Seahawks must track snap counts; 3.7 million apply for job

The Seahawks apparently can’t count, as Alton Robinson got one snap in the last game despite no injury problem. So 12s, who wants to apply to for the job? Minimal math skills are required. And let’s face it, the performance bar is extremely low.

You know something, 12s? I think I am finally fed up with this coaching staff. It’s true, I’m very much a rah-rah guy, despite my recent call for the dismissal of our supposed defensive coordinator. Yes, the Seahawks actually did try something new against the Steelers. The Hawks dime-plus set, using every DB on the roster and six walk-ons, was an improvement over their atrocious play so far this season. Okay, it was seven defensive backs, but you get the picture.

Oddly though, Seattle had one player missing in action for almost the entire game in Pittsburgh. Initially, I thought that Alton Robinson missed the flight. I mean, how was he not in the game? Oh, there he is on special teams. 11 snaps there; he must be okay. Ah, there he is! With 2:57 left in the first half, he makes his first appearance on the defense. Uh oh; penalty on Robinson, offsides. Well, that sucks.

Seahawks need to monitor snap counts better

And it did, as the Steelers missed on third and three at the Seahawks 24-yard line. The penalty kept the drive alive and resulted in a Pittsburgh touchdown six plays later. Force a field goal there, and there’s a very good chance the Hawks win this game in regulation. It certainly isn’t a foregone conclusion, but would it have been likely? Yes, I’d say so.

So Robinson was benched for the key penalty, right? Hmmm… it appears that wasn’t the case at all. I mean, yes, it was a big penalty, but just three plays prior, Bryan Mone was flagged for a facemask. Instead of second and six at the Seahawks 46, the Steelers got first and 10 at the Hawks 31. I’d say that was definitely the more egregious penalty. Mone had 24 snaps. Let me reiterate: Alton Robinson had one.

Leave it to The Seattle Times resident genius, Bob Condotta, to clarify the situation:

Ah, so that was the issue with Alton Robinson. He wasn’t injured, and he wasn’t benched for his penalty. The Seahawks simply forgot about him. Let me run that quote by you again, 12s: Alton Robinson “got out of the rotation just because it happened.” I seriously hope that I’m not the only person who sees a critical problem with this statement. Of course, the much bigger issue with the fact that it happened at all.

This is hardly the first time the Seahawks coaching staff has lost track of their players, either. Please note my article from three years ago. Yes, 12s, three years ago, Pete Carroll lamented that Carson did “what he could with the plays he had” in the season-opening loss to the Broncos. Carson got seven running plays in that game. It was just three weeks ago that Carson got two carries – TWO – after picking up 74 yards on 10 carries in the first half.

Clearly, the Seattle coaching staff cannot count. For years now – years – we’ve seen them compliment their players, sorrowfully adding that they could have done even more if only they’d had the opportunity. Alton Robinson needs to be on the field. Guess what, Pete, Ken, Shane? You guys control that. If you need help, check the Seattle Seahawks official Facebook page has 3.7 million likes. The 12s are up to the job, even if you aren’t.