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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 /
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Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas (29) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

How to Get Better

The Seahawks will probably never catch the same magic they had on defense as they had in 2013, but they won’t need to be the best-ever defense again to win another Super Bowl. They are still loaded with talent in their front-seven and in the secondary, and just because they didn’t make the right adjustments this year, it doesn’t mean they won’t get it together next season.

Getting better on defense will come down to attitude and philosophy. Next season, the Seahawks will presumably have their foundation back in Thomas, who will provide an instant upgrade. They have talented, young players like Frank Clark ready to step into bigger roles, and you can bet the LOB hasn’t forgotten the points they allowed down the stretch this season. They’ll come back angry.

A shift in philosophy to game management and adjustments during a game and leading up to a particular opponent, and away from the “let’s just do what we always do” mentality, would make this defense even more formidable. How did the Patriots lead the NFL in fewest points allowed, despite Belichick shipping star linebacker Jamie Collins to Cleveland? They consistently take away the opponent’s best offensive weapon and they know how to adjust their defense, especially in the red zone.

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Richard isn’t the only man to blame for the defensive inconsistencies after the Thomas injury, but he has to find a way to make adjustments as the season goes on and as games go on. ET3 will make running their base Cover-Three and their man coverage schemes easier next season, but if the Seahawks can counter moves their opponents make to neutralize their pass rush and expose their secondary, their overwhelmingly talented defense will be back with a vengeance.

Next: Markelle Fultz is a Sure One-and-Done

I think that’s something we can all get behind.

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