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First off, it can’t get any worse, right?

The foundation. I’m hearing a lot of rave reviews about Byron Murphy II. Not hyperbole, but he could be one of the best selections we’ve ever had. I’ve been personally hoping for a tough IDL for decades now. It’s hard not to get overly enthusiastic in training camp and preseason games, but Murph could be a game changer. Or defense changer? He and Williams give us (finally) a legit foundation to form a tough inside-out defense.

Being optimistic this defense has top 10 written all over it. In addition to the new “genius” level coordination that Macdonald brings:
Stacked DL.
Linebackers have potential (loved the Knight pick!).
Seemingly stacked at DBs.

Ready to see how this all comes together

All rookies are still in that 'Potential' stage as they've never been up against the top players of the other teams.
That being said, some do shine and from the 1st preseason game, it looked like Murphy has a chance to be a very solid pick. He reminded me a little bit of Jeffery Simmons of the Titans, but that was just the first look.
This game should provide a different challenge for him and we can see if he really has the possibility of becoming a solid starter and maybe more.

I'm always hopeful about the team's potential every season. An improved defense will hinge on the new "genius" level of Macdonald's scheme, and I'll add his coaching demeanor as well. It's been said many times, but Pete's system and approach wasn't producing results on the field. MacDonald appears to be setting high expectations and holding players accountable. If everybody keeps their side of street clean, we should see a much better product. There's enough talent to have at least a middle of the road defense.

Stream Hawk wrote:First off, it can’t get any worse, right?

The foundation. I’m hearing a lot of rave reviews about Byron Murphy II. Not hyperbole, but he could be one of the best selections we’ve ever had. I’ve been personally hoping for a tough IDL for decades now. It’s hard not to get overly enthusiastic in training camp and preseason games, but Murph could be a game changer. Or defense changer? He and Williams give us (finally) a legit foundation to form a tough inside-out defense.

Being optimistic this defense has top 10 written all over it. In addition to the new “genius” level coordination that Macdonald brings:
Stacked DL.
Linebackers have potential (loved the Knight pick!).
Seemingly stacked at DBs.

Ready to see how this all comes together

I have been very high on Mike Macdonald, well before Pete was even thought being let go by the Hawks. My fiance is a diehard Michigan fan, and I followed the Wolves the past 5 years very closely and I knew Mike Macdonald was going to get head a coaching gig at some point because of what he was able to do without having a top tier talent at any single position. It's arguable to say the 49ers have better talented players at key positions like Bosa and Warner, then the Raven's last season. However, Mike was able to utilize his collective talent spank some top offenses. He did his job against Mahomes in the playoffs holding them to 17 pts, however the offense choked up and they didn't go to the SB.

I really think this defense is something to get excited over, and it will still be a work in progress, but it's headed in the right direction. It's going to be nice to see what Macdonald does with Spoon given his athletic talent.

Definitely going to be exciting to have a young defensive specialist as head coach. I'm going to be surprised if the defense isn't heavily improved. I know Pete would never admit to it or Holmgren or any old head coach, but coaches get set in their ways after years of doing the job. They seem to lose the ability to adjust as the years go on with the same team.

Aseahawkfan wrote:Definitely going to be exciting to have a young defensive specialist as head coach. I'm going to be surprised if the defense isn't heavily improved. I know Pete would never admit to it or Holmgren or any old head coach, but coaches get set in their ways after years of doing the job. They seem to lose the ability to adjust as the years go on with the same team.

I agree, and it should only get better because we weren't just bad last year, we were historically horrific and set some really bad records in the NFL history books, and stats we should all wish to forget. On Pete, it comes back to the Superbowl loss. That was beginning of the end of the great defense. We could never return back to what it was, and defensively it was all downhill from there and no adjustment to how the league was shifting too. Andy Reid did it and he had been coaching for a long time, but Pete was stuck in his ways.

Didn't want to start a whole new thread for this since it involves a transaction on defense.

Mike Jackson was traded to the Panthers for 2024 7th round LB Michael Barret out of Michigan. Obviously, he has history with both MacDonald and Jay Harbaugh. CB looks like a position of strength, so I don't mind getting young LB depth for an older player who isn't likely to start.

