The Seattle Seahawks took some big risks with their offseason moves. But with every day of training camp, it looks like one of those additions will pay off better than anyone had a right to expect.
Seahawks general manager and team president John Schneider was just rewarded with a four-year contract extension. I know it's far too early to tell if the moves he made this offseason will pay off. We're just wrapping up the second week of training camp. But so far, it looks like at least one of his gambles hit the jackpot for Seattle.
The early buzz on Sam Darnold has been good, far better than it was in minicamp. His buddies in the quarterback room, Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe, have looked solid as well. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been the consummate professional everyone expected to see when he returned to the Evergreen State.
Or as I think of it, the Boojie Coffee State. But one new addition is showing up and showing out every day in a way no other player has.
DeMarcus Lawrence is a force for the Seattle Seahawks in every way
I'll admit it, I was a bit skeptical when the Seahawks announced they were signing the 11-year vet back in March. My concern wasn't about his level of play, but how much he'd be able to play. Coming off a Lisfranc injury is never easy. But so far, it looks like clear sailing for Lawrence. Notably, it isn't just his play in camp that stands out so far.
When a 251-pound edge rusher hoists the 325-pound Abe Lucas off the ground and carries him into the backfield, you have a clear demonstration of the legendary "old man" strength. Please note that Lawrence is just 33 years old. But yeah, that's old in the NFL. So it would seem that Lawrence can still bring the heat.
Even more than his play, it's his attitude that's lifting the Seahawks' defense. Head coach Mike Macdonald said, "He's the best drill player I've ever seen in my life," per Gregg Bell of The News Tribune.
The implication is not that Lawrence is only good in practice; far from it. It's that he gives maximum effort on every drill - you know, like Deadpool - because he sees the purpose behind it. Remember, 12s, this is an 11-year vet, a four-time Pro Bowler, and he's working harder than the rookies trying to make the squad.
He isn't just leading by example, either. If there was anything remotely critical to say about the first-ballot Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner, it was that he wasn't a particularly vocal leader. Tyler Lockett has the same style. Both expect their teammates to work as hard as they do.
But sometimes, it's better to get in a guy's face. DeMarcus Lawrence has no problem doing that. In a recent practice, Lawrence barked, "If you jump offside, get someone else in there! If they jump offside, they’re NOT ready!” There's nothing like a coach on the field.
Certified monster Leonard Williams had this to say about Lawrence: "The type of leadership and the mindset he brings to the team is phenomenal. He's a dawg. He speaks a lot, he plays hard, he's going into year 12, and he's practicing harder than some of the rookies." And that, dear 12s, is exactly the kind of player you want on your team.