Updated Oct 19, 2012 - 10:48 am

Seahawks lose while learning to win

listen Listen: Herm Edwards thinks the Seahawks are still a playoff team

ESPN NFL analyst Herm Edwards tells "Brock and Salk" that he thinks the Seahawks still look like a playoff-caliber team after scoring just six points and making several mistakes in their loss to the 49ers.

AP88371051995
Robert Turbin was responsible for one of the Seahawks' five dropped passes in their loss to the 49ers. (AP)

By Mike Salk

Losing stinks. It's frustrating in all sports, but most give you the opportunity to avenge your losses quickly.

Football is different. Those losses stay with you for a while. They sting a little more.

It's bad enough when you have to wait a week to see your team improve, but Seahawks fans will have to wait an extra three days after Thursday's 13-6 loss to the 49ers.

Losing stinks. But of all the losses, this one doesn't bother me that much.

That isn't to say it wasn't disappointing to see the Seahawks come away empty in San Francisco. They squandered plenty of opportunities through dropped passes, poor execution and bad decision making. Their vaunted defense gave up 175 rushing yards and at times looked porous. For the second straight week, they generated little to no pressure on the quarterback.

Pete Carroll has some holes to fill and some messes to clean up.

But his football team is still in tremendous shape despite the division loss.

They still have a gigantic secondary that allowed nothing deep on Thursday night. They still have a powerful force at running back that can run on even the best defenses. They still have a precocious young quarterback with a strong arm, quick feet and a flare for the dramatic.

Among the positives for the Seahawks was Marshawn Lynch topping 100 yards against the 49ers' stout defense. (AP)

They are learning how to win.

That is one of those incalculable vagaries that statheads hate because it's difficult to define. Heck, it might not really exist. But if it does, it sure seems to fit this team.

Sometimes it takes a few opportunities before a young team learns how to overcome adversity. Playing on the road on short rest against last year's division winner certainly counts as adverse conditions. Dropping five passes might define the term.

The Seahawks are a work in progress, but that doesn't mean they need to be years away from big-time success.

When I call Wilson precocious, it is partly because of his ability to learn from his mistakes and correct his shortcomings. It is because these young cornerbacks find ways to instantly forget the last pass and concentrate on the next play. It is because I expect this proud defense to redouble its effort and remember that with Red Bryant in the lineup, it has been impossible to run against.

Losing stinks. It's even worse when you either expect many more losses that season (see 2009) or when a promising season is waylaid (see 2005).

But this team is not in either of those situations. All three losses have come on the road by seven points or fewer. Giving up 13 points on the road is still impressive. And while five drops are inexcusable, it is unlikely to occur again.

Does anyone come away from this loss thinking Seattle can't play with the Niners? I sure don't.

The Hawks are young team with a bright future. This loss is nothing more than a learning rung on their ladder to success.

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shanmatt72 wrote...

Amazes me

October 18, 2012 9:53 pm

The kneejerk reactions regarding this team. Twitter is calling for Flynn, blaming Wilson, how could we lose this game. We need to calm down, its a young team. Does this game look different if Turbin catches that ball in the first quarter and probably scores? Absolutely. The amount of drops was disappointing. Remember, hardest thing to do is go on the road and win. We had our chances, just didnt capitalize. We will get there.

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CJinVic10 wrote...

Receivers the game was in your hands.

October 19, 2012 5:11 am

Tate,Evans,Lynch and Edwards four dropped balls that would have changed the game. Four dropped balls that were surgically placed on their finger tips by Wilson. Four dropped ball's that absolutely needed to be caught and should have been caught.....Enough Said.

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KitsapTransplant wrote...

Thank you

October 19, 2012 12:58 pm

This has to be one of the few level headed responses and I absolutely agree. People forget how young our team really is and its already making improvements and we have the #2 defense. Seattle fans just want instant gratification. As you said, we will get there. Calm down people...

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pullyourheadout wrote...

More of the same...

