well known for his aggressive style.

Continuity can go a long way, especially in the NFL, but sometimes a fresh perspective can cause an already talented unit to scale new heights.  We'll see how it all shakes out in the coming weeks.

Regardless of how it all shakes out in the coming weeks, this team gave us a hell of a season in 2012/13.  Every game was thrilling although they didn't all go the way we planned.  There's so much to be grateful for and so much to be hopeful for heading into the future.  It's true, you never know what's going to happen in the future, but with Russell Wilson at the helm there should be no fears over tomorrow.  I promise every single one of you that #3 will bring Seattle it's first of multiple Super Bowls while he's in town.  I'm damn near positive that next year will be the year.  Fixing the pass rush won't be easy, hell every team wants a dominating pass rush, but I trust in John Schneider to get the job done as he always has in the past.  More on that, and some of the prospects in the draft who could help fix the pass rush, later.  Til then, hats off to my fellow 12's on what was an amazing year!

GO HAWKS!

Seahawks X-Factor - Future STAR Bruce Irvin

It's Thursday and the knot in my stomach hasn't even begun to grow yet, oddly, and I still can't stop thinking of one particular Seahawk that I envision having a MONSTER game on Sunday.  They say that overcoming adversity is one of the key factors in any great man, so then certainly Bruce Irvin is a man.  A bad man.  In limited snaps this season, the 24 year old Rookie has been remarkably productive.  In an unexpected turn of events he now sees his role go from valuable substitute to relied upon starter in a matter of days.  Don't worry, he's got this.

By now, everyone knows Bruce's story and why he's a 24 year old Rookie despite his immense talent.  No need to rehash the past, especially when it's not even about what happened on the gridiron.  Instead, let's focus on the present.  Without the press of fellow rookies Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, Irvin has quietly put up a solid debut season.  I'm actually a little surprised that Irvin hasn't gotten more press.  Sure, he hasn't had an Aldon Smith type season, but he also doesn't have Justin Smith holding for him on every play.  Equally impressive is the fact that Irvin has managed to stay out of trouble and out of any coaches doghouse.  Seattle has got to like the early returns from Irvin, especially when you consider his potential.  For the record, I'm not one of the people who see's Irvin as a one-trick pony who's as good now as he'll be in 3 years.  I think there is some serious potential in Bruce Irvin, if he continues to develop.

Now, the son of Rufus and Bessie Lee gets to come home.  A whirlwind journey of a life now gets to add a surreal moment to it's repertoire.  All as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, which makes it more surreal for us.  When Chris Clemons went down with his season ending knee injury, (thanks for nothing Washington.  Seriously.  I look forward to the Hawks beating you in the playoffs AGAIN in the near future.) Bruce Irvin stepped right in and the defense did not skip a beat.  Actually, the pass rush heated up when Irvin entered the game.  No disrespect to Chris Clemons who is a hell of a player and a great Seahawk and one of my favorites, I love his badass sack "dance" pose thing, but athletically Bruce presents certain problems for an offensive lineman that Clem does not.

Speed Kills
It's no secret that Bruce' key strength is speed.  The LEO position that he'll be occupying is designed to make good use of that speed.  Throughout the regular season and even in Washington prior to Clem's injury, Bruce was being relied upon in the "Raheem Brock" role.  Basically, the guy opposite of the LEO on mostly passing downs who can help clean up, generate pressure, and come away with sacks.  We haven't seen much of Bruce Irvin for extended periods at a time or frequently against the run.  It's natural to worry about Irvin's ability in the run game but I think his limited use is definitely by design.  Unlike Wilson and Wagner, who were unleashed in "sink or swim" type fashion to some degree, Irvin has been used only in specific situations in an attempt to maximize his production this season.  It's worked.  This is his moment to break through and shine.  History shows that he'll be ready to take it.

Oops, not that kind of history.  Although the thought of Russell Wilson connecting with Bruce Irvin on a 61 Yard bomb against the Raiders is amazing!  Funny, to this day his preseason game against the Raiders was probably his best game to date as a Seahawk.  

Yup, that's Russell Wilson Bruce is taking down.  This also shows that Bruce will be ready for this situation as coming into this game he was only being used on 3rd downs to rush the passer and for this bowl game they put him in on 1st and 2nd downs, kind of like what's happening with him now.  He'll be going up against former 1st rounder Sam Baker at LT and former Longhorn OG Justin Blalock when working inside on stunts.  The 2 help make up a solid line for Atlanta, but not an impenetrable one.  Not many offensive lineman are equipped with the tools to handle a 6'3" 245 pounder who can run a 4.5 and claims to run even faster.

