Tag: derick hall

Several Seahawks defenders at risk of missing TNF vs. 49ers

Several Seahawks defenders at risk of missing TNF vs. 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks must swiftly place Sunday’s disappointing home defeat to the New York Giants behind them. There’s no rest for the wicked as the Seahawks prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. It’s Seattle’s first NFC West showdown of the campaign, and Mike Macdonald’s squad will put its division lead at risk.

The Seahawks held a walkthrough on Monday as opposed to a traditional practice. Several key defenders were limited or missing altogether. Pass rushers Derick Hall (foot) and Uchenna Nwosu (thigh) did not participate, nor did rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring), and cornerback Riq Woolen (ankle). Boye Mafe (knee), and safeties Julian Love (hamstring) and Rayshawn Jenkins (hand) were limited.

Coach Macdonald has already ruled out Nwosu. Nwosu will miss his sixth consecutive game despite not being placed on IR to begin the season. His injury is obviously taken significantly longer to heal than originally anticipated.

Murphy II is also expected to remain sidelined on Thursday due to the quick turnaround. Murphy was injured in the Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The former Texas Longhorns standout has recorded half a sack and seven pressures this season as a first-year contributor.

Hall and Woolen should see their statuses updated during Tuesday’s practice. Hall leads the Seahawks in sacks with five quarterback takedowns, so his participation on Thursday is imperative. Woolen is Seattle’s No. 1 cornerback and his absence would leave the secondary susceptible to the threats posed by Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

Limited participation for Mafe, Love, and Jenkins indicates they’re on track to play Thursday, but their practice involvement will be worth monitoring on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Updated pass rush, run stopping metrics for Seahawks after Week 4

Updated pass rush, run stopping metrics for Seahawks after Week 4

The 3-1 Seattle Seahawks have fielded one of the league’s best defenses through four contests. Mike Macdonald’s unit ranks eighth in yards allowed per game (283.8) with splits of seventh-best (167.5) in passing yards and 14th-best in rushing yards (116.3). There are also advanced metrics that paint a picture of Seattle’s early-season defensive performances.

ESPN Analytics developed pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) and run-stop-win-rate (RSWR) metrics to analyze how often defensive linemen win their reps. The Seahawks currently rank 14th in the league in both metrics. Macdonald’s defense is posting a 43% pass-rush-win-rate, and a 31% run-stop-win-rate through four weeks.

Furthermore, there are individual Seahawks defenders faring well in various metrics. Ascending superstar pass rusher Boye Mafe ranks fourth-best among all qualifying EDGE defenders in pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) by winning 30% of his reps. He trails just Myles Garrett (36%), Aidan Hutchinson (34%), and Trey Hendrickson (34%) in that metric.

The Seahawks also have two edge defenders on the run-stop-win-rate (RSWR) leaderboard. Mafe places seventh at 35%, and sophomore defender Derick Hall ranks 10th at 33%. Other players on the list include DeMarcus Lawrence (37%) and Maxx Crosby (37%), so Mafe and Hall are keeping good company here.

Macdonald has completely transformed this Seahawks defense since his arrival. Young studs like Mafe and Hall are thriving under Macdonald’s tutelage. The advanced stats back that statement.

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Seahawks EDGE Derick Hall maximized opportunity vs. Lions

Seahawks EDGE Derick Hall maximized opportunity vs. Lions

The Seattle Seahawks entered Monday’s Week 4 primetime contest versus the Detroit Lions missing several key defenders. Defensive linemen Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams, outside linebackers Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu, and off-ball linebacker Jerome Baker were all ruled out with injury.

The absences of Mafe and Nwosu led to a bigger workload for sophomore pass rusher Derick Hall. Hall played a career-high 81% of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps versus the Lions, according to data collected by The Football Guys. The former Auburn standout totaled 40 snaps in total, which was actually less than the 45 he played in Week 2, but Seattle’s defense was simply on the field less than expected. He was still a massive part of Mike Macdonald’s game plan.

Hall maximized his opportunities by recording a sack of Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Seattle’s ascending pass rusher defeated seasoned Lions left tackle Taylor Decker on the rep by overwhelming him with power. It was Hall’s fourth sack of the 2024 season, his third in his previous two outings.

Hall currently leads all Seahawks defenders in sacks with those four quarterback takedowns through four contests. Coach Macdonald is undoubtedly eager to get Mafe and Nwosu back healthy. The Seahawks must keep the ultra-productive Hall involved when Mafe and Nwosu return from injury.

