Three Seahawks that need to take the next step in 2020
By Lee Vowell
Ugo Amadi
The Seahawks secondary was a weird thing last year. First, they got no help from any pass rush as Seattle finished with 28 sacks, tied for next to worst in the NFL. Cornerback Tre Flowers seemed to get worse as the season went on and picked up several bad pass interference calls the last third of the year. Yet, Seattle still found a way to finish ninth in quarterback-rating-allowed this past season at 85.6.
The Seahawks used a base of 4-3-4 a bunch, though. This means three linebackers on the field with just four defensive backs. This needs to change in 2020 as in today’s NFL a team needs to play nickel on a majority of snaps due to the number of receivers on the field. The Seahawks were stubborn with their base alignment last year and I blame defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. and then head coach Pete Carroll for allowing Norton, Jr. such control.
Seattle needs to go nickel a lot more in 2020 and I think Ugo Amadi fills that role. He can hit hard and has quickness. Sure, Amadi gave up 9 completions on 11 attempts against him in 2019 and gave up a bad reception in the loss to Green Bay in the playoffs. But most of this can be contributed to inaction and inexperience. Even Carroll said he wished he had used Amadi earlier in the season.
Next. How the Seahawks can fix the offensive line. dark
If the Seahawks defense is going to be better this coming year then it will need to use a lot more nickel. If Norton, Jr. allows this to happen hopefully he will allow Amadi to play more. If Amadi plays more, he will make plays and the Seahawks defense will improve. If the Seahawks defense is better, it may be enough to get Seattle back to the Super Bowl.