Game Thread: Week 18 Season Finale: Seahawks vs Rams

[Anointed One]

Well, as we all know, there is really nothing for the Hawks to play for as a team at this point outside of a draft position... But individually, there are a few things they can accomplish:

1. JSN: He is only 5 catches away from breaking the Seahawks single season record held by, Tyler Lockett... The best thing here is that Tyler is the one that reminded him of this a few weeks ago and has been encouraging him along the way to do it...
2. JSN: He is 183 yards away from breaking DK's single season record for yards in a season... This one may be tough... Be so cool if he could do it
3. 10 win season is w/in reach... This team hasn't won 10 games since 2020... I say this because most analyst pegged the Hawks to win 7 or less for the most part to begin the season... For as much bickering all of us had done here on this board throughout the season, the team may still end up winning 10 games... I know that's not too popular of a win total for some of you who would've rather seen us with a worse record if we weren't going to make it to the postseason but I say this because the team is still in position to be competitive heading into 2025, imo... The defense specifically... Which is why I believe in Mike MacDonald moving forward... We may win 10 games with a horrible OL, bad signal caller, zero run game and a QB that didn't do us justice at times by forcing the ball into coverage in the RZ.....

2024 Predictions for the Seahawks:

• ESPN: 7-10
• CBS Sports: 7-10
• Sporting News: 6-11
• SI: 6-11
• Fox Sports: 7-10
• NFL Network: 7-10

I'd say for the most part, the team exceeded expectations with a new Head Coach... That's a good sign moving forward in my opinion... We all wanted a young coach that gave us hope... Hard to say MM hasn't done so...

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

I didn't get all of those news outlets giving Seattle some 6 or 7 win record. This was a team that went 9 wins last year, and the reason they ditched Carroll was they thought the roster was talented enough to win the division and keep going. I expected Seattle to win at least 10 games but didn't expect us to get blown out by every winning team the way we did (exception with the Broncos who we beat early on). I said this before the season. In the hands of the right coach and FO this team should've won the division (especially with the 49ers aging and the Rams in pretty much a rebuild).

This team has a number of early draft picks and talent on their team, and yet can't win at home or do anything significant against good NFL teams. So at this point wtf was the point of firing Carroll? Seattle has an FO problem... and I have to imagine Schneider is on the hot seat.

 

[flyerhawk]

I didn't get all of those news outlets giving Seattle some 6 or 7 win record. This was a team that went 9 wins last year, and the reason they ditched Carroll was they thought the roster was talented enough to win the division and keep going. I expected Seattle to win at least 10 games but didn't expect us to get blown out by every winning team the way we did (exception with the Broncos who we beat early on). I said this before the season. In the hands of the right coach and FO this team should've won the division (especially with the 49ers aging and the Rams in pretty much a rebuild).

This team has a number of early draft picks and talent on their team, and yet can't win at home or do anything significant against good NFL teams. So at this point wtf was the point of firing Carroll? Seattle has an FO problem... and I have to imagine Schneider is on the hot seat.

You are easily the biggest prisoner of the moment person we have here.

If we wanted to continue the PC era but with a new coach we had a chance to do that. NONE OF US wanted that. We took a chance that this organization has NEVER done and hired a first time coach. Maybe have a little faith that it will work out?

FTR, the Sehawks won all of 2 games more the first year Pete was here. 5-11 to 7-9. And we were 7-9 the next year as well.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

You are easily the biggest prisoner of the moment person we have here.

If we wanted to continue the PC era but with a new coach we had a chance to do that. NONE OF US wanted that. We took a chance that this organization has NEVER done and hired a first time coach. Maybe have a little faith that it will work out?

FTR, the Sehawks won all of 2 games more the first year Pete was here. 5-11 to 7-9. And we were 7-9 the next year as well.

Had a 49er troll that changed his handle to 7-9 Forever to troll the Seahawks board Back at ESPN message boards.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

You are easily the biggest prisoner of the moment person we have here.

If we wanted to continue the PC era but with a new coach we had a chance to do that. NONE OF US wanted that. We took a chance that this organization has NEVER done and hired a first time coach. Maybe have a little faith that it will work out?

FTR, the Sehawks won all of 2 games more the first year Pete was here. 5-11 to 7-9. And we were 7-9 the next year as well.

