Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll believes in the second-year leap – the idea that players perform much better in their second season, after they have had time to adjust to the NFL.
“It’s a natural fact that they do, they make a big jump here between Year 1 and Year 2,” Carroll said in an interview on 710 ESPN Seattle on Thursday. “And that’s important for us.”
The 2018 rookie class had some excellent performers last year, including All-Pro punter Michael Dickson, defensive tackle Poona Ford, tight end Will Dissly and cornerback Tre Flowers.
However, the Seahawks would love to see a few of the other players from the 2018 draft class step up in their second season. That includes defensive end Rasheem Green, who Carroll believes will make that leap next season.
“We’re counting on him being a legitimate part of this team,” Carroll continued. “He works hard, he’s tough, he’s strong, he’s fast, he cares. He’s in it. He’s a guy that he needs to be a bigger factor. That’s why we took him last year.”
Green was taken out of USC in the third round of the 2018 draft. One of the youngest players in the entire draft class, Green appeared in 10 games for Seattle, recording nine total tackles and one sack.
Now, with Frank Clark gone, the Seahawks desperately need to develop a strong pass rusher to complement the rest of their young defense.
Green could be that guy, and a strong second season would go a long way toward solidifying that role.
