'Not Going For That': Reed Guarantees Improved Seahawks Run Defense

But with him, Jones, and fellow veteran Mario Edwards, who joined the team as a late signing in May, providing a shakeup in leadership and ample experience playing in schemes similar to the one deployed by coordinator Clint Hurtt, Reed has liked what he's seen since camp opened in late July. An otherwise youthful group has followed their guidance and on-field example, learning quickly from mistakes and staying honed in on fine details to prepare for game day.

Even though the two rookies have battled injuries at the start of their respective NFL careers, Reed has been particularly been impressed by the mindset and work ethic of Mike Morris and Cameron Young. Taking on a mentor role similar to the one Bennett, Rubin, and McDaniel played for him, he aims to pass on everything he has been taught over the years to help ready them to contribute early up front for the Seahawks.

“What I’ve seen on from Mike [Morris] is that he’s coached very well. He has the basics down. He’s still young and he’s still got a lot to learn about being a professional football player, but I think he’s going to be good," Reed remarked. "I’m really trying to take Cam [Young] under my wing and just teach him the game. We’re going to need both of those guys down the stretch. They’re going to have to play. As long as we stay on them, I’m not worried about them. They’re going to grow with us and I think they’re going to be great players.”

Looking at the defensive line as a whole, the Seahawks will enter a new season with plenty of questions remaining to go with a sprinkle of cautious optimism, particularly at the nose tackle spot. Lining up at the nose in his second stint with the team, the burden will be on Reed's shoulders to hold up in the trenches at 306 pounds, lacking the sheer size of his predecessor Al Woods in the middle.

Behind him, Young stands out as the only healthy defensive tackle north of 310 pounds for depth, as Bryan Mone and Austin Faoliu remain sidelined for at least the next four games recovering from knee injuries on the PUP list.

At the 3-tech defensive end spots, the Seahawks obviously loved Jones' all-around talent based on the contract he was given in March, but he was paid in large part to hunt quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Edwards has been a steady run defender throughout his career to go with largely underwhelming pass rushing production. In reserve roles, Myles Adams has never logged more than 250 snaps in a season and both Morris and Young missed most or all of the preseason, casting questions about their readiness.

With all of those question marks, many expected Seattle to make a move before the start of the regular season to fortify the unit. However, the franchise didn't acquire any interior defensive linemen via trade or waivers last week, sticking with current group as constructed instead with Reed as the important centerpiece playing nose tackle, a position he's more than comfortable playing.

Based on Reed's comments, as well as glowing remarks made by Carroll recently, the Seahawks believe in the core of defensive tackles and defensive ends they assembled during the offseason, even if others outside of the organization do not. The team also brought back linebacker Bobby Wagner, who he and his line cohorts plan to help keep free to continue making tackles in bunches as he has for more than a decade in his Hall of Fame career.

With nowhere to go but up defending the run, Reed has no doubt that he and his line mates will get the job done after a strong training camp and play a crucial part in changing the perception about the defense starting next Sunday against the Rams.

“Everybody’s focused. Everybody’s locked in. The preparation is phenomenal... That’s what you need. I think everybody’s on the same page on the defense. Everybody wants to be dominant. Everybody wants to be great. Everybody wants to change the narrative right now that we have on this defense.”