Postmortem: Seattle v The World

[douche]

What I find interesting about the Rams is that they won a SB 4 years ago, and people were saying that they broke the bank to do it and how they'll end up being a lousy team that will suffer from the proverbial SB hangover.

And they did have a rough season in 2022, finishing at 5-12. But two consecutive 10-7 seasons and here they are, sitting at 5-2, same record as SEA and SF.

So what's the difference between the Rams and Seattle? Better drafts, better coaching, better scheme... ?

[auroraave]

What I find interesting about the Rams is that they won a SB 4 years ago, and people were saying that they broke the bank to do it and how they'll end up being a lousy team that will suffer from the proverbial SB hangover.

And they did have a rough season in 2022, finishing at 5-12. But two consecutive 10-7 seasons and here they are, sitting at 5-2, same record as SEA and SF.

So what's the difference between the Rams and Seattle? Better drafts, better coaching, better scheme... ?

There are a lot of factors. All teams are built and wired differently - there is not one path to a title. As to the Rams success, I primarily blame witchcraft for thier sustained success. haha. They've had higher end draft picks than Seattle - due to bottoming out, they had Aaron Donald, they have had consistant QB play, they have had consistant coaching and philosophy. Seattle had the ghost of Pete Carroll who had to be shown the door, they were directionless until MM took over. They needed JS to finally control the drafting and talent acquisition process - as PC was clearly not the best man - for either job. Seattle is catching up in drafting quailty, in having a constant HC and overall philosophy) even tho it's only year two - PC had NO direction for at least 3-5 years). Both the Lambs and SF had players palying in the same system for years - that's a huge advantage - even the backs ups can plug and play. Seattle in not there yet - this is just year one of Sam Darnold. All these guys need time together - to figure out strengths, weaknesses, reactions, etc. They also need another draft class to plug some holes. PC kinda fucked this team with his directionless 'leadership" and we are finally out of that malaise.

[douche]

So... better drafts, better coaching and better scheme.

[auroraave]

So... better drafts, better coaching and better scheme.

hahah - yes - BUT they have the luxury of having had 5, 6, 7, 8 years of that scenario - the consistancy - we are only in year 2, and the first with this QB and coordinator. We aren't on the same level - not because we suck, but because we have turned over the staff, roster and are laying the foundation with an infusion of quality draft talent, a new scheme, a tangable identity, philosophy and direction. It takes time. I think Seattle is ahead of schedule - and if they can keep this roster, plug in 3, 4 new starters, they should be very formidable. I think Both SF and Lambs are on a downward trajectory, we are on the rise. those team are experienced, veteran heavy, veteran coaching staffs, we are just getting started. It's not any kind of lamantation of Seattle - this is simply the process of getting there - for the fans it's never soon enough - understandably - but if you look at, and recognize that, we are consistantly trending up - over the long haul - elite status is getting closer - that's all you can really ask for. AFter that, it's a lot of luck.

I look at this team and think "damn, this is really impressive." MM and JS are killing it. This team is exactly where they should be - probably even further along than expected. SO the lamantations of "why aren't we better" simply does not register with me. That makes no sense. They are literally better than they should be at this stage. People should be marveling, not complaining. I guess it's a 'glass half full' perspective. I understand the disappointment of losing - but we are two plays away from potentially being 7-0. We ain't the fucking Jets.

[douche]

Can't disagree. SEA definitely needed to get past the PC era and start the rebuild/redirect. If I had just one wish, it would be for this team to stop sabotaging themselves. It just seems as though they can't get out of their own way sometimes.

[trharder]

I don't need anyone to claim they are making a deep playoff run if I believe they are capable of making one.
I believe the defense is top five. I believe Darnold is pretty damn good. I believe JSN is the best offensive weapon in the league.

You can also make a pretty strong argument that the Rams and 9ers are simply better teams. That's not a knock on the Seahawks or an indictment of the players or coaches. Those two teams just keep winning - and have stability in the coaching staff and in a lot of the core players, and clearly quality depth. I believe a lot of those roster's successes are built on the backs of the draft - and by bottoming out they acquired high end draft picks for years in a row - something Seattle has never had the luxury of. I think this team is one more draft away from potentially ascending to the top of the division. I don't see LA or SF getting better - they've likely peaked and are due for a decline - that should happen in concert w/ Seattle's continued rise.

Oh, the Rams and 9ers are good. I want them to be. And I want the Seahawks to beat them anyway. Like in the old days
with the Harbaugh/Krapperdick 9ers. The current Seahawk defense is good enough to relive those times. Hawkblogger,
whoever the fuck that guy is, was saying this morning MM still hasn't even broke out his best shit yet with the defense.
That when Love and Spoon get back they will bust out the dime package, which is apparently basically only using one
linebacker and wreck all sorts of havoc. That the Seahawks are one of the only teams with talent to do this.
What I'm complaining about is calling the offense one way to start the game, and then calling it another way the
minute you get up 10 points. The Kubiac/Darnold offense is capable of being in a shootout. They lost that game, but
we all saw it. Keep your foot on the gas. I'm not saying don't run the ball, I'm saying stay focused on scoring. It will look
different when we play the Rams and going turtle, if we are lucky enough to have a lead, will get you beat. I'm a little
worried Mike Macdonald is the defensive minded version of Miami's Mike McDaniel. A slightly autistic X's and O's nerd
whose team falls apart once the league figures them out.

[D-train]

This is been a good season so far, not great but good. But how do you intentionally avoid greatness by giving this sack of shit a starting gig knowing what you had going in.

[Sibelius Hindemith]

I put that on Schneider mainly. There just isn't anyone better to replace him with on the roster. Haynes once healthy will be an upgrade on pass blocking but he sucks at run blocking. This is why i was big on drafting multiple interior O linemen in the mock drafts.

[auroraave]

Bradley's place on the roster is by design. One of the new DEI rules the competition committee adopted (uninimously) was requiring all teams to have at least one starter be physically or mentally handicapped. Bradley is our handicapped player. Bad player - what's worse is he gets that prime parking spot, too! It's gonna get really interesting next season when starting running backs have to be in wheelchairs - or your QB has to be deemed mentally retarded by a licensed doctor. It's called "equity and inclusion" or "progress."

Honestly, it's probably coming. Oh, also, time to change the kickoff rules again and maybe blindfold the kicker on extra points. Enbrace that "cutting edge" thinking.

Isn't it about for the NFL to trot out a new idiotic slogan?
"The New NFL: while you're busy rocking, we're busy rolling!"
"The New NFL - We getting brain dead - because Lobotomies shouldn't just be for crazy housewives anymore!

[57reasons]

So... better drafts, better coaching and better scheme.

equal drafts (both quite good), just better coaching/schemes (I lump them together) - McVay is as good as it gets. I think MM is also very good though, so that gap is nowhere near as large as it was 2 years ago.