What a difference a year makes.

This time last year, the Seattle Seahawks were simultaneously breaking in a first-time head coach and learning a brand-new defensive scheme. That acclimation process ultimately stretched through the first half of the season, as Seattle’s defense struggled through some early growing pains.

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But at the midseason mark, the unit found its stride. Spurred by some personnel changes and a growing understanding of Mike Macdonald’s cutting-edge system, the Seahawks quickly evolved into one of the league’s best defenses, ranking fifth in points allowed per game (18.4) and fourth in yards allowed per game (304.8) over the final nine weeks of the season.

And now, heading into Year 2 of the Macdonald era, Seattle’s defense is in position to build on where it left off. The Seahawks return 13 of their top 14 players in defensive snaps over the final eight weeks of last season – including each of their top 11 players over that span.

With that level of continuity, how much further along is the Seahawks’ defense this time around? A week into training camp, Macdonald was posed that question Thursday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

“We’re standing on such a better foundation,” Macdonald said. “And it’s the players, but it’s also our staff, about how we operate. I mean, last year, everything was new. I was the only person that had been in this system, (other than assistant coach) Josh Bynes. … So having that year of a foundation is great.”

That echoes comments from several Seahawks defensive players this spring.

“When we came in at first, it’s a big playbook, so it’s a lot to learn,” veteran Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed said in June. “And I think that now, just banking off of last year, … it’s like reading the same book over and over again.

“And so now, we get to go out on the field and just play fast.”

That being said, Macdonald said they’re not rushing the installation process on defense.

“I don’t think we’re at the point right now where like we would accelerate install or we’d go like crazy fancy,” Macdonald said. “I think to me, we’re in the second week of training camp (and) we’re kind of wrapping up the install phase to get the bones of our defense in.

“And then I think by design, toward the end of this (week), early next week, I think we’re gonna start throw some sauce on some things and kind of mix and match, and let’s get a better feel for how this thing’s gonna end up. So that’s really the thought right now.”

Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation with Mike Macdonald at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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