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Prior to Carlos Dunlap’s arrival in a trade for the Cincinnati Bengals last month, the Seattle Seahawks had only managed 12 sacks overall in the first seven games of the season.
Since acquiring Dunlap, the Seahawks have 13 sacks in their last three games alone with Dunlap in the lineup.
“Yeah, let me say the obvious. It’s obvious he’s made an impact, ”said head coach Pete Carroll on Tuesday. “He pushes the stack, pushes the tackle and just creates lanes for the other guys, so he helps the other guys run as well. We just took a step forward in the way we do things and that has helped our guys.
Dunlap has already racked up 3.5 sacks and leads all of the team’s defensive linemen in sacks, trailing just 5.5 sacks of Jamal Adams safety. The Seahawks have also brought together their two best defensive performances of the season in the last two games against the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals, with Dunlap serving as a catalyst for improving the effort.
Getting Adams back to good health after a three-game absence with a groin injury also helps. Much like Rasheem Green, the return to rotation after missing six games with a stinger also bolstered the depth and versatility of the team up front. But it’s hard to look anywhere other than Dunlap’s presence as a turning point for the group.
Leading by seven in the dying minutes Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals, Dunlap beat tackle Kelvin Beachum to sack Kyler Murray in fourth to seal the victory. Seattle was in the league’s bottom quarter in terms of sack production in the first eight weeks of the year. They are now tied for 11th with 25 sacks with the New York Cardinals and Giants.
“They said I was coming here to avoid the rush, but I see we’ve improved the health of the guys and all these guys are getting sacks. It’s not like I have it all [13]Dunlap said after Thursday night’s game.
“You know this team is very exciting. I’m happy to be a part of it, I can’t tell you. You know more than nothing, I can’t go into detail but I say, it’s super surreal, it’s refreshing. I feel lighter, rejuvenated. “
This enthusiasm has also been contagious for the Seahawks.
“He’s having the best time of his life,” Carroll said. “He’s having fun. He’s been upbeat and fiery and has fun with it and more than willing to do anything, work and train and get reps. I mean, all of it. He practices really well. I have a really nice and fun personality. He’s having a good time, so if you haven’t, if you haven’t been with him, you know, when you walk around him, you’ll see. He brings a good spirit and his attitude is great because he is having so much fun. It’s different from what he’s been through.
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