Defenses are not showing the Seahawks much respect

In previous years, opponents would spend hours worrying about how to deal with Marshawn Lynch’s punishing running style. Russell Wilson’s mobility and improvisational skills were the perfect compliment. Lynch set the tone.

Without Lynch, teams are not as concerned. Where they once had to sell out to limit Beast Mode, they’re now selling out to completely shut down the running game.

We’ve seen over the years how Seattle’s defense has dominated opponents by taking away the run. It’s their modus operandi. Many high-flying offenses became dimensional and impotent.

Now the Seahawks are getting a taste of their own medicine.

It’s easy to point at the O-line and demand they do a better job at run blocking. They must do better. No argument there. But when you’re facing eight or nine men in the box consistently, it’s very difficult to run the ball. Is that on the line, or is it up to the Seahawks’ brain trust of Carroll, Bevell and Cable to find a counter-punch? A blitz-buster or plan that will force opponents to drop men back into coverage and create more favourable running opportunities?

It’s strange that in seven years of the Carroll era, the Seahawks have never been a particularly good screen-team. They haven’t really had a wrinkle to combat pressure. The Rams and Cardinals have often smothered Seattle’s O-line. Dom Capers’ Green Bay unit appear to have Seattle’s number too. They’ve consistently struggled in those match-ups.

It’s why New England’s approach in the regular season last year was so bizarre. They rushed only three or four and dropped bodies into coverage, giving Seattle the time and freedom to do what they wanted. The result was a consistent accumulation of points.

Other teams are not as forgiving.

Do they have the personnel to play the way they want to?

We know the Seahawks want to run the ball and be physical. We know they went away from that last year. Is it even viable at this point though?

If teams are attacking that O-line and selling out to stop the run — continuing to try and run the ball wouldn’t be a wise idea. You don’t want other teams to dictate the way you play but equally you don’t want many games like the one yesterday.

It was OK with Lynch in the backfield. A 20-carry, 60-yard performance from Lynch was sometimes enough to get the Seahawks what they needed. It wore down the defense. Teams were keying on stopping Lynch for four quarters and it took a toll.

One man was able to take it to an entire defense.

Now those 20-carry, 60-yard performances aren’t having the same impact and strain on an opponent.

It’s possible that this version of the Seahawks needs the pass to set up the run. Not every week of course. Some teams, such as upcoming home opponents San Francisco and Indianapolis, could be overmatched. But in the big games against the proper teams in the NFC, there might need to be some flexibility and adaptability.

Isn’t it more fun though just to hammer Tom Cable?

Possibly for some. After a game like that, it’s natural to look for a scapegoat. Coordinators are an easy target. They’re seen as replaceable and a trendy alternative for criticism when the Head Coach is popular.

Two quick points.

Seattle’s starting line in 2013 (Okung, Carpenter, Unger, Sweezy, Giacomini) all remain in the league. All five have been allowed to walk or they’ve been traded. There aren’t many O-line coaches tasked with rebuilding an entire line. For all we know, Cable would’ve retained the lot.

Here’s a breakdown of the Pro-Bowl offensive linemen drafted after the first round during the Pete Carroll years (2010-17):

2010: 0
2011: 2 (Rodney Hudson, Jason Kelce)
2012: 1 (Kelechi Osemele)
2013: 1 (David Bakhtiari)
2014: 1 (Trai Turner)
2015: 0
2016: 0

Those are the names Seattle ‘passed’ on (along with the other 30 teams who equally didn’t draft them). There isn’t this long list of failed assessments by Cable and John Schneider.

Neither have they really had much chance to use free agency. Could they have paid an O-liner instead of inheriting Jimmy Graham’s salary? Possibly. Not many people were complaining about Graham’s acquisition at the time though.

The O-line needs to improve immediately. This isn’t good enough:

.@DangeRussWilson @Seahawks I have mad respect for how you compete behind the offensive play yesterday pic.twitter.com/vc5s9pvQqi

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 11, 2017

.@Seahawks first snap of the 2017 season went like this. The more things change, the more things stay the same pic.twitter.com/vLxwJTPL4N

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 11, 2017

Perspective is still an important tool at a time like this though, when reactions are rife and emotions high.

The starting left tackle is on injured reserve, Odhiambo and Joeckel haven’t played together before. Growing pains, sadly, are not particularly surprising.

Seattle’s offense might be struggling with the ‘too many cooks’ angle. Pete Carroll, Darrell Bevell and Tom Cable all have a say it seems. All have very different backgrounds and ideas. It also makes apportioning blame a difficult thing to do as a fan and observer.

So what now?

The reassuring thing is there’s plenty of evidence that a great defense >>>>> great O-line. Denver won a Super Bowl the year before last with an elite pass rush and secondary. On offense they had an average running game, an ineffective ageing quarterback and a bad offensive line. The Seahawks possess a much better offense than the Super Bowl winning Broncos and the evidence on Sunday is that the defense is absolutely legit.

Denver found a way to make their offense do just enough. The Seahawks, at a minimum, have to do the same. What they showed on Sunday was below the necessary mark.

I’ll have some thoughts on week two of the college football season on the blog on Tuesday or Wednesday.

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Unfortunately, Deja Vu is the term that springs to mind.

