The Season Isn't Over (Yet)

Written by Chris Sullivan

Monday, 05 October 2009 08:15

What a gut blow. Honestly, I knew there was a very, very good chance that we were going to lose that game. I didn't expect it to be a blood bath. This had nothing to do with playing at 10 am. We were outplayed in all three phases of the game and outcoached in the same. The silent defense did nothing to stop Manning, and worse, when he audibled our players were terrified to adjust. He talked us out of pressure a couple times, but beyond that our defense just looked passive.

The offense never got going against a good-not-great Colts defense. Julius Jones did nothing, Edge did little, and Forsett barely saw the ball. Seneca had a decent passer rating, but he did not play well and made a lot of the same mistakes he made the week before. Worse, he moped around like he just got stood up on prom night. What the hell kind of leader is that?

I guess the kind you expect from a backup quarterback? Can we once and for all put to bed the notion that Seneca is a) a starter in this league, or b) better than Hasselbeck? He is neither, and he isn't going to be.

STILL. The season isn't over. Yet. This isn't 2008. Yet. Our injured starters will all presumably return. If we can get back our two best CBs (Trufant and Wilson), that will help. Getting Hill back will help. Hopefully Kerney's injury doesn't warrant him missing time, but he hasn't really turned it on this season so I don't view that as a huge loss with Jackson and Tapp behind him. Our defense is fairly healthy, now they just need to play football well. That's a challenge against a team like the Colts, but we can still skate into the playoffs if a) we beat the 49ers, and b) other teams beat them too.

Our offense is another beast altogether. Our offensive line is in shambles, and it showed yesterday. Brandon Frye was atrocious, literally the worst game I've ever seen by a tackle, bar none. Ray Willis was terrible too. Both made huge mistakes including drive-killing penalties, but at least Willis won his battle against Mathis occasionally. Frye was annihilated play after play after play. Without OTs playing at a high level, we're not going to do well this year. Will Walter Jones ever be back? I don't know, but we need him to get back. Locklear is probably out til the bye. Willis is fine, but Frye is not. Kyle Williams may end up sticking on the 53 this week and Frye could wind up on the PS when we resign Griffith. We'll see.

Ultimately though, it's about Hasselbeck. He's the leader of this team and especially this offense. Seneca played at a decent, but losing, level. He led like some emo kid at a quilting exhibit. No one is putting this team on their back, and as a result, we're falling flat. I expect that to be the case until Matt can return.

Make no mistake: the next two games are the season. At an absolute bare-minimum we must win one of them. Realistically, losing either is going to be disastrous to our playoff aspirations. But this was a game we expected to lose. We wanted to be 2-2, we are 1-3. If we can pick up a game that few thought we would win -- Cowboys, both games over the mediocre-looking Cardinals, the Texans -- and we could wind up with a decent shot at the NFC West Crown.

Comments (29) Add Comment

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written by Hawktastic, October 05, 2009

I hear where you are coming from, but without the offensive line Matt will be blown up when he comes back. Seneca is the only way we can have a QB stay on his feet, but his play isn't good enough. The only chance we have is Walt coming back this week...and I'm not convinced he won't be forced into retirement by this injury...

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written by USAFANARC, October 05, 2009

Can we just fast forward to the week after the bye? The next two weeks make me very nervous. We need to win these games, but with everyone injured, I don't feel good about them....especially after seeing Jax kick the crap out of Ten.

What the hell is up with Denver???? I figured we'd have about the 5th and 20th pick next year. I didn't expect our pick would be the 5th and Denver's would be the 20th!

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written by peter, October 05, 2009

I don't know how we blame Brandon Frye, dude played with a groin injury. We all need to get over the idea of big Walt ever returning to the field and put Williams in at LT, Slide Unger to the left guard, Spencer at Center, Wrotto at RG, and Willis at RT, those final three may not be great at pass-pro, but they look great to me at run blocking.

The other problems to me are, where is Redding? Why can't we put any pressure on the QB? Is Curry supposed to be playing coverage, run stopping, or blitzing, because he seems to be out of a rhythm on all phases, not saying he's a bust but he seems to need to develop one of these skills at a time. Travis Fischer is abbysmal, and why is it that the team just hang-dogs after we get behind in any game?

