How Will Russell Be Received?

[RiverDog]

My guess is that he's going to get roundly booed, much more than any of us, with the exception of Hawktawk, had anticipated. Here's why:

At a recent event to honor WNBA star Sue Bird, Russell was roundly booed. Since then, there have been several stories that have surfaced which have painted Russell as more interested in his personal legacy than in the success of his team. Regardless of whether or not there's any truth to them, there will be some that will believe it.

A few days ago, Pete Carroll was asked how Seahawk fans should receive Russell, and rather than saying something like they should be respectful and appreciative of his contributions, he pretty much said the opposite: “You are either competing, or you are not, I’m leaving it up to the 12s"..... “It’s game time and we are going for it, so however they take it, I will follow their lead on that. I’m not going to be involved in that opportunity to react, so I don’t have to make that decision. We will see what happens. I’ll leave it up to the 12s, I think they will know exactly what to do.”

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... o-the-12s/

So basically, Pete is blowing the dog whistle, encouraging Seahawk fans to boo Russell, which I think is in very poor taste and out of character for him, sour grapes. He's never been critical of former players, even when Earl Thomas flipped him off, but when it comes to Russell, one of the more decent guys to have put on a Seahawks uniform, he's waving a red cape in front of the bull. Pretty sad if you ask me.

[Hawktawk]

I don’t think he’s saying that at all . He’s being rather coy , very smart answer actually . But if all the kid gloves fans on the forum are right the 12s will sit on their hands when not cheering Jesus return to his homeland .
My guess it’s gonna be a S S on steroids . A chorus of boos although I’m going to remain silent . My bet my buddy will too . He’s got thousands of dollars worth of Russ gear , autographed that he won’t wear . I’ve worn Russ gear every year he was here . I expect 30% Denver fans . I expect more boos than cheers for Geno frankly .
I expect a very stout effort from Seattle and Geno . I have no clue what to expect from Denver . I’d lay money taking 6.5 as this spread is 100% perception as opposed to reality .

[Aseahawkfan]

I don't know if Pete meant for the 12s to boo Russell, just make life hard on him like any enemy QB who comes to Seattle. He expects the 12s to bring the noise.

I do expect the boos to be loud. There is a segment of the fan base that has decidedly turned on Russell like HT and want to see him fail miserably because he left. They even revise history to blame him for everything wrong with the team. And there are obviously people seeding articles that Denver and Seattle fans eat up with enough information to pick a side one way or the other.

There are also Pete Carroll haters who view him as an out of touch coach relying on ancient strategies in a passing league that has passed him by. They blame him for a variety of calls and decisions that have led us to where we are.

Seattle fans like most fan bases are going to back their team come game time. Pete and Russ are both going to be judged by this game locally and nationally. If Russ wins, Pete will lose more support. If Pete wins, then he'll be viewed as having made the right decision. So there's a lot on the line, more for Pete than Russ.

I love these kind of battles. It makes sports so fun to watch. If Russ lights us up and Denver blows us out, Pete is going to look like a fool. And if Pete outcoaches Hackett and makes Russ look weak, then Russ looks like all they said about him is true. If it is somewhere in the middle, not sure that will go. Probably status quo?

It will be a real fun game with a lot of pride on the line for both teams.

I still think Nathaniel Hackett is a visionless beta male coach whose only hope is that Russell and the team are focused and ready. Maybe Hackett will surprise me and that's why Aaron Rodgers sucked so bad in his first game because Hackett really was some kind of offensive genius. I guess we'll see soon enough.

Today Russ is the enemy. The 12s will treat him as such for no other reason than psychological warfare.

[RiverDog]

I don’t think he’s saying that at all . He’s being rather coy , very smart answer actually . But if all the kid gloves fans on the forum are right the 12s will sit on their hands when not cheering Jesus return to his homeland .

It isn't what Pete said so much as what he didn't say. He didn't say that we should treat Russell with respect and appreciation, which would have been the PC thing to do...pun intended. By not saying something like that, he's given a wink and a nod to those with an axe to grind, a sanctioning of their vitriolic emotions. It was a classless act by Pete not to give a former player his due by asking fans to at least tip their hats to him.

This could easily get out of control. There will be 70,000 fans, many of them under the influence of alcohol, in a confined space and with AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" blaring over the speakers. There could be fights, objects thrown onto the field, a near riot situation. Thankfully, everyone has to go through security and metal detectors, so the risk of violence is a lot lower than had those procedures not been in place, but it doesn't prevent someone from striking their head on a handrail or getting pushed down a flight of stairs.

I'm stopping short of saying that Pete is inciting a riot, but he damn sure isn't doing anything to mitigate the potential. He'd feel awfully bad if something tragic resulted.

