Julian Love is cautiously excited about the potential of the Seattle Seahawks

“That's usually the hardest part of developing a team, is getting to that high-end potential. But potential means nothing if you don't execute and get it done,” Love noted. “And we had similar guys in the room last year, and I don't think we accomplished a lot of what we could have. And that potential is great, but it takes weeks of focusing on just being solid, especially in the secondary, and stopping the run all year long. And I think the sky's the limit, but we've got to work at it to get there.”

As Seattle's defensive woes a year ago showed, talent only goes so far in the NFL, as all 11 players must function as a cohesive unit, executing their assignments and communicating with their teammates, and their coaches must put them in a position to succeed. Love, defensive tackle Leonard Williams, pass rusher Boye Mafe, cornerback Devon Witherspoon and others rank near the bottom of the NFL in pass defense and run defense and ultimately failed to produce the expected results.

With Macdonald now taking the helm as the successor to legendary coach Pete Carroll, the excitement and enthusiasm coming out of the VMAC this summer couldn't have been stronger. A renewed emphasis on fundamentals and physicality was noticeable during training camp, and players could be heard barking signals on every play, illustrating the emphasis on communication in a complex system known for pre- and post-snap disguises.

On paper, the Seahawks should have all the pieces needed to dramatically improve their defense, starting with further strengthening the defensive line. In addition to Williams, who returns on a new three-year contract alongside fellow veteran Jarran Reed and rookie Johnathan Hankins, the team invested a first-round pick in athletic defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who should immediately play a lot of snaps at multiple positions. At the outside position, Derick Hall looks set to hit the ground running in his second season, as he will rotate in a strong group behind Dre'Mont Jones, Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe.

If Seattle has a question mark after losing Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks in free agency, then the linebacker position is still a potential red flag. And yet, at the same time, Macdonald and the coaching staff have praised new additions Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker and expect both to play well when things get going this weekend, while rookie Tyrice Knight is ready to start after an impressive first preseason.

As for the secondary, Love will benefit from playing alongside two of the league's most promising cornerbacks: Witherspoon and Riq Woolen, both of whom have enjoyed strong training camps and have the chops to push for All-Pro selections this season. At the other safety position, Rayshawn Jenkins is another experienced veteran with positional versatility who can play as a single-high safety or in the box as an extra linebacker, while K'Von Wallace offers similar flexibility in the slot.

With all that talent around him and a number of young players in the defensive backfield, Love admitted he feels a little more pressure to carry the leadership load, but he isn't letting that responsibility weigh him down. He will play at his own discretion and control what he can control. That includes both he and his teammates maximizing their preparation opportunities to win on Sunday.

“Last year I started the game week one and I just have a similar confidence, just play my game, my style is mine, I just try to be as perfect as I can in practice and just be myself,” Love said. “And I think that carries over no matter what's happening externally with my role on this team. From a leadership perspective though, I think it's a little more demanding. I have to be more aware of the vibe in my room. DBs talking to my cornerbacks, my nickelbacks, other safeties. Just making sure we're all on the same page and we can go out there and win a game.”

Love expects the Seahawks to go through some teething issues before their Week 1 opener, as any defense does at the start of a new season. This is especially true for a team learning a new defense, as limited preseason drills and a few joint practices in August provide little opportunity to face other opponents. This leaves many questions about how the team will perform in real time.

Ultimately, being bought into the system is only half the battle. Seattle's path to success or failure with Macdonald on the bench will depend on how the team improves week to week. Starting with a home game against Denver this weekend, Love hopes the group plays to its full potential right out of the gate, with the goal of becoming a finely tuned machine by January that's full steam ahead into the postseason.

“I think that should be an ongoing process. The best teams and the best defenses build on their performance every year. For example, if they see something not going the way they want it to one week, they improve it. They correct it and make progress. And that's how we have to be, too. We have to be flexible and adaptable on defense, everyone. And I think that's how we can reach our highest potential.”