Seahawks Defense: a Playbook In Transition

The Seattle Seahawks are transitioning from a dismal 2008 season in which they finished 4-12. They ranked dead last in pass defense (259.3 YPG), 25th in points allowed (24.5), and 30th in YPG (378).

The 2008 season saw the departure of the Seahawks most beloved HC, Mike Holmgren, who led the franchise to its first Superbowl appearance in 2005.

Holmgren was known for his complex West Coast Offense, a true form of the great Bill Walsh’s prolific scheme. Holmgren was one of Walsh’s original disciples.

The Seahawks offense was Holmgren's own hand crafted entity. One of his trademarks was his calling of the first fifteen plays before the game even started. This was done to get the offense into an effective rhythm.

The Seahawks decided well in advance of Holmgren's departure who his heir would be. Former defensive backs coach Jim Mora was to be man to replace the Walrus when he stepped down.

Mora was the former Atlanta Falcons head coach, he led them to the NFC Championship game in his first season as their HC in 2004.

Mora is a defensive minded coach, he will be to the Seahawks defense what Holmgren was to the Seahawks offense.

The Seahawks are expected to shift to more of a Tampa Two/Zone Defense then previously used. The Seahawks would seem to be a perfect fit for this type of defense with their undersized, fast players.

The Tampa Two influence comes from GM Tim Ruskell, and DC Gus Bradley, two of its disciples.

Bradley learned from Tampa Two maestro Monte Kiffin, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers DC. He handcrafted the defense much like Bill Walsh handcrafted the West Coast Offense.

The Tampa Two relies on speed, tackling, and pressure to succeed. These defenses are generally run by teams with undersized defenses, as it takes advantage of their apparent flaws, and turns them into strengths.

The Seahawks have what is generally characterized as an undersized defense. They make up for this lack of size with great speed,

During the off-season they added size at positions they sorely lacked it. Free Agent NT Colin Cole was brought in to be a run stuffer, and he has a massive frame at 6"1', 335 lbs.

The Seahawks acquired DE Cory Redding, who tips the scale at 295, he represents a 25 lb difference in comparison to 2008 starting DE Lawrence Jackson.

Ken Lucas was brought in to be the apparent starter opposite of CB Marcus Trufant. He has a much bigger frame (6" 210 lbs.) then 2008 starting CB Josh Wilson (5'9" 180 lbs.)

The Seahawks boast perhaps the best trio of LB’s in the NFL (Rookie Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill). Their LB’s can fly around the ball and adequately cover WR’s.

They can use their speed to keep plays in front of them while still attacking the ball.

In the Tampa Two the MLB will often drop back in the middle. He plays zone at the level where the S typically plays. The Tampa Two forces’ opposing offenses into long, tiring, and grinding drives. Keeping the ball in front off you, and superb tackling is the key factor in making the Tampa Two defense work.

The Tampa Two Defense also relies on pressure to relieve the passing defense. Thus allowing the DB’s to sit back in zone coverage and become ball hawks. The Seahawks now boast a formidable DL, with a perfect blend of size, speed, pass rushing, and run stuffing ability.

Patrick Kerney is the teams top DL, and constantly commands double teams. He plays with a high motor and knows how to get after the QB.

He recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2007.

Brandon Mebane is a rising star at DT and is going to be given a larger role with the departure of DT Rocky Bernard. He can clog the middle and uses his elusiveness to disrupt plays in the backfield. He recorded a modest 5.5 sacks as an interior DL in 2008. Which was only his second NFL season.

Colin Cole was brought in from Green Bay to be a run stuffer. His size draws constant double teams and he opens up holes for Seattle’s speedy LB’s to run through and attack the ball.

Cory Redding has a tremendous blend of size and speed for a DE. He weighs 295 lbs, and can slide in and play the one or three gap as a DT. He is a proven pass rusher as he recorded eight sacks in 2006 playing at DT.

If the Seahawks can pressure the QB, it will allow the secondary to sit back in zone coverage and make plays. This same unit has had success in the past. In 2007 they relinquished the fewest passing TD’s in the league (15).That is a stark contrast to the same unit that ranked dead last in pass defense in 2008 (259.3 YPG). If they can fall somewhere in-between, it will give the offense a chance to score early, and keep the lead.

I believe that this new scheme fits this roster well. The Seahawks have small players who can fly around the ball. If the defense can attack the opposition and force turnovers on a consistent basis, look for their offense to regain 2005 form.