where there is no offseason
Eric D. Williams took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in December. Williams has covered the Seahawks, Sonics and high school sports for The News Tribune since joining the paper in 2006. Eric lives in Tacoma with his wife and two children.
Tacoma News Tribune columnist Dave Boling also contributes to the Seahawks Insider blog.
- All
- Answers to your questions (511)
- Audio Files (358)
- Awards and honors (79)
- Brock Huard Analysis (22)
- Coaching Decisions (38)
- Coaching Staff (77)
- Flashbacks (7)
- Former Players (78)
- Front office (40)
- Paul Allen (6)
- Game Coverage (1229)
- Injuries (537)
- Interviews (64)
- Media Issues (33)
- Mike Holmgren press conferences (87)
- Minicamps (116)
- Miscellaneous (238)
- National Seahawks Coverage (67)
- NFL Draft (265)
- 2006 Seahawks Draft (37)
- 2007 Seahawks Draft (72)
- Draft-pick Signings (18)
- Mock drafts (16)
- Rob Rang Analysis (43)
- Scouting combine (36)
- NFL Europe (7)
- NFL free agency (363)
- Cuts and waivers (73)
- Character Issues (23)
- Restricted free agents (RFAs) (15)
- Street free agents (71)
- Tryouts (40)
- Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) (99)
- Cuts and waivers (73)
- NFL Meetings (39)
- Notes from practice (189)
- Off the field (137)
- Charitable endeavors (32)
- Legal system (61)
- Offbeat Stuff (51)
- Officiating (71)
- Opponents (152)
- Playoff picture (20)
- Predictions (41)
- Quotes (182)
- Matt Hasselbeck (18)
- Mike Holmgren (32)
- Shaun Alexander (13)
- Radio Shows (41)
- Roster Analysis (58)
- Schedules and calendars (40)
- Seahawks Insider (301)
- Blog News (282)
- Programming Note (223)
- Stadium/facilities (13)
- Stats, etc. (124)
- Excel Downloads (106)
- Draft-related files (9)
- Seahawks Roster (78)
- Statistics (97)
- Excel Downloads (106)
- Trades and potential trades (71)
- Training Camp (182)
- 2006 Training Camp (137)
- 2007 Training Camp (141)
- Video (8)
- Xs and Os (39)
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| << < | > >> | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
- July 2009 (1)
- June 2009 (29)
- May 2009 (32)
- April 2009 (89)
- March 2009 (56)
- February 2009 (63)
- January 2009 (51)
- December 2008 (151)
- November 2008 (191)
- October 2008 (203)
- September 2008 (164)
- August 2008 (175)
- More...
XML Feeds- gregoryrobinson
- mjrobertson
- ErikG803
- hgeorge
- Guest Users: 610
Thursday, October 16th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:53:28 pm
I spoke with offensive line coach Mike Solari after this afternoon's practice, and he confirmed that Ray Willis, who was splitting time with Sean Locklear at right tackle, will probably start at right tackle -- though he said the final decision is going to rest with Mike Holmgren. Solari basically said that the team was functioning well and they were pleased with Willis when he was playing, and that Locklear still is trying to work out the rust after sitting out for five weeks after spraining his knee. I think there can be no question that Locklear has struggled, both in the run game and the pass game. Boling watches the offensive line much more intently than I do during games, and he has noticed on more than one occasion that Locklear -- as well as Chris Spencer -- are not doing as well as some of their teammates.
I also asked Solari about what the league told him regarding the tape of the Mike Wahle holding call last Sunday that Seattle sent to the NFL. He said they reviewed the tape and concluded that the ref was right and that it was holding. (Big surprise.) But Solari said he didn't think it was holding based on Wahle's hands being inside the pads. Either way, it is not going to change anything.
Seneca Wallace said after practice that he was feeling good and seems ready to play Sunday. No decision has been made, but he seems to have his mobility back. When Seneca was asked if he was concerned about re-injuring the calf when he scrambles on Sunday, he said it is not something about which he can be concerned (though he didn't say 'about which.') "That's why we have backups," he said.
