The Seattle Seahawks gave up double the number of points they had surrendered in any the previous three games. Yes, the Detroit Lions put up 42 points against a banged-up Seahawks front seven. As expected, the Seahawks made no excuses for poor tackling, lack of clear communication, or lack of quick recognition. The strength of Mike Macdonald’s defense is to play fast. That is to have multiple players at the point of attack. To play fast, there must be quick recognition of the play, be disciplined in your coverage area, and communicate with the other players. Against the Lions, a lot of those components were missing.
The players are quite confident that all of those issues can and will be quickly corrected in time for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
“A lot of the time just watching the tape and going back and looking at a lot of those guys that played, there wasn’t a drop off from Leo (Leonard Williams) and Murph (Byron Murphy II) to Myles Adams and Big (Quinton) Bohanna,” Said Derick Hall .” Those guys came in and played really well in the snaps that they did have. There are things across the entire defense that we have to fix and going to this week, it’s a new week. Still early in the season, still trying to find who we are, but there’s a lot of positive takeaway from that.”
For Hall the Lions game was another step forward for a player who has been allowed to show his worth while Uchenna Nwosu tries to make his way back.
Starting his second game of the season, Hall played 81% of the defensive, which was 4th highest, and recorded four tackles, one sack, and a quarterback hit. The sack brought Hall’s season total to four and marked the second straight game in which he recorded a sack.
Hall’s two starts this season are a clear example of why the Seahawks believe he is ready for a bigger role in his second year with the team.
FUTURE BRIGHT
While it is uncertain what type of role Hall will play once Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu return, it is certain that he will be part of the rotation. Having multiple talented players at the same position allows Macdonald and Defensive Coordinator Aden Durde flexibility and diversity in their playing.
QUOTES FROM DERICK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE
(On what the positives were that he took away from the defense despite them playing without a number of starters)
“I just think the resiliency piece. We never quit. We always played hard. A lot of the time just watching the tape and going back and looking at a lot of those guys that played, there wasn’t a drop off from Leo (Leonard Williams) and Murph (Byron Murphy II) to Myles Adams and Big (Quinton) Bohanna. Those guys came in and played really well in the snaps that they did have. There are things across the entire defense that we have to fix and going to this week, it’s a new week. Still early in the season, still trying to find who we are, but there’s a lot of positive takeaway from that.”
(On New York’s style of offense and the challenge of creating turnovers it presents)
“I think across the front, just still trying to affect him (Daniel Jones). We were trying to put a certain scheme together and certain things to be able to get him off the spot or different things like that. Quick wins up front is going to be key for us. Taking advantage of the matchups that we have. Then going back into that, the secondary doing their job and doing what they do really well and also giving us time to affect them. So, I think that’s going to be the key this week.”
(On if he has ever had a one-handed sack prior to the one against Detroit)
“No. I didn’t realize it was. I’m like, ‘Dang.’ It looked a lot different on video than it felt in person.”
(On if he was worried that his sack would be negated by a horse collar penalty) “No. It’s something that, obviously, being a pass rusher, you have to know the rules. That’s something that we know across our front here that that’s a legal tackle.”
(On the status of the defensive front and what he feels like the next steps are)
“I think not only as a front, but as a team, we’re still kind of defining who we are. I think teams know we’re resilient, we play hard, we play confident, we play fast. I think we’re still trying to find (out) who we are across the front and as a team. But, speaking specifically to the front, (we’re) still trying to learn each other. I think that’s a big thing, knowing who you’re rushing with, knowing who you’re playing with across the front, and knowing the way this guy does his thing is going to affect the way I rush and vice versa. We all can become a cohesive unit and be effective. I think that’s the biggest thing across the front right now.”
(On if he has started to gain more attention from opposing offenses over the course of the season so far)
“I actually haven’t gotten any of that yet. That’s obviously expected. When you start doing things, teams start to key in on you. But, just talking to Boye (Mafe) and Uchenna (Nwosu), they’re like ‘It’s going to happen.’ So luckily, we’ll get those guys back and it won’t be as bad. Having two great pass rushers on the field and sparing them from time to time. You can’t double everybody across the front. So, just having a really effective and great room across the front with Leo (Leonard Williams), Murph (Byron Murphy II), J Reed (Jarran Reed), and Big Hank (Johnathan Hankins). Guys across the front who are very athletic and play really good football. It’s hard to double everyone. Being able to be effective as unit is still really big for us.”
