Seattle, WA

Derick Hall Looking to ‘Enhance’ Pass Rush, Shine in Seattle Seahawks’ New Scheme

Published

1 year ago

August 9, 2024

Derick Hall Looking to ‘Enhance’ Pass Rush, Shine in Seattle Seahawks’ New Scheme

RENTON, Wash. – If stat sheets serve as the only real means for player evaluation in the NFL, Derick Hall’s rookie season for the Seattle Seahawks certainly could have gone better, particularly as a pass rusher.

Despite playing in all 17 games, Hall didn’t generate a single sack and per Pro Football Focus, he produced a mere 11 pressures and a pedestrian 7.6 percent pass rush win rate. Among 120 edge defenders with at least 137 pass rushing snaps, he finished 115th in pressures, 94th in pass rush win rate, and 108th in pass rush productivity, a combination of disappointing results for a second-round pick who arrived in Seattle with plenty of hype.

But beyond the stats, Hall felt he made strides as the season progressed, becoming more comfortable competing against NFL talent. To his credit, he did play better in the final month of the season, including producing a trio of pressures, a quarterback hit, and a tackle for loss in Seattle’s last two games, and offseason film study confirmed his priors.

“I think just the growth throughout the season overall, from game one to game two to game three all the way to 17, just to growth and I guess how more comfortable I got as the season went on,” Hall said while reflecting on his rookie year. “Being more confident in my abilities to play in this league, and on this level, I think was really the biggest thing and then also being able to still be physical and stop to run and continue to take those steps in that aspect of my game as well.”

Of course, Hall understands that his performance, like any edge defender who wants to make their mark and set themselves up for a big pay day on a second contract, will be scrutinized most on his ability to harass quarterbacks and tally sacks, something he didn’t do near well enough in his first NFL campaign.

As Hall dove into the film this spring, he felt that he relied too often on trying to win with pure power as a rusher, which limited his effectiveness collapsing the pocket and pressuring quarterbacks. To attack that deficiency head on this offseason and “enhance” his pass rushing arsenal, he placed top priority on improving his hand techniques and proficiency deploying counter moves off of bull rushes and long arm moves while combatting against NFL tackles.

Aside from the physical aspects on his list of improvements, Hall also reflected on what he learned from a preparation standpoint and the mental side of the equation, including the challenges of film study and being able to adapt early in game against the best players in the league each week. As it turns out, what you see isn’t always what you get in professional football, a lesson many players discover the hard way.

“You see one thing on tape and when you get to the game, it’s completely different thing,” Hall explained. “It’s like ‘okay, he gives up this’ but you get to the game they really sharpen that tool or maybe he just had an off week. Film was pretty consistent, but you see games guys are like getting beat on certain things like, ‘okay, well, let me try to have something to prepare for that.’ And then it isn’t what you expect. So I think that’s the biggest shocker.”

After engaging in a trial by fire rotating in behind starters Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe a year ago, Hall’s rookie enlightenment journey for the Seahawks opened his eyes on a number of areas he has to be more focused on than he was at the college level thriving at Auburn. In particular, figuring out tendencies beyond simply the tackle lined up across from him and digging deep into formations and personnel groupings lies as a crucial key to success in the league.

Playing in an NFC West division featuring offensive masterminds in 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams coach Sean McVay, there’s no such thing as a shortcut for Hall and his teammates when it comes to putting the time in away from the field to properly prepare for complex opposing schemes.

“I think sometimes you still get those tendencies, from guys who don’t pay that much attention to it. Obviously, the higher level guys like Trent [Williams] and all those guys, they’re going to be more honed in and more profound with those techniques. But you still get those tendencies,” Hall remarked. “I think the biggest thing is formations, or really looking at formations and studying those to figure out, okay, what can I possibly get? Is it going to be play action passes, is it going to be run, is the back at home, or is he offset? Just different things like that to help you give tips like condensed sets, 2 by 2, pair slot, just different things like that you really didn’t pay attention to in the college game. Now it’s the thing that I have to look at to be successful.”

Now three weeks into his second training camp, Hall’s offseason efforts have manifested into vastly improved performance on the practice field. Still playing with excellent physicality and a motor that always runs above 100 degrees, he has stonewalled several runs in padded practice after holding serve off the edge and continued to find success overpowering tackles as a bull rusher.

But where Hall’s growth has been most evident has been with the aforementioned hand usage, as he no longer looks like a one-trick pony and has started to assemble an impressive collection of pass rushing moves. Whether powering past a defender with a rip/dip combination, shooting a gap with a quick swim move, or clubbing down on an opposing blocker’s arms off of an initial long arm, he has developed several quality counters that, while they remain a work in progress, have propelled his rise as one of the most improved players on the roster.

