Tag: Julian Love

Seahawks to release starting LB Tyrel Dodson

Seahawks to release starting LB Tyrel Dodson

The United States may be enjoying a holiday today, but time does not stop for the NFL, or the Seattle Seahawks. On Monday, some major news was broken by ESPN’s Brady Henderson.

Henderson dropped an unexpected bombshell that the Seahawks were releasing linebacker Tyrel Dodson. This comes as a massive change to Seattle’s struggling defense, as Dodson had started all nine games for the Hawks.

Seattle brought Dodson over this offseason from Buffalo on a one-year deal. Paired alongside Jerome Baker from Miami on a similar one-year contract, Dodson and Baker represented an interesting decision from the Seahawks to replace Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks with less expensive options.

Nine games into the season, it is safe to say this strategy has failed to a spectacular degree. Baker was traded to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Ernest Jones IV, who was an immediate upgrade at the position right from the get-go. Now, they have moved on from their other offseason acquisition midway through the season. Both players were only contracted for a single season in Seattle, and neither made it through the year.

Dodson finished his stint with the Seahawks with 41 solo tackles (second most on the team, behind Pro Bowl safety Julian Love), two pass defenses, two sacks and one forced fumble. Presumably, Dodson’s departure opens up an opportunity for rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight, who has 23 total tackles on the year.

At 4-5, Seattle is looking for answers to right the ship. Especially since they are in last place, and their division rivals created separation this weekend.

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Causes for concern as the Bills face the Seahawks in Week 8

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Seahawks in Week 8

The Buffalo Bills take to the road in Week 8 to face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

The Bills (5-2) and Seahawks (4-3) clash as a couple of the better teams in the NFL through seven weeks.

The Bills are favored by just a field goal in the game, as the Seahawks have shown they can compete on both sides of the ball under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald.

Macdonald’s last two seasons were spent as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. The defensive-minded head coach also has an explosive offense led by veteran gunslinger Geno Smith. To improve to 6-2 on the year, the Bills will need to execute.

There are always a few things that make executing difficult each week, and the Bills will need to be wary of them. Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 8:

Seattle’s air attack

USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks pass the ball at the highest rate in the NFL. Not only does Geno Smith lead the league in attempts with 279, but he also leads the NFL in attempts of ten or more yards downfield.

Not having DK Metcalf due to his knee injury would hurt what the Seahawks can do downfield, but Smith will most likely still be willing to sling it. The secondary and linebackers for the Bills will be tested in coverage.

No Terrel Bernard

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The Bills announced on Friday that linebacker and captain Terrel Bernard will miss the game at Seattle on Sunday. A big blow to the defense.

Any game that Terrel Bernard can’t play for the Bills is a concern, but this particular matchup especially hurts the Bills. The Seahawks love to throw it around the yard and Bernard is the best cover linebacker the Bills have. Not only that but he is the one communicating the defense pre-snap. With Bernard not in the middle of the field, it will make for an easier day for Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense.

Playmakers on defense

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The Seahawks aren’t among the league leaders in any defensive categories but they are solid across the board.

They have a couple of standout players in the secondary with safety Julian Love and cornerback Tariq Woolen. And opposite of Woolen is Devon Witherspoon who is solid on the outside too. Love is the eighth-highest-graded safety in the NFL per Pro Football Focus, and Woolen is the 11th-highest-graded corner.

Their defensive line is also a problem. They have one of the better defensive tackle duos in Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed. Josh Allen and Joe Brady need to be aware of where a lot of these guys are on every play.

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Seahawks vs Bills injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 8

All the latest updates and news on the Seahawks injury report ahead of a Week 8 game vs. Bills

The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for a Week 8 home showdown against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. It will be Buffalo’s first visit to the Pacific Northwest since the 2016 season. Seattle got some good injury news related to their right tackles, as Abe Lucas and George Fant are back at practice. Unfortunately, they did have to place Stone Forsythe on injured reserve as well.

For Wednesday’s practice, plenty of key names did not participate, such as wide receiver DK Metcalf. Against the Falcons last week, Metcalf suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain, and is considered week-to-week. He did not practice, nor did Kenneth Walker III who is apparently still dealing with an illness.

The full injury report for Wednesday’s practice can be seen below.

Seahawks injury report

Did Not Participate:

  • WR DK Metcalf – Knee
  • CB Tre Brown – Ankle
  • DE Leonard Williams – Knee/NIR-Rest
  • CB Nehemiah Pritchett – Ankle
  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Illness

Limited Participation:

  • T George Fant – Knee
  • T Abe Lucas – Knee
  • CB Riq Woolen – Ankle
  • S Julian Love – Knee/Quad
  • NT Cameron Young – Knee
  • DE Mike Morris – Ankle

Full Participation: 

  • TE Brady Russell – Shoulder
  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • S Jerrick Reed II

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Seattle Seahawks’ 5 highest graded players in Week 7 according to PFF

Seattle Seahawks’ 5 highest graded players in Week 7 according to PFF

Several Seattle Seahawks players put forth excellent performances in Sunday’s dominant 34-14 Week 7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Each week, Pro Football Focus grades every qualifying player in the league. This week, the following Seahawks talents were the five highest-graded performers.

