Preseason game 1!: Chargers vs Seahawks

[Danny Darko]

VS.


Changing of the guard! (actually all the guards and the QB and MLB).

Matt Hasselbroke was shown the door and will take his talents (under-throwing receivers accurately while telling good jokes) to the Titans as Jake Locker's crossing guard. We thank you for possibly being the best QB in franchise history (5 years ago) and bid you adieu Matt! In with the Tavaris Jackson golden era (of waiting for Andrew Luck). Familiar with the Bevel system, Tavaris will be on a mission to prove he's not a stop gap.

Also gone is Lofa Tatupu- The youth movement claims a great linebacker who couldn't shake the injury bug after banging into bigger guys year after year. We solute you too Lofa!
On the way in comes a brand new Offensive Line built around 1st round mauler Russ Okung and Robert Gallery formerly of the Raiders. Tom Cable's guys are bigger, badder, and not Sean Locklier!!! yay.

We are also Pumped and also jacked to welcome our big FA pickups Zack Miller and Sydney Rice who should give us one of the biggest receiving lineups seen when added to Big Mike Williams and John Carlson. It's preseason, of course, so we should only see a little of the top end talent before we get to see some rooks and filler. On to injuries and things to watch-



Injury update:

Seahawks-
Out: Colin "kankles" Cole (DT), Deon Butler (WR), Roy Lewis (CB), and Cameron Morrah (TE) Red "Dead Redemption" Bryant (DE) knee, Mike Williams (WR) toe sprain, Kentwan Balmer (DL) Neck, Kris Durham (hamstring), Ryan Sims (DT) knee

San Diego

Their mom

Things to Watch:

1-QB's- all three:

Tavaris is given the full reigns for the first time, is he going to blossom or will it be enough rope to hang himself?

CBJ will back in his comfort zone holding clipboards, looking fab, and telling himself daily affirmations by Stewart Smalley. He'll see some action, but word has it he's actually not looking as good as:

Josh Portis. RB Clinton Portis' cousin has been looking good in camp and has the coaches attention. Pete says he'll play alot. Not good news for Charlie especially if he's as commanding and accurate as touted.

2-Running game- for however long they are out there, it will be interesting to see the big boys try to maul holes for the backs. Is this the end of the running game door mats?

3-The other guys at WR. Last year the other guy was Big Mike Williams and who'd a thunk it? This year our depth includes the big, fast, athletic Kris Durham(updated as out due to hamstring), the blazing speed of Lockette, and the enigma that is what will become of last years camp darlin Golden Tate. Should be a nice look at those guys.

4. The secondary- please someone like Browner take Midget Jennings job. At 6'4" browner has reportedly been very effective on the big receivers in camp and after an allstar year in jr varsity, I mean the CFL, he could be an unlikely success story and another big guy on Pete's giants.

Predictions-

a preseason game will be played. Pete will be pumped and jacked.

[Sweezo]

So, what's the general level of emotion for this game? Normally I am pretty excited for the first preseason game as it gives me a chance to get a look at some new faces, some drafted and some signed from free agency.

But this year? With this shortened off-season I am extremely concerned about injury. If the players aren't on the same page, then the risk of high ankle sprains because your teammate steps on you [and so forth] seem heightened.

[TTown]

I'm stoked, but I get stoked for the Hall of Fame Game just 'cause it's the first football in many many moons. The fact that it's our game opening up the season, and there you go.

What's the consensus on playing time? Anyone heard? Is Jackson going to play a bit more than a QB-1 typically plays in the 1st preseason game because there was no offseason work?

[Sweezo]

What's the consensus on playing time? Anyone heard? Is Jackson going to play a bit more than a QB-1 typically plays in the 1st preseason game because there was no offseason work?

I've heard Portis is supposed to get plenty of time, but I hope Jackson gets a good amount of time in. While some may look at the practice notes and be happy our defensive backs and LBs are deflecting lots of passes and grabbing INTs, I'm concerned that the people doing it are our fringe LBs and DBs against Jackson/Whitehurst.

Sure, I want to believe Maxwell/Brown/Smith are phenomenal talents who can make a difference with our pass defense, but I'm more concerned that it's a sign that Jackson's got to get his work in.

[Danny Darko]

Supposedly Tavaris will play 1 or two series, Charlie the rest of the half, and Portis will close with an entire half.

[Bulltalk]

Is there really a football game tonight?

This particular pre-season will be a *little* more interesting than others, methinks. The QB thing. The offensive line thing. Who might surprise in the defensive backfield. Roster depth. And the like.

[Sweezo]

Is there really a football game tonight?

This particular pre-season will be a *little* more interesting than others, methinks. The QB thing. The offensive line thing. Who might surprise in the defensive backfield. Roster depth. And the like.

Of course! I DVR-d the first half...some clumsy notes for anyone who cares.

Marshawn Lynch: Made good cuts and had a quick burst. I have high hopes for him this year.

Tarvaris Jackson: Had good pocket presence early to make a first down on a 3rd and long to Baldwin. Pump faked 3-4 times before checking down to Tate on a play where Tate would’ve been blown up if a safety had been closer to the line. Got the Chargers to jump offsides then airmailed a pass on a free play to Zach Miller that would’ve gone for 20 yards. Committed a horrible intentional grounding where he danced around, gave up ground, and feebly threw the ball towards the LOS. Shades of Seneca Wallace. Danced around on a 3rd and short on the second series to get a 1st down but was playing with fire. Nice bootleg on a 1st and ten that would’ve gone for a first if Clayton hadn’t tried a one handed catch for no reason. Took a sack on a blown block by M. Robinson, then another one after 5-6 seconds in the pocket where he just kept pump faking until someone took him down.

