JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: The good — and bad — from the Seahawks’ preseason loss to the Chargers

Aug 20, 2018, 9:57 AM | Updated: 9:57 am

Seahawks RB Chris Carson had a touchdown called back in the first quarter. (AP)...

Seahawks RB Chris Carson had a touchdown called back in the first quarter. (AP)

(AP)

Preseason game No. 2 was a little step back for the Seahawks – but that shouldn’t be a surprise.

Resets for young teams usually have some growing pains. The 24-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers mixed the good and the bad. Let’s examine.

O’Neil: What we learned from Seahawks preseason loss to Chargers

• Key mistakes on offense changed what could have been a Seahawks win. Will Dissly’s illegal block nullified a 23-yard Chris Carson touchdown run, although it was a curious call because it was on the far side of the field away from the play. Carson later lost a fumble at the Chargers 1-yard-line. The first team offense moved the ball well but drives stalled on goal line situations. Still, all these things are fixable.

• The most impressive part of the evening was Russell Wilson’s ability to drive the ball downfield. He completed 13 of 21 pass attempts for 193 yards. Last year’s offense couldn’t generate drives in the first half. This time around, Wilson was able to establish a solid running game and set up effective play-action passes. The offense was particularly effective on first-down, which also wasn’t the case last year.

• Chris Carson continues to be impressive as the starting running back. He had nine carries for 34 yards, and that doesn’t include the 23-yard touchdown run that was called back. Later in the game, C.J. Prosise made some tough runs and showed he might be too good of a running back to lose in the cutdown to 53.

• Right tackle Germain Ifedi continued to struggle with this pass-blocking. He had big problems holding back Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram. Because of injuries, Ifedi doesn’t have a lineman to challenge him until Isaiah Battle is able to return from a sprained knee.

• The defense had trouble stopping Philip Rivers at quarterback. Rivers attacked the Seahawks using good rhythm with the play-calling. He took the opening touchdown drive 70 yards on nine plays and completed six of seven passes for 62 yards. In a conference loaded with top-flight quarterbacks, the Seahawks defense can learn from this game and try to tighten up coverage and run-stopping. The Chargers are a much better team than the Indianapolis Colts, so this game was a good one show where the defense is.

• Seventh-round choice Alex McGough helped his chances of beating out Austin Davis with a great performance in the fourth quarter. His 59-yard touchdown drive was impressive. He opened with a 39-yard completion to Cyril Grayson. He hit Malik Turner with a perfect fade pass for a 12-yard touchdown. His two-point conversion throw to Grayson was on the money. McGough struggled in the first two weeks of training camp, but he said after this game that he felt more relaxed Saturday night and just played football instead of thinking too much.

• The draft class continues to excel. I know he’s beating backups, but defensive lineman Rasheem Green has been pretty much unblockable on pass plays. He had his second sack-and-a-half game and had four quarterback hits and two tackles for losses against the Chargers. Shaquem Griffin continues to build a case to get some playing time in the nickel with his ability to chase down plays and cover. Cornerback Tre Flowers looks good in coverage. Michael Dickson is amazing as a punter; he boomed a 57-yard punt to the Chargers 10-yard-line and placed it on the sidelines where the returner could only catch the ball and go out of bounds.

• Jaron Brown and David Moore made big catches and appear to be locks to make the team. Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Brown, Moore and Brandon Marshall have all but locked up the top five receiver spots, leaving a big battle for the sixth wide receiver job that may come down to which receiver is the best on special teams.

• Austin Calitro is emerging as the team’s backup middle linebacker. The Seahawks will probably keep six linebackers.

The John Clayton Memorial Fund

Benefitting the Multiple Sclerosis Society

The Professor's Notes

John Clayton hosted a daily video breaking down the NFL

John Clayton

John Clayton Memorial Fund...

No Author

John Clayton Memorial Fund benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society

Seattle Sports and Bonneville International are honored to announce the “John Clayton Memorial Fund.” The John Clayton Memorial Fund will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf...

John Clayton

Clayton: What’s next for Seahawks after kicking off ‘major’ rebuild

After some major moves, John Clayton breaks down what the next things to watch for with the Seahawks are heading into the new league year.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson...

John Clayton

Clayton: Won’t be easy for Seahawks to replace Wilson after surprising trade

After a surprising trade he never thought would happen, John Clayton shares his immediate reaction to the Seahawks' trade of Russell Wilson.

2 years ago

Seahawks Action Green...

John Clayton

Clayton: Why you shouldn’t worry about salary cap with Seahawks this offseason

Seahawks fans and followers are worried about how they can re-sign players and stay under the salary cap. John Clayton says they shouldn't be.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll...

John Clayton

Clayton: The big news from Seahawks, NFC West as combine begins

Wednesday was a big news day for the Seahawks and the NFC West. John Clayton breaks down what's going on in Seattle's division.

2 years ago

Seahawks Rashaad Penny Russell Wilson Chris Carson...

John Clayton

Clayton: How RBs in NFL Draft should help Seahawks this offseason

The Seahawks should be looking to bring Rashaad Penny back, but a loaded class of running backs is likely to help them in a few ways.

2 years ago

Clayton: The good — and bad — from the Seahawks’ preseason loss to the Chargers