Today the Seattle Seahawks provided plenty of ammunition for those who want to conclude that they're embarking on another doomed campaign. Again they came out flat and lost a season opener they were favored to win. Again they allowed an inferior opponent to build a 1st-half advantage that ultimately couldn't be overcome. AGAIN the offensive line couldn't protect the quarterback. AGAIN GAME WINNING PASSES WERE DROPPED. The story is all too familiar. If one was inclined to believe in curses, today's debacle in Glendale provided plenty of evidence.
Here's the thing, though: I don't believe in curses. I DO believe in Russell Wilson.
Wilson's numbers weren't great. If you wanted to compare his opening day stats to Robert Griffin III, Wilson's look dreadful. Every pass wasn't delivered with sniper-level accuracy. A terrible swing pass to Lynch ended up being a lateral and cost Seattle three points. He bailed out of the pocket under pressure too quickly a number of times. Despite all that, today CONVINCED me that he will lead the Seahawks to the playoffs, and that he'll do so this season. Why?
He showed decisiveness, patience, and incredible calm under pressure. Let's cut the shit: If either Doug Baldwin or Braylon Edwards makes a difficult but TOTALLY PLAUSIBLE catch, we're already going apeshit about The Legend of Russell Wilson. With his team needing a touchdown, he whipped them downfield and into position to win. In his VERY FIRST NFL GAME. That's pretty fucking awesome. I saw nothing but upside from Russell Wilson. I saw a quarterback who is capable of consistently delivering excellent quarterback play. We haven't had that since 2007, people. Late-model Hasselbeck couldn't do that, and neither could Tarvaris Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst.
Could Matt Flynn? Yes, I think so. I think it's WAY too soon to even consider that move, though. Not only would the team have to be losing, they'd have to be losing in such as way that starting Matt Flynn would be likely to make a measurable difference. In addition to that, the window for such a move is VERY narrow. It would have to be made while the Seahawks are still in playoff contention- If Seattle falls out of the playoff race, why not give Wilson a season of experience? If the Seahawks lose next week AND Wilson looks out of his depth, there's some chance Flynn could start against Green Bay in a desperate bid to get to 1-2... but I doubt it. If we're 0-3 and heading into STL for a death match? That's where I think a switch might be made, but only if the defeats are clearly at least in part due to sub-replacement-level QB play.
My friend Hawkblogger said this before the game, and he was absolutely correct: The offense couldn't be counted on to win this game- The defense needed to be dominant. For a long stretch in the 2nd half, they were, but it simply wasn't enough... and it won't be enough for this defense to merely be "good." They have to smother the enemy. They absolutely can't let the likes of Kevin Kolb hop off the bench and drive their teams to go-ahead touchdowns. Even if they have Larry Fitzgerald to throw to, that's completely unacceptable. Much more is expected from them.
Realistically, the Seahawks are in a must-win situation at home vs the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday. Everyone will pick Dallas to win, and everyone will be wrong. Wilson will take another step towards his destiny, and backed by a bloodthirsty crowd a humbled Seattle defense will make Romo be Romo. I refuse to believe these are the Same Old Seahawks- because I believe Russell Wilson is motherfuckin' Neo... And he's fixing to wake everyone up.
What do you think, sirs?
7 comments:
Well said. I'll buy all that.
I agree. Russel wasn't perfect, but this loss isn't on him. It's on the oline in the first half especially (Okung: calm down dude. Wait for the snap.) and on the defense and receivers in the second half. I too am very optimistic about Wilson. And I think his demeanor on the sidelins after the last drive was exactly what I wanted to see: easily visible disappointment, but not worry or lack of confidence. I am still very optimistic about this team, but our recievers, oline and d-got oa wake up call today.
I imagine that next week we won't see the same degree of stunting and scheming to attack protection schemes.
I believe in Wilson, but there is a good bit of work to be done.
I believe in Wilson, but he's got some work. A lot of it is getting out of bad plays and changing protection schemes.
Very disappointed in Wilson today. He looked overwhelmed, uncomfortable and frankly "not ready for prime time" all day. I can't remember one throw that I thought was good, not one. And we don't have great pass catchers to bail him out.
Wilson comes up SHORT again, and I'm going to start wondering what Flynn can do.
12s need to stop waiting, wishing and hoping for the Wilson for the fairy-tale to come true, and deal with the reality on the ground. He's an undersized, unconventional qb, and we're all rooting for him because he's a nice story, and seems like a great guy, but so was Jon Kitna, and he never fullfilled his "destiny".
I'm not saying that it won't ever happen for 3, but maybe he needs a year or two holding a clipboard behind Flynn. It maybe the best thing for both of them, and for the team in the long run.
I agree RW showed a lot of potential and ability and there is no reason at all to question why he is starting. His numbers were not great, of course, but were it not for RG3 we'd be talking about how he was the best rookie quarterback to suit up this week. And he did it on the road against a tough defense. So no reason to worry about him.
The Seahawks have a tough schedule, no doubt. They could very realistically start 0-3 and yet be a good team. They need to win against either Dallas or GB to avoid panic though. A 1-2 start will be good enough as they will most likely improve dramatically as the season progresses.
The wide receiving core is a worry. Not a lot of separation and they couldn't make the catch with the game on the line. Someone (Winslow, Owens, etc.) is going to be brought in this week.
I agree RW showed a lot of potential and ability and there is no reason at all to question why he is starting. His numbers were not great, of course, but were it not for RG3 we'd be talking about how he was the best rookie quarterback to suit up this week. And he did it on the road against a tough defense. So no reason to worry about him.
The Seahawks have a tough schedule, no doubt. They could very realistically start 0-3 and yet be a good team. They need to win against either Dallas or GB to avoid panic though. A 1-2 start will be good enough as they will most likely improve dramatically as the season progresses.
The wide receiving core is a worry. No separation and they couldn't make the catch with the game on the line. Someone (Winslow, Owens, etc.) is going to be brought in this week.
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