Emerald City Swagger
Fansided

How to Fix the Seahawks: Part 2–Defense

By Ben Renner

Nov 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) gets the team pumped up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) gets the team pumped up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Seahawks
Oct 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) celebrates with defensive coordinator Kris Richard following his forced fumble against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Detroit, 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

How Much Blame do we Assign to Defensive Coordinator Kris Richard?

The former Seahawks defensive back and current defensive coordinator was dealt a bad hand by the Thomas injury. We know that. Without Thomas’ uncanny ability to protect the end zone as the safety while still coming down to whack receivers trying to catch passes over the middle, this is simply a different defense altogether.

Also, let’s remember the 2016 Seahawks are not the 2013 Seahawks. In 2013, Seattle had maybe the best defense in NFL history. Part of that was due to being relatively healthy all year (certainly having a full season of Thomas didn’t hurt). Another big aspect was being so utterly overwhelming with talent, that even the best offense in NFL regular season history (Broncos) didn’t stand a chance.

But another ingredient of the best defense of all time was having quality depth. No one had to fill in for crucial superstars in the LOB like Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, and Thomas in 2013, but with a drawer full of pass rushers and capable backups, the 2013 Seahawks were talented and deep. Sherman and Chancellor were still on rookie deals, so they could afford to build up the defensive line and stock their bench.

In 2016, Sherman has a huge contract. Chancellor held out for a bigger concert in 2015. Defensive end Michael Bennett got paid, etc. They didn’t have the same depth this season that they had in 2013. because they couldn’t afford it.

Where does Richard fit into all this? It’s his job to make this defense work. He didn’t have the same job Dan Quinn had in 2013. Quinn had to find out a way to let his talented defense do its work and get out of its own way. Richard had to construct a different defensive scheme after Thomas broke his leg. He didn’t do it. He didn’t even really try.

Seahawks
Dec 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) is restrained by defensive coordinator Kris Richard in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Seahawks brought more pressure on blitzes at times to counteract their weakness in the secondary, but it was basically the same ho-hum defense they ran in 2013. With Thomas, it still works, as the overall season numbers indicate. Without him, it doesn’t.

I’m no defensive genius like Bill Belichick (he’s an offensive genius, too*). I can’t suggest a brand-new defensive scheme (I suppose I could try for a price) without utilizing the best free safety in the NFL, but Richard simply had no answers for Thomas’ injury. He didn’t make the necessary adjustments to his game plan, and instead exposed his team’s greatest weakness on the defensive side of the ball too often. Terrell is a fine player, but he is and never was going to be Thomas. Sherman seemed to think Terrell could be Thomas 2.0. He was mistaken, and it cost the Seahawks on defense down the stretch and against Atlanta.

* Take one of the best coaching minds in NFL history, add one of the best quarterbacks ever, and mix in some well-organized, systemized cheating and you’ve got a dynasty, my friend.

Home/Seattle Seahawks