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Jarran Reed

Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks free agency: A recap

by Kevin Nesgoda
written by Kevin Nesgoda

The Seattle Seahawks have put together an impressive start to free agency so far. We have seen the front office construct some great deals with teams like Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and other notable teams.

Even though Seattle has not yet made any major splashes in free agency, and division rival Arizona is turning the NFC West into a true gauntlet, SBD notes that the Seahawks still have the seventh-best Super Bowl odds in the league, sitting at +1667 on average. The bad news is that the 49ers are still twice as short (+800) and heavy favorites to win the stacked NFC.

Nevertheless, the Seahawks’ mid-March haul brings in more depth at offensive line, defensive back, and wide receiver. Seattle received some added support in their pass-rush with the addition of a familiar face that all Seattle fans will be happy to see. The three moves that improve the Seahawks right away are; signing Jarran Reed, and Bruce Irvin, stealing Quinton Dunbar from the Redskins and obtaining Phillip Dorsett from The New England Patriots. 

Whatever the Seahawks seemed to do last year in the pass rush just never worked consistently. However, Seattle was able to resign DL, Jarran Reed to a two-year deal worth $23 million dollars. Solidifying Reed on the interior defensive line is a step in the right direction. Seattle is paying Reed good money, which means they expect to see more production out of him then they did last season. With additions in DB, a better pass rush could help result in more takeaways.  

Seattle is bringing in a former linebacker, Bruce Irvin. The terms of the deal have not been released, however, its most likely not a long-term deal considering Irvin’s age. The addition of Irvin brings yet another piece to this Seahawks front seven. He will be crucial coming off the edge in various defensive fronts and again his presence will help lead to more turnovers. 

Quinton Dunbar was traded from the Washington Redskins for Seattle’s 5th round pick in this year’s draft.

Dunbar, a former receiver plays well in man coverage and has improved playing in various zone schemes. Tre Flowers and Shaquill Griffin currently start at corner but don’t be surprised to see Dunbar work his way into the starting rotation. With Seattle trying to bolster their defensive pass rush, having a solid man to man corner like Dunbar in the rotation will help them be able to become more creative with blitzes and stunts.  

The New England Patriots were all but satisfied with the play they got from Philip Dorsett, but Seattle thinks the veteran could come in and make an immediate impact. The Seahawks are locked in at their one and two receiver spots with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but adding a speedy Dorsett at potentially the third spot brings another weapon for the quarterback, Russell Wilson. If Seattle decided to go with another receiver in this year’s draft it gives them the ability to let that player grow instead of being thrown into the trenches right away. 

Seattle has improved their pass protection by bringing in veteran offensive linemen Chance Warmack, B.J. Finney, Brandon Shell, and Cedric Ogbuehi. With the departure of Germain Ifedi to the Chicago Bears and George Fant to the Jets, the Seahawks have bolstered their offensive line with these additions.

As free agency moves forward, there are a couple of key factors the Seahawks still have to see out. First being the signing of Jadeveon Clowney. If they can agree to a more sensible number than $20 million a year this would be a huge win. They then would have a chance at bringing in another big-name DL like Everson Griffen, from Minnesota. The next would be figuring out the offensive line situation. With three of the five starters up for contract negotiations Seattle has added depth at the position but nothing is set in stone. The draft could help clear up some of the questions surrounding the offensive line if they select someone in the early rounds. All in all, Seattle has made a splash so far in free agency. They have been able to bring in some key players who will have an instant impact on the roster, and have gotten great value from other teams. 

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Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles: Week 12 Preview

by Kevin Nesgoda
written by Kevin Nesgoda
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Happy Blue Friday, 12s! It was an interesting week last week, at least for me, I was able to accomplish some much-needed housework without feeling the pressures and stresses of Seahawks football. I must say, it was nice, but I am more than ready to watch and support the Seahawks as they push towards the playoffs.

So a weird thing happened Wednesday: TE Ed Dickson was activated off the injured reserve, CB Jamar Taylor was waived to make room for Dickson. On Friday, Dickson was sent back to the injured reserve. Thus, I am led to believe that Dickson’s career, at least in a Seahawks uniform, is likely over. Taylor, the former second-rounder from Boise State, was playing roughly 32% of the time on defense. His latest game against San Francisco, he tallied four tackles and had a pass deflection.

https://twitter.com/seahawksPR/status/1197974101576437760?s=20

With Dickson out for the season, Tyrone Swoops has been selected from the practice squad and added to the active roster.

Looking ahead this week against the Eagles, I am somewhat expecting the same game plan to be executed as that against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Philadelphia has a top-five run defense so expect Russell Wilson to air the ball out. The Seahawks did get the ball moving on the ground in the second half against Tampa so I would expect something similar to happen.

Below are some basic statistics with NFL rankings for both offense and defense.

Comparing both, the Seahawks and Eagles are essentially equal on the offensive side of the ball. However, the Seahawks have the edge on passing and receiving. The Seahawks have a league-leading 23 touchdowns through the air.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles fare pretty well against the run game. The Seahawks are slightly above average. Therefore, as mentioned, I don’t expect Seattle’s run game to get established until the second half.

The Seahawks have been riddled with some injuries as of lately. A few players who did not participate in practice on Thursday were DE Jadeveon Clowney, TE Luke Willson, DT Jarran Reed, and CB Neiko Thorpe. An updated injury report of who is in and out will be provided on Twitter @CascadiaSN (give a follow if you haven’t already).

https://twitter.com/johnpboyle/status/1197985303555764224?s=20

For the Eagles, All-Pro T Lane Johnson is still in concussion protocol, as per head coach Doug Pederson. Rookie Andre Dillard (from Wazzu) will shift over to Johnson’s spot at RT. WR Nelson Agholor did not practice all week due, nursing a knee injury he sustained against the Patriots. WR Alshon Jeffery was limited all week due to an ankle injury. I would expect to see Jeffrey, where Agholor’s injury seems a little more hampering.