Dom Capers’ Green Bay defense had Seattle’s number.

The Seahawks offense looked like it was in the same crisis of identity we saw last year.

A lot of the focus will be on the officials. The call to deny Nazair Jones a touchdown and eject Jeremy Lane was a poor one. The non-PI on Jimmy Graham was equally galling.

Really though, the Seahawks didn’t deserve to win today. Not with that offensive performance. As a unit they collected nine points in total. That isn’t going to beat Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau.

It wasted another tremendous defensive display. Despite losing Lane, Green Bay were shut out in the first half. Seattle collected sacks and took away the token gesture run game.

The offense, in response, was impotent.

By the fourth quarter the defense was clearly exhausted and suffering with cramps. The slow, painful drive to make it 17-6 and the final game-clincher had to be endured.

So what happened on offense?

— Seattle, as was so often the case last season, simply couldn’t establish a running game

— Russell Wilson, for whatever reason, sees green and yellow Kryptonite whenever he plays Green Bay

— The offensive line still looks like an issue

A defense that was made to look silly by Jim Harbaugh, Colin Kaepernick and the read-option every time the Packers met Harbaugh’s 49ers, suddenly looks like the 85 Bears when they play the Seahawks.

It’s easy to forget all the calls for Capers to be fired after those San Francisco shellacking’s. These games against Seattle have rejuvenated his career.

Without wanting to make excuses for the O-line, Green Bay’s defense seemed to be very busy reminiscent of the way Arizona attacks Seattle. There’s a lot of bodies up front, a lot of moving parts. The Seahawks, for some reason, have never been good at dealing with pressure. Screens have never worked in the Carroll era. They don’t really have a go-to response.

The result was a lot of chaos up front. However, you may have noticed Seattle also created a lot of pressure against Rodgers. Green Bay found ways to make plays regardless. Seattle could not.

With stars like Jimmy Graham and Doug Baldwin on offense, not to mention the flexibility they have with pass-catching backs and a mobile quarterback — they have to find ways to temper pressure.

That’s not to say the O-line doesn’t need to improve. They do. And fast.

The running game problems might be a bigger concern. This could just be a particularly difficult day against a defense that always plays Seattle hard. Green Bay seemed to take particular joy in shutting down Eddie Lacy for example.

Yet the inability to dictate anything on offense and get any rhythm in the run game was eerily similar to last season.

This time there are no excuses. The O-line is a year older. Wilson isn’t injured and immobile.

They have to do better than this. It was a major point of focus to regain that nasty edge on offense and re-establish the run. This wasn’t a good start.

Other teams like Green Bay, Atlanta, Dallas — they aren’t trying to work out their identity or re-establish anything on offense. Seattle has to reach that point too and fast.

Is the committee approach going to work? Is Lacy going to be effective? Is it time to just accept Chris Carson is the best and most complete back on the team?

Defensively there were major positives. The D-line looks as good as advertised. Sheldon Richardson made his introduction with some key plays and Earl Thomas looks ready for a career year.

If the offense had scored more points and kept the defense fresh, this could’ve been a very different afternoon.

It’s a third straight loss against the Packers at Lambeau. If the teams do meet again this season, you better hope it’s not in Green Bay.

Seattle should have better success against San Francisco in the home opener next weekend and their second home game against the hapless Colts also shouldn’t prove too tricky.

The next three road games though — Titans, Rams, Giants — will need to see a much improved offensive performance.

I want to profusely thank my longtime friend Rob Staton for the opportunity to write for his blog. I might as well ask for his forgiveness now, too, while I’m at it. 

This is an optimism piece. Gird yourself accordingly.

Before the 2013 season started, I correctly predicted a Super Bowl win for the Seahawks that year. I even identified their eventual opponent.

That doesn’t mean much. I know nothing. And things are different this year.

Back then, I was impressed by the innovations of the Seahawks’ front office. They stood at the leading edge of early-decade evolutions in NFL play, finding ways to exploit market surpluses, setting trends that NFL teams still copy today. The 2013 road was bumpy for the Seahawks, requiring more than a few ridiculous narrow escapes from teams who had no business keeping up (Houston, Tennessee, Tampa). But they found ways to win, and in the end, their toughness and depth were a perfect Ragnarok for the finesse Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Walking into 2017, the Seahawks aren’t necessarily new anymore. Teams know about Russell Wilson. They’ve remembered that the run matters. Seattle’s simplistic, just-try-to-beat-us Cover 3 defense has been solved, at least enough to give opposing offenses a wedge in the door. Instead of holding a novelty advantage over the league, Seattle must rely on talent, depth, effort, and resilience.

No problem. They’ve still got that.

The 2017 offseason got me jazzed. Offseasons rarely do that. I’ve been seeing pretenders and fools’ gold everywhere since 2007, and my therapist doesn’t know what to do with me anymore. But this offseason was the first time since 2013 in which Seattle’s moves really seemed to be targeting 1) the unique strengths of the team and 2) the elements most commonly considered crucial to winning. It’s left me with a simmering optimism for the Seahawks’ 2017 prospects.

Here are six reasons why.

1. Special Teams

Depth, depth, depth.

