Seahawks’ Legion of Boom is entire again for their latest encounter with Packers.
RENTON, WA — Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard expressed “pure joy” when he learned last Friday that the team had acquired Sheldon Richardson in a trade, a move that will make Seattle’s front four as formidable as any in the NFL.
“We’re getting a player who’s unique, that we haven’t had around here in a while, and he’s been a really good guy to have around,” Richard said of the defensive tackle. “He has a terrific personality. We like who he is: confident, competent, and clever, and he’s picked up our stuff quickly. We can’t wait to watch him start this thing.”
Richardson would have only rehearsed for
The Packers will face a different Seattle defense from the one Aaron Rodgers ripped up last season in a 38-10 win at Lambeau Field. This isn’t just because of Richardson’s addition.
The Seahawks were without Earl Thomas in that December game, which came one week after the All-Pro free safety was sidelined for the season with a broken leg. The Seahawks’ defense was never the same afterward, and his absence may have been felt more against Green Bay than any previous game as Seattle suffered its worst lopsided defeat since 2011.
That was the Packers’ second straight win in Green Bay over the Seahawks, who had won three straight home games dating back to the “Fail Mary” game in 2012 and the 2014 NFC Championship Game. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-17 in Week 2 of the 2015 season, three days before strong safety Kam Chancellor returned from his holdout.
That means Seattle’s secondary has been missing a key component in both of the team’s last two losses to Green Bay. Thomas’ absence was not the only reason the Seahawks lost by four touchdowns last season. Their offense committed six turnovers, including Russell Wilson’s career-high five interceptions. But it did not help.
“It certainly makes a difference,” Richard said.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Thomas, Chancellor, and cornerback Richard Sherman combined for only 186 of the 535 pass attempts against Seattle last season. Thomas missed five full games and parts of two others, while Chancellor missed four earlier this season due to a groin issue. When all three were playing, Seattle’s defense allowed two touchdowns and intercepted eight passes. When any of the three were out, the Seahawks surrendered 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
“We’ve usually done well when we’ve had everybody,” Sherman remarked. “We’ve never won at Lambeau with our group because we’re always missing someone. I believe we have all the components in place to go out there and give them a terrific fight.