Prisoner of the moment. Give me a break flyer... I've never said anything on this forum about giving up on Mac. I would've preferred an offensive head coach, but I realize Mac is still a promising HC and he turned around a defense that was one of the worst in 2023. That said, I don't like Grubb and I will admit to hindsight on that one (easier to say now). IMO (and I'm not getting paid for this) it hasn't worked out. My other comment was do we look at Schneider with his dumbass comment about not addressing the OL and then fielding an OL that was embarrassingly bad.

Have some faith it will work out? I was the one saying I EXPECTED Seattle to make the playoffs. IMO there was a lot of talent on this team (seriously saying have faith to me?). Seattle was a 4-12 team when Pete came in. Mora Jr. and Ruskell were disasters. Seattle was 9-8 in Pete's final year and had another mid round 1st round pick coming (granted the cap room wasn't good - thanks to the decision to pay two safeties enough to equal a QB)... so how you're comparing that is ridiculous to me.

Then we had one of the worst free agencies in Schneider's career (literally none of the signings worked out and we were trading for ILBs mid season - I understand we couldn't get one, and starting a 4th round pick) and questionable draft moves while pissing off the entirety of NFL capable interior OL and basically making it impossible to get one without lucking out in the draft lol.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

I didn't get all of those news outlets giving Seattle some 6 or 7 win record. This was a team that went 9 wins last year, and the reason they ditched Carroll was they thought the roster was talented enough to win the division and keep going. I expected Seattle to win at least 10 games but didn't expect us to get blown out by every winning team the way we did (exception with the Broncos who we beat early on). I said this before the season. In the hands of the right coach and FO this team should've won the division (especially with the 49ers aging and the Rams in pretty much a rebuild).

This team has a number of early draft picks and talent on their team, and yet can't win at home or do anything significant against good NFL teams. So at this point wtf was the point of firing Carroll? Seattle has an FO problem... and I have to imagine Schneider is on the hot seat.

Spinning wheels with Pete. Mac can start reshaping that defense like he did in Baltimore and maybe get JS on board on how to draft o-line.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Spinning wheels with Pete. Mac can start reshaping that defense like he did in Baltimore and maybe get JS on board on how to draft o-line.

I'm hoping so Jersey. I still like Mac and thought he did great things with the defense and I agreed we needed to move on from Pete (who was fielding an atrocious defense despite all the resources poured into it). I want to move on from Grubb though. And after the offensive line we fielded and numerous free agents that we paid quite a bit that did nothing and didn't work at all for Mac, I'm heavily questioning Schneider....

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

I'm hoping so Jersey. I still like Mac and thought he did great things with the defense and I agreed we needed to move on from Pete (who was fielding an atrocious defense despite all the resources poured into it). I want to move on from Grubb though. And after the offensive line we fielded and numerous free agents that we paid quite a bit that did nothing and didn't work at all for Mac, I'm heavily questioning Schneider....

It's only year 1 under Grubb. Yes his play calling was head scratching at times as @Screamin12th has brought up, but also we have to add in many other factors as well. JS did not improve the o-line therefore how many times were our plays blown up before Geno could get the pass off let alone going through his progressions. A lack of line hampered the run game and KW getting banged up again. Geno also takes blame with his RZ mistakes taking lots of points off the board and when the o-line actually held, he took a bad sack and critical times. Grubb will have an off-season to study film on where things went wrong so it doesn't repeat itself next season.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

It's only year 1 under Grubb. Yes his play calling was head scratching at times as @Screamin12th has brought up, but also we have to add in many other factors as well. JS did not improve the o-line therefore how many times were our plays blown up before Geno could get the pass off let alone going through his progressions. A lack of line hampered the run game and KW getting banged up again. Geno also takes blame with his RZ mistakes taking lots of points off the board and when the o-line actually held, he took a bad sack and critical times. Grubb will have an off-season to study film on where things went wrong so it doesn't repeat itself next season.

Eh I don't see it Jersey (with regards to Grubb).

I'll gladly admit if I'm wrong. I've done it numerous times on this forum.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

Eh I don't see it Jersey (with regards to Grubb).

I'll gladly admit if I'm wrong. I've done it numerous times on this forum.

