Seattle, WA
What makes Seattle Seahawks' new D a 'conundrum' for QBs
When they take the field this fall, the Seattle Seahawks will sport one of the most cutting-edge defenses in the league.
Seahawks busy learning Mike Macdonald’s ‘really creative’ defense
New head coach Mike Macdonald is considered one of the game’s brightest defensive minds, with a creative and versatile scheme that achieved immense success during his two-year run in Baltimore. As the Ravens’ defensive coordinator last season, Macdonald’s defense became the first in NFL history to lead the league in points allowed, sacks and takeaways.
What makes Macdonald’s scheme so difficult for opposing quarterbacks? NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger explained during an appearance Wednesday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
“The quarterback is always looking to get a pre-snap read on where the defense is gonna be,” Baldinger said. “They look at the safeties – where are the safeties? Where’s the rotation? Is it a zone? Is it man? (In most defenses), the safeties kind of give a lot of things away.
“But not in Mike’s defense. The quarterbacks generally won’t know what you’re doing until the ball is snapped. They have all the (different types of) defenses. They can blitz and they can play man. They can do all those things, but you won’t know until the ball is snapped.”
One key aspect of Macdonald’s defense is a unique type of matchup zone.
“This matchup zone, they sit on top of these route combinations and the quarterback is sitting there and they’re like, ‘That guy’s in a great position to make this play, let me go to my next read.’ And next thing you know, the rush is on them. That’s why the Ravens led the league in pass-rushing sacks last year. The quarterbacks were forced to hold the ball.
“It’s a defense I believe that is going to kind of transcend what teams are doing in this league right now. I think a lot of teams are gonna look at what Mike did last year and try to copy it. … It was a conundrum for most quarterbacks all year long.”
During his Blue 88 segment Thursday, former Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard elaborated on what Baldinger said.
“This is a different animal, man,” Huard said. “This scheme is different. This scheme is reacting to the fronts, to the formations, to the pattern reading of the assignments. … And then at the snap, (opponents) are gonna be like, ‘Oh gosh, what are they doing here? Is this three over two? Is this four over three? Is this quarters? Are they rotating?’
“Like, they don’t give tells. There is not a tell to be had. They are a really good poker player. Macdonald’s defense (is) some of the best in disguising it. You can just ask (Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith) with that nightmare of a trip to Baltimore last season.”
Listen to the full conversation with NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to the full Blue 88 segment on Brock and Salk at this link or in the audio player near the bottom of this story.
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Kansas football coach Lance Leipold speaks at Jayhawks’ pro day event
Check out some of what Kansas football coach Lance Leipold had to say recently at the Jayhawks’ 2026 pro day event in Lawrence.
LAWRENCE — Emmanuel Henderson Jr. went into the 2026 NFL Draft in April thinking that third day, when the fourth-through-seventh rounds played out, would be when he’d be taken.
Henderson, a wide receiver in college for Kansas football this past season, wasn’t sure which team would pick him. He’d talked with the Seattle Seahawks organization during the pre-draft process sure, but there was nothing guaranteed. Overall, he was just ready for his first professional opportunity.
Seattle, though, did end up being the team that drafted him in the sixth round. That the Seahawks are coming off of a Super Bowl title certainly stands out to him, as does the fact he’ll be able to reunite with some former teammates from Alabama — where he was, prior to transferring to KU for the 2025 season. And he’s both happy to have ended up in Seattle, and eager to show what he’d told NFL teams about his ability during the pre-draft process.
“You could see from my film, I can take the top off any defense you put me against,” Henderson said recently. “Not only that, that I’m a receiver that loves to play special teams. So, that’s one of the great abilities I got to showcase, too.”
Henderson became an All-Big 12 Conference first team honoree as a returner this past season, in addition to making the third team as a wide receiver. He added an honorable mention recognition for offensive newcomer of the year. He came to Kansas because it gave him a chance to showcase his talents, because there was playing time up for grabs, and he took advantage of his opportunity.
