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In Ball Four, Jim Bouton liked to reminisce about the early-60's Yankees. 1964 was "the year the Yankees stopped winning pennants," but they won it that year, with 99 victories ahead of the White Sox' 98 wins and the Orioles' 97 wins.
Bouton talked about the fact that the lineup, by that point, was Mickey Mantle and baling wire. Which it kind of was, at least compared to the great Yankee lineups of yesteryear. On the mound, there was a ramshackle three-man rotation consisting of Whitey Ford and two no-names. The Yankees won "because they were the only team that KNEW HOW to win a pennant," insisted Bouton.
I can sort of buy that. Part of this knowledge was manifested in the fact that they rode their Big Three as hard as they possibly could (leading to Bouton becoming a knuckleballer, for example). The 1964 Yankees had a few players left who still owned the league, and they squeezed the sponge dust-dry.
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You hear this all the time in sports, that the Patriots or the Spurs or Justin Verlander or Joe Shlabotnik or somebody "just knew how to win." Michael Jordan lost in the playoffs several times, and then later, he was unbeatable. LeBron James lost in the playoffs several times. The Sonics lost before they won, in the late 70's. In the NBA, it used to be axiomatic that you had to make a run or two before you'd win it all.
There IS such a thing as knowing how to win, and it has reference to avoiding common blunders at common moments. Why do you avoid common blunders at key moments? Because you have made those mistakes before, and been burned by them, and next time around -- you just know how to step around the land mines.
This is the case with Felix. He'll be in a 1-1 tie, eighth inning, against the Angels ... and he'll know exactly how that game is lost, because he's lost it before. Maybe it's throwing a certain kind of pitch that the umpire is likely to rip him off on, to get behind 2-0 -- so he throws a pitch he knows the ump will give him. It can be a million things.
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The 2013 Seahawks played like a talented, and heroic, and young, and stupid, team.
Russell Wilson took a sack at the end of the first half that would have been a field goal. It was kind of understandable, because the Seahawks wanted a touchdown, down by that many points. Next time, Wilson might have had more confidence that a field goal was enough for that situation.
The defense allowed two 15-yard type completions on the last, 30-second drive, when they might just as well have allowed a Hail Mary. They needed to be denying the 15-yard pass even at the risk of a ball over their heads. A more mature team would have known that Matt Ryan did not have the field presence to adjust his pre-set script.
All y'all could list dozens of little mistakes like this. The late time out, on the last field goal, was galling. It gave their kicker the range on the kick. No way the Patriots make that mistake.
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Still, it was nice to see Russell Wilson light it up for 350+ yards. Correct me if I'm wrong: he hadn't had a 300-yard game, had he? He had to throw in this one, and he added the Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers 400-yard ballgame to the repertoire. That last little evade, and flip to Marshawn, down the sideline, that play was worth the price of admission all by itself.
The Seahawks weren't ready in 2013. If they hadn't lost this week, they would have next week. But next year? Abandon all hope, ye who enter CLink. They'll probably have the home field for the whole playoffs, and they'll probably have a difference-making receiver, and they'll be soooooo good they won't be subject to this or that bounce of the football. Starting in 2014, the Seahawks will be that dark shadow under the NFL's beds when they wake up at night.
How long until training camp?! This is gonna be a sick ride, bab-eh. The Seahawks are, in fact, the sports franchise that we all wish the Mariners even wanted to be.
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I'd be interested to hear G's, and others', thoughts on Peyton Manning's legacy.
BABVA,
Dr D
Far more than I or anyone had a right to expect. Next year with Wilson storming out of the gates with the full playbook and ALL the pre season reps under his belt? Oh yeah, look out!
Agreed that this team is young and had to learn a few hard knock lessons. But keep in mind that they were trying to do the impossible, back to back east coast playoff wins by a west coast team. In the history of the NFL it's been done a grand total of once, by the 89 Rams.
The early part of the post reminded me of the 1991 World Series.
The Braves were young and inexperienced at this whole playoffs thing. And here they found themselves in the late innings of a scoreless Game 7 with a chance to take the lead. With one of their speediest runners on 1B, Pendleton hits a DEEEEEEP shot to the wall. Deep enough to score the runner. But as the speedster starts to round second, the shortstop in cutoff position fakes a throw. The runner hesitates, pulls up, realizes the ruse and then puts his head down and starts running again. Too late. That little hesitation was enough to prevent a chance of scoring and he ends up stopping at (and getting stranded at) third. It cost them the game and the title.
