Post Mortem: Seattle v Pittsburgh
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:06 am
Okay, first of all - wow! Big win! On the road, against a proud Steeler team that has traditionally owned us at Ketchup Field. Not anymore. You know where you can stuff your condiments.
MVP candidate Russell Wilson gives Coach Pete Carroll his birthday wish - a win in Pittsburgh.
Wasn't this the the most Pete Carroll win of all time? Okay, maybe not all time, but c'mon, that was Classic PC. Starting with the conservative game plan, the head scratching first half challenge that made no sense as I was watching it from the comfort of my couch. Who is telling him to challenge plays? Penalties, another staple of the Seahawks under PC, hurt this team today. But they won, so, it is what it is... for today.
But I digress - Seattle won - and they deserved it. The earned it the hard way - in part due to two uncharacteristic offensive fumbles. Make no mistake, this game was ugly at times, but Seattle is a team that historically under PC finds their groove later in the year. maybe every team does. But to start out 2-0, with so many new parts, so many starters not participating yet - this was a big big win.
But I digress.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Wilson is on an MVP run. The stars are aligning - and this team is already out of the gate 2-0.
Wilson continues his MVP run with fantastic passing and critical runs for first downs with the game hanging in the balance. Just f'n clutch. 29 for 35 for 300 yards - that's kinda ridiculous. Read it again: 29 for 35. Apparently he and Will Dissly are TD BFF's now as RW hit the former UDub star for two beautiful TD strikes.
Diddly is a stud. If he stays healthy - oh what a wonderful weapon he is. All Tyler Locket did today was Tyler Lockett things, and those things ate ten catches to lead the team. DK "YOu can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him" Metcalf is already making noise with two spectacular catches, one for a clutch TD. This Receiving Corp is going to be better and deeper than people realize, except for the people that actually watch and follow the team. It's a classic PC crew of underappreciated dogs that can run... right past you. And now they got some size and speed (that's what she said!) Boom!.
The running game.
This is where it gets interesting. In the first half, I kept thinking, "Okay, it's time for Rashaad Penny to step it up and produce." I have been a strong supporter of this pick, but have been feeling like if we can't get him going, somehow, some way, we need to move on and get some return value from him. We're wasting something here. Well, today he led the team in rushing with 61 yards, but that's not the real take away. On that TD run - did you see that TD run? Whoa, Nelly, as Keith Jackson would say. That kid's got a burst on him! Maybe Penny gets more carries now. That is a seriously deep backfield though, and it's good to see Procise get some touches. Where's McKissick?
Wilson's clutch runs sealed the game - and it's interesting to note that he doesn't seem to run until the game is on the line - after lulling the defense to sleep. His maturity here is another reason he'll be the MVP - he just gets it - and he is in his absolute prime.
Let's talk defense. Classic PC bend-but-don't-break. Clowney was surprisingly quiet, didn't see him making a difference. Wagner did Wagner things. Is this team on pace to break any batted passes records? Wags and Clowney both contributed. The secondary played reasonably well.
Tough day for Big Ben.
The real story here defensively, is this a defense that went into Pittsburgh, knocked Big Ben out, held the Steelers to 260 yards of offense at home - and Ziggy, Collier, and Reed have yet to play a down. And they're 2-0. Um, wow. What is this unit going to look like at full strength? The potential is frightening. I'll admit, I'm a bit giddy at the thought.
What a nice win for the Birthday Boy, Pete Carroll!
Now - The Complaint Department.
So, thanks to Iron Maiden, I only saw two games this entire weekend; Seattle v Pitt, and Wazzu v Houston. Why is this important? Well, I'm about to tell you. It's penalties. There were 15 in the Seattle game and 19 in the Wazzu game. To put it into perspective...
Penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, Penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty.
That's just ridiculous. It makes games unwatchable. It's hack a Shaq and it is simply unbearable - but it is part of a much bigger and deeper problem the NFL has - officiating. Yes, I know Wazzu ain't a pro team, but officiating, across the board is simply changing games beyond reason.
Want more proof? We have only begun to scratch the surface of the 2018 NFCCG officiating debacle - which, as a result of a complete failure by the officials - has now led to the review of pass interference. This is not going to turn out well for several reasons. let's just start with time. This means more reviews, more delays, longer games - and more games decided by officiating. Careful what you wish for. Death by a thousand cuts.
Yes, the PC challenge paid off, so that's a win for Seattle, but in the bigger picture, do we really want this? And remember - this is because of staggering incompetence and/or bias. Frankly, I think it is embarrassing. The NFL is never out in front of anything - unless it is fiscal. it is all part of the erosion of the league, a league that can't seem to grasp they are a beach that is quickly eroding away.
There are too many reviews already - it's become Hack-A-Shaq out there, and it is simply becoming unbearable anymore. Officiating is atrocious, and the incompetence is resulting in longer games, longer delays, and completely inhibits the flow of a game - turning the NFL into the last two minutes of every close NBA game. That is unacceptable.
Just my two cents.
So, where does Iron Maiden fit into this? I'm glad you asked. First, Iron maiden fits into everything - they're just plain awesome. I missed Saturday games because I was enjoying an Iron Maiden concert at the Banc of California stadium. So, that's how they fit into this. Amazing show, amazing band, not one penalty or challenge flag the whole night. Up the Irons!
