Russell Wilson: Hawks ready to be #1 offense in football
After an offseason where nothing seemed certain — not even the long-term whereabouts of Russell Wilson himself — the Seahawks are gearing up for a phenomenal offense showing this season, if their fearless leader is to be believed.
“I think we can be the number one offense in football,” Wilson told Seattle reporters over the weekend.
“I don’t see why not. We’re up for it, we’re ready, we were really good last year, had a lot of great things, but we can be even better. We’ve been watching the maturation of DK [Metcalf] and the continual growth of Tyler Lockett who has been one of the best receivers in football for the past several years,” he said.
“Then adding Gerald [Everett], a true playmaker in the sense, and [Will] Dissly is feeling really confident right now. I’m really excited for his season, what he’s got in store. Colby [Parkinson] too as well, he’s had a really great training camp. You guys have seen him all over the field in practice and he’s doing a great job.
“Our running backs, obviously Chris Carson, what he can do. I believe he’s the best in the game, so I think for us we need to find different ways of getting him the football. I think the thing for us is executing all of the details, being aggressive, and that means every opportunity whether it’s the run or pass game. Having that aggressive mentality, every time we touch the ball, we’re scoring. I think that sense, that tempo, and that aggression going after the defense is really key.”
In more exciting news for Seahawks nation, Russ is now likely to have greater control over the offense — more than he ever has before.
“I’ve always been able to change the play for the most part,” he said. “Along my career, [former offensive coordinator Brian Schotenheimer] allowed me to call the plays and stuff like that at the line of scrimmage when we needed to. I think the emphasis of being able to do it all the time, all throughout the game is the key. I think it’s a little bit different in that sense. I have freedom for sure. The fun part is there’s so much we can do and so many reasonings and so many why’s to it. It’s been really exceptional. Really transferring that to making our plays and putting our guys in the best position to be successful.”
Under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Wilson hinted there will be more audibles at the line of scrimmage and greater flexibility to use the smarts he’s amassed throughout his wildly successful career.
He added that the new offense puts greater emphasis on changing the play at the line of scrimmage.
“I think what we’re really focused on is my literally being on the line and doing that and calling it when we need to,” Wilson said. “Just playing fast, that’s what we did the whole first drive if you’ve noticed. It was really at the line of scrimmage. I think the second drive too and later on as well. The thing for us is just, for me, to be able to use what I know, my smarts and understand what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to get to it.
“Also, Shane and I being on the wavelength and being at the line of scrimmage and checking the play if we need to. Sometimes just trust the play and going with it as well. That really puts the defense on their heels.”
Russ cooked early last season before the Hawks ran out of steam late in the season when it mattered most. All involved in the Pacific North West will be hoping Russ and Waldron can keep the foot on the gas in the ultra competitive NFC West.