Deon Grant was at practice in full uniform, though he only took part in the early drills. Still, it appears as if he is going to play. As mentioned earlier, Deion Branch did not practice. Koren Robinson was back at practice and getting a bunch of reps.
I asked Brian Russell about the interceptions, or lack thereof. Seattle has only 1, compared to 11 by Tampa Bay. Russell said there is not an answer. Turnovers seems to come in bunches, and they haven't had their run on them yet. Some come on tipped balls or errant passes, and they haven't seen many of them, but he said he thinks once they are able to get one or two, they will start to come. As far as fumbles, he said the players have to gang tackle and strip the ball more. I
Categories: Notes from practice
• 34 comments
COMMENTS:
Stevo: sure hindsight is 20/20, but that's how GMs are evaluated. They get paid to make the right decisions. Including the famous 05 draft, Ruskell has been average to mediocre. 05 draft brought us Hill and Tatupu. He also drafted David Green and Chris Spencer too. That is an average performance. After 05, Ruskell's records have been mediocre. The top picks included Tapp, Jennings, Branch, Wilson, and Mebane. With exception of Mebane, all the other ones did not live up to their draft status. Branch was not a draft pick, but he traded it away for him.
We have been winning with Holmgren's offensive guys. Ruskell has poured all the resources into building the defense, but his expertise gave us a defense that has never ranked among the top 15 in the league. Let's not even talk about how he mishandled Hutchinson! That topic is too painful!
Don't misunderstand me as a Holmgren's fan. He is a great coach, but I a huge critic of Holmgren as a GM. The truth is Ruskell has not done any better. As a die-hard Hawks fan, I hate to admit but I am very concerned about the direction of our team. His draft the past couple years have not produced, and that means that we will pay a price for those failures now and the next couple years. Ask Rams fans about their team and they can tell us a eerily smiliar story!.
We have been winning with Holmgren's offensive guys. Ruskell has poured all the resources into building the defense, but his expertise gave us a defense that has never ranked among the top 15 in the league. Let's not even talk about how he mishandled Hutchinson! That topic is too painful!
Don't misunderstand me as a Holmgren's fan. He is a great coach, but I a huge critic of Holmgren as a GM. The truth is Ruskell has not done any better. As a die-hard Hawks fan, I hate to admit but I am very concerned about the direction of our team. His draft the past couple years have not produced, and that means that we will pay a price for those failures now and the next couple years. Ask Rams fans about their team and they can tell us a eerily smiliar story!.
Leroy, sure, and a lot of us have posted the same sentiments here lately. It seems real obvious to us now that Ruskell has drafted too many smallish defenders. It shows up every time we play big teams like NYG and GB.
A big question hasn't been answered, though. Every Seahawk defense in the past 4 years has been undersized and quick, yet this is the first year they have been made fools of on a regular basis. Last year, Green Bay was the only team to run roughshod over Seattle. They played stout nearly every game before that. So what changed this year? What is it about these defensive players that has changed? They look like they lost their focus and lost their confidence. That's not the fault of guys who work in the front office.
A big question hasn't been answered, though. Every Seahawk defense in the past 4 years has been undersized and quick, yet this is the first year they have been made fools of on a regular basis. Last year, Green Bay was the only team to run roughshod over Seattle. They played stout nearly every game before that. So what changed this year? What is it about these defensive players that has changed? They look like they lost their focus and lost their confidence. That's not the fault of guys who work in the front office.
Hey Pilot you think Jim Mora Jr could do any better job when he didnt so good in Atlanta what make you think he deserve another chance to be HC!
As for Holmgren hater please tell me what other HC in seattle seahawk brought the team to Super bowl????
Has Jim mora JR ever coach a team to Super bowl? Better yet this is the guy teaching our DB and yet they play like crap and you want him to be HC. So hawks can become average team because Mora Jr is just average coach who belong else where.
