SB Nation Seattle - Seahawks Vs 49ers: Seattle Blown Out 33-17 By San Francisco, Ted Ginn Jr.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-09-12T13:26:09-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21736402011-09-12T13:26:09-07:002011-09-12T13:26:09-07:00A Note To The Seahawks Faithful: Stay The Course
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<p>Your friendly post-loss pep talk. </p> <p>Stay the Course. Keep the faith. Don't Panic. Keep Calm and Carry On. All these sayings come in handy on a day like today. I've written a few articles already on the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seahawks</a> loss to the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a> on Sunday and I'll write a few more today. In those articles I've tried to be frank and real. The Seahawks looked bad. They probably <i>ARE</i> bad. But that doesn't mean there is nothing to be excited about. </p>
<p>Sports fanhood is reactionary and emotional in nature and I'm not admonishing you to change your ways. Hell, I'm reactionary and emotional when I watch the games too. That being said, I don't think it's ...realistic?.. to expect a whole lot more from the Seahawks than what we got on Sunday.</p>
<p>What did we get? Ugly football. Turnovers. Sluggish start. Sloppy special teams. The perseverance to keep playing and creep back into the game. Individual silver linings and the knowledge that we came close. </p>
<p>Why did we get it? Two returning starters from last year's opener. Ten remaining players from when Pete Carroll and John Schneider took over. Close to the youngest team in the NFL. No standout quarterback in a quarterback's league. One of the more inexperienced and younger offensive lines in history. Short offseason. New offensive coordinator. New system. No scouting for a team with new systems (49ers). </p>
<p>Myself and many other writers and bloggers have tried to feed the masses with company lines over and over and over again during this preseason. -- "It's going to be tough this year." "There are going to be some growing pains." "This offensive line is going to take some time to get on the same page." "It's a young team, there will be some mistakes made." "The beginning of the season is going to be ROUGH." "The quarterback situation is temporary."</p>
<p>Raise your hand if you've heard all this before. Everyone put down your hands. Now, tell me if you're surprised.</p>
<p>Pretty much EVERYTHING we've been warned about happened on Sunday. The offense took just over a half to get going. The lockout shortened offseason and youth on the team caused some mistakes to be made (especially on special teams). The quarterback situation is just as muddled as it was a week ago. I'm not saying you can't get fired up when we lose because I frickin hate losing, I'm just here to remind you to keep your eye on the long term plan and remember all the warnings we've had about this year. It's a bit hard to expect a well-oiled machine with this Seahawks team.</p>
<p>Obviously, expectations vary greatly and you might have expected more from the Seahawks than what they showed on a micro, individual battle type of focus and that's understandable. But keep in mind that the Seahawks DID put themselves in a position to win the game, down 19-17 in the late fourth quarter. Before you agonize over all of the mistakes and struggles and problems and holes this team has, remember that they got damn close to getting the W. </p>
<p>Yes, they looked horrific in the first half. They looked pretty horrific in the preseason too, so it's not super surprising they struggled early. They made some adjustments at the half and fought back. Semi-crisis averted. A hard-fought, ugly game. The score doesn't accurately convey how close this game really was. I turned off the game and felt surprisingly at peace with what what had just happened. I would have loved to get the win but the ball bounced the 49ers way a few times, the Seahawks had a few assignments blown, and voila - game slipped through their fingers on the road.</p>
<p>There are some good young players on this team. From everything I can tell, Pete Carroll and John Schneider have been given license to re-build and reconstruct this team and they've been given a few years to do so. We're in the middle of that re-build but there are a lot of things to be excited about. <span>Doug Baldwin</span> had a great game. <span>Earl Thomas</span> and <span>Kam Chancellor</span> looked legit. The defensive line stopped the run like it was designed to do. </p>
<p>Hell, I can even give you some positives about the offensive line. It's young!... for starters. It's not comprised of a bunch of aging veterans on their last legs with no replacements in sight (like we're used to). The defensive secondary looked better than I would have guessed. They were flying around and making tackles. The linebackers looked decent. Even <span>Aaron Curry</span> played well! Hallelujah! </p>
