Why the Seattle Seahawks Should Part Ways With Pete Carroll
By Ian Anderson
Pete Carroll has done truly amazing things for the Seattle Seahawks. In the 10 seasons that he has been head coach, he has 100 regular season wins, eight playoff appearances, two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win.
He'll go down as a legend in Seattle, there's no doubt about that.
That being said, Sunday's loss in the Divisional Round to the Green Bay Packers has raised some serious questions. Most importantly, whether or not Carroll should remain the Seahawks' head coach going into the 2020-2021 season. Here is why the Seahawks should part ways with their legendary head coach.
Takeaways from Pete's closing press conference:
— Evan (@EvaninSEA) January 13, 2020
-RB health was a major issue
-Didn't like how they defended the edge (in the running game)
-No coaching changes
-Doesn't want any major changes to OL
Curious for others' opinions.... does this encourage you?
Starting off with Carroll's closing press conference to end the 2019-2020 season, there are some serious red flags and large amounts of incompetence here.
Carroll essentially blamed the loss on running backs Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise being injured, as well as their inability to set the edge in the run game.
The Seahawks held the Packers to only 3.6 yards per carry, which should be enough to win football games, so obviously that doesn't seem to be the issue.
Russell Wilson's offensive lines ranked in pass pro throughout his career, per PFF:
— Evan (@EvaninSEA) January 13, 2020
2012: 22nd
2013: 30th
2014: 26th
2015: 30th
2016: 32nd
2017: 30th
2018: 18th
2019: 30th
The fact that Carroll does not want 'major changes' to the offensive line is an issue. Through Russell Wilson's career, his offensive lines have mostly ranked in the bottom quarter of the league. That is not the way to protect one of the best quarterbacks in pro football.
Even though the Seahawks did battle significant injuries with the unit throughout the year, the play around the board was disappointing. Wilson was seen running for his life time and time again.
Pete Carroll's Seahawks have been outscored 113-13 in the first halves of the 5 road divisional playoff games.
— Let Russ Cook (@zjwhitman) January 13, 2020
Most importantly is Carroll's inability to put the ball in Wilson's hands until the situation is dire. Carroll stubbornly committed to the run and refused to change until down 21-3 at halftime against Green Bay. This was perfectly summarized by the Hawks' second drive, which went run, run, run, punt. This stubbornness to commit to the run has put Seattle into some serious holes over the years.
The Seahawks have been outscored 113-13 in the first half of Divisional Round games with Carroll in charge. That's absolutely pitiful, and the only reason that these games become remotely close is because of Wilson's second-half heroics.
The entire state of Washington is grateful for everything Carroll has done, but it very well could be time to move on.