It was one of the least recognized, most essential aspects of our 2013 run. It insulated the Seahawks’ playoffs chances from injuries, and it strengthened special teams.

Do you remember when we used to lean forward in anticipation with every Steven Haushcka kickoff, waiting for someone to fly down and knock the ball loose from the opposing returner’s hands? I remember. Pepperidge Farm remembers. Winning the field position battle and generating the occasional special teams turnover was an enormous defensive advantage that year – and something that took a precipitous drop for Seattle in 2016, partially, perhaps, due to losing influential gunner extraordinare Ricardo Lockette:

2013: 25.8 yard line (starting field position for opponents)
2014: 25.7
2015: 23.8
2016: 28.4

(source: Pro Football Reference)

This year, depth has returned to Seattle, like salmon returning home (weird analogy, but I’m hungry). If preseason proves one thing, it’s the quality of its depth.

And it should, at least in theory, bolster their special teams unit. Seattle’s focus on drafting defensive backs higher than normal wasn’t just an attempt to reload the aging Legion of Boom – it was an effort to bring nastiness back to special teams. S Delano Hill was a particularly intriguing move on that front. Throw in underrated moves like trading for proven special teams ace DJ Alexander, our embarrassment of riches at RB/hybrid WR, and our acquisitions at linebacker, and Seattle could have the makings for a championship-caliber special teams unit. Not a factor to be underrated.

Speaking of which…

2. Options at running back

It wasn’t until I saw SI’s Andy Benoit waxing poetic about the Atlanta Falcons’ running backs, and how many options they afford the offense, that Seattle’s moves at the position snapped into focus for me.

It’s not just about sandbagging against injury. All these running backs and hybrid WR’s? Seattle wants to be the Falcons. Or, as you might have suspected after the NFL’s opener on Thursday, the Chiefs, whose head coach Andy Reid is matched by no-one at employing running backs downfield.

Having talented running backs who can run routes and disguise offensive looks is worth its weight in gold. That’s why it’s hard to get consterned over Seattle’s seemingly thin WR roster, which after Jermaine Kearse’s departure seems to pretty much end (at least as far as proven experience is concerned) after three small and somewhat injury-prone guys. It actually doesn’t end there. C.J. Prosise brings a proven ability to get vertical and force offenses to reveal coverages just by lining out wide. They’re hoping J.D. McKissic can do the same; his potential at mimicking both Prosise and WR Tyler Lockett’s skill sets went a long way towards securing him a roster spot. Eddie Lacy and Thomas Rawls are at least decent pass-catchers. Even rookie Chris Carson showed some chops here in the preseason.

This is the most hauntingly intriguing assortment of Swiss-army knife RB’s Seattle has had in years. IT’s fair to mention that Seattle’s limited options at tight end might cap our efforts to be the Falcons. But should Darell Bevell find ways to maximize this potential (and keep everyone healthy) while getting the read-option working again, Seattle’s opponents could still find themselves with their hands full.

Speaking of which…

3. Russell Wilson’s health

I pushed this down a bit in an attempt to be different, but it could just easily go #1.

Everyone noticed when Wilson got slow last year. Folks assumed it came courtesy of an ankle crush by Ndamukong Suh in Week 1 against Miami. What only a few observant fans noticed is that he was already looking slower during the preseason. Media literature confirmed that Wilson had intentionally bulked up somewhat over the 2016 offseason as part of an injury-prevention program. The ankle tweak in Week 1 slowed him further, and in Week 3 he was sacked awkwardly by a spying San Francisco linebacker on a rollout play (by definition not the offensive line’s fault, it’s worth mentioning), leaving him gimpy for most of the season and hampering Seattle’s running game into the bargain.

The lesson learned, apparently, is that the best way for Wilson to absorb hits (and the biggest benefit to Seattle’s running game) is to avoid taking them at all.

This year, Wilson is back to his spry 2015 weight and looked red-hot during the preseason. He should be a danger to take off from the read-option again. That’s one of those things that Seattle’s opponents know about but can’t stop without either having a Pro Bowl defensive line (ahem Rams cough) or making sacrifices elsewhere on defense. Remember Mike Holmgren famously saying that he didn’t care if he was predictable as long as the predictable was unstoppable? As long as Wilson’s healthy, Seattle is in a similar position.

Speaking of which…

4. Pass rush

You have no idea how depressed I got when top draft pick DT Malik McDowell was lost to the team.

Forget the offensive line for a moment. It’s the defensive line that’s quietly been the biggest bugaboo in Seattle’s shoe since 2014. A deep, consistent pass rush that can generate pressure without blitzing is a must-have when you’re targeting the big dance.

Seattle hasn’t had that for years. It’s well-known to the attentive that Seattle’s postseason demise in both 2012 and 2014 came partially at the hands of injuries to crucial pass rushers (Chris Clemons and Cliff Avril respectively, with Jordan Hill lost earlier in the 2014 season).

