Official Seahawks vs Falcons Playoff POST Game Thread

[savvyman]

The Atlanta Falcons were the better team today. Seahawks needed everything to go right and unfortunately too many things did not. Thanks to the team and the coaching staff and front office for another competitive season.

[Hawktawk]

I completely agree savvy. I've got a 21 year old son going batty with rage. I pointed out that I've suffered through a 21 year drought without a playoff win, as long as he's been alive.we've been spoiled.

That said the cracks in the foundation are getting wider every year.
Teams have figured us out and this team makes way too many mistakes anymore.
PC Js need to roll up their sleeves or this is isn't getting any better. When you almost died it's easier to put a game in the proper perspective though. Thank you Hawks go Danny Quinn.

[Zorn76]

Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got outta hand. Champ Kind could borrow those Burgundy's words for his sports wrap.

- Tip my cap to the Falcons, first off. They showed up and delivered on both sides of the ball.
- The game captured and was reflective of a lot of what we've seen this season - glimpses here and there, but no rhythm or real consistency.

Beyond that, it's back to the drawing board and open casting call for a couple of spots along the OL. We cannot waste time on a project like Fant, and Gilliam isn't worth the wait either. We've seen that movie before, several times, and it isn't going to work with those 2.

I'm curious how things shake out with our coaching staff. I think the timing is right if changes are to be made. I'm not blaming anybody for today's game, because it was a collective loss, and it's a team sport. It'll be interesting there.

[RiverDog]

Yep. We got our asses kicked on both sides of the ball. No excuses.

Time to regroup and reorganize. The last two years were completely different than the previous 3. We are not a Super Bowl contender as we are currently configured. I agree with Zorny. We need new bookends very badly, perhaps upgrade the interior if we have a good opportunity.

[Rambo2014]

LOL and spewing Guff Fauuhs here !!!!!!!

All tied in NFC West now 0-0

[Hawk Sista]

Agree with the sentiments. Proud of the accomplishments. Divisional round is nothing to sneeze at. We've been here very few times.

#loveOURHawks #TakeItFromHereFalcons

[Hawkstar]

The Falcons were definitely better, particularly on 3rd down. It was tough to watch 3rd and whatever being converted to first downs.

We didn't do ourselves any favors with stupid penalties. The game was forever changed by the holding call that nullified the Big Hester return. We were in great position to extend a lead, instead we suffer the keystone cops safety. Game over.

[Hawktawk]

That ticky tack call was huge but not why we lost . I put it more on our suddenly turnstile defense .we need et .
It was enough blame to go everywhere . We need tackles . We need an O coordinator bad

[Hawkstar]

That ticky tack call was huge but not why we lost . I put it more on our suddenly turnstile defense .we need et .
It was enough blame to go everywhere . We need tackles . We need an O coordinator bad

That penalty certainly wasn't why we lost, but it played a huge role in the outcome. Even if we only manage 3 from that field position, we burn some clock, extend our lead and keep the momentum. Oh well. Time to regroup, get healthy and make another run at it.

[Agent 86]

Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got outta hand. Champ Kind could borrow those Burgundy's words for his sports wrap.

- Tip my cap to the Falcons, first off. They showed up and delivered on both sides of the ball.
- The game captured and was reflective of a lot of what we've seen this season - glimpses here and there, but no rhythm or real consistency.

Beyond that, it's back to the drawing board and open casting call for a couple of spots along the OL. We cannot waste time on a project like Fant, and Gilliam isn't worth the wait either. We've seen that movie before, several times, and it isn't going to work with those 2.

I'm curious how things shake out with our coaching staff. I think the timing is right if changes are to be made. I'm not blaming anybody for today's game, because it was a collective loss, and it's a team sport. It'll be interesting there.

I agree with a lot of what Zorny says. Team was just too inconsistent this year. Injuries definitely a factor, they really had some big ones in RW3 (who was really effected for about 3/4 of the year), ET29, KC31, MB72, TL16, TR34. That's 6 of about 12 core players on the team. I don't think big changes are necessary.

