Let’s open up a new series highlighting underrated storylines in the positive and “negative” as we transition between matchups throughout the season. Every week there will be the things that the Seattle Seahawks will want to mash the gas on, and things they will want to rethink or address.
This is an offense-heavy look at the Seahawks against the New England Patriots, and how it can translate into the next matchup against the Cardinals. That’s because nobody in Seattle-land is very worried about the defense
after that opening performance.
Patriots quarterback and former MVP runner-up, Drake Maye, was 1-6 with 3 interceptions on throws over 15 air yards, according to ESPN Insights. Now, the question is, can the ‘Hawks score without Sam Darnold?
Because I believe in the bad news first, and ending on a positive, let’s do it this way:
Less of …
Procedural penalties
The Seattle Seahawks committed seven pre-play penalties in the NFL opener. The first seven flags in total all went against the Hawks, and 10 of 15 total. Seattle drew seven or more total penalties in only five instances in the entire previous season. Opening the year with 10 total penalties, seven before the other team is even flagged, and seven on play infrastructure and operations ALONE is a dramatic uptick.
Those procedural fouls included: four false starts (Saubert, Lucas, Bradford, and Barner), one offsides penalty (Lucas again, who had a surprisingly rough game), one illegal shift and one delay of game.
That’s not great. Should we chalk it up to first-time action for starters, a new offensive coordinator, or a replacement at QB?
That very OC, Brian Fleury, talked about how he called plays that were not originally in the gameplan against the Patriots, but, “it was not because of Drew, it was more because of how New England came out and played us in a four down nickel package — which was not what we expected — so we were able to adjust to that pretty quickly, as a coaching staff.” He goes on to say that “I go through an absurd amount of contingency plans.”
The Seattle offense gained traction, however, in the 2nd half and scored all 13 of their points after the break. Drew Lock was safe, mobile and decisive, and earned a QB Rating (113.3) that dwarfed that of young star, Drake Maye’s (54.9).
We might be seeing the very best version of Andrew Lock, in this offense. Oh, and Coach Fleury has been game planning against Arizona, and specifically holdover, Nick Rallis as a DC for a few years now. The QB-OC tandem may not be the biggest concern going into the Seahawks’ first divisional matchup.
Still, the Cardinals should not be overlooked. They put belt to biscuits against the heavily favored L.A. Chargers last week. They picked off Justin Herbert, sacked him 3 times and forced a fumble on Omarion Hampton. Arizona held the Bolts under 200 passing yards and under 100 rushing yards while not turning the ball over on offense.
Sure, the Patriots defense has stars, newly formed cohesion and great coaching. They do not have a Josh Sweat as a pass rusher, and they do not have Budda Baker (with all due respect to the emerging Craig Woodson and the still-kickin’ Kevin Byard III) roaming the back end who has seen it all.
Fleury stated that “I didn’t have any concerns about handing it to Drew.” Where does the Seahawks OC’s calm demeanor come from? The coordinator explained: “I’ve been through losing quarterbacks, and unfortunately, challenging circumstances before.”
Touché. Remember that Fleury was a run game coordinator for the 49ers and had a hand in game planning as well as gameday play-calling suggestions when Mac Jones took over for an injured Brock Purdy. Jones drummed up a slight QB controversy (on the notoriously level-headed app called X) with his play in relief, because he had a higher QB Rating than the starter for a good portion of the season.
Two different situations — and I don’t expect for things to look exactly the same here, but we can expect Fleury, Macdonald and the offense to have a plan. At least to spend a little time ironing out all the pre-snap stutters that sabotaged drives and put the offense behind the sticks. The red birds at least deserve that much respect.
More of!
Jadarian Price
Nehemiah Pritchett was my first instinct. Filling in for Nick Emmanwori, the young player they call “Mighty” lived up to that name, as Pritchett was a force against the run and the pass. Him coming in as the 3rd cornerback and sliding Devon Witherspoon into the slot looked good, even against a running team. Can he relegate both Trevon Diggs and Terrion Arnold to simply depth pieces?
Seattle will probably also want to utilize Tyrice Knight in early down scenarios, but his play did not jump off the tape in the same way as Pritchett’s did. Still, I trust Macdonald to get that ratio right. Especially with a unique threat, such as Trey McBride next on the docket.
The true “More of” this week is more of rookie half back, Jadarian Price in a somewhat contrived “revenge game.” The media will make light of who makes more of an impact this week: he, or his former Notre Dame backfield mate, Jeremiyah Love of Arizona.
It’s not that reason (alone) that 12’s will want to see Price get more play. Seattle likes what George Holani brings to the table on 3rd downs, and they likely want to make sure he’s an established threat on the ground in his own right, so as not to tip off a pass play, but the rookie proved significantly more efficient with his carries.
More bell cow!
Price rumbled for 5.2 yards per carry on 10 attempts, while Holani picked up 3.6 on his 8 attempts.
Former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson accidentally came up with an incredible new nickname for Holani, when he was on the call for their preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. I do not want you all to be confused when I start using it, so here is the story.
During the game, Mike Rob mentioned George Holani as “Steady Eddie” (like the colloquialism) George… then realized what he said was confusing, not meaning to call him Eddie George. And thus, the nickname Steady George is born!
There were some pass plays that worked out for Drew Lock and the Seattle Seahawks last Wednesday because of the elite pass protection reps of “Steady George” Holani. And yet, seeing what Price can do with a full workload remains an enticing thought, heading to the desert.
This is especially true with Christian Haynes set to start in Anthony Bradford’s stead at right guard. Keep that line moving forward!
Fleury mentioned that “it was his very first NFL game,” and that the 1st-Round rookie has “obviously earned more reps moving forward.” Yes, please.
