When Renton, Washington-Pete Carroll first approached Kam Chancellor about becoming a Seahawks leader in 2010, newcomer Safety didn’t think he was ready for the mission. It was. After all, why do veterans listen to the choice of draft for the fifth round, which has not yet established themselves?
A few years later, “Bam Bam” remembered telling Carroll at the time, “Coach, I haven’t done anything yet.”
But when the Prime Minister first broke into the NFL, he might not have felt like a capable leader, but whether he intended it or not, the intense Enforcer eventually boasted. The Super Bowl Champion quickly became one as a central part of the “Boom Corps”. One of the best defenses in league history, he has won the All-Pro honor twice and created four Pro Bowl teams with 607 tackles and 12 intercepts.
Unfortunately, enjoying a wonderful eight-year career that suddenly ended due to a neck injury in 2017, the Prime Minister not only proved to coaches and teammates that he can lead, but more importantly, his He proved to himself that his words and actions were much greater weight to the people around him than he had imagined.
Fast forwarding to the present after star quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner have left, the Seahawks will lose the same leadership as when the Prime Minister, Earl Thomas, and the talented rookie class arrived. Interestingly, it was Pete Carroll and John Schneider’s first year in the organization, and they were trying to establish a solid foundation for consistent playoff candidates.
While Wilson and Wagner weren’t in front of the drill for the first time in 10 years in the first OTA practice on Monday spring, Seattle seems to be on par with the first year in power, but Carroll said. Feeling the different atmosphere of the team An off-season program where new leaders begin to emerge and the team’s identity begins to develop. As the Prime Minister did 12 years ago, he is excited to see who stands up to bridge the leadership gap leading up to the new season.
“It’s an example of the upbringing process, we talk to people and we know who others respect,” Carroll said of the Prime Minister. “Some people say, listen more carefully. We know that, and as we progress, we learn players and see how they are now settled. , It’s only helping the opportunity for those guys Take a step out loud, when they do, crit a little and help them along the way. It’s an ongoing process and time. There is a natural kind of order that takes shape within. It’s fun to see because some people are really excited to step into new opportunities. “
Carroll admitted that it would take time to figure out who would steal the torch from Wilson and Wagner, but on the roster who lost the single player who played for Seattle’s last Super Bowl team, he was a third-year linebacker. A Jordyn Brooks may be in the driver’s seat.
Scroll to continue
Although he is only 24 years old, Brooks has already emerged as an up-and-coming star in the midst of the Seahawks defense. After plunging into the starting lineup in the middle of the rookie season, his first round of picks from Texas Tech broke Wagner’s franchise record with 184 tackles, leading the team with 10 tackles in 2021 and his first all. I won a professional vote.
With the camp just two months away, Brooks wouldn’t be aware of the difference in the situation at the VMAC without Wilson or Wagner, who coached him in the first two seasons. But he believes in a culture built up over the years by legends of the past like Carol, Schneider, and the Prime Minister, and Wagner’s shoes as Seattle’s new defensive playcaller with a green dot on the back of his helmet. I set foot in. Role in his own way. “
“That means I need to handle my business and make sure everything is done right at all times,” Brooks said. Great leader of past teams. Take a little pride in that. So I want to do everything I can for my team. “
Like the Prime Minister, Brooks is not known to be the loudest, nor is Lara’s personality. At his press conference, he tends to speak calmly and be modest.
But in the field, Brooks lets his physical and aggressive style speak for him. This is what he learned from observing and playing with Wagner. He needs to speak a little more than in the past, especially when it comes to barking defensive calls in secret talks as part of his new role at the Seahawks, but he can still set an example as a future Hall of Fame. The predecessor made it so effective.
“I think it was the best Bobby showed to someone,” Brooks said. And his daily routine, not to mention the game, what he did to prepare for practice. I think that’s the biggest thing I got from him. “
On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks have no natural successor, at least now, waiting to help replace Wilson’s leadership. Drew Lock and Geno Smith started the competition on Monday for a start job. Carroll hinted that Smith would lead the fight because he was familiar with coordinator Shane Waldron’s plans, but questions continued in the quarterback until the starter named the road.
Apart from quarterbacks, Carroll has seen receiver DK Metcalf step up and take on greater responsibility, despite being so far restricted in rehab off-season programs from foot surgery. I did. Tight-end Will Disley also stands out as a repeater in the locker room among his teammates.
Regardless of who won the quarterback job, as the Seahawks moved into a new era, Carroll and his staff were not only eligible to step into Wagner’s canton-sized Sted, but also Brooks’ talent. You can be comforted by the fact that there are players in ascending order, but they seem eager to do so. Other leaders such as Metcalf and Dissly will appear along the way, which is a good starting point for the franchise as they begin to rebuild their foundations.
..