:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17738741/175813098.0.jpg)
We went over the 1st quarter last week, and now we're back to breakdown the second quarter. Here's a spoiler alert: The drop off in talent between the second team and the first team is dumbfounding.
Again the offensive formation is denoted by [# of Backs] [# of Tight Ends] and Shotgun if it applies.
The defensive formations are denoted by [# of Lineman] [# of Linebackers] [# of DBs if more than 4]
The 1st team defense is still in on this drive as we continue over in the second quarter.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 7 | SEA 39 | Wilson incomplete | 21 | Base 34 |
The Chargers come with a zone blitz. Butler comes up the "A" gap, and is picked up by the back. Te'o comes on what looks like a delayed blitz, and Larry English drops back into coverage. Seahawks do a good job of picking it up, and Wilson throws a deep ball to the right side that the receiver can't hang on to. It's one of those back shoulder fades that is tough to stop. Cox doesn't get his head around to see the ball, luckily, it's dropped. This was a route the CBs alst year had a problem with.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 7 | SEA 39 | False Start on the RT | 11 gun | 416 Dime |
This looks to be the new 3rd down D, Te'o comes out, Weddle drops to LB, and Catthouse(for now) goes to safety. The Chargers show pressure with 6 men at the line, the CBs are rolled up in press coverage with 2 safeties deep, JJ jumps but gets back, causing the OT to flinch. False start
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 12 | SEA 34 | Wilson incomplete | 11 gun | 416 Dime |
Same look as the play before, showing pressure, they bring 5(Liuget is a full yard in front of any other DL off the snap, impressive.) Seattle picks up the blitz again, Wilson has a clean pocket, they try to get a deep out route to the first down, Stuckey does a great job breaking on the ball and jumping the route, Patrick is there as well, solid all around coverage and to force a tough pass, incomplete.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th & 12 | SEA 34 | Punt-Touchback |
After giving up a couple first downs, the D does a good job of forcing 3rd & long and getting off the field. Would like to see a little more variety in the blitzes, Butler came from the same spot each time. Still, the 1's looked really solid today.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 20 | Whitehurst incomplete | 1 gun | 43 Base |
Chargers come out in an empty backfield look with 4 WRs and a TE. The route combinations looked good, Depalma could have done a better job at coming back to the ball and creating separtion at the top of his route. It's a quick 6 yard curl route and Whitehurst 1 hops it. Steve Schilling literally gets bull rushed back 4 yards. Not a crisp play.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 10 | SD 20 | Whittaker run for 13 yards | 11 | Base 34 |
A play that I mentioned here that McCoy would bring over, the weakside trap play. Works beautfiully if executed. Trips right, at the snap, the strength of the formation is flipped, the RG pulls, and the TE pulls. Because the OLB crashes down hard, creates a huge running lane. Starks drives his man 3 yards down the LOS making this play possible.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 33 | Whittaker run for -2 | 12 | 43 Over |
RT Mike Harris lets his man, the MLB, run right by him allowing him to make a tackle for loss. Rookie mistake.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 12 | SD 31 | 5 yard penalty | 11 gun | 43 Base |
Empty backfield as Whittaker & Green move to the slot, good way to create mismatches and catch the D in their base personnel. Whitehurst hits Whittaker in the flat for a 2 yard gain. No play, hands to the face on the defense. 5 yards and a 1st down
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 36 | Offsetting Penalties | 11 | 425 Nickel |
Schilling gets whipped on a swim move by the DT, and is called for holding. Luckily, unnesscary roughness on Seattle so the plays are offsetting.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 36 | Whittaker run for no gain | 12 | 43 Over |
Y-Y formation with the TE's to both side and WR twins to the top of the screen. They try to run a power play where the guard and TE pull and it gets blown up. Schilling & Green both don't block anyone. Molk gets pushed back, and Starks misses his man.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 10 | SD 36 | Whittaker run for 9 yards | 11 | 425 Nickel |
Inside Zone over LG, Molk does a great job of driving the DT out of the play, Troutman & Schilling do a good job of getting to the 2nd level and blocking the LB. By far the best play from this group yet.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 1 | SD 45 | False start on the C |
That's right, the center. Molk mishandles the ball, called for a false start.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 6 | SD 40 | Defensive Pass Interference |
The CB hits Meachem before the ball is there on a short cross route, an easy call to see.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 45 | Whitehurst runs for gain of 3 | 21 | Base 43 |
Chargers run a play action pass, looking for Meachem deep, Gron picks up the blitzer nicely, unfortuantely Schilling is beat badly by the DT again, and Whitehurst is force to get what he can.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 7 | SD 48 | Whittaker runs for gain of 3 | 13 | 43 Over |
Chargers run sweep right out of a bunch formation, Depalma doesn't get to the corner in time and picks up the wrong guy, Whittaker makes the corner miss, and gets up field to get what he can.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 4 | SEA 49 | Whitehurst sacked for -7 yards | 13 | 425 Nickel |
Empty backfield and the Seahawks are showing obvious pressure, the EIGHT year veteran doesn't see it and doesn't have a hot route. Not only that but he doesn't slide the protection left towards the obvious blitz. The OLB comes free for an uncontested sack. This goes on the QB.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th & 11 | SD 44 | Punt-Downed at the 9 |
