SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Huard: Seahawks’ Blair can be ‘kryptonite’ for opposing NFC West offenses

Sep 2, 2021, 10:48 AM

Seahawks Marquise Blair...

Marquise Blair returned a fumble for a touchdown on the first series of the game. (Getty)

(Getty)

One player who saw their stock rise up in the Seahawks’ preseason finale was defensive back Marquise Blair, who’s looking to make a major impact after missing most of 2020 with a torn ACL.

Seahawks make trade with Jaguars for cornerback Sidney Jones

Blair didn’t play in Seattle’s first two preseason games due to a minor knee injury, but he made a big impact early on for the Seahawks.

On the Los Angeles Chargers’ first possession, linebacker Cody Barton blasted quarterback Chase Daniel in the backfield, forcing a fumble, which Blair scooped up for a touchdown.

Blair wound up with two tackles in addition to the touchdown, but he made a big impact by lining up all over the field and even causing some pressure and havoc on designed blitzes.

Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard was a big fan of Blair’s performance against the Chargers, and he explained earlier this week on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Blue 42 segment why that brief outing showcased something very important for the Seahawks’ defense.

“I liked him (Saturday)… and this was some of the plan last year before that torn ACL, they were really going to try to be I think in some ways ahead of the curve – not even outside the box but ahead of the curve with the systems that they’re facing,” Huard said. “The (Kyle) Shanahan system, with Deebo Samuel, with all the jet sweep, with all the little Rams guys that bubble screen and jet sweep you and little option routes, I think there was a belief from (head coach Pete Carroll) and his staff that Marquise Blair was that system’s kryptonite.”

Last year, Blair won the starting nickel cornerback job and was slated to have a key role in Seattle’s defense, especially against the team’s NFC West rivals. Instead, he tore his ACL in Week 2 and never got to play any divisional games. Huard broke down how exactly Blair can make an impact against the Rams, 49ers and Cardinals.

“(He’s) physical off the edge. OK, you want to run jet sweep? Run right into this guy that will absolutely tear your head off,” Huard said. “(He’s) twitchy enough in space to cover little option routes and long enough, as well, at 6 foot 2, 6 foot 3. And then finally, just explosive. Just able to cover, able to hit, able to finish, able to have a presence on the edge at that kind of big nickel position as he would be. And then unfortunately all of that derailed with a significant ACL injury.”

“This will be 100% about his health,” Huard later added, “because if he is healthy, I can’t wait to watch that dynamic play that position against this kind of offense in this division.”

Listen to the Huard at this link or in the player below.

Follow Brandon Gustafson on Twitter.

Huard: What do Seahawks do at No. 2 RB with Collins, Penny?

Brock and Salk podcast

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

2 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith quarterback...

Stacy Rost

Are Seahawks really not Super Bowl contenders because of QB?

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt said the Seattle Seahawks "don't have the requisite quarterback play" to be a Super Bowl contender. Is he right?

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks draft profile Bralen Trice UW Huskies...

Brent Stecker

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Pros, cons of UW DE Bralen Trice

For Day 2 of Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles, the former UW Huskies quarterback when with a name from his alma mater: defensive end Bralen Trice.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

Brandon Gustafson

FOX Sports’ Klatt: Seahawks’ quarterbacks ‘are not the answer’

"They don't have the requisite quarterback play to do that," FOX's Joel Klatt said of the Seattle Seahawks being a Super Bowl contender.

2 days ago

Huard: Seahawks’ Blair can be ‘kryptonite’ for opposing NFC West offenses