<p>At the end of the day, we got to watch an ugly but gripping football game. It was most likely pretty boring to anyone outside of the teams' respective cities of course, but it was interesting until the end.</p>
<p>It's a new team. It's a young team. There are lots of players on the team that I have never seen play. That will be fun to watch. How will <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> respond? Will he bounce back? Will he lose his job to <span>Charlie Whitehurst</span>? Will the run game get going? Will Leon Washington and <span>Justin Forsett</span> get more carries? How will the offense look with Sidney Rice running some routes?</p>
<p>This team, if nothing else, is super intriguing. There's a lot to look forward to. </p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/12/2421034/seahawks-49ers-pete-carroll-john-schneider-paul-allenDanny Kelly2011-09-12T08:48:56-07:002011-09-12T08:48:56-07:00Seahawks Vs 49ers: What Went Wrong
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<p>Revisiting the Seahawks loss to the 49ers on Sunday. What went wrong?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> put together a pretty lackluster performance on Sunday and I remember thinking during the game how incredibly boring it must have been for anyone that wasn't a fan of these two teams (and even people who are fans). The first half was a demonstration of offensive incompetence for both teams, and the second half was a penalty-ridden grudge match where special teams made the difference. </p>
<p>Regardless, sometimes that's how the NFL goes. Sometimes it's ugly. Sometimes your gameplan goes awry. So what happened that the Seahawks hadn't planned? Let's take a look <a href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2417044/seahawks-vs-49ers-zach-miller-tarvaris-jackson/in/2173640" target="_blank">at a post I wrote on Saturday</a> with some 'keys' to the game, and how the Seahawks fared in them on Sunday. My pre-game keys in italics, followed by my post-game follow-up.</p>
<p><i>1. Limit turnovers. The Hawks have to win the turnover battle. This is never more important than playing on the road with an inexperienced line, an untested quarterback, a young defense, and a new offense. These are the issues that Seattle will be dealing with so if they start coughing up the football they will have major problems.</i></p>
<p>The Seahawks lost the turnover battle. Specifically <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span>, who coughed up the ball three times. The 49ers didn't turn it over. Any time you're trying to come from behind, like the Seahawks were in the second half after falling behind early, a turnover severely hampers your progress and greatly reduces your statistical chance at a win. One of Jackson's turnovers, an interception, was flukey as it came at the end of the half on a hail mary type throw, but he also fumbled the ball three times, losing it twice.</p>
<p>His pocket presence was mostly to blame. He failed to step up into the pocket on a few occasions, and on others, failed to see the pressure coming. Of course, a lot of the blame is on the offensive line for this, and it's tough to see something from your blindside, but he also needs to develop a better sense of how long he's holding on to the ball. With more reps and more experience with these receivers and linemen, this is something that can be improved upon, but for now it's something that's going to plague Jackson and the Seahawks. </p>
<p>Alex Smith actually played a game that the Seahawks were probably hoping Jackson would. Smith didn't turn the ball over, connected on 75% of his passes, and 'managed' the game for a 49er win. It was the most boring solid performance ever (well, not ever) by a starting quarterback but he got the job done. To be honest, this is sort the expectation I have for Tarvaris -- I'm not sure if anyone believes he'll be a star in the NFL but I do believe that he has the capability to be a solid, game-managing performer. He just can't turn the ball over three times. Something to improve on.</p>
<p><i>2. Settle down on offense. The Seahawks first team offense really sucked ass in the preseason (pardon my french). The line was porous, the passing game was inefficient, the run game didn't gain a ton of traction, and many of the Hawks starting players were limited with minor injuries. </i></p>
<p><i>If the Hawks can settle in and string together a few first downs early in the game, it will be huge for their confidence and they can start to build some momentum on that side of the ball. Tarvaris Jackson is under a huge amount of pressure both from the fans and from opposing defensive lines, so if he can calm down a bit and distribute the football, he should be fine. If he continues to hold on to the ball in the face of the pass rush and take sacks, it's going to be a very LONG day for the offense (and consequentially, the defense). </i></p>
