Crowd noise and Defense

[Year of The Hawk]

So I have watched a lot of interviews with players on the defensive side of the ball. One repeated theme is constant communication pre snap. At home games when the crowd is screaming the loudest when the opponents offense is on the field (and our defense) how might that affect our defense? Especially being new to the system and each other. It seems like this new system relies much more on pre snap communication than previously.

 

[Seahawks Guy]

I feel like the defense can more easily use non-verbal signals and queues than the offense can, and that crowd noise negatively affects the offense more than defense.

 

[Mike D in 332]

I have been at a lot of games over the years. During that time I have gone from believing 100% that crowd noise messes up the opposing team to wondering if our defense is out of sync due to the crowd noise.
I think it depends on the Seahawks team on the field. In the 80s when you could still make a guy pay for going over the middle I think the crowd noise was devastating to the offense.
During the LOB prime they all knew their jobs and each other so well that the extra step for the defensive line was mostly insurmountable.
As the team aged out and personnel changed the noise appeared to create some confusion for the defense. However, it also coincided with a time when the defense seemed confused even during road games so I’m of the opinion that the crowd noise affects both the offense and a defense that isn’t cohesive.
Seems like this year we need to be careful to allow this defense to gel as they learn the new system. However, I have confidence n the new regime to accept that the crowd noise is part of this franchise and plan for it.
LET’S BE LOUD!!!!

 

[chris98251]

The Seahawks use a lot of hand signals since during the pre-snap and actual alignment the offense can change up quite a bit. Sherm, Cam and Bobby mentioned this a few times, they bark signals also, but created a lot of hand ones since they are spread out a lot as well.

 

[oldhawkfan]

Maybe they should all just have their phones and text each other. Noise doesn’t affect texting at all!

 

[Torc]

Maybe they should all just have their phones and text each other. Noise doesn’t affect texting at all!

Solid plan but some of these guys would be unable to resist the urge to check their twitter feed for highlights of the last play.

 

[Hawkstorian]

I don't think crowd noise gives our defense nearly the advantage it once did. Most stadiums are super loud now and all teams have learned to adjust. At times I think it hurts the defense more.