Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald is no stranger to high-stakes football situations. As the leader of one of the most successful teams in the NFL, he has faced his fair share of pressure and adversity. But despite having the talent and determination to guide his team to victory, there is one aspect of the game that he would prefer not to have to rely on quite so much – kicker Jason Myers.
Myers, who has been with the Seahawks since 2018, has certainly proven himself to be a skilled kicker. In fact, he holds the record for the longest field goal in team history, a whopping 61 yards. But as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility, and in this case, the responsibility seems to be landing on Myers’ shoulders more often than Macdonald would like.
In their most recent game against the Cleveland Browns, Myers was called upon five times to attempt field goals. While he successfully converted all five attempts, it’s no secret that the Seahawks would have been much happier to score touchdowns rather than relying on field goals. And this is not an isolated incident – in fact, this has been a recurring theme throughout the season.
As a coach, Macdonald knows the importance of having a reliable kicker on the team. After all, every point counts in a game as tight and competitive as the NFL. But at the same time, he is well aware of the dangers of becoming too reliant on the kicker, especially in high-pressure situations. This is not a new concept for the Seahawks – in fact, they have had a history of successful kickers, including their long-time kicker Steven Hauschka, who is now with the Buffalo Bills.
But what sets Macdonald apart is his dedication to finding the perfect balance between using his kicker efficiently and not relying on him too heavily. He understands that the offense needs to be able to score touchdowns in order to win games, rather than simply settling for field goals. And to be fair, the Seahawks’ offense has been strong this season, with players like Russell Wilson, Chris Carson, and Tyler Lockett making big plays and scoring touchdowns.
However, there have been times when the Seahawks have struggled to convert opportunities into touchdowns, and that’s when Myers has stepped up to the plate. But Macdonald wants more from his team – he wants them to capitalize on their chances and not have to rely on their kicker to save the day. He knows that, in the long run, too much reliance on the kicker can be detrimental to the team’s success.
It’s not to say that Macdonald doesn’t have confidence in Myers – on the contrary, he has nothing but praise for his kicker. He acknowledges Myers’ talent and work ethic, and knows that he can count on him when needed. But as a coach, he also recognizes the importance of having a balance in all aspects of the game, including the kicking game.
In order to achieve this balance, Macdonald and his coaching staff have been working diligently with the offense to improve their red zone efficiency. This has been a focus for them throughout the season, and it has shown results. In their recent game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks were successful in converting all four of their red zone trips into touchdowns, resulting in a convincing win. This is the type of progress that Macdonald wants to see from his team – being able to finish drives and not having to rely on field goals to put points on the board.
While it may be easy to point fingers and place the blame on the kicker for not being able to score enough touchdowns, Macdonald knows that it takes a team effort to win games. And that is the attitude he instills in every player, from the rookies to the veterans. Everyone has a role to play, and while Myers’ role is crucial, it is just one piece of the puzzle.
As the Seahawks continue their journey towards the playoffs, Macdonald and his team are fully aware of the challenges ahead. But with their strong offense and a reliable kicker, there’s no doubt that they will continue to have a successful season. And as for Macdonald’s preference to not rely on Myers quite so much? Well, that’s just a testament to his determination to push his team to be the best they can be, and to ultimately reach their ultimate goal – the Super Bowl.