My opinion of Norton as a DC isn't great. But as below average as I believe him to be, he isn't and shouldn't be HISTORICALLY awful. Still, it was reported we have given up more yards this many games than any team in history since the 1950s Colts.
That is pretty bad.
So what is going on?
A lot of teams with explosive offenses have defenses that are porous. Issues with rest, urgency, and other issues factor in but generally when you score a lot of points fast, your team gives up more. We have the most explosive offense in the NFL, so maybe that is it.
Also, when you score quickly, you give the ball back to the other team. That results in more overall opposing drives. Is there a stat for # of overall drives we have faced vs the NFL average?
Worst against the pass by far. We haven't faced too many opportunities in the RZ and have some high profile stops.
Exceptionally bad at allowing 1st down conversions on 1st downs.
But egregiously bad, (not the worst but near worst) in allowing conversions on 3rd downs.
And against the pass, we are horrific. Sports media is having a field day mocking our defense but they are right. One commentator said:
"If you are a QB playing the Seahawks and you pass for 350 yds against them, you had a bad game."
Really odd that pass defense would be historically bad with all the additions in the secondary. Understand we don't have a great pass rush but it isn't historically bad either. We are not even the worst in sacks. Everything points to how we are using our secondary instead of problems with the pieces.
We are middle of the road in terms of scoring but that might be due to the # of turnovers we have forced so far. Not sure how much of that is sustainable as we start to play better teams and better QBs. It certainly will not be near the opportunity to offset in the playoffs.
It is weird that a defensive-minded coach, having a half-decade of one of the best defenses ever in NFL history - is now fielding what is clearly the worst defense the Seahawks have ever put on the field. It might be one of the worst in the history of the NFL, especially if our TO forced pace slows.
????
Bottom line is you have to have talent. I don't care how great the coach is, if you don't have guys who have the ability to get after the quarterback, or corners who have the speed to close and stay with their receives bad things are going to happen. The defense can't get off the field on 3rd down, nor can the flip the field with a strip sack or interception. Russ will have to score 30 a game or more as they approach the playoffs. To beat the Saints, 49er's and especially the Buc's, they will have to put pressure on the QB or there will be sadness again in the land of the Hawks. Just the facts, and no fiction. If I'm wrong I'll own up to it. But I don't think so. Hope Gordon is reinstated before seasons end.
If we can't stop them then we'll have to out score them. Antonio Brown would have helped, but Tampa saw our plans and didn't want to face the Hawks with AB in the playoffs. Just my spin. Hope for a win tonight against the Cardinals.
(The funny part is that originally I was upset they let Norton go and promoted Kris Richard to DC instead. It felt that Norton would continue the energy and ability of the LOB. Wow, was I wrong)