I'm wrong almost everyday but I'm willing to give him another year or 2 depending on who our QB is.
If the FO is running Howell next season I think Grubb should get a pass and get a top prospect QB in the '26 draft.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

I'm wrong almost everyday but I'm willing to give him another year or 2 depending on who our QB is.
If the FO is running Howell next season I think Grubb should get a pass and get a top prospect QB in the '26 draft.

Should be an interesting next season... at least we lasted until week 17... I guess we're looking forward to the draft now

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

Should be an interesting next season... at least we lasted until week 17... I guess we're looking forward to the draft now

I think we'll have a new QB starting next season
Before the draft I'll be curious on who the FO lets go, restructures and which FAs they bring in.
It really should be a busy off-season reforming this team plus QB.
I'll enjoy the playoffs and then sit back relax and get pissed off at the Sixers.

 

[Screamin12th]

FTR, the Sehawks won all of 2 games more the first year Pete was here. 5-11 to 7-9. And we were 7-9 the next year as well.

I will say this, Macdonald got a better team than Pete Carroll did his first year, no questions about it. Mike got the D playing better and we saw flashes of some REALLY REALLY good defensive football. But then they would get sloppy and lose games they should have won. Lots of growing this year thats for sure and i hope next season they take another step on defense and get into the top 5 or better ... number 1 would be nice .

Now if i had to guess what their record would have been with Pete I would say about the same but I think the offense is a little better and the defense is a little worse. Pete is so risk adverse that I think we turn the ball over less and we run more. Really no brainer thats how Pete normally plays it or did play it.

 

[flyerhawk]

I will say this, Macdonald got a better team than Pete Carroll did his first year, no questions about it. Mike got the D playing better and we saw flashes of some REALLY REALLY good defensive football. But then they would get sloppy and lose games they should have won. Lots of growing this year thats for sure and i hope next season they take another step on defense and get into the top 5 or better ... number 1 would be nice .

Now if i had to guess what their record would have been with Pete I would say about the same but I think the offense is a little better and the defense is a little worse. Pete is so risk adverse that I think we turn the ball over less and we run more. Really no brainer thats how Pete normally plays it or did play it.

The turn around in the defense has been pretty dramatic. The defense last year was straight up bad, one of the worst in the league. This year it has been good, albeit not great.

You are probably right that the end result would have likely been pretty similar though. Pete knows how to coach an NFL team. But I think that Mac has upside and Pete did not.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Barely top 10 in points allowed, and top 15 in yards allowed. Definitely a switch from last year where we were bottom 10 in both (#3 in yards allowed).

We do need to fix the penalties though, still one of the top teams in the league on those.

I'm still fine we moved on from Pete, but I don't like what I saw from Grubb and I really question Schneider after one of the worst free agencies in the league. I'll give Mike a pass but you're the head coach. At some point if your OC isn't doing what you like (which he wasn't - Mac said in numerous press conferences Seattle had to run more) you have to step in and take over. I think Mike's focus was getting the defense into a decent state... hopefully he can focus on the offense more, now.

Pete was not afraid to step in when "Russ cooking" meant turnovers galore... Mike has to do the same. If he's actually pleased/happy with Grubb, then oof... now that said, Grubb did have SOME moments this year where I was like, "Oh damn! What a play! is he turning it around?" And then it would revert the next game. I will give Grubb one pass in that the OL was a complete disaster with exception of Cross. I have to think Schneider HAS to focus on the OL... because EVERYONE was critiquing it, your QB got injured because of it against one of the worst pass rush defenses no less, etc. And then your 3rd round guard, you barely started (only when someone was injured) and he was flat out inactive some games? Why the fuck did you draft him then?

I think if Schneider doesn't address the OL this year and spend some cash (which we really don't have) or draft capital early on IOL, that might be his undoing. Schneider isn't going anywhere in 2025... he'll prob. use Grubb as the fall guy. But 2026 rolls around, could be the end for him if he puts together another horrible FAgency.

 

[flyerhawk]

Barely top 10 in points allowed, and top 15 in yards allowed. Definitely a switch from last year where we were bottom 10 in both (#3 in yards allowed).

We do need to fix the penalties though, still one of the top teams in the league on those.

