Tag: Seahawks

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald on why he likes joint practices

For the first time since the 1991 season, the Seattle Seahawks will be participating in joint practices later on this summer.

For the first time since the 1991 season, the Seattle Seahawks will be participating in joint practices later on this summer. Last week the team announced that they will be holding a pair of practices with the Tennessee Titans on August 14 and 15 ahead of their preseason game on Saturday the 17th.

When head coach Mike Macdonald was asked about his decision, he said there’s a lot to like about joint practices, having done it every year he was with the Baltimore Ravens. Here’s everything he said, per Ari Horton at the official team website.

“They did it just about every season that I was there. Again, you’ve had some great experiences when it’s handled the right way and then some not as great to put it politely. So it’s really about controlling the environment. Guys understand what the spirit of the whole thing’s about and I believe we will be able to get that done… We know a lot of the coaches over there, how they operate and it’s an opportunity to put it in a setting where you can control the tempos, control the drills, get some high intensity [workouts] for the guys so they’re ready to roll. It’s just easier, a little bit controlled than true game reps… It’s hard to go against yourself all the time, especially all the way through OTA, so it’ll be good to see another offense. And for our offense, it’d be good to see what they’re running on defense. It’s just good to see different styles.”

There definitely is a lot to like about joint practices. The downside is the potential for scuffles to break out and pretty much every offseason we see two teams get into a serious full-blown brawl. That comes with the risk of players getting seriously injured or suspended multiple games for the coming season.

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Geno Smith led the NFL in big time throw rate again in 2023

Seahawks general manager John Schneider definitely has a type at the quarterback position.

One thing has become abundantly clear over the years: Seahawks general manager John Schneider definitely has a type at the quarterback position. While Russell Wilson, Geno Smith, Drew Lock and Sam Howell all have their own unique styles, pros and cons, one thing they all have in common is that their aggressiveness slider is pumped all the way to the top.

Geno Smith might take the title as the most aggressive in the group. Over the last two seasons he has led the league in big time throw rate. This past season he just barely beat out Matt Stafford by one tenth of a percentage point. Smith also did a superb job of avoiding sacks and throwing the ball well while under pressure.

Smith may be getting a bit old (33) to consider him the team’s long-term starter. However, in recent years Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford have all proven that some QBs can play at an elite level well into their late 30s, and even beyond in some cases. Smith also has an advantage in that his body hasn’t taken nearly as much punishment as those GOATs did, having mostly stood on the sidelines from 2015-2021.

The Seahawks might really be in love with Sam Howell, and the way Smith’s contract is structured there is a strong incentive to cut him next year and save $25 million in cap room. However, it’s going to be damn-difficult to find another quarterback who can perform at the same level Geno has these last couple of years at this price. As long as Smith continues to perform like this, it might be best to let him keep on going rather than starting over with a younger QB. This bridge quarterback situation might end up being the longest bridge in league history.

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Mike Macdonald discusses Seahawks’ plans for DK Metcalf in 2024

Here’s what head coach Mike Macdonald had to say about Metcalf when he was a guest on NFL Network last week.

DK Metcalf has some stiff competition in rising star Devon Witherspoon. However, heading into his sixth year with the Seahawks he remains the most-talented athlete on the team and the one with the highest ceiling.

Since he was drafted in 2019 Metcalf has proved himself as one of the league’s most consistent producers at the wide receiver position, putting up strong numbers under both Russell Wilson and Geno Smith, as well as different offensive coordinators. Now Metcalf will be paired with Ryan Grubb, who might be the most highly-touted playcaller Seattle has had in a long time.

One thing to look forward to this year is seeing what Grubb can get out of No. 14, who has all the physical tools he needs to be the best wide receiver in the NFL. Here’s what head coach Mike Macdonald had to say about Metcalf when he was a guest on NFL Network last week.

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Here are the top 32 running backs in the league ranked by their average annual salary, per Over the Cap.

You don’t have to ask Seahawks fans who the best running back in the NFL is right now. Ever since he was traded to the 49ers, Christian McCaffrey has been dominating Seattle in every matchup. Last week he was rewarded with a new contract worth $19 million per year, appropriately once again making him the highest-paid back in the league. Let’s see how McCaffrey compares to the rest of the running backs around the NFL. Here are the top 32 running backs in the league ranked by their average annual salary, per Over the Cap.

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Leonard Williams says Devon Witherspoon reminds him of a defensive lineman

Spoon has a believer in defensive end Leonard Williams.

The Seattle Seahawks may have drafted themselves a fully-formed superstar last year in former Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon. While most rookies in the NFL take time to get adjusted to the speed of the pro game Witherspoon hit the ground running, immediately making an impact in his first several starts for Seattle and at times looking like the best player on the field.

Witherspoon continued to play at a high level for the rest of the season, but only finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. That slight and the influence of new head coach Mike Macdonald has us believing that Witherspoon is ready for a serious breakout 2024 campaign. Spoon has a believer in defensive end Leonard Williams, who says he has outrageous energy and reminds him of a defensive lineman.

Here’s what Big Cat had to say when he was asked by reporters at mandatory minicamp.

“Spoon is a great player… He has this outrageous energy in a great way. For a small guy, he is very physical and rowdy; it reminds me of a defensive lineman.”