When you look at the clip above, you can see how Bruce just stands out.  He's insanely quick off the snap and brings a great deal of energy to every snap.  Sure, he has his plays where he gets snuffed out, but he's come a long way since this game.  As the season progressed, I started to notice that Irvin was adding some more moves to his arsenal.  You started to see a bull rush to go along with his awesome spin move and the makings of a pretty solid swim move.

All of this is to say that I think Bruce Irvin will have a phenomenal game on Sunday.  Bruce Irvin is big game.  He's got a chip on his shoulder the size of Kilimanjaro.  He embodies what it is to be a Seahawk.  Now, it's his time for him to cement his legacy.  As Bruce goes, as go the Seahawks.  If he can consistently pressure Ryan, not just sacking him but consistently hitting him and getting inside Sam Baker's head in the process, I can see the Seahawks defense forcing some turnovers and allowing the offense to methodically destroy the Falcons defense.  He can help hide Marcus Trufant's shortcomings in the slot and Leroy Hill's weaknesses in coverage by living in the backfield and consistently forcing Matt Ryan to get rid of the ball before he wants to.

All I know is, I'm not betting against the kid getting it done.  

This ain't your Daddy's Seahawks

They're tough, physical, feared, hated, and they win.  Tell that to your Seahawk fan Father and he'll ask if you're talking about the Oakland Raiders or the Pittsburgh Stealers of lore.  No dad, these are your 2012 Seattle Seahawks and they're nasty as hell!  Dad, in a state of disorientation, would probably be in disbelief and would wonder how the hell they got there.

When Pete Carroll took over in 2010, he inherited a franchise in shambles when it came to talent and hope.  3 short years later and the Seahawks have been transformed into one of the most talented and exciting teams in the league, as well as one of the toughest.  How'd he do it?  Well he started by giving this team an identity.  He, and John Schneider, have hoarded a collection of misfits, outcasts, and other people's trash.  They have taken players already with a chip on their shoulder and used that mindset to foster growth and progression, literally taking certain players to heights that NO ONE dreamed of upon their arrival to Seattle.

The driving force behind the rise of the Seahawks has been belief.  More so than competition even.  Everyone believes in one another.  The players, the coaches, hell it's even trickled down through to the fans.  Now, when the Seahawks get down and the going gets tough, everyone continues to believe. Continues to believe that anything is possible.  With each and every game the "Same Old Seahawks" of the past continue to slip further into the rearview mirror before eventually, they'll just disappear.  You'll know they're still back there but no bother, they're behind you and you've only got open road in front of you.  At the rate the Seahawks are growing, it won't be long before children are born into Seahawk fandom without having seen the Seahawks be a doormat.  Hopefully they're being raised properly and don't end up like the douchey Yankees fans who plague my existence who never knew that the Yankees were pretty awful when they were too small to remember.
No game is too big for these Seahawks, no situation is too great.  Whatever happens, these guys are ready to roll with the punches and do whatever it takes to win.  The resiliency the team showed after Marshawn's fumble near the goal line, to come back and still win the game after that, are things that we as Seahawks fans are not used to seeing.  Seeing Seattle come through time and time again on 3rd down is something completely new as well.  Consider it uncharted territories.

Your Father and his Seahawks could never dream of going on the road in the playoffs and overcoming a 14 point deficit to still win the game, in terrible conditions.  It took 30 years to get this monkey off our backs.  I was -5 when the Seahawks won in Miami.  That's huge for a franchise that was already heading in the right direction.  Consider yourself lucky because now you also get to see the Hawks go on the road to play the #1 seed in the conference, and you can actually believe without being committed, that they have a shot to win.

The attitude and fighting spirit of this squad is contagious.  Somehow they just continue to be able to rise above it and scale new heights.  You can't put anything past them because anything is possible when you mix their already freakish talent with this high a level of determination, belief, and commitment.  

Consider this.  After the game my father told me that when it was 14-0, all he could do was think of me and how I must've been feeling watching the game. He said he was devastated for me.  For some reason though, he didn't turn off the TV, he kept watching.  When the final seconds ticked off the clock and he smiled looking at the final score, a thought crept into his head.  He said he's never seen the Seahawks fight through so much adversity and still end up playing the better game and getting the win.  All I told him was, it's time to start believing.