I rather have Holmgren back but with new defensive coaches than have Jim Mora Jr and Russell bring in people they know that didnt do so good in NFL.
As for Holmgren hater please tell me what other HC in seattle seahawk brought the team to Super bowl????
Has Jim mora JR ever coach a team to Super bowl? Better yet this is the guy teaching our DB and yet they play like crap and you want him to be HC. So hawks can become average team because Mora Jr is just average coach who belong else where.
I rather have Holmgren back but with new defensive coaches than have Jim Mora Jr and Russell bring in people they know that didnt do so good in NFL.
BigMike,
I'm not picking a fight here but Belecik didn't do very well in his first coaching job in Cleveland either. But look what he's done with New England after getting some time under the Tuna. Maybe what Mora needed was a first hand look at a HC job and then go back to work for one of the icons in the business (along the same lines as the Tuna) before he takes over again.
We just don't know about Mora yet. But I think we owe any coach a 2 year trial so that their schemes and systems can be fully implemented.
I'm not picking a fight here but Belecik didn't do very well in his first coaching job in Cleveland either. But look what he's done with New England after getting some time under the Tuna. Maybe what Mora needed was a first hand look at a HC job and then go back to work for one of the icons in the business (along the same lines as the Tuna) before he takes over again.
We just don't know about Mora yet. But I think we owe any coach a 2 year trial so that their schemes and systems can be fully implemented.
BigMike...
just because Mora's tenure with the Falcons wasn't amazing, he doesn't deserve another chance to be a HC? He deserves another chance just as much as the next guy, so don't take that away from him.
Mora actually did a pretty good job if you ask me. He did a solid job playcalling and most importantly, he brought a great mind-set to that Atlanta team. He was full of energy and his team was fired up.
I personally want Mora as our coach and am excited to see the mentality he will bring. He is young, with a fresh mind and fresh spirit...which is what this team needs. Holmgren has become stale, which is understandable, he's been around a long time and needs a break. But with Holmgren's staleness, our team reflects that. So Mora will rejuvinate this team, which is going to be awesome.
Plus you gotta realize that he also had Mike Vick as his QB...which means that he had no passing game what-so-ever. He had to work with an embedded superstar at QB who couldn't even throw the ball consistently, if at all sometimes. Their passing game was horrid due to Vick, but he still made that offense work. There were a few stars on defense (Kerney, Brookings), but besides those 3 or 4 players, he didn't have much to work with. But he had his team fired up and playing their hearts out. Just think if he had a team with the talent of ours playing that hard and with that much fire...
It was a learning experience for him and I am sure he learned a lot from it. A ton of coaches start off their careers kind of rocky. This is a tough league, coaching is a tough job and that's to be expected. Statistically coaches do far, far better with their 2nd time coaching, and look forward to seeing Mora doing a good job with our Seahawks.
just because Mora's tenure with the Falcons wasn't amazing, he doesn't deserve another chance to be a HC? He deserves another chance just as much as the next guy, so don't take that away from him.
Mora actually did a pretty good job if you ask me. He did a solid job playcalling and most importantly, he brought a great mind-set to that Atlanta team. He was full of energy and his team was fired up.
I personally want Mora as our coach and am excited to see the mentality he will bring. He is young, with a fresh mind and fresh spirit...which is what this team needs. Holmgren has become stale, which is understandable, he's been around a long time and needs a break. But with Holmgren's staleness, our team reflects that. So Mora will rejuvinate this team, which is going to be awesome.
Plus you gotta realize that he also had Mike Vick as his QB...which means that he had no passing game what-so-ever. He had to work with an embedded superstar at QB who couldn't even throw the ball consistently, if at all sometimes. Their passing game was horrid due to Vick, but he still made that offense work. There were a few stars on defense (Kerney, Brookings), but besides those 3 or 4 players, he didn't have much to work with. But he had his team fired up and playing their hearts out. Just think if he had a team with the talent of ours playing that hard and with that much fire...