Avril and (surely you’ve noticed) Michael Bennett remain on the roster, but their effectiveness came into question towards the end of 2016. Seattle’s lack of pressure against Falcons QB Matt Ryan last year wasn’t necessarily the end of their effectiveness so much as Ryan having a career game from the pocket in his own right (against a defense lacking Earl Thomas). But the fact remains that, while both Avril and Bennett have the attitude and resilience to join the ranks of the league’s long-suffering Dwight Freeney’s, they’re also on the wrong side of 30, and Seattle would have been fools to not make contingency plans. DE Jarran Reed is an excellent Brandon Mebane replacement but not a QB-reacher, nobody else on the interior has really stood out over the years, and it was unfair to ask (admittedly scintillating) edge rusher Frank Clark to shoulder the load alone. Seattle needed an interior penetrator.

Enter Malik McDowell. There were questions about his effort, but otherwise? Calais Campbell upside. He could have been the answer to Seattle’s pass rush problems, possibly even the most impactful Seattle draftee since Russell Wilson himself. That’s the importance of interior pass rush.

Welp…he got injured. Despite being sighted in Seattle’s locker room, I am operating on the assumption that he won’t play this year.

But then Seattle pirouetted magnificently from the blow and landed DE Sheldon Richardson in a trade from the Jets. Richardson is young, undeniably disruptive against both pass and run, and, as Rob has written before, NOT as un-re-signable as some are saying. It would take some doing, but as Seattle found with Jimmy Graham, there is the sense that sometimes you just have to open your wallet. Few positions are worth it like interior defensive tackle.

Thanks to Sheldon, Clark, the still-intense duo of Avril and Bennett, and McDowell (if he somehow returns this year), Seattle has, on paper, the ability to puncture pockets, stuff talented running backs, and pressure quarterbacks into errant throws without overtaxing their linebackers, not to mention the depth to keep their line fresh. More than any season since Red Bryant’s departure after 2013, offensive coordinators will be awake at night when thinking about the Seahawks.

5. The schedule

I’m trying not to be fooled by this. Schedules can change; underdogs can emerge.

But Seattle has avoided a lot of pitfalls on the schedule this year. The division is low. Arizona has lost defensive talent. San Francisco and St. Louis have giant flashing question marks at quarterback. Seattle faces only one 10am road game (a monkey Seattle actually ripped off its back years ago, but whatever), and it’s against Jacksonville. No back-to-back road games exist anywhere on the slate. Facing the Giants and the Cowboys on the road is a challenge (especially after the recent news that Dallas RB Ezekiel Elliott might be playing this year after all), but after that – manageable. Not gimmes, but quite manageable.

6. The back seven is still there

This defense boasts eight Pro Bowlers, several of whom are motivated to nab one more year of glory before getting separated by the excruciating contract decisions Seattle will have to make in the next few years. They’re hungry again, they’ve got Earl Thomas back, and they’re ready.

Call that a shallow take if you want, but the entirety of their dropoff last year can be explained by the loss of Earl to injury. They’ve got the best set of options at cornerback they’ve had in a while. I’m intrigued by LB Terence Garvin. They’ve dramatically improved their safety depth. Again…depth, depth, depth. The Seahawks have it back there in a way they haven’t since…yep…2013.

So…do I think the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl?

I’m going out on a limb and saying yes.

That’s just my call, and it always carries a bit of trepidation. You certainly don’t have to feel the same way. I know there are common reservations (I’d like to address those next week in another post). But that’s my prediction. It’s fun to make.

Many things have aligned right. There’s a pop to this September. Seattle managed 10.5 wins last year despite injuries to Wilson and Thomas, with a harsher schedule. Alter the outcome of three Hauschka kicks and it’s 12 wins. Reports of the demise of this championship window could well be greatly exaggerated when you look at the grand scheme.

There might be tough games. Seattle might barely squeak out wins against some bottom-feeders instead of looking terrifying week in and week out like the New England Belichicks (which is what most fans prefer to our ragged, ugly 2013 run). But winning ugly can still bring you a Lombardi.

I’m hoping for a revenge win against the Belichicks in Minneapolis, personally, but I’ll take whomever feels like getting trampled.

Lamar Jackson shows tremendous improvement

For all the talk about Josh Rosen’s miracle comeback, the quarterback who arguably had the best performance at the weekend was last years Heisman winner.

In 2016 Lamar Jackson showed incredible physical talent, the ability to be a major threat as a runner or passer and he clearly possessed a rocket arm. However, there were question marks about his ability to throw with touch and be more than just a ‘chucker’ (as Pete Carroll might put it).

In a back-and-forth victory against Purdue on Saturday, Jackson was incredible. There were numerous examples where he threw with touch and accuracy. He didn’t just rely on the fastball. He also did a great job using his elusiveness and athleticism to extend plays, keep his eyes downfield and make big gains in the passing game. Last year he might’ve taken off and tried to run for a first down, here against Purdue he was looking to pass.

He finished with 378 yards passing, 107 rushing with two touchdowns and zero turnovers. On this evidence he’s not only the early favourite to win another Heisman — he could easily climb above the likes of Rosen, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen. Jackson is a unique playmaker.

Bradley Chubb makes a good start

The NC State pass rusher is the cousin of Georgia running back Nick Chubb. For those who aren’t aware, Nick had one of the most impressive performances in recent history at the Nike SPARQ combines in 2013. Great athleticism clearly runs in the family.