MVP candidate Russell Wilson gives Coach Pete Carroll his birthday wish - a win in Pittsburgh.
Wasn't this the the most Pete Carroll win of all time? Okay, maybe not all time, but c'mon, that was Classic PC. Starting with the conservative game plan, the head scratching first half challenge that made no sense as I was watching it from the comfort of my couch. Who is telling him to challenge plays? Penalties, another staple of the Seahawks under PC, hurt this team today. But they won, so, it is what it is... for today.
But I digress - Seattle won - and they deserved it. The earned it the hard way - in part due to two uncharacteristic offensive fumbles. Make no mistake, this game was ugly at times, but Seattle is a team that historically under PC finds their groove later in the year. maybe every team does. But to start out 2-0, with so many new parts, so many starters not participating yet - this was a big big win.
But I digress.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Wilson is on an MVP run. The stars are aligning - and this team is already out of the gate 2-0.
Wilson continues his MVP run with fantastic passing and critical runs for first downs with the game hanging in the balance. Just f'n clutch. 29 for 35 for 300 yards - that's kinda ridiculous. Read it again: 29 for 35. Apparently he and Will Dissly are TD BFF's now as RW hit the former UDub star for two beautiful TD strikes.
Diddly is a stud. If he stays healthy - oh what a wonderful weapon he is. All Tyler Locket did today was Tyler Lockett things, and those things ate ten catches to lead the team. DK "YOu can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him" Metcalf is already making noise with two spectacular catches, one for a clutch TD. This Receiving Corp is going to be better and deeper than people realize, except for the people that actually watch and follow the team. It's a classic PC crew of underappreciated dogs that can run... right past you. And now they got some size and speed (that's what she said!) Boom!.
The running game.
This is where it gets interesting. In the first half, I kept thinking, "Okay, it's time for Rashaad Penny to step it up and produce." I have been a strong supporter of this pick, but have been feeling like if we can't get him going, somehow, some way, we need to move on and get some return value from him. We're wasting something here. Well, today he led the team in rushing with 61 yards, but that's not the real take away. On that TD run - did you see that TD run? Whoa, Nelly, as Keith Jackson would say. That kid's got a burst on him! Maybe Penny gets more carries now. That is a seriously deep backfield though, and it's good to see Procise get some touches. Where's McKissick?
Wilson's clutch runs sealed the game - and it's interesting to note that he doesn't seem to run until the game is on the line - after lulling the defense to sleep. His maturity here is another reason he'll be the MVP - he just gets it - and he is in his absolute prime.
Let's talk defense. Classic PC bend-but-don't-break. Clowney was surprisingly quiet, didn't see him making a difference. Wagner did Wagner things. Is this team on pace to break any batted passes records? Wags and Clowney both contributed. The secondary played reasonably well.
Tough day for Big Ben.
The real story here defensively, is this a defense that went into Pittsburgh, knocked Big Ben out, held the Steelers to 260 yards of offense at home - and Ziggy, Collier, and Reed have yet to play a down. And they're 2-0. Um, wow. What is this unit going to look like at full strength? The potential is frightening. I'll admit, I'm a bit giddy at the thought.
What a nice win for the Birthday Boy, Pete Carroll!
Now - The Complaint Department.
So, thanks to Iron Maiden, I only saw two games this entire weekend; Seattle v Pitt, and Wazzu v Houston. Why is this important? Well, I'm about to tell you. It's penalties. There were 15 in the Seattle game and 19 in the Wazzu game. To put it into perspective...
Penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, Penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty, penalty.
That's just ridiculous. It makes games unwatchable. It's hack a Shaq and it is simply unbearable - but it is part of a much bigger and deeper problem the NFL has - officiating. Yes, I know Wazzu ain't a pro team, but officiating, across the board is simply changing games beyond reason.
Want more proof? We have only begun to scratch the surface of the 2018 NFCCG officiating debacle - which, as a result of a complete failure by the officials - has now led to the review of pass interference. This is not going to turn out well for several reasons. let's just start with time. This means more reviews, more delays, longer games - and more games decided by officiating. Careful what you wish for. Death by a thousand cuts.
Yes, the PC challenge paid off, so that's a win for Seattle, but in the bigger picture, do we really want this? And remember - this is because of staggering incompetence and/or bias. Frankly, I think it is embarrassing. The NFL is never out in front of anything - unless it is fiscal. it is all part of the erosion of the league, a league that can't seem to grasp they are a beach that is quickly eroding away.
There are too many reviews already - it's become Hack-A-Shaq out there, and it is simply becoming unbearable anymore. Officiating is atrocious, and the incompetence is resulting in longer games, longer delays, and completely inhibits the flow of a game - turning the NFL into the last two minutes of every close NBA game. That is unacceptable.
Just my two cents.
So, where does Iron Maiden fit into this? I'm glad you asked. First, Iron maiden fits into everything - they're just plain awesome. I missed Saturday games because I was enjoying an Iron Maiden concert at the Banc of California stadium. So, that's how they fit into this. Amazing show, amazing band, not one penalty or challenge flag the whole night. Up the Irons!