Spoon was drafted for his skills as a cover cornerback, which he did well in his first year. His prowess as a pass rusher from the slot came as a very pleasant surprise, though. He finished the year with three sacks and a 90.8 pass rush grade from PFF, the third-best at his position last season behind Marlon Humphrey and Trent McDuffie.

If Macdonald is truly as good as advertised, there’s a decent chance Witherspoon will be an All-Pro in 2024 and might even be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.

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Tyler Lockett on differences between Mike Macdonald, Pete Carroll

Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett was a guest on the Rich Eisen Show earlier this week.

Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett was a guest on the Rich Eisen Show earlier this week.

One topic that Lockett spoke on was the differences between former head coach Pete Carroll and new head coach Mike Macdonald. Watch.

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NFL shares highlights of Seahawks RB Ken Walker making people miss

Ken Walker has become one of the most electrifying rushers in the NFL

Say what you want about Pete Carroll’s predilection for punting on fourth and short and not shifting coverages, he had one heck of an eye for running backs. Perhaps the last truly special rusher that Carroll found for the Seattle Seahawks is former Michigan State running back Ken Walker, who has become one of the most electrifying rushers in the NFL.

His game is far from perfect, but Walker is as good as any back in the league at flipping the field and turning plays that should have been nothing into something special. Here’s 61 seconds of Walker making people miss. Watch.

Heading into year 3, Walker is still the clear cut No. 1 option on the depth chart and unless Zach Charbonnet takes a huge leap in his second season there are no real challengers on the horizon to take Walker’s spot.

Hopefully offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s influence will help take Walker’s game to the next level. If that happens, we may be talking about Walker being a top-five running back at this time next year.

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Top 50 players in Seattle Seahawks history by Approximate Value

The Seahawks franchise recently turned 50 years old.

The Seattle Seahawks franchise recently turned 50 years old. On June 4, 1974 the NFL awarded an expansion team to the city of Seattle, and the rest is history. To celebrate the organization’s 50th birthday, today let’s rank the best players to ever put on a Seahawks uniform.

Here are the 50 best players in franchise history, according to their Approximate Value by Pro Football Reference. *Center Justin Britt and left tackle Duane Brown tied Michael Bennett at 44 AV.

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It’s also a reminder of what a magnificent bargain the Seattle Seahawks have in their veteran starter, Geno Smith.

On Thursday the Jacksonville Jaguars signed quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a contract extension, worth an average of $55 million per year. That ties Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the highest annual salary in the NFL right now. It’s a deserving deal for Lawrence, who should only continue to get better the longer he’s in the league.

It’s also a reminder of what a magnificent bargain the Seattle Seahawks have in their veteran starter, Geno Smith. In our most-recent quarterback rankings following the 2024 NFL draft, we had Smith ranked one spot higher than Lawrence, No. 14 to his No. 15. Now that the new contract is locked in, Smith is costing Seattle less than half what Lawrence is Jacksonville. Let’s see how Geno compares to the rest of the league in average money per year.

Here are the top 32 quarterbacks in the NFL ranked by their annual salary according to Over the Cap – keeping in mind some rookies have not signed their contracts as of yet.

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Seahawks injury updates: Tyrel Dodson, Anthony Bradford, JSN and more

Yesterday we learned that Dodson is also injured with an undisclosed issue and Macdonald doesn’t expect him back until training camp, either.

The Seahawks closed out their 2024 mandatory minicamp a day early. After yesterday’s practice head coach Mike Macdonald sent players home for the summer, so they won’t return until training camp begins in about six weeks.

Before we head into the weekend, we have a few small injury updates to share, courtesy of the beat reporters who were on-hand at the VMAC for yesterday’s practice. Brady Henderson at ESPN reports that right guard Anthony Bradford returned to practice for the first time this spring. Bradford had been out with an ankle injury since last season ended. He is projected to start at right guard, as rookie Christian Haynes is still working with the second-string offensive line unit.

Also, right tackle George Fant missed yesterday’s practice. Fortunately, it’s not injury related and head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that it’s about managing his workload. The next man up at right tackle was Raiqwon O’Neal. The depth beneath Abe Lucas could turn out to be one of the team’s biggest x-factors, depending on how his knee recovers from surgery. Lucas missed 11 games last season with chronic pain.

Also, a couple of players suffered what appeared to be minor injuries during Wednesday’s practice. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba left practice early with a shoulder issue but Macdonald said the Seahawks were just playing it safe by sitting him out. Also, receiver Laviska Shenault left early with a foot injury, but Macdonald was also unbothered about that one.

The one real negative injury update we have to share concerns linebacker Tyrel Dodson. Seattle was already relatively thin at this spot with Jerome Baker on the sidelines until training camp with a wrist injury from Week 18 last season. Yesterday we learned that Dodson is also injured with an undisclosed issue and Macdonald doesn’t expect him back until training camp, either.

With their two projected starters at inside linebacker out, the team went with Jon Rhattigan and Patrick O’Connell at practice.

This is pretty far from ideal, but fans should keep in mind that it’s only the middle of June and there isn’t anything to do until training camp, anyway.

If Dodson and Baker are still out by the time the preseason starts then it might become a legitimate concern. Until then, remember that the Seahawks were always going to take a step backwards at this position after the exits of Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks, who both signed lucrative deals with other teams in free agency.

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