Bradley is 6-4 and 275lbs but carries the weight perfectly. Against South Carolina he had a TFL on the first snap of the game and added another later on. He wasn’t credited with a third TFL for some reason in the second half and he would’ve had a sack but for a late trip as he closed in on the quarterback.

Chubb has great lean and bend for his size, shows a nice get off and can win with speed and length/hand use. There were times where he stunted inside with some success. On one snap they had him drop into coverage to blitz a safety that led to a sack.

His effort is very good and he’s disciplined in the run game. He’s also comfortable working in space. On one snap he was isolated trying to defend a sweep — but forced the runner out of bounds for a one-yard loss.

The only obvious negative was a broken tackle on a red zone run play that ended in a touchdown. He made contact with the runner and should’ve got him down. The back escaped to score.

Overall though this was a good start from an EDGE rusher with top-20 potential.

Sheffield vs Cobbs Jr a major highlight

The best matchup in week one was arguably Kendall Sheffield (CB, Ohio State) against Simmie Cobbs Jr (WR, Indiana). Both players had their moments.

Sheffield is a former Alabama receiver who went down the JUCO route with Blinn College before joining the Buckeye’s. He’s 6-1 and 185lbs and looks like your typical Urban Meyer-team cornerback. Positionally he’s very good. Eli Apple’s best aspect was his ability to keep everything in front and not get beat over the top. You see that same patience and technique in Sheffield.

On one play he made a fantastic diving tip to deflect a pass into the hands of a team mate for an interception. Without his touch it would’ve been a touchdown. He also showed ability as an open-field tackler and even on the plays where he gave up receptions — you had to credit the QB/WR. His coverage was tight and sound and he was only beaten by a superb grab or a difficult back-shoulder throw.

Cobbs Jr ended with 11 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown. He’s 6-4 and 220lbs. Although he didn’t really create separation all that often, he made a series of difficult circus catches, one-handed grabs and flashed great body control.

With a receiver this big, if they’re running away from defenders they’re basically Mike Evans and going in the top-10. There aren’t many of those. What you want to see is a lot of contested catches ending in completions. Cobbs Jr showed he can go up and get the ball against one of the toughest secondaries in college football.

This was a good showing for both receiver and cornerback and they’re two players to monitor going forward.

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The Seahawks can re-sign Sheldon Richardson — and Jimmy Graham — if they want to

According to Spotrac, the Seahawks have an estimated $26m in free cap space in 2018. Spotrac’s numbers work under the assumption the cap increases to $168m next year, a miserly $1m increase on the 2017 total.

Here’s how the cap has increased in recent years:

2017 — $168m
2016 — $155m
2015 — $143m
2014 — $133m
2013 — $123m

Considering the average growth per year since 2013 is $11.25m a year, the chances of it only growing $1m to $168m in 2018 seems unlikely.

So basically, there’s every chance the Seahawks will have comfortably more than $26m in cap space at the end of the season.

Cutting or trading Jeremy Lane in the off-season creates another $5m. Cutting Neiko Thorpe creates another $2m and it’s the same for Jon Ryan. So there are plenty of moves they can make to further bolster their available cash if required — even though they might not need to.

If Spotrac’s numbers are accurate and if the cap continues to increase, they could have upwards of $30-$40m to spend.

Over the Cap has the same point of view:

They should have around $30M in cap room next year so they can do it if they want without making a ton of moves https://t.co/CmVjQaUzmr

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) September 4, 2017

So when people say it’s unlikely, improbable or even impossible for the Seahawks to re-sign both Sheldon Richardson and Jimmy Graham, this isn’t strictly true.

The greatest obstacle could be their willingness to match big demands rather than available cap space. If Graham and Richardson ask for a kings ransom or an unrealistic salary, then of course it’s entirely possible they will depart. It’s also possible they don’t perform to expectations and Seattle opts to move on.

But the numbers provided by Spotrac suggest it’s entirely possible to keep both.

If Sheldon Richardson asks for $18m a year or something along those lines, the franchise tag is a possibility. This years tag number for a defensive tackle is $13.387m.

There are other things to consider too, of course. Frank Clark is going to need paying soon (he’s eligible to discuss a new deal in 2018) and Earl Thomas’ contract is up in 2019, as is Richard Sherman’s.

Yet as those deals near their conclusion, some of the older guard will be coming towards the end of their careers. High earners will depart, creating more room. And the rise of the cap shows no signs of slowing down.

It doesn’t mean this will be an easy process but when Peter King says, “The Seahawks plan to try hard to sign Richardson beyond this year” — it’s entirely possible. Ditto Jimmy Graham. And if it’s not Graham it could be Luke Joeckel or Eddie Lacy.

You get the picture.

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What is Seattle’s thinking at defensive tackle?

At the moment Seattle’s roster is light at defensive tackle. Only Sheldon Richardson, Naz Jones and Jarran Reed are what you’d call orthodox interior linemen. Michael Bennett can move inside — but usually Seattle carries a bit more beef on the D-line.

This could be indicative of a plan to face Green Bay.

The Packers are probably not going to try and ram the ball down Seattle’s throat. In the 38-10 rout at Lambeau last season, starting running back Ty Montgomery rushed only nine times for 41 yards. Christine Michael split the carries with a 10/36 stat line.