Also, this Seneca Wallace can't run because we need to protect him is Bull-s--t. If he runs, and runs, and runs, the defenses would have to adjust accordlingly by stacking the box and that would allow him time to regain the control of the passing game. As it stands every d-coordinator in the league says, "they won't run him, so we'll make him win it in the air," which he can't do right now.

On offense the line is in shambles, true, but why can't we run Butler more then twice a game..."oh here he comes, their burner, time to play man coverage...oh and now he's back out on the bench."

Mora needs to yell at himself this week and his staff and come up with a way to stop some phase of the game against jacksonville. We can't stop the run, we can't stop the pass, and the only person on special teams that can stop anyone is Jon Ryan.

To me these losses are worse then last year because at least then we had excuses, now after a season of crappy o-line play and pathetic secondary play, we are still in the same boat with secondary play actually plaing better then I thought they would, and the line being crap. I thought we were going to be more exotic and show more creative formations this year? If the ball being snapped and all d-linemen running straight ahead to be manhandled by the opposing line is the new look WCD, it's time to throw that out.

The Season's not over....
written by CanadaHawk, October 05, 2009

...unless we lose to the Jags this weekend.

Then it's done. smilies/angry.gif

Sims is out for 3 to 6..
written by Family Jewels, October 05, 2009

Slide Frye over to guard and let Williams take a shot at LT.

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written by Steve S., October 05, 2009

Chris, I agree with most of this. The game now is just to keep their heads above water until the bye. Two straight wins is a must, one and one and they're done.

If they can get to 3-3, and if a bunch of the injured can get back out there (big ifs) then playoffs is still quite possible.

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written by Steve S., October 05, 2009

"The other problems to me are, where is Redding? Why can't we put any pressure on the QB? Is Curry supposed to be playing coverage, run stopping, or blitzing, because he seems to be out of a rhythm on all phases"

Redding never was much of a pass rusher and it seems odd to me that he was sold as one. He's basically just a big body for the rotation. Tapp and Jackson have improved. In fact, the front four is better at pass rushing than last year, though still not great.

You're right, Curry is doing a little of everything and that's because that's how they see him contributing over the long term. He's a rookie and still not sure what he's doing out there, that's just the way it's going to be for a while.

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written by johnclassico, October 05, 2009

Lofa got a king's ransom 2 years ago, because the organization thought he was a stud. The D has no identity. I blame the leader, Lofa. If you go to play the Ravens, you know Ray Lewis is going to be everywhere, causing havoc to the offense. Same with Urlacher, Willis, Harrison, Ware, etc. I believe Lofa is overrated and over paid. He is a solid player, but we need to remove the elite label from his status. One ttime I want him to make a big drive altering play. Forced fumble, interception, sack, I'll even settle for a pass defense in a crucial part of the game. Four games in and I am still waiting while the D can't get off the field when they need to.

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written by S.TTBM, October 05, 2009

(Poor)Coaching, not Seneca's supposed inability to lead, is the reason for the long faces on the sidelines--on both sides of the ball. Seneca was running for his life every play, and where were his recievers?! less than five yards downfield most of the day, running drag routes and little hitches that are easily defended.

I too would have looked as Seneca did with that line and Knapp's gameplan. Nothing worked. What is Seneca supposed to do--scream at the team? Is THAT what a leader does? Or look deleriously happy with another three yard drag route run by HOush?!

Hasselbeck wouldnt have lasted a quarter in that game, he would have been broken like china the first drive. There is no protection, people. No protection, no win. Period.

Injuries and poor coaching have devasted this team.

Steve S--I hear you. All Butler did was immediately get open deep. Couldnt tell whether he ran his route wrong or Seneca just got buck fever, but I think the latter. Still, guy beat the DB bad, he should have had more chances in the game.

What it all boils down to is that our defense scares no one, and our offensive line is so bad we cant do anything at all on offense. Until that changes, we will continue to be the worst offense in the NFL.

How will Hass survive?
written by TheRealist, October 05, 2009

Getting Matt back will be great, but with the O line as it is, I dont think he would make it through even one game. He would probably get hit hard at least every third play.

I am so underwhelmed by the D too. They were only missing two starters yesterday (albeit 2 very excellent players) but they looked like a joke out there. Given all the resources and high picks put into our D, it should have at least been competitive. I think lack of production from the D and the inattention to the O line in the draft should really have Paul Allen considering firing Ruskell.

Anyways, the Hawks are on life support right now, and the Jags are coming in off a monster win. Brutal.

