On Friday morning, Pete Carroll joined KIRO Radio 97.3 FM for his weekly conversation with host Dori Monson. Here's a few highlights from the pair's conversation ahead of the Seahawks' Monday Night Football matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Marshawn Lynch Will Probably be a Game-Time Decision
Reiterating much of what he said during his Thursday press conference on the status of Marshawn Lynch (hamstring), Carroll said the decision on whether or not to play the Seattle running back against the Lions is "probably going to go to game-time."
"He's working hard at rehabbing and trying to get back," Carroll said of Lynch, who had five carries for 14 yards against the Chicago Bears in Week 3 before exiting the game to injury. "He's got a slight hamstring pull, but for a running back that runs as crazy as he does it's really important and crucial to him. But we'll see how he goes, he's working hard for us."
If Lynch is unable to suit up, Carroll said rookie Thomas Rawls, who had 104 yards on 16 carries in Lynch's place last week, and veteran Fred Jackson would "share the load" at running back with "a little bit" of fullback Derrick Coleman mixed in.
Seattle is Disappointed it Doesn't Have Any Interceptions
The Seahawks are one of just three NFL teams without an interception through the season's first three weeks. Carroll expressed disappointment at that fact, but noted the club's chances to secure a pick have been limited with the Seahawks facing Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, where Rodgers hasn't thrown an interception since 2012, and then going against an ultra-conservative Bears attack directed by backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who only threw the ball 17 times.
"We're disappointed that we don't have any at this point, but at least we've knocked the ball out a few times, we've got some turnovers," Carroll said. "And when they come they're going to come in bunches and we're going to really celebrate those opportunities when they show up."
Seattle could receive its best shot at an interception this week against Detroit, a team that through Week 3 had the third-most pass attempts in the League (128) under quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Detroit is "A Very Good Football Team" Despite its 0-3 Record
Carroll referred to the Lions as a "highlight team with big-time players" in Stafford, Pro Bowl wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, tight end Eric Ebron - the No. 10 pick in the 2014 draft, and running back Ameer Abdullah, the Lions' leading rusher the team took in the second round of the 2015 draft.
"Of course they're hungry for a win," Carroll said of an 0-3 Lions squad that's off to its worst start since 2010 when it finished the season 6-10. "This is a team that won 11 games last year, so a very good football team. They've been in all of these games, they could have won them. I know they're frustrated by that. This is high-powered offense. Stafford can really throw everything at you and he's got great receivers in their system and they've got a tight end that runs really fast, a new running back that's a rocket back in the backfield, so they've got all kinds of firepower and they're wide open, so they can wear you out if you let them.
"So fortunately, we're playing it here and hopefully the crowd will help us with our pass rush and give us a chance to get off the ball and cause them some problems."
