Checking in with Seattle Seahawks beat author Gregg Bell of the Tacoma Information-Tribune heading into Sunday’s Week 2 matchup in opposition to the 49ers:
Q: The Seahawks have each purpose to be overjoyed with their Monday evening win over Denver and Russell Wilson. From a distance, it seemed like a little bit of a fluke. What did you study Seattle that stunned you primarily based on what you noticed in coaching camp?
Geno Smith was much more elusive and decisive than he was in coaching camp and the preseason video games, possibly much more than he was within the three video games he began final season when Wilson broke his finger. He ran extra, shoulders down and exhausting. However Seattle saved his passes brief. NFL Subsequent Gen Stats says Smith had the fewest air yards per try (5.1) and fewest air yards to the road to achieve for a primary down (-4.4) within the league for week 1. That’s more likely to proceed in opposition to Bosa and the 49ers’ move rush Sunday.
Q: Smith began out on hearth in opposition to Denver and though he averted the massive mistake, the Seattle offense appeared to tail off significantly within the second half. Can he actually choose up the torch for Wilson and direct a successful crew?
In the event that they run the ball higher and extra constantly. Denver stacked the field with safeties and linebackers and took away the Seahawks’ run sport within the second half. Seattle gained simply 37 yards and scored zero factors after halftime Monday evening. New lead again Rashaad Penny (after Chris Carson needed to retire this summer time) will get his 1A co-rusher this week. Rookie second-round choose Ken Walker is getting back from a hernia final month to make his NFL debut. The Seahawks turned over 60 % of their beginning offensive line from final season. They turned the third NFL crew in 50 years to start out two rookie offensive tackles in week one (Charles Cross and Abe Lucas). Lucas at proper sort out and heart Austin Blythe are upgrades in run and move blocking from Brandon Shell and Ethan Pocic from final yr.
Q: This ties in with Smith, however how vital will it's for Seattle to get DK Metcalf again to his 2020 stage of efficiency?
Metcalf may have a greater season with decrease numbers as a result of he’ll get fewer probabilities this yr. Seattle will run extra, move much less with Smith than previous couple of seasons with Wilson. And offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is utilizing extra three-tight finish units (Noah Fant, Will Dissly and ex-Stanford Cardinal Colby Parkinson) this season. The sport plan for Denver was to function tight ends early over Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and Dissly and Parkinson had landing catches within the first half. Count on extra early targets of Metcalf and Lockett Sunday.
Q: Apart from a few respectable years from Chris Carson, it appears Seattle has struggled to run constantly for the reason that departure of Marshawn Lynch. What are their possibilities of operating constantly behind Rashaad Penny?
Higher, as a result of the offensive line is healthier. Plus, Carroll is extra in a position to decide to the run with out the “Let Russ Cook dinner” faction wanting to manage his legacy by throwing extra. Factor is, Penny has but to show he can keep wholesome for various video games in a row, not to mention a whole season. That’s why Walker is vital for the offense.
Q: Seattle has misplaced so many vital leaders through the years together with Lynch, Wilson, Bobby Wagner, Doug Baldwin and others. Who're the gamers who're choosing up the slack in that regard?
Quandre Diggs has change into invaluable within the locker room. Massively revered, and he’s made the primary two Professional Bowls of his profession the final two seasons. Jamal Adams (now out for an prolonged time with a quadriceps tendon harm from Monday evening) will get extra publicity, and the $70 million contract that’s a file for a security. However Diggs is extra vital to the complete protection and the locker room.
Gregg Bell covers the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information-Tribune. His Twitter deal with is @gbellseattle.