Post-Mortem: Seahawks v DonkeyNation

[auroraave]

First of all, when Kam hoists that flag, you damn well better win the game! Mission accomplished!

Second thing to remember - due to the "new NFL" in which preseason doesn't really exist, teams ARE NOT prepared, not really ready to play until about 3-4 games in - first few games are the new real preseason - and that's what this game looked like - two teams finding their way.

That said... THIS TEAM CAN RUN AND TACKLE! Wow, that defense looks fast and serious. Imagine when they get a few more games under their belt.
Biggest surprise was the speed and on-point production of the LB group - they played fast and furious - and didn't crash into any telephone poles.

Secondary looks really good - that group did not miss one shoe-string tackle. They are gonna be FUN to watch. D-line seemed to get a lot of pressure all game - didn't result in a lot of sacks but they forced Nix to react. Surprisingly though, Byron Murphy was awfully quiet.

I think Nix is going to be good. His first start on the road - thought he did a good job, all things considered. Haven't figured out his ceiling yet, but he is a Duck and a Donkey so let's hope for the worst.

Offense gonna need to step it up. If the line play is going to be this suspect, best to get more conservative and run run run the ball - it ain't sexy but we have a deep backfield (I think, even though Charbonnet was underwhelming on his runs) and we may need to play the long game and wear defenses down running the ball which will open the passing game up. Geno was up and down, but I thought pretty good overall - that TD pass to Charbonnet was a thing of beauty and reminds me of just how pretty of a passer Geno can be.

Disappointed in Metcalf - penalties and minimal production - including a couple of contested balls he needs to get. Lockett, of course, doing Tyker Locket things. Overall not a particularly impressive day for the receivers - only Lockett really stood out - part of that could be donkey d scheming to stop Metcalf and Smith-Njigba.

Seattle outcoached in the first half - by a veteran. Hats off to Payton - Seattle made solid adjustments and turned it around - game ball to MacDonald and CO who will only get better. This was as good win for this group - nice confidence builder.

I don't even want to think about the oline - so I ain't gonna.

New England punched Cincinnati in the face - they're gonna be a hard team to play on the road. I am expecting some growing pain, including a loss in Foxboro, but out of the gate this defense is fast and can tackle and that already is the single biggest positive - so so so refreshing. The key to New England is going to be the dline handling the running game and forcing NE to be a passing team.

The D made Kam happy here's looking forward to this team continuing to trend up - playing fundamental football and continuing this new trend of actually tackling, rather than 'doin' the Digg's' and running from contact.

go hawks...

[trharder]

There is no Kam on this current defense, but they did put up some tape yesterday that will be making
receivers cringe, which is very Kam esq. It seems like both personnel and coaching on defense has improved.

[Michael K.]

Great post AA, I'll add a few two cents. First, maybe it's the Husky in me, but I think Nix stinks, and will just be another Bronco QB bust. It's the curse of stealing Elway. Remember, Elway should have been a Colt. Nix is a check down Charlie, and he no longer has weapons he can simply dump it off to that will do the rest of the work for him. He can't throw downfield. Never could and never will.

The offense, as I have already harped on some, was as bad as I think I have ever seen a professional football team look, for two quarters. Great halftime adjustments but was that just MacDonald telling Grubb to get his head out of his ass and run the fucking ball!? That's my fear. Some of the overly aggressive head scratching stuff I saw at Washington is what worries me. He watched THAT O Line get dominated, and continued to simply dial up deep drop after deep drop. We got destroyed on the first two plays resulting in a turnover, defense bowed up, and Walker got two carries, we punt. Then? I guess after two touches in two series he needed a break because he came off the field. I believe he had four touches the entire first half, and two were on the last drive when he was a dump off option on second and long and got the ball on a draw on third and REALLY long. THAT is your first half? DK and K9 COMPLETELY uninvolved? It should not take 18 second half touches for K9 to get to 22. O Line getting destroyed, and twice inside their own one-yard line Grubb simply handed them Safeties with idiotic overly aggressive stupid play calls. I am beyond disappointed. I really do think Mike grabbed him at halftime and said, "run the fucking ball or you are out." He probably didn't say "or you are out", but I would have. That was asinine! The O Line is shit and the Broncos were attacking us like every down was a passing down, and Grubb had no answer. I watched this bullshit of ignoring K9 last year...and maybe it's just because they pretty much know the dude can't stay healthy. But we better start looking to Macintosh then, because this O Line can't pass protect.

