That’s right we’re talking ‘special’ special.
It’s not by any means the main story, but among subplots to the Seattle Seahawks’ 2025 draft class, one looks to be a renewed commitment to special teams.
Not so long ago in actual time — yet very, very long ago in NFL generations — the Seahawks coaching staff emphasized excellence on special teams beyond everyone just making all their kicks. There were sermons from Pete Carroll about the importance of hidden yards, and special emphases placed on explosive returns. Leon Washington and Golden Tate had the ability to house a kick at any moment. The 2013 squad allowed the fewest punt return yards in the league. Tyler Lockett got All-Pro recognition for his return work as a rookie.
Then, as coverages changed, rules morphed and the roster turned over again and again, Seattle’s special teams dominance waned. As happens in the NFL. Nothing F—king Lasts.
Most recently, teams play isn’t something we’ve heard Mike Macdonald wax about again and again in his first year at the helm in Seattle. Still, let’s read between the lines: there can be no doubt he values what happens on kicks and returns. No coach can maintain success while discounting special teams. Ignore them at your own risk.
I mean, look at the 49ers (you don’t have to actually look. You can just pretend you did). They finished 31st in ST DVOA last season (per FTN Fantasy) and last in the division. If you don’t believe those events are related at all, shall we sprinkle in four fun facts:
- San Fran went 6-11 when their expected wins by point differential were 7.4
- They lost four (!) division games by one score
- They returned no kicks for touchdowns
- Jake Moody missed 14 FG.
I will guarantee you that Macdonald, as taciturn as he may present himself to the public, wants no part of Kyle Shanahan’s special teams self-toe-stubbing.
Games swing on big plays. Your surplus of generated explosives vs. allowed explosives, on offense and defense, becomes a major predictor of victory. Spoiler: Big plays happen on special teams too. So I’ve chosen to believe that from the selection of Tory Horton on down, this was on the front office’s mind(s).
Got us some Horton highlights, and they include a nifty kick return he houses. The straight line speed is impressive and helps him obliterate tackling angles. Of course, with Horton coming back from injury, there’s no telling how cautious the staff will be with him, but the tape does not lie — he can be the kickoff returner we hoped everyone since Lockett would be, but then wasn’t.
Link is here, kick return is at 0:31, with a couple of jukes and then the afterburners.
When it comes to Robbie Ouzts, there’s no reason to assume he’s a special teams pick, but every reason to assume he’ll excel there. Dayna O’Gorman from Hawkblogger.com shared her opinion of Ouzts with me the afternoon he was drafted:
That’s kinda what you want on ST and it’s not likely he’ll immediately eat offensive snaps as either a TE or FB, not at first. Remember Nick Bellore, also a fullback by trade but general football player in spirit, made a Pro Bowl on special teams. Now the Seahawks have zero Bellores. Or, do they have one again?
And of course, there’s Ricky White III, whose special teams contributions might as well turn him into Ricky White !!! (Sorry.)
Did you know? White blocked four punts last season. Probably you knew. It’s his especialidad de la casa.
This highlights video also shows him snuffing out a fake punt and making a sure fourth-down tackle short of the line to gain, at the 1:30 mark. Don’t tell me receivers can’t play real football. Don’t tell White either.
Look, the 2013-2014 Seahawks had All-Pro talent everywhere, so they didn’t win the conference twice because of their special teams. But if you were watching a decade ago, there’s a decent chance you still have a soft spot in your heart for Ricardo Lockette and Neiko Thorpe, versatile “little” guys who gunned down so many unsuspecting opponents.
Why wouldn’t it be White’s turn to change the game from an unexpected angle? Games turn on events like punt blocks. Especially in one-possession affairs, which we may see the Seahawks spend much of 2025 in, if as expected, the defense is the superior unit while the offense plays ball control or struggles to score as it finds itself. Or even, as many analysts warn, when Sam Darnold and his fellow skill position players find themselves again hamstrung by an underperforming offensive line. Don’t tell me you can’t foresee it. It’s too easy to envision. All you have to do is close you eyes and remember 2017 to the present.
I’m ready for White et al. to fire up the crowd, assert themselves on kick coverage, and steal a couple games along the way, as the Seahawks resume their climb to true contenderhood once more. Which sometimes starts with not shooting yourself in the foot in football’s third phase, and instead letting the Niners do it again.