Throw the ball away
written by Sad Hawk, October 05, 2009

Can somebody please teach Wallace that he can throw the ball away when out side of the tackles? You would think a 7 year vet would know that but i guess not. He would rather run out of bounds for a 3 to 5 yard loss or throw into double coverage.

The team isn't born (Yet).
written by mang'hawks.fr, October 05, 2009

This season is already over if we can't show more fight and desire next sunday. Just be competitive as the NFL needed, or die in silent.
If I had to write a paper about the last 4 weeks, my main title would have been : The team isn't born (Yet) or The Season Isn't started (Yet)
I'm as depressed today as the team seemed to be last sunday ...

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written by 12th Family, October 05, 2009

I'm trying to look at this realistically as opposed to emotionally. The key to our D sucking is they are getting absolutely zero pressure and haven't been able to get pressure all season. I don't care who your d-backs are, if the qb has all day to throw the reciever is going to get open. Granted we actually got pressure on Manning ONE play and he made a big completion but that's the exception not the rule. And it is Peyton Manning after all.

With respect to Lofa, I still think he's exceptional. He's still making a lot of tackles, knocked down a pass, and is the leader of this defense. Let's remember however he's only relaying the plays from the sideline, not makeing decisions. Personally I think they should pull the plug on the helmet headset as Lofa hasn't been the same since it was implemented. Let him play on instict; that's what makes him great. Curry is a rookie and has been thrown into a storm. Imagine starting a new job at a new company and being told on your second day you have to be the man. He's trying to do too much too quickly and he's still learning. It just takes time.

Offensively I've come to one conclusion...Greg Knapp sucks. I realize we've had injuries, or O-line is decimated etc etc but come on. How do you expect to inspire any motivation or faith when you continue to call screens or running plays on 3rd and long? You're telling your players "I have no faith you can get it". If you give up, you're players give up too and it was obvious in the face of Seneca Wallace AND Mora yesterday. It literally looks like there is no game plan. Does Wallace make some poor decision? Absolutely but honestly with the o-line the way it is I think Hass would get killed. If you build a GAMEPLAN around what Seneca excells at perhaps he would perform better. Try as they may Seneca is not a pocket passer. Let him run, roll him out, and he'll be able to see the field more clearly and have options. Just remind him to throw the ball out of bounds before he runs out of bounds!

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written by Papahawk, October 05, 2009

Sad Hawk, did you not mean a 12 yard loss? Ridiculous. He should have more awareness than that. Two times in two weeks.

Sure, Hass would run for his life back there too, behind that patchwork line. But he also may not rely on his legs and instead on his ability to get rid of the ball quickly. Successfully completing passes will frustrate a defense when you are getting the ball out quickly.

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written by Steve S., October 05, 2009

Another point to consider regarding the pass rush is that it really is a little better than last year's, and Peyton Manning is a quarterback who is hardly ever sacked. For his entire career he has only been sacked slightly more than once per game (NFL average is about 2-2.5 times per game). The reason is mostly his Dan Marino-like release, he simply gets rid of the ball as soon as he feels pressure. So you should never go into a game against the Colts thinking that you're going to put him on his back very many times.

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written by Seahawkzz, October 05, 2009

I do think that Hass would have done a better job, just on his ablility to see the defensive scheme and change the play at the line. Matt studies the game and the team that he is playing his work ethic is shown every sunday when he makes the right call at the line

Wallace after 7 years is still making rookie mistakes. You would think after 7 years he would at least know the rules, the guy doesnt even know when to throw the freaking ball away

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written by Marty12, October 05, 2009

I was about to concede the season this morning, but then I decided to check the 49ers and Cardinals schedule. Not conceding yet, still early and we are in the NFC West. Niners and Cardinals have very tough games ahead and we still have to play them.

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written by Ben Brashen, October 05, 2009

Did Seneca Seem SCARED to run the ball...essentially coached not to run...even if there's daylight ahead...on the pass over the Line of Scrimmage, he had 10 yards in front of him. He needs to be allowed to PLAY the way he can be successful...let him run!

Or put in TEEL.

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written by omarlittle, October 05, 2009

Why not move Mebane back to the run stuffer role, slide Redding over to the 3 tech, put Kerney on the side where he did so much damage in 07 and have Tapp start over on the right side. Jackson can backup Kerney and Reed can backup Tapp.

