Updated Oct 29, 2012 - 10:23 pm
Improved passing offense a silver lining for Seahawks
News that Braylon Edwards would join fellow Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin on the inactives list looked like bad news for a passing offense that was already limited. The Seahawks were on the road, where rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has struggled this season even when he's had a full compliment of receivers.
But against seemingly long odds, Wilson had arguably his best game, albeit in a losing effort.
Wilson was 25 of 35 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The yardage was his second-highest total of the season, and it was the first game in which he completed 20 passes.
 After struggling in previous road starts, Russell Wilson completed 71 percent of his passes while throwing for 236 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on Sunday. (AP)
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"I thought he was really solid. I thought he was really good," coach Pete Carroll told "Brock and Salk" on Monday.
"I think we helped him again. We were able to get the ball on the perimeter a little more. We got the ball in guys' hands where they were running with the football. Golden [Tate] looked good. We really wanted to get Sidney [Rice] and Golden the football and really emphasize that, to start to feel the continuity of where the ball is going. I think you saw that."
Tate led the Seahawks with 64 yards receiving, catching all seven passes thrown his way. It was a performance he needed to quell some of the criticisms stemming from a mistake-filled performance in last week's loss to the 49ers. One of his season-high seven receptions on Sunday came on a fourth-and-2 quick slant that was similar to a pass he dropped against San Francisco.
"It was important to see him respond from Monday on last week – he did," Carroll said. "He got the message that some plays got away from him – not just the plays that you're looking at; I'm talking about plays downfield, blocking and things. There was a few things there that we were talking to him about, and he took it to heart. He had a great week in preparation."
Rice had 55 yards receiving, and one of his season-high six grabs gave the Seahawks their second touchdown. He and Tate, the Seahawks' top two receivers, combined for 13 of the team's 25 receptions.
"That's a really good output," Carroll said.
It could have been better had Rice hauled in a deep pass that went off his fingertips. On Seattle's first possession of the second half, Rice got behind Detroit's secondary deep down the middle of the field only to short-arm a well-placed throw from Wilson. It wasn't an easy catch, but one that a No. 1 receiver should make.
"I was running it down and misjudged it and didn't get my arms out there far enough," Rice told "Bob and Groz" on Monday. "That's one we would definitely like to have back – or I would."
That would have added 56 yards and another touchdown to Wilson's totals. More importantly, it would have given the Seahawks seven points on a drive in which they came away with none.
Wilson entered the game having thrown all seven of his interceptions on the road. His interception Sunday came in the third quarter on another deep attempt to Rice. He and Wilson said miscommunication was a factor. Carroll called it a "bonehead throw."
But even with that interception and the missed deep shot, it was a major step forward for Wilson and the Seahawks' passing offense.
"It was on the verge of [being] a great game for Russell," Carroll said. "He's shown that he can do the things we need to do – again – and we do continue to grow."
Bob Stelton and Dave Grosby share additional thoughts on the Seahawks' improved passing offense in the video below.
You can listen to Monday's podcast here.
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ronzilla wrote...Following last week's dismal offensive output I felt that the offensive unit was still maturinging and 'getting to know each other'.October 30, 2012 12:57 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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Hawkman wrote...story of two half..October 30, 2012 9:07 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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specracer47 wrote...Offense improving but the Defense is back tracking...October 30, 2012 9:56 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Nardi Contreras wrote...what silver lining?October 30, 2012 12:30 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Lips01313 wrote...Halftime coachingOctober 30, 2012 12:40 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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clevesside wrote...Kearse will help....October 31, 2012 3:43 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Bob Stelton is the co-host of "Bob and Groz". He came to 710 ESPN Seattle from 101 ESPN in St. Louis and had previously worked for Sporting News Radio in Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif. Bob began his radio career in Seattle in 1997 after a failed attempt to become a rock star. 
Dave Grosby is the co-host of "Bob and Groz." The Groz has spent the last 21 years of his 39-year broadcast career as a Seattle sports talk show host. Dave is also the play-by-play announcer for Seattle U basketball on KTTH 770. Before coming to Seattle, Dave worked at KFI in Los Angeles and KFBK in Sacramento. He's been married to his wife Bonnie for 23 years.
After two years as the producer for "Brock and Salk," Colin Paisley now produces "Bob and Groz." Colin also hosts "Seattle Sports at Night" with Tom Wassell and Matt Pitman. Colin came to 710 ESPN Seattle after five years at various FM music stations in Bellingham and Seattle. In addition to his time as producer and host, Colin likes to spend his time embracing his "Slacker Gen-Y" persona by napping and not caring about stuff. Plus he likes tons of bands you've never heard of, and once you hear of them he'll stop liking them.
