He’s quietly become the linchpin of one of the NFL’s toughest defenses, but Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Byron Murphy II is setting his sights higher, promising to “change the narrative.”
It’s a bold claim, but Murphy is determined to redefine what it means to play his position. He explained as much to Tim Booth of The Seattle Times.
Murphy acknowledged how “Knowing the reason that you’re playing nose tackle, you dominate. You take on double teams. You can take them. You can split them. You free up other people. Just owning that role.”
The idea of a nose guard doing the dirty work to help others make splash plays is nothing new. It’s why the big men in the middle of defensive fronts have been unheralded, but vital, for years.
Murphy is performing the traditional job description expertly, good enough to make a mockery of Pro Bowl voting. Yet to his credit, the first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft wants more.
For Murphy, more means “that if I’m going to be a forever nose (tackle) in this league, I’m going to change the narrative. I’m going to be the nose (tackle) that can do it all. That can rush, stop the run, like a hybrid.”
This is a lofty ambition, but Murphy can make a strong case to be the most complete player at this position in the pro game. He’s developed as a pass-rusher by logging 7.5 sacks in his second season, while a unique technique is helping Murphy thrive against the run.
Those things make the 23-year-old a pivotal figure for Week 18’s NFC West title showdown with the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, January 3.
Byron Murphy II Redefining NT Technique
Repelling the run as a nose tackle means Murphy putting himself at the service of others. Specifically, he must control the line of scrimmage by taking on multiple blockers and keeping others clean to swarm and tackle.
Murphy has already mastered the basic art, but he’s added something new to his repertoire. It involves dropping to a knee against double teams, something Murphy told Seattle Sports he “mastered” at the University of Texas, leading the player to admit, “I actually love getting double-teams ’cause I know I’m gonna split it.”
This unorthodox approach to winning against two blockers showed up in a special way when the Seahawks beat the Carolina Panthers 27-10 in Week 17. A clip from Ben Fennell of CBS Sports highlighted how effectively Murphy (91) takes away a running lane.
Plays like this one are why Murphy stands out, even above more senior players at his position. Like New York Giants veteran All-Pro Dexter Lawrence II, who has logged seven or more sacks in two of the last four seasons.
Those are other-worldly numbers for a nose tackle, but Lawrence isn’t anywhere near the same force against the run as Murphy, evidenced by the Giants allowing a league-worst 5.4 yards per carry this season. Murphy helping the Seahawks top the charts by surrendering 3.7 yards per rush is one reason head coach Mike Macdonald hasn’t been shy about singing his praises.
Macdonald will need Murphy to continue justifying the hype against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
Seahawks Need Stout Run Defense vs. 49ers
Shutting down four-time Pro Bowler Christian McCaffrey will be key to the Seahawks winning in San Francisco. It won’t happen without Murphy consistently resetting and shifting the line of scrimmage.
He’ll need to win inside because the Niners are no longer tethered to the outside zone-stretch play as the foundation of their running game. There are plenty of gap and counter plays to free McCaffrey between the tackles.
Wherever he runs, McCaffrey must find little to no daylight and draw a crowd. Like he did when the Seahawks held Run CMC to 3.1 yards per carry back in Week 1. Keeping him under wraps will render the 49ers one-dimensional and put the game on the arm of quarterback Brock Purdy.
Although Purdy has been prolific the last month, he’s not been facing the type of elaborate blitzing and disguised coverage the Seahawks can unleash. Macdonald will get to delve all the way into his bag of tricks if Murphy’s dominating the interior.
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