Northwest Pro Sports 12
Posts tagged Earl Thomas
Seahawks photo blog week 10
Nov 12th
Seahawks beat Jets 28-7
Rex Ryan and Pete Carroll laughing about Tim Tebow’s throwing motion before the game Sunday. Photo by Brett Bivens
The “Thank you Veterans” signs are taped to the back of the seats before the 12th man fills the stadium. Photo by Brett Bivens
Thank you Veterans, with the fans preforming the stunt. Photo by Brett Bivens
I was pretty hard on Mike Morgan last week after several mistakes. On this fourth down play Mike stopped Shonn Green behind the line of scrimmage. Photo by Brett Bivens
Tim Tebow telling Rex Ryan, “I could have done that” as they watch Richard Sherman run past them after intercepting a Mark Sanchez pass. Photo by Brett Bivens
You don’t tackle Marshawn Lynch, you just brace for impact and hope he falls down. Photo by Brett Bivens
After Russell Wilson was done showing Mark Sanchez how to pass, he decided teach Tim Tebow how to run. Always leading by example. Photo by Brett Bivens
Earl Thomas laid a shoulder into Jeremy Kerley’s gut. Photo by Brett Bivens
Tim Tebow didn’t have a lot of room to run on Sunday, then again, neither did Shonn Green. Photo by Brett Bivens
Richard Sherman didn’t even strip the ball, Mark Sanchez just said, “If you want it take it, just stop hitting me and picking off my passes!” Photo by Brett Bivens
LaRon Landry lowered his head as he prepared for the impact with Marshawn Lynch. Lynch took the opportunity to practice his hurdling. Photo by Brett Bivens
Rex Ryan doen’t look very happy to watch his Jets lose in the rain. Notice that there are no players around him. Photo by Brett Bivens
2012 moments in time: Seattle Seahawks second quarter report card
Nov 3rd
Grades Are In
The Seattle Seahawks went 2-2 during the first quarter of the season. As I expected, they split the games in the second quarter of the season as well.
After the first half of the season, the 4-4 Seahawks are tied for 7th place in the NFC and are 3rd place in the NFC West.
Here is how they got there:
At Carolina
Seattle won 16-12
Despite having seven penalties and three turnovers, the Seahawks pulled off their first win on the road of the 2012 season.
The defense dominated the air as well as the ground. Carolina was only able to manage 190 yards of total offense. The only touchdown the Panthers scored was an interception off a Russell Wilson poorly thrown ball.
Canada Day
Seattle played an impressive game against the New England Patriots in the second quarter of the season. Photo Credit: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
Seattle beat the Patriots 24-23, at CenturyLink Field.
Russell Wilson had the best game of his young career at home versus one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. It couldn’t have come at a better time, because Marshawn Lynch had his least productive game since last October.
Jon Ryan became the first punter to average 60 yards per punt, with a minimum of 4 attempts, since 1946. Jon, a native to Canada, picked the perfect day to accomplish the feat.
Defensively, the Seahawks did what they needed to do to win. Bobby Wagner had the best game of his career and both Earl Thomas and Richard Shermanintercepted Tom Brady passes. Of course, they came after Earl had already dropped two interceptions earlier in the game.
The game will most notably be remembered for the photo that Richard Sherman tweeted after the game. In case you didn’t see it, the photo was of him and Tom Brady, after the game, with the caption “U Mad Bro?”.
Richard took the photo down after persuasion from Seahawks media relations.
At San Francisco
Seattle lost 6-13.
Seahawks MMQB: Decepticons win this battle 28-24 over Autobots
Oct 29th
“Autobots, roll out”
Boxscore | Play-by-Play | Q’s Post Game Recap
That was the message that Peter Cullen (the voice of Optimus Prime from the “Transformers” movies) left onRichard Sherman‘s voice mail, according to the Fox game broadcast of the Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions. Peter learned that Richard changed his name on twitter to “Optimus Prime” in response to Lions’ receiver Calvin Johnson’s nickname “Megatron”.
Of course the media jumped all over Sherman’s name change, and it made for great bulletin board material for in Lions’ locker-room. I had to jump on it because I grew up watching the cartoon. Between “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers” I was a very happy kid on Saturday mornings.