October 19, 2012 2:49 pm

Shame on me for expecting more than the lackluster performance we saw last night. I guess I expect too much out of highly paid professionals. I guess we need to treat them like they are high school kids that are still wet behind the ears. Gimme a break!! If we were paid this much in any profession these types of mistakes would not be tolerated so I look at it the same way. If I had any say in the NFL players would earn league minimum unless they performed. Last night most the Seahawks played a pretty poor game. These guys are capable of so much more and should be held accountable. Why should the 12th man always be told we need to be patient and also told we should accept sub-par performances when every time we show up we are there in full force with no excuses! Come on Seahawks play like you want it with no excuses!!

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michael_matherne wrote...

haha

October 20, 2012 12:38 am

This is one of the more comical comments I have seen in a while... First of all, stop comparing NFL players and coaches to any other profession in the world because they are simply not the same. And before you talk any more about player salaries please do yourself a favor and go take a high school level economics class. You are probably one of those people that think teachers and fire fighters should be paid more than CEO’s too huh? What exactly is your proposed solution? If all 5 drops had come from one player, and that player makes a habit of it, by all means cut the guy! I don't think any one player had more than one drop though, so what do you want them to do? Cut every pass catcher on the team and go re-sign Owens and Winslow? Get a clue… drops happen. In case you are interested, coming into this game the team had fewer drops per attempt than 25 teams in the league, so the only thing terribly surprising about the regression to the mean is that it all happened in one night. Oh, and who is telling you to "accept sub-par performances"? I'm pretty sure every member of the Seahawks is more upset about losing that game than you are, and I guarantee you Pete Carroll has already started working to improve for next week. This is not like the Mariners playing nothing but young guys and hoping some of them stick, while lowering the payroll each year. PC/JS have shown for the last 2+ years that they will exhaust absolutely every avenue to continue to improve this football team. I think we can all afford to give them a little slack on the road with a rookie QB against one of the best teams in football.

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pocosmom33 wrote...

Thank you, Michael

October 20, 2012 1:04 am

There are so many crazies on here that it is a joy to read a sensible response. I only have one place to question. Since teachers work with the future citizens of the country and firefighters put their very lives on the line to protect everything you've worked for and value (family) I DO think they need to be paid more. Not as much as the CEO, but then I don't think the CEO's are worth the millions they get, either. Final thank you is for not blasting Wilson. He is one of my favorites so far.

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michael_matherne wrote...

Teachers and Firefighters

October 22, 2012 9:24 pm

Sorry if that comment above sounded like I was bashing teachers or firefighters. Of course I agree that their jobs are important and in a perfect world it would be nice if they made a little more. My point however is that because there are so many other people who are willing and able to do the job at the current rate of compensation, they are not in a position to get more money. They are simply not rare skills that demand top dollar to procure.

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pullyourheadout wrote...

Michael you are missing the point

October 21, 2012 9:46 am

Wow I Love how people here miscontrue what is stated into some completely different topic. Michael by the way I am one of those people that think all your co-workers should be paid more than you including the janitor. Hows that for economics! Your comments were ignorant. My point which was completely missed is the Seahawks effort on the field was pathetic on Thursday. They didn't lose to a better team, they lost because of a lack luster effort. All the unforced mistakes are not something Pro teams should be doing. The economics you bring up is a joke. Players need to be given incentives to play hard every week and consequences for not playing hard. Right now they get paid regardless of their performance or effort on the field. The league could change this and it would put better products on the field for us fans who I thought the game was really all about anyway?

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michael_matherne wrote...

incentives

October 22, 2012 9:04 pm

first of all, while it is true that players will receive a game check regardless of how well or hard they play, the fact remains that NFL contracts are more heavily incentive laden than in any other major pro sport. There is also the incentive of keeping your job since so much of the money is not guaranteed if you are cut (so there's your consequences). The NFL is not like the MLB with it's 100% guaranteed contracts. In the NFL Chone Figgins would have been out of Seattle years ago. To say that, "the league could change this" is also pretty stupid because as I'm sure you are aware the terms of the compensation that players receive from the league has to be collectively bargained. There is absolutely no way the players union would ever agree to 100% incentive driven contracts, but then again you clearly don't understand that people with superior skills are entitled to superior compensation. I guess I should go ahead and break it down to you Barney style... You see the CEO of a company for example has knowledge, skills and abilities far superior to those of the average Janitor. He is therefore able to generate more revenue for the company that employs him than the janitor is. In the eyes of the company he deserves to be paid more, and is compansated accordingly. You starting to get it?

