Key Matchups to Watch in Buffalo

by: Michael Steffes


Brandon Mebane vs Derrick Dockery> Dockery is a large man. 6'6" 330 to be exact. Brandon Mebane is not a small man, but Dockery is one of the few guards that really has the ability to move Mebane from the point of attack on a consistent basis. Mebane cannot allow this to happen. With Rocky Bernard out, the Hawks will be counting on Brandon to use that low center or gravity to hold his mark and allow the linebackers to swarm to Marshawn Lynch.

Mike Wahle vs Kiwaka Mitchell> The Hawks' best chance to run effectively tomorrow will be on the perimeters of the Buffalo defense. One of the things that appears to be a strength this year is the athleticism of our guards and their effectiveness in space, especially while pulling. If Wahle can get to the second level and take out Mitchell, the Hawks will see a lot of positive gains going left; their former, and hopefully present, bread and butter. The same principle applies on the screen pass into the flat. I am less optimistic about Rob Sims on the right side, but with Angelo Crowell out, he does draw an easier assignment.

Seattle Corners vs Bills Receivers> The Seahawk secondary is set up to start the season right where they left off. The Bills offer some quality receiving threats, headed by Lee Evans, but they play right into the Seahawks' hands. Evans (5'10", 197), Josh Reed (5'10" 210), and Roscoe Parrish (5'9" 171) are all smaller type speed receivers. This type of player has given the Seahawks FAR less problems over the years than big physical receivers(see Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Etc). Trufant, Jennings, and Wilson should not be over-matched at all against the top three. The wild card is rookie James Hardy(6'5", 220) who missed valuable time in the preseason, but will certainly see some read zone targets this week.

Seattle Tight Ends v Donte Whitner> Donte Whitner is one of the better young safeties in the league. Because the Hawks line up their tight end at the right side most of the time, Whittner will often draw the assignment of covering the Hawks tight end. One thing that will be interesting to see, and different from previous years, is if the Hawks are able to get Whitner out of the box by being creative with their use of the tight end. Flexing Carlson or Putzier out wide from two tight end personnel groupings could be an effective tool in creating some mismatches on the right side of the line. Also, if Carlson and Putzier can keep Whitner on his toes in the deep middle portion of the field it should allow the young receivers a bit more space, allowing them solid one-on-one matchups on the outside. -END-