Offensive Futility: Time of Possession

Timmy's big gamble on the O-Line didn't pay off. He gambled that Big Walt would play this year. I can't fault him for putting his money on Big Walt. That was sound. Like any gamble, Timmy lost that one.

The jury is still out on Big Walt. He may come back next year and play like Big Walt; well rested.

I think this right here is indicative of what's wrong with the '09 Hawks, more than any other factor.

Bills and Raiders? That's about the class of team we are this year. Sounds about right.

I hope there will be big fundamental changes for 2010.

And the reason for our lousy TOP? (those of you who shouted "the line, fool!" at the screen get a gold star)

That's the biggest reason our talented defense can play good for a half and then fold in the second half. Can you spell "out of gas"? They were on the field almost three quarters of the Viking's game. The most superbly conditioned athletes can't overcome that factor in a game that requires full out performance like football does.

I absolutely agree, BillT. I would think that if our offense were on the field 50% or more of the game, our defense would be MUCH more effective. Improving our offensive time of possession would be a huge step for both the offense and the defense.

Blame the O-line again. How about an over the hill quarterback who can't find his receivers. How about the worst running game we've ever had which prevents moving the chains to use the clock. The coaching always gives up on the run too early anyway which becomes an automatic loss. Other teams pound the run and eventually the defense wears down and loosens holes.
Time for a complete makeover!

I think that over-the-hill quarterback still have some teeth left, but he needs time to make those throws. When he is hurried and under pressure every down, his throws go awry. The running game begins with the O-Line. When huge D-Linemen are meeting Hawk running backs behind the line of scrimmage, you can't run the ball; period.

In addition to a good passing game; running the ball, getting first downs, sustaining drives, and scoring points would make the Hawks D a lot better.

It all begins with the O-Line.

TOP is not an offensive stat, it's an entire team stat. The Colts are 26th in TOP and I don't think anyone would contend that their offense is struggling.

We sure could use Pete Kendall and Kevin Mawae right now...and how 'bout Chris McIntosh? And Marcus Tubbs while we're at it, and Lamar King, David Greene and Josh Booty...All Ruskell's fault, somehow, I'm just sure of it.

Lots of Oline depth plus a franchise RB = any QB will have time to throw to above average receivers who have time to get open = TOP.

= wins.

2005 proved that your defense is greatly keyed on the offense. Fans like to remember fondly that we had a very good defense back then but what we really had was a well rested defense who only had to get out on the field between long sustained drives by the offense with it's great line and Alexanders running and make one stop and then turn it back over to that amazing offense while they rested and recovered.

Our current defense, at least on paper, is a much more talented defense and I believe that the 2005 defense would fare very poorly working with our current offense. When you can sustain drives, you take the pressure off the defense and allow them to use their talent to best advantage. They can gamble because the offense can get it back if that tactic results in an opponents scoring. The defense can put forth maximum effort while on the field and not pace themselves to last an entire game where they are on the field for the majority of the snaps.

It's really all keyed on the offense and the major reason the Seahawks are struggling right now. Who knows how good our defense could be without any upgrading if they just had to pull their fair share and had a great offense to take the pressure off? Fix the offensive line, increase our TOP, rule the game. It could be just that simple.

A few of us tried to make that point last off-season but there were a lot of people who said what we really needed was a playmaker like Crabtree or Wells. How did getting Housh help us this year? He's a tested and proven playmaker. There were all those posts that went on about all those teams who only had an average offensive line and if we had that special player who could get the yardage on his own, we could be a winner. Really? From the comments I see being made recently, everyone now realizes what not having a great offensive line does to your team and I doubt there will be any great debate on what position we need to draft with our first pick this off-season. The discussion will center on which left tackle and which guard not between whether to choose offensive skill players or offensive line players.

If you build a great line, you can win with an average QB, average RB, even average WR's. Opening holes that you can drive a proverbial Mack truck through was the staple of Denver's vaunted running game when they could plug any RB in and he would look like pro bowl material. Any NFL calibur QB can shred a defense that can't get to him and allows him to stand tall in the pocket and run through his progressions. The Seahawks have found that one out the hard way too over the last couple of years. Even an average NFL calibur receiver can't be covered for much more than 3 seconds by any but the absolute elite cornerbacks. A dominate offensive line can key your whole team from one end to the other to victory. As I said, I doubt that there will be much argument on that point this coming off-season like there was last year and those that do argue against building a great offensive line first probably really don't understand the problem. Control the ball, control the world. Lose the TOP battle and unless you're the Indianapolis Colts who can strike quickly at will, dwell in the cellar of the standings year after year.

"It all begins with the O-Line"

Of course, that's obvious. My point is right now there's a lack of talent to protect. Other teams are still getting something done with the same problems we have. We don't currently have an offense worthy of protecting.

