What John Schneider alluded to in his pregame interview with 710 ESPN Seattle came to life in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks' regular-season opener against the St. Louis Rams.
"I think [defensive coordinator] Kris [Richard] is probably going to call a little bit more of an aggressive game," said Schneider, Seattle's Executive VP/General Manager. "I'm not quite sure on that yet, we'll see how that transpires."
What transpired was a more aggressive than usual game-plan from Seattle's defense, as Richard, in his first year as defensive coordinator after spending the past three seasons (2012-14) coaching the secondary, wasn't afraid to send extra defenders after Rams quarterback Nick Foles.
The more aggressive approach paid dividends with the score tied 24-24 with less than five minutes to play in regulation, when Richard chose to blitz Cary Williams from his right cornerback spot. Williams delivered, sacking Foles for minus-eight yards, forcing a fumble, scooping the ball up and hauling it eight yards for a score that helped give Seattle a 31-24 lead.
"They had been play-actioning us early and we were just trying to put pressure on them as opposed to just trying to cover them, pressure first," Carroll said of the play after the game, a 34-31 Seahawks loss in overtime. "It was a great call by Kris and really perfect execution by Cary. Just an exquisite play.
"That's the best thing you can do in football is a forced fumble and make a touchdown on it," Carroll added. "That's a gorgeous play by Cary."
Williams, who signed with the Seahawks in free agency this past offseason, credited his coordinator Richard for the "great call" and for having the faith to put him in that situation. As far as Williams could recall, it was the first time he's ever recorded a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and touchdown on the same play dating all the way back to his days playing football growing up.
"It was the first time I had the opportunity," Williams said. "We practiced that strip technique on 'Turnover Thursday,' man, and I just went to take advantage of my opportunity.
"They called my number and I was just fortunate enough to make that play."
