Highlights from Seahawks coach Pete Carroll’s radio show on 710 AM Monday morning, reacting to Sunday’s 34-31 overtime loss at St. Louis after reviewing video of the game:
On the areas that need adjustment: Carroll mentioned defense on third down, which was good until St. Louis’ game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter. He also said the team had issues with receivers getting behind the defense in the passing game, and that the team didn’t tackle as well as it usually does and that that would be a big area of focus.
On the offensive line: Carroll said the unit struggled early and was just hanging on, but that once the offense upped the tempo the line settled in. He said the areas where the line had issues were in the identification of defensive fronts and reacting to snap cadence. He described those as first-game jitters.
On QB Russell Wilson’s game: Carroll said he thought Wilson was “all right.” He said that although Wilson made the right reads on the read option (Wilson mostly handed it off), he’d like Wilson to keep the ball on occasion just to open up the handoff. Carroll praised Wilson’s play once the tempo was turned up.
On the secondary: Carroll thought FS Earl Thomas played well in his first action following offseason shoulder surgery, and that CB Richard Sherman played well being moved inside to cover the slot. He acknowledged that SS Dion Bailey broke down on the Rams touchdown that tied it late, but that otherwise Bailey played an OK game.
On allowing eight plays of 20-plus yards: Carroll said the linebackers needed to get into their drops a little quicker, and that the pass coverage needed to force Rams QB Nick Foles to hold onto the ball just a fraction longer as Foles was hit hard as he released the ball on several of those long plays.
On the apparent onside kick to start overtime: Carroll said the intention was not to have an onside kick, but rather to pop the ball up to a Rams tackle who was on the return team, then see what happened. K Steven Hauschka just didn’t execute the kick properly.
On the fourth-and-1 call to run the read option: Carroll described the read option as the team’s base play and that it gives both RB Marshawn Lynch and Wilson a chance to make a play. The Rams just made the play.
On the offense in the red zone (the Seahawks converted just one of four opportunities into TDs): Carroll said the team has plenty of weapons and therefore should be good in the red zone. The team is still trying to figure out exactly how to work new TE Jimmy Graham into those situations.
On the atmosphere around the team: Carroll said that there was enough that happened in all facets of the game that everyone on the team felt responsible for the loss.
On SS Kam Chancellor: Carroll said the players weren’t talking about Chancellor’s absence after the game, and that the results on the field wouldn’t influence the team’s negotiations. He also said there’s nothing new happening with regards to negotiations.
On facing Green Bay next week: He described the Packers as a great team with a great quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. He said the team would definitely draw upon last season’s NFC championship game in its preparations.
On encouraging signs from the game: Carroll liked the way the team was able to force turnovers on the road, something that hasn’t always happened. He thought the team was up for an early game, with the score tied at halftime. And he thought the team played hard.
On injuries: Carroll said the team came out of the game generally healthy. He said he’s hopeful CB Tharold Simon (toe) and LB Mike Morgan (hamstring), who sat out Sunday, will be able to play next week.
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