Seahawks Round

Seahawks.com Writer

Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Monday, August 28 — about your Seattle Seahawks.

Earlier this month, NBC sports writer and longtime league insider Peter King stopped by the Virginia Mason Athletic Center for a look at the 2023 Seahawks. After interviewing quarterback Geno Smith about his offseason journey to improve, King pens his thoughts on the franchise's potential, warning the football world not to “sleep on Seattle.”

Football Morning in America is up! 🚀🙌🏼In my column this week:🪐 Herbert and Staley on ‘Pace and Space’ strategy💥 Return of the Legion of Boom in Seattle?👎 The bad Trey Lance trade🎲 Some fantasy advice from a guy who isn’t great at fantasy (me)https://t.co/utJq4nGdbn

After a trip to the 2022 NFC Wild Card and a strong offseason of moves in the draft and free agency, anticipation has been high through the summer for Seattle's 2023 team. Despite injuries hobbling several key rookies like wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon along with several veterans, Seattle’s talent on both sides of the ball and depth has Pete Carroll excited about the year ahead prior to waiving seven players on Sunday ahead of Tuesday's deadline to trim the roster to 53 players.

"As we get to this weekend," said Carroll. "You think about it, OK, here comes the change in the roster and all of that. Sixty-nine of these players are going to be with us, and that is a bunch of guys in this locker room right here that are going to stay with us. There will be some changes, there are always some, but the bulk of these guys are going to be with us, and I love that because these guys are connected and they know how we play, what we expect, how we prepare, how we talk about our challenges and all of that. And that's only going to make us better as we go through the start of the season coming up.

"I feel really good where we are right now. We've had a great camp. I would have loved to have gotten that touchdown right there. I would be screaming about, 'You can win the game in the fourth quarter' and all that kind of stuff and having fun with it, but we didn't get that. But all the rest of it we did, and so I am really pleased with all the work that is being done here."

After a day with the team, King went in-depth in praising Seattle's offseason acquisitions, including bringing back longtime captain and linebacker Bobby Wagner after a season with the Los Angeles Rams. King pledges that the return of the beloved Utah State alum will help the league's 30th-ranked run defense in 2022.

The return of Bobby Wagner, who ended his lone year out of the Seattle womb playing well for the Rams, is a bonus. I got a kick out of asking him about the rebirth of the Legion. "When I played against the Seahawks last year," Wagner told me, "they had all these new guys. They're talking trash. I'm telling them, like, 'I had that jersey before you guys were even born. Don't tell me what the Seahawks mean! I created what the Seahawks mean to you guys.'" He feels a fun bond with the newbies.

It's going to be a tough road. Seattle was_in the mid-twenties in points and yards allowed last year.

Speaking of the Legion, Wagner's a wise owl.Love the Seahawk fans. In the lone home preseason game when the defense was introduced before game, Wagner got one of the biggest ovations I've ever heard at an exhibition game. Chilling. This was Aug. 19, at Lumen Field, against Dallas. The ovation lasted a good 15 to 18 seconds. "You dream about moments like that," Wagner told me. "Unforgettable."

Bobby Wagner introduced as a Seahawks starter at Lumen Field for the first time since his last game for the team, Jan. 2, 2022. ⁦@thenewstribune⁩ pic.twitter.com/bjdunny3nk

Wagner's 33, but he's coming off two straight years—2021 in Seattle, 2022 with the Rams—of impressive performances as the nerve center of_the defense. Though he can see the end of his career, he thinks he has a year or two of defensive quarterbacking left in him. He negotiated his own contracts with the Rams and this year with Seattle GM John Schneider to return. _

"It's about football, but it's about life after football," he said. "Like, I want to be able to negotiate deals that don't have anything to do with football. The energy I get from business people is the knock on athletes is they don't have the experience. So I'm trying to eliminate that stereotype that we don't have that experience that I've been doing it for a while now. That's one thing they can't say about me… It's a great story. It's not finished. I'm excited to get out there and continue to prove that I can play at a high level." Seattle's playoff life this year might depend on Wagner.

