CHawkTailGator":1f87o5xj said:
themunn":1f87o5xj said:
Would you rather be in the position where your back had touched the ball 255 times in 9 games and led the league in rushing as well as building up a healthy 7-2 record, or would you prefer he got it 156 times in 8 games and although your 5-3 record is less impressive, it's still left you in the playoff hunt?
Now make sure you look at that bearing in mind that in your last 8 games you've got 5 divisional games, two road games against 2013 playoff teams (that both have a winning record at the halfway point) and most importantly - no bye week.
By all means, run your back into the ground in the first half of the season all you like, but don't come complaining when you flame out the second half of the season and your guy can't do jack in the playoffs
I understand this point, however, you have to get to the playoffs first. Last year we had the luxury of health and piling up some early wins in the schedule. This year we are chasing the Cards at 7-1 and will need to scratch out a playoff berth. The luxury of resting Marshawn is gone this year. Full speed ahead please.
Wrong Seahawks didn't have the luxury of health last year, in fact much of the same injury situation in 2013 is similar in 2014 for the most part.
Seahawks had the luxury of depth aka a deep roster, and it also had the luxury of an easier schedule vs QBs the defense matched-up against pretty well like Newton and Kaepernick. And it also got to face struggling QBs like Palmer and Schaub (who actually tore the Seahawks up in the 2nd QTR) who were turnover machines, then they faced a run of back ups in Henne, Fitzgerald, and Kellen Clemens.
Even then the Seahawks were lucky to scrape out some wins in the first half of 2013, they easily could have been 8-0 and just as well they could have been 4-4.
Until Manning the only elite QB (top 5) the Seahawks faced in 2013 was Drew Brees twice, at the Clink, in the rain and cold, and Primetime games. And Andrew Luck who probably ranked in the 7-12 range on my scale.
But the 2013 team had depth and it had identity.
Two things the 2014 team has struggled with this season.
But through the struggle: young players are growing and the inexperienced are gaining experience which = depth.
And the Seahawks are slowly redefining their identity. They aren't pretty and shiny... they are an ugly bunch that plays ugly smash-mouth football and the offense is slowly getting that back game by game.
The Defense has struggled losing its leaders of nasty in Clemons, Bryant, Browner, and with Chancellor and Wagner being hobbled but they too haven't their early struggles are starting to come together and play with more confidence and starting tomake plays.
Seahawks are grinding. And they'll get back to who they are... an ugly bully.
