Seahawks defense just received bulletin board material thanks to Bucs reporter's big misperception
Mike Macdonald has proven himself to be one of the NFL's best defensive minds, if not the best defensive mind, as he navigates Year 2 with the Seattle Seahawks.
The results are showing, too. The Seahawks defense, while not perfect by any means, is currently tied with two other teams when it comes to allowing the sixth-lowest EPA per play on defense, per Next Gen Stats. The unit has racked up the sixth-most sacks (12) through four games and allows just 3.6 yards per carry, which is the fourth-lowest of all 32 teams.
It's obvious why the Seahawks defense is on the rise. It's the simple equation of a good scheme and good players. But, according to one Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter, there aren't any "recognizable players" on that side of the ball.
It's a pretty big misperception, as the Seahawks defense currently has three players considered to be top-10 or better at their respective position in Leonard Williams, Ernest Jones IV, and Devon Witherspoon. On top of the fact there are four players with at least one Pro Bowl under their belts.
3 Seahawks defensive stats through Week 4
- Points allowed per game: 16.8 (t-2nd)
- Yards allowed per play: 4.5 (t-2nd)
- Takeaways: 7 (t-4th)
Todd Bowles quickly lets Bucs reporters know just how good the Seahawks defense is
Bowles is a defensive coach, so this is his forte. Therefore, he made sure the room knew just how good Macdonald's unit is after he was asked the aforementioned question about the unrecognizable players.
"I don't think they're recognizable to some people here, [but] they're recognizable to us," Bowles told reporters. "They have two great defensive tackles inside, with [Byron] Murphy and Leonard Williams, and they got DeMarcus Lawrence. They have the corner, [Devon] Witherspoon from Illinois (on the outside. They have a very good group. They play fast, they play physical, and they play violent."
It's funny - the Seahawks defense has Pro Bowlers on nearly every level of the defense. The linebackers are without nods, but at the same time, Ernest Jones IV is considered to among the best at his position and he was a driving factor in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl run back in 2021.
Sure, the media is the media at the end of the day, but football players are always looking for some source of motivation and if I've carved out a long career that involves a Pro Bowl nod or nods, then you better believe I'm going to make sure that reporter knows my name by the time Sunday's game ends.
Win or lose.
Commanders' path to the perfect trade deadline heist just opened up
Adam Peters hasn't been afraid to make bold trades if he feels like it can benefit the Washington Commanders' chances of getting over the hump when the postseason arrives. Although disposable draft income has diminished significantly as a result, that won't prevent the general manager from turning over every stone in pursuit of the right upgrades.
And there is one notable development that shouldn't go unnoticed in Washington's front office.
The Commanders have a decent cornerback quartet leading the charge. They might not have hit the ground running together as yet, so becoming a collective force rather than flashing individual promise is the next challenge. Head coach Dan Quinn is also short-handed after losing two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones to injured reserve.
Commanders should call about Riq Woolen's availability after insider bombshell
Peters might be content with what he has right now. At the same time, the former San Francisco 49ers executive could strike with conviction if he feels like more is needed before the 2025 trade deadline.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, there is a growing sense around the league that the Seattle Seahawks could move Riq Woolen if the right offer comes along. The return of first-round pick Devon Witherspoon, coupled with the player's contract situation, may make him expendable, allowing the NFC West club to secure something in return.
Woolen's been a revelation since entering the league as a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft. His size, length, and athleticism were tailor-made for Seattle's schematic concepts, and he finished third in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after a six-interception campaign right out of the gate.
He has been solid, if less spectacular, in the years since. Woolen is playing more reps than at any stage since his rookie year. Witherspoon is also better suited to the nickel role, so it's not exactly a like-for-like replacement, either.
While it seems unlikely that the Commanders would make another trade for a cornerback after giving up assets for Marshon Lattimore last year and spending their 2025 second-rounder on Trey Amos, it wouldn't cost Peters anything to place a call to find out what it might take to secure Woolen's services. They'd also have sufficient financial resources to offer him a decent extension if he impresses.
Washington's window for a Super Bowl is open. Woolen would make them better, but whether it's something that would legitimately enter Peters' train of thought is another matter.
Watch this space...
