BOB, GROZ AND TOM

Seahawks’ Brock Coyle seeing the game differently as SAM LB

Nov 12, 2016, 8:00 AM

Brock Coyle said he is still learning in his transition to strong outside linebacker. (AP)...

Brock Coyle said he is still learning in his transition to strong outside linebacker. (AP)

(AP)

LISTEN: Seahawks LB Brock Coyle on transitioning to outside linebacker

After posting a total of two tackles through the first seven games of the season, Brock Coyle broke out last Monday night with eight stops and a sack in the Seahawks’ win over the Bills. It was a slightly uneven performance, but one that head coach Pete Carroll described as “pretty good,” especially considering Coyle was at a position he’s been playing just 2 1/2 weeks.

“That’s it,” Coyle said Thursday on “The Huddle” about the SAM outside linebacker spot. “I’ve never played it before.”

O’Neil: Seahawks find themselves in a rare position vs Patriots

The position has been in flux for the Seahawks in 2016 since losing Bruce Irvin, who had transitioned to the spot from the defensive line, in free agency to Oakland. Mike Morgan, who started the season at SAM, is on Injured Reserve, and Kevin Pierre-Louis missed last two weeks with an ankle injury. Defensive end Cassius Marsh took his turn at the spot but struggled at times in pass coverage. And although Pierre-Louis returned to the field against Buffalo, Coyle took over as starter.

“He did a pretty good job,” Carroll said of Coyle on Thursday. “He’s learning the spot, very disciplined about it. Had a couple plays that got away, didn’t see really well the first play of the game and it got him, but he did a pretty good job. He’s running and hitting, he made some good tackles, had a sack in the game. Did a nice job.”

Coyle spent his first two years in Seattle primarily working as a middle linebacker, as well as on special teams. The 26-year-old said the hardest part of the transition to the SAM has been the difference of perspective on the field.

“I’ve played behind the ball my whole career so then when you’re right up there on the line of scrimmage, your vision is so narrow because you’re really looking at one thing, one person, one position for your whole key for the whole play,” he said. “As a linebacker behind the ball, you’re seeing the whole picture. You’re seeing receiver, running back, everything. But when you’re down there on the line of scrimmage, especially at the SAM linebacker position, you’re really looking at one thing. It was a big change, but just like with everything reps helped a lot. A lot of studying but it’s been good and it’s been good for me personally to grow as a player, really getting out of my comfort zone and trying to grow in that.”

Coyle said he expects the veteran-laden and well-coached New England Patriots to take notice of Seattle’s inexperienced SAM linebacker when they play Sunday night.

“I’m sure they do and I know they do and I’m ready for it,” he said. “I’m looking forward to just the process again this week of just preparing and knowing that I’m sure they are. So I’ll be excited to do my job.”

Other highlights from the conversation:

On Seattle’s problems with getting off the field on third downs: “I just think we have to execute; we have to think. I think sometimes we can be smart about our situations in third and 1. Instead of trying to be so disciplined, maybe let’s take a shot. Let’s be tied to the line of scrimmage. When they’re running, let’s shoot through the gaps and just kind of evaluating those things.”

On Richard Sherman’s fine: “What did they fine him with? I didn’t see that. For the kicking thing? That’s ridiculous. I think Richard explained it perfectly because, that situation, he’s gonna try to be aggressive to get a block and he was early, he touches the ball. If he touches the ball and it’s a missed kick and he runs into the kicker it’s not a penalty and so he’s clearly not trying to hurt the kicker.”

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Seahawks’ Brock Coyle seeing the game differently as SAM LB