Play calling

[c_hawkbob]

I generally stay away from complaining about play calling because I think much of what is said about any play call has infinitely more to do with the success of the play being discussed that the call itself. Exactly the same can be said of the results of games; if the play works or we won the game the play call/calling is a whole lot harder to question ... it's all just a slippery slope I tend to avoid. This time however it's so blatant and so entirely applicable I feel the need to comment on it.

Before the game one of the things Pete and Schottenheimer were bragging on was the Carolina game and the fact that it showed that even when our sacred run game was stopped we were able to win by allowing Russ to get it done over the top.

What the hell happened to THAT idea Pete??!!

There, I feel better.

[RiverDog]

In general, I feel the same way about my complaining about play calling as Cbob mentioned. First off, we don't really know how many times the play got changed at the LOS by Russell. Perhaps Shott had an "over the top" play called but Russ saw something he didn't like and checked out of it. Secondly, we're pretty blind having just the TV angle to go off of, what kind of coverages the defenses were playing and the quality of our receivers route running. And lastly, like you mentioned, it rings as having 20/20 hindsight as we know the result whereas the play caller did not.

There are two things that I will say, in general, about our play calling yesterday. It seemed to me that we should have mixed in more first down passes a little earlier than we did, and I think that we should have gone to Penny a little earlier in the second half when it became apparent that Carson was being bottled up.

[The POPE]

The play calling was what everybody has come to expect. Schott and Pete are not going to wow anybody with an extremely diverse offense. Pretty much 3 yards and a cloud of dust then throw on 3rd down. Worked pretty well this year and helped to protect a young defense. The result 10-6 and a playoff appearance, when everybody thought the hawks would be picking in the top 5 in the draft. Pete has proven that he is going to play his offense and defense and search for players to fit the scheme. I would like to see a little more diversity in the offense, but I also like wins.

[The POPE]

The play calling was what everybody has come to expect. Schott and Pete are not going to wow anybody with an extremely diverse offense. Pretty much 3 yards and a cloud of dust then throw on 3rd down. Worked pretty well this year and helped to protect a young defense. The result 10-6 and a playoff appearance, when everybody thought the hawks would be picking in the top 5 in the draft. Pete has proven that he is going to play his offense and defense and search for players to fit the scheme. I would like to see a little more diversity in the offense, but I also like wins.

[Hawk Sista]

Exactly what Bob said. 100%. That was a winnable game for the Hawks and it just felt flat and overly predictable all evening long. We frankly played the Chargers, Rams & Chiefs with more ooomph!

That said, I’m Proud of Pete & the boys for making it this far; many had us in the 4-12 to 6-10 range and we won 10 games and a playoff berth & played some pretty impressive ball this year.

Go Hawks!.

[Zorn76]

1st off, despite the beyond frustrating loss yesterday, this was a Great season.
Winning 10 games when we were universally picked to finish 8-8 at best, along with plenty of forecasts calling for 4-6 wins, is a solid year.

And C_Bob (as usual) makes excellent points regarding what we all witnessed - an inexplicable stubbornness by sticking with a run game that Clearly wasn't working from the get go. Doesn't mean you abandon the run completely, but adjustments had to be made that were never really done the entire night. This also isn't to say that we would have automatically won if we made said changes, but we certainly knew that the bread and butter run wasn't going to win us this game like it had many times before.

We win - and lose - as a team. There are also games where one particular thing can reasonably be the main culprit in a loss, and this time the majority of it falls on an offensive plan that should've been adjusted but wasn't. Very frustrating. Defense gave up some big plays, penalties factored in (though we only had 5 or total for game), and special teams play reared it's ugly head for the 2nd week in a row by allowing a long Cowboy return at a crucial juncture in the game.

The bottom line remains, though, that we had a great year when looking at the bigger picture. The NFL itself had a better year than 2017, which was one of the worst years for the league as a whole in quite sometime. I think we're all proud of this team, it's just too bad that we couldn't get out of our own way for the playoffs. Lots of good things to look forward to for the future, just frustrated we didn't put our best foot forward Sunday. Happy 2019 everybody.

[savvyman]

LOL - You Guys questioning Pete offensive game strategies?

Pete brought a team to the Playoffs that no one thought would win more than 6 games. Especially after the 0-2 start.

