This is not breaking news, but Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is a special player. He is quick, fast, energetic, and has an extremely high football IQ. He appears to have a feel for how a play is going to develop before the play begins so that he puts himself in the right position to help his defense.
Such was the case in Week 12 when Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was beginning to get his offense to move down the field against a very good Seahawks defense. The game was still too close to know who might win, but Seattle led only 7-3. A touchdown by the Cardinals changes the momentum of the game. Witherspoon made sure that change did not happen.
Murray had rolled out to his right trying to pick up a first down by either running or looking for an open receiver a few yards down the field. What he did not expect was that a Seattle defender would read his run-pass option so well and then stay with him as he get running. Witherspoon's job was to play in the flat to make sure Murray did not break containment but that is far easier said than done.
Devon Witherspoon in no mood to apologize for Seahawks exceptional play versus Cardinals
The truth is that while Murray is exceedingly quick, Witherspoon was his match. Seattle's cornerback quickly ran toward Murray and pressed the quarterback to make a decision. That decision was very poor as the quarterback heaved the ball downfield, overthrowing his receiver, and into the arms of Seahawks safety Coby Bryant. Bryant then turned the pick into a 69-yard touchdown return and the game was never overly close after that.
On his run to the end zone, Witherspoon laid a great block and helped spring the safety. Close to the end zone, Bryant turned and faced the field, and grabbed himself in the way that Marshawn Lynch used to do in a Seattle uniform. Was it crass? Sure. Was it an homage to Lynch? Of course.
Bryant's action caused Seattle to be flagged for taunting for 15 yards. Kicker Jason Myers' extra point attempt was pushed back by the penalty and he missed the very long kick. Still, Seattle had done the damage, and the Cardinals could not respond.
In the post-game press conference, Witherspoon was asked about the play and penalty. The cornerback humorously said the officials made the correct call and that Bryant had taunted. Witherspoon was also clearly not going to apologize for what happened; It is the new Seahawks way for a defense that has been exceptional for three straight games. Witherspoon is a huge reason for that and will continue to be.