I guess this is what happens when the perennial loser finally starts to win. The road ahead is a tough one, but we can all believe that we've got a fighting chance.

'Hawks defy history with 24-14 win in DC

E.T. going out of this world for the interception

You couldn't have imagined an uglier start.  A Redskins fan couldn't have scripted it any better.  If you were at Carlow East, the Seahawks bar on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and you had stepped outside before kickoff you probably ended up missing all the action.  That's a testament to how packed it was at Carlow and how quickly the Redskins struck.  However, like they say, it's not how you start but how you finish and the Redskins dominance would be short-lived.

Much of the talk is currently swirling around Robert Griffin III and the effect his injury had on this game but make no mistake, the Seahawks deserved to win this game.  Russell Wilson has done a great job of keeping himself healthy so far in his NFL career, Robert Griffin has not.  That ended up being a huge advantage for the Seahawks and is something they and Russell Wilson should be credited for rather than having it held against them.  It's unfortunate what happened to Griffin but it's a part of the game.  If anything, Griffin and the Skins only have themselves to blame, what with the awful conditions of FedEx Field.  It not only cost the Skins their franchise quarterback but more importantly it robbed the Seahawks of Chris Clemons and probably played a huge part in the injury to Steven Hauschka.  Is player safety really an issue?  Or are the concussion lawsuits the NFL is facing the real issue when it comes to "player safety"?

Anyway, back to the game.  History would've told you to turn off your television set or to walk out of that bar when it was 14-0.  We had seen the script before and the feeling that was setting in was all too familiar.  Instead, this team made you stay tuned in and cheer your ass off.  This team is different from Seahawks teams of the past.  In the past, there's no way this team fights all the way back through all of the adversity.  The Marshawn Lynch fumble near the end zone would have been a backbreaker for Seahawks teams of lore but not these guys.  No.  They defy all Seahawks based logic.

Some guys that deserve special mention in this excellent team victory?  Zach Miller was clutch and came through with multiple huge plays in the passing game and with his blocking.  Although Russell is getting all the press, maybe deservedly so, with his block on the Marshawn TD run, it was Miller's initial block on the OLB at the line that made the run possible.  He just laid the dude out.

John Moffitt deserves a whole lot of love for replacing Sweezy, who again struggled picking up the blitz, and playing a very solid game in relief.  He made some key blocks in the running game and did an especially nice job on the 2nd 3rd down conversation to Miller.  Miller lined up in the backfield and the Redskins brought the heat, however Moffitt and co. did a great job of picking this one up and Miller was able to slip out of the backfield for the catch and huge first down.  It was great to see Moffitt out there and ready to perform.  He is the consummate team player.

Alan Branch, in my opinion, was the X-Factor in this one.  He played easily the best game of his career with the Seahawks and it came at a great time, when the Seahawks needed him to anchor the run defense against a tough back.  Mebane was great as well, but Branch was constantly disrupting the Redskins D.  He blew up his man multiple times and spent more time in the backfield in this one game than I've seen all season from him.  This was an example of a guy raising his game in the biggest of occasions.

Steven Hauschka was money despite being on a gimpy ankle.  Thanks again Dan Snyder for being an another example of why certain people shouldn't be allowed to have nice things.  Despite it, Hausch still nailed all of his kicks in a close game.  He deserves a ton of credit.  Hopefully he'll be able to give it a go this weekend, if not, I'd prefer the team sign Carson Wiggs.  Just like this has been the year of the rookie QB, it's also been the year of the rookie kicker.  Much like Zuerlein, Walsh, and Forbath, Wiggs has a big leg and impressive accuracy to go along with little experience.  Something about a kid coming off of the street and into the NFC Divisional Game to come help kick the Seahawks to the Super Bowl just screams Disney movie.  I can see it now...  "Ryan Gosling IS Carson Wiggs"...

Oh, and of course, I can't forget BRUUUUCE!!!  An absolutely huge effort from the rook.  He hasn't gotten the press that Wilson and Wagner have this season, or the playing time, but he was monumental in his first playoff game. I almost felt bad for Polumbus, not really.  Once Clem was gone and the defense needed a boost in the pass rush department, Bruce came to the rescue with an excellent performance.  I couldn't be happier for the guy.

