Bumpus: Tanner Muse shows promise for Seahawks at linebacker
Jan 5, 2023, 12:56 PM
Tanner Muse of the Seattle Seahawks prepares for a snap against the New York Jets at Lumen Field on January 01, 2023. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Seahawks were dealt a big blow when star linebacker Jordyn Brooks injured his knee in Sunday’s 23-6 win over the New York Jets. It was later revealed that Brooks tore his ACL and will be out not just for the remainder of this season, but for potentially the start of next season.
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Brooks’ injury led to two things for the Seahawks when they played the Jets. The first was that fellow inside linebacker Cody Barton became the on-field play-caller for the Seahawks’ defense. The second was that reserve linebacker Tanner Muse, who has mostly been a special teams contributor, was thrust into action as an inside linebacker for Seattle’s defense.
So how did Muse do on Sunday? Former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus broke it down on Wednesday’s Bump and Stacy on Seattle Sports 710 AM.
“I watched the film on Tanner Muse and he didn’t jump off the screen. He didn’t make a play where I’m like, ‘Oh my god, did you see that play?'” Bumpus said. “But he also did not make the plays where I’m like, ‘Tanner, what are you doing?'”
All in all, Muse had three tackles and broke up a pass against the Jets.
“I saw him recognize runs … I saw him fill the gaps, I saw him drop to the correct spot, I saw him respond to a route change,” Bumpus said. “There was a crosser going across his face, he passes him off, flip his hips, drops back down to the curl. He did some things that made me say, ‘OK, he is a linebacker.’ He’s not a guy that’s out here just because he needs to be out there.”
Muse is expected to start alongside Barton this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, and after watching his film from the Jets game, Bumpus “feels better” going forward.
“He’s not afraid of getting downhill. He’s not afraid of mixing it up. He’s where he’s supposed to be, and that’s half the battle sometimes, just be where you’re supposed to be. You might be able to make some plays,” Bumpus said. “Is he Jordyn Brooks? No. Is he going to be one of the best ‘backers to play in the game? Of course not. But I look at him play and I go, ‘The kid is alright.'”
Listen to the full second hour of Wednesday’s Bump and Stacy at this link or in the player below.
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