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pullyourheadout wrote...

Michael you are missing the point

October 21, 2012 9:47 am

Wow I Love how people here miscontrue what is stated into some completely different topic. Michael by the way I am one of those people that think all your co-workers should be paid more than you including the janitor. Hows that for economics! Your comments were ignorant. My point which was completely missed is the Seahawks effort on the field was pathetic on Thursday. They didn't lose to a better team, they lost because of a lack luster effort. All the unforced mistakes are not something Pro teams should be doing. The economics you bring up is a joke. Players need to be given incentives to play hard every week and consequences for not playing hard. Right now they get paid regardless of their performance or effort on the field. The league could change this and it would put better products on the field for us fans who I thought the game was really all about anyway?

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darrengrama wrote...

i pretty much agree, pully

October 22, 2012 11:20 am

excpet your comment about why should we accept lack luster performances when the 12th man showsup in full force every week. You cant compare the two. Its harder to be a football player than a albeit, loud but incredibly drunk fan. Fans dont deserve a winning team. They want one and hope for one. And every now and again they recieve much respect from the team and the nation, as have the 12th man. Just be happy youre getting recognition and keep doing what youre doing. But dont try to be a GM. Oh and by the way, how many games have the seahawks lost at home? Maybe i should start blaming the fans for not traveling with the team and showing up strong on road games. Lol

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JP3 wrote...

Again, Agree.

October 18, 2012 9:56 pm

This is the exact same way I came away from this loss. This was a loss in the book when we went through the schedule pre-season. Did we really expect to beat SF at their home? No. Lets get them at home and the other division wins. Yes, its a bummer the best we can do is .500 in the division but lets go for it. Love where the Hawks are headed, chin up. Rest up, get on to Detroit. They can do it, every team has a loser. Let's not fester on this one. Everything is going to be alright.

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metcalf98022 wrote...

I agree with M72, this is what I posted on Mike's FB post.

October 18, 2012 9:57 pm

Seahawks are 4-3, I think that the Hawks can win every game at home this year. There are 5 more home games, that puts us at 9 wins, I have no illusions of winning the NFC west, at 0-3 in the division it won't happen, but think about it. When the Hawks win out at home, think about the remaining away games, @DET, @MIA, @BUF, and @CHI, If they only win one more away game, that puts them at 10 wins, if they split them, which vs Det and Mia, is more than plausible, that puts them at 11 wins, I think they could take 3 of 4 of those road games, but if we are to stay conservative, I'll stick with splitting the road games, that puts us at 11 wins, I think there is a better than good chance that should they do exactly what I'm proposing here, they make the playoffs as an 11-5 wildcard team. Something that we need to keep in mind also, we just played the NE Patriots on Sunday. Our defense was on the field for 84 plays versus an up tempo offense, playing thur night is no ordinary feat, the fact they played so well tonight, makes me very optimistic for the rest of this season. Just for a little perspective, most efficient offenses will throw 35 times and run another 20 or so, that's only 55 plays, our Def was on the field for an additional ~30 plays. I think that is a much bigger contributing factor for why our D got gashed on the ground today than what others want to argue.

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metcalf98022 wrote...

should clarify

October 18, 2012 10:02 pm

that not most efficient offenses, I think most offenses in today's NFL will have between 30 to 35 pass plays and 20 to 25 running plays, which is still only 60 plays total at MOST, and NE kept us on the field for 84.

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pocosmom33 wrote...