It was a learning experience for him and I am sure he learned a lot from it. A ton of coaches start off their careers kind of rocky. This is a tough league, coaching is a tough job and that's to be expected. Statistically coaches do far, far better with their 2nd time coaching, and look forward to seeing Mora doing a good job with our Seahawks.
When Mora was D-Coordinator in SF, I believe that he had a couple Top 5 Defenses. The current problems with the Seahawks Defense are just not his fault.
One he hires his own D-Coordinator next season, and implements his scheme, the results will be different.
One he hires his own D-Coordinator next season, and implements his scheme, the results will be different.
Leroyhill - I have to argue with you on the this years draft - John Carslon, Lawrence Jackson, Owen Schmitt and Red Bryant are all already contributors on this team in their first year. All will get better if you are getting close to 50% of your draft functional in their first year that's a pretty good draft.
And look he even got Forsett back...
And look he even got Forsett back...
Ok, if Willis is going to win this job (which he should), then the Hawks need to see what they are going to get from Locklear and see it now. That means starting to play him at right guard to see if he can outplay Womack in a few weeks. The team needs to know if next year's free agency/first round pick needs to be a guard or a safety.
To those of you who are freaking out about Jackson being replaced by Tapp and calling LoJack a bust already need to chill out.
Jackson is 2nd among all rookie DE's with 15 tackles. The only DE who has more is Chris Long with 19.
He is also tied for 2nd out of all rookies with 2 sacks. He's behind Alex Hall, a LB from the Browns...and tied with Chris Long, the #2 pick.
Jackson is doing just fine, it takes a little while to get fully adjusted and he's working on it. I have confidence in him and believe he will be a solid DE. The team is just mixing it up. Maybe he'll even excel coming off of the bench and spelling both Tapp and Kerney.
Jackson is 2nd among all rookie DE's with 15 tackles. The only DE who has more is Chris Long with 19.
He is also tied for 2nd out of all rookies with 2 sacks. He's behind Alex Hall, a LB from the Browns...and tied with Chris Long, the #2 pick.
Jackson is doing just fine, it takes a little while to get fully adjusted and he's working on it. I have confidence in him and believe he will be a solid DE. The team is just mixing it up. Maybe he'll even excel coming off of the bench and spelling both Tapp and Kerney.
Since the coaching issue was raised on this thread, another Ruskell decision to not offer Jim Zorn a coaching promotion with the Seahawks, (as Zorn had requested), appears have been a big mistake. Perhaps in a few years we can get Zorn back as the Seahawks head coach. And our under-sized defense simply wears-out when matched against bigger physical offensive lines. End of story!
Wow, ESPN Draft 2009 has been updated. Check out what kind of additions we can make to the team in 2009. This is why I want a 2-14 team.
Illinois DC Vontae Davis* -- Brother of 49ers TE Vernon Davis, Vontae is the premier cover corner in the nation. He's blessed with the size, fluid hips and closing burst to play on an island in the NFL.
Or Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State,
Or Jeremy Maclin in the FIRST ROUND.
Second Round
Give me Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland (6'3", 206LBs)
Illinois DC Vontae Davis* -- Brother of 49ers TE Vernon Davis, Vontae is the premier cover corner in the nation. He's blessed with the size, fluid hips and closing burst to play on an island in the NFL.
Or Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State,
Or Jeremy Maclin in the FIRST ROUND.
Second Round
Give me Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland (6'3", 206LBs)
If Seattle ends up where I think they will, their first pick should be between 7 and 15.
One good thing, they have enough holes to take the best player available in the first round regardless of position. Would be nice to get OG Duke Robinson in the second.
There are supposed to be four OTs taken in the first round so Seattle might go there.
One good thing, they have enough holes to take the best player available in the first round regardless of position. Would be nice to get OG Duke Robinson in the second.
