Image via Wikipedia

Midway into the exhibition season and already there’s concern about Seattle’s revamped defense.

The Seahawks surrendered three touchdowns on four possessions at the start of games against Tennessee quarterback Vince Young and Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The starters have just one sack, which is a painful reminder of last season when Seattle accumulated just two sacks in the final five games.

The retooled defensive line has failed to generate a consistent pass rush and too often last week the ends failed to contain Green Bay quarterbacks who escaped outside the pocket.

The linebackers, one of the best groups in the conference just two years ago, appear in disarray. Second-year pro Aaron Curry has just one tackle and is slow adjusting to new pass-rushing responsibilities, David Hawthorne is out with a hip injury and three-time Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu, who missed 11 games last season due to injuries, hasn’t played because of a sore hamstring.

Marcus Trufant, who is playing like he did in 2007 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl, has been a pleasant surprise. Still, Kelly Jennings has yet to secure the other cornerback spot and rookie free safety Earl Thomas is prone to gaffes, such as the one that resulted in a 56-yard reception last week.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley acknowledged mistakes the first two exhibition games, but he sees improvement in a defense ranked 24th last season in yards allowed.

“Last week we had some busts,” he said. “Some coverage busts. Some alignment busts. We’re really stressing this week our communication on the field. That’s more important and once we get those things down, hopefully we’ll be more solid.

“It’s preseason and our focus is on us right now, like making sure our coverage principles and our pressure principles are all in place. It’s really a race for the next couple of weeks before that first (regular-season) game to improve in those areas.”

Next up: Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.

“You know he’s back there,” rookie defensive end E.J. Wilson said. “You know he’s in the game and everything that he’s done in the game, but it doesn’t matter when the game starts. He’s a quarterback just like any other quarterback and it’s our job to get to him.”

Veteran strong safety Lawyer Milloy said facing the 40-year-old Favre, who holds every significant NFL passing record, is the perfect situation for the Seahawks.

“Obviously there’s things we have to correct,” Milloy said. “For me it’s stopping teams on the first drive. That’s just all attitude. It’s getting to some of these young guys, getting to some of these new players and making sure they know the defense needs to set the tone and be focused when we get out there.

“Because when we settle down, you see what we can do. But in this league, you’re not afforded the time to settle down. Minnesota is a perfect situation for us because with their quarterback and their running back (Adrian Peterson), that’s a good test for us.”

Notes

• Despite the absence of two starters on the left side of the offensive line, coach Pete Carroll said QB Matt Hasselbeck will play into the third quarter against a Minnesota defense that led the NFL in sacks last season. OT Mansfield Wrotto and G Mike Gibson are replacing rookie Russell Okung (high ankle sprain) and Ben Hamilton (sore knee).

• LB Will Herring will start in place of David Hawthorne (hip), who will not play.

• TE Cameron Morrah (flu) returned to practice after missing two days.

• On the final play of practice, DT Quinn Pitcock drew several oohs and ahhs from teammates when he dropped into coverage, deflected a Hasselbeck pass before making a diving interception.

Related Articles

• To whom it may concern: Seattle’s blind side (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Image via Wikipedia

With only nine wins combined over the last two seasons the Seattle Seahawks went to work in the offseason, overhauling both the roster and the coaching staff.  With the NFC West wide open this year the Seahawks are hoping the changes have an immediate impact.

Pete Carroll returns to coach in the NFL for the first time since 1999 and while he put together one of the great college programs of the 2000′s he has his work cut out for him in Seattle.  A big first step toward getting back to the playoffs will be protecting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.  The veteran missed nine games in 2008 was healthier in ’09 but he still missed two games.  Hasselbeck was pressured way too much in ’09 and certainly the protection couldn’t be any worse than the final four games of 2009 when Hasselbeck was sacked 10 times and threw 10 interceptions.  To strengthen the line Seattle drafted tackle Russell Okung and signed guards Chester Pitts and Ben Hamilton.  Certainly the Seahawks don’t lack the weaponry with TJ Houshmandzadeh and tight end John Carlson.  The Seahawks also drafted flashy Golden Tate and are hoping to revive the career of Mike Williams.  Seattle’s once proud running game nearly washed out last year as the Seahawks ranked 26th in rushing and scored just seven touchdowns on the ground.  Looking to add a spark to the Julius Jones-Justin Forsett backfield tandem Seattle acquired Leon Washington in the offseason.