The defense was outstanding. All that AA said it true, and it's intentional. I have a buddy who is a huge PC fan, and I texted him during the game and said the same thing. This is intentional. We actually scheme now, we let our defense attack, we don't sit back and give up completions hoping for mistakes. He went out and got guys that FIT HIS DEFENSE. No Jamaal Adams moves because it sounds cool, then having no clue how to use him. No pissing off guys like Carlos Dunlap asking them to do shit they don't do. No more Defenders seemingly avoiding contact, giving up their lane just because. Reminds me, anyone else see the play were Walker caught the ball at like the two-yard line, the Broncos pushed him back into the endzone and our old buddy Cody Parton signals Safety!!? Dude was nowhere near the play, made no impact on the play, and obviously doesn't know the rules!

I hear what AA is saying about New England, but Cincy is a fucking lost cause. They should honestly move to the SEC and let Georgia or Bama take their place each year. What a hapless franchise with zero leadership. Again, Chase is trying to hold in with two years left on his contract, no one ever practices there, all they do is run their fucking mouths, and then suck ass. They got lucky as shit one year and have been riding that wave ever since. Cincy was exposed for what they are, New England aint shit and now there is tape on them. Mac will have something drawn up, and if we have any semblance of a clue on offense? I think we beat them by 10 or more. That's a big if though!

[trharder]

The offense, as I have already harped on some, was as bad as I think I have ever seen a professional football team look, for two quarters. Great halftime adjustments but was that just MacDonald telling Grubb to get his head out of his ass and run the fucking ball!? That's my fear. Some of the overly aggressive head scratching stuff I saw at Washington is what worries me. He watched THAT O Line get dominated, and continued to simply dial up deep drop after deep drop. We got destroyed on the first two plays resulting in a turnover, defense bowed up, and Walker got two carries, we punt. Then? I guess after two touches in two series he needed a break because he came off the field. I believe he had four touches the entire first half, and two were on the last drive when he was a dump off option on second and long and got the ball on a draw on third and REALLY long. THAT is your first half? DK and K9 COMPLETELY uninvolved? It should not take 18 second half touches for K9 to get to 22. O Line getting destroyed, and twice inside their own one-yard line Grubb simply handed them Safeties with idiotic overly aggressive stupid play calls. I am beyond disappointed. I really do think Mike grabbed him at halftime and said, "run the fucking ball or you are out." He probably didn't say "or you are out", but I would have. That was asinine!

I'm stunned at how much shade you are already throwing at Grubb. As a Coug fan, I did not expect that from a Husky fan.
I'm in no way saying I think the offense is going to be good this year, but I came away from that game thinking we're probably
lucky to have Grubb given the challenges that a below average O-line is going to force.

That's at a minimum. There's also the possibility Grubb can turn the offense into slightly above average, despite the O-line.

Also, as Auro eluded to, with there being no real pre-season these days, no team even knows who they really are until
game 3 or so. That's especially true with a whole new coaching staff.

[auroraave]

Michael - first off - love the enthusiasm. However, while hand wringing over Grubb's first half - you might want to give Denver some props as they schemed well in the first half. It's not just Seattle that schemes and makes adjustments - Payton is a good coach - he knows what's up - so credit Denver for game planning well - attacking Seattle weakness (oline). That's just smart football. Then, in the second half, things opened up a bit for Seattle. The score shouldn't have been that close, but it is what it is - and better to be a bit more conservative to get that first win despite a rough first half - this is Seattle's first real football game with a lot of new parts and philosophies. I love Grubb's aggressiveness - controlled aggression - a welcome relief to Seattle's predictability over the last ten years (throwing a five yead route on third and nine lol) - and before that we had every single third down was a holmgren draw play. lol. This is gonna be different.

It's one game - allow the coaches to breathe and learn while the team gels around them. If this is the floor of this team - and they came away with a win - gonna be fun to see what their ceiling is. One thing is for sure - the defense is coming to play - they are gonna be a problem - and we haven't said that since 2016 - and that's gonna mean more opportunities for the offense. This is looking like a defense that GETS OFF THE FIELD.

[Captain 97]

The offense, as I have already harped on some, was as bad as I think I have ever seen a professional football team look, for two quarters. Great halftime adjustments but was that just MacDonald telling Grubb to get his head out of his ass and run the fucking ball!? That's my fear. Some of the overly aggressive head scratching stuff I saw at Washington is what worries me. He watched THAT O Line get dominated, and continued to simply dial up deep drop after deep drop.

