3 burning questions for the Seahawks during training camp
By Geoff Shull
How will they get Marquise Blair involved?
The Seahawks were really high on Blair last year. If it weren’t for an injury that robbed him of much of the off-season, I think he could have had even more of an immediate impact. He brings some of that nastiness that every defense needs.
With the two starting safety spots locked down this year between Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, the question remains; how will the Seahawks work in Marquise Blair?
Honestly, this is a really exciting problem to have. Blair plays with so much speed and aggression the team could get creative getting him into the game. Whether it simply be he is the team’s new big nickel. Or perhaps the team deploys a 3-safety look like how Bradley McDougald was utilized with both Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor on the field.
Just image this with me: The Seahawks held the 49ers to a critical 3rd and 10. The Seahawks sub out Poona Ford and move Rasheem Green inside. The defensive line consists of Bruce Irvin, Rasheem Green, Jarran Reed and Benson Mayowa. Speed on the edges.
The Seahawk sub out KJ Wright for Jordyn Brooks. The secondary consists of Shaquill Griffin, Quinton Dunbar, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, and Marquise Blair. Defense goes cover-3 “Buzz” zone.
Bruce Irvin and Benson Meyowa collapse the pocket and force Jimmy Garoppolo into a quick pass to the running back on the outside. Jamal Adams attacks from midfield to force the stop. There is more than enough speed to cover ground with this look. It was a staple of the Legion of Boom days for good reason. You can read about Cover 3 “Buzz ” here.
In order for that alignment to be effective pressure has to be established on the QB and the secondary has to have speed. It happened all too often that opposing offensives broke away on outside runs and short passes simply because the Seahawks didn’t have the speed make up the ground last season. It is safe to say the team remedied this. It’s going to be incredibly exciting to see how the Seahawks deploy all 3 safeties.
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While the defensive line may seem underwhelming, I promise you Coach Carroll is about to get very creative. This is especially true after the criticism that Jets DC sent Coach Carroll’s way over his ‘boring’ defense. Expect a lot of blitz packages utilizing Irvin, Brooks, Adams and Blair’s speed and physicality. It’s going to be exciting.