Overall, this win felt great.  I looked forward to this game all week and it didn't disappoint.  The crowd at Carlow East was amazing.  I couldn't have been prouder to be a Seahawks fan.  Now, it's on to Atlanta.  I team that should be respected but not feared.  I feel that if the Hawks put in 100% preparation from EVERYONE involved, they will see the "separation through preparation" that Pete Carroll is begging for.  Keep the petal to the metal and this whole crazy going to the Super Bowl in the year of the 12 thing that took on a life of it's own suddenly won't be so crazy.

A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dream About Seahawks)

(Whoever you are JuniorVarsity33, you are a hero for making this)

My preemptive apologies to my friends and family haven't seemed to work.  I told them that I wouldn't be the same this week.  I told them that, even though it might not seem like it, everything is okay and I still love them.  My girlfriend keeps wondering why I'm so deep in thought and ignoring her.  It's not you, it's not me, it's the Seahawks baby!  They're the only thing on my mind right now.

My production at work is slipping.  I'm not my usual outgoing, happy go lucky self.  All I want to do is watch Seahawks highlights and prepare for this game.  No, I'm not a coach or a player, so my preparation means absolutely nothing to the outcome of the game.  Think that's gonna stop me?  There's something inside me that demands more.  Call it obsession, call it love.  Either way, whatever it is, I'm going all in on it.

This isn't too far from the norm.  Everyone from my grandmother, to my boss, to my little sister has heard my sometimes crazed Seahawks ramblings over the years.  Funny thing about the ramblings is, they don't seem so crazy anymore.  I rant and I rave less, only stopping to point out how fraudulent the sports media and Roger Goodell are because those two things still rub me the entirely wrong way.  I don't have to rant and rave about the Seahawks anymore because their play does it for me.  They took my pre-season 10-6 with a Wild Card berth prediction, which my friends laughed at, and added a win to their real record just for kicks.  Nobody laughs at me anymore.  Not after Brandon Browner or Kam Chancellor devastates a receiver's central nervous system.  No, no one laughs anymore. 

The conversation has shifted from "why do you like the damned Seahawks?!" to "the Seahawks are nasty!"  Funny how quickly that happened.  Give Pete Carroll 3 years and he can work miracles.  That's why I have the utmost confidence that he will have this team prepared this coming Sunday.  Prepared for the great unknown. 

After all, that's the biggest thing we are up against this Sunday, is the unknown.  Will the team play up to it's full potential, on the road?  Will Shanahan outsmart Carroll?  Will Brandon Browner be rusty?  Will Russell Wilson continue his superb play in his debut game in the playoffs?  So many questions and all of the answers will have to wait until Sunday.  It's important to remember that the Redskins are facing most of the same, if not similar question marks.  However, what we do know is that if the Seahawks play their A game, the Redskins simply will not stand a chance, even if RGIII and company bring theirs.   

The Redskins are an exceptionally talented young squad, there's no denying that.  There's also no denying that the only way they can win this game is if the Seahawks have a letdown of Seahawk proportions.  They are the only ones who can stand in their own way.  It was supposed to be a 4 Year Plan, but sometimes plans change, which can be a good thing if you're ready to take the opportunity and run with it.

We all we got, we all we need isn't just a rallying cry for this team.  It represents the truth.  When Lawyer Milloy first uttered the now trademark phrase, it was meant to represent the "us against the world" mentality that the team needed to win in spite of it's lack of elite talent.  Now, it's morphed into some greater.  It still rings true with "us against the world" but it also now means that the team doesn't have to rely on anyone else to win as long as they do their thing.  They really are all they need.  This team is loaded with talent and leadership, oh, and a remarkably talented leader at quarterback.

It's been 30 years since the Seahawks last won a road playoff game.  Sure, that sucks.  It sucks a whole lot.  However, it's time for the insanity to end. This team deserves to put this skid to bed.  They are good enough to do it.  I'm expecting a tough one down to the wire but I think the Seahawks should walk away victorious.

It's time to leave the "Same Old Seahawks" in the rear view window.  The sense of impending doom, the ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, and the rare ability to always come up just short need to become a thing of the past and there's no better time than now.  There was a time where I would be full of despair right about now.  The prospect of stopping RGIII and Alfred Morris on the road would seem to big a task.  Not anymore. My heart's telling me that the Seahawks might let me down but my brain just won't seem to agree.  This is new to me, I've never felt that before with regards to our Seahawks.

