Seahawks 2019 defense vs 2018 defense: defensive tackles
The Seahawks continued to retool in 2019. There weren’t any huge moves at defensive tackle – well, none of their own volition. Are they better this year?
Jarran Reed returns to anchor the Seahawks defensive tackles. Unfortunately, the biggest move for the Hawks at defensive tackle is Reed’s suspension. It could have been worse, as it’s for six games and not the entire year. Until he returns for the Hawks-Ravens tilt, Al Woods will start in his place. Woods is no sack artist, but he will help shut down the run and tie up blockers to free up the pass rushers. 330 pounds does tend to eat up space.
Next to Woods we’ll revel in the play of the fireplug Poona Ford. He’s been an absolute wrecking ball this preseason. Based on what we’ve seen so far, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ford pick up three or four sacks. But his game is shutting down the run. In the 19th century, two baseball players shared the nickname “Death to Flying Things”. Clearly, Poona Ford should be referred to as “Death to Running Things”. Between Woods and Ford, there won’t be enough room to run between the tackles for a mouse.
Bryan Mone is another huge tackle the Hawks will deploy to shut down the running game. Collier could slide inside on passing downs, just as Jefferson could see time at defensive end in some alignments. Despite the loss of Reed for the first six weeks, the Seahawks roster of defensive tackles looks much stronger than we first expected. They won’t generate a lot of sacks, but they will go a long way to improving Seattle’s dismal 4.9 average yards per carry figure. With Reed returning, the tackles are that much better.
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Overall, I see the tackles of 2019 as a slight upgrade over 2018. That’s mainly due to the emergence of Poona Ford. Ford and Woods will not only close down running lanes, but free up the pass rush. You can only double-team so many people, and Ford routinely draws double teams. If Reed was available from day one, I’d give the unit a solid bump up. 2019 beats 2018 with ease.