Seattle Seahawks: Bucking The Trend

Aug 15, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) and head coach Pete Carroll talk during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

In a league that is known for clinging to the status quo the Seahawks tend to go a different way. They march to the beat of their own proverbial drummer; actually they have two drummers, Pete Carroll and John Schneider.

Coach Carroll is not new to this rodeo. In fact he was incubated in several NFL teams, mainly as defensive coordinator, but having two stints as head coach at the Jets and Patriots. He then moved on to USC where he honed and refined his philosophy and more importantly was given the latitude to practice it.

What set him apart? He was always known as a player’s coach. He doesn’t have the attitude of ‘it is them versus me’, rather he identifies with the notion that it is ‘us versus them.’ He was hired away from USC by the Seattle Seahawks with a readiness to try this NFL thing once again, this time under his terms.

His coaching style was carefully studied in the Petri dish of the collegiate ranks. How has it translated at the upper echelon of talent? I think the answer has come back ‘pretty well.’ He also was able to hire his own general manager, a guy that he hand-picked because he knew that their views were similar and they could grow the team under his visionary umbrella.

Okay, with all of this said it doesn’t address how they eschew the normal state of affairs in the NFL and have attempted to blaze a new trail. The NFL is mired in traditions born in old notions and ideology.

Carroll has come in with an eyes wide open approach, thinking outside of the (coaching) box. Nothing is too crazy as long as it fits into his fundamental style of coaching. What are the fruits of his forward thinking? Well here are five items.