Hawk Talk Recap NFL Tour

This was a unique experience for me, getting to attend an NFL game as part of an NFL TOUR put on by the NFL as way to say thanks to some corporate sponsors north of the border. The tour kicked off by bus from Vancouver and when onboard we were treated to free Reebok hoodies and Hats. The Bus met up with the buses of four other sponsors approx 15 mintues from the stadium and then we were caravaned by police escort to the stadium, 5 police motorcyclles stopped traffic on the Freeway so we could pass, and surrounded us ushering us through lights as we neared the stadium. I have and probably never will experience anything like that again, kind of presidential or rockstar feel to it. Then you arrive and are treated to an “All Canadian” tailgate experience blocks from the stadium, all the free beer and barbecue you could handle.

We had like two hours of this just relaxing before the game, the food was great plus this tent had a DJ in the back and two flat screens in either corner showing out of town

 

 

games.

So the barbeque winds down and we make are way up to the game and as part of the opening ceremonies a couple RCMP mounted police are part of it as well as some children, alot of Canadian Flags and the Canadian National Anthem, unfortunately there were more than a few boo birds really a shame given the link between the two countires with regards to Seattle athletics, both the Sonics and Hawks have a ton of Canadian supporters. The one thing that dawned on me was shortly after the ceremony after over hearing alot of people asking why the Canadian content, the team made no announcement that this was NFL TOUR day or that there was alot of Canadians in attendance but chose to instead make the majority of it’s fans sit through something they are not use in some attempt to please a couple hundred Canadian VIP’s, favorite comment I overheard “Why is today any more Canadian than any other day”

The Seats were well dead average, 30 yard line home end zone pretty high but not too high, I did appreciate however the free roam the guest passes provided as we were given access to all public zones.

Now the game, the fans were rowdy a sellout crowd at 68,000 and the noise was deafening, seemed a couple octaves louder than normal as if the 12th man was intent on pushing the team through.

From My: Preview

REVISED KEYS TO VICTORY

Offense

1. Julius Jones, the Rams do not have a good run defense, Julius Jones rushed for 140 yards on 22 touches including a TD and and unbelievable spin back against the grain run for 32 yards, TJ Duckett added another 80 Yards on 19 carries.

2. Decision Making, Matt Hasselbeck has been average, Matt did exactly what he needed to manage the game keep drives alive and protect the ball, our offense can run the ball effectively but do so we have to mix in some passes keep drives moving.

3. Put the OH in Offensive Line, no pressure on Matt gave him the time to make plays but really earned their pay cheques run blocking the tackling of the Rams was bad but alot of tackles were being attempted at the second level, our backs were given room to operate.

Defense

1. Pass coverage, this one worries me as Marc Bulger did not look real good at any point in this game, alot of missed throws and watching the coverage was good but still alot of room for improvement, one thing I did like is that Josh Wilson was at times our second corner he played real physical with a couple of nice bumps at the line of scrimmage and to seemed to be challenging recievers more than Kelly Jennings, Josh finished the game with 7 tackles

2. Turnovers, created 2 something we failed to do in the losses on Sunday this wasn’t the difference but it will be other days the play by Julian Peterson to force a fumble was a difference maker early on that type of back breaker at that point it was over.

REVISED KEY MATCHUPS

1. Matt Hasselbeck vs Melting Matt, gotta give it up to Matt played well did not disappear in a big game for the Hawks but the block stood out more than any passes he threw if you didn’t see it on a touchdown run by Julius Jones, Julius got jammed up the middle spun to the outside and was left with Matt to lead him into the end zone, Matt went low tripped up two Rams and Julius tipped toed in.

2. Replacement Dreams vs Replacement Schemes, yes the Replacements was on cable but I couldn’t help myself comparing that movie to our team, players come in many not ready physically or in terms of knowledge and it’s not fair but this is your chance to make something so hurry up and catch a big gainer over the middle where careers are ended before one of our real recievers get’s healthy and your career never begins. I actually felt bad for Billy McMullen, he caught a pass over the middle that was thrown a little too far and a little too high but as a replacement you don’t make every attempt to make a play you may never play again nice catch but man did he pay a price just got lit up, nice day overall 4 receptions 76 yards.

3. Michael Bumpus vs Practice Roster, Mike has looked the best of any off the practice roster callups a couple nice receptions a little run after the catch on one a TD on the other great to see a guy get rewarded by sticking with it after not making the 52 man roster, suprised how average Courtney Taylor has looked considered the #2 on week one after the injuries before Burleson went down he is slowly playing his way onto the practice roster.

THE SHORT AND LONG OF IT

In short this will actually be a passing dual, both secondarys have been bad but The Hawks will hold at home the key stat will be completion percentage which ever QB completes a greater perecentage of passes wins Sunday Third week in a row this hits Matt won the QB dual and the Hawks won.

We look to lick our wounds coming into the bye week, everyone knows about our downed Recievers but the Offensive Line and Defense are pretty banged up as well for www.sportstalkbuzz.com this is Hawk Talk please check back Mid Week for roster updates and practice anaylsis.

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Last post (s) by Terry Shilton

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