5 Takeaways from the Seahawks Preseason Opener

Kickoff Chaos, Roster Battles, and Defensive Dominance

While most of you were watching prime time coverage of the Summer Olympics, I logged into the Seahawks website and watched nearly every minute of the preseason opener at the Los Angeles Chargers. Was that a good life choice? Sure. Why? Because now I can share my observations with you.

1. So….kickoffs are wild.

   This is obvious to anyone who has watched a preseason game thus far, but the new kickoff rule is equally fascinating and bizarre. Basically, players stand still for an awkward amount of time staring at each other. They can only move when the returner touches the ball! What? It’s insane.

   

   In the image above, you can see the two lines of players just starting to move. The Bears in this example just stand at the 40 yard line until the Texans returner touches the ball. In addition, kickers will try to place the ball in the “landing zone” because a ball has to be returned if placed there. Why not just boot it out of the end zone? The return team gets the ball at the 35 yard line if it does that! This is insanity.

   

2. Kenny McIntosh wants to make this roster

   One of the most discussed players in camp has been undrafted running back George Holani of Boise State. Apparently Kenny McIntosh was listening to that discussion as well. With Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet locks for the roster, the competition for the third running back spot comes down to Holani and McIntosh. On Saturday, McIntosh answered the call with 40 yards on eight carries while looking explosive in the process. Look at this tweet by Warren Sharp on how good McIntosh was last weekend.

   

   Needless to say, Kenny McIntosh ran hard, ran well and didn’t get much help from his line. With the Seahawks announcing that starters won’t play in the next preseason game, McIntosh will have plenty more time to shine and seize that third spot.

3. Sam Howell performed like a backup QB (and that might be ok)

   For those of you who were not Commanders followers in 2023, Sam Howell led the NFL in sacks allowed with 65. Part of that was the Commanders offensive line and part of that was being behind in many games. But a big part of it was Sam Howell’s habits. Amazingly, Howell both held onto the ball too long and threw it in bad places too many times in 2023 (as he also led the league in interceptions with 21).

   On Saturday, Howell showed better decision making, if not stellar play. While Howell spent a lot of time throwing to his first read quickly (maybe by design), it was the non-plays that he made that intrigued me. Howell is not in a place in his career where he is going to wow viewers, but embracing a game management role is key. To be clear, the gap between Geno Smith and Sam Howell is massive. But Sam Howell being a competent back up is important and he looked the part on Saturday.

4. Byron Murphy will wreck offensive lines

   Despite a Pro Football Focus grade that ended up pretty low, Byron Murphy was good in this game. He got downgraded because he missed a sack. Incredibly, that miss was just one of two missed tackles by the Seahawks defense all game. But Murphy was disruptive and that is what I was hoping for. The Seahawks don’t need another “space filler” on the defensive line; they need a menace. Just look at the attention Murphy received in this photo.

   

   Two offensive linemen trying to stop a rookie in his first preseason game. That is awesome. For more in-depth analysis of Murphy’s first action, click the video below.

   5. The defense is going to be fun

   If you read the position previews from previous posts, you will know how excited I am for this Mike Macdonald defense. The ability to confuse offenses with complexity in coverage and look pre-snap, the Seahawks won’t appear like the Carroll teams of old. Will they be better? Time will tell but Saturday night was a great first impression.

   In two series against the Chargers sans Justin Herbert, the starting defense forced two three-and-outs while holding the Bolts to just eight yards. The next two possessions, featuring the Hawks number two defense, had even more success with a forced punt and in interception by Coby Bryant. Maybe the best part of all was that Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers clearly wanted to establish the run and the Hawks wouldn’t let them. A far cry from the sieve of a run defense we saw in 2023.
   
   In addition to the joy that Byron Murphy brought to my eyeballs, Riq Woolen, Tyrell Dodson, Derrick Hall (highest rated PFF score) and K’Von Wallace all shined in the first preseason game.