Montgomery (a converted wide out) remains the lead back, supported by rookie Jamaal Williams. This doesn’t scream physical running attack. Plugging the middle and taking away rushing lanes isn’t necessarily going to be the key to winning this one. Pressuring Aaron Rodgers and getting the pass rush going could be.

When they want to be stout up front, Richardson, Jones and Reed can line up possibly at the same time and handle those duties. We might see a lot more ‘attack mode’ though in an attempt to pressure Rodgers. That could mean, at least for one week, a lot more of Bennett lining up inside next to Richardson with Avril and Clark working the edges with Bass and Smith also getting involved.

Attack mode.

They have to try something new, because Rodgers hasn’t had a tough time working Seattle’s defense in the last two meetings at Lambeau. He’s 43/56 passing for 495 and five touchdowns (zero interceptions).

After this game, we might see a bit more beef added to help Seattle take away the running game (their modus operandi on defense). For example, it’s hard to imagine Seattle carrying only three defenders when they head to Tennessee to take on ‘exotic smashmouth’.

In Lambeau against the Packers in week one? Quickness >>>>>> Beef.

Some thoughts on the cuts yesterday

It’s probably fair to say there was some mild hysteria when it was revealed the Seahawks were going to cut Kasen Williams. There was also a lot of disappointment expressed when it was announced Pierre Desir was departing too.

Both players have subsequently been snapped up on waivers by the Browns and Colts respectively.

However, I wanted to try and bring some perspective to these two decisions.

As fans and observers, we really do have limited access to the overall decision making process. We see four pre-season games and some training camp workouts. We might believe that’s enough to judge who ‘won’ a competition for a roster spot — but how accurate is that?

Seattle’s coaches and front office staff have to consider many things here. Club control, future cost, age, who best fits the specific role, who has the most potential, who works the hardest to improve or absorbs coaching easily? These are things we don’t really have any clue about.

The decision to keep Amara Darboh over Kasen Williams has been described by some as evidence of ‘third round pick survives because they spent a high pick on him’. Ask yourself this — what do we actually know about Amara Darboh as fans?

This team has poured over the college tape on Darboh, extensively studied his backstory and in the draft clearly believed he had the potential to be a very useful player in Seattle.

Are they now going to go against all of that work, all of those judgements and cut the guy just because Kasen Williams had a good pre-season?

Here’s Darboh matching up with Shaquille Griffin in 2016. That’s the Shaquille Griffin a lot of people want to see starting at corner for the Seahawks…

Watching Amara Darboh highlights and couldn't help but notice.. here he is burning Shaquill Griffin. pic.twitter.com/osjK160Vuw

— William Cornell (@raincityseries) August 1, 2017

It’s nothing to do with abandoning ‘competition’ or any of that jazz. Are we really going to limit ‘always compete’ to four games against backups in the pre-season?

Imagine in 2015 if Tyler Lockett, as a third round rookie, got hurt and never really got into his stride during his first pre-season. And then Seattle cut him in preference of a pre-season phenomena. Would we be looking back on that as a wise move?

So why didn’t Williams get in ahead of Tanner McEvoy, you might ask? Perhaps it comes down to the role they’ve earmarked for what is, essentially, the fifth receiver on the roster? If that spot is about special teams and the occasional opportunity to make a big play — they might see McEvoy as a better special teamer and he’s shown he can make explosive plays.

Some people will also wonder about J.D. McKissic. He carries a lot of value for his ability to wear a number of different hats and be a key special teamer. Despite Pete Carroll’s claim that Tyler Lockett will do all the returns, do we know if he’s even going to make week one? Furthermore, did you notice how the sideline roared every time McKissic made a play in pre-season? It might not have shown up in the games but behind the curtain, it appears there are quite a few people impressed with McKissic’s potential and attitude.

It’s a difficult balancing act sometimes, especially when your cuts actually matter on a loaded roster. A team like this always leaves itself open for criticism. It’s the price of success. If they’d cut Darboh and he went on to have a good career — imagine the grief Seattle would get for giving up so quickly on a third rounder? Now if Kasen Williams becomes the second coming of Terrelle Pryor in Cleveland, people will equally criticise. There’s no easy answer.

Further thoughts on the Sheldon Richardson trade

The deal received almost universal acclaim, which is unusual given the high price of the trade and the fact it could end up being a one-year rental. Usually when a pick in the first two rounds is involved, there’s a few dissenting voices.

Scot McCloughan said something interesting on Twitter this week when asked about the trade. He said it was a great deal because he’d never get a player like Richardson in round two next year.

It’s an interesting point — and one worth indulging.

The Seahawks are using their draft capital in a way that suits them at this moment, in 2017. Yes high draft picks are important. However, it’s evident how difficult it is becoming for some of the younger guys to make an impression when challenged to displace players within arguably the most talented roster in the league.

This years natural second round pick, Ethan Pocic, would probably be a rookie starter in Seattle in the past. Instead he’s on the outside looking in, unable to usurp the incumbents who in fairness have made improvements gradually as pre-season progressed. Amara Darboh, a third round pick, was being touted as a potential cut by some people.

