Takeaways: Jamal Adams expects to ‘roam more’ in Seahawks’ defense

It’s not hard to feel the enthusiasm of Jamal Adams after joining the Seahawks’ defense when listening to his interview from Monday’s edition of Danny and Gallant on 710 ESPN Seattle.

Seahawks’ Jamal Adams: “I don’t think I’m gonna get bored with winning”

The All-Pro safety and recent Seahawks trade acquisition used the word ‘excited’ a lot during the nearly 11-minute discussion, and for good reason, as we’ll get to in the takeaways below.

Here’s a close look at the most important things Adams had to say.

Adams expects to ‘roam’ more for Seahawks

After three years with the New York Jets, Adams indicated that he’s already seeing how he’ll be let loose more in Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll’s defense.

“I think that I was in a great type of defense over there in New York – (Jets defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams did an outstanding job,” Adams said. “But over here, I think they’re gonna let me roam a little bit more, they’re gonna let me be me, they’re gonna put me in positions to get my hand more on the ball so I’m not classified a box safety.”

Adams spent a lot of his time with the Jets making plays around the line of scrimmage – hence the box safety reference – making 12 sacks over his three seasons, including 6.5 in 2019, which would have led the Seahawks. Meanwhile, he has just two interceptions as a pro, and he thinks that’s going to change with Seattle.

“Everything’s about the ball. I get a lot of heat for my two-pick career so far, which is very average, maybe below,” he said. “I had opportunities my rookie year, I was put in a lot of great positions to make plays on the ball and obviously just didn’t come down with them or whatever the case may be. I’m excited to be in this defense, man. I think I’ll have a lot of opportunity to get around the ball.”

He even hinted at something the Seahawks have cooking for him in the playbook.

“I can’t give you too many beans but I’m excited about a little package that we got and how they’re using me,” he said, noting that while mentioning that he had called his dad, former NFL running back George Adams, on Sunday to talk about how well he’s fitting in with the Seahawks.

“Surreal feeling”

One big change for Adams going from the Jets to the Seahawks is the differing amounts of success the two franchises have experienced in recent years. Seattle has had a winning season in each of the past eight years and has missed the playoffs just once in that time. New York’s best record during Adams’ tenure, however, was 7-9.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Adams said about switching teams. “I’m really fighting for not only the playoffs but fighting for the ‘chip,’ man, and that’s all I wanted. All I wanted was a chance. This organization, you can tell from since the day I walked in that they appreciate me, and that’s all I wanted, man.”

He expressed at multiple points during the interview how satisfied he has been with the experience since the trade.

“I can tell you, I’m just excited to be here. It’s a fresh start,” he said. “I’m beyond happy, I’m back happy again, I’m back loving football. I’m back walking into the building and happy to be here everyday, seeing my teammates, man. It’s a good feeling. Every day I wake up happy and I’m so thankful.”

Familiar coaching style

For two of Adams’ three seasons in college at LSU, the coaching staff featured Ed Orgeron, who joined the Tigers’ program as defensive line coach in 2015 and took over head coaching duties in 2016.

Why is that significant? Because Orgeron’s rise to the head coaching ranks included time under Carroll at USC as D-line coach, recruiting coordinator and eventually assistant head coach.

After a brief but entertaining impression of the gravelly voice Orgeron is well-known for, Adams explained that he’s back in familiar territory because of the connection between Orgeron and Carroll.

“I never forget when (Orgeron) got there my sophomore year, he was the D-line coach obviously, but he always brought that energy every day. Always positive, always supportive,” Adams said. “And then when he became the head coach my last year, my junior year, he had the Pete Carroll philosophy as far as how we practiced, as far as how we go about our day, go about out business. It’s in and out. We’re working, we’re gonna be efficient. We’re never gonna do sprints after practice, we’re gonna get it in during the practice. We’re gonna compete and make it fun. That’s what brings the competitive juices out and that’s what makes everybody better.”

You can hear the full interview with Adams in this podcast or in the player embedded below.

Follow 710Sports.com’s Brent Stecker on Twitter.

Seahawks training camp: Pete Carroll’s take on Seattle’s top rookies

Follow @BrentStecker