Even on a snap count, Nick Emmanwori still found a way to leave a mark.
The Seahawks safety was back on the field Sunday for the first time since July ankle surgery, logging nine defensive snaps in Seattle’s 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Mike Macdonald said the team wanted to work him back in carefully after he missed the season opener.
“It was great for him to get the confidence back, get him moving, get a couple rushes in, which was cool,” Macdonald said. “So we should be really accelerating into next week.”
Emmanwori’s biggest moment came late in the first half. On a third-and-4, he came off the edge on a blitz, forcing two blockers - tight end Trey McBride and right tackle Elijah Wilkinson - to account for him. That pressure pushed quarterback Jacoby Brissett up in the pocket and helped force an incompletion.
According to Pro Football Focus, Emmanwori had four pass-rush snaps in the game. That’s a sharp jump from his rookie year, when he rushed the passer on just 72 of his 944 defensive snaps.
Macdonald had hinted over the summer that Emmanwori could be used more as a pass rusher this season, and the early signs matched that idea. Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard saw the burst right away during Monday’s Blue 88 segment on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
“He had some explosion,” Huard said. “There wasn’t much of a move, but he got upfield in a hurry, and I think Jacoby Brissett felt him, because he had to step up in that pocket.”
Emmanwori also finished with a tackle. Huard said that even in a limited role, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound hybrid defender made his presence felt from his usual big-nickel spot.
“He was out in his normal big-nickel spot just taking away space,” Huard said. “Jacoby missed a throw and (the commentators) were like, yeah, he didn’t miss that throw earlier.
Well, yeah, that’s what happens when 6-3 with length is on the field. That window that you’re supposed to throw (in) looks different.
That window changes. The shades come down.
And you’re like, I don’t know where to throw against that guy.
“So even though it was a half-dozen or so snaps, you start to feel his impact. And you know more, and more, and more is coming with him.”
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