Losing Marcus Tubbs is a blow to the hopes of an improved run defense this season in Seattle. Without Tubbs last season, the Seahawks struggled mightily to slow down opposing teams on the ground. The Seahawks were expecting Tubb’s presence in the middle of their front four to help provide some bulk against the run. If the Seahawks are to bounce back from an injury-ravaged season to make another Super Bowl run, they knew they would have to stop opponents on the ground.
Without Tubbs, the Seahawks will again be undersized upfront. Chuck Darby and Rocky Bernard play with a lot of effort and hustle on the move, but are undersized and wear down when they play too many snaps. Both would be third or fourth members of the interior rotations for many teams. Veteran Russell Davis may now make the team with Tubbs gone for the year. Davis provides some size inside. He’s effective against the run and plays hard, but he lacks the ability to shut down running lanes inside like Tubbs. Craig Terrill has a good motor inside and will make some plays off hustle, but he’s small and strictly a rotation player.
Rookie Brandon Mebane has opened a lot of eyes this summer. He’s on the small side, but impresses coaches with his excellent quickness off the ball and his tenacity. Mebane won’t shut down opponents inside nor clog gaps, but he’ll annoy offensive lineman with his motor.
Without Tubbs, the Seahawks’ front four is smallish across the board – especially when you factor the three man rotation at defensive end with Patrick Kerney, Bryce Fisher, and Darryl Tapp. They’ll have trouble again protecting Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, active linebackers who must make plays on the run.
It's going to show when the Hawks play the Niners or any team that can pound the ball on the ground consistently. I see the Hawks going 1-3 at best against the AFC North, where you have teams that can pound the ball on the ground. I see a long year for the Hawks' defense.
No doubt at all that this was a tough loss for the 'Hawks, and in a "meaningless" preseason game at that. The offense will have to overachieve just to keep up, I think. And everyone else will have to stay healthy. Another spate of injuries like last year and it could be a dismal sports winter in SeaTown, for reasons other than the ones already in place--the whole Sonics thing and the likelihood that the M's won't do anything to improve the team into a more likely contender for next season.
Oh, I still like our chances. The team has improved itself greatly in terms of depth and upgrades on defense. Tubbs will be missed, but that just means other guys will have to step up in his absence.
There's no way we could be ravaged by so many injuries again.
Brian DeLucia has been a widely respected NFL Analyst for several years including six-years on FOXSports.com
Brian analyzes players, coaches, and personnel guys from a unique front office perspective. You can email Brian DeLucia at bjd@enter.net