I don't think thats an entirely fair assesment. Some piss poor offensive line play and some penalties put them behind the sticks a lot and never really allowed Grubb to get into any rhythm with the play calling. even so I don't think the claim that he simply dialed up deep drop after deep drop is accurate

First Drive -
Two plays a sack on a play action and an interception. I guess he could have called a run play to start the game but hard to pin that drive on play calling.

Second Drive -
Started with a false start putting them behind the sticks
Second play was a run to Walker
Then two passes to try and make up yardage

Third Drive
First play was a run that had a holding call resulting in 1st an 17
Second Play was a run for a 3 yard loss resulting in 2nd and 20
third and 4th plays were pass plays to try and make up yardage


Fourth Drive
Got rolling with some momentum 4 passes 2 runs and two defensive penalties resulted in a field goal

Fifth Drive
Started on their own 1 yard line, 1 play holding in the end zone for a safety.

Sixth Drive
2 Runs 2 Passes a defensive penalty and Geno with the QB Scramble for the TD.

Seventh Drive
Started at the 1 Yard line running play for a safety

Eighth Drive
Two minute Drill So not really going to line up and run there. Geno took a sack on the first play which pretty much blew up the drive.

[Michael K.]

All three of you make incredibly valid points. I think this is a very interesting topic, so will expand a bit.

I think the Husky fan in me is why I am so upset trharder, and maybe I can explain that. I saw many of these same things a few times at Washington. Granted, only a few times, and never did I witness an entire half like that. But, it's also the first time Grubb didn't have a rather large advantage at QB and OL. I also think DeBoer and offense are kind of like Pete and Defense. Grubb was the OC at Washington, but you know DeBoer had his hands in it a lot.

I suffered from UCLA game PTSD with the two Safeties. DeBoer and Grubb were sometimes aggressive at some really dumb times. We lost to UCLA when a very foolish and risky shotgun run play resulted in a safety. The entire game flipped at that very moment. Otherwise? The Huskies would have been playing in the Pac 12 Championship game that year. The two Safeties yesterday were completely avoidable if the play calling isn't really foolish. Yes, the O Line was bad, but like I said...did Grubb not know that? Two deep drop passes result in a sack and pick for three points for Denver and two very stupid plays inside their own one yard line resulted in four more points. All avoidable if he realizes, as everyone not named Grubb did realize, our line is suspect at best, and at that time was absolutely abysmal. So help them out! Nope, we call shotgun dive and long developing pass plays! This team doesn't have Penix and the best OL in the game, they have a line that is pretty suspect in pass pro, a QB that is limited at decision making and throwing under pressure, and a pretty damn good run game. Grubb seemed to not know that.

Of course way too early, but that was real bad first half offense. And I grew tired of hearing about how it was bad luck. Sometimes you make your own luck. Line up under center and run down hill with Walker once or twice on those drives that started inside the one and maybe you not only don't gift wrap them four points, but maybe you flip the field and get a first down or two? Neither of those plays had a chance, and when we lined up in gun on the second one I looked at my son and said "if he is going shotgun run this is another safety." Jesus, yes, the other team schemes to beat you, but we looked like we were scheming to beat ourselves.

Again, great second half, great to get a win, but not very many teams in the NFL besides Denver don't turn those gifts into a two score or more lead. Captain points out very well SOME of the reason Walker wasn't involved. But they CHOSE to open the game with a deep drop. Don't you think the Broncos watched tape of Grubb and knew how aggressive he is? We pretty much just invited them to put us behind the sticks. I know this is different, but it reminded me some of Sark's first year at UW. I remember one game we blew it late, because he ran two dive plays, and threw it on third down, allowing the SunDevils to save a timeout. They then scored on first down after a punt we never should have had to make. Well? Sark said "at USC, we would have gained a first down after those two runs, and I could have had them reset. I then paniced a bit". Well Sark, you no longer have NFL guys playing against College guys. You have Willingham's recruits, and don't have that kind of talent. Well Grubb, you no longer have the best O Line in the game, you can't afford deep drop after deep drop, you can't afford to just take shot after shot until we have handed them a pick and a safety. He looked like a college guy that was lost, and sorry, maybe I am being harsh, but I couldn't have been less impressed with any OC with a first half like that. I am shocked at the amount of excuses made for a guy that spent the entire summer with K9 and DK and then made them invisible in the first half of game one. Will he get better, Jesus I hope so. Because that was god awful. I honestly do think that he was told to run the fucking football or else. It was that head scratching.

