Tag: derick hall

Watch: Seahawks snag back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter

Watch: Seahawks snag back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter

The Seattle Seahawks have had an explosive first quarter, and it has been fueled by the defense forcing turnovers. The Cardinals drew first blood with an opening drive touchdown, but that was where their highlights ended in the opening frame.

On Arizona’s second possession, quarterback Kyler Murray threw a dart directly to Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV. It was the first interception Jones has snagged as a Hawk.

One play later, Geno Smith found Jaxon Smith-Njigba to give Seattle the lead.

The fireworks did not end there for Seattle’s defense. On the Cards’ ensuing drive, pressured by linebacker Derick Hall, Murray tried to escape pressure. Unfortunately for him, his hurried pass landed in the waiting arms of safety Coby Bryant.

Two weeks ago, Bryant won NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his interception and subsequent touchdown return. While this didn’t make it back to the house this time, the Seahawks still took advantage by finding the end zone five plays later behind the legs of Zach Charbonnet.

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter today for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game.

Is this Uchenna Nwosu’s last chance to stick with Seahawks?

Is this Uchenna Nwosu’s last chance to stick with Seahawks?

The Seattle Seahawks activated EDGE Uchenna Nwosu off IR on Thursday. Nwosu will play against the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s Week 14 NFC West showdown. This upcoming stint may represent his last opportunity to prove he should stick with the Seahawks for the foreseeable future.

It’s been a difficult period for Nwosu since recording a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2022. The former USC standout missed more than half of the 2023 campaign due to a pectoral injury suffered in Week 7. The 2024 season has welcomed more challenges.

Nwosu suffered an MCL sprain in the preseason finale that kept him sidelined for Seattle’s opening four regular-season contests. The Seahawks never placed him on IR and he healed slightly slower than expected. Nwosu made his 2024 debut against the New York Giants in Week 5, but that only lasted 20 snaps. He exited with a thigh injury and was placed on IR. He’s been absent since.

Nwosu hasn’t been consistently healthy since 2022. Since then, the Seahawks have wisely invested premium resources into the EDGE position, signing Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year contract worth more than $51 million, and drafting Boye Mafe and Derick Hall with back-to-back second round picks in 2022 and 2023. All three of those rushers have produced in Nwosu’s absence.

Nwosu is technically signed through 2026, but he doesn’t possess any guaranteed money remaining on his contract moving forward. General manager John Schneider could release Nwosu from his deal in the offseason and save nearly $15 million versus the 2025 cap if he designates the transaction as a post-June move, according to OverTheCap. The dead-cap charge would be a manageable $6.5 million. If the Seahawks wanted the funds immediately, a pre-June move would penalize them $13 million in dead money while creating $8.4 million in immediate financial flexibility.

The Seahawks are currently scheduled to be $6 million over the 2025 cap. That qualifies as the third-worst cap situation of any team in the league heading into the offseason. It’s a minimal amount that Schneider should easily navigate, but it makes creating funds via releasing players a borderline necessity.

Hall and Mafe are long-term pieces on affordable rookie contracts. Jones is signed through just next season and is an alternative potential cap casualty, buy why would the Seahawks choose to release Jones over Nwosu when the former has been healthy and productive? If Nwosu wants to make this a difficult decision for Schneider, he needs to stay available and impactful down the stretch of the 2024 campaign.

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Seahawks defense set tone with dominant first half vs. Cardinals in Week 12 win

Seahawks defense set tone with dominant first half vs. Cardinals in Week 12 win

The Seattle Seahawks’ defense put forth a dominant showing versus their NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals in Sunday’s crucial 16-6 Week 12 victory. Mike Macdonald’s defense was firing on all cylinders early. It turns out they set the tone during the opening half of Sunday’s triumph.

The Seahawks pressured Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray on nine of his 20 dropbacks (45%) throughout the first half, according to advanced data collected by ESPN Research. That represented the highest pressure rate Murray has faced in a first half in the last two seasons. He predictably struggled under duress, going two-of-six for 27 yards and three sacks on those plays.

Overall, the Seahawks’ surging defense limited the Cardinals to six points, 49 rushing yards, and 300 total yards of offense. A Seahawks defense that’s consistently struggled to defend the run this season held Cardinals running backs James Conner and Trey Benson to 26 yards via 11 carries (2.36 yards per carry).

Arizona’s offense went a combined three-of-13 on third and fourth down attempts. Murray threw zero touchdowns and one interception. He was sacked on five total occasions.

