The Seahawks Are Back On Track Thanks To Motivation From Wagner And Some Smart Adjustments

At the beginning of a practice last week, Bobby Wagner pulled together his Seattle Seahawks teammates in the middle of the field and unloaded with a passionate, fiery speech.

After a dispiriting performance in the first game of a season with high expectations, the veteran linebacker knew the atmosphere needed to change.

“Bobby called them up on Wednesday and hit them right between the eyes,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

Wagner’s leadership appeared to have a positive effect on Sunday, when the Seahawks played at buzzy Detroit and came away with a 37-31 overtime victory.

It was far from perfect. But the Seahawks’ effort and resolve returned. Those qualities were absent when they were blown out at home by the Los Angeles Rams.

Seattle didn’t crater being down both starting offensive tackles or when starting cornerback Riq Woolen left with a chest/shoulder injury. DK Metcalf played through a rib injury and Geno Smith looked like the quarterback he was for most of last season.

“We just had to go out there and kind of put the past behind us,” Smith said. “Last week is last week, has nothing to do with this week, and go out there and play ball and it wasn’t perfect today, but we found a way to win and that’s what matters.”