Whitehurst: First pass was a quick pass toward the sidelines for a completion. Underthrew a long pass to Tate which could’ve been picked if the DB hadn’t jumped too soon. Nice scramble on a 3rd down to pick up a first when he sensed the pocket collapsing. Probably forced a pass on a busted play action to a RB to avoid a sack [pass was tipped behind the line and stayed in the air]. Fumbled a snap to take a snap and force 4th down. Sold a decent screen to L. Washington on 1st and 20 for a 4 yard gain. Called out a blitz and dove forward for a couple yards on a 2nd and 4. Made a good long pass to Stanback on 3rd and short which was dropped.

Carlson: Missed a block at the line and L. Washington paid the price in the backfield. Dropped a whitehurst pass at his knees on 1st and 10. Made a play on a ‘pick’ play for a 1st down.

The Line: Created holes early but they seemed to close quickly. Things changed when Okung went out and Polumbus checked in. I know Moffitt is unpolished but I like how our right side looked. Unger also looked good.

Leon Washington: Good burst, got a lot of runs. Played a lot out of 3rd down packages. Looks like he’ll the ‘3rd and long draw play’ role.

Tate: Laid a DB out on a block when Jackson scrambled after pass pro broke down. Didn’t shy away from contact on a checkdown play. Had a long pass in his hands over the DB who jumped too early, but then dropped it.

Okung: Hurt his ankle without contact. ****.

Jimmy Wilkerson: Stopped the RB for a loss on the first play. Good pressure on Rivers later but Rivers stepped up in the pocket to avoid it. Sack off the edge where he simply beat the TE and Volek had no clue.

Alan Branch: Got a good push on the first play to allow Wilkerson to make a play in the backfield. Tipped a pass at the line to almost cause a pick and force 3rd and long. Pressure on a screen play at the end of the half.

Trufant: Gave up a 7 yard pass play playing off his V. Jackson on a comeback route. Got up to stop a completion on a high pass in the red zone off V. Jackson.

Jennings: Burned on a 3rd down play along the sidelines. Jennings got burned early, and there was no safety help when he did. Still, **** that guy. Went low on a play on Tolbert at the endzone and Tolbert simply lept over him.

Aaron Curry: Came off the edge to hit Tolbert in the backfield, but doesn’t wrap up so Tolbert stays alive. Didn’t pay attention to Matthews out of the backfield and allowed a ten yard completion on a swing pass; was sitting in the middle of the field and not appearing to do much.

Wright: Got beat on a hole in the zone for a 1st down. Called for a horse collar on a tackle that was an awful call as he grabbed the back of the guy’s jersey while being stiffarmed. Made a good play for little gain on a screen play.

Sherman: Bodied his man on a long pass to not give him a chance to make the play. This looked like a very similar to play to the one on which Jennings was burned. Go figure.

Browner: Nice bump and run on a 3rd down fade where he just mugged his WR to not give him a chance. Came up to make a tackle on a RB out of the backfield on a pass play. Mugged Robinson again in the red zone to break up a play.

Chancellor: Cleaned up Curry’s mess with ease…he may get plenty of chances to do that this year.

[Sweezo]

If I woke up from a coma today, watched the first half, and was asked which Seahawks QB was the one we signed because of his familiarity with the offense...I would've guessed Whitehurst. He didn't look great but had a far better pocket presence, reacted to pressure better, threw the ball with some zip, and was a more effective [albeit it uglier] scrambler.

Jackson looked terrible. It may be pre-season but based on that performance I'd name Charlie the starter and make Tarvaris prove he deserves that spot.

[Sweezo]

And the 'Hawks finish strong to take a lead. Whether they win or lose is meaningless...

Portis got comfortable and made a bunch of plays. Anyone who thinks he should be in line for the backup QB job is insane but he seems to have a strong arm and great scrambling ability. Stick him at #3 and see if we can make something out of him.

Pierre Allen had a great strip sack on an inside move. Looked like something Brock would do.

Overall, our QBs and LBs concerned me the most. Jackson didn't look good, Charlie looked average, and Portis looked like a talented UDFA who needs a lot of time. Our LB corps was eviscerated by pass plays to RBs and Curry made his typical great play that ends up being anything but due to forgetting to tackle. Chancellor came up and made plays like Milloy would...I expect we will see a lot of the Bandit package with Chancellor coming up and Thomas/Legree as safeties.

[TTown]

haha I know winning and losing doesn't mean a thing, but I let out an embarrassing cheer when we recovered that fumble with 4:00-something left.

Tavaris looked scary bad. I'm trying to tell myself he only had a week of practice and he didn't have Rice and Williams, but yikes.

[Bulltalk]

Thanks for the game notes, guys. Missed the game for a dinner party.

[Bulltalk]

PS> And this is what I'm beginning to feel like about Okung's ankle...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bit9YxtTamY[/youtube]

[Sweezo]

PS> And this is what I'm beginning to feel like about Okung's ankle...

When it happened I couldn't believe...and yet I could. If that makes any sense. He's an incredible talent though, and I can't believe the amount of fans who seem to be giving up on him. I still have faith in the kid.

[Bulltalk]

PS> And this is what I'm beginning to feel like about Okung's ankle...

When it happened I couldn't believe...and yet I could. If that makes any sense. He's an incredible talent though, and I can't believe the amount of fans who seem to be giving up on him. I still have faith in the kid.

He really is a talent. That shutdown of Julius Peppers wowed me.

Just needed a little levity about it.

[bennith13]

Who is doing the ankle taping for us? We might need to find someone new.

[Danny Darko]

Who is doing the ankle taping for us? We might need to find someone new.

This guy doesn't inspire confidence?