What game plan did Pete use? The same one that allowed the hawks to win 6 out of their last 7 including big time wins against Carolina & Kansas City.

Pete used the same recipe for success in the playoffs as he did in the regular season - smash mouth run first philosophy.

We came up a little short on the road in the playoffs. The Hawks are the second youngest team in the NFL. Next year they will be talked about as Super Bowl competitors.

Pete did a magnificent Job this year and his offensive strategy for the cowboys game was right on. And as usual seahawks bob is exactly wrong.

[obiken]

In general, I feel the same way about my complaining about play calling as Cbob mentioned. First off, we don't really know how many times the play got changed at the LOS by Russell. Perhaps Shott had an "over the top" play called but Russ saw something he didn't like and checked out of it. Secondly, we're pretty blind having just the TV angle to go off of, what kind of coverages the defenses were playing and the quality of our receivers route running. And lastly, like you mentioned, it rings as having 20/20 hindsight as we know the result whereas the play caller did not.

There are two things that I will say, in general, about our play calling yesterday. It seemed to me that we should have mixed in more first down passes a little earlier than we did, and I think that we should have gone to Penny a little earlier in the second half when it became apparent that Carson was being bottled up.

River, before the game, I told you, and you agreed, that IF Zeke got over 125 yards rushing, and we got less than 100 it was over. He got 137, we got less than what, 60. We just got beat the rest is chump change.

[RiverDog]

River, before the game, I told you, and you agreed, that IF Zeke got over 125 yards rushing, and we got less than 100 it was over. He got 137, we got less than what, 60. We just got beat the rest is chump change.

That was the game in a nutshell. We could neither run the ball or stop Dallas from running it.

[Anthony]

I generally stay away from complaining about play calling because I think much of what is said about any play call has infinitely more to do with the success of the play being discussed that the call itself. Exactly the same can be said of the results of games; if the play works or we won the game the play call/calling is a whole lot harder to question ... it's all just a slippery slope I tend to avoid. This time however it's so blatant and so entirely applicable I feel the need to comment on it.

Before the game one of the things Pete and Schottenheimer were bragging on was the Carolina game and the fact that it showed that even when our sacred run game was stopped we were able to win by allowing Russ to get it done over the top.

What the hell happened to THAT idea Pete??!!

There, I feel better.

as usual, you are absolutely correct.

[Aseahawkfan]

When the game is close, Pete plays very conservatively. My feeling is the playcalling was in line with Pete's belief that in tight games we will prevail. He wanted to keep running hoping it would stick the dagger in Dallas. Unfortunately at the end Dallas stuck the dagger in us and we had no time adjust late in the fourth quarter down by 10.

I have to be honest. I didn't really want to go on much farther. This team overachieved. I prefer the draft placement over another playoff game. I'd like to see us get fully healthy. Draft and sign some more players. Another year with better health and we'll be right back in another window in Russ's middle seasons.

[RiverDog]

LOL - You Guys questioning Pete offensive game strategies?

Pete brought a team to the Playoffs that no one thought would win more than 6 games. Especially after the 0-2 start.

What game plan did Pete use? The same one that allowed the hawks to win 6 out of their last 7 including big time wins against Carolina & Kansas City.

Pete used the same recipe for success in the playoffs as he did in the regular season - smash mouth run first philosophy.

We came up a little short on the road in the playoffs. The Hawks are the second youngest team in the NFL. Next year they will be talked about as Super Bowl competitors.

Pete did a magnificent Job this year and his offensive strategy for the cowboys game was right on. And as usual seahawks bob is exactly wrong.

All excellent, valid points.

There's actually fans out there (not in this forum) that are calling for Pete to fire Schottenheimer. Although I somewhat agree with the OP in that in retrospect we should have changed things up a little, like a few more first down passes and going to Penny earlier than we did, the bottom like is that we lost a very competitive game that could have gone either way.

The other thing that people are forgetting is that our defense allowed way too many rushing yards, especially in the 4th quarter when the game was still very much in doubt and it became apparent that Dallas was going to try to run out the clock. Why aren't y'all as upset with our defense, particularily our run defense, as you are with our offense?

This was a team loss. I get the sense that many of you are focusing on one side of the ball as the sole cause of our woes.

[trents]

Defense was a big issue in yesterday's game. Dallas got good pressure on Wilson and stopped up our running game. Hawks defense did not get good pressure on Prescott and did not stop Elliott.