Taking into account Malik McDowell’s injury, only Naz Jones, Shaq Griffin and Chris Carson have really scratched the surface of genuine playing time. It’s unclear how much any of the three will play against the Packers — you’d still expect the veteran players in front to get most of the snaps.

There’s a tendency to point the finger at the front office in a situation like this and say they should do a better job in the draft. In reality, this roster is absolutely jam packed as it is. Rich in talent across the board. It’s a difficult roster to crack. The only exception is the O-line really — but even there we’re seeing green shoots of potential.

In comparison, there is no doubt whatsoever that Sheldon Richardson is going to have an impact or win a starting job. He’s not only a terrific defensive lineman, he fills a need which is incredibly difficult to solve via the draft. There just aren’t that many players like Richardson in the NFL or college football. Quality interior pass rushers are surprisingly rare.

Seattle’s 2018 second round pick has been used here to bolster the team significantly for this season. To genuinely enhance their chances of winning another Super Bowl. It’s not a desperation move — it’s a calculated one. The very thing an asset should be used for.

There’s a stigma within the NFL that using picks in this way is a bit of a negative thing. The popularity of the event, the way the draft effectively builds teams quicker than the NBA or MLB and the desire to analyse the process has made draft stock more and more valuable.

Indeed we’re seeing teams now, even in the last few days, accumulating picks knowing they face a big rebuild ahead. Almost cutting their losses and preparing for the future before week one is even on the horizon.

The Seahawks aren’t in that position. They’re right in the middle of a Championship window. Ideally you want those early picks and an opportunity to have a fun and exciting draft. Yet this trade for Sheldon Richardson is worth so much to the team today. Seattle really is in a position now where the future — and the 2018 draft — can wait. It’s time to get after a Championship. Richardson helps them do that.

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The @seahawks traded @JKearse_15, 2nd & 7th Rd. 2018 draft picks to the N.Y. Jets for DL Sheldon Richardson and 2018 7th Rd. draft pick.

— Seattle Seahawks (@seahawksPR) September 1, 2017

I thought Sheldon Richardson was the best player in the 2013 draft.

I suppose I should also say that I thought Dee Milliner was pretty special too and he’s already out of the league. When the Jets drafted both players in round one, at the time it felt like a major coup.

Unlike Milliner, Richardson has enjoyed some success in the NFL. In 2015 he was ranked at #55 on the NFL’s top-100 players list:

This is a major move for the Seahawks to fill a need they’ve had throughout Pete Carroll’s time in Seattle. They’ve never had a dynamic interior pass rusher who can play any down and distance and move around the D-line.

They hoped that could be Malik McDowell. If the Seahawks are spending a second round pick plus Jermaine Kearse on Richardson, it’s fair to wonder what this says for McDowell’s health and future in Seattle.

Another thing to remember here is — while the price might be high in terms of a draft pick, if Richardson has a great contract year (and with the free agency market exploding in recent years) the Seahawks could easily recoup a third round comp pick if he walks.

Here are a couple of pieces I wrote about Sheldon Richardson before the 2013 draft:

The ‘trading up for Sheldon Richardson’ article

Sheldon Richardson – Seattle’s ideal 2013 pick?

If Seattle’s D-line can stay healthy, they’ll now be able to line up a front four of Avril, Bennett, Richardson and Clark when they want to be in attack mode.

It’s not a cheap deal. It came at a price. But this is the type of aggressive move we’ve seen before. Percy Harvin, Jimmy Graham, adding Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. And it significantly improves Seattle’s pass rush and defensive line.

The move comes after the Seahawks converted $6.975m of Doug Baldwin’s $7.75m base salary into a signing bonus, creating $5.2m in cap space this year. Trading Jermaine Kearse also saves $2.2m.

Thank you, @JKearse_15. For everything. You're a Seattle legend and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. pic.twitter.com/WVP4UpeXlQ

— Mike (@SeahawkScout) September 1, 2017

Earlier today Seattle traded a seventh round pick (acquired in the Matt Tobin deal from Philadelphia) to the Patriots for cornerback Justin Coleman.

Tramaine Brock is being moved to Minnesota, also for a seventh round pick. It seems like he wasn’t going to make the cut in Seattle and the Vikings wanted to make sure they got him.

According to Ian Rapoport, they could deal Athyba Rubin:

Once #Seahawks’ trade for Sheldon Richardson is done, they will discuss dealing DL Ahtyba Rubin, source said. #Broncos a top landing spot

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2017

There’s also been talk of possible deals including Jeremy Lane and Alex Collins.

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It was difficult to get much out of the Raiders game on a first viewing. On offense it was basically set up as a battle of the quarterbacks. Seattle paid lip service to the running game, throwing 37 times in total and some of the more successful runs were QB scrambles. Trevone Boykin was the leading rusher with 42 yards.

You could make a realistic case for both Boykin and Austin Davis remaining on the team as the backup.

Boykin was more explosive and exciting but also the more reckless with two poor turnovers. Austin Davis doesn’t have the wow factor and has some physical limitations but he didn’t make any mistakes or turn the ball over.

Neither player has really separated from the other so it probably comes down to preference. Do they want the younger quarterback more closely aligned in style to Russell Wilson? That could be the deciding factor.

There was a large part of the second half where Davis, without any running game, was unable to move the offense either methodically or with chunk plays. The whole thing stalled. Yet at the end he led a successful game winning drive.