Kenneth Walker III | 87.7

Kenneth Walker III was outstanding on Sunday, rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown via 14 carries en route to averaging an effective 4.9 yards per carry. The dual-threat Walker also added two receptions for 24 yards and an additional score to his offensive totals. Seattle’s excellent running back was understandably their highest-graded player.

Derick Hall | 87.7

Derick Hall didn’t record a sack on Sunday despite already having five QB takedowns this campaign. That doesn’t mean the former Auburn standout didn’t make an impact. Hall returned a 36-yard fumble recovery on a Boye Mafe strip-sack for his first career touchdown. He also recorded four pressures.

DK Metcalf | 80.6

DK Metcalf suffered a knee injury in the victory, but he still managed to make a massive impact. The rocked-up Metcalf recorded four receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown, and even caught Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s first career passing attempt. We’ll monitor Seattle’s WR1 and his injury status ahead of a matchup with the Buffalo Bills in Week 8.

Julian Love | 79.1

With Rayshawn Jenkins on IR, and various other secondary defenders sidelined, including Riq Woolen, the Seahawks were counting on receiving a consistent performance from veteran safety Julian Love. That’s exactly what they got. Love totaled nine tackles, and more importantly, recorded his second interception of the season.

Tyler Lockett | 77.8

Tyler Lockett continues to be ole reliable. The 2015 draftee hauled in four receptions for 45 receiving yards. Lockett has recorded 45-plus receiving yards in every contest this season, minus the Week 2 win over the New England Patriots. When Geno Smith is in a bind, he scans the field for his most consistent receiving threat.

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Seahawks need Coby Bryant, K’Von Wallace to step up after latest DB injuries

Seahawks need Coby Bryant, K’Von Wallace to step up after latest DB injuries

The Seattle Seahawks continue to deal with injuries in their secondary. General manager John Schneider placed starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins on IR earlier this week, sidelining him for a minimum of four contests. Jenkins is currently third on the team in tackles with 38. In response, Seattle promoted safety Ty Okada, who played well during the preseason, from the practice squad to the active roster. They also signed second-year UDFA cornerback Eric Garror to the practice squad.

Elsewhere, starting cornerback Riq Woolen remains absent from practice with an ankle injury and is trending towards being a game-time decision against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. All these injuries and roster moves will force head coach Mike Macdonald to get creative with his secondary usage. The Seahawks need players like Coby Bryant and K’Von Wallace to step up.

With Artie Burns also on IR, and Tre Brown injured, the Seahawks must shuffle defensive personnel. Bryant could play nickel corner, a position he was more familiar with before making the transition to safety. That would catapult Wallace into a starting safety role opposite Julian Love. The third safety spot could belong to Okada or Jerrick Reed II, the latter of which would need to be officially activated after having his practice window recently triggered.

Bryant has played just 49 defensive snaps this season, and Wallace has been capped at 89. Okada and Reed are yet to make their debuts this season. Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde may rely on Bryant and Wallace to be near every-down starters against the Falcons.

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Seahawks Week 7 injury report: Byron Murphy II returns to practice

Seahawks Week 7 injury report: Byron Murphy II returns to practice

Injuries have been the name of the game for the NFL this season, especially when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks. After playing three games in an eleven day stretch, the team was in desperate need of some time off. Unfortunately, it appears the extra rest didn’t exactly heal the team up.

Safety Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve, no improvement to Abe Lucas, and now the injury report includes the right half of Seattle’s already decimated offensive line.

The only bit of good news is Byron Murphy II has returned to practice in a limited capacity. But that’s just about where it ends for Wednesday’s injury report.

The full report can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • T Stone Forsythe – Hand
  • G Anthony Bradford – Toe
  • CB Tre Brown – Ankle
  • CB Riq Woolen – Ankle
  • WR Laviska Shenault – Back

Limited Participation: 

  • C Connor Williams – Chest
  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • DT Byron Murphy II – Hamstring
  • DE Leonard Williams – Knee
  • S Jerrick Reed II – Knee

Full Participation: 

  • S Julian Love – Hamstring/Quad

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Turnover deficit has been consistent problem for Seahawks

Turnover deficit has been consistent problem for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks committed three turnovers in Thursday’s Week 6 defeat to their NFC West arch rival San Francisco 49ers. Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw two interceptions. Kick returner Laviska Shenault also lost a fumble on special teams. By comparison, the 49ers played a clean, turnover-free game. It made a sizable difference in a two-score ball game.

