Mariner Talk Chat Forum

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 wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 10, 2024 6:30 pm

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

douche wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 10, 2024 9:59 pm

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

trharder wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 10, 2024 10:50 pm

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 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 11, 2024 12:34 am

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.