Updated Nov 1, 2009 - 4:47 pm
Debacle in Dallas: Player Reaction and Post Game Show Breakdown
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E-mail thisBy Matt Pitman
There is certainly a lot to get to after another tough loss for your Seahawks. You'll hear from Coach Jim Mora, Matt Hasselbeck, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Julius Jones, David Hawthorne, Damion McIntosh and a great segment from the post game show where Dori Monson, Sam Atkins and Ray Roberts discuss so many of the things that are going wrong right now
The Carnage
For the second game in a row, the Seahawks were outplayed in every facet of the game. And for the 5th time this season, players, coaches and fans alike are looking for answers.
The Hawks drop to 2 and 5 with the 38-17 loss to Dallas. They were outgained 362 yards to 308. Out rushed 113 to 79. Patrick Crayton turned in one of the plays of the game, an 82 yard punt return for a Dallas touchdown that made it 35-10 after the PAT. In 4 returns, Crayton amassed 116 yards. In 3 punt returns Nate Burleson and Justin Forsett combined for 19 yards. The Seahawks defense was on the field way too long. Dallas won the time of possession easily, out possessing Seattle 34:45 to 25:15. Tony Romo completed 58% of his passes (21/36) for 256 yards, 3 touchdowns, finding 10 different receivers on the day. He was sacked only twice, both times by David Hawthorne. That's right...not one sack was generated by the Seahawks defensive line.
So many different things just seem broken for the team right now. At first blush (as Brock likes to say) it is kind of hard to put a finger on exactly what's wrong or at least hard to figure out where to start, aside from the glaringly obvious. Things like, the defenders seem too slow for the Tampa scheme the Hawks are running, and they are constantly out of position and whiff on way, WAY too many tackles. And the offensive is so out of sync that balls are being thrown into empty windows, and guys aren't sure in their routes.
On the Seahawks Post Game Show on 710 ESPN Seattle, Dori Monson, Sam Atkins, and Ray Roberts had a great segment talking about the confounding mess of problems plaguing the Seahawks.
Ray Roberts says first of all, guys must start stepping up and taking charge. "Players that are maybe not accustomed to being the play makers, not accustomed to being the leaders, I think you need those people to step up and take charge of this team. Sometimes you just have to get down and dirty, and scrap your way to a win. It may be the ugliest win in the world, but it's a win," Roberts said.
Ray goes on to say something I think it's very true, and might be keeping players from stepping up and being that "guy" he is talking about. "Everyone is pressing so hard to make a play, and win a game, that sometimes you play uptight in that situation. Maybe what they need is to relax a little bit and let the game come to them, and play that way," Ray said.
Click below to listen to a great segment from the post game show. The guys also tackle the idea that the offensive system the Hawks are using might not be best suited for this group of players. It's a really good listen.
Mora Looking For Accountability
"We have to become accountable. All of us have to become accountable. The only way we are going to get better is if we do that."
No one may be immune to the struggles the Hawks are having right now, whether that is in the form of playing time for the remainder of the season, or a spot on the roster next year. "They're professionals. And they're paid a lot of money to complete at the highest level. And it will not be tolerated if somebody is not doing that. It will not be tolerated. It will not be a part of our program, ever," Mora said.
If you watched the game you witnessed a very emotional and frustrated Jim Mora on the sidelines. You can hear the frustration in Mora's voice after the game. Click below to listen to Mora's press conference.
Hasselbeck says Seahawks Hurt Themselves
"We just have to be better. There were some errors out there that were just juvenile errors. Things you would expect in a preaseason game. Errors out there where, we just can't do that. This is professional football."
Matt Hasselbeck finished the day with decent numbers, which fans can only hope is a sign that the Seahawks are close to getting the offense going in the right direction. He completed 22 of 39 attempts (no picks) for 249 yards and two touchdowns, including a brilliant pass threading the needle over the middle on a post route to Deion Branch for a touchdown. He finished the day with a 92.8 passer rating, completing passes to 6 different receivers.
Even if it is a good sign, it may be too late. Click below to listen to Hasselbeck with reporters after the game.
Frustration in the Seahawks Locker Room
T.J Houshmandzadeh caught 4 balls for just 24 yards. T.J. has been increasingly vocal about wanting the ball more, even going as far to take reps with the practice squad, then joking with reporters that he was doing it to show the coaches they should throw it to him more.
Click below to listen to T.J. Houshmandzadeh after the game. He starts off by talking about showing his emotions on the sideline and the conversation that could be seen between he and Matt Hasselbeck on the sideline in the first half, after what may have been some crossed signals.
Julius Jones rushed for 56 yards, which is his 3rd highest total of the season. But once the Cowboys lead quickly grew to double digits the run game was abandoned.
Jones was clearly frustrated, saying "We had plenty of chances. The offensive line was doing a great job for us early in the game. Somewhere in the second half we just shut it down. I don't know what we have to do, but something has to be done. That can't happen any more."
Click below to listen as Julius Jones chats with Jen Mueller on the 710 ESPN Seattle Post Game Show.
Jordan Babineaux finished the game with 6 tackles, and when he looks at the overall effort of the Seattle D against the Cowboys, he says it's pretty simple: the defense has to get off the field faster and more frequently.
The Cowboys picked up 15 of their 26 first downs on pass plays, and were 54% (7/13) on third down efficiency. Click below to listen to Babs with sideline reporter Jen Mueller after the game.
Damion McIntosh made his first start since joining the Seahawks. If we're real honest about it, he played much better than a lot of people thought he would. Coach Mora was pleased with McIntosh saying, "My general impression is that Damion McIntosh did some decent things for us there."
So much was made about the match-up of McIntosh versus Demarcus Ware, and for the most part Ware was held in check. He got only one sack, granted a big one for a loss of 7 yards.
Click below to listen as Jen Mueller talks with Damion McIntosh after the game.
David Hawthorne picked up TWO sacks of Tony Romo and finished with a team high 8 tackles. He really stepped up and showed he will be just fine stepping in for Lofa Tatupu for the rest of the season.
Click below as "Heater" talks with Jen about getting the the QB, and how he calls a defensive game a little different than Tatupu.
There ya have it. The ugly numbers, and the frustration. Time to weigh in 12th Man. Leave your comments below. There will be a lot to hit on when we kick off 12 hours for the 12th Man tomorrow morning at 7am with "Seahawks Insiders" on 710 ESPN Seattle.
Matt Pitman covers the Seattle Seahawks for 710 ESPN Seattle
and MyNorthwest.com. Matt has reported on Seattle sports
since 2000 and is the host for the Mariners pre and post game
shows on 710 ESPN Seattle. Follow Matt on Twitter @mattpitman
For the past 5 years, David Wyman has been a part of the
Seahawks pre and post game team on KIRO-AM and KIRO-FM. Dave
is a former NFL linebacker. He was a 2nd round draft choice
of the Seattle Seahawks in 1987 and was a 5-year starter for
the Hawks before signing a free-agent contract with the
Denver Broncos in 1993.Copyright © 2009 Bonneville International. All rights reserved.
