Seahawks DC Kris Richard hopes for success again vs Adrian Peterson

The Seahawks held Adrian Peterson to 18 yards in their Week-13 matchup with the Vikings. Is such a containment of the league’s best running back possible to replicate?

“It would be tough, that’s for sure,” Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard told “Danny, Dave and Moore” on 710 ESPN Seattle.

The Vikings – and Peterson – will get another shot at the Seahawks’ defense in a wild-card playoff game at 10 a.m. Sunday. According to Richard, Seattle is prepared for a more productive Minnesota running attack.

“We’ve got a good plan. We absolutely know what we’re dealing with in regards to Adrian,” he said. “He’s a fantastic back – big, strong, fast, incredibly athletic. He gets stronger as the game goes on. We just know we’re going to have to play disciplined, gap-sound football. That’s all that ultimately we’re going to be responsible for, is how long can we come out, how long can we hit our gaps, how long can we get off blocks… We’ve got to get 11 guys to the football and gang tackle the back.”

Here are some other highlights from Richard’s conversation with “Danny, Dave and Moore”:

First year on the job: “It went as planned. You would love to win each and every single championship opportunity that you have, that’s first and foremost of course. But I think the cool part about it is we don’t flinch, we know what our ultimate goal and ultimate quest is. It’s really to see how good can we be and how good can we become. And the truth is we’re not there yet and we still have a ways to go. We can still be much better and get much better, and that’s where our focus is.”

The importance of a strong rush defense: “We knew our guys up front were going to be the strength of this football team and that’s really what our defense is ultimately built upon. We know that’s where it starts; it starts up front with the guys who put their hands in the dirt, the guys who play in the trenches. We’re nothing without those guys up there doing what they do.”

On versatile defensive back DeShawn Shead’s play: “He’s a guy who comes in and prepares himself each and every single day to go out and do whatever we ask him to do. It’s the second rule in our program: no whining, no complaining and no excuses. That’s a guy who comes to work every single day and prepares himself to the best of his ability. Not only does he know corner and nickel, he knows safety. It’s a testament to his character. It’s not easy. You know you’re good enough to play, you’re waiting for your opportunity, you’re itching, you’re chomping at the bit. And yet you have to maintain a level of humility because we’ve got really good players and guys that may be in front of you but you have to continue to prepare each and every single day.”

Why linebacker KJ Wright should have been a Pro Bowler: “He’s typically kind of one of the guys who have been overlooked, but we know what we have in him. He’s such a valuable asset for us. He’s like another coach out there on the field.”