Seahawks ‘Really Impressive’ Rebuild Draws Praise from Rams’ Sean McVay

As nationwide momentum surrounding the Seattle Seahawks has begun to fade following back-to-back one-possession losses, it is easy to lose sight of the truth that they’ve considerably outperformed preseason expectations.

Holding a 6-5 report, the Seahawks are firmly within the race for each the NFC West crown and closing wildcard spots … at a time when many projected them to be combating for the No. 1 total decide within the NFL Draft.

There are a number of causes behind Seattle’s shocking marketing campaign, together with the breakouts of quarterback Geno Smith, cornerback Mike Jackson and security Ryan Neal, amongst a number of others, and high-level impression of the rookie class, led by offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, operating again Ken Walker III, cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant and outdoors linebacker Boye Mafe.

The sudden rise and contributions from so many gamers on the roster are largely a microcosm of the group’s total identification – a scrappy bunch decided to show doubters flawed, and maybe extra importantly, themselves proper.

It is also an especially constructive reflection on Seahawks common supervisor John Schneider, coach Pete Carroll and the remainder of the entrance workplace for locating, creating and maximizing the skills of the over-achieving group.

This reflection is not misplaced on Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, a defending Tremendous Bowl champion extensively considered as one of many prime coaches within the league … and the following opponent on Seattle’s calendar.

McVay’s workers has change into well-known for aggressively buying high-end skills like quarterback Matthew Stafford and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, however with out the organizational depth constructed via mid to late spherical draft picks and underrated free company provides, the Rams’ postseason run won’t have occurred.

In essence, McVay is very certified to talk on roster constructing – and he is extraordinarily impressed with the job Schneider and Carroll have accomplished.

“I believe it is a credit score to the tradition that they’ve constructed there,” McVay mentioned. “They have a really clear philosophy with John Schneider and Coach Carroll when it comes to who they need onboard, what they need it to appear like, and I believe that’s served them rather well. It is why they have been so persistently profitable during the last handful of years.”

Seattle’s tradition has really been put to the check of late; for a number of years, the group’s identification was Russell Wilson on offense and the Legion of Increase on protection. Neither are current on this season’s Seahawks group, however they merely carry on profitable.

It is troublesome to have a look at the outcomes and never marvel on the job Carroll and Schneider have accomplished to show the tides of the franchise in such a fast method, and it is significantly noteworthy to grasp that they’ve accomplished it by establishing a group identification that permeates all through the roster, relatively than merely exemplified by the highest standouts.

“They play arduous, they’re very essentially sound, they’re disciplined in all three phases,” mentioned McVay. “Like I mentioned, there is a clear-cut philosophy on how they wish to compete and what they need their tape to have the ability to appear like.”

These are traits that Carroll really needs his group to own, and this 12 months’s bunch completely has the products. Higher but, the success of the rookie class conjures up confidence that this identification – this tradition – might be sustained shifting ahead … very similar to it was through the earlier period of Seahawks soccer.

“They’ve had lots of rookies which have actually contributed, accomplished lots of actually good issues on either side of the soccer,” McVay acknowledged. “Whether or not it is the offensive linemen (Cross and Lucas), the again (Walker), you are taking a look at a few of their DBs (Woolen and Bryant), it has been actually spectacular and that is type of par for the course for these guys simply getting extra aware of them during the last six years.” 

Getting into the season, Los Angeles and Seattle being a matchup between groups with data of 3-8 and 6-5 would not have been terribly shocking – however few would’ve believed that the Seahawks can be the one with the profitable report.

It is a testomony to the unpredictably of the NFL, and furthermore an illustration of the job Schneider and firm have accomplished to reload Seattle’s roster in a brief method.

This was purported to be a struggle-filled season en path to a prime draft decide, however the Seahawks have managed to place themselves firmly in playoff competition because the calendar flips to December whereas additionally offering a number of indications that it is merely the start.

And that, as McVay mentioned, is “actually spectacular.”

You’ll be able to comply with Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

Hey, 12s! Get your Seahawks Tickets from SI Tickets … HERE!

Need the most recent in breaking information and insider data on the Seahawks? Click on Right here to subscribe to AllSeahawks.com’s E-newsletter.

Observe All Seahawks.com on Twitter and Fb

Be certain to subscribe to our each day podcast @lockedonseahawks as we speak! Click on right here To Pay attention.

Need much more Seattle Seahawks information? Try the SI.com group web page right here.