There are supposed to be four OTs taken in the first round so Seattle might go there.
While I do think that there might still be problems with Spencer missing his assignments, from watching him the last few weeks, he seems to be by far the most physically dominant guy. It seems that his problems are handling delayed stunts and twists, but I'm not an expert at this stuff, that's just what it looks like to me.
Frank, Holmgren and Haskell have in the past been willing to talk about how guys "grade out". Can you ask about Spencer and Womack?
Frank, Holmgren and Haskell have in the past been willing to talk about how guys "grade out". Can you ask about Spencer and Womack?
Hey Steveo, I advocated for drafting a center, preferably Kahlil, before they wasted that pick on Wilson. If posting on a message board can be considered advocating. I advocated taking Steven Jackson over Tubbs, Kiwanuka or Demeco Ryans over Jennings, and Stroud over Robinson too for that matter. Something things are just obvious.
It sounds like I am trying to pick a fight but I am tired of seeing people ready for holmgren to go and it sound like bunch of bandwaggon people who shouldnt be commenting on first place as you will jump back on when hawks become good.
Jim mora jr and his fellow coaches that he had how did they do when they got fired? Mora Jr had decent QB who ran alot more than he should as that the RB job. But Mora jr may deserve another chance but in college. I dont want coach who going to want to coach for another team like he was in Atlanta.
Tim Russell need to get his head out where sun doesnt shine as he only did good in Tampa and in Atlanta well we all know how that turn out. Tim Russell and his ego need to leave or change his attitude and do what best for team and that is stop fueding with Holmgren. Your just a GM who isnt coaching so get over yourself.
Jim mora jr and his fellow coaches that he had how did they do when they got fired? Mora Jr had decent QB who ran alot more than he should as that the RB job. But Mora jr may deserve another chance but in college. I dont want coach who going to want to coach for another team like he was in Atlanta.
Tim Russell need to get his head out where sun doesnt shine as he only did good in Tampa and in Atlanta well we all know how that turn out. Tim Russell and his ego need to leave or change his attitude and do what best for team and that is stop fueding with Holmgren. Your just a GM who isnt coaching so get over yourself.
If you were including me in that whole Bandwagon thing Bigmike, you can take me back out of that category. Just take a look at what I write on this board and others.
But it's obvious that Holmgren is becoming stale. Of course the team is hurt by injuries and that affects things, but over the last few seasons you have seen that fire in Holmgren and this team start to dim. He's still a good coach, and did an amazing job with the Seahawks, but it is time to change. We have become the predictable old Seahawks with the same old mentality, and while that worked to make us a strong team and bring us out of the cellar, we have now outgrown it. It is natually time to move on. So as much as I love Holmy, and what he has done for this team, it is time for him to move on, get some rest, clear his head, etc.
I want to see a young and exciting coach brought in (or old and gruff, whichever works) who will help evolve the mentality of this team and get that fire roaring again. I'm excited to see this offense evolve and become fresh. I'm excited most definately for a new defensive look. We have the players, but not the coaching. And with Holmgren's departure, so goes Marshall.
There are many reasons why I'm ready for Holmgren to leave, but it's not out of spite, or bandwagon or anything like that. I'm just ready for the Hawks to evolve. And the only reason that these issues are coming up is because we don't have anything good to talk about really. I don't bring it up because I'm screaming for this to happen this weekend...just looking ahead towards brighter pastures.
Sad that Holmgren's last year had to be plagued by all these injuries. I personally think he deserved to go out waaaay better than this.
But it's obvious that Holmgren is becoming stale. Of course the team is hurt by injuries and that affects things, but over the last few seasons you have seen that fire in Holmgren and this team start to dim. He's still a good coach, and did an amazing job with the Seahawks, but it is time to change. We have become the predictable old Seahawks with the same old mentality, and while that worked to make us a strong team and bring us out of the cellar, we have now outgrown it. It is natually time to move on. So as much as I love Holmy, and what he has done for this team, it is time for him to move on, get some rest, clear his head, etc.