Henderson, who highlighted his kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia as one fond memory, sees his special teams experience as something that can give him an advantage as he tries to make Seattle’s roster. That he’s played at different spots there, he feels, makes him a more versatile athlete. As the offseason unfolds, he just wants to show his new coaches his personality as he puts in more work, and develop chemistry with his new teammates.
KU coach Lance Leipold shared a post on social media following Henderson’s selection by Seattle, expressing his support. Henderson’s also heard from so many friends and family members in the days since. Now, it’s just about making sure that versatility translates to the next level.
“I’m looking forward to just moving around, inside, outside receiver, even part of the backfield if I get the chance to,” Henderson said. “But anywhere they’ll put me I’d love to go.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
The Seattle Mariners have a new pitcher, and it’s one they’re quite familiar with.
Cal Raleigh has soreness in side, out of Mariners’ lineup again
Longtime former Los Angeles Angels left-hander José Suarez was claimed by the Mariners on Sunday off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. To make room on the 40-man roster, Seattle designated Triple-A outfielder Rhylan Thomas for assignment.
The Mariners (16-18 entering Sunday) and the MLB-leading Braves (24-10) are set to begin a three-game series at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park on Monday night.
The 28-year-old Suarez is in his eighth MLB season, the first six of which were with the Angels. Because of his long tenure playing for a Mariners AL West rival, Suarez has played against the Mariners (14 games, 10 starts, 59 1/3 innings) more than any other MLB team.
Braves star Acuña to 10-day IL, out for series vs. Mariners
Suarez had a 6.61 ERA in eight games (one start) and 16 1/3 innings for the Braves this season. He first joined the Braves last year.
The Braves designated Suarez for assignment on Friday.
The best seasons of Suarez’s career were in 2021 and 2022 with the Angels, both years in which he went 8-8 with an ERA below 4.00 and WHIP under 1.25.
The Mariners had to scramble to fill a spot in the bullpen this week when right-hander Matt Brash went on the injured list with right lat inflammation. They initially called up left-hander Josh Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma just before their game against Kansas City on Friday night, then replaced Simpson by calling up Nick Davila from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday.
Thomas, 26, made his MLB debut last season, appearing in three games for the Mariners. This year in Triple-A, he’s has a .260/.313/.328 slash line for a .641 OPS with two home runs in 31 games. Thomas was an 11th-round MLB Draft pick in 2022 out of USC by the New York Mets.
More on the Seattle Mariners
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Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh is day-to-day with “general soreness” after being pulled from the lineup before Saturday’s game, manager Dan Wilson told reporters after a 3-2 loss in 10 innings against the Kansas City Royals.
Wilson said Raleigh underwent imaging, though he did not specify what on, and the team will assess their star catcher’s status Sunday.
“We’re trying to be as cautious as possible,” Wilson said.
Raleigh was originally slated to start at catcher and bat second in the middle game of the three-game series, but he was scratched from the lineup about 90 minutes before first pitch.
Mitch Garver got the start in place of Raleigh and went 1 for 4 at the plate and struck out three times, including to lead off the 10th inning.
Saturday’s game was the first Raleigh has missed this season. He had started 32 of the previous 33, including 25 at catcher, and came in as a pinch-hitter in the only game he didn’t start.
Raleigh is batting .186 with a .652 OPS, seven homers and four doubles this season. He has hit five home runs in his past 10 games.
Raleigh finished as the American League MVP runner-up during a record-setting campaign in 2025. He led baseball with 60 home runs, setting single-season MLB records for most home runs by a catcher and switch-hitter, as well as the Mariners’ single-season homer mark. Raleigh also drove in an AL-best 125 RBIs while hitting .247 with a .948 OPS.
The Mariners added a third catcher to their 26-man roster shortly after Raleigh was scratched from the lineup. Jhonny Pereda was called up from Triple-A Tacoma and infielder Will Wilson was placed on the 10-day injured list with fractured left thumb.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• Seattle Mariners to honor Randy Johnson with statue in 2027
• Mariners promote pitcher from Double-A to majors
• A factor that can help Cole Young earn All-Star nod
• Mariners Injury Update: Latest on Miller, Robles and more
• Seattle Mariners place Matt Brash on IL, recall lefty reliever
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