Left tackle Nate Solder (77) catches a TD pass from Tom Brady in the AFC title game. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
PHOENIX — Pete Carroll has no issue with the New England Patriots taking advantage of the rules in an attempt to catch defenses off guard. But the Seattle Seahawks’ coach has made an effort to ensure his defense is alerted to exactly who the eligible receivers are on a given play.
After watching Patriots left tackle Nate Solder catch a touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game, Carroll contacted the National Football League office to gain clarity on the rules in preparation for Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday.
The Patriots have run several tackle-eligible plays during the playoffs in an attempt to catch defenses off guard. It drew the ire of Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh in the divisional playoffs, and Carroll said there was a mix-up in the series of plays that included Solder’s touchdown.
“I called to find out about the mechanics of that stuff. There was a mistake (against Indianapolis),” Carroll said. “That’s something that could happen. We don’t want that to happen if we can help it.”
Identifying coverage assignments is a significant part of the Seahawks’ preparation this week, and Carroll believes that task will be more manageable with the referees making clear signals as to who is an eligible receiver. The Seahawks will meet with the referees before the end of the week, and Carroll has been told the crew will emphasize hand gestures — wiping their chests for eligible players and crossing their arms for players ineligible to be in the pass route.
“They came back with a very clear response,” Carroll said of the league office. “There’s going to be a very clear signal — a new declaration to the players on the field. I know the league is absolutely committed to getting that right.
“We’ve been preparing for it every day, because we don’t want to get caught in mishandling it on our end.”
Defensive tackle Michael Bennett wasn’t as politically correct in his assessment.
“The rules by the league are made up daily,” Bennett said with a bit of a smirk. “If people are making a big deal about (ineligible receivers), then they’re going to look into it and cover their butts.”
Identifying eligible receivers is just part of the puzzle in preparing for the Patriots’ offense, which features numerous formations and skill position players lining up in different positions.
“We just want to know the rules of engagement,” Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn told The Sports Xchange. “Whatever they are, those are the rules and we will abide by them.”
–Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s girlfriend, Ashley Moss, is expected to give birth to the couple’s first child in about a week. Moss is in Arizona this week and Sherman has said the plan is for her to give birth at a local hospital if the child comes early. He declined to reveal the plan should Moss go into labor on Sunday.
“I think he’s going to be a disciplined young man and stay in there until after the game,” Sherman joked. “We have things in place in case that happens and we’ll cross that bridge if we get there. I would not like to miss the birth of my first son, but God willing, thankfully we won’t have to cross that bridge.”
And the plan if Moss goes into labor on game day?
“I can’t let you know,” Sherman said.
–Thursday is “Turnover Thursday” during the Seahawks’ typical practice week, when the focus is on the defense attempting to get the ball away from its counterpart.
“It is the No. 1 thing that we emphasize in the program,” Carroll said of turnovers. “Because we think it’s the No. 1 factor that determines a ballgame. It’s a big commitment that goes across the board.”
Carroll said the Seahawks and Patriots both are plus-51 in turnover margin over the past three seasons, by far the best mark in the NFL.
“Thursday is special because Pete emphasizes it,” Sherman said. “But we try to get turnovers every day; they’re game-changers. That’s why our guys hunt the ball the way that we do. That’s why we’ve been so successful on defense, I think.”
–Bennett said the Seahawks are far more relaxed during their second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl, after it being a new experience for most of the roster last year.
“I think sometimes two weeks (between games) is too much,” he said. “Football is such a reaction sport, and I think we do a great job of walking that line, having fun with it and being prepared.”
Asked about players who have won consecutive Super Bowls saying they knew they were going to win the second one, Sherman quickly noted there is still a game to be played.
“We haven’t won it yet. We’re a confident bunch, we believe in what we do, we believe in our system, our philosophy and we expect to go out there and execute,” he said. “Whether it’s enough to win the game remains to be seen.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I like the long-haired Tom Brady more than the short-haired Tom Brady. He has that swagger that most people wish they had. They wish they had Gisele.” — Bennett on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