For the fun of it I decided to match a few players to characters from the movie:
Autobots – Seahawks |
Decepticons – Lions |
| Optimus Prime – Richard Sherman | Megatron - Calvin Johnson |
| Jazz – Earl Thomas | Starscream - Titus Young |
| Ironhide – Brandon Browner | Frenzy - Matthew Stafford |
| Bumblebee – Kam Chancellor | Bonecrusher - Brandon Pettigrew |
Optimus Prime and the Autobots were able to contain Megatron as expected. Unfortunately, Frenzy was able to find Starscream and Bonecrusher whom were open all day, and the Decepticons stole the show.
Okay, I got the little boy out of me, now I am ready to get down to the nitty gritty.
Every loss is tough to handle, yet I actually feel pretty good about this one. The offense really stepped up and played well Sunday morning, in Detroit. Russell Wilson and company did more then enough to win the away game, if the defense had shown up to play.
Jazz and the Autobots are nothing like the 2000 Ravens quite yet.
It is difficult, yet in defeat we cannot lose sight of how big of a step forward the offense took.
I am left with a feeling of hope. Despite all the talk about how good theSeahawks defense is, they are not elite, they have not arrived.
They are nothing like the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, which is a prime example of what an elite defense looks like. What they are, is a very good, very young, up and coming defense who’s window is a season or two away from opening.
They are loaded with talent but lacking in experience.
Watching the offense Sunday, particularly Russell Wilson, I am left with a feeling of optimism that by the time the defense is ready to become elite, the offense will be good enough to make the Seahawks serious Super Bowl contenders.
Time of Possession
The Seattle Seahawks are built to control the time of possession. On Sunday they couldn’t even keep it close. During the first half, the Lions held the ball for five more minutes then the Seahawks.
Seahawks photo blog: Patriots at Seahawks
Oct 15th
What a crazy game we witnessed Sunday Afternoon. Seahawks win 24-23 after a 13 point 4th quarter deficit. Below are a few of the photos I took at the game.
Richard Sherman came to play Sunday. He doesn’t care if you are Tom Brady or Brady Quinn, if you test him, he will make you pay.
Big Walter Jones raised the 12th man flag on Sunday, getting the game started off in the right direction.
Sidney Rice catches a 29-yard first quarter pass from Russell Wilson. This play set up his game winning 46-yard touchdown reception. Great play calling by Darrell Bevell in this instance.
These guys were busy Sunday as Russell Wilson threw 3 touchdowns. (Doug Baldwin, Braylon Edwards and Sidney Rice)
Tom Brady leaves the field with his head hanging.
96 is finally where it belongs. Cortez “Tez” Kennedy finally got his number retired on Sunday.
Richard Sherman intercepts a Tom Brady Pass. In Richard’s words “You mad Bro?”
Tom Brady came up just short on this pass, just like the Patriots did in the game.
Tom Brady hits Rob Gronkowski on this pass. One of 13 completions the Seahawks defense gave up to Patriot tight ends.
Jason Jones hits Tom Brady a little bit too high and gets called for roughing the passer.
Third times a charm! Earl Thomas was pretty happy he was finally able to hold onto and interception in the end zone, one his third attempt.
This photo was taken shortly before Zach Miller fumbled the ball. It was a great play by Jerod Mayo.
Tom Brady is a field general, here he is telling everyone to check out the photos of him on Northwest Pro Sports.
Tom Brady scrambles to buy time, then hits a wide open Danny Woodhead.
Bill Belichick sporting his hoodie, of course he had to cover it up with a jacket to keep him dry in the Seattle rain.
Golden Tate catching one of his three receptions in the game.
Braylon Edwards didn’t let this pass slip out of his hands as he picks up his first touchdown as a member of the Seahawks.
Former 49er Brandon Lloyd stretches out to catch a Tom Brady pass. The throw took him out of bounds, the landing took him out of the game.
Jason Jones jumps on Tom Brady during the Patriots final drive.
Nothing sweeter than being in the victory formation to end a hard fought game.
“Heat-Seeking Missile” – Seattle Seahawks FS Earl Thomas in the spotlight
Sep 28th
Seahawks All Access
Earl Thomas is the small guy in a vary large Seattle Seahawks secondary.
At 5’10″, on stilts, and about 200 pounds, soaking wet wearing sponges, he looks out of place when the defense is in the huddle.
Don’t let that fool you. . .
Once the ball is snapped Earl uses his great instincts to get himself into possition to be around the football. Then, Thomas uses his 4.4 speed to close on the ball quickly.
When the ball comes down, Thomas is usually the first to meet it. Not because he’s taller, but because the young man can jump. I’m just saying, he wouldn’t be rejected when trying to dunk the football over the cross-bar like some people in the division.
Vernon, please don’t get angry, you’ll always have your jump shot.
