The Seattle Seahawks gained once more and the Arizona Cardinals misplaced once more. Seattle controls its future so far as successful the NFC West. The 26-21 win over the New York Jets got here with numerous issues and much more emotion than crucial. Perhaps it was good to wake the group up and maintain them targeted on the essential sequence the group has within the subsequent three video games.
The group employed a sleep specialist to assist them regulate to the lengthy journey. It appears to have labored nicely, so nicely that the gamers gave the impression to be sleeping on the sector.
It’s time for some extra Seahawks All-22 movie evaluation! All knowledge used on this article was taken from PFF.
The Dangerous
The offensive line ought to be a precedence for subsequent season (I’m not simply speaking in regards to the gamers)
Just a few years in the past the Chiefs confronted the Bucs within the Tremendous Bowl. Patrick Mahomes was extraordinarily pressured and requested for adjustments. The next yr the Chiefs drafted Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey (sure, a number of picks after Seattle picked Dee Eskridge), traded for Orlando Brown Jr. and signed Joe Thuney to a giant contract.
The Seahawks want a change at this stage. After all, it’s laborious to get all of the strikes proper, however the group must rebuild this OL, there’s little or no to make the most of.
Right here we’ve got Charles Cross, a top-10 decide, in the midst of his third season and unable to play constantly. His drawback in opposition to energy rushers hasn’t been solved and he even gave up this sack in opposition to a pure velocity rusher.
On this play, we’ve got Abe Lucas. The RT, though he was picked within the third spherical, has at all times proven me to be a greater participant than Cross. His massive drawback is the wrestle to remain wholesome. He’s missed numerous taking part in time. The sack above is an instance of that, he lacks rhythm. He makes an extended drop than he ought to and opens the best way for the defender to get to Geno.
These two are nonetheless Seattle’s finest hope.
The group had Olu Oluwatimi taking on the middle function after Connor Williams retired. After two good video games, Olu additionally took a step again. He had a excessive variety of whiffed blocks, as within the play proven above. Other than particular person errors, the OL hardly ever behaves as a unit and that comes from the teaching drawback. Scott Huff was glorious on the faculty stage, and he did an incredible job as a recruiter discovering good expertise for the Huskies.
Nevertheless, I can’t stand the Seahawks attending to a 3-on-1 state of affairs, realizing that Ryan Grubb goes to name a run and being sure that the OL gained’t be capable to execute the play nicely.
And you may see that there’s nonetheless some expertise there. On this Duo Run (mainly the one form of run that works for the Seahawks), the 2 double blocks work and Zach Charbonnet, who’s so criticized, manipulates the defenders on the second stage to create area for a superb run.
The group has struggled in opposition to higher designed blitzes and stunts. There are performs the place there may be a lot confusion that it’s troublesome to say who made the person mistake.
I do know that many followers are already calling for Ryan Grubb to be fired, however earlier than the OC is fired, Huff has to go.
Ryan Grubb’s Recreation Plan
I want Grubb had one other probability in Seattle, however he wants to regulate, one thing we’ve been asking for a very long time. He must plan his sport much less based mostly on ideas and extra based mostly on what he has at his disposal.
It’s like Grubb is a chef and desires to make a cheeseburger, however all he has within the pantry is noodles and sauce. In case you can’t make the burger, change the plan, use the components you’ve got at your disposal.
Their OL has numerous issues, from execution to accidents. The group has had to make use of completely different formations to this point. So the thought is to take the strain off the unit. Use extra play motion, add rollouts to your ideas. Do no matter it takes to discover a method out.
The sport was poorly deliberate and known as by Grubb, however particularly within the second half issues acquired worse. The Seahawks had an opportunity to attain contained in the pink zone and got here away empty-handed, largely on account of poor calls by the OC and the group’s execution failures.
A fade path to DK Metcalf within the endzone? That is one thing that has constantly failed, so why insist? The group has an opportunity to run a sneak and Grubb doesn’t name it.
Right here we’ve got OL errors. Abe Lucas offers up area, Walker has to chop inside and Laken Tomlinson additionally loses the matchup.
There’s additionally not a lot Zach Charbonnet can do right here when Olu Oluwatimi loses his block on the snap.
Maybe the one good name. He places an extra OL and Noah Fant as FB, one thing I haven’t seen achieved this yr. It’s a play motion with a go to Fant, however Geno misses the goal.
