The undefeated Seattle Seahawks begin division play this week with a Sunday afternoon matchup against the 4-2 Arizona Cardinals, a team which coach Pete Carroll showered with praise in Wednesday’s press conference.
“The Cardinals couldn’t have done much more to catch their attention than what they did Monday night,” he said, referring to Arizona’s 38-10 beatdown over the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week. “They look great . . . they’re red-hot, and explosive, and fired up, and all of that. We better get our game right to have a chance.”
Cardinals safety and Washington native Budda Baker, said Carroll, could very well have been a Seahawk. “We really liked him. We saw him grow up here, and he was just such a natural, instinctive football player . . . he’s a great talent.”
In the end, Baker was drafted just one pick after Seattle’s first selection (second-round defensive tackle Malik McDowell) in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Dealing with Baker, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, will be a huge part of Seattle’s gameplan, Carroll explained. “He’s become a fantastic factor, and we have to know where he is and make sure that we’re aware of him, because he’s making plays everywhere.”
Carroll was also effusive in his praise of the Cardinals’ offense, headlined by second-year quarterback Kyler Murray. “He really presents ultimate challenges,” said Carroll of Murray, describing his athleticism, poise, and play-making ability. “He’s making really good choices to take advantage of his ability to run . . . he does a really good job of not getting hit.”
Sound familiar? It certainly does to Carroll.
“Russ is the best example (of a comparison),” he freely admitted. “There’s a similar style, and impact, and way they play a game.”
Preparing to face a team with a quarterback similar to Russell Wilson under center is a daunting task, but as always, Carroll remains excited about the challenge ahead.
“We want to play like it’s a championship game like we do every week,” he concluded. “I’m all fired up about it.”
