Head coach Pete Carroll tried to downplay Monday Night’s nationally televised game between the Hawks and the Denver Broncos who are led by Russell Wilson. Carroll downplaying the encounter can be expected and he has said several times the team has talked about the upcoming game against the Broncos since the schedule was released last spring.
This has been a long time coming, it’s not like we just changed uniforms last week. We are in good shape, and I am not in any way expecting it to be anything different.”
If the Seahawks are to have success against the Broncos or any team Carroll says the Hawks must stick to a winning formula of running the ball as part of a balanced offensive attack.
“It’s not a bigger deal in this game and in this matchup than it is any other time. It’s about having balance in your offense and making sure that you can do the things that you need to do and want to do, so we will find out. We will see how they are situated and how they play us, but we basically have our plan in order, and we know what we want to get done. We have some guys that are anxious to get the ball in their hands and I’m excited about that.”
One topic Carroll did not shy away from was the quickness and speed of his defense.
“We can fly now. We’re fast as we’ve ever been and edge speed is legit and we have guys to come off the bench to support us in rotation in that regard as well. Now that we’ve had a full camp with our safeties practicing together and working together that’s a big part of those guys on that side and they run the show back there too which is great. Quandre (Diggs) is a great leader and a great football player and he means a lot to a lot of guys play and all that.”
Part of Carroll’s optimism about his defense has been the progression of this years draft picks.
OTHER QUOTES FROM CARROLL’S PRESSER
(On if Kenneth Walker III is practicing today)
“He’ll be out there today.”
(On where Sidney Jones IV is in his recovery process)
“He’s doing everything. He’s doing everything. He’s full go.”
(On what attracted him to Isaiah Dunn)
“He’s really fast. He’s a Northern Californian guy. He’s a really good football player and he looked tough and physical and consistent and aggressive. I thought we were fortunate to get that done. It’s really hard to jump in this late to make a real claim for where he fits. It’s going to take a couple more weeks, but he’ll be a factor and he’ll be in the running. He’s that good. In fact, he’s an Oregon State guy which is great and he’s really fast. You know, kind of fun.”
(On sending a message to the fans in Brazil) “It’s wonderful to hear that. I love to hear that they are excited. I know we are going to head to Germany later in the year and we got a lot of fans there too. Our reach is out there, and I’m thrilled that we do have fans out there. With all the flavor and texture in your country and what seems to be the way you guys live your lives, I hope that we can get you fired up and excite you and keep that connection with us. We need it, we love it, we love to have you and we really welcome it. I appreciate you. I’m letting you know that.”
(On the difference between Geno now and when he was a full starter with the Jets)
“I can’t really talk about that, the Jets time, and what he looked like. I can remember looking at the film but I can’t really remember the dynamics of the relationships with the offense and coaching staff and all that. He is so deep with us now. He knows our stuff really cold. His timing, his confidence, his command, his ability to anticipate our adjustments and anticipate the situations in football. He’s been through so much with us. It’s been four years of intense study and prep. I can’t imagine that he’s not in the best position to own the offense that he’s ever been with all of those years being a benefit for him as well before he got here. He has a great arm, he’s a terrific thrower.
That’s always been a part of his make-up. That’s why he was such a high draft pick and all the rest. He hasn’t lost a spin on that ball now. He can fire it. Other quarterbacks who resurfaced in their careers and done really well, Rich Gannon is the one that came to mind. I saw Richie when he was a rookie, and he wasn’t very good. But years later, he’s MVP in the league. And there’s been guys who have been able to use that experience and it really becomes a great asset for them even though they sat for a long time. So now this isn’t like coming in the middle of the season when you don’t think you’re going to get a chance and all of a sudden here you go, midseason, the weather and all the stuff that occurred. He’s had all the prep. He’s ready to roll. I would say this is the best Geno (Smith) has ever been and the best command he’s ever had. It gives him a really good chance to be a great asset for us.”
(On what Geno has to do to contend for a championship)
“He has to take care of the football. We have to take care of the ball. We’ve always been really good on not giving the football up and we’ve been really good. I’m glad that was the first thing that came out of my mouth because that’s what should’ve came out of my mouth. It’s all about the ball. It always has been. So, he has to take care of that first and then he’s got to get the ball to the guys. He’s got to move it around and he has to make sure everybody’s a threat that’s a threat. He’s got amazing weapons now.
Tyler (Lockett) has had a phenomenal offseason and camp. DK (Metcalf) is now back to full flying and going and what we see out of the tight end position and Marquise Goodwin as part of it as well. D’Wayne Eskridge is finally back with us for a couple of weeks where we really think he could be a factor in there. And Geno (Smith) has a couple of guys behind him; all of our guys behind him ran well. DeeJay (Dallas) led the NFL in preseason, whatever that means. (Travis) Homer had his best camp ever. Rashaad (Penny) is cranking and ready to roll. Kenny (Walker III) is going to fit in all that as well. Those weapons are all there, let them show. I’m not trying to make little of the quarterback position in saying that. That’s how I’ve always felt.”
(On Damien Lewis and Artie Burns)
“Damien Lewis went through the walk through today and looked pretty good. I don’t know, we have to see. We’ll see what happens at practice today and what they will let him do. Artie (Burns) is a little bit farther behind than that.”
On Boye Mafe’s shoulder)
“He practiced well two days ago. He looks to be fine, whatever it was, Tuesday or something like that. He’s going full go today.”
(On seeing the parallels between now and when he first started)
“Everybody wants me to say that. It is similar, it is similar. We are starting with a different quarterback and all that. At that time, we had some pretty good draft picks building in that time. We were very young. We were the youngest team to win the Super Bowl. We’ve never had a problem with that. We’ve never had a problem now. We just got to play them properly. We have to do a good job managing on how they contribute.”
(On Alton Robinson) “He’s not ready to go yet.”
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