Seahawks vs. Rams: The Debut of The Club, in Eight Parts

Midway through the game in which Darryl Tapp tied the all-time Seahawks record for sacks in a season, Tapp broke his hand. He didn't sit out, no, he came back and played. And he recorded this sack during a play in which the Rams' protection of their quarterback is so atrocious, it's comical.

1) Here the Hawks have presented the Rams' O-line with a conundrum. Four Seahawks are feigning blitz. Only they know if they are coming or not. Even though it's 3rd and 18, the Rams are expecting blitz and are in max protect--those two backs will stay in and block, giving the Rams seven blockers.


2) At the snap, three of the aforementioned four drop back into pass coverage. Julian Peterson, #59, does blitz. But here it gets even more confusing, both for you and for the Rams. DE Darryl Tapp, #55, is, as you can sort of see, stunting to the inside, while Peterson rushes to the outside. Rams LT Alex Barron can't block both of them. Take note of LG Andy McCollum, who hasn't blocked anybody yet.


3) Barron made his choice: He shoved Tapp toward McCollum, and slid left to block the blitzing Peterson. Because the Rams are in max protect, they still have two blockers in the backfield--tailback Travis Minor and tight end turned fullback Joe Klopfenstein--that Tapp will need to get through. Note that McCollum still hasn't blocked anybody.


4) Tapp's broken through Barron, but he still must get through two more guys--running back Travis Minor and tight end Joe Klopfenstein. He collides with them...(note that McCollum still hasn't blocked anybody)...


5) ...And blows right through them. Minor barely touches Tapp and then goes out for a pass (as if to say, "Fuck this, I'm outta here") and Klopfenstein gets a mouthful of The Club. Let's check in with Andy McCollum again.


6) Nope, still hasn't blocked anybody.

7) Here's Tapp sacking, and forcing a fumble from, Marc Bulger.


8) And the sideline celebration.