Seattle Seahawks: 6 Facts About Bradley McDougald
By Paul Taylor
As the Seattle Seahawks sign Bradley McDougald, we take a closer look at the safety and what he potentially brings to the Pacific Northwest.
The Seattle Seahawks have been extremely active since free agency started, as they look to continue their run as regular Super Bowl contenders. Personal highlights so far include bringing in running back Eddie Lacy and re-signing DeShawn Shead.
Wednesday saw another move by the Seahawks, with CBS Sports‘ Jason La Canfora reporting the signature of Bradley McDougald. The deal is apparently for one year and $2 million.
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The Seahawks will understandably be hoping McDougald strengthens the secondary, with his ability to play at free and strong safety. While Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor are entrenched as the starters, both are recovering from surgery.
Understandably, a lot of Seahawks’ fans may be wondering who McDougald is, and what he potentially offers to the team? As such, here are some facts and figures, to help you learn more about the newest member of the roster:
1) McDougald started out at college as a wide receiver. However, he switched over to safety after his sophomore year at the University of Kansas.
2) The 26-year old attended the NFL combine in 2013, but went undrafted. He eventually signed for the Kansas City Chiefs, although he only played one regular season game before being waived.
3) McDougal was picked up late on in the 2013 season by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He want on to appear in three regular seasons games to close out his rookie campaign.
4) The Dublin, Ohio native got his first opportunity to start in the NFL during 2014. He started five games for the Buccaneers, recorded seven pass defenses and registered his first professional interception in the final week of the regular season, against a certain Drew Brees.
5) McDougal become a regular starter the following season, proceeding to start 31 of 32 games in 2015-16 for the Buccaneers. He recorded career highs with 91 tackles and 10 pass defenses during 2016, to go along with two picks and one fumble recovery.
6) The Seahawks got an up-close, personal look at their newest addition during last season’s 14-5 loss to the Buccaneers. McDougal registered five tackles and two pass defenses, while also intercepting a Russell Wilson pass and returning it 32 yards.
No doubt, Pete Carroll will be hoping to see similar results in a Seahawks’ uniform, from a player rated 42nd among 89 qualifying safeties by Pro Football Focus. Overall though, Carroll will at least hope to see him step up if either Thomas or Chancellor suffer any more injury issues.
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While McDougald may not be considered a big-name signing, what’s your take on his addition to the Seahawks’ roster? Do you see him strengthening the secondary and, maybe more importantly, being capable of filling in if Thomas or Chancellor go down with another injury? Share your thoughts in the comments section.