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Seahawks pass rush has accumulated 50 more pressures than these 2 teams

Seahawks pass rush has accumulated 50 more pressures than these 2 teams

The Seattle Seahawks defense was downright dominant in Sunday’s blowout 24-3 Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Mike Macdonald’s pass rush accumulated six total sacks. They sacked Skylar Thompson on five occasions, and Tim Boyle, who replaced Thompson due to injury, once.

Only four teams have racked up more sacks than Seattle’s 11. Defensive coordinator Aden Durde watched his defense collect 21 total pressures against Miami’s backup quarterbacks. Consistently getting into the backfield completely derailed Miami’s offensive game plan.

Macdonald’s defense has totaled 77 total pressures thus far this season. Boye Mafe leads the defense in pressures with 17, according to Pro Football Focus. Derick Hall ranks second with 12, and Leonard Williams is the third defender with double-digit pressures (11).

Seattle’s defense has been so dominant that they’ve gathered 50 more pressures than the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, according to Brett Kollmann. Macdonald and general manager John Schneider will especially appreciate that their NFC West rival Cardinals are so much worse at rushing the passer.

https://twitter.com/BrettKollmann/status/1838258396996464689

Macdonald has brought a creative defensive scheme to the Seahawks that’s allowing their pass rushers to apply constant pressure on quarterbacks. Macdonald oversaw a Baltimore Ravens defense last season that led the league in sacks with 60. Perhaps the Seahawks will threaten to post a league-leading amount of QB takedowns this season.

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Derick Hall continues showcasing pass-rushing growth for Seahawks

Derick Hall continues showcasing pass-rushing growth for Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Derick Hall entered his sophomore season still searching for his first career sack after enduring a difficult rookie campaign. Hall didn’t have to wait long, as he recorded his first quarterback takedown in the Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. The second-round defender took another sizable step forward in Sunday’s dominant 24-3 Week 3 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Hall accumulated a career-high two sacks on Sunday, bringing his total count to three. Hall is currently tied for the team-lead in QB takedowns with Boye Mafe (3). The former Auburn standout spoke with reporters about his second-year resurgence during Sunday’s post-game presser.

“A big part of [my new success] was knowing what I had to attack going into the offseason,” Hall told reporters. “I really honed in on being able to develop my pass rush [arsenal] and take it to the next level. Having a year under my belt, knowing how things were going to flow, having guys that trust in me like Chena [Uchenna Nwosu], and obviously coach Mike [Macdonald] has put us in the right positions,” Hall added.

https://twitter.com/BradyHenderson/status/1838017904853610917

This is the version of Hall Seahawks general manager John Schneider believed he was getting when he utilized the No. 37 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft on his services. Hall has been a downright difference-maker for Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde. Having a year under his belt, and benefiting from a coaching staff change has developed him into a more well-rounded defender.

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First half highlights: Seahawks lead Dolphins 17-3

First half highlights: Seahawks lead Dolphins 17-3

The Seattle Seahawks have started the game red-hot against the Miami Dolphins. Seattle is seeking their first 3-0 start since 2020 and so far they are playing like they truly want it.

The Seahawks started the game off with a 56-yard field goal on their opening drive to take an early 3-0 lead. Miami attempted a 57-yarder themselves to respond, but the kick sailed wide left. Seattle managed to find the end zone on their ensuing possession, set up lovely by DK Metcalf’s remarkable reception on second down.

One play later, Charbonnet found paydirt for the second time in as many weeks.

Unfortunately, Seattle’s third drive of the game ended in near-disaster. Backed up in the shadow of the north end zone, Geno Smith was nearly sacked on 3rd-and-15. Instead, he tossed an ill-advised ball towards Charbonnet, which was far too high and landed in the waiting arms of Dolphins defensive back Kader Kohou.

Once more, the Seahawks defense was placed in a brutal spot on the field to defend. They were put in their own red zone twice in Week 1 against the Broncos, and they found themselves there again. Fortunately, Seattle’s defense did what they excel at this season and held Miami to only a field goal.

Geno Smith found instant redemption on his very next throw in the final five seconds of the first quarter.

Metcalf’s 71-yard touchdown was the third longest in his career, and the seventh time he’s had a 50+ yard score.

Seattle’s pass rush came to play in the first half, sacking Skylar Thompson four times, including the first sack of the season from Derick Hall. Boye Mafe also had his third sack of the season, his third in as many games. Last season, he set a franchise record for a sack in seven-straight games.

The second quarter did get a bit sloppier for Seattle. Their three drives before halftime resulted in a missed field goal, two punts and a bevy of penalties caused by the offensive line. However, thanks to the defense, their lead was never in jeopardy. The Seahawks forced Miami to punt the ball on three-straight drives in the second quarter, and then another devastating sack from Derick Hall to conclude the half.