The Seahawks have committed 10 turnovers, third-most of any team in the league through Week 6. Meanwhile, head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde have seen their unit force just four takeaways, tied for fifth-worst in the NFL. The minus-6 (-6) differential is tied for third-worst in the league.

Safety Julian Love discussed the turnover issues that have plagued the Seahawks all season long.

“It starts with me on the defense and we have to create more turnovers,” Love said. “We have to get the ball [back to our offense]. Going minus three against a team like this [49ers], you put yourself in a giant hole.”

 

The Seahawks play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Falcons have committed just seven turnovers in six games this campaign. Macdonald and Durde will hope to create turnovers against a fairly disciplined offense.

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Giants preparing to take on several familiar faces vs. Seahawks

When the New York Giants look across the field on Sunday, they will see several familiar faces wearing Seattle Seahawks uniforms.

When the New York Giants look across the field on Sunday afternoon, they’re going to see quite a few familiar faces wearing a Seattle Seahawks uniform.

On defense, they’ll be going up against quarterback Geno Smith, who made history by starting in favor of Eli Manning, ending a 222-game iron man streak in November of 2017.

Smith currently leads the NFL with 1,182 yards passing.

“He’s playing at a high level. He’s a veteran now. He’s done a really good job when you study the tape. Last year and this year, here to start out, obviously, he threw for a bunch of yards in a back-and-forth game there for a while. He’s got command,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Smith on Wednesday. “I think Geno is a guy that leads it all. Does a good job of getting the ball to those playmakers.”

If he’s elevated from the practice squad, the Giants might also see wide receiver Miles Boykin, who spent time with the team this past summer before being released in late August.

When quarterback Daniel Jones is under center, he’ll be looking across the line at several prominent former Giants, including defensive end Leonard Williams, nose tackle Johnathan Hankins, and safety Julian Love.

“Again, another guy that he’s a very smart player,” Daboll said of Love. “We knew that, obviously, here. Instinctive. He’s made a couple really good plays for them at the start of this year. I know he’s out, has a quad. We’ll see where he’s at. But, that type of guy, with the right mindset, that works the right way, you really wouldn’t expect anything else.”

Through four weeks, Love is second among all NFL safeties with a Pro Football Focus grade of 89.9. His coverage grade of 85.6 trails only two players, ironically including ex-Giants safety Xavier McKinney, who leads the league at 89.5.

Williams, meanwhile, is seventh among interior defensive linemen with a PFF grade of 80.1.

It’s certainly interesting to see all these ex-Giants finding success league-wide while the team in East Rutherford continues to flounder.

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Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald gives injury update for S Julian Love

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald gives injury update for S Julian Love

The Seattle Seahawks were going into Monday Night Football incredibly shorthanded on defense. Defensive linemen Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams were ruled out, as well as linebackers Jerome Baker, Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu. Being without five of your best players along the defensive front was already a daunting hurdle to overcome, but the NFL has a cruel way of punching when you’re already down.

During the prime time showdown against the Detroit Lions, Pro Bowl safety Julian Love exited the game with what was reported as a thigh injury. After the game, head coach Mike Macdonald gave a quick update on one of his defensive leaders.

As I mentioned in my takeaways piece, I reject the notion the Seahawks defense is as bad as we saw on Monday night. However, if they are not able to get healthy, the depth behind their starters is clearly concerning.

That being said, Seattle does play an offensively inept New York Giants team on Sunday for their Week 5 matchup. They will be back in the friendly confines of Lumen Field. This is the NFL, so no wins are given, but the difficulty is going to be lowered drastically when comparing the G-Men to the Lions.

We at Seahawks Wire will continue to monitor the health of these crucial starters moving forward this week, as it is most assuredly going to be the topic on everyone’s minds starting Tuesday morning.

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Watch: Seahawks S Rayshawn Jenkins was mic’d up for Julian Love’s blocked field goal

Watch: Seahawks S Rayshawn Jenkins was mic’d up for Julian Love’s blocked field goal

The Seattle Seahawks escaped Foxboro with a 23-20 overtime victory to improve to 2-0, but it could have easily been a different story. In the second half against the New England Patriots, the Seahawks were being shut out. Defensively, they were struggling to get the Pats offense off the field.

Late in the fourth quarter, they held strong. Leonard Williams and Bryon Murphy teamed up to sack New England quarterback Jacoby Brissett on third down, forcing the Patriots to attempt a field goal. New England was leading 20-17 at the time, and had they made it a 23-17 game, Seattle would have needed to engineer a touchdown drive to attempt to win.

Instead, safety Julian Love blocked the kick to keep it a three-point game. Now, all Seattle needed was a field goal of their own to tie things up. The blocked kick was undeniably one of the most pivotal moments of the afternoon for the Seahawks.

Fellow safety Rayshawn Jenkins was mic’ed up during the blocked kick, and it’s a must-see for 12’s everywhere.

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