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1197983119057534977?s=20

I am expecting another type of shootout match, similar to what we witnessed against the Tampa Bay Bucs. My quick take is the Seahawks will be utilizing a pass and screen pass-heavy offense up until the second half when they establish the run. I just hope the Seahawks have figured out to take care of the football. Defensively, I still worry, but I am hoping they can use the momentum from the 49ers match-up. The addition of Quandre Diggs has bolstered the defense. With Philly’s receivers questionable, this would give Seattle an edge.

Hopefully, Clowney and Reed can get back to 100% in order to get to Carson Wentz. QB pressure will lead to mistakes and that is what the Seahawks will need to force on the Eagles.

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Seahawks face a tough test against Ravens

by Kevin Nesgoda
written by Kevin Nesgoda
John-Harbaugh-and-Robert-Griffin-III-e1571522032931.jpg

Up to this point, the Seahawks have not played a good team and have a 5-1 record to show for it. Tomorrow against the Ravens they face a team with a winning record for the first time. They also face their first real dynamic offense of the season and the Seahawks defense has been less than stellar this year. It is also the first time Russell Wilson faces off against Earl Thomas in something other than a practice or a scrimmage.

Earlier this week we answered some fan questions in preparation for this matchup. Be sure to check that out.

The return of Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas did not leave Seattle on the best of terms. We’ll all never forget the last image of him in a Seahawks uniform. Thomas was being carted off the field with a broken leg and his middle finger fully extended toward Pete Carroll.

Not the most gracious of exits for the former quarterback of the Legion of Boom and one of the reasons the Seahawks won a Super Bowl.

Whatever your thoughts are currently on Thomas, they should be focused on cheering for him before the game. You can feel free to boo him after the opening kick off.

The return of Jarran Reed

Last season Reed had 10.5 sacks for the Seahawks is making his 2019 debut on Sunday and the Seahawks need him. The Seahawks defense only has ten sacks coming into the game against the Ravens and bringing down Lamar Jackson is not going to be easy. The current combo of Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods have been serviceable, but nothing to write home about. They haven’t commanded a double team to help free up the likes of Ziggy Ansah or Jadeveon Clowney in the pass rush.

It is unknown how many snaps Reed is going to get, but having him should improve the defense in a lot of different ways. Especially with how poorly Seattle’s secondary has played so far this year. We’ll get to them later.

Russell Wilson will probably have to win this game… again

Wilson is by far the front runner for the MVP award this year and one of the most dynamic playmakers in all of professional football. The Ravens have a really banged-up secondary. They traded for Marcus Peters earlier in the week and John Harbaugh says he’s going to get quite a few snaps this week. Opposite of Peters is Marlon Humphrey, one of the better corners in all of football.

A lot of the yards thrown against the Ravens 25th ranked pass defense has come on the opposite side of Humphrey. Pro Football Focus has both Humphrey and Peters ranked in the top 10 cornerbacks so far this season.

Peters only has two practices under his belt in the Ravens system and could be taken advantage of, especially late in the game as the Ravens have almost no depth in the secondary. Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Jaron Brown should be able to outpace a worn-out Ravens defense in the fourth quarter.

How much will Wilson miss Will Dissly? Dissly has been Wilson’s security blanket this season and was turning into one of the better tight ends in the NFL. Not only will they miss him in the passing game, but they are also going to miss him in the rushing game. Dissly is a better blocker than a pass-catcher. What can Luke Willson contribute? Wilson and Willson do have a history and some good chemistry together from seasons past.

Let’s see if that continues.

Will Pete Carroll stubbornly hold on to running the ball? The Ravens have the fourth-best run defense in the NFL and have kept runners to less than 80 yards a game on average. With both Duane Brown and D.J. Fluker questionable the running game with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny might be a little sluggish against a stout front seven. The Ravens don’t get after the quarterback all that well, so that may be the key thing to watch.

Brian Schottenheimer should allow Wilson to run some swing passes to put both Carson and Penny in the passing game. Let the light secondary get beat up by the Seahawks bruisers and have Russ take advantage later in the contest. But I’m pretty sure Carroll and Schottenheimer will run the ball more than necessary.

Containing Lamar Jackson

Jackson might be the only quarterback in the NFL that is a better runner than Russell Wilson and he has a laser/rocket arm to go with those legs. There hasn’t been a player in the NFL quite like Jackson, some will point to Michael Vick, but I think Jackson is a better and more dynamic player than Vick.

He’s faster than Vick and a much more accurate passer than Vick. He has over 1500 yards passing this year and also leads the Ravens in rushing with almost 500 yards rushing. It’s a pick your poison with him. Get a good rush up the middle and he’ll sprint to the outside and find his dynamic tight end Mark Andrews over the middle of the field or one of his speedster receivers in Marquise Brown or Willie Snead.

Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright are going to have to be all over the field in this one. They are going to have to both run spy and be in coverage. Shaquille Griffin and company are going to spend a lot of time running around in coverage and trying to make plays on Jackson. They haven’t tackled well, but have come up with some big turnovers late in games. They need that streak to continue. Jackson will give you a chance for a takeaway or two.

The Ravens also average a little over five yards per carry on the ground. Lamar Jackson leads their ground attack with 460 yards and a 6.7 yards per carry average.

Prediction

Both teams give up a lot of points and this one is probably going to come down to whoever has the ball last. I think I am going to take Ravens, 37-33 in this one. I think that Pete Carroll and his conservative coaching are going to cost the Seahawks this game.

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