I know everyone around me is feeling ignored and probably can't believe that this team means this much to me.  I could care less right now.  It DOES mean this much to me as I'm sure it does to all of you.  I can already tell what a bitch "sleeping" is going to be on Saturday Night.  I'll probably get an hour or so, that's probably an hour or so more than some.  This disease called being a Seahawks fan already had it's hold on me for the better part of my 25 years on this earth.  Now it's infected my brain, my heart, and my soul a little more than it already had.

2012 was supposed to be the year of the 12, and for the Seahawks it was.  For yours truly though, it was a rough one.  I dealt with a lot of personal hardships along the way and a lot of real life pain and heartbreak, as I'm sure many of you did as well.  No matter how bleak things looked in reality, watching this team on Sunday's has been a shining light that I could look forward to.  Even if I don't remember everything come Monday, it was the highlight of my week.  It's always been one of the joys of my life, there's honestly not many things I enjoy more, but this season holds a special place in my heart.  If I could thank every single one of these guys individually, I would.  The fact that I've been able to take in a game in Seattle, my own personal mecca, and take in so many games with fellow 12's has only made this season that much more special.  Thanks for the amazing times.

I just don't want it to end.  Not now, not Sunday.  Forget me, a few weeks of solitude and loads of alcohol probably still won't erase the disaster that a loss on Sunday would cause.  Somehow, I'd deal with it.  It's the players, coaches, front office, Paul Allen, and the rest of the 12th Man that will be in my thoughts if things don't go as planned in DC. 

Enough of the negativity though, we're goin out on a high note.  Wherever you watch the game this Sunday, at home, in a bar, wherever...  don't stop yelling, don't stop screaming.  You honestly shouldn't even have a voice come game's end.  If you're lucky enough to be at FedEx Field you absolutely MUST be loud, supportive, and proud.  This young team needs all the confidence and support it can get.  

After the Patriots game I told myself that I'd never doubt this team again.  I told myself that I'd never doubt Russell Wilson, ever.  Might sound silly but I guess that's what comes with being a fanatic.  Sure, there's been points where I've wanted to throw myself through my TV set or chain smoke a pack of cigarettes after downing a Double Jameson, but it's been worth it.  Hell, there might come a point on Sunday where I contemplate doing this very thing.  Regardless, I'm never going to stop believing.  I'm not going to doubt this team.  It's time to go rewrite history.  I'll have my war paint on and I refuse to sit down and shut up.

John Schneider mentioned how he wants his team to be able to win a street fight.  It's time for the Seahawks to show John that they are everything he, and we, have ever wanted.

GO HAWKS!

Don't Sleep on the Running Game

It was obvious once the final seconds ran off the clock in the Cowboys/Redskins game that most of the media attention would center around the battle of the Rookie QB's.  It's a matchup that has the mainstream media foaming at the mouth as both QB's have to be considered serious contenders for Rookie of the Year.  Yes, the absense of the name Andrew Luck is intentional.  True, this is a rare matchup of rookie qb's unlike any seen before it, but it's another often overlooked rookie who will be just as big, if not more, of a factor this Sunday.

 



Alfred "The Butler" Morris, the Redskins 2012 6th round pick out of Florida Atlantic, has put together a monster rookie season.  1,613 yards rushing at a 4.8 clip, with 13 TD's to boot.  A hell of a debut, especially for a 6th rounder, despite limited production in the passing game.  The 'Skins lean more on 2nd year man Evan Royster as a receiver out of the backfield, more on him later.  Morris on the other hand, is a stocky 5'9 218lb back who fits Redskins Coach Mike Shannahan's One-Cut style to a tee.  There's a little bit of Marshawn Lynch in Alfred Morris, as some have already pointed out, which makes this matchup even more fitting.

Marshawn needs no introduction.  Beast Mode's had a career year for the Hawks and has put up strikingly similar numbers to Morris.  1,590 for a sterling 5.0 clip, with 11 TD's sprinkled on top.  For the most part, Lynch wasn't much of a factor in the passing game much like Morris.  However, recently he's been getting more looks as a receiver.  I like the fact that they've been splitting him out wide on certain looks.  Lynch's bruising style will be on full display, we've seen what he can do in the playoffs.  If you need a refresher...