[Hawktawk]

Pete is an NFL head coach trying to win an opening game in prime time . He’s being asked to instruct fans to cheer for a two faced weasel who sh%t all over him and the organization and the 12s after 10 years being treated like royalty . Pete is the one who has to listen to Russ when the fans weren’t listening , listen to Rodgers cursing them out because Russ didn’t throw enough in a win. Eff him . No sympathy . As for a red flag in front of a bull that’s been Russel waving it with his cute little “ mental leadership “ quip .
Let’s see. I have no sympathy for anything a fan or player says to Russ as long as it’s legal .
GO HAWKS!

[RiverDog]

Pete is an NFL head coach trying to win an opening game in prime time . He’s being asked to instruct fans to cheer for a two faced weasel who sh%t all over him and the organization and the 12s after 10 years being treated like royalty . Pete is the one who has to listen to Russ when the fans weren’t listening , listen to Rodgers cursing them out because Russ didn’t throw enough in a win. Eff him . No sympathy . As for a red flag in front of a bull that’s been Russel waving it with his cute little “ mental leadership “ quip .
Let’s see. I have no sympathy for anything a fan or player says to Russ as long as it’s legal .
GO HAWKS!

Hopefully this is a no never mind and I'm overstating the conditions, but you, too, would feel damn bad if something happens.

Enjoy tonight's game, and bring us home a victory!

[Hawktawk]

I have been to one playoff game in my life . Nobody thought we had a chance . I did . It was beast quake . I’ve never been to a MNF game . Win or lose I spend a day with my best friend . But after yesterday who the hell knows? GO HAWKS!

[RiverDog]

I have been to one playoff game in my life . Nobody thought we had a chance . I did . It was beast quake . I’ve never been to a MNF game . Win or lose I spend a day with my best friend . But after yesterday who the hell knows? GO HAWKS!

My first MNF game was when Steve Largent broke Harold Carmichael's consecutive game with one reception streak. I remember my ex wife getting excited when we saw OJ Simpson, who was part of the MNF broadcast crew, step out of a limo as we were standing on an exterior ramp on the 300 level of the Kingdome.

I've been to a number of them since, the last one being when Kam Chancellor caused Megatron to fumble out of the end zone.

There was a bar in Moses Lake, Kelly's on Broadway, that used to charter a bus whenever we played at home on Monday night. Man, those were a riot!

[Agent 86]

My guess is that he's going to get roundly booed, much more than any of us, with the exception of Hawktawk, had anticipated. Here's why:

At a recent event to honor WNBA star Sue Bird, Russell was roundly booed. Since then, there have been several stories that have surfaced which have painted Russell as more interested in his personal legacy than in the success of his team. Regardless of whether or not there's any truth to them, there will be some that will believe it.

A few days ago, Pete Carroll was asked how Seahawk fans should receive Russell, and rather than saying something like they should be respectful and appreciative of his contributions, he pretty much said the opposite: “You are either competing, or you are not, I’m leaving it up to the 12s"..... “It’s game time and we are going for it, so however they take it, I will follow their lead on that. I’m not going to be involved in that opportunity to react, so I don’t have to make that decision. We will see what happens. I’ll leave it up to the 12s, I think they will know exactly what to do.”

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... o-the-12s/

So basically, Pete is blowing the dog whistle, encouraging Seahawk fans to boo Russell, which I think is in very poor taste and out of character for him, sour grapes. He's never been critical of former players, even when Earl Thomas flipped him off, but when it comes to Russell, one of the more decent guys to have put on a Seahawks uniform, he's waving a red cape in front of the bull. Pretty sad if you ask me.

My belief is Pete wasn't going to be a "nice guy" and answer that Seahawk fans should cheer for Wilson or be respectful. He was always going to give an answer like he did. Metcalf did the same thing. Actually I read an article in the Athletic where everyone pretty much gave the same answer except Tyler Lockett.

It's not sour grapes at all, and I don't think he is encouraging people to boo by saying what he did. He is basically saying people can do what they want, I don't really care because we are preparing for a football game.

I have to believe that what went on this last few years has left Pete a little bitter at Wilson. We don't see what goes on behind closed doors, but Wilson seemed to want more power a la Brady, and with Pete, he was never going to get it. It's Pete's way and that's the way it goes. Wilson probably didn't like this and eventually it wore him down to where he made the public comments he made last off season. I can only imagine what he was saying behind closed doors about Pete, I get the feeling Wilson became very frustrated with the situation and probably made it known he would be gone after the 2023 season so trade me now if you want to get something.

That's my theory. And for those reasons, I think Wilson should get a "polite" reception tonight but not a standing ovation. And I for one would never boo someone, especially someone that helped bring a Lombardi to Seattle. It will be interesting to see how he is perceived pre game tonight. Once the game starts, it will be business as usual, and I think fans will be a little extra loud when Denver is on offense.