You can't make excuses about being behind the sticks when it avoidable. Shotgun run and that slow developing pass play he called on the two times inside their own one were stupid as shit. Sorry, I just can't get over that. It's as if he had no idea what the strengths of his own team were, how the other team was defending him, or what the consequences would be. He is used to those mistakes being corrected the very next snap by Penix. He is used to calling slow developing plays and having the O Line hold up. He didn't have that, and he really didn't seem to even understand that he didn't! Like a kid touching a hot stove and doing it over and over again. What the fuck, did you not learn? He spend the entire first half calling plays that really seemed to have no chance. The scoring drive? Ball out on back foot after two step drop like twice in a row and then on the second step Geno tucks, runs and scores. Quick developing, help the O Line out. Kind of like they did the entire second half with the run game. Why did it take an entire half of football to make that correction?

I don't think our opinions differ as greatly as it may seem here. I am upset, and some of that is because he was a Husky, and my fear is he would only know one way to call a game. For two quarters that seemed to be true. As AA said, it is only one game and yes, the other team schemes as well. But with far less talent, that other team handed us our asses for two quarters. Again, it was alarming that Grubb spent two quarters not seeming to understand his own roster, and that he boned up not once, but twice to hand the other team a Safety. That is normally not going to be something you can recover from. We only play Denver twice...and sorry, I think they are a shit show. Again, I know he will probably learn from this, I sure as fuck hope so...but I don't believe there is zero cause for concern after watching him piss all over himself out of the gates.

Again, Captain is right about being behind the sticks, and bad situations. And I might buy that more if it wasn't for the fact that our own questionable play calling blew the first drive and later gave them not one but two safeties. Complain all you want about how ultra conservative Pete was, but I believe entirely that if we run power with Walker once or twice on those possessions We are at least in third and manageable with a chance to convert. For the love of all that is holy, can my teams ditch the short yardage shotgun run? FUCK, it's just so stupid.

Know when to be aggressive and know when to be smart. Grubb looked dumb because he was overly aggressive and had no business being so. Nothing we had done all first half would leave any logical human to continue to call the game the way he did. Which, again, is why I believe Macdonald grabbed him by the shirt collar at half time and told him to get his shit together. I am being figurative of course, but I bet Grubb knew he better run the fucking ball, and quick.

[Michael K.]

That post was scattered, and I apologize. Probably trying to accomplish too much all at once.

1. I actually agree with the points all three of you are making
2. As a Husky fan some of my concerns came to life in the first half
.....a. Can he call a game without a dominating line
.....b. Will he understand NFL defense are much faster
3. AA is completely correct, in that the other team game plans too, and we were facing a veteran coach. But I feel Grubb played right into his hands
4. Cap it completely correct in that situation dictated some of the problems. But Grubb compounded the issues by being overly aggressive at best and flat out dumb at worst.

That said, I am willing to give Grubb a chance. I mean, I certainly wasn't calling for his head. Though, had I been Mike Mac at halftime? It would have been ugly for Grubb. I was thrilled with the defense and happy with pretty much everything after the half. But JEEZ, that first half offense was maybe the worst I've ever seen.

Some of the problem could have been how incredibly excited I was going into this game. Maybe unreal expectations for a first time NFL playcaller? But honestly? Regardless of how you came into yesterday thinking, how could you be anything but flabbergasted at how bad the offense was at the half?

[trharder]

Some of the problem could have been how incredibly excited I was going into this game. Maybe unreal expectations for a first time NFL playcaller? But honestly? Regardless of how you came into yesterday thinking, how could you be anything but flabbergasted at how bad the offense was at the half?

It was a reality check, to be sure. But my memory has lots of Seahawk games, including before Pete Carroll, where the offense couldn't
move the ball at all. I'm never happy about it. I also remember a lot of games where, if any adjustments were made, they didn't help.
I remember the Seahawks beating San Diego with only defense and two kick returns. lol

[douche]

Maybe I'm simply easily appeased, but I'm just happy to see the defense play and game time adjustments being made.

Aurora makes a good point regarding Payton. Remember the old days when we always had trouble against a lesser team like ARI due to Arian's schemes?