But both OT's being replaced is what I thought as well as I watched the game. You just can't afford to have a legit team like this and have a b-ball project at LT. GF74 had a rough game today, and plenty of rough times throughout the year. It's a little mind boggling that they chose to go that route at such an important position. Now that the season is done, I would say I give them a fail for that risk. GG79, honestly, I don't know or watch enough of him to have an educated opinion, but if a change was made I know I wouldn't be surprised. I think moving forward with JB68, MG63, and GI76 is the way to go.

And I have to think the RB situation will be monitored. Will they go with TR34, CJP22, and AC36 as the main 3? I have to think a change is needed somewhere, and AC36 could be the odd man out. If TR34 and CJP were the #2 and #3, it would bode well for the running game. They don't need a bellcow, just someone to split with TR34 or cover when he is injured.

Still a very good football team. Can't complain about making the divisional round 5 years in a row. This should be a consistently competitive team for at least another 3 years, and probably beyond.

Hats off to the Falcons, they played well today and really only made 1 mistake.

[Hawktawk]

At least I was right about Hester

[mykc14]

Improve along the o-line. Get Et back. We will be fine. We have all of our impact players back (except maybe Tyler Lockett) and $ to spend this offseason. Prosise looks like he has the ability to be a game changer but needs to show that he can stay healthy. Falcons played great and should be good for awhile, but if that game is at home and we are at full strength it's a completely different game, not to take anything away from the falcons. We have an extremely talented roster that has the financial flexibility to improve. The window isn't closing and we don't need to clean house.

[RiverDog]

That ticky tack call was huge but not why we lost . I put it more on our suddenly turnstile defense .we need et .
It was enough blame to go everywhere . We need tackles . We need an O coordinator bad

I'm not jumping on the "Fire Bevell" bandwagon. His playbook was effectively cut in half due to a hugely inept offensive line. Fix that area and everything else falls into place.

[Hawktawk]

There has been a consistent pattern of slow starts for the last 4 years.
Yesterday didn't follow the model but still there are large chunks of ineptitude virtually every game.
Atlantas "great "line got shredded by a less healthy defense in Seattle but shanahan carved them up like a Christmas turkey in the one that counted . That is a coach just like Dan Quinn who utterly pantsed the tutor.it was embarrassing to watch.
That beatdown was worse than the score.

When is the last time you saw a truly prolific Seattle offense for more than a quarter or two at a time? I'll tell you. Late 2012 when they scored 40 to 50 for 4 straight. Even in the super bowl winning season the offense SUCKED most of the postseason. The more time bevfool has had with Russ and this offense the more bipolar it has become.
It's either Bevell or its Russ or some combination of all of the above. The skill people are very good.

The line takes too much blame. Rawls was averaging over 4 ypc in the first quarter and they went 90 yards . Ifedi got hurt and they were still running with success. All of a sudden a couple of negative plays and Rawls is in the witness protection program with 11.carries total .

Even the safety was a foolish decision to throw on 2nd and 16 on the goal line with a backup guard.
There is no rhythm to this offense . There almost never is.

Firing Bevell needs to be priority one.

[RiverDog]

Firing Bevell needs to be priority one.

Priority one needs to be getting an infusion of talent on the offensive line, particularly the tackles.

[NorthHawk]

Keep Fant.
I said in another thread he will be like a high draft pick next season. It's doubtful we could find another LT in the draft or FA that would be much better.
He just has to work on his technique this off season. My hope along the whole OL is the coaches send them home with a list of what each individual has to work on - and they take it to heart.
Hopefully they will get together on their own to work out and get their timing right. First and second year players really need the reps together.

[Uppercut]

Need to keep the good ones that show promise on O line and Draft a good one and maybe pick up one with experience in FA. But since its the Seahawks they will probably tap baseball players next.

[RiverDog]

Keep Fant.
I said in another thread he will be like a high draft pick next season. It's doubtful we could find another LT in the draft or FA that would be much better.
He just has to work on his technique this off season. My hope along the whole OL is the coaches send them home with a list of what each individual has to work on - and they take it to heart.
Hopefully they will get together on their own to work out and get their timing right. First and second year players really need the reps together.

