Quote:Many, including TMD, have argued that it is now impossible for a defensive, ball control team to win the Super Bowl any longer, yet Seattle, a defense first, run the ball team dominated all year and won the big one.

 

I have argued that the best teams of all time (those who won multiple Super Bowls within a short period) have tended to place a heavy early round emphasis on skill players.  This runs counter to those who maintain building through the trenches is the only way to truly win.  It's too soon to say whether Seattle will win multiple Super Bowls.  Nevertheless, looking at them at this early part, Seattle seems to buck both trends.   Going back to 2009, Seattle spent three first round picks on linemen (Okung, Carpenter, Irvin), and three first round picks on non linemen (Curry, Thomas, and this year's first on Harvin).

 

I don't know if this is mathematically correct, but I believe I heard 6 of the last 7 Super Bowls, the team with the better defense won.

 

I agree with just about all you've said.

 

And to add to that, Carroll is rooted in college football.  With his last stint at USC, he was able to carry over elements of college and have them work in the pros.. which is rarely successful.

 

How has he made it work?  It would seem to me the emphasis on youth, speed, and a hard hitting, challenge the receiver defense is the key.  With so many timing routes etc. with modern offenses, he takes the fight to them.  Bumping and jamming knocks WRs out of place and puts them off target in their timed routes.  A relentless pass rush takes the QB off the spot, and the combination of the two spells doom for offenses even with skirts on the QBs and rules advantages for the WRs.

 

On offense, you impose your will.  Be capable of running when you need to, want to... and also be able to throw on your own terms as well (keep downs manageable and make teams pay for cheating the line.)

 

I couldn't help watching them but to think... the ability to impose their will offensively and wreak havoc on defense reminded me a little of the dominance of the 90s Cowboys.  Who, were also led by a college coach who brought in weapons on offense and had a speedy, attacking defense.

 

Youth, speed, and challenging the opposing offense seem to be the new formula for success.

 

We can have that, too.  Though, it's likely to take the same four years as it did Seattle.  Maybe a little longer, since Carroll started with more than we did.  Keep drafting well and adding key free agents and I don't see any reason why we can't emulate that success.

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