The significance of Seattle’s defense’s performance has less to do with the final result – it is a preseason game, after all – and more to do with what it can mean for a team and a defense that is building something new under Macdonald and his coaching staff.
“I feel like it builds (our confidence) even more,” said rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who had a tackle for a loss and nearly added a sack. “Coach Macdonald is a big defensive player, he’s been preaching to us since we’ve been in OTA training camp. I feel totally motivated. I feel like we can really see his vision after today. After this game, I think it’s time to step it up a notch and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Safety Coby Bryant, who set up Seattle’s second touchdown with an interception, added: “It’s definitely significant. We’re tired of competing against each other every day. Of course we learn from each other, but just competing against someone else and playing the way we did showed us something.”
Numerous numbers paint a picture of Seattle’s defensive dominance: The Chargers managed just 198 yards and nine first downs, completed 2 of 13 third downs, and averaged just 3.5 yards per play. But just as encouraging as the numbers was the way the players communicated and avoided mistakes in their first game against a defense that relies heavily on that communication. That was especially evident on Bryant’s interception, with Macdonald noting that the defense had to communicate a check, get players in position to make the play, and then get K’Von Wallace and Bryant in position to make a play, with Wallace delivering a huge hit to tight end Hayden Hurst and Bryant coming right in for the interception.
“Team football, man,” Macdonald said. “Good pocket, guys communicated, made the right checks in the back, we were in our spots on play action, attacked the football and then when it’s our turn, let’s make the play and try to score.”
And even though the Seahawks pushed more players deep in the second half, the defense held out until the end, making two fourth-down stops late in the fourth quarter, ending a game in which the Chargers punted eight times and had five three-and-outs.
“We showed grit,” defensive end Mike Morris said. “From the beginning to the end of the game, we were playing hard — they were trying to show power, they were trying to play a gap scheme — and we just did it. They didn’t get over 100 yards rushing; I don’t think they got over 100 yards passing, either, so I think overall we played very, very well as a unit.”
Saturday’s win was just one step in preparing for the regular season, but it was a very important one. And if this game was any indication of what’s to come, the Seahawks will be a very tough opponent indeed this season.
“We want to push all the boundaries, our mentality, we want to be rock solid,” Macdonald said. “We say 12 as one, we want to be together, connected, all those things. Everyone wants to push in the same direction. We’re not there yet, but that’s the vision, the guys know it. We’re on our way, and the quicker we come together, the further we’ll go. Step one.”
