The Seahawks’ decision to bring in two punters this week looked odd at first glance, especially with Michael Dickson healthy and not listed on the injury report. But the Thursday and Friday NFL transaction wires had a pretty clear message once you dug in: Seattle was looking for a left-footed look.
Luke Elzinga and Colton Spangler were the two tryout names, and neither was signed to the practice squad. The key detail is their kicking leg. Both are left-footed punters, while Dickson is right-footed.
That matters because the Seahawks are about to run into a few lefties. The Commanders’ Tress Way is one of them, and Seattle will also see San Francisco 49ers punter Corliss Waitman and Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza in a few weeks.
There’s a real wrinkle in the way a left-footed punt comes off the foot. The ball spins the opposite direction, counterclockwise from the punter’s perspective, which changes how returners track it.
From the punt’s apex, a left-footed kick tends to fade to the returner’s right, while most returners are more used to right-footed punts that drift left. That split-second difference can make a returner hesitate, and sometimes it can lead to a muff.
So the Seahawks’ tryouts weren’t about Dickson’s health at all. They were about preparation - scouting and simulating what it looks like to face a left-footed punter. Seattle did the same thing last season ahead of its game against the New Orleans Saints and Kai Kroeger.
In Other News...
Seahawks Rookie Suddenly Has A Week 3 Chance Fans Will Notice
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Price is part of a broader group of touchdown candidates that also includes David Montgomery, Tee Higgins and Harold Fannin Jr., but Seattles interest is obvious. The Seahawks have spent enough time trying to piece together reliable red-zone production that any rookie with a real scoring path becomes worth watching, and Week 3 offers exactly the kind of opening that can turn a side note into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Face A Drew Lock Decision That Could Backfire Fast
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For Seattle, the question is whether to cash in on Lock now and try to get some draft capital back, or keep him around as insurance in case the quarterback room gets tested again. Trading him could bring back a pick, but moving on too soon also leaves the Seahawks thinner if they need a proven contingency plan, which is why this one could turn fast depending on how the market develops. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Could Be Facing A Bigger Seattle Backfield Threat Than Expected
Emanuel Wilson is in line for a bigger workload in Week 3, and that gives Seattles offense another layer for Washington to worry about. With Jadarian Price dealing with a chest injury, Wilsons role could expand after a strong showing in Week 2, putting him squarely in the conversation as a possible anytime touchdown option when the Seahawks meet the Commanders.
For a Seattle backfield that already looked like it might be shifting, Wilsons timing is notable. If Price is limited or unavailable, the Seahawks could lean more heavily on Wilson for carries and scoring chances, which is why DraftKings Sportsbook has him listed at +220 to score. It is the kind of late-week development that can change both game planning and fantasy expectations in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]