The next step in Seattle’s rebuilding project is to put more playmakers on the field.  Patrick Kerney led the team in sacks with a mere five however he retired in the offseason.  Deon Grant led the secondary with just three interceptions but in the offseason Grant signed with the Giants.  To help fix the secondary the Seahawks used one of two first round picks on safety Earl Thomas.  Seattle will need Thomas after routinely getting picked apart by opposing quarterbacks.  Much of the focus should be on Seattle’s linebackers.  MLB David Hawthorne led the team in tackles, registered four sacks and picked off three passes.  The Seahawks are also looking for more from 2009 first round pick Aaron Curry.  Not surprising, Seattle was much better defending the run.

Hasselbeck is now the dean of NFC West quarterbacks and the Seahawks need a full season from him.  The revamped offensive line should help keep Hasselbeck upright.  On defense the Seahawks need Thomas and Curry to jell quickly.  After two tours of duty in the NFL Carroll needs to prove he can be as successful in the pros as he was at USC.  It’s not far fetched to think the Seahawks can compete in the division if they stay healthy.This could be an eight or a nine win team which just might be enough to win the watered-down West.

Image via Wikipedia

Seattle -

The Seahawks still impressive despite the lost. Leon Washington was looking very good running the ball.

Still need Work:

1.) Offense:

Matt Hassellbeck

look good he throw the ball and saw some great agility from him. Matt was on the same page as T.J was and it exciting the preseason seeing sign that they could return to prominent.

Leon Washington

Washington (leg) had four carries for 19 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown run, in Saturday’s preseason game against Green Bay. He also added one reception for six yards.

Recommendation:
It was Washington’s first game since suffering a broken leg last season. He looked at full strength on his touchdown run and showed a nice burst of speed. While he may have a third-down and kick-return role initially, he’ll be a nice late-round flier if he continues to look healthy.

Russel Okung

Sixth overall draft choice Russell Okung of Oklahoma State left the Seahawks’ second preseason game with an ankle injury on Saturday night.
Advertisement

Seattle’s left offensive tackle, expected to replace the retired All-Pro Walter Jones, limped off and into the locker room after his team’s opening drive against Green Bay.

The team announced his return was doubtful. Seattle’s starters were expecting to play through the first half.

Mansfield Wrotto, normally a guard, replaced Okung. Seattle is already without backup tackle Ray Willis for an indefinite time because he is facing knee surgery.

The Seahawks gave Okung a six-year contract earlier this month that guarantees him more than $29 million and has a maximum value of $58 million.

2.) Defense:

Look still shaky They need to come out and fire of the ball and if tonight was any showing of the secoundary on the first drive then we are in trouble.

Marcus Trufant is looking like when he played in 2007 and a pro bowl striping the ball from Packers receiver and then stopping a run in the back field.

The Rest of the Story

The Seahawks’ second exhibition on Saturday began in the same dreary manner as the first one.

Their offensive starters fizzled on the opening drive while the defense surrendered a long touchdown drive in the early minutes.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young dinked and dunked and picked apart Seattle’s secondary last week en route to a 79-yard scoring drive.

This time Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers came out firing just as the Qwest Field fans were settling into their seats. Rodgers rolled right and spotted receiver Greg Jennings who raced behind the secondary and hauled in a 56-yard pass over rookie safety Earl Thomas.

Green Bay scored four plays later when Rodgers connected with fullback John Kuhn for a 1-yard score and the Packers earned a 27-24 exhibition victory Saturday night.

The Seahawks’ offense regained their footing on their second possession when quarterback Matt Hasselbeck capped a five-play, 49-yard drive with an 11-yard pass to Deion Branch in the end zone.

The drive was costly because prized rookie offensive tackle Russell Okung injured his ankle on the possession.

Still, the Seahawks coaching staff had to be pleased the first-string offense was able to score early. Midway through the second quarter at press time, Green Bay led 17-14.

In their first game under new coordinator Jeremy Bates, the Seahawks produced 321 yards in a 20-18 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Seattle won the game, but Tennessee won the battle between the first-team units as the Titans took the opening drive 79 yards for a touchdown before their starters went to the sideline for good.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks offensive starters stumbled out of the gate and managed just three points on three possessions.

“We have a long ways to improve,” Bates said. “We got to keep working, we got to keep grinding. We’re far from where we need to be.

advertising

“We got to play together. We got to get 11 guys on the same page. We still got three weeks to work things out and figure out who we are.”

Bates talked about being a balanced team and improving a running attack that ranked 26th in the NFL last season.

