In Tuesday's practice, K'Von Wallace came up with a pick to end the day, by, in his words, trusting his instinct. "My eyes are on the quarterback the whole time. I didn't even look at my man. I knew it was coming, I knew it was going to happen, and I just was hoping to make the play when it came."
Adding that it was a skill he's been working on since high school when he played wide receiver, "I've been doing this since I was in high school. I was a receiver my whole life up until college. Knowing what the quarterback likes, knowing what they're seeing out there, knowing where the receivers have to be. It kind of came from my wide receiver background when I was growing up. Just knowing what the quarterback is looking for, knowing what spots they need to be in and just reacting off of that."
Coming up with a pick is just one example of the different skills that Wallace has been refining for a while now, having been in the league four years now, Wallace has grown into a vocal leader too.
"I felt like it grew with experience," Wallace said on his communication. I definitely won't say my rookie year was like this. I was just a guy trying to learn everything. I feel like the knowledge I've gained over the years, I just give it to others. I know how to articulate what it said, the system that is being played, and I know how to get it to my corner (cornerback), get it to my linebacker, get it to the d end (defensive end) if he's dropping (back in coverage). It all comes with experience and knowing your players. I watch a lot of Seahawks film, knowing who I'm with, knowing what they like, knowing their strengths and their weaknesses so I can communicate with them the right way and to help better my game as well."
Although Wallace was not a Seahawk last season, having signed during free agency, he said he's watch film on 10 of last years' 17 games and knows when it comes to the defense, they have a lot to prove this season.
"If you come to the practices or you've seen the preseason we play with a lot of physicality and we play with a chip on our shoulder. We got a lot to prove. From my perspective, last year wasn't the standard. We're just trying to take it one day at a time and build a foundation brick by brick. Each day just trying to get better. Just trying to find ways to play with each other and build a tenacious defense. We're trying to become the number one defense in the world. If that's our mindset, we got to attack each and every day. I feel like offenses are going to have to circle us and bring their big boy pads on and they got something coming for them. I feel like as the 12s out there, if you're watching, it's something special grooming here. For sure."
The motivation to strive to be that No. 1 defense comes from knowing the success he's had in the league so far, despite the statistics of how many players make it to and then also stay in the league.
"A lot of the guys that I came in with aren't playing anymore. That motivates me to know I'm blessed and fortunate but to know that I got to keep going. It's a lot grooming within me. I feel like I've gotten better each and every year. Last year was my best year statistic wise, so I'm just trying to keep getting better. Get more tackles, get more picks, get more TFLs (tackles for loss), just trying to do anything I can to help my defense."
And on doing anything to help his defense, Wallace's background has prepared him for this exact moment.
"I'm always ready man. I'm professional. I've been a backup, I've been a starter, I've been a special teams guy. I didn't have all the fruits of the labor. Just always being ready, being a professional, and always being ready to go. Knowing what to do, the ins and outs, knowing the game plan and executing the game plan. There's been times where I was a backup and a guy hurt himself in the warmups and I ended up starting the whole game. Just small stuff like that you just got to always be ready. Always, no matter what. That's why I always try to tell the rooks (rookies) and the young guys that come in. It can pass you by. You get so caught up being a rookie trying to get the snacks and trying to learn the playbook, trying to learn how to be on time, never be late, and just so many things that go into being a rookie. Just trying to let them know that their time can be any time. There's always guys timing, there's always the timing that the game can go that way. Always be ready, be a professional, and do the right thing so you can be in the right place."
The Seahawks hit the practice field on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 as they prepare for their last game in the preseason against the Cleveland Browns.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Sunny Anderson (47) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Blake Lynch (40) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Carlton Johnson (37) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks coach Leslie Frazier at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks center Connor Williams (57) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) and wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks center Connor Williams (57) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks guard McClendon Curtis (66) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) and cornerback Artie Burns (23) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7), tight end Brady Russell (38) and running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks strong safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb with quarterback Geno Smith (7) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on August 21, 2024.