<p>Yeah... well, didn't quite happen. Especially early. The Hawks started out the game with an 8 play, 34 yard drive that should have been a 3-and-out but was helped by a key 49er penalty to sustain the drive. After that, here's how the Seahawks offensive possessions went. I hope you're sitting down.</p>
<p>-- 3 plays for -1 yards. Punt.<br>-- 3 plays for 4 yards. Punt.<br>-- 4 plays for 7 yards. Fumble, turnover by Jackson.<br>-- 3 plays for -5 yards. Punt.<br>-- 3 plays for -2 yards. Punt.<br>-- 1 play for 0 yards. Jackson Intercepted as time ran out in the first half.</p>
<p>The Seahawks managed 37 yards of total offense in the first half. Not exactly the "settling down" and "stringing together of a few first downs early" that I was hoping for. </p>
<p>Now, if you look at the third quarter start, you feel better. The Hawks made some halftime adjustments and came out like they should have to start the game but putting together a nine-play, 56 yard touchdown scoring drive where they looked in command. They got five first-downs on that drive and the offense finally looked like something that should be playing in the National Football League. </p>
<p>So, as always, a little bad (the first half), with a little good (the third quarter). If you're a silver lining type of person, which I am, there's that.</p>
<p><i>3. The offensive line play. It's looking like <span>James Carpenter</span> will be playing at left guard for the injured <span>Robert Gallery</span>, and <span>Breno Giacomini</span> will take over at right tackle. Neither of them have started an NFL game. <span>John Moffitt</span>, the right guard, hasn't either. <span>Max Unger</span>, the center, has started 17 games. <span>Russell Okung</span> has started 10. Yikes. </i></p>
<p><i>It's very likely they're going to struggle. This is the NFL. You can't just throw together a line and hope it magically works. The level of suckatude is what to watch here. Can they get by with a little grit and get the job done well enough to eek out the win? It's very possible. I'm not saying that the sky is falling, but this will be something that could severely hamstring their efforts. </i></p>
<p>Well, they did struggle. The Seahawks gave up five sacks and probably double-digits in the amount of quarterback pressures. Though a few of the sacks came on plays where Tarvaris just held on to the ball for too long, they were consistently beaten by the 49ers defensive line. They didn't fare any better in the run game. </p>
<p>That said, there appears to be room for improvement. Like I mentioned in my post, I wasn't expecting much from this unit. They helped the Seahawks offense get themselves in a position to win the game. The Hawks trailed only 19-17 with under four minutes left in the game. The offensive line can be much, much better than this. They made some adjustments from the first half to the second half and looked a lot better.</p>
<p>James Carpenter looked decent at the left guard spot. Breno Giacomini ... well I didn't really notice him all that much so he wasn't a glaring liability. The longer these guys play together the better they'll get. That's not just me being 'rah-rah,' I believe it's actually true. You can't just throw guys into the fire like this in the NFL -- well, you shouldn't, but Pete Carroll did. Either way, it wasn't as bad as I thought it could be. So there's that.</p>
<p><i>4. The defense will need to get pressure on Alex Smith. Any quarterback in the NFL, with time, can pick apart a defense. You don't make it to the NFL if you can't make passes under no pressure. Even Alex Smith, the former number one pick that has mostly busted in the NFL (though he IS still starting... so it's not a complete waste), could pick apart the Seahawks secondary if given time to sit back and hit an open target.</i></p>
<p><i>The Hawks will need to bring pressure from their LEO end, typically Chris Clemons and <span>Raheem Brock</span>, but will also need to get a little push from the defensive interior -- <span>Brandon Mebane</span> and Alan Branch. If these two can collapse the pocket, force Smith to scramble or throw it away, it will take some pressure off of the young secondary to make plays. </i></p>
<p><i>San Francisco upgraded their receiving corps this offseason with the addition of <span>Braylon Edwards</span> to augment the weaponry they have in TE Vernon Davis and 3rd year receiver Michael Crabtree. Former CFLer, <span>Brandon Browner</span> will likely get the start opposite <span>Marcus Trufant</span>, and he'll likely match up against Crabtree. It will be a tough assignment for Browner, but it will be interesting to see what he can do against a talented receiver in Crabtree.</i></p>
<p>Again, the Seahawks didn't really succeed in this facet of the game. I believe they only got one quarterback pressure and zero sacks. Not good enough. The Hawks really wanted to get at Smith and force him to make some bad decisions but he didn't get pressured consistently and he didn't turn the ball over. This is disconcerting because when the Hawks start facing a team with quarterbacks named Matt Ryan, <span>Tony Romo</span>, <span>Michael Vick</span>, etc., there could be problems. </p>
