Returning the Seattle Seahawks defense to a respectable level after several seasons of disappointing performance will require a successful, unified effort from new head coach Mike McDonald and defensive coordinator Aiden Dard.
But each unit needs a leader, and for the Seahawks defense, that leader is veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams and second-year cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Williams praised Witherspoon during OTAs earlier this week, praising his infectious energy and hard-hitting style.
“I think (Devon Witherspoon) is a great player,” Williams said. “When he got traded last season, I was just like, ‘Who the hell is this guy?’ He’s just a really great guy with a lot of energy, and he’s really physical and raw for a little guy.”
Witherspoon may have been a bit nervous entering the league as the No. 5 overall pick last year, but he played with confidence from the get-go.
“Cornerbacks are often the quieter guys, often the more sensitive guys, guys that like to get their face in and get in the mud, and it’s fun to see those guys in the secondary,” Williams said. “Coming into this season, like I said, we know we have multiple guys up front and we have those guys on the back end, so honestly, I’m excited to play this defense.”
One player can’t make a football team, but if there is a level of trust between players, it will likely translate into victories on the field come fall.
Now that they’ve had a full offseason in Seattle, Williams and Witherspoon could lead the Seahawks defense to new heights.