He also said the offensive starters needed to set the tone and that responsibility rests with Hasselbeck.

The Seahawks’ first-string offense followed the lead of their three-time Pro Bowl quarterback

“I probably lacked a lot of enthusiasm and energy when I was out there, which that’s something that I have to bring to the table,” he said. “It’s something we’ve had here at practice, but we have to transfer that to a preseason game, even if it’s just a preseason game. You still have to bring all that stuff.” Against Green Bay, Hasselbeck connected on 4 of 5 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown on two drives.

Seattle’s first-string defense received a stern test Saturday night against a passing attack that ranked seventh in the NFL last season. Rodgers threw for 159 yards and a touchdown on 12-for-13 passing in a quarter against Cleveland last week.

Image via Wikipedia

The Seahawks have been granted written permission by the San Diego Chargers to discuss contract terms with holdout Vincent Jackson(notes),  Seattle general manager John Schneider said through a team spokesman Friday. Chargers GM A.J. Smith declined to comment on the situation, but the Seahawks said they have talked to Jackson’s agents about the contract compensation that could pave the way for a trade for the wide receiver.

While no significant progress has occurred to this point, two sources close to the situation said San Diego is committed to trading Jackson, who is believed to be seeking a long-term contract worth more than $9 million per season, because the team expects that he will not report at all this season

According to one of the aforementioned sources, the Seahawks received the letter granting them permission in the past two weeks. Earlier this offseason, Seattle was reportedly interested in signing Jackson as a restricted free agent, but no deal was struck. Jackson’s rights have since reverted exclusively to the Chargers. However, the two sides have not been able to agree on a long-term contract.

While it’s unclear what the Chargers seek in return for Jackson, the Broncos received two second-round picks when they shipped Brandon Marshall(notes) to Miami in April.

Both Jackson, who is represented by Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, and the Chargers have held their ground. Jackson did not sign the one-year tender of $3.268 million by June 15. After that, the Chargers reduced the one-year tender to $583,000, furthering the divide between the sides.

Last week, the Chargers sent Jackson (along with holdout offensive tackle Marcus McNeill(notes)) a letter informing him that he would be placed on the Roster Exempt List if he didn’t sign his tender offer by Friday. The designation means Jackson would be ineligible to play for three games following the day he signs and that he has to report by Week 8 in order to get his six games and accrued season.

Jackson has developed into one of the best deep threats in the league, averaging 17.8 yards per reception over the past two seasons. He has also averaged 57 receptions, 1,132 yards and eight touchdowns in that time. For his five-year career, Jackson has averaged 17.2 yards per catch.

Despite the production, San Diego apparently has been hesitant to re-sign Jackson to a long-term deal partly because of off-field issues. Jackson is facing a three-game suspension whenever he plays again because of violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. He has twice been charged with driving under the influence.

Related Articles

• Seahawks talking to Chargers about WR Jackson (sfgate.com)

Image via Wikipedia

The Seattle Seahawks continue to be interested in San Francisco’s leftovers.

Two days after taking defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer off the 49ers’ hands, the Seahawks will meet with deposed wideout Brandon Jones on Thursday, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

If the Seahawks don’t sign Jones, he’s scheduled to meet with the Vikings on Thursday night.  (A better fit considering their lack of depth.)   The Raiders and Titans have also “showed interest” according to Jones’ agent.

Seattle’s interest is a surprise, even if Jones simply proves to be another camp body.  The Seahawks appear to have more borderline receivers than they can use already.

Related Articles

• Brandon Jones released (sfgate.com)

One day after Jackson admitted he was in limbo in Seattle, the Seahawks announced Wednesday that they had traded away the lineman, who was 28th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. Seahawks general manager John Schneider wasn’t on the job when the team drafted Jackson out of USC.

Neither was Pete Carroll, Jackson’s former coach at USC, nor the rest of the Seahawks’ defensive staff. They are installing schemes that call for ends to be run stuffers or fast pass rushers, and Jackson has demonstrated he is neither.

Jackson becomes the latest arrival on the Lions’ revamped defensive line. Veteran tackle Kyle Vanden Bosch and Ndamukong Suh, the second overall pick in April’s draft, arrived earlier to help rescue the NFL’s worst defense.

In Seattle, former tackle Red Bryant has moved his 335-plus pounds to end on one side of the starting defense. The Seahawks also acquired former part-time linebacker Chris Clemons from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason to be their pass-rushing end, then grabbed 315-pound defensive tackle and end Kentwan Balmer from the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers on Monday.