[obiken]

He will be cheered with a smattering of Hawk Talk boos!
RW changed the direction of our franchise. What was Pete before Russ? Fired, fired, ran to USC that recruits its self. He was 14-18 with Matt Flynn at QB. Sorry the boo birds are just stupid.

[Aseahawkfan]

It isn't what Pete said so much as what he didn't say. He didn't say that we should treat Russell with respect and appreciation, which would have been the PC thing to do...pun intended. By not saying something like that, he's given a wink and a nod to those with an axe to grind, a sanctioning of their vitriolic emotions. It was a classless act by Pete not to give a former player his due by asking fans to at least tip their hats to him.

This could easily get out of control. There will be 70,000 fans, many of them under the influence of alcohol, in a confined space and with AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" blaring over the speakers. There could be fights, objects thrown onto the field, a near riot situation. Thankfully, everyone has to go through security and metal detectors, so the risk of violence is a lot lower than had those procedures not been in place, but it doesn't prevent someone from striking their head on a handrail or getting pushed down a flight of stairs.

I'm stopping short of saying that Pete is inciting a riot, but he damn sure isn't doing anything to mitigate the potential. He'd feel awfully bad if something tragic resulted.

The team newsletter that ESPN article indicated was purposeful in leaving out Wilson was already disrespectful enough. Pete and John made sure to tell the writer of the team newsletter not to give any credit to Russell Wilson for the 12-4 season. What kind of message would that send to you, the quarterback of the team, if the team purposefully left you out of the team newsletter after a 12-4 season where you had a career year? For myself the newsletter was the biggest indicator prior to the trade that the rumors of their problems were true. They straight up disrespected Russell with that season ticket holder news letter.

Some fans like to act like the team didn't do anything wrong, but Pete and John were petty and passive-aggressive in their treatment of Russ because he wasn't towing their line any more.

That's why this game and really the direction both the Seahawks and Broncos go in is important. Russell is saying "I can't win with Pete any more because the way Pete does things is bad for the team" and Pete and John said "We can win without you Russ doing it Pete's way, so we're going to rebuild using your trade to do it."

So things already reached a disrespectful and low key combative level between the two. We'll see who is right in a few years. If this rebuild with Pete don't work, I'm betting Russ is going to be privately smiling saying, "See Seattle fans, it is Pete who can't get it done. " If Russell doesn't start winning in Denver, Seattle fans will say, "Looks like Russ can't win in Denver either. Pete was right to trade him."

I can see why Pete is being a little vindictive and vice versa. I believe Russ would have stayed in Seattle happily if Pete were gone. But Russ just reached a point where he truly believes he can't win with Pete any more. He towed Pete's line for ten years. They got no closer to a Super Bowl after that loss and everything was on Russ at that point as the talent had fallen off immensely other than at the receiver position. Probably same reason Brady tired of towing the line with Bill B. Russ felt like he needed greater say in personnel management to win because Pete and John were failing to rebuild a winning team. I can see a competitor like Russ feeling that way as he knows better than the fans what's going on on the field leading to the issues other than his mistakes being the focal point of every single loss.

[RiverDog]

It isn't what Pete said so much as what he didn't say. He didn't say that we should treat Russell with respect and appreciation, which would have been the PC thing to do...pun intended. By not saying something like that, he's given a wink and a nod to those with an axe to grind, a sanctioning of their vitriolic emotions. It was a classless act by Pete not to give a former player his due by asking fans to at least tip their hats to him.

This could easily get out of control. There will be 70,000 fans, many of them under the influence of alcohol, in a confined space and with AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" blaring over the speakers. There could be fights, objects thrown onto the field, a near riot situation. Thankfully, everyone has to go through security and metal detectors, so the risk of violence is a lot lower than had those procedures not been in place, but it doesn't prevent someone from striking their head on a handrail or getting pushed down a flight of stairs.

I'm stopping short of saying that Pete is inciting a riot, but he damn sure isn't doing anything to mitigate the potential. He'd feel awfully bad if something tragic resulted.

The team newsletter that ESPN article indicated was purposeful in leaving out Wilson was already disrespectful enough. Pete and John made sure to tell the writer of the team newsletter not to give any credit to Russell Wilson for the 12-4 season. What kind of message would that send to you, the quarterback of the team, if the team purposefully left you out of the team newsletter after a 12-4 season where you had a career year? For myself the newsletter was the biggest indicator prior to the trade that the rumors of their problems were true. They straight up disrespected Russell with that season ticket holder news letter.

Some fans like to act like the team didn't do anything wrong, but Pete and John were petty and passive-aggressive in their treatment of Russ because he wasn't towing their line any more.

