Key to victory @ Seattle
 

I think there are several keys to beating Seattle. To me, the # 1 key has to be getting to the QB. If we allow the QB all day to find an open receiver it's going to be a long day.

The second thing I feel we must do is establish a running game. One that eats up as much of the clock as possible. It will be hard for the Seahawks to score if they don't have the ball.

Of course there are several more things I would like to see happen, but to me, those are the 2 biggest keys for victory.

I also want to see the Saints run effective screen passes and go to the tight end more. Something that would make this offense almost unstoppable.

What does everyone else think??



[Edited on 2/9/2003 by BillyCarpenter1]

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

i definitley agree billy with we have to have an effective pass russ..thats the big key. I think we have to hold alexander to 50-70 yards. I think and i hope i\'m right we should be able to move the ball on seattle ...they have two rookies starting the corners ...we do that and i see a victory.I don\'t know about any of a yall but i CAN\'T WAIT FOR 3:15 SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

I\'m agree with you Billy ! I wish we still had Ron Zook calling those blitzes,they wouldn\'t have a chance passing the ball.We also need to stop Shaun Alexander.I think we will be fine up front.

On offense I would like to see them utilize the fullback and quarterback running the ball to keep the Seattle defense honest.I would also like to see them run the tight end screen and maybe slip Conwell in at fullback or h back in certain situations.20 to 25 touches for Deuce is a given.

Let\'s hope the coaching staff can be imaginative and keep things fresh.They have talent,it\'s all in the way they utilize it.

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

This game is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE.
Seattle is one of those teams that experts feel will compete for a playoff spot.
They could be a 9-7 team with that easy schedule. We must have the tie-breaker on them or they may put us out of the playoffs.

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

On Def:
DE\'s have to strectch the run outside or force the ball into the middle. They can\'t allow the rb to get around the corner.
Saints will have to stop the screen. look for this when SEA needs ydg.
Saints db\'s will have to make solo tackles. minimize the YAC and make SEA work for every yard.
MLB and bellamy will have to attack the middle of the feild and make this THEIR turf.

on O:
Left tackle will have to open up the hole for deuce. Deuce broke many long runs off the left side last year.
TE must be utilized often to make SEA play the whole field.
must have an effective screen play and use the dump off correctly to keep def on their heels
can\'t have the big penalties that nullify the big plays
#! have to control the clock with time consuming drives to keep def off the field. If the saints score on quick strikes they will lose in a shoot out.

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

I\'m really worried about this game even more now. Think about this - Mitchell is out for the season, Rodgers is suspended for the first game, Howard is banged up and doubtful, Grant is at least banged up enough to be questionable, and I believe that Carter is still nagged by tendinitis in his knee. Those guys right there are almost all of our key players on defense. All out or injured - bad news...

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

My understanding is they\'ll be missing two OTs to start the season. One is holdout and the other is suspended.

Oops. Right after I said that, I read this: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...len&id=1607673

Looks like Walter Jones had a change in heart.

[Edited on 2/9/2003 by 2monkeys]

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

Hiya guys, nice to see some of you on the Hawks board, thought I would return the favor.

Having Walter could be huge for this team. With Strong blocking expect to see Alexander hit the left side with some success. He hasn\'t been dancing much this preseason and if gets into the secondary expect some good gains.

We don\'t run much outside so look for some quick passes in the flat. Hass has been showing a lot of poise and good instincts avoiding the rush so far. With Walt back it should be harder to get a hand on him, and if you blitz he can def make you pay for it. The offense is basically intact from last year and we look strong at the skills position.

Defense, well we shall see. Trufant will be burned once or twice but from what I have seen he is the real deal. Great closing speed, a sure tackler, just lacking the vetern knowlege. I hope he impresses ya\'all. As for the run, who the heck knows? We seem to be avoiding having players out of position as much this year and the line looks to be playing more as a unit. We haven\'t shown anything but vanilla so far but do expect us to send Brown and Simmons, not a lot, but hopefully enuff to keep you honest. Simmons speed could creat some real problems for you in the backfield, he contained Vick as well as anyone last year.

I am hoping for an emotional lift for my team as we go into the game. Having Walter back is exciting, especially after losing Springs and Terry, even though they have known for quite a while that Terry was gonna be gone. (This seems to explain why we kept so many RB\'s and only 4 WR\'s. Somebody has to block.) It bugs me that that there are over 20k unsold tickets at this point, but a win over the Saints would go a long way to addressing that. :D

Just the ramblings of a Seahawks fan. Hoping for a good game, and no matter the result may both our teams leave it ALL on the field.

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

Just to discredit Kyle Turley a bit, if you look at Deuce\'s long gains from last year off the left side they were mostly off of cutbacks or counters where the key blocks came from the center or guard. Turley was simply steering his end wide of the pocket and his man rarely was involved (or would have been regardless of who was blocking) in the play.

This is why teams fear Deuce so much because he has a definite knack for utilizing cutback lanes and does not always follow the lead blocks.

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

LummOx -- Very true and a very good point. I always noticed that when Ricky Williams was here that he ran to where ever the run was called to go. Duece on the other hand does cut back and sets his runs up much better. His vision is much better than Rickys. He is also a more patient runner and waits for the blocking to develop.

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

The key to Seattle is Alexander! Stopping him is #1 then we gotta ruff up Hasselback and the rest will be up to AB gettin the ball to our guys and puttin up 1st Downs. I want to see some swagger and confidence. I can\'t wait to see Horn break bad on them young CB\'s and puttin up some points. Deuce will bust a long one... er two. I N T E N S I T Y !!
E X E C U T I O N !!

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

AB has been getting firstdowns, what we need is some touchdowns. Not get to the redzone then kick the fieldgoal!

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

Billy, you hit the nail on the head defensively in this game, and just about every game this year. If we don\'t force throws we will get picked apart by Seattle. Robinson, Jackson, Engram and even Bannister can all be mismatches on our DB\'s either in speed or in size. If they have time to throw and get in front of the defender or behind the coverage then we will be hard pressed to slow them down. As MikeHawk stated, with Alexander pushing the middle of the line we will be okay against the run. It\'s the outside run that gets our young LBers overpursuing and taking poor angles. I think we\'ll be okay in the center gaps.

Just opposite, we will make for a long day in the trenches against the Seattle defense, as they will be sick of Deuce\'s 5-7 yard carries. We should have little trouble moving the ball.

Key to victory @ Seattle
 

The Saints should be okay against the run. Can\'t see Alexander rushing for 100+ yards.
Three keys to victory:
* Pass rush
* Turnovers (the only stat the 2002 defense ranked high in, and it also won some games for example against the 49ers)
* Avoiding penalties, especially on the offensive side

Ball control isn\'t my first concern. If Brooks can find ways to attack their depleted secondary just go for it. The Saints can win this one with 25 minutes possession.