Metcalf’s support of Seahawks rookie DB against Bengals’ star elicits mixed reactions
Apparently, they have the internet in Cincinnati, too.
It made the rounds through the Bengals’ locker room Thursday what Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf said Wednesday about Cincinnati star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. It was about Chase matching up often against Seattle star rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon in Sunday’s game in Ohio.
“It will be fun to watch Sunday,” Metcalf said, “but I think ‘Spoon will get the best of him.”
Thursday, reporters in Cincinnati asked Chase about that.
He laughed. Heartily.
“Hey, he ain’t doin’ nothing but praising his teammate, though. That’s what he’s supposed to do,” Chase told reporters, of Metcalf.
“At the end of the day it’s about game-time reps...and, so, he’s (Witherspoon’s) going to get the opportunity to get his match-ups — and, just, see who wins that match-up.”
Back in Renton, on his way out to Seahawks practice, Witherspoon said he hadn’t heard what Metcalf had said about him against Chase.
Told of Metcalf’s support for him, Witherspoon said: “Oh, that’s dope.
“Shout out to DK.”
In its last game, Seattle played 83% of its defensive snaps with Witherspoon at left cornerback and in the slot at nickel. Add Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen on the right side — Chase versus both defenders is the big game within Sunday’s game between the Seahawks (3-1) and Bengals (2-3).
Likely not as highlighted in Cincinnati this week: Metcalf also said Wednesday he admires Chase’s skills. A Pro Bowl selection in each of his first two seasons, Chase had 15 catches on a whopping 19 targets from Joe Burrow last weekend in Arizona, for 192 yards and all three of Burrow’s touchdown throws.
Metcalf said he was particularly impressed with Chase’s over-the-shoulder catch on 58-yard throw from Burrow for a 63-yard touchdown on a post route through the Cardinals.
“Just how effortlessly he caught the ball,” Metcalf said. “He’s just a great receiver. I tip my hat off to him, on what he’s done his first three years in the league.”
Ja’Marr Chase from everywhere
Chase lined up 48 times on the offense’s left side against Arizona and 25 times on the right. He also aligned once in Cincinnati’s backfield, to Burrow’s right in shotgun formation. Chase ran a backfield swing route on that play while Burrow completed a pass down field, to a tight end.
All three of Chase’s touchdown catches came after he lined up on the left side.
That’s the offense’s side that Woolen is on as Seattle’s right cornerback.
The Bengals move Chase around their formations. A lot. Against the Cardinals he was in the slot on the left and right sides. He was in the slot 14 times against Arizona.
One time Chase motioned into the slot before the snap. Another time, he motioned from wide receiver into the backfield. Then he ran back outside left at the snap.
When he’s in the slot, that’s likely to be against Witherspoon.
Coby Bryant, the slot nickel for Seattle’s first three games, did not practice again Thursday. He remains out with a toe injury. His backup Artie Burns also remained out injured.
That makes it likely Sunday will be the second consecutive game of Witherspoon starting at left cornerback then going inside against the slot when the Seahawks go nickel.
“As far as we’ve seen on tape, he lines up everywhere,” Witherspoon said of Chase. “We are going to play him wherever he comes out at. That’s basically it.”
With Bryant and Burns out Oct. 2, Witherspoon was the NFC defensive player of the week for dominating the New York Giants in those roles in Seattle’s last game.
Coach Pete Carroll said after that game he and Witherspoon’s teammates will be talking to the rookie about believing the hype he’s gotten since that nationally-televised breakout performance on a Monday night in the New York area.
“Yeah, they said ‘Just keep your head on straight. It’s a long season, and a long year,’” Witherspoon said. “Things might go up. Things might go down. That’s just how football goes.
“I’m trying to keep it level-headed and continue to play.”
Devon Witherspoon at nickel
In his third NFL game Witherspoon had two sacks, seven tackles, two tackles for losses, three quarterback hits, a pass defensed and a 97-yard return of his first career interception for a game-breaking touchdown in his first game playing nickel. It was a role he didn’t have at the University of Illinois through last season unless he was shadowing the opponent’s top receiver.
What did he learn about nickel back?
“Versatile. You can do everything at that spot,” Witherspoon said.
“I think that’s why they put me there.”
The 22-year-old rookie is looking forward to covering Chase Sunday.
“It’s very exciting,” he said. “That’s Ja’Marr Chase. I know what he’s capable of. The world knows what he’s capable of. I mean, nothing more to be said.
“Great. Two good competitors going at it. It’s going to be a great time, a great competition.”
This story was originally published October 12, 2023 at 2:40 PM.
