Bump’s Breakdown: Grading 2022 Seahawks’ offense, defense, STs
Jan 18, 2023, 11:20 AM
The Seahawks’ 2022 season is in the books after Saturday’s playoff loss to the 49ers.
That loss ended a surprising 2022 campaign, but it was one that was also up-and-down as the Seahawks won four straight games before dropping five of six and then ending the regular season with back-to-back victories.
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When looking at all three phases for the Seahawks, how did those groups do? Former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus handed out some grades during Tuesday’s Bump and Stacy on Seattle Sports 710 AM and on his latest video for the Seattle Sports YouTube channel.
Seahawks’ offense
“They were 13th overall, 12th when it comes to passing the football, 18th in rushing attack, had two 1,000-yard receivers (in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett), a 1,000-yard rusher (in Kenneth Walker III) and a Pro Bowl quarterback (in Geno Smith),” Bumpus said. “Still inconsistent at times, right? We saw this offense kind of slow down and disappear at times, especially when it comes to the run game.”
The Grade: C+/B-
“I think if they were a bit more consistent with the run, they’d have a solid B. But because it disappeared for three or four games, then it comes back for three or four games, and then it kind of fades away again, it just wasn’t there,” Bumpus said. “If it was just on throwing the rock, they’d definitely have a B. But you know how this game goes. You’ve gotta look at this offensive line, they struggled at times. You look at the running back situation, Ken Walker couldn’t find his groove, he has to be coached up again. So they get a C-plus or maybe even a B-minus. It’s just the run game killed me.”
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Seahawks’ defense
“Defense, 26th overall, 13th against the pass, 30th when it comes to the run, 25th allowing 23 points per game,” Bumpus said. “Lots of bright individual spots there – you’ve got (cornerback) Tariq (Woolen), you’ve got (safety Quandre) Diggs, you’ve got (outside linebacker) Uchenna (Nwosu), and (outside linebacker Darrell Taylor) did his thing. They were 14th in turnover differential at plus-2.”
The Grade: D
“We talked about the run game on offense. They could not stop the run on defense,” Bumpus said, “and they were not aggressive enough in the box. We hear Pete Carroll talk, some changes will be made, and maybe it’s that personnel.”
Special teams
The Grade: B
“Special teams gets a B,” Bumpus said. “(Kicker) Jason Meyers and (kick returner) Godwin Igwebuike, those were the bright spots on these special teams units. And you got (defensive back) Teez Tabor as well making plays, (defensive back) Joey Blount made some plays and (linebacker) Cody Barton made some plays.”
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