Let's not forget that having a strong running game is only half of Pete's philosophy. Having a stout defense is the other half. Since a run first offense isn't likely to be a high scoring one, it is critical to have a stout defense if you go that way. Neither were up to snuff yesterday.

[The POPE]

Let's not forget that having a strong running game is only half of Pete's philosophy. Having a stout defense is the other half. Since a run first offense isn't likely to be a high scoring one, it is critical to have a stout defense if you go that way. Neither were up to snuff yesterday.[/quote]


True, and when the defense is not stout Pete will rely on the running game even more in order to eat clock and keep the defense off the field. That is exactly what happened this year. Didn't work yesterday, the Dallas defense is stout against the run. Should they have tried to ramp up the pass game yesterday? Probably, but Pete is gonna "go with what got ya there".This philosophy only works if you can run the ball, if you can't you get yesterdays result. The hawks lived and died with what got them to the playoffs. Find a little more defensive talent and some growth by the young players on the defense and the Hawks will be back in SB form. If Forum members here are of the couch potato offensive coordinator persona (Anthony) that want to see a much more diverse QB friendly offense then I suggest you find a new team to root for, at least until Pete is gone.

pope out

[Anthony]

All excellent, valid points.

There's actually fans out there (not in this forum) that are calling for Pete to fire Schottenheimer. Although I somewhat agree with the OP in that in retrospect we should have changed things up a little, like a few more first down passes and going to Penny earlier than we did, the bottom like is that we lost a very competitive game that could have gone either way.

The other thing that people are forgetting is that our defense allowed way too many rushing yards, especially in the 4th quarter when the game was still very much in doubt and it became apparent that Dallas was going to try to run out the clock. Why aren't y'all as upset with our defense, particularily our run defense, as you are with our offense?

This was a team loss. I get the sense that many of you are focusing on one side of the ball as the sole cause of our woes.

While I am upset at the defense I am not super upset because of one huge reason 25-35. Time of possession they had it 10 minutes more and a lot of that was our first 3 possessions of run, run, pass on 3rd and long punt. We have adjusted before when the run was taken away and won there was no reason not to here but they refused to till it was too late. So to me, the biggest issue or reason we lost was lack of adjustment on offense, and the facts support it. I am not calling for PC or the OCs head just for them to start making adjustments, sooner and consistently.

[Anthony]

Defense was a big issue in yesterday's game. Dallas got good pressure on Wilson and stopped up our running game. Hawks defense did not get good pressure on Prescott and did not stop Elliott.

Let's not forget that having a strong running game is only half of Pete's philosophy. Having a stout defense is the other half. Since a run first offense isn't likely to be a high scoring one, it is critical to have a stout defense if you go that way. Neither were up to snuff yesterday.

While I dont totally disagree with you, for one we knew going in both our DBs were playing hurt, as were 2 of our olineman. HAd the adjusted at halftime, and mixed in the pass and run on all downs we would have done much better. It does not help the defense to go 3 and out your first 3 possessions or be on the filed 10 minutes longer, or to stick with something that was not working. Maybe if they had not been on the field for 10 minutes longer they would have held up better, That the same thing you guys used to say when the LOB gave it up, well they were on the field too long. Well guess this defense is not the LOB and need it even more and PC and the OC hung them out to dry when the did not have to.

[Hawktawk]

Glass half full or empty? Yeah the game plan got us there but it got us beat. Schottenheimer was just off. If you’re going to run regardless of whether you’re having success then why the hell go empty backfield on third down? We can both praise the offense that got us 10 wins and criticize the play calling that got us a one and done . Bottom line even with all the running game improvement etc the main reason for 10-6 vs 6-10 was one mr Russel MF Wilson dropping incredible dimes or burning teams with his feet. He should have been the game plan by at least midway through the 3rd quarter instead of halfway through the 4th. Oh well GO HAWKS!!!!

[Rambo2014]

I was listening to Jim Rome hanging the Seahawks out to dry...LOL

He sort of hinted per Baldwins aftergame comments on play calling it was sort of the same as after when u lost to the Pats in the SB.

This may just tear the team apart

[Uppercut]

I was listening to Jim Rome hanging the Seahawks out to dry...LOL

He sort of hinted per Baldwins aftergame comments on play calling it was sort of the same as after when u lost to the Pats in the SB.

