3 In, 3 Out: Seahawks Review for Those Who Like Shiny Objects – Game 9

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.

Listen to the latest Sea Hawkers Pod for the 49ers preview

3 In, 3 Out: Seahawks Review for Those Who Like Shiny Objects

by @ClintonBon

Welcome my friends, welcome to the machine. As a long time fan-boy (nearly 2 years) of the Sea Hawkers Podcast, it’s my pleasure to be able to contribute to their growing cadre of listeners by offering up a weekly little ditty we call 3 in, 3 out.

What is 3 in, 3 out? Glad you asked. It’s a concise, yet somewhat satisfying recap of 3 things that went well for the Seahawks and 3 things that left us all feeling a little less than fresh. The coverage will go deeper than the average bear – for instance this will be the only mention of Richard Sherman’s all game blanketing of Dez.

Bite-sized tidbits… yes! Slightly askew analysis… likely! Better at life than Skip Bayless… most certainly my friends. So, without further adieu, queue Machinehead from 90’s band Bush in your noggin’ and sing it with us: 3 in, 3 out… 3 in, 3 out …

In – Large holes in left side of the line, several times

Though Lynch carried the ball 21 times v. dem ‘Boys, it felt like he should’ve gotten the rock even more. His last two starts he’s looked quite fresh. In addition to what seem like very fresh Lynch legs, Alvin Bailey’s run blocking on many occasions was really… quite good. There were several occasions where Lynch was through a gaping left side hole and not being touched until linebacker contact 4 to 5 yards down the field. Ummmmm… we do that, we don’t lose

Out – Uggggggh the Red Dead Zone

The O is moving the chains. Most drives feel good. The stats certainly don’t say it but any ‘Hawks fan watching as we do feel that the offense is riiiiiiiight there. But put simply, if we don’t improve our Red Zone offense, we won’t make it back to the Super Bowl. I’d like to say we just need to be less predictable in the Red Zone, but I think Brandan would kindly remind me that “Malcolm Butler made a very good play”. So, I’m taking suggestions here… what can we do about our red zone doldrums?

Listen to Brandan & Adam’s take on our Red Zone woes on the latest Sea Hawkers Podcast

In – Jimmy Graham… yes, our Jimmy Graham

Facts are funny… funny things.

Fact #1 – Jimmy Graham caught just under 37% of Russell’s completions on Sunday

Fact #2 – Jimmy Graham was responsible for just under 36% of Russell’s throwing yards on Sunday

Fact #3 – Luke Willson was open, because the defender was more keyed in on Jimmy Graham (a well designed and nicely executed play I might add!)

Out – Michael Bennett’s Last Chance Power-Drive

Hey, I love me some @mosesbread72… I’ve often stated to fellow 12’s on twitter to exercise fan patience when he lines up offsides multiple times in a half, because you know the guy will deliver a huge play when it matters. I think his 3.5 sacks the week before prove that out and then some.

I’m just saying, in this instance, when he went low on the Cowboys journeyman QB, we likely all felt that it was going to bite us in the arse… and cost us the season. Well, thank the maker for Matt Cassel, eh?

In – Tyler Lockett’s Punt Return that Didn’t Count – But Mattered

Lockett did a Lockett-thingy when he took that late punt return through traffic and up the sideline to the centerpiece Dallas Star. It was called back on a hold by Big Perm, Big Sherm that wouldn’t have affected the play otherwise. So the stats don’t count, but the play mattered… a lot. Lockett’s return game went from off the charts great to average over the last few weeks. We need Lockett to be this dynamic in the second half of the year, and this was a great play in a huge spot. It didn’t count, but it sure does matter.

Out – The NFL’s Inability to Decide What the Frig a Catch Is (or isn’t)!!!

That McFadden catch, and fumble was indeed a catch… and fumble… until it wasn’t. I’m just unsure how that call could possibly have been reversed, but here’s a solution! Any NFL catch/no catch scenario should be sent to NYC for MLB instant replay umpires to review. In baseball if a player catches the ball then muffs the transfer – like a 6-4 put out where the shortstop fumbles the ball trying to complete a double-play – it’s still an out… because… a-hem… he caught the ball!!! NFL, apply the same dang logic would ya? Please!!! Before another playoff game is ruined because you can’t decide what is a catch and what isn’t… Do Better NFL!!!

It’s of course great to hear Ricardo is on the road to recovery. Get well soon Rocket. 4-4 with 8 to go, our division to win! Till next time ye faithful 12’s, we’ll see you in a few weeks. Go ‘Hawks!