Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks went to the Big Easy hoping to come away victorious. They almost accomplished this goal. If Seattle tackled better, they might have. Asking this defense to make a stop or hold a lead is a recipe for disaster this season.
There are still some positives to take away from this game. And, of course, there is plenty to overreact to as well.
“A lost penny has no luck.” I’m not sure if that’s a real saying, but it sounds like it could be one. Anyway, Rashaad Penny did what he’s done most of his career, and that is getting hurt. He sustained a broken fibula and will be out for the remainder of the season.
It was an absolutely crushing blow for the young man. He finished 2021 so strong and started off 2022 looking just as good. This injury, unfortunately, will end his time with the Seattle Seahawks and quite possibly his NFL career.
As fans know, NFL can also mean Not For Long. Hoping and praying it’s a very speedy recovery for Penny. He deserves a shot to play on Sundays again, preferably in a Seattle Seahawks uniform.
The Seahawks drafted Kenneth Walker III with the intention of him becoming their future starter and bell cow for Pete Carroll’s offense. Originally, Seattle’s plan was for Walker to back up Penny. And as the season progressed, he would earn a larger portion of the carries.
KW3 was also the Seattle Seahawks’ insurance plan if Penny struggled or got hurt. Unfortunately, the latter happened. Now, Walker gets his first opportunity to be an NFL feature back. Deejay Dallas will back him up and fill in on passing downs.
Walker gave Seattle a preview when he ripped off the biggest run of the day and of his young career with a 69-yard touchdown scamper. It was a beautiful run and cut by him. KW3 flashed NFL ability; now he’ll get every opportunity to showcase his talents and silence fans that thought he was a wasted pick.
Geno Smith continues to lead the NFL in completion percentage by a wide margin. Not only that, but he also has made this run-first offense an explosive passing offense. Something his predecessor did only once. And it came in his 10th season too.
Not many saw this coming from Smith. 12s and all other NFL fans owe the Seattle Seahawks general manager and coaching staff an apology. Like Smith said after Week 1, “They wrote me off, and I didn’t write back.”
D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett consistently show off that they are the best wide receiver duo in the NFL. Granted, Metcalf’s game Sunday wasn’t his best. However, he did have his moments. Lockett’s ability to catch deep balls in traffic is incredible.
Randy Moss was the greatest deep ball threat of all time. While Lockett is smaller and doesn’t get the separation that Moss did, it makes his catches all the more impressive.
On top of that, Smith is accurately putting the ball where his guy can bring it down. Hopefully, he continues to cook all season long. And if he does, fans will be able to smell a division title and a trip to the playoffs. Check out his tweet.
Tariq Woolen came into the NFL deemed as a project. This designation by many NFL scouts caused him to slide down to the fifth round of the NFL draft. Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider does not shy away from a little bit of hard work on a project.
Richard Sherman was a converted wide receiver that became a Pro Bowl cornerback. So far, Woolen is following in his footsteps.
He is one of those players that is always around the football. This week he scooped up his first fumble recovery for a 10-yard return. He also intercepted a pass.
The pick also made it his third consecutive game with an interception and his first career game with two turnovers. Countless teams are now kicking themselves for passing on this talent. Woolen is poised to become the team’s top cornerback if he hasn’t already.
Up next, the Seattle Seahawks host NFC West rival Arizona. The Cards are currently tied with Seattle for second in the NFC West. They’re averaging 21 points per game and have been held under 20 points twice this season. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks average 25.4 points per game. As of now, Arizona is the favorite.
More on this matchup in the opponent preview later this week.