The NFL is a cruel league. Yesterdays heroes are today's scapegoats, yesterdays revelry is today's existential dread. The brightest of stars burn brightly, and fade away shortly thereafter --- vilified by the same fan base that once worshiped them. The Carroll era is a most interesting case of this phenomenon. He built a historically great team, and had a defense that was number 1 for an unprecedented amount of time. Even the players that we have had to let go due to being stacked at virtually every position have carved out a successful career for themselves. We, the ringless Seahawks curb stomped Peyton Manning and his "historically great" offense. I think only one coach could have brought us such satisfying moments, and such thrilling games, that coach being Pete Carroll. I think it is important to remember the good times we've had with him as coach. All that being said I fear that the best is behind the Pete Carroll Seahawks. Nothing gold can stay, time has moved on. Pete Carroll has failed to adapt, for all the good he has done for this franchise -- it is time to finish this chapter of the ongoing Seahawks novel.
Carroll has lost his edge. It is clear to me that Carroll is no longer having fun. This season he looked checked out at times. His wrinkles looked deeper -- his youthful enthusiasm was turned to apathy or rage. Quite frankly -- I'm surprised he stuck around for another year. He is currently the oldest coach in the NFL, and he has finally started to look his age. Moreover, since the questionable call in the Super Bowl something has not been right with this team. We started hearing rumors of rifts, that appear to have been based in reality. Players openly started questioning each other, and in the case of the offense started throwing jabs at the offense. Players such as Marshawn openly disrespected Bevell. Carroll failed, rather spectacularly down the stretch at managing these big personalities. Little cracks in the chemistry turned into fissures. Players such as Bennett openly admitted to ignoring team meetings -- I think this is the case for other players as well. None of our defensive line played with any semblance of gap integrity or discipline last season. Pete Carroll, and his handpicked staff have lost control of this team.
As a result we are shipping off our entire core of players, and two more may never play another down again due to injuries. If Carroll had another four years to rebuild, and reshape the team as he did in 2010 I would be down with him staying. Unfortunately, I don't think he has that time, nor does he look like he wants to be around the NFL for that much longer. I feel as if I'm watching a lame duck coach at the moment. I don't think he has any plans on staying in the league for much longer, especially given on how he doubled down on the 2017 season -- with little regards for tomorrow. The coaches he brought in to replace Bevell and Richards screamed last ditch effort. He hired two, old school militaristic style coaches --- a huge departure from the laid persona's of Richards, and Bevell. These two coaches have not had much success at their jobs, but they sure as hell got the respect from the players wherever they went.
Carroll seems like a coach that is struggling to remain in control of his team. He has lost a lot of credibility over the years due to his poor, unorthodox drafts, and poor in game decision making -- including "the play". All of the goodwill he has gained in the eyes of the league has been replaced by the shadow of that fated Super Bowl. Among NFL fans, Carroll is viewed now as a punch line, rather than by his stellar record in college play, and the NFL since 2010. This view among fans is quite troublesome, because one would have to imagine that the same thoughts resonate among college players, and NFL players alike. Why this is troublesome, is the fact that Pete Carroll has struggled with the same problems in his past tenures. Once things start going downhill, they snowball out of control as far as Pete Carroll is concerned. It is quite clear that he is not the right man for the job anymore. I am thankful for what he has done, but I think it is time to put old yeller out to pasture, and move on. I will always hold fond memories of Pete Carroll, and be thankful for what he did, and what he created. We have earned our mark in the history books, and among the pantheon of NFL legends. Sad is it may be though, that time is up, and we must move on --- as time has run its course.
unno: Okey dokey.
