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Young Seahawks Coming of Age, Embracing Roles For Suddenly Dominant Defense

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Young Seahawks Coming of Age, Embracing Roles For Suddenly Dominant Defense


SEATTLE, Wash. – Amid a bizarre sequence midway through the third quarter, a late timeout called by coach Mike Macdonald negated a potential drive ending pass breakup, forcing the Seattle Seahawks to have to try to stop the Arizona Cardinals for a second time on 4th and 1.

After Kyler Murray’s first fourth down incompletion intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t count, the speedy quarterback faked the handoff and rolled out to his right, initially looking to turn the corner and run for the first down. But that plan was thwarted by Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who turned on the afterburners chasing after him in pursuit, forcing Murray to try to loft the ball over the defender’s head to receiver Michael Wilson instead.

In the perfect place at the perfect time with Witherspoon’s pressure speeding up the quarterback, safety Coby Bryant took full advantage of a gift-wrapped interception opportunity, as Murray’s throw sailed over Wilson into his hands for the pick. Off to the races, following a block by Witherspoon, he sprinted down the sideline with cheers raining down from the crowd and capped off the 69-yard touchdown return by paying homage to legend Marshawn Lynch with a not-so-subtle crotch grab.

While acknowledging that the NFL will likely fine him for that gesture, that’s a price Bryant will be more than willing to pay after the biggest play of his career thus far lifted the Seahawks to a 16-6 win over the Cardinals, vaulting them into a tie for first place in the NFC West.

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“I just saw Kyler rolling out and the guy was leaking out a little bit, so I was going to attach to him,” Bryant explained. “Something in my mind, honestly. … I’m just like ‘he might just float this in the air and it might get overthrown’ because of Spoon blitzing or whatever he was doing. I’m gonna have to go back and look at that. But hey, he caused the play for me and he floated up in the air and I just caught it. I don’t think I’ve ever ran that fast.”

Winning their second straight against a division rival with dominant defense leading the way, it’s only fitting two of Seattle’s best young players on that side of the football contributed to the most impactful play of the game, immediately turning a promising Arizona drive into points in a game where neither offense could find much traction. Allowing less than 20 points in each of their previous three games, youth has been served at all three levels to fuel the defensive revitalization.

In last week’s win over the 49ers, Witherspoon got his hands on three pass breakups, including deflecting one up in the air that led to an interception for defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and an eventual field goal for Jason Myers. Though he didn’t have any pass breakups, Bryant made two crucial tackles on San Francisco’s second-to-last possession, including a third down stop on Jauan Jennings that forced a punt and set up Geno Smith’s game-winning touchdown drive.

Away from the secondary, linebacker Tyrice Knight has ran with his shot to replace departed starter Tyrel Dodson in the starting lineup, racking up at least nine combined tackles in the past two games. But he did more than simply amass tackles on Sunday, registering his first career sack on a blitz and devouring Murray as he tried to step up in the pocket on the game’s opening drive to force a punt.

If not for a replay reversal, Knight’s afternoon could have been even more memorable. After defensive tackle Leonard Williams hit Murray’s elbow while he tried to throw in the first quarter, the ball squirted out and officials initially ruled it a fumble with the rookie scooping it up and returning it for six points. Unfortunately, the play didn’t stand with replay officials changing it to an incomplete pass.

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With Knight and Ernest Jones manning the middle, as evidenced once again on Sunday against a Cardinals squad that entered the game with a top-five rushing attack, the Seahawks look to be in great hands at linebacker after receiving shaky play there earlier in the season. Proud of how the rookie has performed thus far, Macdonald tabbed his rare professionalism as the primary reason he has found early success.

“I think the middle of our defense right now is playing pretty dang good. Happy for him. He’s doing a lot during the week to prepare. He is just another example — I sound like a broken record — but it’s like just stack good moments, good days, good reps, good preparation, take care of your body, study the heck out of the game plan, over communicate, take one play at a time. That’s just how you have to do it.

“To his credit, that’s what he does. There is no extra about him. It’s just business as usual and he’s very poised, even in awesome NFL environments. You got to give him credit for that for being a rookie.”

Even in the trenches, the Seahawks have received ample contributions from young players along the defensive line in their recent surge. Making his presence felt right away, Boye Mafe ambushed Murray on the second snap of the game, bringing the quarterback down for a sack. Outplaying his two-tackle stat line, Byron Murphy II also held his own in the interior, making it difficult for James Conner to find any running room between the tackles with penetration and eating up double teams while providing a few pressures of his own collapsing the pocket.

Of course, it would be remiss not to mention the sensational play of Seattle’s seasoned veterans on Sunday, starting with Williams. The Cardinals didn’t have an answer for the versatile defensive lineman, who ate their guards alive all afternoon to the tune of six tackles, 2.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss. At the other defensive tackle spot, Jarran Reed drew praise from Macdonald after pitching in with four tackles, a partial sack, and a quarterback hit.

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Elsewhere, as the elder statesman of the secondary, safety Julian Love had two pass breakups, including a near-highlight reel interception along the sideline where he showcased elite closing speed to jump the pass. Continuing to wreak havoc at linebacker next to Knight, Jones led the team with 10 tackles, and now has 47 combined tackles in four games since being acquired via trade from the Titans last month.

Those four players stand out as the leadership foundation for the Seahawks, with Williams saying several of them spoke prior to the 49ers game to talk about being in “playoff mode” from here on out, a meeting that has proven to be most beneficial. To achieve the goal of making the postseason, they will have to continue elevating their games to bring out the best in their peers, setting example with how they prepare during the week and handle their business on Sunday.

