Seahawks Insider: Is a lighter D-line wearing down against the run?

The Seahawks’ defense has gotten smaller up front.

There’s no doubt about that when you consider that there’s just one starter on this defensive line who checks in at more than 300 pounds.

Compare that to 2013 when the Seahawks had three different starting defensive linemen who weighed more than 320 pounds.

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And given the difficulties the Seahawks have had stopping the run over the past two weeks, it’s worth asking Pete Carroll whether the fact that Seattle is lighter up front has become a problem.

“I don’t think it’s been a factor,” Carroll said. “We are more mobile than we have been. We are moving better than we have.”

The Seahawks gave up 165 yards rushing in the second half of last week’s loss in Tennessee. It was the second consecutive week Seattle had allowed more than 150 yards rushing. It had allowed more than 150 yards rushing in only two games over the previous two seasons combined.

Defensive tackle Jarran Reed is the heaviest Seahawk lineman on the defense, listed at 306 pounds. Rookie Nazair Jones is the only other defensive lineman to top 300 pounds, but he was one Carroll singled out as providing a big-bodied presence.

“We’re getting a lot of good play out of Naz when he comes off the bench,” Carroll said. “He’s a big kid.”

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