Seattle's No. 1-ranked defense has no plans to change style against 49ers
Richard Sherman celebrates after the Seahawks' 23-15 win over the Saints. (Jan.11, 2014) Credit: AP
The Seahawks' defense is not planning a surprise party for the 49ers.
There will be no wrinkles. No adaptations. No tweaks to compensate for this specific opponent. The way the Seahawks play under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has nothing to do with tricks or gimmicks.
"Coach Quinn's big motto is, 'They're going to have to deal with us,' and literally that's all you have to do," cornerback Richard Sherman said. "You're going to know exactly what call we're in, you're going to know exactly what defense we're in.
He paused. "And then we're going to win."
That's usually the way it works. The Seahawks' defense finished as the NFL's best during the regular season and led the team to the top seed in the NFC. Last week against the Saints, they held Drew Brees to 250 passing yards -- his lowest total since Week 13, when they held him to 147 -- in a 23-15 win that earned the Seahawks the right to host Sunday's NFC title game.
They also held dynamic tight end Jimmy Graham to one catch for eight yards. What was the plan to handle Graham?
"Just being normal," safety Earl Thomas said. "We're not going to change for anybody. We have a great scheme here in Seattle."
"The great thing about us, we practice hard and pay attention to details, and it always pays off for us in the game."
Harvin not cleared. Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin still is going through concussion testing and has not been cleared for Sunday's game. Harvin was injured late in the first half of Saturday's NFC divisional playoff win over New Orleans, hitting his head hard on the turf after jumping for a pass in the end zone. Before the injury, Harvin had three receptions and one carry in only his second game of the season. He missed most of the season after hip surgery in the summer.
