<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=134ed8_0w9v6jmE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=134ed8_0w9v6jmE00" width="1140" height="641" ><figcaption>Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) elevates to catch a pass as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Renardo Green (0) defends at Lumen Field on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Seattle. Metcalf caught the ball, but landed out of bounds. (Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times/TNS) Nick Wagner TNS</figcaption></figure>SEATTLE - It's rare that you know just what you're going to get from DK Metcalf. That's true of his on-field production and interactions with the press.No doubt he is one of the more dynamic players in football - an incessant deep threat who's good for at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season. But he may also cost his team 15 yards with a personal foul, or, as he has been doing recently, give the ball away to his opponent.And with us ink-stained scribes, he can be evasive if not downright contrary. A podium session last year regarding his league-leading penalty count revealed a stubborn side, as the Seahawks receiver said the flags weren't a problem.Wednesday, however, was nothing like that. Metcalf was as transparent and accountable as he has ever been.It has been an interesting six games for the sixth-year player, who's on pace to amass the most single-season receiving yards in his career. But he also has been at the center of a crucial turnover in the past three games, all of which have resulted in a loss for the Seahawks (3-3).The first was a fumble in the first quarter vs. the Lions, which Detroit returned to Seattle's 14 before taking a 14-0 lead. The second was a fumble in the third quarter of a tie game vs. the Giants, which New York turned into a touchdown to go up 17-10. And then there was the interception in last Thursday's loss to the 49ers, when Metcalf changed his route as Geno Smith was throwing, leading to San Francisco getting the fourth-quarter pick while holding a six-point lead.Let's be clear - the Seahawks were outplayed in each of their three defeats. The most glaring issue has been the run defense, which defensive guru/new head coach Mike Macdonald has yet to improve since Pete Carroll's firing. But take away those takeaways Metcalf was involved with, and the Seahawks have a shot in all three contests.So DK, what have you thought about your season so far?"I think the biggest thing for me is we got to win games. That's why I'm here. That's why I like playing football, to win football games and try to do whatever it takes to put myself and everybody else in the best position to do that," Metcalf said. "So, evaluating my season, I think I've done a pretty good job, but not giving the ball away, I've been at the scene of three turnovers this year. Eliminating those and just taking care of the football and continue to do my job."Wednesday was the first time Metcalf has met with the media since that fumble in Detroit. A follow-up question confirmed that the third turnover he spoke of was that interception vs. the Niners.That's the one that caused Smith to yell out "what the (blank) are we doing?!" upon watching the replay on his tablet. But Metcalf owned the mistake - publicly and privately.Sunday, he called Geno to take the blame for pick. He put it on himself with the cameras rolling Wednesday, too."Yeah, that was definitely my fault. I was drifting upfield, saw open space, trying to do too much, and let the DB undercut the route when I should have been staying flat," Metcalf said. "I've run the route 1,000 times, but knowing that (in) that moment, (I was) just trying to do too much. (I was) trying to go 80 yards in one play when I shouldn't have to. We shouldn't have to."The conventional stats would tell you that Metcalf is having one of the better seasons of his career. He is averaging 78.1 receiving yards per game, which has him on pace to break his own Seahawks single-season receiving record of 1,303 yards (2020) - although that came in a 16-game season.But there is a reason coaches such as Carroll and Macdonald put such a premium on ball possession. Takeaways, as much as touchdowns, are what decide football games.We've seen some shots of Metcalf looking unhappy on the sideline this season. That doesn't seem to be the result of him being under-targeted, though. He's just competitive - and it was that competitive drive that prompted him to put on the headset and chat with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb mid-game last Thursday.But he doesn't seem to be upset with anybody in particular. The man just wants to win.My guess is fans were pleased to see how Metcalf handled himself Wednesday. They'd be even more pleased if he had an All-Pro effort vs. the Falcons on Sunday.It's vital that he takes care of the ball going forward. But no one questions how vital DK is to the Seahawks' success.Copyright (C) 2024, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.</div></body>

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Matt Calkins: Seahawks need DK Metcalf, and they need him to take care of the ball

SEATTLE - It's rare that you know just what you're going to get from DK Metcalf. That's true of his on-field production and interactions with the press. No doubt he is one of the more dynamic players in football - an incessant deep threat who's good for at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season. But he may also cost his team 15 yards with a personal foul, or, as he has been doing recently, give the ball away to his opponent.

Matt Calkins: Seahawks need DK Metcalf, and they need him to take care of the ball

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