In a more-aggressive than usual free-agency period for the franchise, Seattle snagged top talent at several positions to bolster the roster - including safety Julian Love, defensive linemen Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed, and of course, Wagner. With the No.5 overall selection, Seattle selected Illinois corner and 2022 Big Ten Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year Devon Witherspoon. Cornerback Riq Woolen leaped from Day-3 selection to 2022 Pro Bowl selection, while fellow rookie corner Coby Bryant tied for No.1 in forced fumbles league-wide with four. Safety Quandre Diggs made his fourth-consecutive Pro Bowl, while safety Jamal Adams was cleared from the PUP list last week. King breaks down why Seattle's blend of youth, athleticism, size and skill resembles the iconic Seahawks' "Legion of Boom" secondaries of the previous decade.

Legion of Boom redux. So much of this roster construction fascinates me, because GM John Schneider—exactly as he did in building a Super Bowl team a decade ago—concentrated on the back end of the defense, the linebackers and secondary. Seattle didn't have a huge need at safety, but Schneider went out and bought a top-five player on the Giants' defense last season, safety Julian Love; he and Quandre Diggs will form a terrific safety tandem and allow Jamal Adams to roam down in the box to be a playmaker—if he's finally healthy. First-round corner Devon Witherspoon beefs up a rich depth chart there. My favorite player in the back: Coby Bryant, who will play all five positions (both safeties, both outside corners, and nickel) as needed this year, and will play them in a playmaker fashion.

King discussed the physical and mental growth of his interview subject, Geno Smith.

Geno Smith is a lean machine.Smith became a pescatarian last spring. "I haven't had chicken or beef in four or five months now," he told me. "I've been eating really healthy, really clean." It'd be interesting if Smith, one of the great stories of the NFL in 2022, can be better than his re-emergence on the NFL scene last season. With all the hand-wringing aboutRussell Wilson's departure, Smith far outperformed Wilson in Seattle in 2021 and Wilson in Denver in 2022. He threw for 4,282 yards, with 30 TDs and 11 picks, and a rating of 100.9.

He says he intends to be more of a running threat to even out his game in 2023. "I still feel like I don't really do enough of the stuff on the move. Being able to create off-schedule. And then being able to attack a little more in the red zone." Smith had top-10 QB numbers in 2022. The Seahawks should hope he can match those numbers. Smith is determined to improve them.

No. 20-overall selection wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba shined throughout camp and the preseason before wrist surgery forced him to be sidelined. But with the Ohio State alum expected to make a fast recovery to join 2022 1,000-yard wideouts Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, Seattle's receiving corps looks promising. Second-year running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 1,050 yards as a rookie, and is now joined by bruising UCLA alum Zach Charbonnet in the backfield. King breaks down why the added firepower can help Seattle compete for the NFC crown at the end of the season.

Seattle's so much deeper at the skill positions.WithJaxon Smith-Njigbaand upstart free agentJake Boboset to impact the receiver corps, and a (supposedly) healthyKenneth Walker IIIand rookieZach Charbonnetanchoring the backfield, this is going to be an offensive attack that gives teams problem.DK MetcalfandTyler Lockett(2022 combined: 174 catches, 2081 yards, 15 TDs) have had excellent camps.

I left here _thinking if Seattle can improve to middle-of-the-pack against the run, the NFC West will be a Niners-'Hawks contest into January. _

With the preseason over, the time for speculation around Seattle's 2023 season is over. As the clock ticks until the September 10 home-opener against the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks look to heal up in-preparation for a championship push.

Converge Media goes behind-the-scenes with Seahawks Legend Jermaine Kearse to introduce the Pacific Northwest to his business, Evergreen Golf Club in Redmond.

Besa Gordon (@besagordon) brought out the star power for her latest edition of #NeverHaveIEver, and took a swing at something new by picking up a golf club for the first time. She joined former Husky and Seahawks Receiver Jermaine Kearse (@JKearse_15) at his indoor golf business… pic.twitter.com/7vnckRRBQF

Frank Sumrall of Seattle Sports 710AM: Mario Edwards Jr.: Seahawks’ chemistry ‘most well-put-together’ in NFL.