 

Hold my Richard Sherman, that never gets old!  Be on the look out this Sunday, while some great running backs like Adrian Peterson are always capable of breaking a long run at any time, Marshawn Lynch is capable of dragging 5 defenders with him on every carry. 

 

Not many teams can boast a more productive running game than the Seahawks, but the Redskins are one of the few and the proud.  Their 169.3 Rushing Yards Per Game led the NFL, just roughly 8 yards ahead of the Seahawks who finished #3 with 161.2.  They finished ahead of the Seahawks in YPC as well, finishing 2nd with a 5.2 clip, with the Seahawks finishing 5th with 4.8 YPC.  However, no one runs the ball quite as much as the Seahawks.  Seattle finished the season 1st in the league in attempts with 536.  The Skins were not too far behind with 519, good for 3rd.

 

Much of the Redskins success on the ground can be credited to the presence of a true duel-threat quarterback in Robert Griffin III.  The 1st year man out of Baylor keeps opposing defenses honest at all times with his track star speed and impressive accuracy and arm strength.  Another reason for the Redskins success running the ball has to be attibuted to Head Coach Mike Shanahan.  Dating back to his time with the Broncos, Shanahan's offenses are notorious for having excellent rushing attacks without world class talent.  The Zone Blocking Scheme that he and then Offensive Line Coach Alex Gibbs implemented in Denver has followed Shanahan to Washington and he's finally starting to get the same kind of results that he got in Mile High.  Add Alfred Morris to a list that includes Reuben Droughns, Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, Terrell Davis, Clinton Portis, and Tatum Bell as 1,000 yard rushers under Shanahan's stewardship, most of whom were drafted much later than their production would suggest.  Morris' 2012 season not only set a new Redskins Rushing Record, it was also the 3rd greatest individual rushing season under Mike Shanahan,  trailing only Terrell Davis' 1997 and 1998 seasons.

 

Another reason for the Redskins rushing resurgence is the addition of the Zone-Read Option.  Most teams have not been able to stop the added threat of Robert Griffin keeping the ball on the option.  However, the Seahawks are not most teams.  The Seahawks have faced two teams that feature the Zone-Read in Carolina and San Francisco and in both games they were able to contain the Zone-Read unlike many others.  Cam Newton struggled to be efficient on the ground and through the air and Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers Pistol Offense sputtered all night long.

 

Part of the reason for the Seahawks success against the Zone-Read is the fact that they practice against one of the more efficient Zone-Read offenses in the league.  The Seahawks don't go to the Read nearly as much as the Redskins do, but when they do use it they've maximized the efficiency of Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson.  The Bills game was a testament to this.  Another reason for the Seahawks success against the Read is a testament to the construction of their defense.  Their mammoth Defensive Line makes stopping the run come naturally, but it's the speed and strength of their linebackers and secondary that help them shut down this scheme.  As long as everyone stays assignment correct and the defensive front holds the line, all that's left to do is make a big play, like the one we saw Brandon Browner make against Cam Newton that you can see here...

 

Brandon Browner Going Savage

 

Speaking of which, Brandon Browner makes his return to the team after serving his 4 game Suspension.  Things honestly couldn't have worked out any better during Browner's absence.  A 4-0 record and Richard Sherman winning his appeal will do that for you.  However, this is the perfect time for Browner to make his return, obviously.  The defense could use his tough, physical edge in what figures to be such a tough, physical game.  It'll be up to Sherm and Browner to help stop Washington's screen game and their use of the quick slants.  I expect to see a lot of man and press coverage but I expect Washington to counter with more usage of the fake screen and fake slant than we've seen all season.  Make no mistake, Mike Shanahan is a savvy coach who outcoached Pete Carroll in Seattle last season.  I'm sure Pete remembers that and would like to erase this from his memory banks.  A win on Sunday, in the Playoffs, would do just that.

 

Let's stick with the passing game for just a second.  Obviously, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson will play a huge part in this game.  The game will likely be won and lost on the arms of one or both of those men.  That's just the nature of the NFL in the playoffs.  More often than not, the play of your quarterback will decide your fate in January and February if you're lucky.  However, both of these times have shown a reliance on the running game.  While both teams feature 2 of the most accurate and efficient QB's in the league (GriffinIII 3rd in QB Rating, Wilson 4th) it's this reliance on the production of the ground game that helps make the 2 Quarterbacks so efficient.

