Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's happening today – Tuesday, Nov. 10 – for your Seattle Seahawks.
Carlos Dunlap II Trade Among Best Moves Of 2020
After six games, it was clear the Seahawks needed to address their pass rush. General Manager John Schneider did just that on Oct. 28 when he acquired former Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap II for center B.J. Finney and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft. The Seahawks had just 12 sacks through their first seven games of 2020.
Dunlap, a two-time Pro Bowler and 11-year veteran, made an impact in his first game against the Bills last weekend. He had a sack – one of seven by the team – as well as three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. With Dunlap's presence, the pass rush took an obvious step forward.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote a piece about the best and worst trades, signings and offseason moves of 2020. He spoke with NFL executives to help shape the article so it isn't just his opinion.
"[Dunlap's] production was down this year, and age is an issue, but he can still play, and his length will help them," an NFL coordinator told Fowler. "Having one war daddy on one of the edges can really help them. The interior rotation isn't bad, and [L.J.] Collier and [Benson] Mayowa are good rotational guys. They don't have a special nickel cover guy. But there are enough pieces to improve later in the year."
In addition, Fowler added some commentary about why the Seahawks' trade for Dunlap was such a smart move.
"Good franchises find ways to work the system," Fowler wrote. "Instead of giving up a fifth-round pick for Atlanta Falcons pass-rusher Takk McKinley -- who has one sack on the season, is battling a groin issue and was waived by the team Monday -- Seattle got the Cincinnati Bengals' all-time sack leader for a seventh-round pick and a veteran salary dump.
"Dunlap has 83.5 career sacks, and his three tackles for loss and one sack in his Seattle debut on Sunday reminded that his sluggish play this season was likely a byproduct of unhappiness in Cincinnati.
"Seattle knew this, so the team asked him to take a pay cut, turning his $4.59 million of prorated salary owed into a flat $2 million, and it actually worked. The Seahawks moved a $5 million roster bonus into 2021 but can release Dunlap if the move doesn't work out."
Beyond Dunlap, Fowler also mentioned Seattle's offseason trade for Jamal Adams as an honorable mention for best moves.
Next Gen Stats Rank Seahawks' Five Fastest Ball Carriers
The Seahawks have speed all over the field. With the NFL's Next Gen Stats, we're able to actually measure it. Earlier this week, Next Gen Stats dropped a video listing the Seahawks' five fastest ball carriers from the first half of the season.
Here's a look at how the rankings shook out:
1. 21.66 mph – DK Metcalf's touchdown that was called back due to a penalty vs. the Cardinals.
2. 20.80 mph – Chris Carson's run to the left side vs. the Cowboys.
3. 20.62 mph – DK Metcalf's fourth-down touchdown reception vs. the Falcons.
4. 20.07 mph – Tyler Lockett's diving touchdown grab vs. the Cardinals.
5. 19.98 mph – DK Metcalf's deep touchdown catch vs. the Cowboys.
Social Post Of The Day
The world lost a legend over the weekend when Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Tributes poured in on social media over the weekend, including this nice message from Blitz.
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle with more on Pete Carroll’s contract extension, which will keep him in Seattle through 2025.
Also at Seahawks.com, Logan Reardon has five things we learned from Carroll’s Monday press conference.
Bob Condotta and Adam Jude of the Seattle Times answer four questions in their weekly Four Downs column.
Brent Stecker of 710 ESPN Seattle on why you can be encouraged by Carlos Dunlap’s Seahawks debut.
Joe Fann of NBC Sports Northwest responds to your Twitter overreactions and decides if they are, in fact, overreactions.