In a real game he could at least expect to have more support from the running game and he’d be playing with people like Jimmy Graham. The Seahawks would probably try to keep it tight — so a clutch final drive here is a plus point. Davis presents the option of a poor man’s Alex Smith. If he was required to play a few games he might be able to manage the situation with a strong supporting cast.

Boykin is the opposite end of the scale. He keeps plays alive that appear lost, can get big gains with his legs and occasionally provides a bit of X-factor similar to Wilson.

His two interceptions today though highlight an issue. He can be careless and inaccurate. Just as he did against Kansas City where he threw 0/6, there were also some uncatchable passes tossed around.

He’s more feast or famine. Boom or bust. He could have a day where he’s spectacular and makes explosive plays. He’s also going to be throwing into tighter windows against better DB’s in a more intense environment — not the first half of the fourth pre-season game against backups. Can he avoid missing the target and throwing those crucial picks?

His two turnovers in this game in particular prevented Seattle taking complete control of the game in the first half. Instead of 17-0 or 24-0 it remained 10-0 — and eventually 10-10. Both picks were really ugly — a ‘chuck’ (Pete Carroll’s word) downfield to nobody in particular and a bad read throwing into coverage.

Poor clock management also stopped the Seahawks getting at least a field goal at the end of the first half.

But he is more like Wilson. And while he’s nowhere near the same level — there is some appeal in retaining the same style of offense if your backup needs to come into the game.

Here’s another thing to consider — if Seattle faced an opponent with their backup quarterback, it’s very likely the opponent will try to take away the run and put the game on the passer. Of the two QB’s, who is better equipped to handle that situation? The one who can be creative, extend plays and improvise is probably the answer.

And that doesn’t mean I think they should keep Boykin over Davis. I’m just relaying some of the points to consider. It’s a very close decision and probably why so much focus was on the passing game in this contest.

Davis is probably the more comfortable choice — Boykin the one that allows you to retain a scrambling offense.

If Davis was required for a three or four game stretch, he’d probably give you an opportunity to win each game as long as the team keeps things close. He possibly won’t be as flustered by what a NFL defense throws at him. But he might not have the physical tools to win any of those games if it’s on him alone to do so. Boykin has the skills to come off the bench, make some great plays and win a game. But how would he deal with opponents getting a week to game plan for him, confuse him and when the pressure’s on — will he resort to mistakes and inaccuracy?

Elsewhere, this is interesting:

Source: the Seahawks converted $6.975M of WR Doug Baldwin's $7.75M base salary into a signing bonus, creating $5.2M in cap space for 2017.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 1, 2017

A big trade could be imminent.

A quick other final point — the DeAndre Elliott ankle injury makes the cornerback situation a little clearer. Pierre Desir, who was arguably already making a strong statement to be on the roster, is in an even stronger position today. His tipped pass at the end led to the game ending interception.

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Sources say Seattle is trying to trade wideout Jermaine Kearse #Seahawks

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) August 30, 2017

A few quick thoughts on this…

1. Jermaine Kearse has been a fantastic Seahawk, responsible for some of the greatest moments in Seattle sports history. He was also responsible for some of the most important plays, to get to Super Bowls and to help win Super Bowls. He deserves nothing but respect from this fan base. And that should be remembered by all, today and in the future.

2. It’ll be fun for some to speculate on what this might mean in terms of a potential return. However, rather than expecting the Seahawks to collect a defensive line stud such as Sheldon Richardson it’s probably more an acceptance of the wide receiver situation on Seattle’s behalf. They have a logjam at the position. The younger players have stepped up in pre-season. They are a group playing at a high level, including Kearse. It’s also a bit too soon to write off Amara Darboh (‘the future Kearse’) just three games into his first pre-season. This might be an attempt to see what you can actually get in return for a player who has made some big plays in the NFL, to try and recoup the fifth rounder spent on Matt Tobin.

3. When you actually look into the contract situation, trading Kearse only saves the team around $400,000 in cap room despite his $4m cap hit (he has $3.6m in dead money tied to the deal). So trading Kearse doesn’t make any room for a bold move. This is further evidence that it’s more likely an attempt to see if they can recapture the lost Tobin 5th rounder than the catalyst for a power play trade.

EDIT — I was incorrect. According to @Patscap a trade would actually split the dead money between 2017 and 2018, so it’d be $1.8m in each season. This would save Seattle $2.2m this year.

4. It still looks highly appealing to go after a player like Sheldon Richardson but financially, they’d have to do some major manoeuvring. They only have about $8m in cap space at the moment, most of which is required for the existing roster, IR and the practise squad. There isn’t an obvious cut to save money and they’re not going to trade someone like Jimmy Graham. They also have to consider the future. They aren’t flush with cash and have to consider that players like Russell Wilson and Earl Thomas can expect new contracts soon. Look at Matt Stafford’s recent contract and you’ll see how expensive Wilson will be in contract #3. Then you have to consider how much Frank Clark will cost and whether you want the flexibility to keep Graham. Eventually the spending has to be capped somewhere. If there’s a magic trick they can pull off to land Richardson, fantastic. But that’s what is required.

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