3 IN, 3 OUT: Week 3 – Startin’ to Come Together Boys

September 28, 2016 by

by fellow 12 Clinton Bonner

3i_3o_week3_49ers

#3, week 3, 3 In, 3 Out … I’m smelling a theme here and no it’s not the leftover Sloppy Joe’s with extra onion I just Wolf Greyed down. You know by now, or at least ya darn should, that on 3i, 3o we let our emotions get the best of us, because they are the best of us. So let’s start right where we should:

It did, didn’t it? We’ll get into the INs and forcefully nitpick the OUTs, but just for a second or two, let the above tweet by our boys from the pod, just let the simplicity sink in. Close your eyes, think about your favorite play or moment from this dominating performance, and just let that feeling stay with you.

This is good. This did feel right.

OK, now I think we’re all in the right mindset to proceed without caution.

When you win in this fashion, ya just can’t start with an OUT, you have to, have to, have to start with an IN. So let’s do this!

IN – Blue Blockers

For as much catfish as our O-Line took in the Rams game, it was equal to what they dished out against our once vaunted rivals, the 49ers. Listen, a boy named Christine certainly did his share of hitting the hole quickly and decisively, but we have to examine that sentence with a bit more scrutiny.

C-Mike was hitting holes and there were tremendous holes for him to hit. The execution in the run game, especially to the left side of the line, was reminiscent of the Jones/Hutchinson days.

Yes, I realize how near-blasphemous that sentence is BUT that's just how good the run blocking was during the first half!

Now here’s the rub. We knew this matchup was in our favor as Brandan and Adam dedicated good chunks of yardage to our need to get good chunks of yardage in the prescient pod leading up to gameday.

The 49ers stink. Fine. But you still need to go out there and blow grown men off the line, and that’s exactly what we did.

Two sub-INs that Russian-nest doll neatly into our discussion:

  • Ifedi has a great chance to play his first snaps vs. the J-E-T-S, as well as Vannett – this is not, not substantial news
  • For the most part, Russell had some pretty great pocket thingys to throw from

OUT – The Moment of Oooooooof

Most Seahawks games contribute to one of our baker’s dozen heart attacks. Sure we could blame the aforementioned Sloppy Joe’s, but it’s usually more like sloppy holding penalties that drive us bananas, cause us to be in closer tilts than we should be, and ultimately lead to our heart pounding well into the 4th quarter, and yes, sometimes down to the final ticks.

But this game was different. It was 72º out, our drop tops were down and we were in cruise control. In fact, an autonomous driving Uber had picked us up and all we had to do was sit back and…

OH DEAR GOD WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO RUSSELL CARRINGTON WILSON !!!

Pacing.

Trying to not watch the replay, but watching all the replays.

Every single one of us with that same, horrible notion pinging around our suddenly swirling brains.

He’s done.

The moment of oooooof was a trying one. And as quickly as it happened, it seemingly passed.

He was back on the field, he was riding a warm-up bike, he was smiling on the sidelines jockeying to be put back in even as a proper brace was slapped on… and he jogged off with a determined, military-like fervor when the clocks struck zeros.

Now all the pundits in the land will worry and ponder, postulate and wax poetic on whether or not #3 should play in week 4.

My money’s on Russ. How about you?

IN – He’s No Longer ADB, Meet EDB

“There’s not going to be any more Captain Chaos. No more! You see what I’m telling you? No more Captain Chaos ever! Now what do you think of that!?”

“I don’t care because, I’ve always wanted to be… Captain USA!!! Dun-Dun-Dah!!!”

Ladies and gentlemen of the 12s… I present to you that ADB aka Angry Doug Baldwin has rightfully shed that moniker and has re-emerged as EDB… yes that’s right, Elite Doug Baldwin.

We’ve been watching this transformation since before last season, but this Sunday, I think it’s time we 12s let the world know:

EDB does things like this …

EDB does things like that…

8 Receptions. 164 Yards. 1 TD. 16.4 Yds/Target.

Ladies and gentlemen of the 12s… He is EDB.

OUT – We’re in No Rush

Look, I understand ripping any element of our defense is a tad ludicrous, especially in a game where Blaine ‘the Main Brain’ Gabbert threw for just 119 yards with a 56% completion rate, no TDs and a pick.

