While he might be new in his new title as Defense Coordinator Clint Hurtt has been around some good defenses and knows a good one when he sees it. Hurtt spent the last five years as the Hawk’s defensive line coach and picked up the title of assistant head coach in 2018.
Much credit has been thrown Hurtt’s way for continually having one of the best defensive lines in the game. In 2021 the Seahawk’s defensive line was ranked second in the league by allowing a mere 3.79. As for the pass rush and sacks, the Hawk’s DLine was one of the worst. A formidable pass rush is something the Seahawks were determined to possess in the 2022 season.
STARTS WITH THE DEFENSIVE LINE
To that end, the Seahawks changed their defensive scheme to a 3-4 and picked up Shelby Harris from Denver as part of the Wilson trade to Denver. The team welcomed back Quinton Jefferson. The Hawks are hoping to find a top ten rotation on the defensive front between Jefferson, Harris, Al Woods, and Poona Ford. All four were starters last year and if they post the same or better numbers the Hawks could see a marked improvement from the DLine. Hurtt was asked about the importance of a good defensive line to a defense.
“ Yeah, definitely. If the front isn’t playing at a high level, you’re not going to have a chance to be successful, so it starts there. With the interior guys that we have on the d-line, between Al (Woods), (Bryan) Mone, Poona (Ford), Shelby (Harris), and Quinton (Jefferson), there are no excuses. They should be playing at a high level, that’s the expectation, that’s the standard, and they’ve done that, and have practiced really well.”
OTHER SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS
In addition to impactful play from the defensive, the defense will need continued improvement from the edge rushers and linebackers. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks had a breakout season last year leading the team in tackles. Darrell Taylor finished last season tied for second in sacks with 6.5. Another consistent season from him and off-season acquisition Uchenna Nwosu could help form a better the average defense. Nwosu had a career with the Chargers in 2021. He started 15 of 17 games and had career-highs with 39 tackles (24 solo), 5.0 sacks, eight tackles for loss, one interception, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 17 quarterback hits.
Obviously, the guys that we have on the edge in Uchenna (Nwosu), DT (Darrell Taylor), (Boye) Mafe, and Alton (Robinson), those guys have to play at a high level. They have had a nice start to camp, so it’s been good.”
The question for the Seahawks will be the durability of Cody Barton. The former Ute has spent the first three years as special teams stalwart. Now he is being asked to replicate that consistency as a starter.
(On Jordyn Brooks and Cody Barton)
“Jordyn is definitely getting comfortable with making the calls. We know, obviously, that is something that he had to get used to. He started off really nice in the spring, he has a really good command of it right now. Cody (Barton) has done really nicely, he has done some really good things. He gets mad every time I call ‘Dime’, if we were in ‘Dime’ in the game because he wants to be out there, but he’s done really well. Both of the guys complement each other, they communicate really well, and they have a good relationship, so it’s going well.”
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DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
Although he suffered what the team hopes is a minor setback Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs are expected to for one of the best safety tandems in the football. If all goes well healthwise the question for the Seahawks will be at the cornerbacks’ position. Rookies Cody Bryant (4th round pick) and Tariq Woolen ( 5th round pick) are pushing for starting positions. Woolen is battling newcomer Artie Burns at right and Bryant with Sidney Jones on the left side.
COMPETITIVE CORNER COMPETITION
“Right now, Artie (Burns) and Sid (Jones IV) have done some good things. Artie had a couple good PBUs today, as did Coby (Bryant). Just continuing to see that progression in the competition come along with those four guys, nothing is solidified. We will see them continue to compete every day, but we are excited about the two young kids too.”
(On Coby Bryant) “Really sharp in his attention to detail, really good feel on the scheme, and has a good football sense and awareness for a football player.”
