The statement is obvious the process in which the transformation took place is somewhat unbelievable. I asked the Seahawk’s head coach during Monday’s weekly press how the team’s confidence is leading to the team’s defensive turnaround. The Seahawks have won three games in a row for the first time this season and are in first place in the NFC West with a 5-3 record.
We’re moving in the right direction. We’ve had a few weeks of success here that we are building on, and it’s been obviously different than it was in the first five weeks. I think you can see the change and we can feel it, so it’s happening. We have to just keep building and find ways to keep improving and minimize the mistakes. We are going in a good direction, so we have to keep it rolling.”
ACCOUNTABILITY
After a dismal and downright embarrassing effort against the New Orleans Saints in which the defense gave up 235 rushing yards and 438 total yards, the coaching staff demanded accountability from coaches and players. In addition to the coach’s demand for organizational accountability, the team held a players-only meeting to better understand each unit’s assignment. The meeting was more about scheme and communication not of the finger-pointing variety. There is no doubt the scheme change by the coaches and the player’s willingness to grow and learn has led to a defensive turnaround that has the Seahawks atop the NFC West and riding a three-game win streak for the first time this season.
“We are definitely making progress and things are tightening down. The running game, if you look at the last three weeks numbers, we’ve really shifted gears. The running game has been better, the pressure on the quarterback is better, the pass defenses are all up, the sacks are going in the opposite of where they were, so there are a lot of really positive things happening, so we are trying to build and keep going. We will see how it goes this week.”
STAGGERING NUMBERS
In the last three games the Seahawk’s defense has allowed 38 points, in the previous three games, the defense allowed 107 points. The ability to shutt down the opponent’s run game has been the game changer. Last three games the Seahawk’s defense has given up just 205 rushing yards, the previous three games 559. The biggest defensive adjustment in the last three games has been the defensive line assignments.
“We are not blitzing a lot right now, we are trying to keep working on the combinations, working with the coverage, keep our guys fresh, get the right guys in at the right time, get the right matchups, and see if we can figure out a way to maximize all of that. It’s getting better, we are going in the right direction.”
SLOW PROGRESS
During Monday’s presser, Carroll was asked if he is shocked at how quickly the defense was able to turn things around.
“I don’t have a measurement scale for how shocked. We are really fired up about it and this is the kind of time we were really hopeful that we could switch it and then it happened. I was surprised we were having so much trouble. It was the other way around. I couldn’t imagine it took us this long. We have benefitted from the past couple years of the way we do things now and what we did in the last couple years. There is a little bit more connection that you might see that I think has paid off. We learned about our guys in years’ experience in the past and now we have deployed them a little bit more specifically to all that. So, it’s working out. Pretty good.”
OTHER QUOTES FROM MONDAYS PRESS CONFERENCE
(On winning each of their last three games by double digits) “
I don’t know, I’m not really tuned into the league’s numbers in that regard, but we have had some really solid games now. We have felt a certain level of control in the games. Even though this game was tight, we felt like we were in good shape because we were playing so well on defense. We made some choices and decisions in the game based on that. I’m not really tuned into that.”
(On the depth of the offensive line)
“We really like the group a lot. We like the combinations that we can go to, to fill the spots. Phil (Haynes) has given us both sides at the guard spots, Jake (Curhan) has been able to play for us, and Stone (Forsythe) is ready to play if we have to, he’s ready to go. It’s not a surprise that Kyle (Fuller) played well because he did well last year when he played. We know what he’s capable of, he’s very comfortable in the system, is very much in control, has had a really good guy to look up to and learn from because Austin (Blythe) has been in such tremendous command of stuff. Kyle is better too, and he showed it. He did a really nice job yesterday. We do feel really good about the combinations that we come up with.”
(On the status of Darrell Taylor)
“No, no update. He wasn’t any worse, he just couldn’t go. He tried, he was very optimistic and hopeful, and all of that. I think he had four plays and said, ‘I can’t push off the way I need to.’ He didn’t re-injure himself.”
(On what he saw from Cody Barton against the Giants)
“He did a nice job. I thought that this was his most aggressive, most active game. I liked the way he was hitting the line of scrimmage and hitting the blocks. He’s really benefitting from the way the guys are playing in front of him. He’s fitting well. We are getting better; we are getting better and more consistent in what we are doing. You can see the aggressiveness show when they feel good about where they are hitting, know what it is going to feel like, and the preparation really carries over to the games. Then the guys will continue to be more aggressive, you are seeing that collectively. He definitely did show that.”
(On how the aggressive play of the defensive line is helping Cody Barton)
“The guy’s up front are tying up some blockers. They are penetrating and they are hitting the line of scrimmage really well. The last few weeks, that has been the biggest change. The attack of the line of scrimmage has affected blocking schemes and principles for guys, and now we are learning to take advantage of it and look for the fits to be accordingly set up. Jordyn (Brooks) played really well again. He didn’t have as many tackles as he has been having because other guys have been making them, but you could see it in Cody’s (Barton) play for sure. You also saw that it affected Ryan Neal too.”
(On the status of Ryan Neal)
“He had cramps, he had both hamstrings cramped up. He went back on the field like he was going to be the hero, but he couldn’t even make it to the numbers. It was a nice try, good effort, we are proud of you, but get your butt out of there.”
(On if Tre Brown’s near return from injury motivated Michael Jackson to play at a high level)
“Maybe, you never know. Competition works in special ways. I don’t know that specifically, but in general, that is going to be a factor because Tre (Brown) is a good football player. When he gets back to game speed and is ready to go, he’s going to try to make something happen himself, so we will see how it goes. There is nothing I love more than seeing that. It’s hard, guys kind of get comfortable like, ‘I have my spot, and I own it,’ but it’s not always like that. That is what good comp does.”