Promising drives is stopped at mid field after Whitehurst fails to see the blitz. These are the little things that are taken for granted that separate QBs in this league.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SEA 9 | Michael runs for 3 yards | 21 | Base 34 |
Seahawks run off tackle to the right, Bird does a really good job of crashing down and blowing up the FB, Bird should be there to make the play but takes an awful route to the ball. Luckily, Catthouse is there to clean up as he reads the play nicely and makes the tackle. He should be careful here, because they'd see this in a real game and burn him on PA.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 7 | SEA 12 | Quinn pass incomplete | 21 | Base 34 |
PA pass, English beats the RT on a speed rush, Scafe beats the RG, and Quinn is forced to throw it into the ground. Scafe'ss man was called for a hold, but it was declined. He looked really good there.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 7 | SEA 12 | Quinn pass to L. Wilson for 15 yards | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Patrick blitzes from the slot and Bird blitzes up the middle while English drops back in coverage. Patrick is a step late as Quinn his Wilson over the middle. Bird was in that zone but jumped the shorter route. You have to know down and distance as a player and let the shorter route go.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SEA 27 | Quinn pass incomplete | 12 | Base 34 |
Wynn beats the RT off the snap and forces Quinn to throw the ball deep and off target to the TE. Stuckey was there in coverage had it been a good throw. Scafe also beats his man on another nice swim move and is a step late for a sack.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 10 | SEA 27 | Michael runs for 3 yards | 20 | 425 Nickel |
Scafe initially gets pushed back a couple yards off the double team, but fights it off and makes the tackle. Bird still having a hard time coming downhill.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 7 | SEA 30 | Quinn pass incomplete | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Chargers bring 5, but eveyrone is accounted for, Quinn throws deep for a back shoulder fade but Steve Williams (5'9) is in the WR's(6'4) hip pocket, and also gets his head turned around. Great coverage here by the rookie.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th & 7 | SEA 30 | Punt-Returned for 8 yards to the 18 |
The defense is still playing solid, the 2nd team DL looks better than expected. Geathers/Scafe/Wynn all flashed on this drive. 2nd team corners did well, too. Still would like to see more creative blitzes.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 18 | Whittaker run up the middle for 4 yards | 21 | 43 Over |
Inside Zone play over the RG, the OL as a whole get a solid push and Gronk with a nice block to kick out the DE. It's clear that the OL is more comfortable with zone blocking at this point.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 6 | SD 22 | Whitehurst complete to Depalma for 3 yards | 11 gun | Base 34 |
Screen to Depalma who's lined up in the slot, potentially nice play design with the CB sagging off. The LT & LG are the lead blockers, but Troutman doesn't get out there in time and his man makes the tackle.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 3 | SD 25 | Whitehurst complete to Depalma for 5 yards | 11 gun | 43 Over |
This is has Whiz all over it. Bunch right to the wide side of the field, Depalma goes in motion to dictate the coverage, OL picks up everyone and provides a clean pocket. The route combo has Meachem who is on the outside of the bunch running a crossing route, Green who's at the top, runs a curl, and Depalma on the inside runs to the flat for an easy pitch and catch for a 1st down
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 30 | Whittaker runs left for no gain | 12 | Base 34 |
Y-Y formation to the left, they run inside zone & Phillips doesn't kick his man out and he makes the tackle. Whittaker has a nice cut back lane but doesn't see it. The OL failed to get a good push here.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 10 | SD 30 | Whitehurst complete to Depalma for 22 yards | 11 gun | Base 34 |
SEA blitzes 5 & the line does a fantastic job of picking up the blitz. Whittaker with a nice cut block on a blitzing LB. Whitehurst scrambles left when he doesn't have to, and finds Depalma crossing the field deep. Depalama with a nice catch on a ball a little behind him.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st and 10 | SEA 48 | Whittaker runs up the middle for 2 yards | 11 | Base 34 |
Whitehurst audibles to a run up the middle for some reason, Dombrowski is in at RG for Schilling and he gets thrown to the side like a rag doll and lets his man make the tackle. That was bad.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 8 | SEA 46 | Personal foul on Troutman, 15 yard penalty |
Troutman goes low as Whitehurst rolls out left, you can't go below the waist like that. Troutman should know better. "Illegal peelback block."
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 23 | SD 39 | Whitehurst complete to Hill for 7 yards | 11 gun | Base 34 |
Seattle only brings 3 so Whitehurst has all day to throw, he checks it down quickly to Hill over the middle and Hill is tackled immediately. Whitehurst didn't look at any other WR.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 16 | SD 46 | Whitehurst interception | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Trips right, the OL picks up the pass rush very nicely as Whitehurst has a clean pocket. Whitehurst stares down Meachem, who's running a deep curl route, then he double pats the ball and throws it late. 2 negatives their on the QB. Meanwhile, Meachem literally runs to the 1st down marker, turns around and stops. Shows no interest in coming back to the ball and helping out his QB. He looks like a shell of what he was for the Saints explosiveness wise, I have doubts he's that same guy.