<p>The Hawks defensive line looked really good in run defense but pretty poor in the pass rush, which is pretty much what I was expecting. I'd take a 'great' run defense and a 'great' pass rush but in reality would be fine with little more balance between the two -- maybe a good run defense and an 'acceptable' pass rush. Anything to take pressure off of this secondary.</p>
<p><i>5. Special teams. The special teams won Seattle a few games last year, and I have to think that this year will be the same. New kickoff rules. New personnel.</i></p>
<p>Funny. The one unit I wasn't really that concerned about. I was a little concerned about our kicker - <span>Steven Hauschka</span> -- but overall he looked fine. He booted the ball into the endzone on pretty much every kickoff but that didn't stop the 49ers from bringing the ball out. </p>
<p>Anyway -- funny I even mentioned it. The special teams essentially lost the game for Seattle. As I said above, the Hawks had pulled to within two points with under four minutes to go. The Hawks possessed the momentum and had taken the Candlestick Park crowd out of the game. They were poised to make a defensive spot, take back the ball, and kick the winning field goal. </p>
<p>Then Ted Ginn took the ensuing kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown. The Hawks went down by nine. Then they went three and out, punted, and Ted Ginn returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. Game over.</p>
<p>Oops. Special teams are important after all! So what went wrong? Well, it certainly didn't help that <span>Michael Robinson</span> and <span>Byron Maxwell</span> went out early with injuries. With those two out of the game, fill-ins came on and didn't do their jobs. As <span>Earl Thomas</span> <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawksblog/" target="_blank">put it:</a> <i>"All it takes is somebody to miss an assignment and out the gate it goes."</i></p>
<p>The Hawks missed some assignments and I saw a quote from Earl Thomas somewhere (that I can't find now) in which he was alluding to the fact that some people starting 'making things up' on those plays. This resulted in blown assignments, bad angles, and loss of contain. Something that will need to be coached, but thankfully something that is eminently coachable. The Seahawks could still have a top-notch special teams unit, they just didn't show up on Sunday.</p>
<p>So that's what I got on the games keys right now. I'll have more analysis a little later but check in to<a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/" target="_blank"> Field Gulls</a> for more!</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/12/2420209/seahawks-49ers-score-recap-tarvaris-jacksonDanny Kelly2011-09-11T17:21:09-07:002011-09-11T17:21:09-07:00Seahawks Lose To 49ers 33-17
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<p>The 49ers pulled out an ugly victory over the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seahawks</a> Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park, and much of the thanks is due to 49er kick/punt returner <span>Ted Ginn Jr.</span></p>
<p>With 3:56 remaining in the 4th quarter, <span>Doug Baldwin</span> had just taken a <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> pass and run 55 yards for a touchdown to cut the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> lead to two points, 19-17. We had a game on our hands. The momentum was now firmly Seattle's and Alex Smith was about to face the full fury of a amped up Seahawks defense. But it was not to be.</p>
<p>Ted Ginn returned the ensuing kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown and yanked the momentum and last hopes of a victory out of the Seahawks hands. The crowd was back in it, the momentum was firmly back in San Francisco's favor. The Hawks proceeded to go 3 and out and on the punt, frickin Ted Ginn returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. </p>
<p>Both teams played well enough to squeak out a victory but the 49ers came out on top due to their special teams play. Seattle had more yards on offense - 219 to 209, more first downs - 18 to 12, and put themselves in a position to win, down three only with under four minutes to play. Ultimately though, their three turnovers and special teams flubs cost them the game. </p>
<p>The final lines for the starting quarterbacks:</p>
<p>Tarvaris Jackson: 21/37, 197 yards 2TD, 1 INT</p>
<p>Alex Smith: 15/20, 124 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT</p>
<p><i>Be sure to check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/">Field Gulls</a> for more.</i></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2419214/seahawks-lose-to-49ers-33-17Danny Kelly2011-09-11T16:00:12-07:002011-09-11T16:00:12-07:00Michael Robinson Injury: High Ankle Sprain, Out For Numerous Weeks
