Notes from the Nest: Seahawks search for answers

Seahawks and Bears was horrifying

• That game was…something
  • How do you describe what we all witnessed in Seattle on Thursday last week? Yes, it was preseason, but that is the type of game that makes you concerned about the future of the franchise. This game hopefully doesn’t signify what has been going on at training camp, but I’ve never seen such a lifeless and terrible display of the basic fundamentals of football.
  • The offensive line didn’t play badly, but the penalties were brutal. Charles Cross will be a legit stud for this franchise, I truly believe that. Seeing a season’s worth of penalties in a few quarters of football sure brought back some horror-filled memories of Germain Ifedi.
  • Geno Smith didn’t look bad, yet again looking like the player Seattle saw last year, when he went 1-2 as a starter. When given time, he threw a few nice balls and had a chance at a big play-action play, but tripped on the running back’s foot. It was a great example of the night that was. An opportunity to take the job for good, Smith didn’t lock (sorry) it down.
  • Smith did have a few nice balls thrown. The problem was that the receivers he was throwing to couldn’t catch water if they fell out of a boat. First drive of the game, Geno was given great time and he threw a perfect 20 yard post to Freddie Swain and he flat out dropped it. It was an inexcusable drop, and one of many we saw from these receivers not named Metcalf and Lockett.
  • The depth of the receiving corps is concerning to say the least. Yes, you have your two beasts up front, but for a group that is fighting for a roster spot, I’ve seen nothing showing fight. Seattle appears to be content with relying on Metcalf and Lockett and hope for some rare health from Dee Eskridge and Marquise Goodwin. Not the most intimidating group.
  • The defense was a joke. The Bears were running free, getting whatever they wanted. A preseason defense will almost always stay pretty much in base, with the occasional blitz package. I’m not looking for a complex, playoff football defense, but to see lackluster fundamentals and execution in coverage and tackling is very concerning. Hearing Pete Carroll sound as concerned as he did about the missed tackles in the postgame press conference was encouraging. Preseason or not, he recognizes the problem. This defense can be really good this year, they have the speed and athleticism to be dynamic, but they will need to finish plays, and not look like they’re playing football on ice skates.