This may just tear the team apart

Jim Rome is 100% Hollywood! He will have an orgasm at the Rams Cowpokies game

[politicalfootball]

Glass half full or empty? Yeah the game plan got us there but it got us beat. Schottenheimer was just off. If you’re going to run regardless of whether you’re having success then why the hell go empty backfield on third down? We can both praise the offense that got us 10 wins and criticize the play calling that got us a one and done . Bottom line even with all the running game improvement etc the main reason for 10-6 vs 6-10 was one mr Russel MF Wilson dropping incredible dimes or burning teams with his feet. He should have been the game plan by at least midway through the 3rd quarter instead of halfway through the 4th. Oh well GO HAWKS!!!!

Yeah definitely need to go to the strengths of the team with play calling. Stick with Pete's philosophy of the run game first and that includes Russell Wilson running too. Then the pass will open up.

[politicalfootball]

I am so proud of our defense our young defense still growing but painfully young was second in the league in tackles. For Christ sake Griffin has a robotic hand and remains one of our best players. Wagner imo the best all around LB in the NFL. We d*** well deserved to be there in that game. I give credit to the Cowpokies it wasn't very long ago that they went 15-1. I Hope and pray they win the whole thing this year I Will be rooting for them and I hope noone come close to 2 points to them 'coz we played them real close and our defense did that.

[I-5]

This is a great thread. I agree with everyone's comments, except for the one troll.

I haven't questioned the play calling all year, but I too noticed when Pete said he isn't ALWAYS about the run, that he was about being able to do what it takes to win. The Carolina game showed Wilson playing at his gutsiest, rather, the staff letting Wilson play at his gutsiest. That TD throw to Moore on 4th down was probably the scariest, then the best, play of the season for me. I would have loved to have seen Wilson unleashed in Dallas.

The other biggest factors for me, was our secondary and our lone kicker left after SJ was hurt. Our inexperience showed, beyond being hobbled. They'll be better for it next year.

I think Pete should be COTY for the job he did this year. This year definitely feels like the year we lost to Atlanta in the divisional playoffs.

[idhawkman]

This is a great thread. I agree with everyone's comments, except for the one troll.

I haven't questioned the play calling all year, but I too noticed when Pete said he isn't ALWAYS about the run, that he was about being able to do what it takes to win. The Carolina game showed Wilson playing at his gutsiest, rather, the staff letting Wilson play at his gutsiest. That TD throw to Moore on 4th down was probably the scariest, then the best, play of the season for me. I would have loved to have seen Wilson unleashed in Dallas.

The other biggest factors for me, was our secondary and our lone kicker left after SJ was hurt. Our inexperience showed, beyond being hobbled. They'll be better for it next year.

I think Pete should be COTY for the job he did this year. This year definitely feels like the year we lost to Atlanta in the divisional playoffs.

I'm nervous about LB next year. Not sure KJ is coming back. I walked back to my car with about 15 people wearing KJ jerseys. I asked one lady if they knew him and she was his aunt (I think that's what she said, I couldn't quite hear her). So I commented that we really needed him and that I was happy he got the INT and his knee was healthy again, she kind of gave me the cold shoulder. It could just be me but it seemed like they were not "into" the Seahawks. It was probably the weirdest thing that day and that says a lot considering I was in Jerry's world.

[I-5]

Yeah, that's kind of strange. Hopefully, it doesn't mean anything more than she is not comfortable conversing with people she doesn't know. I met KJ at a car show a few years ago, where he was signing autographs. He was talkative and friendly. I agree, a healthy KJ is integral to our success.

[idhawkman]

Yeah, that's kind of strange. Hopefully, it doesn't mean anything more than she is not comfortable conversing with people she doesn't know. I met KJ at a car show a few years ago, where he was signing autographs. He was talkative and friendly. I agree, a healthy KJ is integral to our success.

yeah, I hope that is it. I'm pretty outgoing and being a big ol' white boy with a scruffy beard in Texas may have made her uncomfortable. Didn't think of it that way. She could have been more introverted than me and just wondering what the hell my problem was talking to a complete stranger.

[RiverDog]

Keep in mind that KJ is from Mississippi, which has a lot of Cowboy fans, so it's entirely possible that his family has some dedicated Cowpies.

[politicalfootball]

Lol !