We were bombarded with information during Seattle Seahawks training camp, keeping us close to the team but not getting a true sense of how we’re doing. Of course, no one is going to open their playbook during preseason games, but it does show us a clearer reality. Here we take a look at some of the highlights and low points from Seattle’s preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Click here to see Thursday’s rookies article.
Michael Macdonald
In the preseason, no one shows all their cards. The level of competition is very different, but we have seen some changes that have caught our attention. The Seahawks only two missed tacklesaccording to PFF.
Another positive aspect is that this was basically the only big mistake the Seahawks defense made. The defense covers with two safeties deep downfield, but almost at the moment of the snap, Ty Okada advances into the box, leaving only Marquise Blair deep downfield. Apparently we have a Cover image 3Okada should have called with Seam alarmIt would be a Cover 3 Soft Sky (at least that’s what it was called in Pete Carroll’s day) coverage where the safety is in the box in a pattern match and changes his assignment when a seam route opens up from the receiver. Okada gets past the opponent, but the CB already had a vertical route to cover.
Fire Zone, Zone Blitz, you can name it whatever you want, but now we have well designed blitzes. We have the nickel and the linebacker running the blitz and the EDGE, Mike Morris, defending the flat where he masterfully deflects the pass.
Ryan Grubb
The Seahawks played a lot of split zone in this game, especially because the TE got moving before the play. The play design and angles to create were excellent. The big problem is that Laken Tomlinson seems to be closer to what he played with the Jets than he did with the Niners.
Increase
Mike Morris, DL
Morris has been able to make an impact wherever he’s lined up, whether against the run or the pass, as a DT or EDGE. Remember, he played for Mike Macdonald at Michigan – he was one of the players who welcomed him to Seattle when he arrived – and he can improve significantly if he stays healthy.
Morris defends his gap, and although two players block him, he maintains his position and makes the play.
Good lateral mobility, can quickly break through the double block and put pressure on the quarterback.
K’Von Wallace, S
The Seahawks appear to be in Cover 6. Wallace covers half the field, quickly changes direction and blocks the reception. The ball intended for Hayden Hurst is hit in the air and falls at the feet of Coby Bryant, who intercepts the ball.
Wallace quickly intercepts the moving TE, controls the gap, and pushes the RB to the sideline, preventing him from advancing.
(Ta)Riq Woolen, CB
After a year of not being at his best physically following his knee injury, he seems to be back to 100% this year (see this game).
On a very similar play, he runs the length of the field and takes an angle to anticipate and cut off the pass line. Luckily for the Chargers, we didn’t get a pick-six on this play.
Share price falls
McClendon Curtis, OL
That’s why you can’t get excited about players who shine in camp. Curtis, who has been noticed and has been the “starting” RT and RG at certain points, simply misses the angle at the second level and forces Kenny McIntosh to improvise to avoid a tackle in the backfield.
He fails to make contact, loses it quickly and almost gives up the sack. Sam Howell is able to escape and throw the ball away.
Olu Oluwatimi, OC
Oluwatimi was simply thrown to the ground on fourth down right at the goal line. That ended in a turnover on downs. With the arrival of Connor Williams, he will go to the bench as soon as the veteran is ready to play.
PJ Walker, QB
Walker received a lot of praise during practice, including for “beating” Sam Howell in practice after practice. In the game against the Chargers, it was the exact opposite. Yes, Walker made some fantastic third-down conversions, but he made some terrible decisions during the game, including this throw where he was almost intercepted on a throw to Dee Eskridge.
