Seahawks get week to rest, relax

RENTON — After beating the New York Jets Sunday, Seattle Seahawks players reported to team headquarters for meetings Monday, then were sent away to enjoy a full week off.

At 6-4, Seattle is in a good position to make a run at a playoff berth, or perhaps even an NFC West title over its final six games, but the work on that important finish to the season will begin next week, not over the next few days.

That’s a bit different than what head coach Pete Carroll did in each of his first two seasons in Seattle when he had his team practice early in the week before taking some time off, and the reasons for a longer break are twofold. First off, Carroll wants his players to get a break in order to let their bodies recover. The Seahawks had their bye in Week 5 two years ago, and in Week 6 last year, so asking players to get in a few extra practices was reasonable. But having played 10 games in as many weeks, players at this point would almost certainly benefit more from extra days of rest than a couple extra practices.

“We’re going to really try to rest and rehab and get well,” Carroll said. “When we get back from work a week from today, we’ll have almost everybody, so that’s a really good note this late in the season. … I think we’ve got a chance to get everybody back.”

That “everybody back” should include linebacker K.J. Wright and left guard James Carpenter, who both sat out Sunday because of concussions. Carroll said if Carpenter is ready to go, he’ll go back to being the starter at left guard after John Moffitt filled it for him in the past two games.

But this break is about more than just rest. Carroll is also comfortable letting his players go for a week because he likes the growth he has seen from his team. No, the Seahawks aren’t perfect, particularly away from CenturyLink Field, but they are clearly a better, more well-rounded team than those of the previous two years.

“I do feel good about where we’re going,” Carroll said. “We have worked really hard and the guys have performed very consistently, they’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do in terms of the prep and the focus and bringing it week in and week out. I trust that they understand that. Now we do have to see how we respond to the break, but the motivation to me is that I believe these guys get it and they understand what we’re trying to get done. Now we’ll have to prove that by how we perform next week.”

Not only are the Seahawks winning more often than in the past, they’ve been very close in every loss, which was hardly the case over the past few seasons.

“I’m disappointed in our play on the road that we didn’t find a way to get a couple more of those wins,” Carroll said. “We’ve been in every one of them, and we understand all of that. I think we’ve been very consistent, I think we understand what we’re trying to do. We’re clear on the kind of mix that we want run and pass wise, we’re clear on how we want to game-plan defensively, special teams has been really solid. We’re getting harder to beat.”

Carroll has been particularly encouraged by his team’s play late in the game in each of its last two victories. Against Minnesota and New York, Seattle won the time of possession battle in the fourth quarter by a whopping margin of 24:15 to 5:45 and outscored the Vikings and Jets 17-0. In each of those wins, the Seahawks went for it on fourth-and-short late in the game not because they needed a score, but because Carroll wanted to see his team run out the clock without giving the ball back to an opponent.

“The highlight to me is that we again finished really well,” Carroll said. “We had the ball for over 12 minutes in the fourth quarter (against the Jets) and ran the football like crazy and owned it and scored a couple of touchdowns too, and finished really well, the way that we like to. That’s a couple of weeks in a row of really good solid ball, playing in the formula that we like to play in.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.