To dunk or not to dunk, that is the question
Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Once the ball is snapped Earl uses his great instincts… (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
On Monday morning, just hours before the Seahawks took on the Packers at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, Earl Thomas‘ significant other, Nina “Colada” (as she refers to herself on her twitter page) went into labor.
Earl was faced with two choices; Should he stay with Nina and welcome his new daughter into the world, or should he join his teammates, in front of a national audience, to take on the heavily favored Green Bay Packers? More…
Seahawks player grades vs Broncos: Linebackers
Aug 20th
Seahawks linebacker player grades
KJ Wright #50
In much the same way I praised Earl Thomas last week, I see a football player who has grown mentally when I look at KJ Wright. KJ is avoiding blocks by being one step ahead of the blocker, and using technique. It looks to me like his coverage skills are much better than they were a season ago, he is putting himself in position to make plays. When Red Bryant tipped a Peyton Manning pass at the line, Wright was there to catch the ball and returned it 29 yards.
the grade: A-
On a sad note Tuskeegee Airman/12th man George Hickman passed away today. Last year he raised the 12th man flag. Photo By Brett Bivens
Leroy Hill #56
the good:
Leroy Hill played the run very well on Saturday. When the Broncos were running at him, he was able to shed blockers and when they ran away he pursued the play from the backside. Hill showed great awareness when he noticed that Jeron Johnson had stripped the ball out of the running backs arms and it was on the ground. A Broncos player was actually in better position to recover the ball, but was oblivious to the fumble.
the bad:
For the most part Leroy struggled in coverage. There were two plays in particular that caught my eye. The first one, Leroy was giving a running back 4 yards in man coverage. In the NFL that is wide open, against Peyton Manning you might as well be in a different city. The second play, Hill had his back towards the line of scrimmage. He was chasing a tight end down the field trying to mirror him. Leroy’s coverage was decent. The problem is in the NFL if defenders aren’t paying any attention to the quarterback he will sling the ball in to his receiver no matter how tight the coverage. By the time the defender realizes the quarterback has thrown the ball it is in the hands of the intended target.
the grade: b+
Korey Toomer #59
Korey Toomer showed awareness on the first Jon Ryan punt that was blocked. Toomer noticed the block, and fell on the ball to keep Denver from picking it up and scoring a touchdown. Korey was also doing a good job shedding blockers, and was able to pick up a quarterback hit for the second week in a row.
the grade: b
Bobby Wagner #54 and Barrett Ruud #57 both receiver C grades.
Barrett Ruud was traded to the New Orleans Saints today for a conditional pick, based upon him making the team.
Allen Bradford #44
Allen Bradford played pretty solid in the game, but he did have a missed tackle. Just like last week, the missed tackle continue to be a problem around the league.
the grade: C-
Seahawks news
Dexter Davis waived/injured today by the Seattle Seahawks. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks trade of Barrett Rudd
Defensive end Dexter Davis was waived/injured today.
Seahawks re-signed cornerback Donny Lisowski to fill his roster spot.
Seahawks player grades vs Titans: Defensive backs
Aug 17th
Seahawks defensive back player grades
Brandon Bowner #39
After making the pro bowl last season, Brandon Browner wasted no time proving he hadn’t been resting on his laurels during the off season. On the first play from scrimmage Brandon intercepted Matt Hasselbeck’s first pass in CenturyLink Field as a member of an opposing team and took it to the house. It wasn’t Matt’s fault, but Browner made an outstanding play by staying with the action through the whistle. It appeared the pass was going to be incomplete, but it bounced off Earl Thomas‘ arm and Brandon grabbed it. Being a big physical corner allows him to play the run well and Saturday was no exception.
the grade: A-
Earl Thomas #29
Earl Thomas is ready for some action Saturday. Photo by Brett Bivens
Earl Thomas seems to be playing at a different level this year. I think he is starting to understand the game better than he has in the past. Instead of relying solely on his physical talents to run around and make plays he’s using his head more. That’s a scary thought for opposing offenses. This could be the year that Earl breaks away from being a talented young safety and becomes a dominant force, like Troy Polamalu. In the first preseason game I noticed Earl playing the run extremely well. I couldn’t have asked for much more out of him.