Frank Sumrall of Seattle Sports 710AM: ​​Bump: Why Coby Bryant is answer to Seahawks’ nickel CB dilemma.

Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Seahawks final roster projection: Jake Bobo is almost certainly in. Who joins him?

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Here are the big decisions Seahawks face as they prepare to pare down roster.

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks notes: Easop Winston Jr. does his part to make roster cut downs difficult.

Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: Seahawks roster projection: 4 undrafted rookies make it; 2022 draft pick and veteran cut.

The Associated Press: Packers pick off Seahawks on final drive, win preseason finale 19-15.

Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seattle's Offense Sputters in Preseason Loss to Packers - Locked On Seahawks Podcast.

Jacob Hare of Sports Illustrated: Did Seahawks' Drew Lock Earn Second Chance As Starting QB vs. Packers?

Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report: Seahawks QB Geno Smith Changed Diet to Become a Pescatarian, Plans to Run More in NFL.

Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers on August 26, 2023 at Lambeau Field. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.

Famed Lambeau Field in Green Bay is shrouded by an incoming storm clouds the night before the game.

On the morning of the game, receiver Tyler Lockett walks to the team's buses.

LInebacker Devin Bush signs autographs for fans before the game.

Seahawks receiver John Hall catches passes during early warmups.

Seahawks edge Derick Hall gets warmed up before the game.

Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet runs on the field during early warmups.

Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi gets some snaps in during early pregame.

Running back Kenneth Walker III runs laps around the field during early pregame warmups.

Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner and head coach Pete Carroll chat on the field before the game.

These Seahawks fans were focused on receiver DK Metcalf.

Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner signs autographs before the game.

Seahawks offensive lineman Jake Curhan during pregame warmups.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll talk on the field before the game.

Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock reviews game plans in a corner outside of the locker room in the final mintes before the game.

The Seahawks head down the stairs leading from the locker room down to the playing field at Lambeau Field.

Head referee Craig Wrolstad adminsters the pregame coin toss before the game. Seahawks captains for the game were Nick Bellore, John Hall and Stone Forsythe.

Safety Joey Blount breaks up a pass on the first drive of the game.

Quarterback Drew Lock fires a pass as the line, including Anthony Bradford and Olu Oluwatimi provide protection.

Seahawks punter Michael Dickson lets one fly.

Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns tackles Packers quarterback Jordan Love.

Seattle linebacker Jon Rhattigan makes one of his 11 tackles during the game.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates after the defense held on fourth down.

Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas finds running room in the second quarter.

Undrafted free-agent receiver Jake Bobo gets open and catches a touchdown pass from Drew Lock.

Receiver Jake Bobo celebrates with quarterback Drew Lock after the two connected for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Head coach Pete Carroll gives instruction to defensive backs Coby Bryant and Artie Burns.

Seahawks defensive end Lvei Bell makes a tackle as teammate Jacob Sykes flies in to help.

During halftime, members of the Seahawks offensive unit listen to instructions in the locker room.

On the other side of the locker room, Seahawks defensive personnel listen as linebackers coach John Glenn provides instruction.

Seahawks defensive backs Jerrick Reed II and Artie Burns defend a pass that fell incomplete.

Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns has a pass breakup in the third quarter.

Seahawks defensive tackle Jacob Sykes listens to assistant coach Damione Lewis on the sidelines.

Seahawks Levi Bell and Matt Gotel pressure Packers quarterback Alex McGough.

Seahawks receiver Easop Winston, Jr. hauls in a pass in the fourth quarter.

Defensive end Levi Bell lined up at fullback as the Seahawks ran the ball near the goal line.

Seahawks running back Sarodorick Thompson scores as teammate Greg Eiland celebrates with him.

Seahawks defensive tackle Matt Gotel celebrates after making a tackle.

Seahawks quarterback Holton Ahlers fires a pass in the fourth quarter.

After the game, head coach Pete Carroll addresses the team in the locker room.