Seattle, WA
Former Seahawks DT Sounds Off On Defensive Issues
The Seattle Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald as their new head coach in order to fix last season’s miserable defense, and while there’s definitely been some improvement, there’s still a long way to go.
The one issue everyone seems to hone in on, and understandably so, is the run defense, which hasn’t improved much after struggling all of last season. Through Week 8, Seattle ranks 29th against the run, allowing 148.4 yards per game. However, that’s far from the only issue on defense, with others including a lackluster pass rush and poor performance on third downs.
To former Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, these issues and more stem from one thing: a lack of adjustments.
“On third down what I’m having an issue with is the alignment once again,” Mebane said on his The Reset podcast. “When the defensive ends are lined up too wide and you’re running a game you’re actually blocking yourself. When you’re playing against a quarterback like Josh Allen or Matt Stafford they’re getting the ball out quick … Third and six, third and seven, do not line up wide like it’s wide-9, but it’s no tight ends out there … you can trade for a Pro Bowler, an All-Pro, or whatever you think the person is. It all comes down to alignment. That’s it. It just comes down to alignment and understanding how this other team is attacking you. They’re all attacking the Seahawks the same way, man.”
Certainly some harsh criticism for Mebane, who played for the Seahawks from 2007-2015. Macdonald is one of the most highly-regarded defensive coaches in the league, so to see his defense struggling like this early on is somewhat disappointing.
However, remember that Macdonald is not just a first-year head coach, but the youngest coach in the league at just 37. He’ll continue to grow as a coach, and this up-and-down start may end up being a distant memory.
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9:20 PM: Seattle Fire has a water-rescue response headed to Alki Avenue and 64th SW after a report of someone hanging onto a capsized watercraft – possibly a kayak, per dispatch – about 50 yards offshore.
9:29 PM: SFD responders report another kayaker appears to be towing in the person who was in trouble, or trying to.
9:34 PM: Rescuers, including an SFD boat, are deciding where to take the kayaker once he’s out of the water.
9:36 PM: They’re going to move a medic unit and battalion chief to Don Armeni Boat Ramp and take the kayaker there for evaluation.
I caught this neighbor red-handed cleaning up the beach at Lincoln Park after last night’s … festivities…
She�…
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 4: Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Fire on July 4, 2026 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. (David Ryder / NBAE / Getty Images)
SEATTLE – Carla Leite scored 20 points to lead the Portland Fire to a 77-72 victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday night.
Leite made 4 of 8 shots and all 12 of her free throws, adding four assists for Portland (9-12). Bridget Carleton totaled 14 points and seven rebounds, while Megan Gustafson added 10 points and nine boards.
Dominique Malonga had 22 points to pace Seattle (5-17) and Natisha Hiedeman scored 15. Awa Fam had 12 points, while fellow rookie Flau’jae Johnson was held to a season-low one point.
Leite had two three-point plays to start the third quarter and Frieda Buhner came off the bench to score all nine of her points over a six-minute span as Portland turned a 32-30 halftime lead into a 54-47 advantage. Gustafson sank a 3-pointer for a 41-38 lead and the Fire never trailed again.
Emily Engstler had all nine of her points and six of her eight rebounds by halftime, helping Portland outscore Seattle 22-10 in the second period for a two-point lead at the break.
Hiedeman had nine points in the first quarter and Seattle used a 13-2 run over the final 5:27 to take a 20-10 lead before falling to 0-12 against Western Conference opponents this season.
Portland went 1-3 on a four-game trip.
Up next
Seattle: At Los Angeles Sparks on Monday.
Portland: Hosts Las Vegas Aces on Thursday.
The Source: Information in this story came from The Associated Press.
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Seattle Storm losing streak reaches 10 with 93-73 loss to Mercury
Dominique Malonga scores career-high 28 points, but Seattle Storm lose ninth-straight 94-89 to Fire
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