Brock Huard’s takeaway about new Seahawks DC Clint Hurtt

The Seahawks made their switch at defensive coordinator official last week, announcing that Clint Hurtt has been promoted from defensive line coach to replace Ken Norton Jr., who was let go in Jaunuary after four seasons as Seattle’s DC.

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Hurtt made the rounds later in the week, first in an introductory press conference and then Thursday in an interview on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Wyman and Bob, to share a look into his priorities for the Seahawks’ defense coming off a disappointing 7-10 season.

Mike Salk, who hosts 710 ESPN Seattle’s Mike Salk Show from 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday, was vocal in his appreciation of what Hurtt had to say and the enthusiasm he displayed while saying it. On Friday, though, he let his longtime radio partner share his take.

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Brock Huard, a former NFL quarterback and current color commentator for FOX Sports, discussed what jumped out to him from Hurtt during the week, and it boiled down to how Hurtt got his point across without throwing shade at his predecessor.

“What I liked is he didn’t bury (anything the Seahawks have done on defense under previous coaches),” Huard said. “I think many times new coaches come in and they use that opportunity – ‘We’ve got to do this’ and ‘We’ve got to fix this’ and ‘This is broken’ and ‘We’re going to turn this around.’ There really weren’t any shots fired at the outgoing Ken Norton.”

Salk chimed in: “No, but it’s pretty obvious that what was going on in the past made no sense. They didn’t need to fire any shots. The shots were fired for them.”

Huard agreed, then gave his insight into what Hurtt said about the defense specifically.

“I think he, in this moment, showed some maturity and just said, ‘You know, we’re going to be totally different and we’re going to be in attack mode and we’re going to be aggressive.’ And ‘We’re gonna pair that on the back end with some present-day coverage that you’ve got to do – to blend and to mix and match and disguise.’ Everything you’ve got to do in today’s NFL to slow down the elite of the elite quarterbacks.”

Huard joins The Mike Salk Show daily at 7:45 a.m., and you can also hear him weekly on the Brock and Salk Podcast. Listen to the full discussion from Friday in the last segment of the podcast at this link or in the player below.

More on new Seahawks DC Clint Hurtt

• Hurtt to Wyman and Bob: Pete Carroll has given me “full autonomy”
• Heaps: Carroll empowering Seahawks’ defensive coaches “nothing but positive”
• New staff wants Seahawks defense to be more aggressive

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