(On how Michael Jackson played on Sunday)
“I thought he played a great game; I thought it was his best game. He tackled well, hit well, covered consistently, challenged for the most part. He had a few plays that he needs to fix, but all in all, he was really active. Obviously, he got targeted, so he got some shots. He came through in a big fashion.”
(On if Tariq Woolen and Michael Jackson could switch sides due to players returning from injury)
“We will see how it goes. Everybody has to be flexible, but we aren’t going to wholesale shift guys around. We like where we are going now. Over the years, if you think about it, we’ve tried to hold guys that play on their side, however, there have to be guys that flip. It’s nice to have the flexibility, but we have always found that it was better to leave guys on their side.”
(On how close Tre Brown is to returning to game action)
“I think the trainers are going to want to see him sustain more solid days in a row before they cut him loose, but he practiced with us last week. He practiced last week, he practiced with us, and he was going full speed, but in limited numbers. They will increase his numbers for sure, see how he handles it, and make an assessment at the end of the week. We are not going to rush to get him back after all of the time he has been out, but he looked good last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is pushing at the end of the week to say that he looks like he can play.”
(On how L.J. Collier played on Sunday)
“He did some good stuff. He made a couple of plays, knocked a ball down, and had a pressure. It was great to see him get out there, we haven’t seen him in such a long time. I know that he was jacked up about playing, he wanted to play more, and was pumped up. It’s a good thing.”
(On if Geno Smith’s accuracy has improved since arriving in Seattle)
“I can’t even recount enough plays that he played where we really made an assessment on that thought to compare it. He did his job, he did fine, and we always liked the way he contributed. I just heard a stat before I walked down here that nine percent of his passes are off target or something like that. I’ve never heard that stat before and I can’t compare it to anything, but somebody said it was the best in the NFL. I don’t know if that is true or not, you guys know that. I’m not surprised by the fact that he’s as accurate as anybody is. Look at him, almost every throw has a chance. He’s had very few throws that he’s had to throw away, that he threw poorly, or threw into challenged areas. There have been a couple, maybe three, four, or five in eight games. I don’t remember that kind of accuracy. Honestly, I don’t remember seeing guys that sharp, but he has done it. Remember that preseason was really the indicator. We used to keep tally of those. There were three drops, and he was 7-10 in the first game, he was 5-5 in another game, and 12-14 or whatever it was. Those were remarkable numbers, and they were legit, he’s doing it. I just don’t know; I can’t compare it to the year before.”
(On why he signed Geno Smith four years ago)
“He was just a guy to put in the running. We didn’t know at the time how much staying power he would have; didn’t know him well and so we had to learn about him. We could see how athletic he was, and he had plenty of arm strength and all that. We gave him a chance to compete, and we liked what we saw and from there, he has taken over.”
(On Darryl Johnson and Alton Robinson) “Both of those guys are not ready to go yet. Alton (Robinson) might be a little bit further away than Bam (Darryl Johnson) is. I was chomping at the bit to get Bam back this week, but they are telling us probably not that fast. We are still a couple weeks away on those guys.”
(On the progress of Alton Robinson’s injury) “
He’s still strictly with the trainers and all and he’s still rehabbing. He’s lifting and working hard and he’s here every day doing it, but he’s not ready to push it in full speed yet. He’s not to that at all. He’s just in the process.” I’m not going to have the chance to get him.’ I never hear from him again. Somehow, that connection made that all take place, and had I not called at that exact time, I would’ve been on that flight, and I don’t know what would’ve happened. It was a great story and obviously, Bud offered me the job and felt sorry for me or whatever. He gave me a chance to come back, so that’s how that happened. I felt it was fortuitous and very lucky.”
(On the perception of Geno Smith and accomplishments thus far being considered a fluke)
“I’m not paying much attention of what everyone is saying right now, but I would bet there is somebody taking the slant on those things and saying there is no way that he will be able to play still. Maybe, he’s won everybody over. I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to us at all. We are just going to keep doing what we are doing. He’s 32 years old and he’s playing football for the first time in four or five years. Maybe, he’s 26 years old or 27 years old body wise, I don’t know. He’s handling it great and hanging in there and maybe there is someone that has that perspective, but we surely don’t around here.”
(On if Geno Smith has expressed, ‘Look at me now or I told you so’ comments)
“Never, not one flinch in that direction at all. If he had that in his mind, maybe. I wouldn’t doubt it. There are times when he thinks about it. He’s a great competitor. What he is saying, he’s doing. He’s telling you guys about how he sees it and how it’s kind of played over him and he’s just going, playing football, having fun, doing his job, and making the most of it. I thought it was really interesting that I got to see the clip of the interview with Tyler (Lockett) and DK (Metcalf) last night. I thought that was awesome. I thought it was great that those guys were together. It just showed you how connected everybody is. It showed you the inward look of those guys being together and interacting and all that. That’s what we see around here.”
(On the culture and the connection between the quarterback and the team)
“People are different. Not everyone is the same. Geno (Smith) is his own guy. He’s been building relationships and working on his connections with guys for years around here. He’s been here for a long time. He has well-established relationships. The dynamics shift some, but I think it’s shifted where our guys are thrilled for him because they like him so much and they respect him. So, they see him do well and they’re playing a role in his story too. It’s really fun, beautiful too.”
