Notes from the Nest: It’s alive! The Seahawks D is alive!
The Seahawks offense overcomes adversity
The Seahawks defense being anything close to average would completely change the dynamic of this team’s ceiling this year, and that’s because we saw the offense have to really battle on Sunday. After three straight weeks of the offense looking like the Greatest Show on Turf, the offense ran into a buzzsaw against a desperate Arizona squad. The offense had to deal with two major challenges this week.
First, was the replacement of Rashaad Penny with the rookie Kenneth Walker III. After Penny was lost for the season to a fibula fracture, a lot of pressure was put on the young man’s shoulder, and he absolutely delivered. Walker ran for 97 hard-earned yards and had two big runs on 21 carries. One carry went for 34 yards and the second an eleven-yard touchdown scamper that was the dagger score in a huge divisional win.
As a controversial 2nd round pick, Walker has now become a critical player to the success of this season going forward. A workhorse at Michigan State last year, the same will be asked of him this year. While Tariq Woolen should win Defensive Rookie of the Year, look out for Kenneth Walker III to make a midseason push for offensive rookie of the year.
The second issue was this was the first week that the rookie tackles got worked. This wasn’t a game where I’m now concerned about the future of the O-line, but it was a game you’d expect from rookies. They made enough plays in the running game to help get the Seahawks into scoring opportunities on five possessions, but the pass protection was rough, and brutal on 3rd down.
We haven’t seen Geno have to scramble as much this season as in week 6. While the passing stats weren’t at the MVP level, Geno Smith scrambling for 48 yards and playing turnover-free football is the early Russell Wilson type of play that won Seattle division championships and gave them shots at Super Bowls.
The offense won’t always have the dominant offensive nights we’ve enjoyed, but for them to overcome challenges and still be in a position to win games will be huge going forward.