by Irish Greg 2.0 » Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:56 am
Losing Sherman sucks. River Dog and I went to the Cardinals game, and you would have thought we lost after it as we drowned our sorrows in beer at Westgate near the stadium. Not just Sherman, but the laundry list of players that got hurt.
However, in the grand scheme the loss of Sherman doesn't change our prospects for winning a ring. Why?
Our offensive offense. It isn't sustainable and was our death knell, even before the Sherman injury. We will have good games, but it is hard to take that kind of offense on the road and win in the playoffs.
I see a lot of Seahawks fans clamoring for the "second half of 2015" offense. But, the second half of 2015 doesn't translate. That was a rare spike in production that you can't just replicate because you "want to". We had a pretty good running game going that season, as Rawls kind of burst onto the scene and took over for Marshawn.
Every season is different. Results don't crossover, that is a false equivalence. Remember that tear we went on in 2012, scoring 58 (vs AZ), 50 (vs Buf), and 42 (vs SF) towards the end of the season?
2017 is a whole new animal. The biggest thing holding us back right now is lack of a running threat. It is a mountainous difference from the days when we were one of the most efficient offenses. It also does not look like it will be solved. After 9 games, it is fair to say this is a huge problem. The coaches can't seem to scheme it and teach it better and the backs we have just don't provide any glimmer of excitement, outside of McKissic.
The loss of Carson is much bigger than any of us probably realized. He has a perfect style for this system.
We also have a limited Tyler Lockett (no way he is 100%) as well. W e are missing him making big plays in the passing game like he did before he got hurt.
Our offense basically centers around Wilson making amazing jail break plays. There is no rhythm.
Coaching changes needed to be made after last season, and they didn't do it. Actually, the loss of Sherman Smith is an aspect many fans have glossed over. The current RB coach (Chad Morton) does not seem to be able to teach these guys how to read the minimal blocks they get. All I ever see is Rawls running straight into defenders, with no cuts or agility. Maybe he is mentally hung up on getting hurt?
By the way, I am not anti-Bevell nor anti-Cable. I think the problems are much deeper than making them the weekly whipping boys. But, at this point, changes for the sake of changes need to be made. This offense needs re-invigorating in the worst way.
Another huge problem is the penalties. They are out of control. Admittedly, many of those in the Cards game (especially in the first half) were just terrible calls. But still, we see the same mental mistakes week in and week out (I'm looking at you, Ifedi).
I would rather lose Sherman than Thomas. I think we will be ok, but can expect teams to take advantage of whomever we stick in Sherm's place. We have to get Earl back in there, but his impact will be lessened because now he has to cover both sides of the field.
We could not have a worse first test than Julio Jones and Matt Ryan.
The sad part is, what we need to offset it more than anything is a reliable offense centered on a clock-controlling, persistent running game.
Loss of Sherm + schizo offense + no running game + penalties?
They are going to have a tough go of it.