Rookie Report: Given opportunity, Marquise Blair shines

Sunday the Baltimore Ravens came to Century Link Field and defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a game that fans will remember for the two defensive touchdowns Baltimore scored, but which Marquise Blair fans will remember as his first start. There was a lot that went poorly for the Seahawks in dropping a home game for the second time this season, but Blair’s play was a bright spot on an otherwise dreary day.

Marquise Blair

The team knew coming into the weekend that Lano Hill would be unable to go, and then on Sunday Bradley McDougald was ruled out well before the start of the game. That meant second round pick Blair would get the first start of his career, and he did not disappoint. He ended the game tied with K.J. Wright for second on the team in tackles, and added a beautiful defensed pass to put a Ravens drive to bed just before halftime.

Fans were quick to notice Blair’s quality play.

Unfortunately for the Seattle rookie class, beyond Blair’s contribution there wasn’t all that much about which to be overly excited.

DK Metcalf

Metcalf started off hot, with a fantastic 37 yard reception on third and long to keep a first quarter drive alive.

Metcalf finished the day with four receptions on nine targets for 53 yards, but fans are most likely to remember the fumble that Marlon Humphrey returned for a touchdown to all but close out the game for the Ravens.

The Others

Beyond Metcalf and Blair, the rookie class did not do a whole lot. Phil Haynes and Demarcus Christmas both remain on the physically unable to perform list, while John Ursua and Gary Jennings were both healthy scratches yet again. Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven were active and each made a single tackle on the day. Meanwhile, L.J. Collier, Ugo Amadi and Travis Homer were active, but failed to make their way into the box score.

Collier rotated in and out on the defensive line, and this play kind of sums up the day for the Seahawks.

With Week 7 now done, it’s another trip back east for the Hawks, as they once again head east to take on the 1-6 Atlanta Falcons in an early game in Week 8. The Falcons are on a five game losing streak and allowing opponents to score a ridiculous 31.9 points per game. It could be just what Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense need in order to bounce back from Sunday’s performance.