The Dolphins will get the ball to start the second half.

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

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The best moments from Auburn’s 2021 win over Arkansas

Ahead of Auburn’s first SEC game in 2024, take a look back at some of the best images from its win over the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2021.

Auburn football is searching to start off its 2024 SEC conference schedule with a victory when it takes on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers and Razorbacks have had plenty of classic matchups over the years, but Auburn has found ways to win on the road in Fayetteville during the recent course of this matchup. In fact, many times the team has showed pure domination despite what the scoreboard says.

One of those moments came when the two teams met in 2021, a matchup that the Tigers took 38-23. The [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] era on the Plains was one that was forgetful, but this matchup was one of the few games that his squad handled with ease.

Then quarterback of Auburn [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag] went 21 for 26 in the game and threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for one as well. [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] also forced a fumble which the Tigers recovered.

As head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and his players prepare for the game, take a look back at some of the memorable moments from the 2021 contest in this photo gallery.

Seahawks young pass rushers show growth in Week 1 win

Seahawks young pass rushers show growth in Week 1 win

The Seattle Seahawks entered Sunday’s Week 1 contest versus the Denver Broncos without star pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu, who is nursing a week-to-week knee injury. That placed extra responsibility on the shoulders of young outside linebackers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall. Both players responded with quality performances.

Mafe carried a particularly heavy load in Nwosu’s absence. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher played 60 total snaps against the Broncos. That accounted for 87% of Mike Macdonald’s defensive snaps in Week 1.

Mafe totaled a team-high nine pressures, tied for the most of any pass rusher on Sunday, according to Next Gen Stats. Mafe recorded his first sack of the season, and Pro Football Focus also credited him with seven quarterback hurries. It was a dominant performance from a potentially budding superstar.

Hall was also very effective in a rotational pass-rushing role. The second-round sophomore totaled a more modest 31 snaps, equaling 45% of Seattle’s defensive plays.

Hall converted 23 pass-rushing snaps into four pressures, two QB hits, one sack, and one hurry, per Pro Football Focus’ charting. It was Hall’s first career sack. He appears primed to showcase growth as a sophomore this season.

The Seahawks could be without Nwosu for the next two contests. A two-to-three-game timeline was the expectation when Seahawks general manager John Schneider didn’t place him on IR. Having young pass rushers like Mafe and Hall showcase the desired development is allowing Seattle to get by without their first-choice quarterback hunter.

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Seahawks OLB Derick Hall wants added responsibility while Uchenna Nwosu heals

Seahawks OLB Derick Hall wants added responsibility while Uchenna Nwosu heals

Seattle Seahawks sophomore EDGE Derick Hall could play a big-time role in Sunday’s Week 1 matchup with the Denver Broncos. Veteran outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday as he continues to nurse an ongoing knee injury. Nwosu won’t play in Sunday’s 2024 debut game.

That could thrust Hall into a larger role alongside Dre’Mont Jones and Boye Mafe. Hall played a part-time role last season, recording zero sacks and just 11 pressures, via 137 pass-rushing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus’ charting. It turns out the former Auburn standout craves the added responsibility.

“I think it’s a big opportunity,” Hall told The News Tribune before Thursday’s practice. “Obviously, I didn’t want it to come this way [through Nwosu’s injury]. But I feel like this opportunity, it presents a lot to me to be able to go out and show these coaches what I can do, and continue to carry over everything I did this offseason and preseason and training camp into now,” Hall concluded.

Hall played just 26% of all Seahawks defensive snaps last season, but head coach Mike Macdonald and his new staff seem comfortable relying on him more this year than Pete Carroll did in 2023. Hall was downright dominant at times throughout the preseason, recording one sack and nine pressures in limited action. His PFF overall defensive grade of 79.5 was one of the best overall scores on the Seahawks.

The Seahawks traded Darrell Taylor earlier this summer. Taylor was notably the player who primarily replaced Nwosu in the lineup after he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury during the sixth game of the 2023 season. Nwosu’s injury has since catapulted Hall into a starting role and the second-year defender is ready to maximize his opportunity.

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7 Seahawks players who could have bigger roles in 2024

That youth movement should accelerate under the next head coach, whoever that may be. 

The Seattle Seahawks have one of the most-promising rosters around the NFL. Nearly half of the team’s players this season were either in their first or second year in the league and that youth movement should accelerate under the next head coach, whoever that may be. Thanks to two strong draft classes in a row, the kids look particularly alright – and should only continue to get better going forward.

Let’s take a look at seven different players who may see bigger roles in 2024.

2024 NFL mock draft: Seahawks hit 4 premium positions in 3-round projections