I think that Mora should get another shot and I also think that Ruskell should be there with him being that Mora is Ruskells guy. I also believe that Ruskell does a good job of learning from his mistakes and is a shrewd busines man who is willing to take chances. Unfortuantly this has had both good and bad results but I agree with his hard stances. I also believe he is an aggresive drafter who will make moves. Bradley was highly praised by a very respected caoch and deserves another chance. Knapp however has not wowed me and and as much as I believe that people should get a chance to prove themselves sometimes you need to call a spade a spade. Knapp IMHO needs to go sooner rather then later.

I was a big proponent of Zorn being promoted to OC. I would still like to see how that would work.

If Holmgren was to be brought in I actually believe he would stay with Mora. Mora did work under Holmgren for two years and would therefore be one of his guys. I think he would also stay with Bradley. Who else would he bring in please not our last DC (Brain freeze cant think of his name) I was glad we finally got rid of him. I think that Holmgren knows offense enough to see Knapps short comings as a OC and fire him.

So Ruskell or Holmgren would be fine with me. I like Mora for now and think Bradley needs to be given time. Kanpp needs to go he just doesnt seem smart enough (perhaps i am wrong but that is what it appears to be).

I think that having Holmgren would make the possibilty of having Zorn return very high another of Holmgrens guys.

The more I think about Holmgren/Mora the more I like it. We would have a offensive minded GM who would be able to see offensive talent and yes I think Holmgren will have learned from previous mistakes he is too intellegent and introspective not to. Holmgren also understands the value of an OL.

Why I like the Mora side of the equation is that we would then have a defensive minded head coach who could advise and help identify Defensive talent.

Holmgren would make sure that we have the offensive talent to succeed (this is an offensive driven league after all). Mora would assure that our defense is playing hard and fast. Make no mistake a good offense can make a defense look great. The colts are a good example. They are a defense that plays with the lead alot they are built pin their ears back and attack.

It is also obvious that Mora has alot of respect for Holmgren which is why he stayed and turned down HC jobs elsewhere. I think this is a combination that would work great. I personaly love Ruskell and what he stands for but am leaning toward Holmgren/Mora. It just seems like a match made in heaven.

There were several highly rated OTs on the board when we picked Curry.
It took the Defense one quarter to fold against the Vikings. Are you telling me they were tired?

We could have had Curry and our whole draft that happened last year including Denver's first round pick AND gotten Oher last April if we had gone about it the right way. I'm pretty sure we could have traded our 2010 first rounder to one of the teams in the 18 - 21st pick range and taken Oher after he fell. We are goin gto use our 2010 first round to draft a LT next April anyway and we could have had him last year instead of this coming April. We'd have had him availbe to us all this season too. Oh well.

So today was announced that Holmy shut down a trip to Buffalo, Granted this was a no brainer.I live in Scottsdale Az and have to listen to Tardinal fans constanly and as you can magine my wallet has gotten a little lighter the past few years.So This is my feeling. This is set up beutiful to can TR . @ 1st round round picks 1 LT 2 Qb. and matt to groom mike system he has learned his whole career.Next Holmgrens general Ora and presence.Winner.Also All you TR fans one of my Tard buddies pointed this out to me today and it made so much sense.He Said"Great teams dont have 4-12 off years great teams have 8-8 off years and get knocked out of the post season week 16" exxxxxxcelat point.I can almost hear the Jaws Theme of holmgren circleing the VMAC. and TR Whinning injuries o line coach change over all the way down here so LOCK THIS UP. Mike Holmgren GM and prez of football opperations at seasons end. And Bill boy I gave you some props 4 posts ago and you still want war I see. stop it I was having fun with you. I do like alot of you comments I just dont see it the same way but what the hell do we know and who the hell cares were fans.

wellsaid I believe it would be a Mora Holmgren match too and i believe it will work.

Our line played pretty damn good last year. I thought Wrotto did ok against Dockett and Valos filled in at center. Why do I defend our obviously undermaned OL right now? It is because they knew the system, what they neded to do, helped each other and fought hard.
This year we trashed the system they knew, replaced the coaches and took a rah rah attitude to the honey bucket
Making Matt learn a new offense is bad considering he knew it as well as Holmgren, and Mike loved him for it.
So what is the problem with the Hawks? Why did Holmgren leave? Why did we think we could sustain our dominance in our division?
I think Mike was pushed out and last year set up for the NEW SEAHAWKS! Mike coming back as a GM is a pipe dream~
Making ZBS work is a climb Knappy is going to carry us on. But hell why not go for the 3 to 4 defense too!
I am going to need some therapy and play some RUSH (twilight zone) just kidding but gee this is not good K? Say ure prayers Hawk Fans...

We knew that Walter coming back was slim did they forget what happen to Tubbs who was much younger than Walt. Then they let go of Weaver to keep Duckett we sure could use him now. They need a LT in the draft and a big running back Dwyer or Anthony Allen from GT. If Brady Quinn makes it as starting QB they will let go of Anderson who was a pro bowler not long ago. May be worth the shot, but you need hungery OL to be good in this league. Hopefully we make some better choices in the near future.

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