Quandre Diggs thrives as teacher for young Seattle secondary

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Quandre Diggs spent as a lot time this season educating as enjoying free security.

Whereas that’s just a little little bit of an exaggeration, this season was difficult another way for the anchor of the Seattle Seahawks defensive backfield.

There have been the challenges on the sphere making an attempt to repair a Seattle protection that rode a curler coaster of success and struggles for many of the season. And there was the problem of enjoying alongside 5 completely different beginning robust safeties at varied level of the season, to not point out two rookie cornerbacks.

“It’s positively examined me and it’s positively made me higher on how I’ve obtained to method sure guys and the way I’ve to be on my P’s and Q’s day by day,” Diggs mentioned. “As a result of these guys are trying as much as me and taking a look at me for solutions a variety of the instances.”

Regardless of all these trials, Diggs finds himself the place he at all times anticipated Seattle to be — enjoying within the postseason for the third time since he was traded to the Seahawks again through the 2019 season. The Seahawks will face San Francisco within the NFC wild-card recreation on Saturday and can want one other large day from Diggs if Seattle has a shot at upsetting its division foe.

It is going to assist Seattle’s defensive general that robust security Ryan Neal is anticipated to play after lacking the ultimate three video games of the common season with a knee harm.

“I’ve been ready endlessly,” Neal mentioned. “It has been painful watching my boys exit and have enjoyable with out me, however I’m glad to be again right here simply making an attempt to make my approach again.”

Neal was one of many 5 robust safeties that Diggs performed alongside this season and the one which performed the very best. The season began with the expectation that Diggs and Jamal Adams would patrol the backend for Seattle, solely to see Adams undergo a season-ending knee harm within the opener. Josh Jones stepped in for a time, earlier than Neal took over and took management of the place for many of the season.

These plans had been derailed in Week 13 when Neal suffered a knee harm. He was capable of play by way of it for 2 extra video games, however the fast turnaround between a Sunday and Thursday recreation aggravating the knee difficulty and saved him sidelined the previous three weeks.

With Neal out, Seattle used the combo of Teez Tabor and Johnathan Abram enjoying with Diggs. And it’s possible with Neal nonetheless not absolutely wholesome that some combo of all three are used towards the 49ers.

“He’s been a very lively half in what we do and has an awesome spirit in what we do,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll mentioned of Neal. “I’m actually completely happy that he’ll get again and we may have a pleasant little rotation there at that spot if he makes it all the approach.”

In fact, the Seahawks aren’t within the playoffs if not for Diggs. That’s a basic assertion about this play this season — he earned a third-straight Professional Bowl honor — but in addition for one particular play within the extra time win over Los Angeles final Sunday.

After Seattle failed to attain on the opening possession of extra time, the Rams wanted only a subject objective to win and finish the Seahawks playoff hopes. On second-and-15 from the Rams 21, broad receiver Van Jefferson flashed open on a deep route. The play name confused Seattle’s protection and Jefferson was uncovered ready for the move from Baker Mayfield.

“As I noticed the play develop, I used to be sitting there trying and was like, ‘Oh God. There are eight individuals in safety and it’s a two-man route. He’s going to be again there cooking steaks,’” Seattle defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt mentioned. “My eyes transitioned again there, and I noticed 12. I used to be like, ‘Oh no.’”

However Hurtt additionally noticed Diggs sprinting to make up floor and when Mayfield’s throw was barely underthrown, Diggs was capable of make a game-saving interception.

“It was phenomenal. Ball abilities is a singular trait that I believe doesn’t get talked about sufficient on the backend and Quandre’s ball abilities are by way of the roof. He’s unbelievable with that,” Hurtt mentioned.

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