Something we haven't talked about much

[monkey]

The Evolving LOB (secondary).
The last couple of games now, Tharold Simon, a guy who had been getting himself into trouble with boneheaded penalties previously, has been VERY quiet. I mean that in the good way quiet. As in, he's no longer attracting flags, and even more importantly, the receivers he is covering, are just disappearing. His name isn't getting called...at ALL.
At 6'3" the former LSU Tiger has a body type, along the lines of Brandon Browner, and plays with that ferociousness that Browner displayed while in Seattle.

It is my belief that even after Byron Maxwell comes back (possibly this week), Simon may have just taken that spot away from Maxwell, who had been struggling rather mightily even before the injury, oftentimes looking in-over-his-head this year, compared to last.
It's my opinion that Simon will probably become the full time starter opposite Sherman, with either Maxwell (possibly) or Burley (seems like a more natural fit to me than Maxwell) OR Lane (who when healthy, IMO looks like the BEST fit at nickle, but what do I know right?) sliding to that nickle spot.

It was hard to tell while everyone was banged up, but guys like Marcus Burley, DeSean Shead, (replacing Kam) Jeron Johnson (briefly), and even Terrance Parks and Eric Pinkins (who we haven't really seen since TC) and the previously mentioned Simon, have looked to be an actual UPGRADE over even the legendary original LOB, in terms of overall talent and depth.

Once these guys are all back to health, we will very likely have a deeper and more talented LOB than we have yet seen to date.
It may very well be a better starting four than we've yet seen to date as well, if Simon continues to play like he has the last couple of games.

And that is the silver lining in the cloud of injuries; the fact that we've now gotten to see the real depth of the secondary, and that depth has had a chance to get battle tested.
From what I've seen, especially from Simon and Burley, those backups have absolutely passed that test. With flying colors!

[Long Time Fan]

I agree that Simon's upside is greater than Maxwell's, but whoever heard of an oversized, lowly 5th round CB stepping in for an injured player and making a name for himself?

The formula for the LOB success depends on Dline pressuring the QB. We have not seen enough of that, this season. That tide may be turning.

In any case, given our injury trend, we can not have enough good corners.

[Bird Droppings]

You absoul utely nailed this one, Apeman.

In the case of Simon, it seems like someone, probably a teammate rather than a member of the coaching staff, or maybe someone from LSUland, sat on his head and said "look, dummy" befor realigning it.

He's suddenly playing tight and bright ... and I concur and think he will be starting soon if not immediately, regardless of other's injuries.

Maxwell has been playing further off receivers than last year, and I don't think it is scheme change. I think he is morphing into Kelly Jennings, but at least he is still tackling hard.

Lane will probably be back for nickel work, if not in a corner spot.

Burley and Shead have the Jauron Johnson syndrome, playing bi-polar zonily, real good or totally iced on any given play.

And will Kam's foot get better if they sit him out one more game?

We don't know, does the staff?

zoom

[NorthHawk]

I agree with you that Simon has gone unnoticed the last couple of games and it must be because he's covering his man so well they aren't throwing at him very much.
Game experience for him is invaluable. If Maxwell hadn't got hurt, he might not have got on the field enough to develop, so maybe this particular injury is a blessing.

[Seahawks4Ever]

We need a healthy Kam, though he won't ever be 100% until he can have much needed clean up surgery in the off season, anyway, if he can be rested for the Giants game me, myself, and I would prefer to do so and then bring him back for K.C.

We are getting healthy for that "killer" stretch we all cringed at when the schedule came out. We could be the ones to stick that dagger right through Frisco's heart and eliminate then from Play off contention (you hearing that Future-boy??) and at the same time reel Arizona back to earth when they have to play the "real" Seattle Seahawks.

Do you think the NFL would flex that first game against Arizona to Sunday night?? We always play good on Sunday night! All of that talk about the NFL hating to schedule national games in Seattle because of all of the blowouts have not blinked an eye at all of Denver's blow outs at home on national T.V.

[Zorn76]

Nice stuff, monkey.

With injuries come opportunities for others to shine.

But the brightest will only come when we get better pressure up front, as others have already echoed.

I see the same hustle overall as as year ago, but the dividends on the sack exchange have fallen sharply.

IMO, next year's #1 priority (and this year's playoff fortunes) - by hook or by crook - is a pass rusher that lives up to promise.

The LOB has done a solid job under the (injury) circumstances, but no secondary can cover for 4-5 seconds as often as we've had to this season and expect to book a room for AZ in February.

Guys are steppin' up. Let's see if our DL can deliver pressure instead of being under it as much.

[HumanCockroach]

Sacks like turnovers come in bunches ( and typically come together at the same time) I don't think the pressure applied the last two weeks along with the turnovers is a mirage. I expect there to be some continued success in the coming weeks in regards to both. Bennett and Avril has had back to back really excellent weeks ( regardles of how many sacks have been garnered) I've always been one to point out pressure is the key component, as it forces errant throws anyway. Continued consistent pressure is what I want to see ( and personally expect).

As for Simon, I was singing his praises in Pre Season, with or without the penalties, and continued to point out how truly well he has played ( even in STL) in coverage. Young, and prone to stupid penalties though he may be, there is simply NO denying his talent as a corner back. Maxwell IMO suffered greatly from a fundemental shift to avoid Sherman, that said I don't believe it was a lack of talent that created those issues. Maxwell is STILL a quality corner, but as I said at the end of last season, even while he was playing at a top five rate in the NFL, he IMHO will NOT be resigned this offseason, and Simon will indeed be the starter opposite Sherman. I like Maxwell a lot, and think he is valuable, however, he will indeed receive a contract offer Seattle simply can't or will not match ( looking at Carolina). Maybe Simon pushes that plan forward half a season, but IMHO that was indeed the plan all along.

[monkey]

he IMHO will NOT be resigned this offseason, and Simon will indeed be the starter opposite Sherman. I like Maxwell a lot, and think he is valuable, however, he will indeed receive a contract offer Seattle simply can't or will not match ( looking at Carolina).

I think you're right HC. Good call and yes I remember you saying that earlier this year.

When you look at all the talent we have had, and currently have in the secondary, it's pretty staggering actually.
Pete Carroll truly is a GENIUS with the secondary.

[NorthHawk]

With the injuries we've had here they might make the effort to retain some of the proven talent they have developed.
The numbers might not work, though but they might make a good effort to keep Maxwell as Simon has been hurt for some of his first 2 years.

[HumanCockroach]

Actually Simon has been injured for the majority of his career ( something I also pointed out just after the Seahawks drafted him with the link to the team trainer that refused to discuss Simon and Ware being players that will not play through pain, will not place the team ahead of themselves, and will exaggerate level of pain). I'm not saying that Simon will grow past whatever the trainer had issues with in college ( or hasn't already) nor am I bashing Maxwell and I'm certainly not saying Simon doesn't have amazing ability. Just relaying the information.

In the case of Maxwell, he isn't going to be looking to sign a cheap contract OR looking to come back in a back up role, so I simply do not see how Seattle will be able to retain him ( regardless of whether I want them to or not) ultimately, while it is nice to retain your talent, you can't do it, if the talent does not want to be retained ( whether it be financial or other reasons).there are going to be a lot of teams looking for quality DB's ( there are every season) and Maxwells play warrants a solid contract, and a starting gig somewhere in the NFL, I just don't feel like that will be in Seattle, for numerous reasons ( one of which is how much they have already invested in the DB core already, just don't see them giving much more of the cap to that group moving forward).