I really appreciated the stats, Metcalf98022

October 20, 2012 1:13 am

I am looking at my "spring" in the rear view mirror, so my memory is a little on the wonky side. Thanks for pulling this all together with a positive attitude. I appreciate it and will keep it to refer to when I am writing to friends far away who don't understand why I like this team so much. I have always been a fan of the D team and this year is no exception. I felt that they must be getting totally worn out by the end of the game. I was proud of the heart no matter the score. I just wish the receivers could have held onto the ball.

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jackwho wrote...

Seahawks are good, but not good enough...

October 18, 2012 10:10 pm

Can the Seahwks make the playoffs this year? Yes. Will they? No. To make the playoffs in the NFC, many would agree you will have to win 10 games this year. With nine games left (5 home/4away), will they win 6 out of 9 games? No. I would argue at best they will finish 7-1 at home, so that's 4 wins. Therefore, they will have to win 2 of the 4 games on the road. The Seahawks are averaging less than 13 points per game on the road. How realistic is it for the Seahwks to hold the home teams to 12 points or less? It's not.The 4 road teams combine for 24 points/game, are a combined 6-3 at home, and are 4-3 against the NFC West. At best, the Seahawks will finish 9-7. How important is the division reord? Of the last 120 playoff teams, only 5 had a losing record within their division. The 11 years the Seahawks made the playoffs, they have never had a losing record within the division. What is one characteristic that undefeated home teams have? A dominant record within the division. In the last 10 years(320 chances), 18 teams have gone undefeated at home with an 89-19 divisional record. What is one possible solution? Re-sign Kellen Winslow so they have one guy that can catch the ball and get first downs consistently. Sorry, McCoy and Moore are not good enough. Go Hawks!

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metcalf98022 wrote...

Yeah but you cant go by just the numbers

October 18, 2012 10:21 pm

The Dolphins beat STL by what a FG? Same with Buf over AZ?? So those two AFCE teams that we face beat both of those teams by a combined six points. I think those two games vs AZ and STL could have easily gone our way, this team is young, is getting better and as Mike writes they are still learning how to win. This team will get better and better as the year goes on. You can't just look at the numbers, you have to look at the progress. Add in the fact that we just played as good of a defense as our own on a very short week and in their own house and kept it close......yeah I can see our team making the playoffs as a WC team at either 10 or 11 wins.

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CougHawk wrote...

no passing game

October 18, 2012 10:16 pm

All 3 losses rest with the passing game. Not just QBbut WR's play calling etc. Time to gamble and go get Bowe.

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bakkenhawk wrote...

I ain't scurred

October 18, 2012 10:41 pm

'Hawks can hang with anyone. And they will bounce back. This loss could (and should) set fire to this team. They could run the table. I honestly think that they will do just that. Now they have even more of a chip on their shoulder. They got something to prove. Maybe I'm wrong but something tells me that was the last loss for the season. I hope I'm right!

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pocosmom33 wrote...

I never thought of it that way

October 20, 2012 1:24 am

But man! Would that be fun! Here's hoping that you have ESP and you have told their fortune! I'll drink to that! (Raising a Coke to the east--I'm in Kitsap Co.)

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C"mon Man wrote...

2012 NFC Championship game

October 18, 2012 11:00 pm

When the Niners took the Giants to the brink, I knew then and there who the new Sheriff was in the NFC.

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Hakuzen wrote...

Have been calling for Flynn all season...

October 18, 2012 11:05 pm

...and will continue to. Wilson is a good prospect, but he is not good enough to start as a rookie with his physical limitations. Sidney Rice was open almost every play, and he barely got any targets. Wilson just can't see him. Flynn should have been starter from game 1 and I just hope this foolish wilson crusade does not cost us a playoff spot.

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Zagnut wrote...

Hakuzen

October 19, 2012 4:42 am

Brother, I'm with you.

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509Seahawk wrote...

Re: Calling for Flynn all season...

October 19, 2012 6:07 am

You're absolutely right! If Russell was tall enough to see he would have put the majority of those passes in the receiver's hands. He definitely would have seen Turbin near the endzone, and Tate on the slant... wait... what game were you watching again?

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HockeyMom wrote...

Are you serious???

