Seahawks arrive for Super circus

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Crunching through the gray curbside snow piles, the Seattle Seahawks walked through the same doors they did six weeks ago.

Police and police cars lined the streets waiting for the arrival of the NFC champions. Packed into buses, the Seahawks pulled up to the Westin Hotel on Washington Boulevard in resurgent Jersey City just like they did for the Dec. 15 game against the New York Giants.

A few distinct differences this time. Dozens of officers and security personnel were present. Almost as many cameras were at the hotel entrance. There were cameras when the plane landed, prompting head coach Pete Carroll to wonder about the importance of documenting Seahawks players and coaches getting off the plane.

The lobby was filled with “NFC Champions” material for sale. Other booths draped in NFL logos were set up.

That was just the start of the chaos. Once Carroll and six players — Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Max Unger, Earl Thomas, Cliff Avril and Doug Baldwin — made it upstairs to the conference room, the first large dose of what this week would be like began.

Sherman’s interview table was engulfed by television cameras before the Seahawks reached the hotel. Reporters stood four deep to get a view and sound from Sherman, who has rocketed to an amplified level of national fame following his postgame interview in the NFC title game. One reporter joked to another, “You’re obstructing my inability to see.”

This is part of the pregame battle to be waged. More press conferences follow today, preceding Media Day on Tuesday, a day the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey view with pride.

The Seahawks, as it has been noted, have little Super Bowl experience. Backup wide receiver Ricardo Lockette was at last year’s Super Bowl while with the San Francisco 49ers. Outside of that, no player has dealt with this scenario.

“We’ve had a process to deal with the biggest occurrences we could deal with,” Carroll said. “If we just started talking about it this week, I don’t think we’d have a chance. But, we’ve been preparing to be a championship team all along.

“We’re not going to try to live up to the moment. We’re not going to try to elevate to this wonderful setting that we’re in. We’re going to try to do the things we know how to do.”

Carroll joked he did not have Lockette make a presentation to the team about how to be prepared. But he was serious when talking about another mental element for the Seahawks to deal with.

The NFC title game came with an almost equal amount of pressure considering the opponent. There is no blood lust between the Broncos and Seahawks the way there was with Seattle and San Francisco. Satisfaction with that win and making the Super Bowl is something the Seahawks are guarding against.

“That’s an issue,” Carroll said. “OK, we got here, we got that done. Or just the sense of relief that you’ve arrived here. We had great matchups down the schedule and there were none bigger than the San Francisco matchup. Though we’re young, I think they’ve got a mature perspective of what it takes to perform really well and that’s what we’re relying on.”

Each player had to be extracted from his designated table by public relations workers. Following a packed sendoff from their practice headquarters in Renton on Sunday morning — fans spilled into the road slowing the bus — the Seahawks were done for the day.

Carroll will begin to figure out if the Seahawks will be practicing inside or out. The typical Northeast January has frozen practice fields, though it is supposed to warm as the week goes along. Wilson will go back to studying film. He estimated three hours of film watching during the 41/2-hour flight to Newark.

Seven days prior to the organization’s second Super Bowl appearance, the Seahawks received their first dose of demand. Things are just getting started.

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.