Seattle Seahawks: 3 Big takeaways from Preseason Week 2
By Samuel Teets
The Seattle Seahawks lost 21-14 against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second week of preseason football. The game produced mixed takeaways.
Another week of NFL preseason action is in the books and we’re one step closer to the start of the regular season. It’s a great feeling for fans and for some NFL teams, who have really liked what they’ve seen from their squads so far.
The second week of the preseason brought mixed results for the Seattle Seahawks, who got to see some flashes from young players but also were reminded of their limitations and issues at several positions.
Let’s take a look at the major takeaways for the Seahawks in their loss to the Chargers.
No confidence or interest in the backup quarterbacks
Russell Wilson recorded 21 pass attempts in the Seahawks 21-14 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. Seriously, this is just asking for your starter to get hurt. We’ve already seen a number of guys go down during the preseason, in games and practices. Everyone knows that Wilson is the Seahawks offense and their best chance to make the playoffs. Leaving him out on the field that long is just way to risky. He arguably contributes more to the Seahawks than any player does to their team in the entire NFL! If he goes down, the season is over.
Wilson took several hits during the Week 2 preseason game against the Chargers. There was a particularly nasty one near the start of the second quarter that even garnered a reaction from the fans. But why was he even in the game in the second quarter? I get that the Seahawks need to have an extended look at how the offense runs in a game scenario, but none of that matters if Wilson isn’t around to run the offense come Week 1.
The star quarterback played the entire first half and completed 13 of his 21 pass attempts. He looked good, but he was running for his life way to much. The offensive line picked up right where they left off last year, letting pass rushers chase Wilson across the field. Wilson displayed his trademark illusiveness and made some plays out of nothing, but that’s unnecessary at this point. In comparison, Philip Rivers has just seven pass attempts in a more classic preseason exhibition.
The message here is clear. Apart from wanting to see how Wilson meshes with the new, young pieces around him, Pete Carroll has no confidence in the backups quarterbacks. Rookie Alex McGough did record 13 pass attempts, but Austin Davis only got three. Neither backup has been great this Preseason and the Seahawks bringing in veteran quarterback Josh Johnson for a visit reflects that.
Luckily for the Seahawks, Wilson has never missed a start in his career. If they want to keep it that way they should limit his snaps in Week 3 of the preseason.