Lastly, the worst play of all. Rollout to only one aspect of the sector. This additional limits the already restricted choices you’ve got contained in the redzone. No routes open up and Geno makes issues even worse. From not throwing the ball away, to making an attempt to run to the fitting aspect of the offense, the place there can be no route.
Particular groups can’t make a constructive affect
Taking part in solely on particular groups is a troublesome job. Many followers don’t even care about names like Patrick O’Connell, Josh Ross, Drake Thomas. The participant solely seems in a single turnover, for/in opposition to.
Particular groups performed poorly within the preseason and for many of the first few video games. The errors of this unit can value video games. This has reached a stage that’s merely inconceivable to carry.
As I write this text, solely Laviska Shenault has been minimize. I utterly disagree with this stance. Dee Williams can’t contribute something constructive, has had a number of turnovers and has no operate outdoors of particular groups. In different phrases, within the ONLY factor he has to do, he’s horrible. Shenault had 1 TD return, hardly ever seems on offense and did a superb job as a gunner.
Dee Williams suffered this fumble that gave the Jets a brief area. Discover Shenault’s lack of expertise, not realizing that the fumble occurred or the place the ball is.
The receiver fumbled twice.
He managed to recuperate one, and the opposite stayed with the Jets.
You’ll be able to see that after the second fumble, JSN talks to Jay Harbaugh, apparently saying that he might return the kicks.
The errors don’t finish there. After the A.J. Barner TD, the Seahawks gave up a protracted TD return. The group’s proper aspect does a horrible job. Drake Thomas comes too far inside and Kenny McIntosh misses the sort out, with Tre Brown failing to field out the returner. Lastly, Jason Myers has a horrible protection angle on the finish, which nobody actually cares in regards to the kicker’s potential (or lack thereof).
The group had one other blocked kick. Once more on Laken Tomlinson.
The (constructive) overreact to Josh Jobe efficiency
I noticed lots of people on social media praising Josh Jobe’s arrival an excessive amount of. I agree that he was a pleasing shock, however it’s necessary to be measured in your evaluation. I consider Jobe in an analogous strategy to what Mike Jackson did in his first season. A man who could make a play right here and there, he’s very low cost, however that’s it.
Davante Adams doesn’t do something particular and will get good separation with out effort.
On this play, he will get caught together with his eyes on the backfield and the TE exploits his again.
The Jets isolate Adams in opposition to the CB, and realizing that he can be the weakest level of the protection, they exploit the matchup. As soon as once more, Adams doesn’t do something spectacular. He wins effortlessly with a easy launch.
The Seahawks are man-to-man and the Jets assault this marking with a “pretend rub”. They faux to attempt to create a decide play, with two routes in the direction of one another after which return to the unique route. Spoon processed this shortly, Jobe was misplaced and if Aaron Rodgers’ go had been higher, the TD would have occurred.
Be careful for Riq Woolen
Inexplicably, he had the very best Run Def grade on the group, with 92.
On this third to eternity, he solely appears to be like on the receiver and leads to the identical zone as Rayshawn Jenkins. Then he will get scolded by Julian Love for his positioning and posture (lack of effort) to make the sort out. This left the Jets in a 4th and a couple of, which they transformed by passing over Woolen.
Beating Woolen deep is mainly an inconceivable mission. Nevertheless, he has struggled together with his strain method and has been getting beat vertically. In opposition to the Playing cards, he gave up a giant go to Michael Wilson, and right here, he barely recovers in opposition to Garrett Wilson.
The Seahawks are man-to-man and the Jets assault this with the slot fade. Woolen decides to not bump the road of scrimmage and offers the receiver a straightforward launch.
Geno up and downs
The QB continues to be inconsistent. This was solely one of many 4 video games he went with out an interception. I can perceive those that love and people who dislike Geno exactly as a result of throughout a sport he offers either side one thing to do.
We already talked about Geno losing Ryan Grubb’s solely good name in the long run zone, however within the first half of the sport the QB appeared sleepy.
Ryan Grubb calls a double-slant and Geno makes the proper learn. Nevertheless, when dealing with a superb CB, this go must come out earlier, a lot earlier.
Few deep routes however none open. I imagine AJ Barner might have some probability to strive, however the QB by no means appears to be like at this selection and is caught solely deep.
Geno hesitates to go deep and holds the ball. JSN finds the area between the zones and comes again in the direction of the QB to regulate to the go and get a giant conversion.
