Not much new here, but one paragraph from this SI article jumped out at me as being a significant area that we really haven't heard much about in camp - which is CONDITIONING!Seattle outscored opponents 285-254 through the first three quarters of games. In the fourth quarter and overtime, however, they faded. They were outscored 119-86 during those periods, with their most notable meltdowns occurring when they blew double-digit, fourth-quarter leads to both Dallas and St. Louis.
Granted, some of this was because we had a corp of 2nd and 3rd string defenders in the game due to injury, but the one thing I want to see this year is for the Seahawks to develop the "killer instinct" and close teams out, not just sit on a lead and hope to win.
We need our defense to stiffen up, our offense to drive the ball long and hard in the fouth quarter, and just continue to pound and pound and pound, filling every gap and hole the opponent presents to us!
* while rare, Seahawks victories lasting for more than 3 hours may occur and require immediate medical attention!
dont forget the refs...
ReplyDeleteour 'meltdowns' wouldn't be complete without them (Dallas, almost Minnesota and TB...)
remember, not only does our defense need to stay sharp through 4 quarters, but we also need to win 50-0! (at least thats what ESPN wants from us before giving us any credit or any respect)
This notion of conditioning affecting the outcome of games, especially in the 4th qtr, probably has some valididty, but i think it is the symptom, not the illness.
ReplyDeleteCharacter, on the part of a few players, seemed to be the core illness, but it also affected the whole part. A lackluster attitude spreads like cancer, it holds back the team all season, including training camp and practices, and in the end, can affect conditioning, even the will to win as a team.
I was going to write up a related topic, about the difference between practices this year vs. the previous. Many times we have heard how "practice was not good", "not crisp", or "sluggish", coming from Holmgren, but HE NEVER GAVE THEM TIME OFF. The effort wasn't there. They didn't need the rest. They needed to step it up.
But now, we find the opposite is true. The team worked so hard in practice, Homgren saw the need to rest them, because they are VOLUNTARILY pushing their bodies beyond capacity.
This is a very significant difference in attitude, because NOW we have a batch of players that give all out effort, and the coach has to hold them back.
This should affect conditioning, the 4th quarter blues, and THE WILL TO WIN when the game is on the line.
Dammit, I can't wait to play the Rams.
Posted by Bluefoot
i truly think he are officially a super bowl threat now...and i couldnt care less about anyone else's disagreement
ReplyDeletejust because we are no longer sheik doesn't mean we aren't a threat...there is just something different in the air...they are calling their teammates out, feeding off each other, and most importantly, like Blue said...they worked hard enough to earn time off
that must say something...thats what i always say when i play football and seem sluggish after the game...i always point it that its because i give 100000% on every single play, whether im involved or not...hell, even when its a simple backyard game, i give 100000%...and although i may be the most tired player at the end of the game...i will always be on the field until everyone else quits
its about the drive to win, and humilate the enemy in the process
if i make it to the big level...i want them to play 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' at some point during the games...that gets my adrenaline flowing like none other
I have to agree with both sides on this, we lacked conditioning to a degree but as Blue said (but on a different way of thinking), its a symptom as much as the illness. The difference for me is that with the injuries going so deeply into our defensive roster that the Hawks had little chance to let anyone rest or sub-out for even a single play, especially the LBs and DTs who had been asked to be quick and keep their motors revving high....and this coupled with the youth of backups contributed largely to our defensive breakdowns.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I do agree some-what with Blue, I don't really think that the lack of character went 'that' deep. It just happened to be center with a few 'very key' players (WRs, and defensive starters). I defenitely think that Jones being in camp will help our offense late in games where we had trouble keeping drives alive, I really think that, barring any huge rash of injuries, this will be the season the Hawks make that next step...perhaps even that 'huge' step we're all afraid to even think about, let alone say outloud.
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
Imagine yourself in training camp, one of the 'good character' guys, working your @$$ off. Imagine also, play after play, a couple of guys on the team that don't get it, don't put out the effort, gripe at the coach, the conditions, etc. You bust your @$$ every play, every down, every day, you puke, you ache, you work through a personal hell to get in condition and game hardened.
ReplyDeleteThen the coach rips your squad for a sloppy effort, makes the team do exta reps, etc.. All the while you know in the back of your mind you're putting in maximum effort, while these couple of turdbags are dragging their feet and making the squad look bad.
It has a way of making you spare your effort, I tell you. You slow down a little, even subconsciously. Sure you call the others out, but they resist, they still make the team because they have tremendous talent, and you wish you had their talent, you wouldn't waste it like they are, dammit, you'd turn it into pro bowls every year. Why put in all that effort? Why kill yourself for a team with guys that don't share the same goals?'
And then there's the effect they have on the rookies, some of which just got huge paychecks and have money to burn and a life to life to the fullest.
I know, I dont think the lack of character went 'that' deep, but it just takes a little dog crap to make your chili taste like s**t. A couple of players that don't give 100% can really affect the final output of team, just by the discouraging influence. And in a league THIS competetive, where the difference in most games comes down to a couple of key plays, it's all the difference it takes.
Posted by Bluefoot
Wow! I make a little post about Conditioning and you guys go all Knute Rockne on me!!! I LOVE IT! I agree with everything that's posted.
ReplyDeleteBut now that your pulses have returned to normal rate, can someone please comment on the humorous Viagara tie in to the original post.
I you guys start taking it for granted, I'm going to have to start charging for all this good comedy!
Posted by alba
Sorry alba, NICE PICK OF A PIC! :)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't want you to feel unappreciated bro. ;)
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
I think you can make an arguement that conditioning is a direct result of a players attitude. A guy who really wants it knows he has to train hard, a guy who doesn't, doesn't. And Anthony Simmons is the poster boy for this, had the talent, didn't have the conditioning, therefore sat on the sidelines whining instead of showcasing his natural talent. Jerramy Stevens seems to be the opposite last year and this year, he is training hard, and has undeniable talent. How it plays out on the field is still a question, but I am very optimistic.
ReplyDeletePosted by JoSCh
Thanks, Vin...your next "yuck" is on the house!
ReplyDeletePosted by alba
Sweet!!!!!! ;)
ReplyDeletePosted by vinnyhawkalugi