{"id":29501,"date":"2017-09-08T10:22:21","date_gmt":"2017-09-08T14:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=29501"},"modified":"2017-09-08T10:22:21","modified_gmt":"2017-09-08T14:22:21","slug":"breakdown-look-seattle-seahawks-schematic-philosophy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/09\/08\/breakdown-look-seattle-seahawks-schematic-philosophy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Breakdown: A Look at the Seattle Seahawks Schematic Philosophy"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we approach the beginning of the 2017 NFL campaign, we begin to wrap-up “The Breakdown” by looking at the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> schematic philosophy. Quarterback Russell Wilson<\/a><\/strong> is quickly becoming one of the game’s elite signal callers and running back Thomas Rawls<\/a><\/strong> looks to return to his 2015 form after an injury-riddled 2016 season. The defense is locked-and-loaded yet again, and primed to finish as one of the league’s most dominant units. Let’s take a deeper look at Seahawks bread-and-butter on both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n

The Breakdown: A Look at the Seattle Seahawks Schematic Philosophy<\/h2>\n

Going as Wilson Goes<\/h3>\n

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell<\/a><\/strong> has done a tremendous job recognizing the level of Wilson’s talent and working to structure the offense around such a talent. Whether it be throwing on the run or incorporating quick throws and the zone read, Bevell has found numerous wrinkles to stress defenses via his signal-caller.<\/p>\n

It doesn’t take an expert to watch a full Seahawks game and realize that their offensive line is completely inept, hence why the team signed former number two overall pick Luke Joeckel<\/a><\/strong> and drafted jack-of-all trades Ethan Pocic<\/a><\/strong> in the second round of the 2017 draft. Pocic is expected to battle Germain Ifedi<\/a><\/strong> for the right tackle spot and look to shore up a line that struggled mightily to generate movement last season.<\/p>\n

This has proven to be the most noticeable contributing factor to Seattle’s increased use of rollouts and quick-strike throws: both philosophies don’t place a heavy burden on an already-week offensive line. Seattle’s base offense is 11 personnel<\/a> that features basketballer-turned-football-star Jimmy Graham<\/a><\/strong> is the backside, Y-iso option out of 3×1. Doing so was a great way to force defenses to reveal their intentions and draw potential mismatches with Graham on the backside. This spacing also plays a pivotal role in the creation of space for their zone running game to thrive.<\/p>\n

Going three-wide allows the Seahawks to capitalize on their double-slot alignment with the likes of Doug Baldwin<\/a><\/strong>, Tyler Lockett<\/a><\/strong> and C.J. Prosise<\/a><\/strong>. Baldwin is generally the X-option along the perimeter and Prosise a running back, but Bevell understands how to use formations in order to efficiently utilize his route concepts.<\/p>\n

Winning with Single-High<\/h3>\n

Seattle is a renowned single-high defense with their use of Cover 1 and Cover 3. These coverages require a tremendous, rangy safety that can man centerfield and rotate close to the middle of three-receiver sets. This act leaves uber-talented safety Earl Thomas<\/a><\/strong> in a compromised position to the weakside, but that’s where that ever-so-vital range is equally important.<\/p>\n

Opposite Thomas is thumper Kam Chancellor<\/a><\/strong>, a big-bodied defender who handles run responsibilities closer to the line in these single-high looks. The safety duo is undoubtedly the league’s best and has opened the door to multiple Sky and Cloud looks from the Seahawks.<\/p>\n

The addition of defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson<\/a><\/strong>-via a trade from the New York Jets<\/a>-is a tremendous upgrade to their 4-3 Under front. Seattle spent a 2016 second-rounder on Jarran Reed<\/a><\/strong> to replace Brandon Mebane<\/a><\/strong> as the lane-clogging 1-Tech who is responsible for controlling two gaps to the strongside, while Richardson can rush the passer as a weakside 3-Tech. This is where the newest Seahawk shines and can truly wreck havoc on lesser-athletic offensive linemen.<\/p>\n

On the outside, Michael Bennett<\/a><\/strong> has quietly developed into one of the game’s top 5-Techs and Cliff Avril<\/a><\/strong> and Frank Clark<\/a><\/strong> are key contributors opposite Bennett. Although Bennett is an apt strongside defender, Carroll doesn’t shy from rotating these edge defenders to confuse offenses and manufacture the desired looks; he’s even put an insurmountable amount of stress on tackles by placing Clark, Avril, and Bennett on the same side.<\/p>\n

There’s no doubt regarding who the top team in this division is, but if the Seahawks don’t find a solution to their offensive line woes, Wilson and a potentially-lethal running game are going to suffer greatly. With the level of certainty regarding the defense, it remains to be seen just how far the offense can take this team.<\/p>\n

Main Image:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>