I'm still fine we moved on from Pete, but I don't like what I saw from Grubb and I really question Schneider after one of the worst free agencies in the league. I'll give Mike a pass but you're the head coach. At some point if your OC isn't doing what you like (which he wasn't - Mac said in numerous press conferences Seattle had to run more) you have to step in and take over. I think Mike's focus was getting the defense into a decent state... hopefully he can focus on the offense more, now.

Pete was not afraid to step in when "Russ cooking" meant turnovers galore... Mike has to do the same. If he's actually pleased/happy with Grubb, then oof... now that said, Grubb did have SOME moments this year where I was like, "Oh damn! What a play! is he turning it around?" And then it would revert the next game. I will give Grubb one pass in that the OL was a complete disaster with exception of Cross. I have to think Schneider HAS to focus on the OL... because EVERYONE was critiquing it, your QB got injured because of it against one of the worst pass rush defenses no less, etc. And then your 3rd round guard, you barely started (only when someone was injured) and he was flat out inactive some games? Why the fuck did you draft him then?

I think if Schneider doesn't address the OL this year and spend some cash (which we really don't have) or draft capital early on IOL, that might be his undoing. Schneider isn't going anywhere in 2025... he'll prob. use Grubb as the fall guy. But 2026 rolls around, could be the end for him if he puts together another horrible FAgency.

In fairness to Schneider last year, he was pretty much forced to buy from the bargain bin on just about everyone.

He SHOULD have more to work with this year offseason. I know that it says we are over the cap by 8 million right now but there are some pretty obvious moves he will make

Cut or restructure Lockett. Should save at least 15 million but could even be even more if the restructure.
Restructure Geno - ZERO chance that we go into the season with Geno having a 38 million dollar cap. I think it is very unlikely that we cut Geno. I think they are far more likely to restructure him, give him another year and maybe even a void year. I would imagine a 20 million or so cap save
Cut or restructure Dre'mont Jones - His performance has not met his salary. I think he is more likely cut than restructured as he already has 2 void years. Probably post June 1st to split the cap hit
Restructure Nwosu - He's been effective when he is on the field but he's missed way too much time.

This could free up 40-50 million in cap space. Assuming they can keep at least one of Jones or Nwosu, they would be only creating a couple of holes with these moves. We would need to extend some of young guys Mafe and Cross. Maybe Abe. Probably not K9. But that should STILL give us 20+ million to find some FAs.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Eh I don't see it Jersey (with regards to Grubb).

I'll gladly admit if I'm wrong. I've done it numerous times on this forum.

Well if they fire Grubb or keep him next season the offense has to improve or things are going to get ugly. In part I feel the fire Grubb noise is stoked by Seahawks media figures like Rob Stanton, Brian Nemhauser, Jeff Simmons who been campaigning for Grubb to be fired since midseason. They talk about it weekly, bringing in cohorts and asking how they feel about Grubb. The guy they are bringing up as a replacement is Seahawks passing coordinator Jake Peetz. Prior to Peetz they were throwing around the idea of hiring a fired HC to be OC. IDK that either Peetz or some failed HC appeals to me much. I do get the unhappiness with Grubb because the offense was a mess this season. However I would expect that some college OC would have some struggles adapting year one. Can he iron out some of the problems year two? IDK. Are the candidates put forth better? IDK, but I'm not feeling it TBH. Which ever way they go they got to get it right. In part I feel the offense should improve simply with young guys improving now they have a bit of experience and surely there will be some hopefully better additions brought in.

All in all I'd feel better about Grubb being let go if someone could name a replacement that clearly seems like a upgrade. If they can find that person then fine, fire Grubb, if you can't a second season under Grubb and his assistants seems the better option. He can always be fired if he fails again. Where as firing Grubb, then firing his replacement sounds like a bad idea.

 

[MrS]

Replacing grubb witg peetz seems stupid, why didnt you hire peetz as OC last year?
Seeing Who gets canned at HC and hiring one of the offensive ones to replace grubb sounds like a much better idea to me.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Replacing grubb witg peetz seems stupid, why didnt you hire peetz as OC last year?
Seeing Who gets canned at HC and hiring one of the offensive ones to replace grubb sounds like a much better idea to me.

Which failed HC the Jets, Giants, Jags, Cowboys or some other?

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Replacing grubb witg peetz seems stupid, why didnt you hire peetz as OC last year?

Peetz a McVay guy and they just fired a McVay guy as OC (Waldron) is maybe why.