Seattle Seahawks Media Conference

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Seattle, Washington, USA

Clint Hurtt

Weekday Press Conference


Q. How excited were you to find out Leonard Williams was going to be on the defense?

CLINT HURTT: Very. He's a D-line coach by nature. You get a chance to get a guy like that, very excited. Happy he's here.

Q. What does that allow you to do up front?

CLINT HURTT: Well, you add another big time playmaker to the group. Obviously adds to your depth so you can continue to rotate and keep guys fresh.

Obviously outstanding football player, impactful player, and adds to the depth of the group. High level quality depth.

Q. That rotation, how critical is that to succeeding?

CLINT HURTT: Very. You guys see it with teams around the league. Usually teams that make the long runs have a lot of sustained success, you have depth in the defensive line. So guys can stay fresh. It's a taxing position, but very impactful.

You need to have guys to be as fresh as possible throughout the duration of the game, especially fourth quarter to finish strong.

Q. Is there a percentage of snaps you are looking for those guys up front that is ideal, or is it based on like where they are in the season?

CLINT HURTT: You always have like a feel of where you want things to be. Like generally 60/40 is where you want things to be at. Obviously just the nature of the game and how things flow sometimes that can go off a little bit, you can maybe deviate a little higher. Obviously like to keep it in the 60/40 range and be on top of that as much as you can during the flow of the game.

Q. You would always want to add a guy like Leonard to this group. The fact that it's ten games in ten weeks, there is no break left.

CLINT HURTT: Uh-huh.

Q. Is there something to that where there is an added benefit there?

CLINT HURTT: Yeah. I mean, because it's hard to find -- you're never going to get a guy that's on the waiver wire or a guy that is walking the streets of this stature, this ability, and all those things.

So to be able to get him in the mix, and the benefit is he's incredibly sharp and he's picked up things really well. So to get him in the rotation of understanding exactly what we want.

And the big plus is the unselfishness of the group and openness for him to fit in, and being with these guys already has been awesome.

Look forward to seeing that on game day.

Q. Seems like you haven't done as much of the three down linemen sets. Can you use him, Leonard and Jarran and Dre'Mont at the same time?

CLINT HURTT: Yeah, we still have versatility in everything we need to do. There is nothing that's changed so to speak. We'll just plan to put our best guys on the field and what's needed by game is really what's going on right now.

Q. How unusual is his length at that position?

CLINT HURTT: I mean, 6'4" and change, 6'5" guy, 35 inch arms. This guy is -- he can tie his shoes without bending over. I mean, he's got long arms.

Q. What's been the most impressive part of Boye's breakout here?

CLINT HURTT: Credit to the kid. You know, continuing just one putting the rush plan together, put in his time studying tackles and seeing what's going on. Credit to BT, his ability to get with these guys and spend a lot of time with them one-on-one and help them put their rush plans together based on the opponent has been invaluable.

Q. You guys talked about this a lot in the spring. (Regarding Boye) and kind of come to fruition.

CLINT HURTT: Yeah, any time you see all the things that you anticipate and expect to happen, then it's realized. As a coach you expect it. For the player what is exciting is when they see it happen too, because their confidence goes through the roof. It's been great for him.

Q. Lamar Jackson has significantly decreased the amount of time he's holding on to the ball. He's getting it out much faster. How does that change a rush plan or how you plan to get to him, especially with the size of their offensive line?

CLINT HURTT: Yeah, I mean, obviously you got to kind of see and figure out the situations, when the ball is coming out fast, when you study and do a breakdown of that.

The other side, whether the ball is coming out fast or he's holding it, you have to continue to rush in those situations and obviously be ready to get your hands up in some quick game situations.

But with him and the dynamic athlete he is, you have to always be conscious of rush lanes and making sure you try to keep him bottled up the very best you can. It is a large offensive live, so it's heck of a matchup. They're really good up front. He's really improved as a passer and he's having a heck of a year.

Q. Devon Witherspoon was named NFC Player of the Week today. How have you seen him handle all the attention?

CLINT HURTT: He's a really humble kid. He talks a lot, and a lot of that he's talking to himself and is always engaged and in the moment and all those things. Always looking for more and other ways to get better always, asking the right questions, which is something that I love.

So he's really engaged. He's not thinking about anything, what he's trying to get done or any accolades; not reading any press clippings. That's not the type of kid he is. That usually bodes for a very bright future and handling the success well.

Q. What did you see out of Frank on Sunday?

CLINT HURTT: Still quick and explosive. Played really hard. Knew everything that was going on. Didn't have any mental errors. That part was awesome considering he was there for a cup of coffee, and was like, okay, put on a helmet and let's go play.

He did well. I know he's an experienced veteran, but the more and more he plays in it he's going to make plays and being impactful for us, so I'm excited to have him here.

Q. He looks like he's about 20 pounds lighter.

CLINT HURTT: Yeah, lost some weight. Feels really good. I think that's more of a personal decision you can talk to him about. He's still strong and twitchy and powerful, even though he might be a little bit lighter. Sometimes that happens. Guys get a little bit later in their career and want to shave weight a little bit, so it's good. As long as he feels good, I feel good.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
138752-1-1041 2023-11-02 22:59:00 GMT

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