It was heartbreaking for the Braves, but it was also a key learning experience. Learning from that mistake taught the entire organization how to win and they spent the next decade nearly unbeatable, regardless of the personnel changes. A heartbreaking loss can either be a catalyst or a breaking point.
Yesterday's loss was devastating for the Hawks. They had chances to win. They ALMOST won. But they also were not broken by it. This has been a learning experience for the team. Barring major injuries, Seattle is going to own the NFC West next season. Lord help any team that stands in their way en route to the Superbowl.
Well. It was an incredible ride anyway.
The first half of the game was the biggest problem by far. I know they do damage and have been able to come back in the past, but they shouldn't have to come back that far. That sack at the end looked like if his helmet isn't grabbed he escapes again and can still make the play. he moved like his helmet was on a pivot there and then was slapping his helmet after the sack looking at the nearest ref. No idea what he was saying...well, I think he was asking why there was no call. No replay there and it was quickly to the halftime show, but i think that was a big missed call.
I agree, it was gravy. Would have been nice to really start the dynasty now and I think the Falcons were THE roadblock. So many little things, in a game that close though.
I'm excited to see what they'll do next year though. Absolutely, there's only 3 positions they really need help and that should be no problem between what they have available to trade, cap room and picks. As hard as it may be for the mariners to sign a free agent bat, I'd think receivers would be all over wanting to play with Wilson. Not just wide receivers either, they should one of the preferred destinations in general. Maybe not better than ever, perception wise to free agents. I think its the best team the Seahawks have ever had once you consider the ages of so many key players. Bright future, and the present year was still pretty good.
One of the greatest regular season QBs ever, who can't get it done by himself in the playoffs. I would say his legacy was enhanced when his team that went 14-2 and 10-6 the previous 2 years with him went 2-14 without him. Tom Brady's team still won 10 games the year he went down in the first game, with a fairly-useless Cassel.
Manning's legacy isn't done, though. John Elway had a very unexpected playoff loss to Jacksonville in a very similar manner to this loss Manning just suffered against the Ravens... and then won the next two Super Bowls and instantly leapt over Marino and others in the GOAT QB conversation. It suddenly became about getting a defense and a running game and, "wow, look what he might have done if Reeves and the rest had given him a team worthy of him all those other years."
If Manning wins a Superbowl in the next couple of years, his legacy will be nudged up a couple of notches. And if he doesn't, he still has as many SB wins and appearances as Favre (2 shots at the ring, one victory).
~G
"He's all wrong for us, baby. I saw you beat that man like I never saw no man get beat before, and the man kept coming after you. Now we don't need no man like that in our lives." --- Duke (Apollo's trainer to Apollo regarding a rematch with Rocky.
The Seahawks didn't start well and were punched hard by Falcons, who saw a Clemens-less D-Line, prepped well and executed extremely well.
Since '98, as far back as I have looked so far, only 5 west coast teams have had to play the 10am game. All five have been losses and the 'Hawks have been in 4 of them. It's been a demonstrated advantage for east coast teams in the regular season - a disproportionate number of east coast teams win the early games versus west coast teams, when compared to travel in the other direction. In my mind, that should not exist in the playoffs.
That said, you need to win to eliminate that disadvantage, so it's not an excuse. None of the players and coaches would ever say it was. But the NFL really ought to consider not allowing a demonstrated disadvantage to affect only the Seahawks, Chargers, Raiders and 49ers.
In the context of the game though, the Seahawks demonstrated again that when you hit them, they are "like a piece of iron". They keep coming after you. If they bottle that up and add a weapon or two, it'll be twice the team that was the NFL's best in 2005.
It'll be great ride...
I see you calling out Russell Wilson for taking a sack at the end of the first half, but he got steamrolled with no time to even try to pass.
Pete Carroll is the experienced coach who should have his QB clock it with 25 seconds left and first and goal rather than use his last timeout at end of half. And Pete should also know better than to ice the kicker when he's coming onto the field after a (ATL) timeout. And heck, defense should hold Tony Gonzalez rather than let him get open down the middle - holding penalty = 5 yards, clock still runs during the play. Pete should know to put the ball in the hands of his playmakers in key downs - Lynch or Wilson on 3rd/4th & 1.
And compare the Seahawks at our 48 with 8 seconds left and a timeout to Falcons at midfield. They get 19 yards in 6 seconds by using the middle of the field. We run 15-yard out patterns. How about a pass to the middle of the field with 8 seconds left, heck, even a draw play - we had timeouts left - 15 yards up the gut and we are in FG range at the end - there was no need to run out of bounds. We were two yards behind where ATL was when they hit Gonzalez - where was Zach Miller up the middle? I want to see that play broken down by someone.