the grade: b+
Jeremy Lane tackle the Titans tight end. Needs to keep his head up or a better player will hurdle him. Photo by Brett Bivens
Jeremy Lane #1
The good:
Jeremy Lane is a big physical corner, the kind of kid that Pete Carroll likes to see play the position. He was playing the run very well and was one of the best tacklers on the team Saturday. Late in the game Jeremy stripped the ball that could have ended the game but unfortunately it was recovered by the offense
the bad:
On the play where Jeremy stripped the ball he didn’t stick with it. Unlike when Heath Farwell punched the ball out earlier in the game, Heath’s eyes never left the ball and Farwell was able to recover the fumble. Jeremy Lane seemed content with stripping the ball. He hesitated, for just a moment, before going after it. In the NFL if you hesitate at all in the NFL you miss out and he learned that lesson the hard way…I hope. Jeremy needs to work on his timing a little bit and avoid pass interference penalties. Now for a little rant, I cannot stand to see players who don’t either kick the ball or throw it who don’t wear a single digit number.
the grade: B
Kam Chancellor #31
Kam Chancellor did not see much action against the Titans but he did have a big hit on Chris Johnson. The play was a run up the middle and I’m sure Chris was feeling that hit most of the week.
the grade: C+
DeShawn Shead #5
DeShawn Shead, an undrafted free agent out of Portland State, was not tested in the passing game but he did have an opportunity to show that he can play the run very well.
The grade: C+
Coye Francies looked good returning a kickoff on Saturday. Photo by Brett Bivens
Coye Francies #37
the good:
Coye Francies looked very solid in coverage against the Titans. When he kept the receiver from going out of bounds and stopping the clock he also demonstrated awareness of the situation late in the game.
The bad:
Tackling is an area that he needs to improve on if he want to stay in the NFL.
the grade: C+
Richard Sherman #25, Chris Maragos #42, Marcus Trufant #23, Jeron Johnson #32 and Byron Maxwell #41
all received C grades.
Winston Guy #27
The good:
Winston Guy showed some awareness recognizing the draw play.
the bad:
Winston looked lazy out there to me. I did not see him finishing plays but I did see him half heartedly try to tackle and miss it. If he doesn’t want to be the NFL bad enough there are other players that can replace him who do.
the grade: C-
Phillip Adams #35
the good:
It was tough to find something Phillip Adams did well, but on one play I saw him take on a blocker and still tackle the running back.
the bad:
Most of the time when Phillip was in position to tackle he missed it, having 2 missed tackles in the game. On the long touchdown run he was in position to make a play or force the running back inside to help. Instead, he spun himself out of bounds and completely took himself out of the play. If it were up to me, I would have already cut him and brought someone else in.
the grade: F
Seahawks Linebacker and Defensive Back Grades Regular Season Game 2011-9
Nov 19th
Seahawks Player Grades Vs. Ravens
Linebacker
1) David Hawthorne (B+)
Last week C
THE GOOD:
David had a quarterback pressure, a quarterback hit, a pass defensed and an interception that he almost returned for a touchdown.
THE BAD:
He missed a tackle.
2) Leroy Hill (B-)
Last week he led the linebackers with a B
THE GOOD:
Leroy did a nice job shooting the gap on a running play. He had a quarterback pressure, a pass defensed and a nice open field tackle.
THE BAD:
He had a couple issues in coverage. He lost track of Ed Dickson on one play and fell down on another.
3) Malcolm Smith (C+)
Last week D+
THE GOOD:
Malcolm had a quarterback pressure and a sack.
THE BAD:
On the Ravens final touchdown he was in position but never looked back to try to find the ball.
4) KJ Wright (C)
Last week C
Cornerback
1) Richard Sherman (B+)
Last week he led the CB’s with a B
THE GOOD:
Sherman had really good coverage most of the game and broke up 3 passes.
THE BAD:
He fell behind Torrey Smith on a deep rout but luckily the ball was overthrown. In the two minute defense Richard let the receiver get out of bounds to stop the clock. This is a rookie mistake and a very coachable moment.
2) Brandon Browner (B-)
Last week C
THE GOOD:
Browner had a nice block on a punt return and almost had an interception but Earl Thomas ran into him. Brandon also broke up another pass later in the game.
THE BAD:
He got called for pass interference but it was a really bad call in my opinion.
3) Byron Maxwell (C+)
Last week D
THE GOOD:
Byron forced the second fumble in kick coverage.
THE BAD:
He over ran a play on punt coverage.
4) Roy Lewis (D-)
Last week B-
THE GOOD:
Lewis had a rough game. Hopefully he is just breaking off some rust.
THE BAD:
He took a bad angle on one play and wasn’t able to get in position to make a tackle. He dropped an interception that squirted through his hands and was caught by the receiver. Then he was called for holding and illegal contact.
