Game #9 – The Thrill is Gone?
by @ClintonBon
It being only our 2nd week here … a short reminder: 3 In, 3 Out is a concise, yet somewhat satisfying recap of 3 things that went well for the Seahawks and 3 things that ummmm… didn’t. The coverage will go deeper than the average bear – for instance this will be the only mention of us seeing that little yellow flag over and over… and over again on Sunday night. Turns out 1st and 20, IS harder than 1st and 10.
In – Mr. T, Mr. TD
If you’re a self-identifying Sea Hawkers Podcast fanboy, *raises hand coyly*, then you know the love showered upon our lock-filled wonder FB, Will Tukuafu… aka… Mr. T.
It was awesome to see him get the call on the goal line to punch one in and then to get the call again to convert what was, at the time, a crucial 4th down. The fullback dive is a lost art seemingly relegated to likes of our dusty Commodore 64’s… Even if it were for just one Fall evening in the Great Northwest… well, it was magical. Here’s to you Mr. Tukuafu… the 12’s love you more than you will know.
Out – Our 2-Point Conversion Attempts … Oh Dear
I’m not sure if Bevell and Petey realize this… buuuuut we have a HOF RB that has earned the nickname ‘Beastmode’. During the broadcast, Collinsworth said at least 2 or 3 times, “That was the greatest 3 yard run I think I’ve ever seen.” … And he was right, Lynch was straight money.
I know Adam calls for it each and every week but why in the world do we not line up Beastmode, behind Mr. T and smash the ball down the defenses respective throats?
Instead we attempt a floater to Kearse, who unfortunately has all but disappeared from this offense, and a read-option that fooled absolutely no one. Que lastima!!!
In – When We Needed to Get Mad, We Got Angry Doug
Someone had to step up… and Angry Doug Baldwin did in a huge way. With Jimmy dropping dimes and Russell apparently unable to see 310 lb. teammates directly in front of him, we needed a would-be hero.
I reckon the vast majority reading this article aren’t fly-by-night Seahawks fans. To me, it’s always that much more awesome when someone like Baldwin steps up and performs at this level. He had his best game of the season and should’ve been the hero of the day. Nice work Angry Doug, the 12s love ya.
Listen to Brandan & Adam's take on Angry Doug's Big Game on the latest Sea Hawkers Podcast
Out – the Ryan Punt with 6:09 to Go
Down 32 – 29 and after our drive stalled, mainly due to an intentional grounding penalty, Jon Ryan had a fantastic opportunity to pin the Cardinals deep. Unfortunately, he executed one of his poorest punts of the season at one of the most crucial times.
A below average punt left his right foot, it went up and down fairly quickly. A mere 30 yards later, Patrick Peterson easily sauntered under it and waved for a fair catch… at the 20 yard line.
This punt needed to land at the 8 or be downed at the 2, or at the least, trickle into the end zone resulting in a touchback. Alas, this punt never had a chance.
Hey, we love Jon Ryan. He’s been a damn fine punter, a ‘ninja warrior’ badass and an occasional TD throwing machine!!! But here… he pooched it.
In – Our Godzilla Came Out and He Wreaked Havoc
I’m unsure if Cliff Avril has a legit nickname, but I’ve been calling for us to simply dub him Godzilla for about 2 years now. The man – much like the radioactive lizard – simply wrecks things for our opponents.
It wasn’t one play, or one series… Avril was Godzilla-like for essentially the entire game. The dude is so strong, so quick off the edge and routinely just ends up causing a ton of damage that benefits our ‘Hawks. Cliff, that was one hellavu game man.
Out – In Russell We … Doubt???
This is by far the most serious of our ‘3 outs’ this week. We’re through week 9. We witnessed what our offense can do when we simply take the restrictor plate off the Red Dragon in the form of our 4-minute offense… we look unstoppable!!!
Then, there’s the rest of the game where we plod around more lethargically than an aging Larry Holmes.
Yes, we can finger point like Mamma Lynch at Bevell. Yes, we need to block better… but Russell also needs to execute better and make better decisions. The 2 stand outs are of course the Okung inflicted hip-fumble and the Honey Badger INT where Russell missed an open Angry Doug, while having an even more wide open Lockett streaking down the fairgrounds.
This pains me to write this… but as a Seahawks fan, this was the first time since about week 9 of 2012, where I wasn’t fully confident in Russell Wilson. How about you?
Let’s not let the hyperbole train run rampant here. Russell is our leader and he’s a damn fine NFL QB. It will go a long way if he can finish this season exceptionally strong.
1,2, 3… What’s Next!?
Speaking of finishing the season. I’m a glass half full kinda fella. Yes, our chances to make the playoffs aren’t good, but there is a path:
We go 6 – 1
Falcons go 3 – 4
No other team gets cute…
Till next time ye faithful 12’s… Go ‘Hawks!
Have an ‘in’ or ‘out’ you’d like to discuss? Awesome, drop us a comment below.
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