ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Seahawks vs. Cardinals Friday, October 22, 2004
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Seahawks and Cardinals. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Seahawks traded for 42-year old WR Jerry Rice on Tuesday, and they
plan to use the future Hall of Famer this weekend. Rice struggled in
Oakland's vertical passing attack, catching only five passes for 67 yards.
But that figures to change in Seattle. Head coach Mike Holmgren was the
49ers' quarterbacks coach from 1986-88 and offensive coordinator from
1989-91, so he has a history with Rice. Although WRs Koren Robinson and
Darrell Jackson will remain the starters, Rice should see plenty of time
considering his experience in the West Coast offense. In addition, the
Seahawks might be without No. 3 WR Bobby Engram (ankle), which would put
Rice at the top of the depth chart when Holmgren decides to spread the
field. While Rice is no longer capable of stretching defenses, his sure
hands and crisp route-running should improve a Seattle receiving corps
that has struggled with consistency.
Seattle will also feature more four-receiver sets with Rice in the lineup,
meaning TEs Jerramy Stevens and Itula Mili will see fewer snaps against
the Cardinals. Also, WR Alex Bannister, who has played sparingly this
season, appears to be the odd man out in a group that now has great depth.
If Engram is available, the Seahawks will be able to exploit a very thin
Cardinals' secondary.
One matchup to watch is Arizona LOT Leonard Davis working against Seattle
RDE Antonio Cochran. Davis, who primarily played guard during his first
three seasons, was expected to excel when he moved back to his natural
position on the outside. But Davis has been unable to transfer his success
at the college level into success in the NFL. He has struggled working
against speed rushers and his inability to hold up on an island is a big
reason why Arizona has allowed 17 sacks. Cochran is replacing the injured
Grant Wistrom. Cochran isn't the most physically gifted pass rusher in the
league, but he has a good first step. Davis has the strength to handle
Cochran in the running game and should hold up in pass protection because
Cochran isn't an elite edge rusher. However, Cochran is far more
consistent than Davis. If Cochran can capitalize on this edge, the
Seahawks may be able to mask the loss of Wistrom.
Arizona DC Duane Starks, the best cover corner on the Cardinals' roster,
was back at practice on Wednesday and could be available. Cardinals'
defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will have more options to deal
with Seattle's spread passing attack if Starks can play. For starters,
Pendergast could roll his safeties to give inconsistent DC David Macklin
help over the top. A healthy Starks would give the Cardinals better depth,
and they would be better prepared to defend against Seattle's three- and
four-receiver sets. His presence would also give Arizona the opportunity
to blitz on occasion. If Starks pulls up lame, Pendergast will be forced
to use a vanilla approach with SS Adrian Wilson and FS Ifeanyi Ohalete
providing coverage support in a two-high shell.
Under the guise of coordinator Ray Rhodes. the Seahawks' defense has been
extremely aggressive and will get after Arizona QB Josh McCown. Seattle
can take chances without being at a disadvantage in coverage because the
Cardinals' offense lacks firepower. Arizona's offense is starting to show
signs of life after putting up 33 and 28 points over the past two weeks.
That momentum would quickly fade if Seattle can rattle the inexperienced
McCown with a heavy blitz package.
Seattle OLB Anthony Simmons has been bothered by a sore shoulder and is
listed as questionable after aggravating the injury against New England.
If Simmons can't go, the Seahawks would start rookie Niko Koutouvides.
Koutouvides is a good athlete, but his natural position is middle
linebacker; he has very little experience defending tight ends. Expect the
Cardinals to target Koutouvides by getting TE Freddie Jones involved in
the passing game if he gets the start.
While McCown has gone through some tough times, he has shown the toughness
necessary to bounce back from mistakes. With his top three receiving
options nicked up or injured, McCown has struggled in head coach Dennis
Green's offense. But his early experiences should prepare him for the
Seahawks. McCown will make some mistakes, but he must have a short memory
and rebound quickly if the Cardinals are to pull off the upset.
Cardinals RDE Bertrand Berry draws plenty of attention from opposing
offensive lines, and it has benefited his teammates, as they have faced
fewer double-teams. Berry is the leader of Arizona's defensive line and
his aggressive style of play has been infectious. However, the Seahawks
have one of the best left tackles in the league in Walter Jones. His
ability to handle Berry on an island means LDE Calvin Pace and UT Darnell
Dockett will have some trouble getting to QB Matt Hasselbeck.
Special Teams
Seattle P Tom Rouen is listed as questionable after missing Wednesday's
practice to rest a sore hamstring. As a result, the Seahawks will have to
make another last-minute decision on their punter. P Donnie Jones filled
in last week and remains on alert after Seattle re-signed him to the
practice squad earlier this week. If Rouen pulls up lame, Jones will get
the starting nod.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Cardinals 20
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Seahawks and Cardinals. Now they're back with a
second look.
