Seahawks':
Well some callers at the local sports radio station are saying things like, "Holmgren's on the way out." Then the host will typically hang up on them and call them 'moron' and such. Some of the hosts though in other time spots are also critical of "Holmey."
I don't know if Seattle would have had any chance the other day, but in retrospect they should have run. Look at Watters' average: 11 for 59. Why not 22 for 118? '3 and out with 3 runs is better than 3 and out with 3 passes.' I was saying the same thing under Erickson - who by the way must be laughing right about now.
So Foley is gone... and he was someone Holmgren brought in... Foley was not 'one of Erickson's.'
That leaves them with Huard. I think that Kitna and Foley were both better QBs before they played for Holmgren.
Anyway a lineman.. DE Matt LaBounty was on the same sports radio station and said he wished there had been more running as well. I can see up to the first 1 or even 2... interceptions. AFter that though, you've got to go to the ground more... control the clock... The running was admittedly a bunch of 2 yard runs and a 30-some yarder. Still, the 'hawks o-line was doing much better on the ground than they were in blocking for Kitna and the pass.
Now Kitna's on his way out in which case he will be the backup, thanks to the fact that Foley was let go. Foley has had some phenomenal games as a pro. Someone is going to turn a team over to him for a full year sometime. Then we will see if he can be good consistently. He sure stunk during pre-season this year but was great in his only seasonal action last year, the game at Chicago where he brought them back from 0-13 halftime to win 14-13. That was he at the helm when the Jets lost that opener in OT 36-30 in SF a couple of years ago, when the 49ers were still a decent team. Foley sure would be nice to have on the roster right now, after Kitna was picked apart Sunday.
So with the guys they have I say give Huard the next 31 starts and see where he comes out. Then decide whether to draft again or keep him.
'Holmey' ('Kahuna,' as one of my friends calls him), you've got to run the ball more. Make the passing game a couple of slants and deep balls, then just grind it up the middle on the run the rest of the time. You seem to have the horses for that and not much else this year if the first game is any indication. That finesse stuff is going to get you killed against the Miamis of the league.
With Huard you have a 238-lb QB. Not quite Culpepper but certainly someone a db doesn't really want to tackle, and who is almost as heavy as many linebackers.
Put Huard on the rollout throwing the 30-40 yard fade.
There is something about Kitna which at this point reminds me of Friesz the time that guy was on the Redskins and the Seahawks' d picked him 3 times in the first half. Friesz later became a 'hawk and displayed those same 'abilities' with back-to-back interceptions at one point.
To be fair Kitna looked better under Erickson. Maybe Holmgren can only groom a certain type of QB, but not a Kitna-type.... maybe a Huard-type. Maybe Holmgren's system just makes Kitna more and more flustered. They were very efficient with a simple offensive set, until Galloway came back last year and the play set got more complicated.
From what I see the 'hawks are going to be battling it out with Kansas City for the divisional cellar this year.
Bright spots:
1) some rookie wideout contributions
2) king (DE, #92, 2nd year, saginaw state, 6'5" 290 lbs, 36" vertical leap) showing the ability to disrupt the opposing backfield.
too bad they don't have '4 kings' right now.
3) Watters 11-59
Ok here's a challenge to the Seahawks: Run the ball enough so that you control the clock. At the end of each half, if you have the ball and the time-of-possession advantage, then throw with abandon. You've got to get over 15 minutes "TOP" per half though. That and the turnovers are killing the Seahawks efforts.
... too bad about Aikman.... i wanted him to be a leading qb this year... and galloway... tough luck for the 'boyz this year.... and the Ravens threw the only other shutout aside from Miami's. Man the Rams had a tough time against Denver but Denver's running game was crippled for the time being with the loss of Gary and injury to Davis. It was interesting to see the ball get spread around so much amongst the Denver receivers and tight ends. Shanahan just 'reloads' over there. They must have great scouts.
Buffalo is amazing... 'they never went away.'
Andy |
