Hawk Talk highlights: Is pass-rush a cause for concern with Seahawks?

Danny O’Neil hosted another edition of “Hawk Talk” on Tuesday. Here’s the transcript. Highlights are below.

Tom Page asked for O’Neil to explain his concerns about the Seahawks’ ability to create pressure on defense.

O’Neil: We assume that this pass rush is going to be improved, but I think that relies a lot on the development of Frank Clark. Clark looked good in the preseason. Then again, Clark looked good in the preseason a year ago. Jordan Hill was a guy that was drafted with the expectation he could be a nickel pass-rusher from defensive tackle. He got beat out by Quinton Jefferson (and by Hill’s inability to stay healthy). It seems to me the Seahawks’ improvement in their pass rush depends on Clark and/or Cassius Marsh being significantly more effective than they’ve been in actual games or Jefferson making an impact. You can’t expect Cliff Avril nor Michael Bennett to get better at this point.

Dani said there didn’t seem to be much pressure from the pass-rush during preseason games and asked if the depth on the defensive line is as good as it was in 2013.

O’Neil: No. There is definitely not the same depth. Consider that in 2013, you had Avril and Bennett coming off the bench for that nickel pass-rush. Avril was entering his sixth year in the league and had previously been franchise tagged. Bennett was entering his fifth season in the league and had nine sacks the season before in Tampa Bay. This year, Seattle has more youth, but not the same kind of pedigreed pass-rushers who are in their mid-to-late 20s.

PDXHawk asked what was the biggest surprise regarding the Seahawks’ initial 53-man roster.

O’Neil: DeAndre Elliott. I thought he looked good as a cornerback. Didn’t realize that he looked good enough that Seattle was going to keep him on the 53-man roster. Honestly, I thought they’d deliberately shied away from playing him too much in the preseason in hopes he could slide to the practice squad.

Zorn on the 4th of July asked if there have been any rumblings about the Seahawks looking for a backup quarterback or if they are content with undrafted rookie Trevone Boykin.

O’Neil: I’ve heard both things. I’ve heard they’re more comfortable with Boykin than some people (like me) think. I’ve also heard that they’re still hunting around. Minnesota and Dallas kind of shook up the quarterback market not just because of the higher-profile players those teams landed, but the belief it inspired in teams with a spare veteran to think they could milk something out of a suitor.

Holy Roller asked what Plan B would be at left tackle if it doesn’t work out with Bradley Sowell, who hasn’t started in three years.

O’Neil: Well, I think Plan B would be to move Garry Gilliam to the left side and play J’Marcus Webb at right tackle. But it’s also possible that the Plan B is to put Webb in there at left tackle. Plan D: George Fant plays left tackle.

Ross asked how success should be defined for the Seahawks’ offensive line through the first quarter of the season.

O’Neil: A quarterback with all his teeth? I think through the first quarter of the season, a sack total of fewer than 16 with a rushing average of 140 yards per game as a team would be a really, really positive sign.

AKMessiah asked if it was a surprise that the Seahawks kept just five wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster.

O’Neil: It is a little light, but not all that much. The fact that you didn’t have wide receivers who were ready to contribute on special teams was one factor. The fact that there are four tight ends on the roster is the other one.

NicaHawk asked if Seattle has good depth in the secondary, especially considering the play of Kelcie McCray and DeShawn Shead.

O’Neil: I think so. McCray has looked fantastic, and I agree with you on Shead. The question is at No. 4 corner. I was disappointed in Tharold Simon in the preseason, and I’ve been a big fan of him.