If you ask young cornerback Kelly Jennings how much Seahawks teammate Brian Russell knows about the intricacies of playing secondary in the NFL, he’ll answer with one word: “Everything.”
Not “a lot,” or “more than most.”
Everything.
And everything is a particularly impressive amount when it’s compared to how much some previous Seahawks safeties have known.
Sometimes they’ve known how to bite on the run fake, or how to leave cornerbacks to fend for themselves trying to stop deep routes.
The offseason addition of free agents Russell and Deon Grant to take over the safety spots is expected to serve as an enormous upgrade for the Seahawks – specifically as it relates to understanding the responsibilities of their positions.
“It’s something we needed,” coach Mike Holmgren said of getting assignments correct at safety. “That’s one of the things that hurt our defense. We didn’t do a very good job of that.”
Russell came over from Cleveland and Grant from Jacksonville.
There has been some confusion over which is the free safety and which is the strong safety, but they say that in the Seahawks’ scheme, that’s not an issue because they have similar duties.
At this point, Russell is being asked to call coverages and keep the secondary aligned, aware and engaged. But that’s not all.
“They need a ‘quarterback’ back there,” Holmgren said. “But also (a man) to play his position, and that’s what he does. He’s more than just a player to line up the team properly. The whole defense is responding well to both of them.”
Russell has always been a studious sort, starting college as a quarterback at the Ivy League’s Penn.Russell transferred to San Diego State because he wanted to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
The lessons of playing quarterback – studying film, being aware of everybody’s placement and duties – serve him now.
“He studies more film than anybody I’ve ever seen,” Jennings said. “He’s always talking (on the field), saying ‘expect this’ and ‘expect that.’ He knows what to expect in every situation. He already knows everything.”
An example of his thoroughness is that he doesn’t just scout his opponent, but also his teammates.
Training camp is a time, Russell said, to learn about his team’s cornerbacks.
“You have to have a feel for where they’re playing, what they’re going to try to take away, where they’ll need help,” Russell said.
Preparation, he said, is his strength. That, and a good sense of anticipation.
“That’s a big part of what makes a safety any good,” he said. “Some guys are phenomenal talents, but if you don’t understand the game and know where you need to be, that talent is wasted.”
Russell didn’t have to scout his safety sidekick. He and Grant had a prior relationship.
They share the services of agent Mitch Frankel, and Russell exploited that connection at times in the past.
“We’ve talked on the phone with some football ideas,” Russell said. “I watch a fair amount of film and I’ve seen (Grant) make some big-time plays and do some great things against some teams.”
When Russell was about to face an opponent they had in common, he’d call Grant for tips and background.
After Grant signed with the Hawks, Russell joined him. The chance to go from Cleveland to a team expected to contend was the obvious attraction.
“There’s a confidence, a special atmosphere,” Russell said. “They know this is a good football team, but we’re willing to do the work to get better, and know the things it takes to remain good. That feeling, that atmosphere, is here.”
Russell’s biggest statistical season came in 2003, when he pulled down nine interceptions for Minnesota.
He takes pride in what he’s accomplished since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent, but the real goal, he said, is to win a title.
“That was what was so exciting about signing here,” Russell said. “I had some fun years and feel good about what I’ve done, but if you want to win championships, then you try to take advantage of the opportunities to come to a place like this.”
Apparently, there’s only one thing better than knowing it all.
Hawks find a savvy QB for defense
Hawks find a savvy QB for defense
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