Following the lead of their veteran teammates, youngsters such as Witherspoon, Bryant, and Knight have embraced their respective roles and had a major influence on the team climbing back to the top of the NFC West standings. Playing with a heightened urgency, they have been a vital part in the defense’s rapid turnaround and with six games left to play, they have undoubtedly created a tangible excitement about what Seattle can accomplish down the stretch with the division up for grabs.

Rapid Reaction: Leonard Williams, Seahawks Feast on Cardinals in 16-6 Win

Halftime Observations: Seahawks Engaged in Defensive Slog, Lead Cardinals 7-3

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Seattle, WA

Fumes in cockpit forces Hawaiian-bound flight to return to Seattle

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Fumes in cockpit forces Hawaiian-bound flight to return to Seattle


Fumes in the cockpit of a Hawaiian-bound flight forced the aircraft to return to the Seattle airport shortly after taking off Monday afternoon. 

An airline spokesperson told FOX Business that Hawaiian Airlines flight HA21 returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after departure due to fumes in the cabin. It was heading to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. 

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A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321 departs Los Angeles International Airport en route to Kailua-Kona on September 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The captain declared an emergency to obtain priority handling and the Airbus 330 landed at SEA without incident, the airline said. 

Medical and fire personnel met the aircraft at the gate and all 273 passengers and 10 crewmembers deplaned safely. 

AMERICAN AIRLINES LIFTS NATIONWIDE GROUNDSTOP DUE TO ‘TECHNICAL ISSUE’ ON CHRISTMAS EVE

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A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321 departs Los Angeles International Airport en route to Kailua-Kona on September 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Once the aircraft was cleared, the Port of Seattle Fire Department boarded to investigate and did not find any smoke or smell, airport spokesperson Perry Cooper told The Associated Press. 

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Flight 21 left Seattle on Tuesday morning in a new aircraft.

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A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321 taxis at San Diego International Airport on August 24, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)

FOX Business has reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for further details. 

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO



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Seattle, WA

Seattle to Hawaii flight turns back after fumes in cockpit

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Seattle to Hawaii flight turns back after fumes in cockpit


Everyone deplaned safely upon return to Sea-Tac International Airport. (Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)AP

SEATTLE — A Hawaiian airlines flight bound for Honolulu was forced to return to the Seattle airport shortly after takeoff due to reports of fumes in the cockpit, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The agency previously said the crew reported smoke on the flight deck but later changed that to fumes.

Hawaiian Airlines Flight 21, an Airbus A330, took off at about 1 p.m. Monday from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport carrying 273 passengers and 10 crew members.

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It was heading to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when the crew reported the fumes, airline spokesperson Marissa Villegas told The Associated Press in an email.

“The captain declared an emergency to obtain priority handling and the Airbus A330 landed at SEA without incident,” Villegas said, and fire and medical personnel met the aircraft at the gate as a precaution and everyone onboard safely deplaned.

Once the aircraft was cleared, the Port of Seattle Fire Department boarded to investigate and did not find any smoke or smell, airport spokesperson Perry Cooper said via email.

Flight 21 left Seattle on Tuesday morning in a new aircraft, according to Villegas.

“Safety is our priority, and we sincerely apologize for this event,” she said.

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The FAA is investigating.



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Barely Relevant: Well, it’s over for this year’s Seahawks

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Barely Relevant: Well, it’s over for this year’s Seahawks


Author’s note: This is the seventeenth installment of my weekly column, Barely Relevant.

Well, it’s over. And, for what it’s worth, the Seattle Seahawks had a pretty darn good year. Pretty darn good is a tough phrase to unpack, though, mostly because it doesn’t mean anything. How can something be pretty good? Something is either good or it isn’t. In that respect, anything under good is bad. Thus, pretty good = bad. Thus, the Seattle Seahawks’ 2024 season.

Yes, we’re guaranteed to finish with a winning record. No, we didn’t make the playoffs. Yes, we have a brand-new coaching staff. No, our preseason free-agent additions didn’t pan out like we had hoped they would. Yes, some people blame our quarterback. No, some other people don’t think it’s our quarterback. Yes, our offensive line was again one of the worst in the NFL. No, we didn’t run the ball like we’d wanted. Yes, we should keep DK Metcalf. No, we should not keep DK Metcalf.

The wild mood swings involved in being a Seahawks fan have a juxtaposing pendulum effect that bounces like a migraine between my two temples. What are the answers? Who the hell knows? Certainly not John Schneider. And certainly not me. All he can do is attempt to juggle Geno and DK contracts while continuing to try to bring in quality free agents, and all I can do is hang out on my couch and go “yes!” and “damn!” which are words that have zero currency or worth.

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Because no matter what anyone (us included) says over the next nine months, nothing else matters except how the Seahawks play – on the field during the regular season – next year. Oh, we’ll speculate wildly. And we’ll throw numbers around and feign confidence about new free agent this and new draft pick that, but it doesn’t matter a hell of beans because it’s just mind football.

This, right now, is as far as you’ll be from a game that matters all year.

For some reason, though, it doesn’t feel all that bad. Am I alone here? I don’t know about you, but my expectations weren’t that high. And I kind of like mind football. Of course, it sucks we missed the playoffs – and it CERTAINLY sucks the way we missed the playoffs (f-ing helmet bounce [I’m deflecting blame here]), but, hell, our defense looks promising. Our new head coach seems to know what he’s doing, our running backs look like ballers (if we can find an offensive coordinator who knows how to utilize them), and our second-year wide receiver is ready for lift-off.

If we can manage to figure out our quarterback situation and pick up some offensive linemen, Seattle could be poised to make things interesting. For some reason, I’m already ready to talk all about it. And the draft! There’s no mourning period here. Let’s hurry up and end this season and get into it.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, nothing is going to matter until we start playing games that count again. But who wants to wait nine months to play football? Not me. That’s why every sportswriter you know is going to begin playing mind football right now.

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