(On what he sees from New York’s run game when watching the tape)
“I think they’re a hard physical group. Don’t get it wrong. Coach Mike (Macdonald) stood up here in front of us and said that they are a couple of plays away from being 3-1. When you go and see the film, that’s really the truth. They have a really good unit, a really good group, who play hard and play physical. So, we definitely have our work cut out for us on Sunday, especially coming off a short week.”
(On what Coach Macdonald’s message to the team was after Monday’s game against Detroit)
“We came in just really trying to take that next step. We reviewed it (the tape), and moved forward. His thing coming into it was to start fast, and we felt like we did that really well. Obviously, we want to go 4-0, but 3-1, to start fast on that first fourth of the season is really big. It’s hard to do in this league with all the talent and really good teams. That was his message. Now, we’re just moving forward onto that next set.”
(On what changes in his recuperation in a short week)
“I think everybody’s different. But, we just have to come in and still be effective. Obviously, it’s not going to be as much hitting and banging. There aren’t any padded practices this week, so attention to detail is really key. Things have slowed down quite a bit for us as a team. So, attention to detail, going out being a professional at your job and what you do, and not taking this lightly. I think that’s the biggest thing for us. Trying to take it one day at a time, a rep at a time, and knowing it may not be as fast, but we have to be very detail-oriented going into this week.”
(On what he does with his body after getting home after Monday Night Football and having to ramp it up again for weekly practices before Sunday)
“We got in Tuesday at about 4:30 (a.m.). Got up, came in for a massage at 11 (a.m.), did some treatment, and recovery. I just think that’s the steps you have to take throughout the week. Obviously, it’s a short week and just really trying to do whatever you can to get your body ready to play again on Sunday. So, like I said, everybody’s different. As a team, I feel like we’re heading in the right direction recovery-wise.”
(On the importance of being connected with one another on defense)
“I think that’s huge. Having guys like Bake (Jerome Baker) and T Dot (Tyrel Dodson) behind us and then you have DBs, Spoon (Devon Witherspoon), and everybody blitzing. You know everybody’s strengths and weaknesses and what they do best and what they don’t do best. I feel like that’s just playing with one another. We’ve all been in here since March and (have been) really trying to learn each other and what each other does best. So, just being able to continue to build that, and I think that just comes with repetition. Knowing the guy you’re playing with and just being able to have that connection every single day. Also, knowing their life outside of football. Knowing people’s why will also give you a reason to play harder for one another and for each other. So, I think that’s something that we share really well across this team.”
(On what Uchenna Nwosu would bring to the team if he is able to play this week)
“Number one, leadership. The guy’s a leader. Ever since he’s been out, he’s been here every day. He’s been working. Obviously, he didn’t travel with us. But even on the home games, he’s out there coaching his butt off, doing everything he can to help this team be successful. Leadership, great player, poised, confident. Even today, just the way he goes about his work and the way he challenges the coaches on every little thing is pretty cool because he’s like ‘Well, I thought you said that.’ And it’s like ‘Well Uchenna (Nwosu), you know what? You’re just one of those guys who’s really smart and know the games that well, we’ll get back to you on it.’ He’s overall a great player, a smart player who I’m looking forward to having an opportunity to play with again.”
(On having 4.0 sacks in four games so far, and what he thinks of his first month of the regular season)
“I think it’s really good. Would I have expected that necessarily? No. But, when the opportunity presents itself, you have to take advantage of it. It’s a conversation obviously I had coming into the season with Uchenna (Nwosu), with the way that things happened to him and just the way things have stacked up. (I’m) just really trying to be consistent. It’s not about the numbers. I mean, it’s great to see and it’s like ‘Dang. I really do have 4.0 sacks in four games and I’m on track to continue that.’ But, it’s just about being consistent. As long as we win the game, the personal stuff will come, and the personal accolades will be there. But, I’m a team player first, so we’re just head on wheels towards New York.”
(On leading the NFL in pressure rate despite not having a single game this season with all of the defensive line starters playing and how that is happening)
“I think it’s the next man up mentality. I think the way everybody comes to work every day, there isn’t a drop-off. The guys that played this past week showed that we have the ability and we have depth across our front to go out and be successful every single week. Obviously, we didn’t get the W, but there’s a lot of positives coming out that game. So, we have the guys in the room to go out and do it and I think that really speaks for itself.”
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