Cyber surfing: Monday

[News Bot]

Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Sept. 19:
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times was in Pittsburgh to chronicle the Seahawks’ pointless effort against the Steelers on Sunday. Offers O’Neil: “The defeat wasn’t a surprise. Seattle was a bigger underdog than it had been in any game since 1992. It was the spectacularly one-sided nature of this loss that stood out. The Seahawks had not failed to score in a game since Oct. 7, 2007 — the last time they played in Pittsburgh. ‘That’s embarrassing,’ quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said. ‘We just didn’t show up as an offense.’ ”
Jerry Brewer of the Times examines that offense. Says Brewer: “The offense is operating at an elementary level. The Seahawks have to focus so much on protecting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson — they used skill-position players to assist the offensive linemen on too many plays in this game — that they can’t attack the defense in a sophisticated fashion. They can’t stay on the field long enough to develop any rhythm. They can’t run the ball, and even when Jackson has time, receivers either aren’t open or the quarterback is too reluctant to make throws in tight spaces.”
Also from O’Neil, a look at Brandon Browner, the Seahawks’ extra-large, extra-physical cornerback who was targeted in the game – by the Steelers and the officials. Says O’Neil: “He plays press coverage exclusively, but Pittsburgh’s speedy receivers sometimes kept him from getting his hands on them. About midway through the second quarter, it became clear (Ben) Roethlisberger was looking for Browner, believing there would be an open receiver in the area.”
Eric Williams of the News Tribune also came to an obvious conclusion: “The Steelers – 141/2-point favorites heading into this contest – predictably dominated all phases of the game.”
Williams also has the latest word on Sidney Rice, the wide receiver who has yet to play because of a sore injury. Said coach Pete Carroll: “We just need to see if he continues to respond. He’s got a sore shoulder now, and we’ve got to make sure he’s right before we put him back. He’s got some damage in his shoulder. And we’re trying to figure out how he can come back. … The labrum issues are all different. And he’s responding very well. So we need to see if he’s ready to go.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has a wrap-up of the Seahawks’ effort. What does it mean? Says Sando: “The Seahawks have yet to get their offense going after two games against teams with strong defenses. They take a 0-2 record into their home opener against Arizona. Since the NFL expanded to 12 playoff teams in 1990, only 22 of 177 teams starting 0-2 have qualified for postseason. That stat might mean less in the NFC West after the 2010 Seahawks became the first team with a losing record to win its division.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we’ve got a look at the frustration that followed Sunday’s loss. Said defensive end Red Bryant: “It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating. I feel like the defense was fighting extremely hard. But to allow them to go out there and dictate to us what the tempo was going to be, it was very frustrating. I don’t know what else to say, we’re frustrated. I’m frustrated.”
We’ve also got recaps of the game in words, Rod Mar’s photos and Tony Ventrella’s video.
For recaps of the second Sunday in this NFL season, there’s Peter King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com; John Clayton’s “Last Call” at ESPN.com; and Clark Judge’s “Judgements” at CBSSports.com.

Source: Seahawks.com