Seattle Seahawks Are the NFL’s New “Bad Boys” Under Pete Carroll; Haters Hatin’!

Dec 29, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talks with players during the fourth quarter of a 29-7 victory against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Saw this incredibly lame article from the Washington Post by Norman Chad, attacking Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks’ organization. The worst part is that it comes from a homer, but that’s neither here nor there.

The point is that the Hawks have become the most hated team in the NFL and everyone outside of Seattle that isn’t a 12th Man is a Hawk hater. Purely as a response to the article, I was ranting in a message board when I realized I should just throw it up. If it’s random… well, you’re used to that here. I’m just having fun right now being among the best fan base in the league in what seems to be a year of destiny. Let’s see where I take this response to Mr. Chad.

If Carroll is a d-bag and the team is so self righteous and self serving, why is it that the 12th Man is the best, most invested fan base in the league at home AND on the road? When Dallas does it or Pittsburgh does it or New England does it, it’s the “America’s team” sentiment. Seattle isn’t supposed to be good, so when they do it, it’s the “thug” sentiment? The Hawks have a high ego, that’s true, but it’s not because their coach is a bag. Like it or not, Carroll does it right, actually. He is a WINNER. It’s easy to say that he let’s the clowns run the circus or whatever, but he just honestly takes more chances on players than other coaches because they fit his model and he’s a big believer in second chances. You think players don’t respond to a guy given them a second chance and some guidance?

There are still plenty of examples of guys who screwed up before they got into his program and regardless of the talent, got shown the door. The whole Reggie Bush situation at SC? That was a booster handing out money. Because USC was so good for so long, the NCAA made an example of them. Similar things happened at Ohio State and elsewhere but this wasn’t the debacle at Penn State. Carroll isn’t a bad guy because you think so. He runs a tight ship on the field, but there’s a reason that players WANT to play for Carroll, he’s the classic players’ coach. He doesn’t publicly oust his players and he’s a bag? Carroll stands up and helps his players get past their issues and he’s a bag? HA! Get over yourself! I love that somehow he continues to get his team to feel like they’re the underdog and play like it. Somehow that annoys you? Too bad.

Another note; I love how all this stuff is said about “Wilson is the guy you can fall in love with and route for” but Carroll is a d-bag. Have you ever listened to Russell talk about his head coach? He glows about Petey and it’s not by accident. By the way, have you ever heard Carroll talk about his qb? You think Carroll doesn’t know what leadership is all about? You think Carroll doesn’t know what good character is all about? Ever gone through the back-story of Sherman, or Michael Robinson, or Bobby Wagner, or Earl Thomas, or Robert Turbin? Have you ever listened to a PC press conference? Have you ever witnessed Carroll out in his community? The Hawks lead the League in community service, guaranteed. You’re kidding yourself by saying Carroll is arrogant and self serving! Off the field PC is one of the classiest, most selfless coaches in the game and his team follows him! Go to the Seattle Seahawks website, half of it is about serving the Seattle community… accident? Coincidence? No way.

Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) and Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) celebrate after Sherman intercepted a pass thrown by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) (not pictured) during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Arizona defeated Seattle 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Also, take a step back when you talk about “leads the league in PED stuff”. First of all, Seattle isn’t the only team that does it and they are FAR from the only team that has that many players that do it. They are for some reason on League-watch. You ever notice when teams get good stuff seems to pop up? Jameis Winston ring a bell? How about Auburn a few years back in their unexpected National Championship run? Newton/Fairley, Suh?

How bout Ohio State about a decade ago when they ruled college football? Remember when Oakland, then Pittsburgh were the “bad boys” of the NFL? Was Bill Walsh a “clean” coach in SF? How about Lombardi in GB? Spy-gate with New England and Belichick? Bill Parcels? Weren’t Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin the most trash-talking duo in the League during their their days in Dallas? Ray Lewis and Ed Reed in Baltimore? Those defenses were nasty, those defenses talked hella-trash. Oh yeah, I remember all of it! Those were the great teams! Dynasty’s emerged! Super Bowls and National Championships were won! Lots of successful teams go through stages that threaten to tear them down.

By the way, are you gonna blast the next coach to take a chance on Brandon Browner after his mistakes? Yes, someone will take a chance. Tell me right now that coach/organization is going to draw the ire of your incredibly near-sighted view, no matter who it is.

You’re mad because a coach gets excited and sprints down the sideline when his team is on the verge of scoring? Or because the best corner and safety in the league can get in everybody’s head by saying their better than you and then back it up? You’re mad that the Seahawks have fun playing the game together? You think this is a showboat team all about themselves? Go back and watch the season of Seahawks All-Access on SeattleSeahawks.com. They’re all about winning, team and community. All about it! That’s all they care about, that’s all they ever talk about in the post games. There’s a loyalty there. “We’re happy for our fans that they get to experience this with us”. How many times did we hear this after the St. Louis win? About a bajillion. “Legion of Boom”, that’s a 12TH MAN CREATED THING!

But it’s OK! Seattle fans know where they stand. It’s no longer about anything but a championship here! Hate all you want, it just makes you mad that a team is so good that they can play awesome and celebrate all at the same time. It makes you mad that a bunch of underdogs are performing at the highest level. Carroll was called an idiot and a fool for leaving USC for this job, told he could never be even a decent NFL head coach, told he had made a colossal mistake for his career. He’s the second oldest coach in the League. These guys aren’t supposed to be doing this, let em have some fun and dance a little… a LOT. Let em celebrate with their fans. Let em talk trash. Let em feel like the underdog. Or keep hatin’, we, the 12th Man, just don’t care! You can’t do anything about it and that’s what makes you SO MAD!

Come on Seahawks! Let’s go win this first championship and make em even madder! They’ll have nightmares! And the best part? This team’s gonna be around a LOOOONG TIME!