Hall’s emergence has also been aided by playing in coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme, which aligns well to his strengths as a combo outside linebacker who can rush the passer in a two-point stance or with his hand in the ground while also having enough athleticism to be able to drop into coverage on zone blitzes and simulated pressures when called upon. Between Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde, whose defensive line background has been a boon for Hall and his counterparts, he loves the potential for Seattle’s edge rush group in 2024.

“The defense is great. Mike has a great scheme. I love it,” Hall smiled. “I love everything about that. I think the outside backers are going to produce really, really well in his defense, so I can’t complain at all.”

With Nwosu back healthy and Mafe coming off a breakout season, Hall will likely kick off his second season remaining a rotational reserve. But his toughness and versatility should open up plenty of opportunities for him to see the field, especially with Macdonald’s tendency to move players around the formation, which fits his profile quite well.

Closing in on the start of the season and Saturday’s preseason opener, Hall isn’t putting any numbers out there for what he hopes to accomplish in his sophomore season. From his perspective, stats won’t be what defines him, and as long as he finds a way to get better every single day, the numbers will eventually come as he aims to take on a more significant role for the Seahawks and help the team win football games.

Based on what he has shown throughout camp thus far, Hall looks to be well on his way to achieving that goal while playing multiple roles, and he’s looking forward to seeing what Seattle’s defense as a whole can accomplish with Macdonald at the controls.

“I think as long as you continue to take that step forward each and every week each and every day, and go out and be the best teammate possible, I feel like everything that I want to do is going to fall into place. As far as the defense goes with this scheme. I don’t think there’s a limit. I think Mike does a pretty good job of putting everybody in position to be successful, to go out and make plays, and play 12 as one. That’s our motto around here, 12 as one, be one cohesive group and go out and do whatever it takes to win.”

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Seattle, WA

Walker’s big night an encouraging sign for Seattle Seahawks

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Walker’s big night an encouraging sign for Seattle Seahawks

It got somewhat lost amid all the late-game drama, but Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III just had one of the best games of his four-year career.

The anatomy of a comeback: How Seahawks stunned the Rams

Highlighted by a pair of explosive plays, Walker totaled 164 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in Seattle’s wild 38-37 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. It was the second-most scrimmage yards of Walker’s career, just shy of his 167 scrimmage yards against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7 of his 2022 rookie campaign.

Walker rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries against the Rams’ stout defense, including a 55-yard TD run early in the third quarter where he burst through a crease and hit a top speed of 21.07 mph while racing downfield, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats. He also added three catches for 64 yards, including a 46-yard gain on a throwback screen pass that set up a first-quarter TD.

KENNETH WALKER III 55-YARD TD RUN 🚨
LARvsSEA on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/4ezXS8hbok
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2025

In doing so, Walker became the first NFL running back since five-time Pro Bowler Derrick Henry in 2020 to have both a 45-plus-yard run and a 45-plus-yard catch in the same game, according to NFL Media senior researcher Dante Koplowitz-Fleming.

Walker’s two big plays against the Rams were also among the six longest plays of his career. He had five gains of 40-plus yards over his first two NFL seasons, but none over the past two seasons until Thursday night.

During Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Friday, Mike Salk praised both Walker and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

“Best and hardest I’ve seen him run in forever,” Salk said. “Most decisive, most he’s hit holes hard, picked up extra yards. Credit to Kubiak for getting him the ball in space and allowing him to really do the things that he does well.”

Kenneth Walker III all the way down inside the 10!
LARvsSEA on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YjVCQMxByg
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2025

Led by Walker’s performance, the Seahawks finished with 171 rushing yards and a season-high 6.8 yards per carry on Thursday night. Even more encouraging was that it came against a strong Rams run defense, which entered the game ranked eighth in the NFL at just 3.9 yards allowed per carry.

The Seahawks have struggled for much of the season to get their run game untracked – including this past Sunday, when they mustered just 50 rushing yards and 2.3 yards per carry in a low-scoring Week 15 win over Indianapolis Colts.

But prior to that, Seattle had made some strides on the ground, averaging 140.2 rushing yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry from Weeks 10-14.

Walker’s showing on Thursday night was another positive step.

“He was a major factor,” Salk said. “Ran for 100 yards in the game. They ran for over 170 as a team, which kind of gets lost in a lot of the other storylines of the game. A huge credit to Ken Walker. … That’s the best I’ve seen him play in forever.”

Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation at this link or in the video player at the top of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Where Seattle Seahawks’ No. 1 seed odds stand after epic win
• Seattle Seahawks Injury Updates: Status of trio of DBs
• Seahawks’ Derick Hall suspended 1 game for stepping on player
• Brock Huard: The reason Darnold was able to lead Seahawks over Rams
• Macdonald explains Seattle Seahawks’ game-winning 2-point decision

Follow @CameronVanTil

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Kraken beat San Jose Sharks 4-2 to snap 4-game skid

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Seattle Kraken beat San Jose Sharks 4-2 to snap 4-game skid

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Lindgren had the tiebreaking goal early in the third period for his first score with the Seattle Kraken, and they went on to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Saturday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Seattle Kraken 4, San Jose Sharks 2: Box score

Chandler Stephenson had a goal and an assist, and Eeli Tolvanen and Ryker Evans also scored for the Kraken, who won for just the second time in 12 games (2-9-1). Joey Daccord finished with 34 saves.

Adam Gaudette and Colin Graf scored for the Sharks, and Yaroslav Askarov had 28 saves.

Graf gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead 36 seconds into the third period with some help from the Kraken.

Seattle’s Adam Dunn lofted a clearing attempt from behind the net that Igor Chernyshov intercepted in the left circle and sent a pass in front to Graf. Graf tried to lift it over Daccord down on the ice, but the puck deflected off the left post and in front as the goalie, on his back, tried to pull it in. However, Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson skated into the goalie and knocked the puck in.

Evans tied it again at 1:55 with a long shot from the left point through traffic.

Lindgren put the Kraken ahead 3-2 at 4:27, beating Askarov from the left point for the defenseman’s first goal in 33 games since signing with with Seattle in the offseason. Stephenson had an assist on the play to extend his point streak to eight games.

Stephenson then scored with 1:24 remaining to push Seattle’s lead to two goals and extend his goal-scoring streak to four games.

Tolvanen gave the Kraken a 1-0 lead at 6:52 of the second period, picking up a loose puck, skating into the right circle and firing a shot past Askarov.

Gaudette tied it with a power-play goal with 8:38 left in the middle period. Celebrini fired a shot at the net from the left point that deflected off teammate Igor Chernyshov in front of Daccord and off Gaudette down onto the ice for an easy backhand poke from the right doorstep.

Celebrini extended his point streak to five games on the play with eight assists and 11 points in the stretch.

Up next

Seattle Kraken: At Anaheim on Monday night.

San Jose Sharks: At Vegas on Tuesday night.

Seattle Kraken trade away their big offseason acquisition

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Seattle, WA

Three West Seattle schools’ teams advance in FIRST Lego League competition

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Three West Seattle schools’ teams advance in FIRST Lego League competition

(Photos courtesy Brenda Hatley)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Dozens of youth robotics teams from elementary and middle schools across the district gathered on December 6 at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School for this year’s FIRST Lego League qualifier. By the end of the day, three teams from West Seattle – Madison Middle School, Lafayette Elementary School, and Alki Elementary School – emerged triumphant, with their sights set on the next round of the tournament.

Of the schools who competed that day, nine were from West Seattle, including Genesee Hill Elementary, Fairmount Park Elementary, Gatewood Elementary, Arbor Heights Elementary, West Seattle Elementary, and the aforementioned teams that are moving up to the next round.

A local parent tipped us about the students’ achievement, so we set out to get details. We spoke with Brenda Hatley, a coach for Madison Middle School, the only West Seattle middle-school team to advance to the next round, and she says the turnout at the qualifiers was impressive. Hatley first became a coach for her son’s 4th-grade team and was one of the founding parents for Lafayette Elementary’s Lego Robotics team.

She says the program, which pairs engineering with LEGO, coding, and real-world projects, is a fantastic program for students who are less interested in athletics but still want to capture the excitement of a pep rally.

“It’s not a sports team, but they’re still getting so hyped up. The kids were cheering for each other, and the pressure was there; coaching through that was an incredible experience,” Hatley said.

Madison’s team, the Madbots, will play their next match on December 26th, at a to-be-determined location. The teams that do well this month will move on to the city-wide competition in Downtown Seattle, before moving to the regionals at Washington State University, and beyond to the international finals. Regardless of how they perform, Hatley says she and the other parents are planning to travel with their team to the city-wide and regional competitions.

“I’m really proud of the team,” Hatley said. “Last year, the fifth graders didn’t move on, and we had lower expectations; we just went in to learn more and get better. This year, we get to move on and see what the next level looks like.”

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