Seahawks’ Pete Carroll on Bobby Wagner’s controversial blocked FG: ‘It’s a judgment call’

The Seahawks continue to be the winningest team on Monday night.

They might also be the most controversial.

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There was the infamous “Fail Mary” touchdown in 2012, a batted ball out of the end zone by linebacker K.J. Wright in 2015, and against the Vikings this week there was a controversial no-call on a blocked field goal by linebacker Bobby Wagner.

With 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, Wagner leapt over his teammates and blocked a 47-yard field attempt by Vikings kicker Dan Bailey. Referees initially threw a flag – presumably to penalize Wagner for using teammates as leverage – but ultimately let the play stand.

.@Bwagz comes through in the clutch! #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/zo0hKQXxik

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 11, 2018

“Well, it’s a judgment call,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told Brock Huard and Mike Salk during an interview on 710 ESPN Seattle Tuesday morning. “It’s really a judgment call. The way we practiced it, we practiced it really clean. Bobby was just jumping over the guys, that’s what he was doing, trying to do.

“There was one time in practice where his hands just kind of guided his way, and that’s kind of what he did. So they have to judge it. You can place your hands on players, you can’t use it for leverage. So that’s where the judgement comes in. They may see it differently now when they look at it again. That’s just what happened on the night.”

Even without the controversial call, though, Wagner has been having a strong season in Seattle. The week before the win over the Vikings, the seven-year veteran recorded a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a goal-line pick-six against the 49ers.

Carroll said when he saw Wagner attempt the field goal-block in practice, he knew they had to include it in their game plan.

“It was like, ‘Oh, we’re doing this for sure,'” Carroll said with a laugh. “He just went up and over and it was so clear we had to do it.”

Here’s what else Carroll had to say. Listen to Carroll’s full interview with Brock Huard and Mike Salk in the audio clip embedded above or at this link:

It looked like Duane Brown kind of went up to Russell Wilson after a rough outing to talk to him about his play. To watch Brown really emerge as that voice up front, how beneficial has that been for you guys? “Yeah, Duane is a stud. He is a terrific team member. Not because of what he says, but because of who he is. And not even what he does, it’s who he is. He just has the presence, and it’s such a powerful presence. We’re so fortunate he’s on our club.”

On right guard Jordan Simmons, who started for an injured D.J. Fluker: “There’s a lot of future in this kid, he’s just getting started. He was hurt his entire college career, he only played a handful of games. He had a knee that was a problem, got operated on and all that. He’s played as much football here as he’s probably played in his college career. So he’s just an untapped source kind of. And the great thing is he’s healthy. His legs are fine, his body’s fine. He just couldn’t get healthy when there. He’s still just a young pup. He was nervous, you know, going in and the whole thing, this Monday night game… he’s just getting rolling. He’s a really good guy for the future.”

On George Fant’s first career reception: “The great thing, George thought if he didn’t slip he’d have scored. He really felt that. And so that was awesome. That was great the way our bench responded. George is a great athlete though.”

George Fant is a weapon. 💪#MINvsSEA pic.twitter.com/SdZxj6YrNG

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 11, 2018

Is there a person we haven’t mentioned that really deserves some credit? “I really liked what Mychal Kendricks did. Mychal Kendricks got hurt in that game and he played through it. I don’t know how he is today, but he hurt his knee in the game, and I noticed him making it through. He did not want to come out, he fought it the whole way. He was not full-speed but he was going and he battled through it. He’s a really good ball player. I don’t know if he’s going to be well this week or not, it was unfortunate that it happened, but in the heat of the battle he was not going to be taken out.”

Carroll Post-Show: Seahawks’ clear identity in December a great sign

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