 

The Redskins finished the season ranked 20th in the league in Passing Yards per Game while the Seahawks finished 27th.  While the Seahawks improved their passing attack immensely down the final stretch of the season, it's not a stretch to say that the team who can better establish the run on Sunday will come away the victor.  Neither of these teams will be looking to throw for 400 yards, although that would be nice.  Instead, I expect that we'll see both teams attempt to establish the run early and often while keeping it short to intermediate in the passing game.  Expect a deep shot or two from both teams early as well.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the Redskins test Browner early to see if he's still rusty from his suspension.  I'm also expecting the Seahawks to run a trick play, for some odd reason.  I wouldn't mind watching Sidney Rice throw another beautiful rainbow.  He's got quite the arm.  Golden Tate?  Not so much.

 

I also wouldn't mind seeing a little bit of Robert Turbin in this one.  Although a similar type runner to starter Marshawn Lynch, Turbin has excellent initial burst compared to his mentor from Oakland.  Once the bruising Lynch administers starts to wear Redskins defenders down, it would be nice to see Robert Turbin take advantage and hit the Skins for some quick big gains.  It's time to unleash the entire arsenal.  No weapon shall be saved.

 

The Skins may feature 2011 6th Rounder Evan Royster, out of Penn State, in the passing game.  Royster is Penn State's All-Time Leading Rusher and has some ability as well as decent size at 6'1 212.  Neither he nor Morris is the type of back that Seattle usually struggles with.  While we've seen the Seahawks defense fail to contain quicker, scatback types through the years, they've usually done a great job of containing the power types.  Steven Jackson has never had a 100 yard game against the Seahawks defense.  The only exception to this "rule" would probably be Frank Gore, whom the Seahawks have had fits containing for years.  A lot of that is in part due to the Offensive Line Gore runs behind, but even before the 49ers assembled their current monstrous line, Gore was a handful on several occasions.

 

Even the matchup of Griffin and Wilson in the running game is an intriguing one.  While Griffin normally boasts the 4.3 speed that makes him an anomaly in the NFL, he should be sporting a brace on his knee that will slightly limit his speed and possibly his effectiveness.  Seattle needs every possible edge when trying to contain the Baylor standout so this works to Seattle's advantage no matter how you slice it.  Griffin will still be effective but the probability of him breaking numerous big runs decreases significantly.  Also, he'll have to be weary when running in the open field as the Seahawks defense is one of the hardest hitting defenses in the league, especially with the return of Brandon Browner.

 

Russell Wilson on the other hand has less designed run plays called for him than Griffin but does his damage when escaping the pocket.  When a play breaks down Wilson never panics and normally puts himself in the position to pick up the yardage required.  This has changed slightly with the inclusion of the Zone-Read in Seattle's offense.  Russell is getting more opportunities to run it from the snap and has been effective when calling his own number.  The intelligence he displays when running the Read is also apparent when he's in the open field.  He'll frequently run out of bounds or slide at the feet of a defender to avoid the big hits defenders are praying to unleash upon him. 

 

Redskins Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett loves to blitz and did so frequently against Tony Romo last Sunday.  We saw the Rams do the same thing to Russell Wilson when attempting to contain him.  They got to Russell 6 times and the Redskins forced Romo into countless mistakes that ultimately cost the Cowboys the game.  You just know that Russell Wilson is studying the tape to see what he can do to change this possible outcome on Sunday.  The Rams were holding contain and not allowing Russell to step up in the pocket and take off.  Expect the Redskins to blitz often as well, but expect Russell to be able to get to the edges and make the defense pay.

 

Conversely, while I expect more blitzes than on Sunday against the Rams, I still don't expect Seattle to send too much pressure towards Robert Griffin Tres.  That would probably change if Seattle advanced to the next round to face Atlanta.  He's not the type of quarterback you want to give all day to throw.  However, Seattle's going to have to hold contain, keep things in front of them, and most importantly TACKLE like their lives depend on it.  All 3 things they've been able to do for the better part of this season on their way to being the #1 scoring defense in the league.  They've had their momentary lapses but who doesn't during a 16 game season?  This Sunday they will have to be razor sharp.

 

Ultimately, the QB that ends this one victorious will get most of the publicity.  With the Rookie of the Year decision coming soon, it will be all the national media talks about.  However, this game will probably be decided by what happens in the trenches and in the running game.  While Alfred Morris and Marshawn Lynch won't steal any of the headlines, they might just end up stealing the show.