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I have to wonder if I'm the only one who thinks Pete's been playing some gamesmanship and Dion and Clark are going to come to play HARD

Even amongst us diehards, the consensus is that we're going to get our lunch handed to us. But you never know. I'll be glued to the TV set.

I'm not convinced it'll be a beatdown. Something in my gut says the Hawks will show up to play ball.

Sox-n-hawks wrote:I'm not convinced it'll be a beatdown. Something in my gut says the Hawks will show up to play ball.

And there's good reason for some optimism. We've won our last two in a row during which Russell Wilson has played relatively well by taking care of the ball and not taking stupid sacks, and our running game has begun to show some signs of life. Plus the Rams are not without warts. In their last game, the Vikings, minus their top running back, hung 31 points on them. If we can control the ball and keep the Ram offense on the sidelines, make the most out of our opportunities, and not commit any turnovers, we have a great chance to pull off an upset.

Plus this is a home game, and the 12's will be in full throat.

RiverDog wrote:
And there's good reason for some optimism. We've won our last two in a row during which Russell Wilson has played relatively well by taking care of the ball and not taking stupid sacks, and our running game has begun to show some signs of life. Plus the Rams are not without warts. In their last game, the Vikings, minus their top running back, hung 31 points on them. If we can control the ball and keep the Ram offense on the sidelines, make the most out of our opportunities, and not commit any turnovers, we have a great chance to pull off an upset.

Plus this is a home game, and the 12's will be in full throat.

We may need a near perfect game but I'm hopeful that we have just that.

My reasons for optimism

-McDougald is a beast
-Carson/Davis backfield will keep Suh and Donald from pinning their ears back and wrecking Russ like both of them have done in the past
-I think Schotty has held back the Play Action game quite a bit and it's about to come unglued
-Dickson punting
-The way they held the Cowgirls down at home
-Football Outsiders has the Lambs with the #30 schedule so far, and Hawks #18. They haven't been tested yet. Time for that #6 DVOA defense to test the Lambs.

Reasons I'm nervous
-The Suh Stomp, because eff that guy
-Can we keep Gurley in check?
-No ETIII

Rams Opponents first 4 games: 4-11-1
Seahawks Opponents first 4 games: 7-9

Today is the Rams FIRST game outside of California, after playing in Oakland, and 3 straight home games. What's up with the NFL scheduler?

I think the Rams should win, but NOT by a blowout. You can never count out Russell Wilson and the 12's...

If Saffold's knee doesn't hold up, the Rams have reason for concern. That dude is a beast.

On the negative side, the only TE that is fully healthy is Darrell Daniels as Vannett has a lower back injury.
Fant will probably see some action at TE, but how much can we really expect from him besides blocking?

NorthHawk wrote:On the negative side, the only TE that is fully healthy is Darrell Daniels as Vannett has a lower back injury.
Fant will probably see some action at TE, but how much can we really expect from him besides blocking?

Minor question, but if Fant plays at TE, is he going to have to change his uniform number? I thought that the NFL had some type of rule preventing eligible receivers from wearing 50's, 60's, and 70's.

NorthHawk wrote:On the negative side, the only TE that is fully healthy is Darrell Daniels as Vannett has a lower back injury.
Fant will probably see some action at TE, but how much can we really expect from him besides blocking?

Actually, he's a better basketball player than football. Moving him to TE might be a GOOD move. He'll probably be more natural there.

It might be a good thing in time but he might not know the responsibilities yet to be of real value right now.

NorthHawk wrote:On the negative side, the only TE that is fully healthy is Darrell Daniels as Vannett has a lower back injury.
Fant will probably see some action at TE, but how much can we really expect from him besides blocking?

RiverDog wrote:Minor question, but if Fant plays at TE, is he going to have to change his uniform number? I thought that the NFL had some type of rule preventing eligible receivers from wearing 50's, 60's, and 70's.

I think he'd just have to report as eligible before the play.

Basically, move Fant to tight end. Have 6 down linemen and Tre Madden lead blocking, pound the rock. Pound the rock. Repeat.

Madden can't pound anything, worst blocking FB I have ever seen. Why we still have him is perplexing. But the idea is sound.

chris98251 wrote:Madden can't pound anything, worst blocking FB I have ever seen. Why we still have him is perplexing. But the idea is sound.

I agree on his blocking ability, but with 3 down linemen leading the way, maybe he could do something.

c_hawkbob wrote:Minor question, but if Fant plays at TE, is he going to have to change his uniform number? I thought that the NFL had some type of rule preventing eligible receivers from wearing 50's, 60's, and 70's.

I think he'd just have to report as eligible before the play.

So if he's in at TE for an entire series, he'd have to report as eligible before each play?

I think so.

c_hawkbob wrote:I think so.

Next trivial question: Can Fant change his number, say from 77 to 87 to avoid reporting? And if he did change his number to #87, would he have to play as an eligible receiver all the time or could he play OT wearing #87?

I'm impressed with the Seahawks so far hanging...they are showing the ability to run as the last 2 games. So far, no blowout.

I-5 wrote:I'm impressed with the Seahawks so far hanging...they are showing the ability to run as the last 2 games. So far, no blowout.

Yep. No turnvers, no stupid 15 yard sacks, penalties relatively under control. Same formula that allowed us to win the last 2 games.

That was the premise of those who didn't think it would be a blowout. Use the same attack as the last 2 games. The best defense is a balanced offense. The Rams offense is very dangerous, but they can't score when they're not on the field.