It’s been a couple of years of questions about whether to pursue Patrick Queen, re-sign guys like Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks, and trying out pieces such as Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker at the middle
linebacker spots. Those spots seem to be simmering quite nicely now.
The off ball/inside linebacker unit did have some depth questions coming into this season. Remember some of the national pundits mocking LB as a potential first-round need for Seattle? That group didn’t get any additions in the draft and yet have proven to be a versatile and deep crew, and one that is a catalyst for the 4th-ranked run defense (91.2 yards per game allowed). Said run defense is on a 22-game streak (longest active streak in the league) of not allowing a back to break the 100-yard barrier on the ground.
The Seahawks average the second-fewest yards-per-play-allowed as a defense, so they have been in comfortable control in most cases. Let’s take a quick look at the players that comprise that surprise defensive room.
Ernest Jones IV
The big dawg. Jones is second in the league in interceptions (tied, with 5), leads Seattle’s impregnable defense with 94 tackles and is an emotional leader and green dot communicator for Mike Macdonald’s side of the football. Mike Macdonald said of Jones’ performance the week prior against Minnesota: “That’s some of the best linebacker play I’ve ever seen”. High praise, coming from a linebacking specialist. This is the one name that is not a surprise in any way.
Drake Thomas
Thomas didn’t start on the Seahawks defense from the beginning of the season, but he eventually earned those reps. With the impressive assortment of bullies and beasts on the defensive side, it’s impressive that Thomas leads the Hawks defense in tackles for loss. He may not be the most physically imposing man, but he has proven to be a nuisance for opposing offenses, flitting into and around blocks and passing lanes. Oh, he also packs surprising punch when he gets there.
Only Leo Williams, Byron Murphy, Chenna Nwosu and Tank Lawrence have more sacks than Thomas’ 3.5. What a steal of an unheralded UDFA rookie signing, plucked from the practice squad of the Raiders a couple years back.
Tyrice Knight
Nobody on the team has more forced fumbles (2) than Knight and his limited playing time. What a luxury to have a possible breakout candidate and former rookie starter on your special teams unit as a backup linebacker. T-Knight came in to play 13 snaps in Atlanta and registered the 2nd-highest rated showing of any defender (90.5 PFF grade, which was only bested by Devon Witherspoon). He may be still getting healthier.
Chazz Surratt
Surratt was nabbed after being waived by San Francisco and has made impact plays on special teams throughout the year. He has 11 tackles and threw an unforgettable block on Tory Horton’s 95-yard punt return TD back in Week 3. Unfortunately, he’s on injured reserve and his return this season from an ankle sprain is in doubt.
Patrick O’Connell
Practice squad linebacker, “Patty O”, was drawing high praise during the offseason program, then stepped in to play against the Titans in Week 12 due to mounting injuries. O’Connell went on to rack up 8 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 sack! No drop-off all the way down to the P-squad is wild.
Jamie Sheriff
It was only last offseason when Sheriff earned the 2nd-highest total of sacks in the NFL during preseason play. Macdonald proclaimed him, “probably our best off-ball blitzer right now.”
Pooh Paul
Stolen from the Rams’ practice squad (hehe), this is a 5th-round rookie who still has a reservoir of potential. NFL.com labeled him as a “good backup with the potential to develop into starter” in his draft profile.
Just look at that collection of names that stretches all the way down to the bottom of the roster. I mean, former Pete Carroll favorite (and current Raider) Jon Rhattigan couldn’t crack this lineup. Are all of these guys superstars? Most likely not, but they do bring a varied and intriguing group of skills.
Despite these accolades and displays of talent, the defense is a phalanx that works together. We all know that good coverage can help boost the pass rush, and vice versa. Along those same lines, inside linebackers need reliable and destructive IDL in front of them… That is a clear and present advantage for all of the aforementioned men in the middle to be able to spread their wings:
I mean heck, Jarran Reed came up with a decisive play, wherein he punched the ball out of Robinson’s hands (with his clubbed fist, in his first game back from IR, nonetheless) in the red area for a potential 14-point swing.
A daunting matchup against the man who leads the entire NFL in scrimmage yards this year, Bijan Robinson, and the Atlanta Falcons did not faze this interior group… it was simply another stage to shine on. Robinson was held to 94 total scrimmage yards (he’s only had three other contests with less) and lost the aforementioned fumble amid an otherwise dominant season.
This is all the more impressive when you consider that Bijan was named the player of the game by the Amazon broadcast in last night’s epic Thursday Night Football primetime game (although arguments could’ve been made for Kyle Pitts). The Atlanta Falcons pulled off a major upset and Robinson starred in gaining 93 yards on the ground at a 4.9 YPC average, as well as adding 82 yards through the air. For those counting at home, that’s 175 total yards as a central focus of the offense and a versatile dynamo.
Does Seattle have TOO MUCH linebacker depth…? No, no, that’s not a thing… right?
Jokes aside, these Seahawk inside linebackers feel like they have an even larger reservoir of potential that could be tapped as they spend more time mastering Macdonald’s matrix of formations and blitzes. Let’s hope that this potential continues to bear fruit against the 2nd dude on the list of scrimmage yard leaders (Colts HB, Jonathan Taylor) and a team that is 4th in rushing 1st down % (The Los Angeles Rams) over the next two weeks. If so, the Seahawks have a true shot at the #1 seed in the NFC.
