Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Initial impressions of the Seahawks and Rams after watching their game late Sunday night:
- Seattle remains in the embryonic stages offensively. I would expect improvement. Tight end John Carlson is the guy Matt Hasselbeck trusts the most, along with Nate Burleson. Hasselbeck holds the ball too long sometimes when he isn't quite sure where a receiver will be. Seattle could be dangerous if the team can get to midseason with a good record.
- Aaron Curry transforms the Seattle defense. He brings an enforcer mentality and backs it up with size and athletic ability. He gets under other players' skin. Seattle hasn't had that type of mentality on defense for quite a while. Can the Seahawks sustain it against better teams?
- One more note on Curry: The game was out of reach when the Rams' Steven Jackson finally broke a long run. Curry caught him from behind.
- The Rams are smarter defensively from a scheme standpoint. Coach Steve Spagnuolo and defensive coordinator Ken Flajole kept Hasselbeck guessing early in the game by mixing up double-team coverages on receivers. Hasselbeck eventually figured out where to find Carlson.
- Seattle was a difficult first destination for the Rams because of the noise. The Rams lack firepower at receiver and that will hurt them all season, but opening the season at home would have given St. Louis a better chance to function.
- Backup Seattle linebackers Will Herring and David Hawthorne seemed to fare well once starters Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu left the game. Herring played well during preseason. Hawthorne has improved and become more than just a hitter. But with only six linebackers on the roster heading into Week 1, the team needed to sign D.D. Lewis as insurance once injuries affected Hill and Tatupu. Hill's injury appeared more serious.
- The Rams cannot trust right guard Richie Incognito to keep his composure. There's a difference between playing with an edge and falling over the edge. I seriously question whether Incognito can ever show the necessary self-control.
Those are a few first impressions after watching the game on replay. I'll take a closer look upon returning home late Monday night.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