Frustrating. I also disagree with assessment that we would've lost to 49ers. If we pull off first a 14-point and then a 20-point comeback, I don't see why we couldn't beat a team we'd beaten by 30 just a few weeks ago. It would've been a Vegas pick'em (SF favored by 3 at home).
This one lands squarely on the shoulders of Pete Carroll. I love the man as a leader, but he really needs coordinators with more attention to detail. One of the oldest head coaches in football let down one of the youngest teams, when his 22-year-old quarterback had already bailed him out. Its a shame we won't get to see what this team could do next week.
I couldn't agree more. Two fourth-and-ones, dubious play calls, and misused timeouts can be cited for the loss.
However, Carroll also made the call to hand Wilson the starting QB job from day one, so he gets a pass from me regarding his embarassing in-game decisions.
Yep, Carrol needs to surround himself witth better, more attentive coaches/coordinators in order to avoid multiple crucial blunders.
Fun season - right down to the last play.
Would be interested to hear opinions regarding the idea of letting Wilson run the offense.
A combination of Wilson's guts and intelligence and this team's relative youth make a hurry-up style seem like it could be a good fit. I would love to see at least some of that next season.
I think that should be where they're headed eventually. It's going to take some years to put that together fully and i think it'll be hard to execute well without receivers that can create separation. That's the skill I'm hoping they can add to the offense most. A couple receivers that have that burst of speed causing double teams and the offense would be phenomenal. Even finding one for next year would dramatically increase the impact of Wilsons versatility and create more chances for the ground game. One receiver that can create space is my biggest desire for improving the team in general.
I'd say more pass rushing, 3-tech, maybe a TE although I don't think that's a position that's going to put up stats in this offense (something to consider when considering whether improvement is even needed)
Depth is a need all over and the roster might actually be best served just going for the best player throughout the draft. I'd really like to see that faster receiver, but if that's not what's available its not like there's a huge need that they can't win without fixing it.
No doubt, the Seahawks had everything going against them.
1. A few days to get ready vs. Atlanta's 2 weeks
2. Road game with Loooots of travel time - I dunno about you guys, but for me even if it's first class or better it takes it out of you
3. Playing in a dome -- I agree with Jemanji, this is not a turf team - ya the CLink has turf but it's an outdoor stadium. First thing I though watching the game was, T-shirts??? uh oh
4. Rookie QB & MLB
5. Lost best pass rusher
6. M. Lynch wounded
7. 10am start time when jetlagged
8. Atlanta with that weird HOF-player-playing-in-possibly-his-last-game-ever vibe that seems to inspire teams to do good things
Really it's amazing they made it as close as they did. All that and the Falcon's barely pulled it off. They should be ashamed. ;-)
Wilson looked off in both playoff games though. His passes, especially against Washington, were sailing high early, too much muscle. In both games he settled down towards the end. He's as cool a cucumber as there is, but he's still an awfully young kid. 2 playoff games is invaluable to his development.
This is a team I am proud of though, much more so than great teams of Seahawks past. They are warriors.
The Seahawks goal for 2013 is clear - get home field for the playoffs. They do that and they will be in the Super Bowl. Their advantage in CLink is that massive.
1) The key variable to an offensive line's success is continuity. Next year will be this line's third year together. Expect excellence.
2) I've come to the conclusion that the field coach Pete Carroll (the Head Coach has many hats) is a bit of a genius that misses the obvious. His gameplans and schemes fail to plan for or take into consideration obvious factors. Where his genius lies is in his adjustments. For his entire tenure with the Hawks, his halftime adjustments have been masterworks.
3) Russell's maturation as the leader of the offense will mitigate Pete's first-half struggles on offense. Danger ahead for the rest of the NFL.
4) Pass rush. Once this team finds a mix that works pass rush-wise, it will literally be an historic defense.
5) Is it training camp yet?
I was never clear on how they got so ... competent, so suddenly. It seemed like one day they were terrible, and the next day they were putting two guys into the Pro Bowl.
I can see how Unger and Okung were high picks who got healthy and experienced and etc., but what happened at the other three spots?
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Ya, it seems to be a consensus that the Seahawks need more rush. They couldn't get to Ryan, that was for sure.
The "Leo" with three nose tackles* was a good makeshift for a rebuilding defense, but they need upgrades. Is Irvin considered an impact passing-down rusher going forward?