As the highlight of last years squad, and a group of DB’s that were showcased in the Pro Bowl, the Seahawks defense is the unit that will be tested more and more with each coming week.
A couple of high draft pick players bolster this already tough unit that will need to be at its best to overtake San Francisco for the top spot in the division.
Starting the season off right with two very good performances, especially against the run, in the Arizona and Dallas games, Monday nights game will be the real test so far.
Tony Romo, and the combo of John Skelton, and Kevin Kolb are nothing like Aaron Rodgers, so the D will be key against him.
I will start off with the two new guys first, then jump into the standouts in the secondary.
Bobby WagnerA rookie starting at the MLB position is no easy task, even for a great defensive team like the Seahawks.
In college, Wagner was Mr. Reliable for the Aggies of Utah State, and the Hawks will need a lot more of that from him at this level as well.
An excellent run stopper, with the ability to stay at home and disrupt the passing game is why the Hawks jumped on him so early in the draft.
Bobby Wagner will be the face of the Seahawks linebackers soon enough, but first he has to prove his worth in the NFL.
He is currently second on the team with a total of 8 tackles in the first two games, 5 of them solo.
Leroy Hill, the beast of the Backs
Bruce IrvinThe Seahawks #1 draft pick this offseason, Bruce Irvin had a slow start to preseason, waiting until his third game before registering a tackle.
Irvin was considered to be a project player by most teams, especially because of his off field incidents while in college.
If he matures the right way, and stays away from the perils of NFL stardom, he has a bright future in the league.
A pass rushing specialist, Irvin’s style of play will be key to the Hawks remaining near the top of the defensive ranks when it come to defending against the run.
His slow start in preseason seems to be continuing into the regular season as well. 1 tackle and .5 sacks through two games.
These numbers will have to come up big time for him not to be labeled the next Aaron Curry by the fans.
Kam ChancellorKam is the man in the secondary.
Gaining respect by his opposing QB’s, as one of the top strong safeties in the league.
Chancellor is currently leading the team with 14 tackles through two games, and looks like he is on his way to yet another Pro Bowl bid at the end of the year.
Kam Chancellor is the man for the Seahawks D
With the trio of Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, and Brandon Browner roaming deep for the defense, opposing QB’s will think more than twice about going for the homerun ball against the Seahawks.
Leroy HillLeroy Hill is the resident of the linebackers.
Heading into his 8th season, drafted in 2005, 98th overall, it is his duty to mentor the other backs and develop them into one unity.
Coming off a year when he only played in one game, Hill got right back into the swing of things last year, playing in all 16 games and notching 89 tackles.
His 6 tackles are good enough for third on the team, but that pace through two games is only good enough to get him back to his totals from 2009, when he only played in 11 games.
Health for him will be key to this team defensively.
Red BryantGood old Big Red Bryant.
The Seahawks need Big Red to step it up even more this year, than in years past.
Starting across from Chris Clemmons, Bryant anchors the outside of a very talented defensive line.
I think the only thing that should be of more importance to stopping the run for Bryant, is finding a way into tha back field to record more sacks. He only had 1 last year.
How many defensive lineman have more interceptions that sacks?
The defense likes to work together as one unit, as any defense should, but these five guys will need to have breakout years if we are to sustain our top defensive standing in this league.
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© Clinton Bell for North West Sports Beat, 2012. | Permalink | No comment |
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Post tags: Bobby Wagner, Brandon Browner, Bruce Irvin, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Leroy Hill, NFC West, Red Bryant, Seahawks, Seahawks Blog, seattle, Seattle Seahawks
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September 23, 2012