Jackson, who returned to practice Tuesday after missing one week with a hamstring injury, sensed he lost his place in the Seahawks’ defense this summer. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder wasn’t big enough to be a run-stopping end, and he isn’t yet enough of a proven pass rusher to become a specialist.

“I’m kind of in the middle of both extremes,” Jackson said after Tuesday’s practice. “Everything is still up in the air right now.”

Not anymore. Jackson is headed to the Lions, cast off for a draft pick as Carroll and Schneider continue to turn over the Seahawks’ roster, half of which has changed since they took over in January.

The pick the Seahawks receive from the Lions likely will be in the same low round next year as the one the Seahawks dealt to the 49ers to acquire Balmer, who was drafted one choice behind Jackson in 2008.

Jackson started 24 of 31 games in his two seasons with the Seahawks. He had a career-high 4½ sacks during the 2009 season.

“Detroit showed strong interest in Lawrence, and this provides him an opportunity to move forward while he is still early in his career,” Schneider said in a statement released by the Seahawks. “We wish him the best.”

The Seahawks filled Jackson’s roster spot before Wednesday’s practice by signing Amon Gordon, a free-agent defensive tackle. Gordon, 28, went to Mariner High School in the Seattle suburb of Everett before leaving for San Diego before his senior year.

Gordon called being back home for the first time since high school “absolutely awesome.”

Gordon initially was a 270-pound linebacker at Stanford before he entered the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He then had microfracture knee surgery and bounced to the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans through 2008. Gordon reached an injury settlement with the Eagles last year and was with the New England Patriots for workouts this offseason.

The Lions made a series of moves Wednesday, also claiming kicker Steven Hauschka and defensive back T.J. Rushing off waivers and cutting kicker Aaron Pettrey and cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels.

For instance, the Seahawks failed to cover against Tennessee, but they did get a win for new Coach Pete Carroll while rolling up 322 yards. Carroll had hinted all week that he wanted to win in preseason and QB Charlie Whitehurst threw for 214 yards. Carroll bolted from the edge of the field to the bench in the second quarter to congratulate the defense following a three-and-out stop in the second quarter. He had a hug for Whitehurst for his first TD throw. Who says preseason is meaningless? Not the emotional Carroll.

Of note is that Seattle’s pass defense was shaky, a problem last season, and pass pressure is still the biggest question mark on Seattle’s defense. With Saturday’s victory, Seattle now has won its past six exhibition games. Seattle was undefeated in exhibition games last season, which didn’t do much to prevent the Seahawks’ 5-11 belly flop in the regular season.

The Patriots got a win over the Saints after building up a 24-7 lead. The offense has new looks – not just with personnel, but with a slight change of strategy. Last season the Patriots relied heavily on wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker to carry the offense. QB Tom Brady went to the shotgun a lot, too. Sports Betting at the Sportsbook

What they showed in the preseason opener is that there appears to be a slight change in philosophy. Brady was far more under center than usual and they used 2 and even 3 tight ends at times. Part of that was that they drafted two potentially talented tight ends in Rob Grankowski and Aaron Hernandez, while adding veteran TE Alge Crumpler.

The Patriots were a weak red zone team last season and it’s clear they want to spread the football around more, possibly run more and use the tight ends in an attempt to bolster their red zone efficiency. In the preseason opener, they were 6 of 13 on third down and very strong in the red zone.

What team looked the worst? Let’s call it a tie with the Lions, Rams and Bills, three bottom feeders from last season. The Lions lost 23-7 at Pittsburgh, though there was room for optimism. Detroit outgained the Steelers and held Pittsburgh to 3.3 yards per rush. With the starting defensive line on the field, the Steelers offense gained 12 yards.

The Rams got flattened at home by the Vikings and the big story was not Sam Bradford but the St. Louis offensive line, which looks as bad as ever. Bradford’s NFL debut consisted of six completions in 13 attempts for 57 yards and a passer rating of 58.8. But the real story came in all the hits Bradford absorbed by the Minnesota pass rush. Bradford was sacked four times and hit at least three other times. “We had some issues up front,” Steve Spagnuolo said. So, what else is new?

The Buffalo Bills’ backfield took a major hit as running backs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch were hurt early in the 42-17 preseason-opening loss to the Washington Redskins. Jackson is believed to have a broken left hand, while Lynch hobbled off with an injured ankle. Jackson’s injury is the most serious as head coach Chan Gailey said Jackson will miss the rest of the preseason. Gailey has been demanding a tough, physical game, and it’s taking a toll as they are loaded with injured players.

