What we learned from the Seahawks Week 2 bludgeoning to 49ers
By Matthew Holm
![Aug 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports Aug 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2F12thmanrising-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F18876858-850x560-0a6f74ee33c2bb20a93bf587a20047ab1fa0da1512dc98119fac7dce1687128b.jpg)
What in the Sam Hill were the Seahawks thinking with that Wildcat pass?
I understand the need to mix it up on offense. The Seahawks just about made that happen in a huge way with that flea flicker to Metcalf that got called back. But there’s mixing it up, and then there’s getting, way, WAY too cute.
And, much like the rest of the 2009 vintage that Seattle showed up to this game with, they decided that a Wildcat package was the way to fool this 49ers defense, whose biggest strength is their elite LB corps that can make plays on any part of the field.
So, why, then, with the idea in mind that they trust Geno Smith with the offense, did the Seahawks think it was a good idea to take the ball out of Smith’s hands and let Deejay Dallas, a halfback who has never completed a pass in his professional career, throw an absolute duck to, or rather, in the general direction of, a well-covered DK Metcalf blanketed by a cornerback and guarded by another DB sitting back in zone?
I remember LaDainian Tomlinson completing a few passes off of toss plays in the prime of his career. Here’s the thing, though: LaDainian Tomlinson was, bar none, the best running back in football at the time, and every time he threw the ball, it started out looking like a pretty conventional run play, again, to a halfback that would absolutely take your lunch money if you didn’t close out on him within seconds. Dallas is reasonably quick and has some power in his legs, but he’s no LT.
Next. 15 best wide receivers in Seahawks history. dark
Maybe go with the guy you’re paying money to put the ball on target next time. Oh, by the way, that guy runs pretty well, too, if that’s really the only play you want to call in that situation.