I'm not advocating that we get rid of Fant. But if there's an opportunity to bring in a vet like Andrew Whitworth, I'd jump on it in a heart beat and give Fant some time to improve on his new trade. I'd also be open to moving Ifedi out to RT where he was drafted at if a decent OG happened along our way. About the only position I wouldn't consider tinkering with would be Britt's center spot.

We need an infusion of talent. I don't think simply standing pat is going to work. For one, Gilliam has played a considerable amount of football for us and hasn't shown much if any improvement.

[The POPE]

The success of any team lies in the ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, not just one. If that can be achieved more than likely the LOB looks better and the QB looks better. Plain and simple tried and true method in this game we love. This year there were glimpses of that, but no consistency. Tweak the d-line and fix the o line and things will improve. We have been spoiled by a great deal of success during the last 5-6 years. Some of that on a wing and a prayer, such as the miraculous comeback against GB in the NFC title game amongst many other games. At some point everybody's luck runs out and then you see exactly what you got. The Hawks are a good team that need some definite upgrades along the line. The one rub I do have with the Pete and John is the need to go after and spend significant cap dollars on that one player that deem a gamebraker ( Harvin, Graham, etc).My argument is spend that money in the trenches and if you can control the line of scrimmage. Easier said than done due to availability of quality linemen on the market, but better to learn from mistakes than repeat them. If the lines do there job everbody else's job on the team becomes easier. Beast mode was a great back, just imagine what his numbers would have been if his first contact was consistently 2 yards from the LOS and noting the backfield.

Saint Russell didn't have the magic this year to overcome some of these problems, even after regaining his health. If things stay exactly the way they are, better pray that he gets it back.
Pope out

[Hawk Sista]

Rookie Oline worthy of either starting tackle position are simply not there, at least not when we pick. And who is out there in FA? Those worth anything at all will be handsomely paid as there is a dearth of NFL level Oline talent on the planet. This is not just a Seahawks problem, it is an NFL problem. Dallas solved their problems by picking early and often for a decade - I don't advocate that route.

[RiverDog]

Rookie Oline worthy of either starting tackle position are simply not there, at least not when we pick. And who is out there in FA? Those worth anything at all will be handsomely paid as there is a dearth of NFL level Oline talent on the planet. This is not just a Seahawks problem, it is an NFL problem. Dallas solved their problems by picking early and often for a decade - I don't advocate that route.

Andrew Whitworth is out there. So is Andre Smith and Mike Remmers. Luke Jockel is a UFA as well. I'm not advocating any of those as I don't know if they'd be a good fit for us or not, but it's not like there's no possibility that we could afford them, not with $35M of cap space with no contracts due in 2017.

There's also trade possibilities and the draft, either utilizing our picks by drafting talent or using them as capital to acquire new talent. If we can trade the players and draft picks we did to acquire Percy Harvin and Jimmy Graham, we can work something out (don't ask me what or who) to trade for an offensive lineman.

The point is that it seems like everyone is throwing their hands up in disgust and resigning themselves to a hopeless situation regarding our offensive line. I sure hope that John Schneider isn't as resigned to mediocrity as some of you folks seem to be.

[mykc14]

It's going to be hard to know who is available and how much they will cost at this point, but there is no doubt that there will be upgrades. Some will be priced out and overpaid I don't see us going in that direction, but after that there still should be decent value guys available. Guys like cherilus and whitworth are both older but would be upgrades. There are also guys like kalil and vollmer who would be great pick ups but are going to cost $$$$, if they even hit free agency.

[NorthHawk]

I still don't know why we cut Evans this year.
That veteran presence might have been a real help when things were heading off the rails.
A 6 time Pro Bowler can have a calming influence on rookies when needed.

[EmeraldBullet]

Our D-Line actually played pretty well if you look at the numbers. Ryan always gets the ball out quick and Atlanta has 4 or 5 legitimate receiving threats (at least.) I'm thinking we needed to give up our usual zone scheme and play some man to man if we wanted to stop that offense. With ryan's release time and so many options the zone defense is simply ineffective.