The Seahawks have held consecutive divisional opponents to under 20 points. Back-to-back victories over the San Francisco 49ers and Cardinals have the 6-5 Seahawks suddenly sitting atop the NFC West after all three of their divisional contenders lost on Sunday. Macdonald’s in-form defense is powering Seattle forward.

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Seahawks’ pass-rushing metrics through Week 9

Seahawks’ pass-rushing metrics through Week 9

The Seattle Seahawks are tied for 15th in the NFL in sacks with 21 quarterback takedowns through nine contests heading into this weekend’s bye. Mike Macdonald’s defense has taken a by-committee approach to rushing the passer. Three Seahawks defenders have produced three-or-more sacks, with Derick Hall (5.0), Boye Mafe (4.0), and Dre’Mont Jones (3.0) sitting atop the team leaderboard.

Leonard Williams (2.5), Tyrel Dodson (2.0), and Jarran Reed (2.0) aren’t far off from joining that club. Williams actually leads the Seahawks in pressures with 28, and Mafe (27), Hall (26), Reed (26), and Jones (25) aren’t far behind, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s been a team-effort for Seattle’s front seven this season.

The advanced analytics are in-line with these tangible results. The Seahawks have posted a league-average 41% pass-block-win-rate (PBWR) so far this season, ranking 17th in the NFL through nine weeks, according to data provided by ESPN Stats & Info. Seattle has been effective at getting after opposing passers.

Williams has posted 15 pass-rushing-wins out of 100 reps, also per ESPN. Williams’ 15% PRWR ranks third-best (tied with Calais Campbell) among all qualifying defensive tackles, trailing just Zach Allen (21%) and Chris Jones (20%). There’s no denying his production this season.

Applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks hasn’t been Seattle’s issue this season. The 4-5 Seahawks are entering a Week 10 bye. When they return, a productive, all-hands-on-deck pass rushing unit will attempt to aid other areas of struggle.

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Seahawks’ run-stopping metrics through Week 9

Seahawks’ run-stopping metrics through Week 9

The Seattle Seahawks have struggled to stop the run this season. Entering their Week 10 bye, the defense is currently ranked 27th in defending the run, allowing opposing offenses to produce 139.4 rushing yards per game. Missed tackles and gap discipline have been recurring issues across the front seven.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider recently made a notable change to the run defense. Schneider acquired linebacker Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for 2025 draft-pick capital and fellow linebacker Jerome Baker. Despite losing to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9, their starting back Kyren Williams was limited to 69 yards and 3.1 yards per carry. Jones has already improved Seattle’s run defense.

The season-long metrics still leave plenty to be desired. As things stand, the Seahawks have posted a run-stopping-win-rate (RSWR) of 29%, 23rd-best in the league, according to data collected by ESPN Stats & Info. That ranking aligns with what Seattle’s undisciplined run defense has put on tape.

Opposing backfields are rushing for 4.8 yards per carry against Seattle’s defense. That’s tied for the sixth-most yards per carry average allowed by any defense in the NFL. Mike Macdonald’s unit has forfeited a middling nine rushing touchdowns this season.

The Seahawks must defend the run with better efficiency when they return from their Week 10 bye. Acquiring Jones has slightly pushed the needle in a better direction. Using the off-week to course-correct their gap-sound discipline issues could lead to more desirable results versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11.

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Seahawks DL Jarran Reed clears air after sideline dust-up with Derick Hall

Seahawks DL Jarran Reed clears air after sideline dust-up with Derick Hall

The Seattle Seahawks were embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, losing their Week 8 contest 31-10. Emotions tend to boil over when suffering such a lopsided defeat. At one point, those emotions boiled over when veteran defensive lineman Jarran Reed decided to address Derick Hall on the sideline following his critical roughing the passer penalty.

Reed claims the Seahawks had discussed how Bills quarterback Josh Allen is a well-known flopper that draws roughing the passer penalties. That was at the heart of Reed’s disappointment with Hall’s 15-yard penalty. The two defenders have since buried the hatchet, per recent comments.

“Emotions run high in football,” Reed told the media on Wednesday. “We talked about what [Bills QB] Josh Allen could do all week with the flopping. It was a boneheaded play, and I just wanted him [Derick Hall] to know that we couldn’t do that. It was a critical play in a critical time of the game. It created an explosive play, which is what we’re trying to eliminate. That’s all we were talking about. We’re just two guys who care about football. Look, D-Hall is my guy, he’s one of my friends on this team. We’re still cool. There’s no love lost, it just happens,” Reed concluded.