October 19, 2012 7:03 am

So, you are one of those genius fans that want to blame Wilson when he spoon fed several receivers several passes and they dropped them?!? I will never understand the reasoning that this kind of fan has. I can tell you that we will lose a playoff spot much faster with the dumb penalties and inability to catch a ball that is placed right into your hands, than having a QB that you don't feel is good enough or tall enough.

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pocosmom33 wrote...

WE saw the same game!

October 20, 2012 1:35 am

From the posts on here, I sometimes wonder if we all saw the same game. I was so glad to see that at least you and I saw the same one. I was disappointed to see the dropped passes, and poor Obamanu tripping--he had a touchdown right in front of him--but I figure luck plays a part and sometimes it just isn't good luck. I also shudder at the dumb penalties, but I've never been in that kind of pressure. I just know that I like Wilson. I watched the Quarterback show with Jon Gruden on the NFL network, and Wilson came off as sharp. I am a fan for sure.

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michael_matherne wrote...

Stop calling for Flynn

October 20, 2012 12:46 am

So Matt Flynn will do better huh? So I guess you go to every Seahawks practice and meeting and all of that right? ...Oh you don't? Imagine that? Well I guess we'll just have to keep trusting the judgement of Pete Carroll and John Schneider then... That really sucks, I mean it's not like they took the worst roster in all of football and turned it into a legit playoff contender in 2 years... oh wait...

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bencrit wrote...

Thanks Salk...

October 18, 2012 11:19 pm

I feel better now. And I think you are right. And I think if we win the rest of our home games, we have a shot at the WC. After that brutal opening schedule I am very happy to sit 4-3.

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Rayvensdad wrote...

Why is the offensive play calling not being questioned so heavily?

October 18, 2012 11:54 pm

The dropped passes were horrible, but there was nothing going in that second half except for the run game when it came to the offense... and even the run game was only so-so. Russell Wilson's passes seemed to always be trying too hard for guys who were completely covered by the defense, and that was the WHOLE GAME. Anyone see Sydney Rice irate because he wasn't thrown the ball and instead Russell went for Braylon Edwards, who was triple covered, and seemed not interest in tackling the 49er or preventing the interception? That is one of the first times I honestly thought to myself that Russell's height might be making it difficult for him to see what's going on, EVERYWHERE, not just to his intended receiver. But, nonetheless, the play was absolutely horrible!
Why, on 3rd and 4, do we not have plays that are designed simply to get the first down, instead of trying for 15+ yard pass plays and failing miserably? WHY, if Russell Wilson has the ability to use his legs to make plays, is he SO STINKING TIMID in doing so? Man, if the play breaks down, and you've got no where to go... tuck the ball and make the play yourself!!! That is the variable Russell brings. If you want him to stay in the pocket more, and be a game manager, bring in Flynn NOW, because that is why you got him. Either change your offense to fit the weapons Wilson can offer, or bring in Flynn to properly manage an offense designed around that type of a game manager.
The defense will get the Seahawks to the playoffs. The offense will prevent them from winning the Superbowl. Looking forward to this.
P.S. Pete, Daryl, quick heads up... just because your young QB can torch the worst secondary, in the air, at home... doesn't mean he is perfectly fine doing it on the road against arguably the best defense in the game. Wake up and make real adjustments that don't involve picking your nose or scratching your... head.

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Brock Huard

Brock Huard has co-hosted the show since 2009. After earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors at Puyallup High School, Brock went on to a record-setting career at Washington and then spent six years in the NFL, including four with the Seahawks. Brock also works for ESPN as a college football analyst in the booth and the studio. He makes his home on the Eastside with his wife Molly and their three young children.

Danny O'Neil

Danny O'Neil, the new co-host of "Brock and Danny", is the son of a logger, a graduate of the University of Washington and has been a working journalist in Seattle since 1999, first at newspapers and since 2012 at 710 ESPN Seattle. He is married to Sharon Pian Chan, associate opinions editor at The Seattle Times. They live on Capitol Hill with their wrinkled, smelly dog.

Updated Oct 19, 2012 - 10:48 am

Seahawks lose while learning to win

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