Seahawks need to bust these three myths to be successful in 2022
By Lee Vowell
Myth 2: Seahawks safety Jamal Adams is overrated
Jamal Adams had completely different seasons in 2020 and 2021, his first two years with the Seahawks. In 2020, then-defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. somehow found a way to use Adams’ immense yet specific skill set to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Adams set an NFL record for a defensive back with 9.5 sacks. He also had 12 quarterback hits and all this came in 12 games.
But Norton, Jr. decided to completely mess up the defense in 2021, and had defensive linemen dropping into coverage all while having the safeties play more traditionally in coverage. Adams did have a career-high in interceptions with 2 and a QBR-allowed of 93.8, which isn’t awful. But Adams had zero sacks and only 2 quarterback hits.
While Adams isn’t ever going to be the greatest coverage safety in the league, the perception he is bad in coverage isn’t correct either. In 2018 with the Jets, Adams QBR-allowed was a very respectable 74.7. In 2019 with New York, his QBR-allowed was 75.2. That’s consistency and consistently good coverage. Adams also had 3.5 sacks in 2018 and 6.5 in 2019.
This year should be the first season Adams is in Seattle where he has a competent defensive coaching staff, especially with secondary coaches. He may not get 9.5 sacks again but 5 isn’t out of the question and should be solid in coverage. The best football Adams plays with the Seahawks is likely not yet seen.