Safety
1) Atari Bigby (B-)
Last week C
THE GOOD:
He recovered the second kick that the Ravens fumbled.
THE BAD:
He was injured during the game.
2) Earl Thomas and Chris Maragos (C+)
Last week Earl got an A- and Chris wasn’t graded
THE GOOD:
Thomas made a couple nice open field tackles and had a pass defensed. Maragos was able to fight off a blocker and still make a tackle inside the 20 on a kick return.
THE BAD:
Earl was pancaked and he missed a tackle.
4) Kam Chancellor (C)
Last week D+
Seahawks Defensive Back Grades Regular Season Game 2011-8
Nov 11th
Seahawks Player Grades
Cornerback
1) Richard Sherman (B)
Last week A-
THE GOOD:
Richard had multiple plays where he had excellent coverage including a play in the end zone and another where he almost intercepted the ball but Dez Bryant knocked it away. He made a nice open field tackle and laid a big hit on Bryant at the goal line causing him to fumble the ball.
THE BAD:
He missed a couple tackles and was beat deep on one play by Miles Austin.
2) Roy Lewis (B-)
Last week C-
THE GOOD:
In the 2 minute drill he did a great job forcing the receiver inside after he caught the ball to keep the ball running. He also recovered Sherman’s forced fumble.
THE BAD:
Lewis was late in reacting to one route.
3) Brandon Browner and Kennard Cox (C)
Last week: Browner C- and Cox did not get graded
5) Byron Maxwell (D)
Last week C+
THE GOOD:
He usually plays much better than he did against Dallas.
THE BAD:
All of his troubles were on special teams. He had a missed tackle on punt coverage and was called for two Un-sportsman like conduct penalties for running out of bounds and not making an effort to re-establish himself in bounds.
Safety
1) Earl Thomas (A-)
Last week D+
THE GOOD:
Earl Thomas was probably the most sure tackler on the team last Sunday. He made a nice open field tackle, tackle for a short gain and a tackle for a loss. Earl had really good coverage on a couple plays including a play in the end zone. He came close to intercepting a pass that Richard Sherman had broken up.
THE BAD:
Earl Played a solid game.
2) Atari Bigby (C)
Last week C-
3) Kam Chancellor (D+)
Last week B-
THE GOOD:
Kam had a big hit on a running back and had a tackle for no gain. He had good coverage on a couple play including one where he broke up a pass that Cowboys tight end Jason Witten already had in his hands.
THE BAD:
He struggled a little in coverage and was late getting out to help cover the deep route on one play. He was called for pass interference but I can’t see what he did wrong so I did not dock him for it. Usually a fairly sure tackler, he struggled in Dallas missing several tackles including one where he went through the hole to hit the running back and turned his head away and completely missed the hit.
Seahawks Defensive Back Grades Regular Season Game 2011-6
Oct 28th
Seahawks Secondary Player Grades
The funny thing about this group is that individually they all played pretty average with the exception of Kennard Cox (who stunk it up pretty bad) but as a group playing in the scheme of the defense they held the Browns to only 159 yards passing. I find myself torn at this point because these are individual player grades but at the same time their effort led to the production by the defense.
I think what I will do is leave out the sum of their play (at least for now) and just evaluate each player on his own.
Cornerback
1) Chris Maragos (C+)
Chris was signed from the practice squad earlier in the week.
THE GOOD:
He mad a nice tackle on special teams while covering a kick.
THE BAD:
It is sad that I have him listed as the top grade here.
2) Richard Sherman, Walter Thurmond and Brandon Browner (C)
Last week: Richard B+, Walter B and Brandon B+
5) Kennard Cox (D)
Last week B-
THE GOOD:
Cox had a few plays where he had good coverage.
THE BAD:
On the play when Josh Cribbs muffed the fair catch Kennard ran behind Cribbs but if he had stayed in front when Josh muffed the punt he would have been in a position to compete for the ball. He got called for the block in the back on Leo’s big punt return. I think it was a bogus call but the fact remains that Cox was reaching for the guy and gave them an opportunity to make a bad call. He should have kept his hands to himself there was nothing he could have done because he was out of position anyway. He had 2 missed tackles including one that would have been a sack.
Safety
1) Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Jeron Johnson (C)
Last week: Earl B+, Kam A+ and Jeron B-
4) Atari Bigby (C-)
Last week C-
THE GOOD:
If he had only made one big play
THE BAD:
He missed a tackle on a punt coverage.