Black Santa said it better than any of us could:

But, there’s also this:

  • Chip Kelly and his short passing-schema are dreadful
  • Gabbert is a non-accurate thrower
  • The 49ers aren’t exactly the Greatest Show on Turf

With all the above, it was a tad maddening that we couldn’t put more pressure on Gabbert throughout the match. In week’s passed we praised Richard for putting his stamp on this defense by dialing up LB or CB blitzes that worked. We have certainly talked about our C+C Music Factory getting heat with just a 4-man front… but v. the 49ers, Gabbert had ample time, most times.

Most teams. Most QBs would have fared significantly better.

Sunday, we face a J-E-T-S team that doesn’t allow many sacks. Sure, Fitzpatrick threw 6 INTs last week v. the Chiefs, but the Chiefs put a lotta heat on Fitz. We’re going to need to turn up the heat to walk outta the Meadowlands 3 – 1.

IN – A Tale of Two Jimmy’s

It was the best of Graham, it was the worst of Graham… OK, mainly it was the best of Graham!

Dating back to the acquisition of Jimmy, we on #3i3o have been vocal advocates of the move. During last year’s slow start, we backed Jimmy. As Jimmy heated up mid-season and then blew out his knee, we backed Jimmy. As pundits argued our offense is better without Graham, we backed Jimmy. As Jimmy slowly simmered to a boil over the first 3 weeks of the 2016 season… we backed Jimmy.

Sunday’s storyline arc had it all:

  • A fast start! Jimmy was involved early and often
  • The fumble! An outstretched Jimmy doing his best EDB had the ball jostled away juuuuuuust before his elbow touched the ground which gave the 49ers a glimmer of hope, resulting in their first points of the game – Que lastima!
  • The redemption song! A lovely crossing TD from #3 to #88 – the big kahuna spike and our ‘Hawks took a commanding 1st half lead!

Jimmy had one heck of a first half! 6 Receptions. 100 yards. 1 TD.

We hear you Jimmy!!!

OUT – Turf Monster Blues

When you win a game in this type of fashion, it’s often hard to find a 3rd thing, that wasn’t an obvious thing, that went wrong during the match. In the past I’ve docked our Canadian Ninja Warrior punter for a flubbed punt or two in games we otherwise dominated.

Well, it pleases me to no end that this week was one of those weeks.

I’m not bothered by the S.F.’s late TDs, they meant less to me than our 4th pre-season game TBH. The Boykin ‘no look’ interception? Nah, rookies gonna rookie. How about the Earl Thomas swing and a whiff yet again on an open field tackle? OK, that bugged me a smidge.

But something that simply irks me about a boy named Christine – as good as he has been!!! – is his propensity to get gobbled up by the Turf Monster at least 2x per game.

At least once a game he slips in the backfield and at least once a game a semi-long run of his is abruptly ended because he evidently forgot how feet work.

Just like Adam is irked by Luke Willson, so to I am irked by a boy named Christine.

And again, when ya win big… well it’s things like this that get called OUT.

Get IN the FLOCK – Bonus I’s & O’s

It continues to warm the cockles of my heart that 12s out on Twitter are using #3i3o during the game… and when I get the warm and fuzzies, I share the warm and fuzzies, that’s my motto!

Here’s to the fellow pod listeners who Did Better this week by contributing a #3i3o on gameday!

First, from the chaps who bring us the pod across the pond, this little ditty about jacked Kam.

And in case you need the context …

Our friend Keith was not to keen on #3 being back out on the pitch!

DCH had a lot to say… I think we can all agree Bubble Screens deserve an OUT!

Finally, Ross was calling for a 50-burger early! Bold Ross, bold!

1,2,3… What’s Next!?

J-E-T-S yuck, yuck, yuck.

This game worried me the moment eye spied Gang Green, Eastern time, D-line… will we be fine? The Jets are coming off a humiliating loss to the Chiefs and are on the early season verge of playing themselves out of playoff contention!

Yet, I must say, I’m more confident in this game right now then I was heading into week 2 or week 3. Marshall is banged up, Fitzpatrick looks like a rattled Carson Palmer (zing!), and Revis Island just ain’t what it used to be.

So, this comes down to:

  • Is Russell healthy enough to go and play at a high level?
  • Can Ifedi step right in and shore up the right side of our line?
  • Can we get in the face of the Harvard hucker?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Much like last week, having tremendous fun on Twitter and in the Sea Hawkers Ring of Honor on Facebook! Just one more great reason to Get in the Flock.

Till next time ye faithful 12s … Go ‘Hawks !!!

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!!!

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