That's why this game and really the direction both the Seahawks and Broncos go in is important. Russell is saying "I can't win with Pete any more because the way Pete does things is bad for the team" and Pete and John said "We can win without you Russ doing it Pete's way, so we're going to rebuild using your trade to do it."

So things already reached a disrespectful and low key combative level between the two. We'll see who is right in a few years. If this rebuild with Pete don't work, I'm betting Russ is going to be privately smiling saying, "See Seattle fans, it is Pete who can't get it done. " If Russell doesn't start winning in Denver, Seattle fans will say, "Looks like Russ can't win in Denver either. Pete was right to trade him."

I can see why Pete is being a little vindictive and vice versa. I believe Russ would have stayed in Seattle happily if Pete were gone. But Russ just reached a point where he truly believes he can't win with Pete any more. He towed Pete's line for ten years. They got no closer to a Super Bowl after that loss and everything was on Russ at that point as the talent had fallen off immensely other than at the receiver position. Probably same reason Brady tired of towing the line with Bill B. Russ felt like he needed greater say in personnel management to win because Pete and John were failing to rebuild a winning team. I can see a competitor like Russ feeling that way as he knows better than the fans what's going on on the field leading to the issues other than his mistakes being the focal point of every single loss.

I heard someone say that the reason the Hawks management might have made no reference to Russell in their letter to season ticket holders might have been due to legal issues. The reasoning goes that if the Hawks new that a trade of Russell was imminent, that a person could sue based on the fact that without Russell, their tickets were worth less and that the Hawks were knowingly engaging in false advertising. I have no idea how much truth to there is or if that's a legitimate concern, but that's what I heard.

There is plenty of bad blood between both sides, and IMO one is just as bad as the other. It takes two to make a fight. But that still doesn't excuse Pete for not at least giving some indication that he hopes that Russell would be treated with some degree of respect. It's sad to see things end like this, like a marriage suddenly turning bad with friends and relatives forced to choose sides.

We're only 3 hours away from introductions, so we won't have to wait very long.

[Aseahawkfan]

I heard someone say that the reason the Hawks management might have made no reference to Russell in their letter to season ticket holders might have been due to legal issues. The reasoning goes that if the Hawks new that a trade of Russell was imminent, that a person could sue based on the fact that without Russell, their tickets were worth less and that the Hawks were knowingly engaging in false advertising. I have no idea how much truth to there is or if that's a legitimate concern, but that's what I heard.

There is plenty of bad blood between both sides, and IMO one is just as bad as the other. It takes two to make a fight. But that still doesn't excuse Pete for not at least giving some indication that he hopes that Russell would be treated with some degree of respect. It's sad to see things end like this, like a marriage suddenly turning bad with friends and relatives forced to choose sides.

We're only 3 hours away from introductions, so we won't have to wait very long.

There is always someone with an excuse for Pete and the team.

This is a two way fight. But who is right? The debate is Russell doesn't think the team can win doing it Pete's way and Pete feels he can do it his way a second time and Russell is wrong. This is what you call a debate that will be settled on the field with each side winning points by being successful, both of them hyper-competitive.

Both Pete and Russ will be busting their asses extra hard to win that debate tonight and for the next few seasons.

[RiverDog]

I heard someone say that the reason the Hawks management might have made no reference to Russell in their letter to season ticket holders might have been due to legal issues. The reasoning goes that if the Hawks new that a trade of Russell was imminent, that a person could sue based on the fact that without Russell, their tickets were worth less and that the Hawks were knowingly engaging in false advertising. I have no idea how much truth to there is or if that's a legitimate concern, but that's what I heard.

There is plenty of bad blood between both sides, and IMO one is just as bad as the other. It takes two to make a fight. But that still doesn't excuse Pete for not at least giving some indication that he hopes that Russell would be treated with some degree of respect. It's sad to see things end like this, like a marriage suddenly turning bad with friends and relatives forced to choose sides.

We're only 3 hours away from introductions, so we won't have to wait very long.

There is always someone with an excuse for Pete and the team.

Oh, I agree. I wasn't saying that it was true or even if it was a viable concern. It's just what I heard, and I have no source.

This is a two way fight. But who is right? The debate is Russell doesn't think the team can win doing it Pete's way and Pete feels he can do it his way a second time and Russell is wrong. This is what you call a debate that will be settled on the field with each side winning points by being successful, both of them hyper-competitive.

Both Pete and Russ will be busting their asses extra hard to win that debate tonight and for the next few seasons.

Once the whistle blows, this becomes just another regular season game to both men and to both teams. They can't afford to be distracted by this personal stuff. Neither has that luxury. They have to concentrate every ounce of energy and brain power to do what it takes to win the game. What is it that Russell used to say? Ignore the noise, or something like that?