Seahawk Addicts
I think Jeb was a fine pick-up for '08. He'll do well and he's only playing on a 1-year deal. With Carlson, obviously, the future he's auditioning for one last payday in the NFL. That will be motivation enough. He's a talented guy who is an okay blocker and better receiver and may suprise some people this year (except us).
One of the reasons I have such high expectations for this season is that I believe the offense is going to move back into prominence and have a top 10 defense to accompany it this time around. Overall, this will be a stronger team than the one we sent to the Super Bowl in 2005.
One of the biggest reasons that I believe the high octane offense is coming back to the Seahawks is that for the first time since Holmgren took over the Seahawks, he'll have an offense that can fire on all cylinders. What do I mean by that? Consider that since he came to the Seahawks, Holmgren has never had a RB and FB who were good receivers AND a TE who was a very good receiver but who could also block well to go along with a good set of receivers.
For the first time since he took over the Seahawks, Holmgren should be able to run the full blown version of his WCO subject to what some of the younger players can assimilate. All his RB's and FB's can catch the ball coming out of the backfield, all the TE's on the roster can catch the ball even Heller who made some big catches last year and Carlson is very special. He is a complete TE who can be in the game during the full spectrum of downs. Seattle has always shuffled in a TE that can either block or catch for a specific play that must have somewhat telegraphed what was coming to the defense. With Carlson, who knows what is coming. The way Seattle runs several plays from one set will make this offense a particularly dangerous one as the WCO was meant to be.
As a defensive play caller, you won't be able to key in on personnel as an indicator of what the play might be. With the same personnel in the game and the same set you could be looking at a run up the gut, play action, deep route, intermediate route, or a sweep around the end. Carlson could be a primary receiver, a pass blocker held in to contain the rush, a run blocker either inside or outside, or a downfield blocker to spring an end sweep. When has Holmgren had a single player to do all that instead of managing the position by committee? Add to that that any one of 5 players on just about evey play run could be a quality receiver whether we're in a traditional 2 receiver set with a TE, RB, and FB or a 3 or 4 receiver set with a single RB or an empty backfield. The two TE set could be used at times since our second and third TE options can also catch and are at least adequate blockers.
This year, finally, Holmgren has all the players he needs to open up the WCO and aggressively go after defenses with every option available. He doesn't have to work around a RB who doesn't catch the ball well or a one dimensional TE. He can call the game using all his weapons and use his WCO offense in it's entirety and not have to baby parts of it along because of lack of player talent. I don't know why it took 10 years to finally put together an offensive roster that had the complete skill sets needed to fully open up his WCO but it did and it's here now.
I fully expect to see a much better offense than we've seen since 2005 and a hot defense to accompany it make a big splash in the NFC this season. I can't wait to see it unfolding before my eyes.
Agreed.
Also, as special as Shaun was here in his prime his skill set wasn't a great match for Holmgren's WCO. But he was a great player that deserved to have the offense catered to his abilities.
But Julius Jones is a far more natural fit for what Holmgren wants to do with his offense. As far as the WCO Jones is the best fit since Ricky Watters, as far as an everydown runner, reciever, blocker.
I fully agree with Billt here; there is going to be absolutely no telegraphing of plays based on personnell (all the backs and TEs can catch and block) and Holmgren will be able to call his offense exactly how we wants without worrying about who is in the game and what their shotrcomings may be.
I'm kinda hoping to see the "Full House" package at some point this season:
Hell-Jones-Wahle-Spenc-Sims-Lock-JC
Hasselbeck/Wallace
Weaver Schmitt
Duckett
or the same package, but take out a TE put Wallace under center (threat of bootleg) and split Hass out wide at WR, then bootleg Wallace and then Wallace tosses a TD to the uncovered Hass.
Hey darnell,
That sounds more like a Jack Patera play than anything Holmgren would get within a country mile of. 
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