Michael Bennett on Seattle Seahawks D: ‘one of the best that has ever played’
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) at a press conference at The Westin in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
That face hidden in the title? I’m sure that’s the face quarterbacks make when they have to face the Seattle Seahawks, because this defense might be one of the best in the history of the NFL. Later on today, I’ll have a column up analyzing the Seahawks defense on an all-time scale, but it’s clear that they are very much in the discussion. I mean, they shut down the most prolific offense in the history of the league yesterday, and it was just an unfathomably great performance from the Seahawks. The coaching, execution, talent, speed, and depth of that defense were on full display last night, and the best defense more than bested the league’s best offense.
The Seahawks combination of depth and talent on defense is especially impressive, because they don’t have a semblance of a weakness. On the Seahawks, everything you could name is a strength. They have run-stuffing defensive linemen in Brandon Mebane, Tony McDaniel, and Red Bryant; they have top-flight pass rushers in Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril; they have talented LBs with the likes of K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner; their CBs are star-studded; and they have the league’s best safety duo in speed demon Earl Thomas and the hard-hitting Kam Chancellor.
What does Bennett think? He thinks it’s “unfair” for opposing offenses, and it really does seem almost unfair for a defense to be this stacked. I mean, how in the world do you beat them. Check out the quote, via ESPN NFL Nation’s Terry Blount,
“Our defense is one of the best that has ever played. We just have so many great players. I can’t believe the NFL even lets us all play on the same defense. Guys like me, [free safety] Earl Thomas and [defensive end] Cliff Avril. It’s just unfair.”
One of the best that has ever played? I completely agree.