Wonderful snap by the Slot Receiver. He is aware of that DK Metcalf’s vertical route on the alternative aspect will open up area for him. The WR positions himself in the fitting place to obtain the nice go from Geno.
On this play, Geno, going backwards, with out having the most effective established base, made an incredible go to JSN who ran a wonderful route. Be aware that Laken Tomlinson gave in to strain and the QB nonetheless managed the nice go. I imagine that if Geno’s ball placement had been slightly higher, JSN might have run for the TD right here.
The Good
The protection continues to excel as a bunch
Essentially the most constructive level of the protection is that it’s working nicely as a bunch. On this play, Ernest Jones shortly identifies the bubble display screen and makes the assault. The LB ended up shedding the sort out, however slowed the ball service sufficient for Devon Witherspoon to complete the play.
I believe the protection is adjusting increasingly with every sport. This can permit Mike Macdonald to make extra complicated calls and open up the playbook.
It is a blitz that could be a little completely different from what Macdonald has been calling. He solely sends three to strain, dropping the 2 EDGEs to the hook zones and sending a MIKE as a blitzer by way of the center. Derick Corridor doesn’t have an incredible sense of zone and is unable to squeeze the window to assist Witherspoon’s work.
That is the massive play of the sport, on the protection’s aspect. In case you comply with this column often, you recognize that it’s a Simulated Stress that MM calls very often and this time it labored out very nicely. Let’s go step-by-step as a result of it’s complicated.
Mainly, the Seahawks run a Cowl 0 utilizing a Dime bundle. Rayshawn Jenkins, the DIME, performs the function of Inexperienced Canine. In different phrases, if the RB stays in safety he’ll blitz, if he runs a route he’ll mark individually.
There are two different blitzers: Ernest Jones, lined up as an edge, and this time MM added a delayed blitz with Devon Witherspoon. The 2 defensive tackles drop to the mark trying on the interior receivers on both sides.
Briefly, we’ve got the 2 EDGEs, Mike and Nickel, going after the QB. Solely 4, which implies simulated strain. Spoon didn’t even get to the offensive line, however he had an affect on this play. His positioning makes Rodgers regulate his go and this leaves the ball nearer to Leo Williams who executes his function masterfully. It will already be a spectacular play, however Williams nonetheless manages to return for a TD.
PS: Riq Woolen on the high of the display screen tries to use strain and loses within the bodily conflict with the TE. If A-Rod’s first learn was to the left, it could have been a TD.
On the ultimate play of the sport, they name an analogous blitz and it’s profitable. Coby Bryant is the Inexperienced Canine and because the RB is in safety, he assaults the QB, getting the hit and disrupting the go. The largest distinction is within the protection. Because it was the doable closing play of the sport, MM, properly, protects the backfield nicely.
Leonard Williams is taking part in at an All-Professional stage
Williams didn’t get the DPOW award final week, however he acquired this award this week.
Williams blocked the additional level utilizing a way much like what the Giants used in opposition to the Seahawks: power and arm extension to deflect the kick.
That is his first sack. Boye Mafe makes use of swat and creates strain on Aaron Rodgers. Williams stays calm, controls his OL and makes the sack. One element is that he brings the QB down softly to keep away from a penalty. Do not forget that in that sport he had been penalized for a canceled sack and in opposition to the 49ers he dedicated a private foul after a pre-snap penalty and gave away 15 yards for a face masks.
Second sack. As soon as once more it’s 1-on-1, this time in opposition to John Simpson. He assaults the OL with leverage and a very good pad stage and makes use of an armover to interrupt free and take the QB to the bottom.
Julian Love is beginning to be a key participant on protection
Love is one other participant who has been recovering with the protection’s progress. After questionable performances, the free security who had his contract renewed in the beginning of the season is beginning to stand out.
The Seahawks miss a number of tackles on the DL, however Julian Love lives as much as his status as a turnover creator and will get an necessary fumble recovered by Tyrice Knight.
One other nice play by him right here. There’s numerous area within the hook zone and the FS goes downfield to ship a tough blow to the receiver and stop the connection.
Ultimate Ideas
As I mentioned within the preview, there are not any simple video games within the NFL. A group that’s on the rise can face one other that’s simply present, ready for the season to finish and nonetheless be defeated. The sport ought to final function a warning; in opposition to greater than 90% of NFL groups, the errors made by the offense and particular groups can be deadly to a victory.