To me this seems like the most sensible way to create pressure on opposing QBs outside of blitzing Curry and Tatupu on plays.

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written by 12th Man in AZ, October 05, 2009

I made a promise to myself to not go to a bar and spend money to watch the Hawks yesterday. No customary jersey like I have worn every game for years, no hitting the Hawks message boards all last week, etc. etc. I needed to cleanse myself for a week and have fun watching all of the NFL games and focus on my fantasy squad, which so happens to have one Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne. Of course I wanted the Hawks to pull the upset but I scored pretty high just of those two alone.
My point is similar to many others on here. Yes, the season is not over. We have gone on 3-4 game winning streaks before with some plaguing injurues and we can do the same this year. People will get healthier and we will have a chance to win games. Still, yesterday, from the little action I caught and have read about, was pathetic. Our deficiencies are too much to overcome right now and I don't see the leadership and unity I expected from the "great" offseason and preseason. In no way am I saying mail it in and focus on drafting in 2010 (our first round pick is now maybe higher than the Broncos and who would have predicted that), but, I am not going to be crushed and let down anymore when we lose games we should win or games we have no business winning at all. Prove it first, and I will drink the neon green and blue koolaid again. For now, just hoping to be pleasantly surprised and hope the team gets it together soon!

It's time for the Wildcat
written by Billy Showbiz, October 05, 2009

I'm not certain our line could block for it but we should be running the wildcat offense. It's time for the offense to get unconventional. With Seneca at QB and a patchwork O Line we're not going to beat anyone with our talent. The only way we have a chance is if we can confuse our opponents and create some opportunities.

This week was really poor. From the outset you could tell that no one on the team believed that we could actually beat the Colts. While that may have been the case, we could have at least competed. This is not the same team as last year. We are absolutely better. The biggest problem facing this team is that their confidence is starting to fade.

This season is not over. In a poor division you can go to the playoffs at 8-8, anyone remember San Diego last year? They got screwed out of a game by the officials too. All we need is a spark and that is going to come with the return of Hasselbeck. If he can't come back this week then we need the coaching staff to be the difference by firing these guys up and getting them excited about the game plan.

GO HAWKS!!!

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written by texashawk, October 05, 2009

Anyone remember San Diego last year?
written by mang'hawks.fr, October 05, 2009

Yes, but I remember Denver first ... Not convinced that the 49ers will be as silly the Broncos was, too hard-working to.

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written by CWEH, October 05, 2009

Why the hell would I want Hasselback out there??? With Fry on LT, we are asking for a very bad injury to Matt.. not worth it at all..... Bring back Matt, when walter is ready "Period"....
how funny everyone was expecting a top 5 draft pick from Denver and it looks like our own pick might be top 3.

Will The Real Fairweather Fans Please Sit Down
written by HawksFanMSVL, October 05, 2009

The season's not over yet. We're in the weakest division in football, and unlike everyone else, we're going to get more healthy down the stretch as a lot of our stars are dinged up already. If anybody has a good shot at making the playoffs at 1-3 it's the Seattle Seahawks. Don't give up yet Hawk fans.

MATT
written by MMF, October 05, 2009

they will pin there ears back and come after him please dont bring him back before we have a decent line,oh shit that will be all year.We need a rush with our front four D line.

16%
written by kurtthekraut, October 05, 2009

I just seen a stastic on the boob-tube that only 16% of teams that start 1-3 end up making it to the playoffs.

next year's draft
written by Hawksince77, October 06, 2009

Billt,

Is it too soon to start thinking about our draft position next year? Perhaps keep Wallace in a bit longer, maybe even Teel to make sure we don't threaten our top-5 pick.

And remember - unlike the Denver pick, if Seattle pick's top five in the first round, they do in the second as well. That would give them three excellent picks in the top 40. (No third round pick, though - that got traded away...)

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written by John Retro, October 06, 2009

Let's face it, if the player is not winning the 1-on-1 matchup, whatever that may be, then he is relying on his teammates to bail him out. It's OK when that works, but for the most part, our stars are hidden and we have a lot of mediocre players just going through the motions. Nobody is bailing anyone out. I see no fire whatsoever with this group,change out whoever does not want to play hard, who only wants to preserve his body and collect his paycheck, and get some rookies in there starting. You cannot teach a pig to sing, you'll get frustrated and you will only annoy the pig.