A costly interception stalls the drive. The offense was rolling up until the personal foul on Troutman that put them in a whole. The 2nd team OL was 10x better this drive, I think they heard it on the sidelines. Still, all for naught with the turnover. These are how games are lost. Seattle isn't driving 80 yards in 2 minutes to score, instead they get a short field here. A personal foul by Dombrowski gives the ball to Seattle at the 14.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 14 | Quinn incomplete | 11 gun | Base 34 |
Seattle goes for a quick score here. Geathers gets pressure late, the rest of the DL is picked up. Chargers are playing a Cover 3 zone, Williams gets caught flat footed and peaking in the backfield on a post route for what should have been a TD. Quinn throws a bad ball and bails him out.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 10 | SD 14 | Ware runs up the middle for 3 yard gain | 21 | Base 34 |
Geathers gets pushed back 3 yards on a double team block, Bird is still having problems coming downhill, Catthouse reads run quickly and comes down in the box and makes the tackle. Catthouse has played really well so far. Diagnoses plays quickly.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 7 | SD 11 | Quinn pass to Kearse for TD | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Quinn has a clean pocket as SD elects to play coverage. Williams lets his man inside expecting help from Stuckey. Stuckey jumps an underneath route that he has no business being around, you must protect the end zone.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kickoff is a touchback |
Even though the D was backed up here, they still had an opportunity to get off the field allowing 3 points. I think you put pressure on the O by blitzing on 3rd down, but even still, Stuckey can't jump an underneath route on a long 3rd down, unacceptable.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 20 | Whitehurst incomplete to Allen | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Empty backfield with Whittaker to the top and Green inside at slot. I'm noticing that Green is always the last person out of his stance. The OL again picks up the pass rush nicely, Whitehurst has no pressure and a clean pocket. Allen makes a beautiful stutter step at the line and beats his man(Seattles starting nickel CB) with about 3 yards seperation. Whitehurst overthrows him by about 3 yards, this should be easy pitch and catch for almost any QB in the NFL.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 10 | SD 20 | Defensive Holding-5 yards, 1st down |
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 25 | Whitehurst incomplete to Depalma | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
SEA comes with a delayed blitz and SD picks it up nicely. Dombrowski gets beat on a swim move forcing Whitehurst to step up in the pocket. Whitehurst does a good job of climbing the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield. Throw is a little low but Depalma has to make that catch, that's a drop.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 10 | SD 25 | Whitehurst complete to Allen for 9 yards | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Trips right, the same route combination that's a flat/curl/cross and even in press man Allen creates separation on a curl route. He looks the part. The OL creates another clean pocket for Whitehurst as they pick up a stunt from the DL.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 1 | SD 34 | Whittaker up the middle for 2 yards | 11 | 425 Nickel |
SD goes hurry up and runs inside as the OL doesn't get much push, but hard running from Whittaker picks up the 3rd & short.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 36 | Whitehurst complete to Depalma for 8 yards | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Amazingly, Whitehurst is the beneficiary of another clean pocket, the OL is really eliminating any SEA rush. Whitehurst hits Depalma on a curl route to the left side. Nice, easy, pitch & catch.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd & 2 | SD 44 | Whitehurst incomplete | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Trips right, as Harris goes into his kickslide, he trips over his own feet, allowing the DE to come free. Whitehurst eludes him by stepping up into the pocket and then scrambling left and throwing it out of bounds. I think he could've hung in the pocket longer here, and found a WR. As he was scrambling his eyes we never downfield
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd & 2 | SD 44 | Whitehurst complete to Deplama for 5 yards | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Another clean pocket, Whitehurst hits Depalma to the top of the screen on a pressure out for an easy pitch and catch. Depalma fails to get out of bounds as he loses his feet allowing the clock to run.
| Down | Yard | Play | O-Form | D-Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st & 10 | SD 49 | Whitehurst interception | 11 gun | 425 Nickel |
Whitehurst has yet another nice pocket to throw from intially, but Dombrowski gets beat, again, and Whitehurst climbs the pocket and throws to Allen on a crossing route but it's too far out in front, Allen dives, it's off his hands for an interception. I think Allen could've taken 1 more step before he dove, but he has a 3 yard separation from the CB so I'm not sure how the ball was that inaccurate.
Another drive killed by a turnover, I'm sure that Coach McCoy isn't happy with this. My biggest first half takeaways were how much better the 2nd team OL looked after their 1st drive, how the defense played as a whole, and individually Catthouse, Allen, and the DL in particular were. SD ran 44 plays, absolutely dominated the time of possession, but only had 3 points to show. Of those 44 plays, they only used a FB 7 times. The focal point seems to be spread them out to create running lanes, and mismatches on the perimeter.