But at the midseason mark, the unit found its stride. Spurred by some personnel changes and a growing understanding of Mike Macdonald\u2019s cutting-edge system, the Seahawks quickly evolved into one of the league\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
And now, heading into Year 2 of the Macdonald era, Seattle\u2019s 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 \u2013 including each of their top 11 players over that span.<\/p>\n
With that level of continuity, how much further along is the Seahawks\u2019 defense this time around? A week into training camp, Macdonald was posed that question Thursday on Seattle Sports\u2019 Brock and Salk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re standing on such a better foundation,\u201d Macdonald said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s the players, but it\u2019s 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<\/a>. \u2026\u00a0So having that year of a foundation is great.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n That echoes comments from several Seahawks defensive players<\/a> this spring.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we came in at first, it\u2019s a big playbook, so it\u2019s a lot to learn,\u201d veteran Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed said in June. \u201cAnd I think that now, just banking off of last year, \u2026 it\u2019s like reading the same book over and over again.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd so now, we get to go out on the field and just play fast.\u201d<\/p>\n That being said, Macdonald said they\u2019re not rushing the installation process on defense.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019re at the point right now where like we would accelerate install or we\u2019d go like crazy fancy,\u201d Macdonald said. \u201cI think to me, we\u2019re in the second week of training camp (and) we\u2019re kind of wrapping up the install phase to get the bones of our defense in.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then I think by design, toward the end of this (week), early next week, I think we\u2019re gonna start throw some sauce on some things and kind of mix and match, and let\u2019s get a better feel for how this thing\u2019s gonna end up. So that\u2019s really the thought right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation with Mike Macdonald\u00a0at this link<\/a>\u00a0or 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.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks coverage<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Reports: Seattle Seahawks LT Charles Cross had finger surgery<\/a>
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