The Seahawks traded for 42-year old WR Jerry Rice on Tuesday, and they
plan to use the future Hall of Famer this weekend. Rice struggled in
Oakland's vertical passing attack, catching only five passes for 67 yards.
But that figures to change in Seattle. Head coach Mike Holmgren was the
49ers' quarterbacks coach from 1986-88 and offensive coordinator from
1989-91, so he has a history with Rice. Although WRs Koren Robinson and
Darrell Jackson will remain the starters, Rice should see plenty of time
considering his experience in the West Coast offense. In addition, the
Seahawks might be without No. 3 WR Bobby Engram (ankle), which would put
Rice at the top of the depth chart when Holmgren decides to spread the
field. While Rice is no longer capable of stretching defenses, his sure
hands and crisp route-running should improve a Seattle receiving corps
that has struggled with consistency.
Seattle will also feature more four-receiver sets with Rice in the lineup,
meaning TEs Jerramy Stevens and Itula Mili will see fewer snaps against
the Cardinals. Also, WR Alex Bannister, who has played sparingly this
season, appears to be the odd man out in a group that now has great depth.
If Engram is available, the Seahawks will be able to exploit a very thin
Cardinals' secondary.
One matchup to watch is Arizona LOT Leonard Davis working against Seattle
RDE Antonio Cochran. Davis, who primarily played guard during his first
three seasons, was expected to excel when he moved back to his natural
position on the outside. But Davis has been unable to transfer his success
at the college level into success in the NFL. He has struggled working
against speed rushers and his inability to hold up on an island is a big
reason why Arizona has allowed 17 sacks. Cochran is replacing the injured
Grant Wistrom. Cochran isn't the most physically gifted pass rusher in the
league, but he has a good first step. Davis has the strength to handle
Cochran in the running game and should hold up in pass protection because
Cochran isn't an elite edge rusher. However, Cochran is far more
consistent than Davis. If Cochran can capitalize on this edge, the
Seahawks may be able to mask the loss of Wistrom.
Arizona DC Duane Starks, the best cover corner on the Cardinals' roster,
was back at practice on Wednesday and could be available. Cardinals'
defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast will have more options to deal
with Seattle's spread passing attack if Starks can play. For starters,
Pendergast could roll his safeties to give inconsistent DC David Macklin
help over the top. A healthy Starks would give the Cardinals better depth,
and they would be better prepared to defend against Seattle's three- and
four-receiver sets. His presence would also give Arizona the opportunity
to blitz on occasion. If Starks pulls up lame, Pendergast will be forced
to use a vanilla approach with SS Adrian Wilson and FS Ifeanyi Ohalete
providing coverage support in a two-high shell.
Under the guise of coordinator Ray Rhodes. the Seahawks' defense has been
extremely aggressive and will get after Arizona QB Josh McCown. Seattle
can take chances without being at a disadvantage in coverage because the
Cardinals' offense lacks firepower. Arizona's offense is starting to show
signs of life after putting up 33 and 28 points over the past two weeks.
That momentum would quickly fade if Seattle can rattle the inexperienced
McCown with a heavy blitz package.
Seattle OLB Anthony Simmons has been bothered by a sore shoulder and is
listed as questionable after aggravating the injury against New England.
If Simmons can't go, the Seahawks would start rookie Niko Koutouvides.
Koutouvides is a good athlete, but his natural position is middle
linebacker; he has very little experience defending tight ends. Expect the
Cardinals to target Koutouvides by getting TE Freddie Jones involved in
the passing game if he gets the start.
While McCown has gone through some tough times, he has shown the toughness
necessary to bounce back from mistakes. With his top three receiving
options nicked up or injured, McCown has struggled in head coach Dennis
Green's offense. But his early experiences should prepare him for the
Seahawks. McCown will make some mistakes, but he must have a short memory
and rebound quickly if the Cardinals are to pull off the upset.
Cardinals RDE Bertrand Berry draws plenty of attention from opposing
offensive lines, and it has benefited his teammates, as they have faced
fewer double-teams. Berry is the leader of Arizona's defensive line and
his aggressive style of play has been infectious. However, the Seahawks
have one of the best left tackles in the league in Walter Jones. His
ability to handle Berry on an island means LDE Calvin Pace and UT Darnell
Dockett will have some trouble getting to QB Matt Hasselbeck.
Special Teams
Seattle P Tom Rouen is listed as questionable after missing Wednesday's
practice to rest a sore hamstring. As a result, the Seahawks will have to
make another last-minute decision on their punter. P Donnie Jones filled
in last week and remains on alert after Seattle re-signed him to the
practice squad earlier this week. If Rouen pulls up lame, Jones will get
the starting nod.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Cardinals 20