I want to see a young and exciting coach brought in (or old and gruff, whichever works) who will help evolve the mentality of this team and get that fire roaring again. I'm excited to see this offense evolve and become fresh. I'm excited most definately for a new defensive look. We have the players, but not the coaching. And with Holmgren's departure, so goes Marshall.
There are many reasons why I'm ready for Holmgren to leave, but it's not out of spite, or bandwagon or anything like that. I'm just ready for the Hawks to evolve. And the only reason that these issues are coming up is because we don't have anything good to talk about really. I don't bring it up because I'm screaming for this to happen this weekend...just looking ahead towards brighter pastures.
Sad that Holmgren's last year had to be plagued by all these injuries. I personally think he deserved to go out waaaay better than this.
"A big question hasn't been answered, though. Every Seahawk defense in the past 4 years has been undersized and quick, yet this is the first year they have been made fools of on a regular basis. Last year, Green Bay was the only team to run roughshod over Seattle. They played stout nearly every game before that. So what changed this year? What is it about these defensive players that has changed? They look like they lost their focus and lost "
Did you forget when we played the Chiefs? We got SMOKED by the run. Or when we played Pitt in Pitt? We didn't have the offense on the field the whole second half. Or when we played against Julius Jones at home? We were TERRIBLE against the run. The reason-Tubbs was injured and he was our only big body on the D line
Did you forget when we played the Chiefs? We got SMOKED by the run. Or when we played Pitt in Pitt? We didn't have the offense on the field the whole second half. Or when we played against Julius Jones at home? We were TERRIBLE against the run. The reason-Tubbs was injured and he was our only big body on the D line
Stevo: I won't pretend that I know the answer to your question. But I think not having an offense this season exposed the weaknesses of the defense, and, put Ruskell's ineptitude out there for every one to see.
Hawks31 is right about Tubbs, but that was back 2005. But I think the person responsible for it is Ruskell. Ruskell has failed to build a top 15 defenses despite all the draft picks and money that he had put into it. For the most part, the offense has been built by Holmgren and the defense by the Ruskell. Up until this point, the offense has been at least among the the top 10 in the league for five years running. The offense was able to score points and hide the shortcomings of this defense and we were able to win games. Now it is time for the defense to step up and win some games, and it can't because it has never been a good defense. Even when the offense was scoring points, this defense was not even average because it has never ranked 16th in total defense since Ruskell came on board.
This year has finally allowed to see the mediocre performance by Ruskell. Unfortunately, we won't only pay price for the past Ruskell's poor drafts but years to come. In most interviews, Ruskell likes to reference to how they used to do this and that in Tampa they. Please, enough already! It's time for him to talk about what he has done here in Seattle for the past 3 and 1/2 years. As Holmgren is leaving, the spotlight will shine brightly on Ruskell's failures.
Hawks31 is right about Tubbs, but that was back 2005. But I think the person responsible for it is Ruskell. Ruskell has failed to build a top 15 defenses despite all the draft picks and money that he had put into it. For the most part, the offense has been built by Holmgren and the defense by the Ruskell. Up until this point, the offense has been at least among the the top 10 in the league for five years running. The offense was able to score points and hide the shortcomings of this defense and we were able to win games. Now it is time for the defense to step up and win some games, and it can't because it has never been a good defense. Even when the offense was scoring points, this defense was not even average because it has never ranked 16th in total defense since Ruskell came on board.
This year has finally allowed to see the mediocre performance by Ruskell. Unfortunately, we won't only pay price for the past Ruskell's poor drafts but years to come. In most interviews, Ruskell likes to reference to how they used to do this and that in Tampa they. Please, enough already! It's time for him to talk about what he has done here in Seattle for the past 3 and 1/2 years. As Holmgren is leaving, the spotlight will shine brightly on Ruskell's failures.
Comments are not allowed from anonymous visitors. Please login or register to comment.
