Great look into MM's Game management philosophy

[D-train]

Also interesting that he makes the game management decisions in terms of dictating to Grubb to be aggressive. Love it.

Q: What can we learn from the final third-down call?
A: For a while, every Seahawks game will also be intensely evaluated as a view into Macdonald’s coaching style.

The Seahawks’ final drive Sunday served as a good illustration of Macdonald’s late-game thought process.

They got the ball back at their own 30 with 2:09 left with Denver having two timeouts remaining, as well as the two-minute warning.

“Just where Denver was with timeouts, it just felt like we needed to be aggressive in that situation,’’ Macdonald said.

And while offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb calls the plays, Macdonald said “ultimately all [game management] decisions are my decisions. Just get that [plan to be aggressive] to Grubb. I think I got it to him after the first-down call and then he called the rest of the drive accordingly.’’

The Seahawks called runs on first and second down which assured Denver had to use a timeout (with the clock also stopping on the warning). That left a third-and-six at the 34 with 1:48 left and Denver having one timeout remaining.

Macdonald said they did “quick, back-of-the-napkin’’ math, taking into account that Denver would be in a “four-down situation anyway’’ if it got the ball back.

An incompletion would mean having about 1:40 on the clock and Denver holding one timeout.

“If we ran it and they used a timeout, now you’re still looking at maybe 1:40 but no timeouts,’’ Macdonald said. “That’s still a lot of time to go down the field. So we’re like, ‘Shoot, basically the same situation. Let’s go try to put it away right now.’’’

The call was made for a pass with Tyler Lockett lined up basically just off the slot to the left, DK Metcalf in the slot to the right, and the two crossing in what’s called a “mesh” concept, the idea being to legally create just enough traffic to allow one of them to get open.

As Lockett and Metcalf crossed paths, Lockett got a step on Denver cornerback Riley Moss. Smith threaded a pass to him that Lockett reached to grab and stumbled forward for a 9-yard gain to win the game.

“Thought he [Grubb] made a great call,’’ Macdonald said. “The coach’s copy [of the film], that window was so small. And then the play that Tyler made to be able to make that catch — it’s just incredible.’’

[douche]

This was lacking so badly in Carroll's approach. Really nice to see that aggressiveness.

[D-train]

This was lacking so badly in Carroll's approach. Really nice to see that aggressiveness.

And more evidence that while HCs aren't calling the plays they dictate the overarching philosophy and Carroll likely handcuffed all his coordinators.

Now it is a good thing.

[douche]

Absolutely. And I love the 'quick, back-of-the-napkin math' comment.

[D-train]

Absolutely. And I love the 'quick, back-of-the-napkin math' comment.

Yes! So many HCs incapable or unwilling to do that. Chess not checkers. Next level thinking probably won us the game there and I bet it won't be the last time.

[trharder]

I'm on the record saying I was not terribly impressed with McDonald's first press conference when he was hired.
He just seemed overwhelmed and unsure. Which is understandable, but I didn't jump on the bandwagon at that time.

Now I've heard him give a day after press conference and a Brock and Salk interview.
I really, really, like this guy. I mean, it is easier when you win, but still, he gives me a lot of confidence as a fan.

[douche]

Fair statement. I think we all need to be reminded that this is Macdonald's first HC gig. He's got a LOT on his plate. Aside from coaching and dealing with individual players, the media aspect is huge. And not only that, he's inherited a pretty good team with a rabid fan base. I think this guy (like the team) is only going to get better and better as time goes on.

[maoling]

I'm on the record saying I was not terribly impressed with McDonald's first press conference when he was hired.
He just seemed overwhelmed and unsure. Which is understandable, but I didn't jump on the bandwagon at that time.

Now I've heard him give a day after press conference and a Brock and Salk interview.
I really, really, like this guy. I mean, it is easier when you win, but still, he gives me a lot of confidence as a fan.

Same. I like this guy a lot. He has this team all marching in the same direction as an extremely young rookie HC. That is no easy feat. And I am way more confidant in in his crunch-time game management and clock decisions than I was with PC, ever since he didn't call a run play to Marshawn in the SB that shall not be mentioned,

[trharder]

Fair statement. I think we all need to be reminded that this is Macdonald's first HC gig. He's got a LOT on his plate. Aside from coaching and dealing with individual players, the media aspect is huge. And not only that, he's inherited a pretty good team with a rabid fan base. I think this guy (like the team) is only going to get better and better as time goes on.

To be clear, I'm not sure a coach has to be good with the media to be a good coach, but I'm telling you McDonald is
very good with the media. I think it's because he's confident but humble.
For example, in the post-game presser, he was asked about going for 2 in that spot in the game. He said "they would
take a look at it". He said it like he thought maybe they had fucked up and he was open to firming up that
part of their strategy. Zero defensiveness. I love Pete, but I don't think he would have answered like that.
Yeah, he's bound to get even more comfortable. We'll see how he handles shit storms like losing streaks, but I don't
get the impression he'll get rattled.