The Seahawks lost 30-3 to Broncos in Seattle’s second preseason game of 2021. Still, there were some bright spots from the game. Overall, while the score indicates a blowout, what really cost Seattle the most were early turnovers. The statistics were closer against Denver than they were against the Raiders n preseason game one.
One player who may have made this list of positives was receiver John Ursua who was off to a pretty good start in the second half He caught three passes for 34 yards and caught all of his targets. But Ursua hurt his knee and looks to be out for some time.
It is also important to remember that early in the game, many of Seattle’s starters were being rested and Seattle’s backups were going up against the Broncos presumed starters in 2021. So a lot of what 12s saw early on was skewed.
Three Seahawks who improved roster standing in preseason game two
Rasheem Green
Green continues to be an active defensive lineman who is getting pressure on quarterbacks and showing his versatility by moving inside and out along the line. Green had a sack in the first half but also made a stuff at the goal line to at least temporarily keep Denver out of the end zone.
Green at times looked unblockable and this is an excellent sign for the season because Green was going straight up against Denver’s offensive line starters. L.J. Collier and Kerry Hyder played in the game but Green looked better. Carlos Dunlap is going to start on one end of the Seahawks defensive line but Green is making a case this preseason to be the starter on the other end.
DeeJay Dallas
DeeJay Dallas needs to make the Seahawks roster as the number three running back. No, he doesn’t create yards like Chris Carson by pushing the line forward but Dallas has shown a ton of versatility in the preseason. He looks bigger than he did in his rookie year of 2020 and just as fast if not faster.
Dallas was a stud returning kicks against Denver averaging 36.5 yards a return on two kicks. One went for 45 yards but the other return ended past the Broncos 30 yard line and that is a positive. He could be the kick returners for Seattle in 2021 if the Seahawks choose not to have D.J. Reed do it.
But Dallas might be a great fit in Shane Waldron’s offense once Waldron truly unveils what the offense looks like. What we have seen from the offensive scheme so far is not really what we are going to see once the regular season begins. First, no team is going to show their entire hand in a meaningless preseason game. Secondly, Seattle hasn’t played its starters on offense yet.
But Dallas has shown he can help. He can catch the ball and then do things with it once he does catch it. Plus, his speed out of the backfield is something opposing offenses have to account for. If Carson is the starter and Rashaad Penny his backup (maybe) then Dallas might get the third amount of reps because he is the best pass-catcher of any of the Seattle running backs (except maybe Carson).
Cody Barton
I am starting to get the feeling that some 12s do not like Cody Barton. Barton is playing so well that any thought of the Seahawks bringing K.J. Wright back is fading. Maybe that is what scares some 12s because we have gotten used to Wright being a long-term and very productive player for Seattle. But at some point, the young guys have to play.
I tweeted out how well Barton was playing during preseason game 2 and one of the responses was that Barton was a “liability” as a tackler. I mean, what? Barton missed 2.8 percent of his tackle attempts in 2020. That is extremely low. I am not quite sure what some people are watching this preseason that Barton is missing tackles but you must be looking at the wrong uniform number.
In preseason game one, Barton had 7 tackles and 2 sacks. Barton had fewer snaps in preseason game 2 and had just 2 tackles but he showed even more his coverage skills. On one drive in the first half, the Broncos targets a receiver Barton was covering twice in three plays. On one the pass was errant because Barton was all over the receiver. On the other, Barton simply easily knocked the pass down. Barton can cover and cover well.
By 2023 there is a good chance Seattle’s starting linebackers are Barton and Jordyn Brooks. Bobby Wagner might be too expensive to keep and his play might be digressing a bit. Neither Brooks nor Barton has shown they can be as good as Wagner because Wagner is a future Hall of Famer. But both have shown they can start and have the potential to be good NFL players. Seattle’s linebacker group is going to be good for many more years.