ptisme":1ynkxvkz said:
I never thought this game would be easy. I think it generally leans Packers at Lambeau and goes the other way in Seattle. Rodgers shredded that defense last year (was the one game I attended) but Richardson is definitely a game changer. Should be fun to watch.
Hey, good to see you once again. It must be that time of year. Thanks for the insights regarding the Packers, the changes they made, and current status updates. I’ll do the same for you.
I remember that game quite well and in all honesty (and I think a lot of guys on this board will agree) in a lot of ways, this team was feeling the after-affects of that Super Bowl loss still. What I mean by that is that A LOT of guys actually came into the regular season still pretty banged up physically. Earl Thomas separated his shoulder in the SB and was a bit banged up. Richard Sherman dealt with a knee issue that ended up slowing him down all year long. Jeremy Lane also went down in the Super Bowl as well (that’s what really turned the tide). He was banged up much of last season I'd say.
Michael Bennett was never himself all last year I would argue. Other guys on that defense also were a bit banged up as well.
When Earl Thomas went down and was lost for the Season in the Panthers game in Week 13 last year -- right before the Hawks faced the Packers -- that’s when the flood gates really opened, as long shots down the field which hadn’t been open in years … were suddenly WIDE open. Since Earl has been there, we’ve always played single high safety … and with his recognition skills, speed, and make-up ability, we’ve always been able to do that (and to be amazingly successful), as he just plays deep Center Field and is able to take away so much. All of a sudden, that was gone. We had no one who could really fill in and do what he does. Steven Terrell (who’s now with the Chiefs) played FS in that game. That was a HUGE part of the reason why Aaron Rodgers was able to absolutely shred that defense.
THAT and the fact that the Seahawks struggled to get consistent pressure up the middle all season long. When this team went to and won the Super Bowl in 2013, a HUGE factor was that Seattle was able to get pressure right up the gut. Rookie Jarran Reed was drafted to replace Brandon Mebane (who was their 3 Tech who was able to do that) … and he didn’t have nearly the impact that many hoped he would. Quinton Jefferson (drafted in the 5th Round) was lost before the season and put on IR. So, getting pressure up the middle and being able to shut down running lanes up the gut was a big problem all year long.
Another big factor IMO was that last year Kam Chancellor was just not himself. I believe he was also still feeling the after-affects from the Super Bowl. He just wasn't Bam Bam Kam most of last season. Seattle’s defense ended up missing that real physical nasty presence for much of the year.
Schneider, recognizing all of those deficits, went out and has addressed those issues. Seattle went out and drafted Tedric Thompson out of the Colorado in order to back up Earl. While he’s not had quite the Preseason that we’ve all hoped for (and I hope he doesn’t see the field) this is a young man who showed he has very good FS skills in college.
Safety Bradley McDougald, who was a starter in Tampa Bay, has been brought in. He’s a very physical, instinctive, and hard hitting safety who has had a VERY good camp. The Hawks intend to use him on the field quite a bit and I personally believe that we’ll see some 4-2-5 from this Defense this year. There has been a lot of talk about a new “Cheetah” Package that the Seahawks are looking to employ, which (by its name) implies that it’s designed to have the speedier Seahawk Defenders on the field in order to chase guys down. We have yet to really see it rolled out.
The Hawks also looked to improve their overall speed in the secondary as well. They went out and drafted CB Shaq Griffin out of UCF to start opposite Richard Sherman. He had a great training camp and Preseason and won the starting job. He’s faster than Sherm and potentially I think could be better than him down the road. Rodgers could pick on him in this game, but this young guy is very talented.
The biggest addition of all though … came just this past week when the Hawks traded for Sheldon Richardson. They’d hoped that 2nd round choice Malik McDowell would be that guy, but he had to go be a young knucklehead and get himself injured on an ATV. I’d be shocked if we see him this season.
Anyway, Richardson is a BAD, BAD MAN. He’s one of those true game changing players out there who can honestly alter a game. This was just posted recently on Twitter, so I’ll share this here as well.
[tweet]https://twitter.com/Coleman3SD/status/904727480157831169[/tweet]
[Click on TOP of that Twitter Link above. Coleman has an extensive breakdown of LOTS of game footage and how Sheldon Richardson impacted Brady and that the Patriots Offense.]
As I said, the biggest piece that the Seahawks have been missing since 2013 … is that real big dog player who can flush QB’s to those fast ends like Bennett, Avril, and Clark who can crash down and take them down. They've been missing an impact 3 Tech who can really shut things down right up the middle. The Hawks would appear to have found that final missing puzzle piece in Sheldon Richardson.
In general, what’s stood out to me this Preseason is that guys appear to be healthy once again. Earl Thomas looks like he’s finally back to his old self. Players like KJ Wright are flying to the football … and they’ve improved their overall depth.
Russell Wilson has his speed and mobility back (he was banged up most of last season as well) … and the running game appears to be markedly improved.
Before the Richardson trade, I would have agreed with you in saying that Green Bay was a 3 point favorite there at Lambeau Field. NOW … I don’t honestly know -- I’d call it more of a Pick ‘Em at this point. Should be fun and I agree … let’s pray no one gets seriously hurt in this game.
