Starters haven’t allowed a TD in preseason

  • By Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Monday, August 30, 2004 9:00pm
  • Sports

KIRKLAND – Ray Rhodes hasn’t spoken to the media since training camp began.

Not because he’s shy.

Not because he has nothing to say.

Not because he doesn’t like the media.

OK, so scratch that last one.

But the main motivation for the muted Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator this past month has been the fact that he doesn’t have any answers yet.

Rhodes has said in private that he doesn’t want to do any interviews until he has a better grasp of his defensive unit.

Three games into the preseason, the Seahawks’ defense has quietly been providing some answers.

Seattle’s No. 1 unit, despite playing without Grant Wistrom and Marcus Tubbs – not to mention the rotating middle linebacker and recent loss of Chad Brown – has yet to allow a touchdown in three preseason games.

Over a stretch of 17 defensive series, and approximately the equivalent of a game-and-a-half, the Seahawks’ starters have allowed 355 yards of total offense, 22 first downs and nine points.

They’ve given up an average of 3.9 yards per play – or 1.1 yards less than the 2003 Dallas Cowboys, who led the NFC in that category last season.

Eight of their opponents’ 19 drives against the No. 1 defense have ended after three plays or less.

In a nutshell, Seattle’s defense has looked like world beaters thus far.

“They are kicking butt,” said defensive end Grant Wistrom, who had watched from a distance until this week. ” … I’m just excited about stepping on the field and getting to play with them.”

The Seahawks rank second in the NFL in yards allowed per game (238.7) and seventh in points allowed per game (12.0), statistics that include performances by the backups and backups-to-the-backups.

But the coaching staff is most concerned with Seattle’s No. 1 defense, which has held up to the preseason tests.

Head coach Mike Holmgren is impressed – but with an asterisk.

“I would ask everybody to understand that it’s the preseason,” Holmgren said, tempering his emotion of a unit that has struggled for most of his tenure in Seattle. “Different teams are working on different plays and different (tempos).”

That being said, Seattle’s defense has done just about everything asked of it this preseason.

Ken Lucas answered any questions about who would be the starting cornerback by going out and having the best training camp of his career.

Terreal Bierria has held off rookie Michael Boulware as the starting strong safety.

Defensive tackle Rashad Moore, on a mission to prove that 2003 was no fluke, has had a strong preseason.

And veterans like Anthony Simmons, Marcus Trufant and Chike Okeafor have looked unstoppable at times.

One thing that Wistrom has noticed is the unit’s speed.

“It’s pretty incredible,” he said. “I thought we had a fast defense in St. Louis, but I think all the way across the board (the Seahawks) probably have faster players here than we did there.”

Not that everything is kosher this preseason.

The Seahawks lost Brown for eight weeks, and his primary backup – D.D. Lewis – is struggling with a shoulder problem. Wistrom, the prized free agent, missed four weeks with a heel injury but is expected to make his preseason Seahawks debut Thursday night.

And there is still no clear-cut leader in the battle for the starting middle linebacker spot.

Those are typical problems of any training camp.

This year’s Seahawks are just happy that most of the problems that plagued past Seattle teams look like they might be history.

“We’ve got a lot of potential, but we’ve got to put everything together,” Trufant said. “When the lights go on, we’ve got to make it happen.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs in districts

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.