Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today — September 8 — about your Seattle Seahawks:
Chancellor vs. Gronk
For ESPN Insider, former NFL safety Matt Bowen previewed the best one-on-one matchups to watch this upcoming NFL season (ESPN Insider access is required to read the full article). Seattle's Week 10 matchup in New England received mentioned because of the physical battle between Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. Here's what Bowen had to say about the duel:
These are two of the most physical players in the league. Yes, the Seahawks are a core Cover 3 team. That puts Chancellor as an underneath defender dropping to the curl or playing inside as a hook defender. That's where he's at his best. Read the QB and drive on the ball. But I'm hoping we get to see more straight man coverage, with Chancellor walked up to the line in a
press position versus Gronkowski. Use the hands. Challenge the release.
There is no doubt that Gronkowski is the NFL's ultimate matchup weapon. He's a beast. And no one is going to completely shut him down. But I like the idea of Chancellor squaring him up on the release during this Week 10 matchup. That's good football -- and must-see TV.
Additionally, Bowen included the Seahawks for a second time, featuring the two matchup's between Carson Palmer and Seattle's secondary. Here's what he had to say about the games between the two NFC West rivals:
I'm wrapping this up with the Cards-Seahawks, because two matchups (Week 7 and 16) will decide the NFC West and possibly home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. And we also get an awesome matchup with Palmer versus one of the best secondaries I've ever studied on tape.
Remember, Bruce Arians' offense in Arizona is designed to push the ball down the field. And there are ways to attack the Seahawks vertically in this system, given Palmer's arm strength and the talent he has to work with at wide receiver.
The key? Use those Cover 3 beaters and find a way to remove Earl Thomas from the post. That's easier said than done, given Thomas' vision and range.
The winner of this game could be in the driver's seat when the postseason kicks off.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from tackle George Fant (@kGthree44), who thanked Bengals tackle Jake Fisher for the kind words after Fant made the 53-man roster.
More From Around The Web
Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
Need tickets for Sunday's home opener? You can win some this Friday at Seahawks Blue Friday Night Vibes, where former Seahawks Steve Largent and Jim Zorn will make an appearance.
Richard Sherman has a weekly feature on The Players' Tribune that dives into his life off the field as an All-Pro NFL cornerback. This week, he talked about Seattle's expectations and much more.
Jason Jenks of The Seattle Times wrote about Russell Wilson's progression as a quarterback.
Mike Sando of ESPN.com has the Seahawks winning the most games in 2016 (ESPN Insider access is required to read the full article). Here's how he shapes Seattle going 13-3:
*Wins: Dolphins, at Rams, 49ers, at Jets, Falcons, at Saints, Bills, Eagles, at Buccaneers, Panthers, at Packers, Cardinals, at 49ers *
Losses: at Cardinals, at Patriots, Rams
Analysis: ESPN's Vegas power rankings had Seattle as the No. 1 team. My 13-win projection agrees with that thinking, although the Seahawks need to start faster than they did last season. I've wondered whether Pete Carroll's emphasis on finishing strong has sometimes come at the expense of starting fast. Carolina (home) and Green Bay (road) look like swing games.
And lastly, former Seahawks linebacker Dave Vobora is providing football players and disabled athletes a place to train.
