Win Forever (but we'll settle for 2015)
Underestimate the Hobbitses as your PERIL, brother

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Pete Carroll had a radio interview yesterday that fired Dr. D up.  Of course, everything Carroll says fires you up.  The man seems to have mastered the Zen ability to systematically control his own attitudes.

You were always aware that Carroll is unique -- well, you were since he took over the Seahawks -- but there were two things recently that caved me in on him.  First, was listening to him talk about how "thrilling" it is to have lost the Super Bowl on an interception (?!?).  Because he dwells on the aniticipation of how his team will feed off it in 2015.  Carroll seems to be able to translate ANYTHING into hope and visualization.  A sensei once told Dr. D, everything -- literally everything -- a man does is related to Hope.

Second was the way he responded to Kam Chancellor's holdout, and Russell Wilson's "competitiveness" in his contract negotiations.  The man genuinely sees life through the eyes of other people.  I dig his positivity, man.

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Brock Huard asked him yesterday if anybody stood out in training camp.  Carroll almost cut him off:  JIMMY GRAHAM.  Graham has a gift for "showing himself open."  And he's so long and tall that the QB's can "feel" when he's coming open before he actually is.  His blocking has been great because "he cares about it, he's 265 pounds!!, and he's athletic."  Dr. D has been sour about the Seahawks' receivers from day one.  Now they have a legit feature receiver -- one who hits pitchers' pitches, a guy who is at his best when the defenses are toughest (in the red zone, for example).

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Ninersnation clings desperately to the idea the salary cap will bring the Seahawks back to the NL West pack -- probably THIS year.  (Heh!)  Carroll is excited about the cap's effect on the Seahawks.  They've locked up 7 stars on defense for 3+ years, as well as their QB, RB, and star WR/TE.  The other guys will change around that -- but that's why the Seahawks focus on dynamic young players like Kevin Pierre-Louis.  

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Pete Carroll
Why is this man smiling?

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Enemy fans argue ferociously that Carroll and Schneider won't find replacements.  But how many of the Seahawks' current stars were developed out of lower-round draft picks?  Sherman, Chancellor, Wilson himself, Lynch on a bottom-barrell trade ... you guys know Seahawk particulars better than Dr. D.  But as far as the paradigm goes:  it's a Stars & Scrubs philosophy, even relative to other NFL teams.  Stars & Scrubs wins forever, baby.

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Will the Seahawks pass more as Wilson evolves?  (At this point in his career, Aaron Rodgers was still on the bench.)  Well, coach doesn't care what the numbers on on run/pass attempts.  He cares that the other team has to defend everything at the same time.  Running tough "completes the circle on toughness" but the Seahawks lead the NFL in explosive plays.  Also, if you do everything well, then --- > if on a given day X isn't working, then you have Y to go to.  This actually strikes Dr. D as rather profound.  Other NFL teams don't do this the way Carroll does it.

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Does the defense appreciate having a $20M quarterback?  :: yowch, c'mon wouldja ::  No, what the defense appreciates is Marshawn Lynch.

And they appreciate Wilson's 800 yards rushing (and, sez Dr. D, the kind of "crossover" move that Wilson used to juke that Cardinals' DB for the touchdown last year).  And they appreciate that their QB is competitive, that he battles, that he works hard.  

This is an idea that Jack Tatum first conveyed to the league when the Raiders were great in the 1970's:  Daryl Lamonica was "soft" in the pocket, a little squeamish about physical games, and "the Raiders would never have won anything with Lamonica at quarterback."  The 49'ers fans, bless their passionate little hearts, miss this point in the Kaepernick / Wilson debate.

The hobbitses will eat five meals a day if the food's there.  But when Sauron is come to town, you'll see them go a month without eating if that's the way to save the Shire.

Enjoy,

Dr D

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image:  enfu.com

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Comments

1

Listened to the same interview this morning, and am now genuinely PUMPED for the upcoming season. Have been down of course after the brutal SB loss, and the protracted Wilson negotiations and various holdouts. But taking stock of the stars we have locked up, the addition of Jimmy, the addition of Lockette for the return game, and the ANGER with which some of the guys will be playing with has me geeked up.

2

I can't wait to see how things look with Graham in there.

Carroll is on a different level.  He is the epitome of a leader and facilitator, which is all that any upper-middle/top-level manager is supposed to be.  He seemingly refuses to internalize individual facets of what's happening at any given time, instead focusing on the energy of his guys and what their actions mean about them as MEN, rather than what they mean about how the next 2-5 days are going to play out in the press boxes.

He's the quintessential strategy > tactics guy, and it's a real joy to watch.  Humbling, joyous, and inspirational.

3

Would you be up for 20% Seahawk posts over the next few months Jonezie?  Guys?

Dr. D puts up a few simpleton kibitzes on the Hawks and then lets the comment epiphanies wash over him :- )

4

Maybe. The top end talent is outstanding...but they have also played a LOT of games the last three years - an extra half seasons worth of post season games. I've seen the same thing play out with numerous teams the last fifteen years or so. All of those extra games take a toll. I think we saw that the second half of last season when guys started breaking down. If they stay healthy, the Hawks should be great. But it's already likely that Earl Thomas won't be ready for the start of the season and that's one star down. if Mebane is healthy, the DL should be OK but if not...

They are going to need another wave of good, young players to hit the beach soon. The last two drafts haven't produced players at the same rate as the two prior to that. 

6
Nathan H's picture

When John Clayton was asked how in the heck the Seahawks could keep all of these core players locked up in a salary cap era he responded that the Seahawks have NO MIDDLE CLASS. It may be a bad sign that I immediately thought of this site and the Stars and Scrubs (tm) approach to roster construction.

 

You've ruined me, doctor. RUINED ME!

7

If HOF'er John Clayton his ownself is ten years behind SSI, what can we all do but just bask in the community wisdom :- )

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As M's fans, the more S&S the Mariners are, the happier we should be.  Six years ago the M's avoided Felix, Cano, maybe Cruz deals on principle.

The Mariners have been utterly snakebit on their Scrubs, but it doesn't mean that you turn to a static model.  Now 'scuse me while I go watch Montero hit ...

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