Pete Carroll in review

[Hawktawk]

I thought he was a clown much of his first year, used car salesman. Then he coached up clipboard Jesus and BFMW(big fat Mike Williams) to steal the division from the hated Rams at 7-9.
I recall the weeping and wailing in here about loss of draft picks, should have tanked, gonna get embarrassed by the champs anyway...
I'm still watching the film of one of the great postseason runs in history from my view on the 50 for 2 seats 5 rows up behind the Hawks bench for $250 apiece as the PC era really began, as Beast mode created beast quake and began building his case for the HOF. I couldn't talk for a week. PC can COACH, MOTIVATE.

Then 2012, Pete telling Mr Allen he just wasted 20 million bucks on Flynn cause he was going to be starting this sawed off rook. Pete never gets enough credit for the pick or the decision. It helped both men greatly.
He built the greatest defense of the super bowl era for longevity. Many were later round picks too.

Even when the FA pickups didn't work and the drafts picks were misses or got hurt and the LOB got hurt or moved on there were playoffs every year but 1 over a 9 year period. Even then we were 9-7

Yeah we were not competitive at the divisional level later on. Then an ugly playoff loss , hit too much, an offseason of speculation and then the worst team performance since 2011. Somewhere around his letting Russ play with an injured throwing hand then trying to explain why it wasn't working postgame I was about done with both guys.
For the first time he started taking shots at Russel's decisions in losses and getting clapped back on by Russ, walking out of a press conference. To his credit he returned. Hes always been classy.

I figured Jodi was going to fire him at the end of the season. And I thought it might be a good thing for the team. Then Penny, the strong finish, Russel's rebound it looked like we might run it all back.

But then this....Pete took the high road on the trade. As the baggage of the last 5 years between him and Russ was unpacked and rifts with many of his teammates as well I broke hard for Pete, thought he deserved another year simply for keeping the ship afloat and keeping things quiet so long. The ability of that organization to keep stuff in house is remarkable.
I've been the biggest optimist on the forum but I didn't predict or expect this draft, the seeming enthusiasm and energy around the team. rooks, free agents. Geno. Pete was an absolute laughingstock when he announced we were riding with Geno till the games started . Hell Mike Sando had him #36. And hes a very knowledgeable fair unbiased writer with northwest roots

Kind of like Wilson nobody else would have done it. Put Drew out there and see if hes QBOTF and when you're 2-6 let Geno mop up.

I wont get into previous dude other than to say he helped us win a lot of games when he was here and hes gonna help us win a lot of games by leaving. Including a nice draft pick
But Pete, I owe you an apology. The fans do, the media. You are a GREAT coach. Your first ballot stuff if you pull off this one year reload. Pac 12 style.

[Aseahawkfan]

I liked Pete Carroll when he arrived. I bought his book and read it. Spent hours reading on his defensive philosophy and history. I still like Pete Carroll. I'll always like Pete Carroll and Russ and Sherm and Kam and Earl and Lynch and that entire amazing team. Most fun football I've ever watched.

It won't matter whether he wins another Super Bowl or not. Pete's my favorite Seattle coach and probably always will be. He gave me what I always wanted in Seattle: an elite defense with a name they earned.

I like Pete's style of football. I think a great defense with a power run game and a good QB is the ideal football formula. I love to watch that style of football. I like to dominate on the defensive side of the ball. If he builds a second elite defensive, no arguing he'll be considered one of the best defensive coaches in NFL history.

About my only complains with Carroll is the "Shiny Toy Disease" where his eye wanders to other teams thinking he can make one of their great, high trade cost players work in his system and that he can lose focus at the end of tight games when he needs to be the most focused and calculating. But those are minor criticisms.

I'm a natural optimist myself with a realist's ability to analyze. So Pete's optimistic viewpoint is in line with how I work. You don't worry too much about the negatives, you keep focusing on building in a positive direction and you'll have a better chance of a good outcome and look at failure or obstacles as learning opportunities.

This may all end soon with Pete at his age and I did think you keep the franchise QB over the coach because that is usually the best option, but I'm also of the mind if Pete can pull off Win Forever 2.0 then I'm good with that too. I'm onboard at this point. We'll see if Pete can do this a second time around and go out on top with a guaranteed spot in the HoF.

I'm never one to spend much time hating on players or coaches. I have no interest in it. If you're in Seattle and on my team, then I'm pulling for you to do your best unless you're some real scumbag like Greg Hardy or Richie Incognito. If you leave Seattle, then I appreciate the memories and bid you farewell and good luck so long as it doesn't interfere with the Seahawks.

One more Super Bowl, Pete. Win Forever 2.0. You can do it.

[Hawktawk]

I like your thinking . I don’t think Pete expects to coach a lot longer . But I think he and Russ going their separate ways and hearing the critics grumbling lit a new fire in the guy . He’s the youngest 70 year old guy I ever saw . Listening to his Monday presser so excited . It did matter to him what people thought . It’s early for a victory lap but if my eyes haven’t deceived me h will get one .
This team can win a championship . This year .

[Aseahawkfan]

I like your thinking . I don’t think Pete expects to coach a lot longer . But I think he and Russ going their separate ways and hearing the critics grumbling lit a new fire in the guy . He’s the youngest 70 year old guy I ever saw . Listening to his Monday presser so excited . It did matter to him what people thought . It’s early for a victory lap but if my eyes haven’t deceived me h will get one .
This team can win a championship . This year .

I hope I have that energy at this age. Most people I've seen his age are not close to as up as him. Carroll is a ball of energy. He's wired to be up all the time.

[tarlhawk]

Excellent post. I have held off responding to this years growing success and I tip my hat off to Geno's success. I felt Lock deserved a better shot but Geno has the saavy vet experience to set the offense in the proper alignment based on his defensive reads and together with the center's communication to the line... Geno has excelled in Waldron's play calling.

Like a coach on the field he has fully utilized the many weapons at his disposal and is looking more like the college version of Geno (in skills)... with the NFL knowledge of Defensive concepts allowing those skills to flourish. He has demonstrated a great self confidence which has only been aided by the culture Pete has put in place for the team...they believe in each other and as Tyler Lockett has noted and commented on...its amazing what can be accomplished as a team when no one is claiming or seeking individual acclaim. Many took Tyler's comment as a "dig" on Russell...but Tyler retains a distant close friendship with RW and his comment can apply to any teammate whose success gives them the temptation to elevate their individual importance...DK/K9/Tariq W/Uchenna/DT/Diggs/Adams...all are key components of a team that continues to excel together and inspire each other. I've only seen a couple post game media conferences with Tariq Woolen but both times have been impressive in their sincerity and humbleness.

Your Head Coach is the "lightning rod" for transforming "alpha males" into a *team first* one game at a time* onward and upward "buy-in".
Pete provides the atmosphere...sets the tone...character demands and standards (grit) and support...whether thru his relationship with John Schneider (team financing) or ownership (trust of Jody) or the many levels of coaches/scouts/talent evaluators that allow highly skilled athletes to excel in their roles on the team.

Many "outsiders" have marveled at the excellent results of our recent draft...but seldom does the realization of the excellent coaching being applied to the "skilled on arrival" rookies been even mentioned. Pete has learned under great tutelage while working his way thru the coaching chain and has blended those principles into his own beliefs. Like Geno who learned while being in the NFL background of the QBs he supported in a backup role...Pete has also benefited from "timing and opportunity". Both men have earned NFL respect from their peers. Go Hawks!