Hall leads the Seahawks in sacks this season with five quarterback takedowns. Reed has been effective, totaling 25 tackles, three for loss, and two sacks. The Seahawks need Hall and Reed to continue playing quality football for Mike Macdonald’s struggling defense.

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The Seahawks were fighting on their sideline during loss vs. Bills

The Seahawks were fighting on their sideline during loss vs. Bills

Cameras caught the Seahawks fighting when their game against the Bills was slipping away from them.

Down 14-3, Seahawks defenders Jarren Reed and Derick Hall got into it late in the first half. The two began fighting out of frustration and multiple players around them had to break the two up.

The Seahawks went on to lose big, a 31-10 final. That’s the effect Josh Allen and the Bills can have on you, evidently.

Check out their scrap in the clip below:

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Bills

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Bills

The Seattle Seahawks’ defense will face a difficult test against a high-octane Buffalo Bills offense in Sunday’s Week 8 contest. The Bills are currently averaging a fifth-best 28.8 points per contest, and a 19th-ranked 321 yards per game. We’ve conjured up three bold predictions for Seattle’s defense versus Sean McDermott’s squad.

Ernest Jones leads the defense in tackles

Seahawks general manager John Schneider upgraded Mike Macdonald’s defense by acquiring linebacker Ernest Jones IV from the Tennessee Titans for Jerome Baker and a draft pick. Jones will be playing MIKE linebacker in Seattle, and he joins the defense having made 44 tackles for the Titans. He’s a playmaker that could lead Sunday’s game in tackles.

The Seahawks force another fumble

Macdonald’s defense made a big-time play in the dominant victory over the Atlanta Falcons last weekend When Derick Hall turned a Boye Mafe strip-sack into a 36 yard scoop-and-score. The Bills have only fumbled twice this season, but Seattle has a core pass-rushing group together that creates chaos in the backfield. Look for Macdonald’s opportunistic defense to create a turnover or two.

Josh Allen throws his first interception of the season

The Bills are the only team yet to throw an interception. Allen has avoided a turnover via the air while ranking 17th among quarterbacks in passing attempts (189). The Seahawks have recorded a middling four interceptions, and could force Allen into his first misfire of the campaign.

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Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon jokingly took credit for Derick Hall’s Week 7 TD

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon jokingly took credit for Derick Hall’s Week 7 TD

Seattle Seahawks sophomore EDGE Derick Hall scored his first career touchdown in Sunday’s blowout 34-14 Week 7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. With the Seahawks nursing a 24-14 lead, Seattle’s defense helped Mike Macdonald put the game completely out of reach when Hall recovered a Boye Mafe strip-sack for a defensive touchdown, increasing their advantage to 31-14.

Hall recently discussed his 36-yard scoop-and-score, which featured an outstanding block from cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon jokingly took credit for springing Hall to his first-ever end-zone visit.

“I did [see Witherspoon’s block], ‘Spoon, as soon as we got off [the field], he said you’re welcome and I said thank you,” Hall joked about Witherspoon taking credit for the score. “He [Witherspoon] plays with an effort that nobody can imagine. I feel like that’s where everybody on defense team gets it from. Witherspoon flies around every single play. He’s always right there. We love this game so much. We’re all living in the moment. ‘Spoon is a very high-character guy, a leader on this team. He makes it known from time to time.”

Additionally, Hall added four quarterback pressures against the Falcons. The No. 37 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hall has accumulated a team-high five sacks this campaign. They’ll need his best-efforts against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ high-octane offense this Sunday.

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Seahawks are starting to properly utilize Dre’Mont Jones

Seahawks are starting to properly utilize Dre’Mont Jones

The Seattle Seahawks entered the season attempting to utilize veteran defender Dre’Mont Jones as more of an edge rusher. Traditionally more of an interior defender throughout his career, there have been clear-cut growing pains for Jones this season. He did not record his first sack of the 2024 campaign until Week 3.

Jones followed up that QB takedown with another in the Week 4 defeat to the Detroit Lions. Jones had his third sack of the season in Sunday’s blowout victory over the Atlanta Falcons. In Jones’ first two games, Pro Football Focus credited him with recording four measly pressures. Over the previous two contests, the former Ohio State Buckeye accumulated 13 pressures.

Jones had five pressures against the Falcons. He had a season-high six pressures against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Head coach Mike Macdonald recently discussed Jones’ incremental gains.

The likes of Mafe, Hall, Leonard Williams have been incredibly productive for the Seahawks this season. Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II is coming on strong after returning from a hamstring injury. If Jones gets going, Seattle’s defensive line will elevate to elite territory.

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