The Seattle Seahawks have quietly constructed a dominant defensive line. After years of the men up front being pushed around by opponents, Seattle finally pushed back. In Week 1 against the Broncos, all of Denver’s running backs were held to only 64 yards as a team.
This is in part due to the excellent play from rookie Byron Murphy II and veteran Leonard Williams. Seattle acquired Williams last year from the New York Giants, and kept him by extending him to a three-year deal worth $64.5 million dollar contract. The Seahawks were clearly happy with the kind of player they brought in, and it seems the feeling is mutual.
Prior to Seattle’s victory over the Broncos – a game where the defense ending up shining brightest – Williams was being asked pregame by CBS’ sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala about the “magic” of playing in Lumen Field as a defensive player. Williams’ answer will surely bring a smile to the faces of 12’s everywhere.
“Honestly this is the most beautiful place — the most special place to play in the world, in my opinion.” Williams proudly proclaimed. “I got here in the middle of the season last year, and my very first home game I was like ‘wow, this is what football’s about, right here!’ It’s only pregame right now and it’s already loud in here. On the defense sometimes you gotta really be sure of what you’re communicating because you can barely hear the man right next to you. I love it here!”
Kinkhabwala concluded her segment with Williams by mentioning the noise of Lumen Field once more, but in relation to what rookie quarterback Bo Nix will face. Williams responded with “that’s why it’s called the 12th Man, we’re gonna get in his head with the crowd.”
The 12th Man certainly brought it, as well as the defense. Nix struggled all game long, throwing for only 138 yards on 42 attempts with no touchdown passes and two interceptions. Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ correct decision to re-sign Williams is already paying off. Williams recorded four quarterback hits in the game to help make life miserable for Nix.
More Seahawks Wire stories
Seahawks created $9.5m in cap space by restructuring DK Metcalf’s contract
Seahawks engineer 2nd half comeback, defeat Broncos 26-20 in Week 1
Around the NFL: Russell Wilson likely to miss 2nd-straight game
Mike Macdonald offers honest evaluation of OL play in Week 1