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> fullback <span>Michael Robinson</span> was in a pretty valuable position, because he's the only fullback currently on the Seahawks roster. So his injury early in the Seahawks-Niners game was pretty monumental and could have contributed to the huge <a target="_blank" href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2418981/seahawks-vs-49ers-score-tarvaris-jackson-alex-smith/in/2173640">first half struggles of the Seahawks</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/JasonLaCanfora/status/113019229686603776">NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora reports that Robinson suffered a high ankle sprain</a>, and could be out for as many as two months. Without Robinson, the Seahawks are going to have to seriously remodel the way they run their offense. The I-formation is probably shot, meaning <span>Marshawn Lynch</span>, <span>Justin Forsett</span> and <span>Leon Washington</span> will have that much more trouble running the football with out Robinson leading the way. It could mean more shotgun and more passing responsibilities for <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span> to bail them out, which is certainly not what head coach Pete Carroll would have wanted to do. The Seahawks will need a fullback fast.</p>
<p>For more on the Seahawks, <a target="_blank" href="http://fieldgulls.com">head to Field Gulls</a>. For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>,<a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com"> head to Niners Nation</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2419093/michael-robinson-seahawks-injury-high-ankle-sprain-out-for-weeksAvinash Kunnath2011-09-11T15:10:50-07:002011-09-11T15:10:50-07:00Seahawks Vs. 49ers Score: Tarvaris Jackson Inept, Seattle Down 16-0 At Halftime
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> are looking like they're really bad at football. And quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has a lot to do with that.</p>
<p>After getting two first downs on the first drive of the game, the Seahawks offense has managed one on the next six. Jackson has completed seven of 11 passes, but has only managed 42 yards passing for an atrocious 3.8 yards per attempt and has been sacked three times and lost the ball once on a blindside sack. There hasn't been much help from the Seattle offensive line in terms of opening up the run game--Seattle has picked up a grand 12 yards on 11 carries--but Jackson has been ineffective in making anything happen through the air.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, San Francisco's offense keeps on putting up points. Alex Smith put up passes to <span>Vernon Davis</span> and <span>Frank Gore</span>, plus additional rushes from Gore set up another <span>David Akers</span> field goal. Then after another Seattle punt, Smith found Davis for two more completions, hit <span>Michael Crabtree</span> and Frank Gore for additional yardage, then rolled out with no timeouts and burst through to the end zone with 0:12 remaining (if he hadn't made it, the clock might have run out).</p>
<p>Seattle has been totally outplayed, but they're technically only down two scores. So the game (shockingly) isn't quite over yet.</p>
<p>To discuss the Seahawks, <a target="_blank" href="http://fieldgulls.com">head to Field Gulls</a>. To discuss the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com">head to Niners Nation</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2418981/seahawks-vs-49ers-score-tarvaris-jackson-alex-smithAvinash Kunnath2011-09-11T14:29:02-07:002011-09-11T14:29:02-07:00Seahawks vs. 49ers Score Update: Punting Is Winning, San Francisco Up 6-0
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> are locked in a defensive battle. Or an offensive slugfest. Or slopfest. Whatever.</p>
<p> It's only special teams that are keeping the 49ers slightly ahead, as two booming punts by <span>Andy Lee</span> (averaging over 62 yards per punt!) helped pin Seattle back. Then after Seattle was forced to punt from deep in their own territory, <span>Ted Ginn Jr.</span> managed a 31 yard punt return to get to the Seahawks 27. This set up a <span>David Akers</span> 27 yard field goal and put San Francisco up 3-0.</p>
<p>After Seattle got the ball back, Jackson was hit from the blind side by <span>Parys Haralson</span>, jostling the ball open, and <span>Will Tukuafu</span> scooped open the fumble. Alex Smith couldn't do much with that red zone opportunity though, and the Niners had to settle for another chippy Niners field goal. It's 6-0 midway through the second quarter.</p>
<p>After the first drive where the Seahawks picked up two first downs, the offense has stagnated. Tarvaris Jackson seems to enjoy hanging onto the ball a little too long. Jim Harbaugh enjoys running the ball a lot--on every third down, regardless of distance, they've rushed the ball.</p>
