by fellow 12 @ClintonBon
Here’s a little blog I wrote, you don’t have to read it quote for quote…
But don’t worry… Be happy.
We score no points in da first half
As seen on Twitter it made some sad
But don’t worry… Be happy
Even though Russell couldn’t find paydirt
Or keep a read-option when the down was 3rd
Don’t worry… Be happy
Don’t worry, be happy now
(music interlude)
… aaaaand out through the nose people… good.
I might be in the far minority on this one, but I was exceptionally pleased with the Seahawks performance on Thursday night. Not kinda enthused, not glum over any particular part of our game, but really, really pleased.
But wait, how can that be you jab?!!! We mustered an exact goose egg in the first half you shout!!!
I know this much is true.
But multiple drives – good ones! – were killed due to poor execution by players who likely aren’t making this deep squad. Of course you’d rather it was all executed well, but there were at least 3 bad drops and 2 clear instances where Russell let go of a read-option simply because he was instructed to do so.
Pundits abound yammered on that the O-Line regressed from the first game because the Vikes got home a few times with the pass rush. OK, but that didn’t take away from all the good the O-Line did do in game #2 of this preseason. And anyone watching knows that 2 of the sacks were on Russell… That’s his game, he takes sacks sometimes in exchange for Houdini-esque escapes and big plays that blossom once the chains have been broken.
So despite the first-half goose egg, despite taking the pre-season L… I was still quite happy.
It wouldn’t be right to start out with an OUT now would it??? Nay!!! So, let’s start with the opposite … an IN!
IN – Run D(Mc)
The year was 2016, we had just beaten the Kansas City Chiefs in the first match of the new pre-season and yet we were reading about an OUT that touched a nerve. Our Seahawks had gotten blown off the ball by the Chiefs and it didn’t feel very good.
Less than one calendar week later and our run defense was ridiculously great !!!
Whether it was newly re-signed vet Tony McDaniel crashing down the line for an impressive stop or the string of run-stuffing goodness that was Jarran Reed’s coming out party, our run defense – especially in the first half – was fantastic.
This was a typical play in the first half… and that says a whole lot:
Very good play from rookie DT Jarran Reed vs the Center https://t.co/wC5urn1tzR
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 19, 2016
In run situations, our line owned theirs. This was a HUGE improvement v. just 5 days previous. Nice work fellas!!!
OUT – 3rd Downs a Charm???
I really wanted to see us against Teddy Bridgewater and was actually kinda pissed we didn’t get the opportunity to face him. It would have been a better test.
Yet, we allowed Shaun Hill on multiple times to convert lengthy 3rd downs, often to tight ends down the seam. Que lastima!
Bottom line, we need to do a better job getting to the QB in obvious passing situations. More sacks, more hurries… more more dang it !!!
Perhaps Richard needs to dial up more aggressive play calls in these situations. But whatever the remedy, we can’t be sitting here come Sept. 12 discussing how Tannehill was as effective as Shaun Hill. Ugggh that sentence is gross.
Do better!!!
IN – C&C Music Factory – Gonna Make You Sweat
If you aren’t on the Frank Clark train by this point… then you clearly haven’t been watching the Seattle Seahawks.
If you aren’t pumped about the presence Cassius Marsh brings, including his ability to put heat on the QB – something we just talked about!!! – then you’re probably not paying attention to the season quite yet.
If you haven’t realized that the C&C in the segment title stands for none other than Clark & Cassius… well you should probably listen to this in your spare time.
Against the Vikes Cassius was present making a few nice plays. Clark… Clark was once again everywhere, literally lining up all across the defensive line. With a sack, a few hurries, a batted ball, and a few tackles near or behind the line, @therealfrankc_ had one heckofa game.
All I know is, this C&C duo of hit makers will have our opponents sweating.
For more crack analysis on this topic here’s my in-depth take on twitter which Frank Clark himself re-tweeted !
Frank Clark is good at football #GoHawks #Seahawks
— Clinton Bonner (@clintonbon) August 19, 2016
OUT – Mr. Frese
Dear Nolan, you had one job.
According to @AdamtheRant’s observation of you during his training camp visit, ya bassssicaly toss the ball around all day. That’s fine, that’s fine. But here’s a pro tip. You can toss the ball around at practice all ya want… just bend at the hips and toss the ball backwards between your legs through a tire.
We want success for all our ‘Hawks so just don’t beef it again!
The pre-season is practice and we all make mistakes, so we ain’t mad at ya.
FTR Hauschka still almost made the 53-yarder essentially standing still !!!
IN – I Like-a da-Pope-a
- Super shifty – check!
- Hits the hole hard – check!
- Makes quick decisions – check!
- Runs well between the guards – you betcha!
- Puts the biscuit in the basket, finds paydirt, makes it so, kneels before Zod !!! – I get excited people – but indeed he does!!!
Will Pope’s play make him one of 53 Seahawks come week 1 v. the Fish???
We shall see. Until then, here’s one more huge reason to be cheering for the ‘Hawks pontiff of points.
“[The Seahawks] called me, and I just broke down crying,” Pope said.
Read why here.
OUT – Collins-Worth?
Pains me to say this… but more like Mrs. Butter-worth. I hate ripping into a guy I want nothing but good things for, but man our 5th round Razorback just wasn’t good on Thursday night.
- On the opening drive, after watching a boy named Christine find seams and bust big gains down the field, Michael needed a blow after making a nice grab near the sideline. In came Collins with 1 yard to gain but on back-to-back, belly-to-belly attempts, Collins came up short, the ball was turned over on downs and the ‘mo that was building left the building.
- Early in the 2nd quarter Collins found himself wide open in the flat on second down. He unfortunately picked the worst time to do his best Stonehands impersonation. I apologize for the necessary roughness of this segment, but we’re nothing if we aren’t straight arrows.
- Finally Doug Farrar of SI observed and reported the following incident.
If you're a low-round RB and you miss blitz pickup… not a good look from Collins there.
— Doug Farrar (@BR_DougFarrar) August 19, 2016
With Rawls, a boy named Christine, Prosise, the holiness of da-Pope-a and even some others vying for a backfield roster spot… It’s looking a little too close for comfort, so I’m forced to take Jim J. Bullock for the block.
1,2,3 What’s Next!???
The Seahawks D v. the surging Dak Prescott !!!
What we want to see:
- Romo under pressure, consistently
- Rawls in action!!!
- Russell with a multi-touchdown first half
Most importantly… Don’t worry, be happy! We are really, reallllllly good.
Remember 12s, see something??? Say something on Twitter. Send @seahawkerspod a tweet during the game, tag it #3i3o, and it just might show up in next week’s 3 IN, 3 OUT… and that’s nice!!!
Till next time ye faithful 12s … Go ‘Hawks !!!