Yup, we're heavy on CB's and light at LB so it makes sense.

Here is an article really hyping our defense. Sheil Kapadia is a trusted source, and used to write for the Seahawks. https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2024/8/22 ... ore-ravens

Stream Hawk wrote:Here is an article really hyping our defense. Sheil Kapadia is a trusted source, and used to write for the Seahawks. https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2024/8/22 ... ore-ravens

Hope she's right.

MackStrongIsMyHero wrote:Didn't want to start a whole new thread for this since it involves a transaction on defense.

Mike Jackson was traded to the Panthers for 2024 7th round LB Michael Barret out of Michigan. Obviously, he has history with both MacDonald and Jay Harbaugh. CB looks like a position of strength, so I don't mind getting young LB depth for an older player who isn't likely to start.

It's one of those trades that look very obvious.
We are light at LB, they have more than they need; they need CBs and we have too many; they have game film on Jackson, it's been reported the Seahawks were interested in Barrett late in the draft and MacDonald knows a little bit about him.
I hope it works out for both players and teams.

MackStrongIsMyHero wrote:Didn't want to start a whole new thread for this since it involves a transaction on defense.

Mike Jackson was traded to the Panthers for 2024 7th round LB Michael Barret out of Michigan. Obviously, he has history with both MacDonald and Jay Harbaugh. CB looks like a position of strength, so I don't mind getting young LB depth for an older player who isn't likely to start.

NorthHawk wrote:It's one of those trades that look very obvious.
We are light at LB, they have more than they need; they need CBs and we have too many; they have game film on Jackson, it's been reported the Seahawks were interested in Barrett late in the draft and MacDonald knows a little bit about him.
I hope it works out for both players and teams.

Yeah, that's what I thought when I heard about the trade, that we're balancing out the roster. But I do wonder why if Macdonald was that high on him why he didn't draft him when he had the chance with two picks in the 6th round.

They obviously thought he was a late round pick with some upside. From what I've read, they seemed interested, but in the draft teams don't always get the player they target in that round.
Clearly they didn't think he was an early or even mid round talent, but just maybe MacDonald sees a trait that he can exploit.

Another trade on defense. Darrell Taylor to the Bears for a draft pick. Not stated yet, but I can't imagine it will be particularly high.

ETA: I think his days were number when Hall started showing out in camp and the preseason. Taylor was strictly a pass rusher where Hall seems to be able to defend the run as well.

ETA2: It's a 6th round pick.

He's one of those types of players with potential but couldn't put it all together here and he may not have the versatility that MacDonald wants in a DE. Maybe the change of scenery will help him take the next step in his career.

Ouch.....fak!

Nwosu out multiple weeks......but not out for the season. Headed to IR with designation to return. This new rule helps out now for sure. Before this year, Nwosu would have had to be on the initial 53 man roster and then placed on IR. This new rule allows him to go on it now and still be able to return and allows another body to be signed to the initial 53.

https://www.fieldgulls.com/2024/8/26/24228986/report-seahawks-uchenna-nwosu-to-miss-multiple-weeks-knee-injury-injured-reserve-nfl-news

Damn. that sucks. Nwosu really improves the defense when he is in.

Agent 86 wrote:Ouch.....fak!

Nwosu out multiple weeks......but not out for the season. Headed to IR with designation to return. This new rule helps out now for sure. Before this year, Nwosu would have had to be on the initial 53 man roster and then placed on IR. This new rule allows him to go on it now and still be able to return and allows another body to be signed to the initial 53.

https://www.fieldgulls.com/2024/8/26/24228986/report-seahawks-uchenna-nwosu-to-miss-multiple-weeks-knee-injury-injured-reserve-nfl-news

Losing Nwosu really hurts. He's our best pass rusher in our front 7, an area of overall weakness. Coupled with a very marginal performance on defense in our last preseason game, my initial optimism has faded somewhat.

We'll see how MacDonald adjusts to losing one of his better pass rushers. Maybe this will be a breakout year for someone like Mafe. He's shown flashes of pass rush ability and maybe the new regime can get more consistency and better results from him. I would guess he will get more playing time and that can't hurt his development.