The final word of the weekend goes to the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff, who punished receivers by sending them to the toilet. Kansas City coaches hauled a mobile outhouse onto the practice field and told pass catchers to go in, have a seat and close the door. The port-a-potty was used for a unique kind of pass-catching drill that players, suppressing a laugh, hailed as effective in developing some quick hand-eye coordination.

The Chiefs, you see, led the NFL in dropped passes a year ago. Assistant head coach Maurice Carthon, who introduced the Chiefs to the port-a-potty drill, stood about 10 feet away and shouted to another coach when to fling open the door. The second the door opened, Carthon fired the pass and it was on the player to hang on.”It teaches you hand-eye coordination,” rookie wide receiver Dexter McCluster said. So if they bounce the football to them would it be a one-hopper in the hopper? Just asking.

Trouble Kentwan signs with the Seahawks

Kentwan Balmer, the 49ers’ former first-round pick who has gone AWOL from the team in recent days, is on his way to the Seattle Seahawks, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Terms of the deal are not yet know. Seattle needs depth along the defensive line and Balmer potentially could play multiple positions there, including nose tackle and defensive end. Moreover, former 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan, who drafted Balmer 29th overall in San Francisco, is now with the Seahawks.

***UPDATE*** I’ve been told that the 49ers will get a sixth-round pick in return for Balmer.

Balmer, meanwhile, has been unexcused from 49ers training camp since Wednesday. At that point, the 49ers sent him a so-called five-day letter, which gave the team the right to put him on the reserve/left list starting today. That would have shut down Balmer’s season for good.

Balmer was initially excused from camp to deal with a “personal issue,” but it soon became clear to the 49ers he did not want to return to the team. Asked Friday if he thought Balmer would be back, coach Mike Singletary said, “If Kentwan wanted to be here, he’d be here.”

Balmer has had trouble cracking the starting lineup since he was drafted in 2008 and was behind Isaac Sopoaga and Ray McDonald at left defensive end. Balmer had spoken in recent months about frustration over where he was on the depth chart.

While the Tennessee Titans were worried about their rookie Stafon Johnson, Seattle stood across the field and watched as their team barged through to a victory. The preseason games have provided a look at a lot of players and if the numbers are correct, NFL fans are anxious to see the actual season get underway. Fortunately for Seattle, the end result was rewarding. Charlie Whitehurst did everything that was expected of him on the field and managed to set a few records along the way.

This upcoming superstar quarterback threw for almost 215 yards and appeared to be thankful for the opportunity and the ability. Seattle’s quarterback indicated that this was far and away the best preseason game he had played in his five years in the NFL. The quarterback ended up in Seattle two seasons ago via a trade that gave him $8 million dollars. Charlie Whitehurst led the Seahawks to a 20-18 win in the preseason match against Tennessee and will now prepare for the next team on the ladder.

Two touchdown passes put the game out of reach for the Titans and first year coach Pete Carroll couldn’t have been any more excited. Seattle starter Matt Hasslebeck played before handing over the reigns to someone else for the rest of the game. The popularity surrounding the Seahawks quarterback and their back up should put their fans in an extremely happy place. Charlie Whitehurst has proven he is no shabby apple and folks better wake up and take note of his skills.

Young also threw an interception, however, and some guys competing for starting roles gave up some big plays.

In many ways it was a typical preseason opener. The Titans lost this one to the Seahawks, 20-18.

“I feel like we did all right out there,’’ Young said. “I made a mistake. … But as a whole I thought we did good for the first time out there.’’

Young was sharp on the opening drive and running back Chris Johnson scored a one-yard touchdown. Young completed his first five passes — including going 4-for-4 for 70 yards on the opening drive — as the Titans took a 7-0 lead just over five minutes into the game.

On the next possession, Young made a big blunder and Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson intercepted a poorly thrown ball intended for Justin Gage.

Young was 5-of-6 for 78 yards in 13 snaps. Johnson was done after one series, 10 plays. He had five carries for seven yards — six of those on his first carry.

“It felt good to get back out there for a few runs,’’ Johnson said. “We got a couple of runs in there, but we still have some work to do together. I think we’ll get things going more and more as the preseason goes on, and we’ll be ready when it matters.’’

The defensive starters held Seattle to one first down on its first two possessions. But the defense gave up a number of big plays in the second quarter, and the Seahawks opened up a 20-7 lead after three quarters.