<p>For more on the Seahawks,<a target="_blank" href="http://fieldgulls.com"> check out Field Gulls</a>. For more on the 49ers, <a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com">check out Niners Nation</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2418884/seahawks-vs-49ers-score-update-punting-is-winning-san-francisco-up-6-0Avinash Kunnath2011-09-11T12:40:05-07:002011-09-11T12:40:05-07:00Seahawks vs. 49ers: Seattle With Numerable Inactives For Week One
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<p>With only minutes to spare before the kickoff of the Seattle Seahawks 2011 campaign, the excitement for this much anticipated season is palpable amongst fans and players alike. Unfortunately Seattle will have a number of inactive players in week one, some of which will be sorely missed for their meeting with <span class="caps">NFC</span> west rival San Francisco 49ers.</p>
<p>According to<a href="http://www.twitter.com/johnpboyle" target="new"> John Boyle via twitte</a>r, wide receiver Sidney Rice and left guard Robert Gallery will be the headline names not to play this Sunday, along with linebacker David Hawthorne, quarterback Josh Portis, defensive tackle Al Woods, wide receiver Kris Durham, and tackle Jarriel King.</p>
<p>Obviously the absence of Rice and Durham will leave the Seahawks passing game without some productive targets, but the biggest issue may come from the quarterback position as Tavaris Jackson will be without a one of his backups, leaving the team vulnerable if he happens to go down with an injury. Hopefully that won’t be the case, but thats why teams carry backups, and Jackson will have only Charlie Whitehurst behind him for support.</p>
<p>Kickoff for today’s game is set for 1:15 pm PT with coverage on the <span class="caps">FOX</span> network.</p>
<p><em>For more discussion on the Seahawks, head over to<a href="http://www.fieldgulls.com" target="new"> Field Gulls</a> to get your fix. </em></p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2418707/seahawks-vs-49ers-seattle-inactives-week-one-sidney-rice-robert-galleryErnie Pomin2011-09-11T12:00:45-07:002011-09-11T12:00:45-07:00Seahawks Vs. 49ers: The "What's Your Deal Bowl" Is About To Go Down
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<p>In case you've been living under a rock for the last week or two and have had no access to this mythical and mysterious thing called the "internet" (it's a chemical reaction similar to fire, I think?), I'll get you up to speed. Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh used to coach college football while concurrently at schools in the Pac-10. They are now concurrently coaching professional football teams in the NFL's NFC West. </p>
<p>Back in 2009, Carroll's USC Trojans met up with Harbaugh's strangely singular Cardinal to play a little match on the gridiron. The Stanford Maroonish Color defeated the Trojans 55-21 and came to that final score after attempting and converting a 2-point conversion very late in the game despite being up by many touchdowns (dicks). </p>
<p>Well, Old Blondie (as I like to call Pete) didn't really appreciate this gesture and when the two met at mid-field to shake hands, Pete asked him "What's your deal?"</p>
<p>Obviously possessing a rapier's wit, Harbaugh's witty and clever retort was "What's YOUR deal?" (He'd recently finished seasons one and two of MTV's<i> <a href="http://cdn-i.dmdentertainment.com/cracked/jp/yomomma/mama7.jpg" target="_blank">Yo Momma</a></i> on Netflix instant streaming so he had some good comebacks in his repertoire).</p>
<p>That's pretty much all that happened. Now, they meet again. They've both played it off in their own ways -- Pete basically denying it happened despite <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeS3VeluAmg&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">video evidence that would be admissible in court,</a>-- and Jim just saying that it doesn't matter and he respects Pete as a coach (real mature Jim, reaaaaal mature).</p>
<p>Let's be honest. Who cares? It was two years ago.</p>
<p>Well, us media folk just can't let things like this die, and it's fun to name things the "What's Your Deal Bowl" to blow things way out of proportion. It's obvious to all of us that Pete Carroll is going to get a big lead and then really stick it to Jim by going for two late in the game. Then, he's gonna wave at Jim and do this:<a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/711218/CarrollBalls.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Carrollballs_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/711218/CarrollBalls_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1315689268427"> </p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle-seahawks/2011/9/11/2416988/seahawks-vs-49ers-whats-your-deal-pete-carroll-jim-harbaughDanny Kelly