THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Seahawks need DK — even more importantly, a win

It only took six games. 

The Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald era already has a ruckus. 

More than one, in fact. 

It’s probably no surprise that an emotional outburst involved the tightly strung DK Metcalf, and what the mega-emotional receiver said (or didn’t) on the sideline during last week’s loss to the 49ers. 

There’s also the matter of Metcalf having a discussion/dispute on a headset with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. 

Metcalf turned up on a radio show on Tuesday, and insisted that everything was in the spirit of competition — and that he only wants to win football games. 

“I don’t like going three-and-out, three-and-out, to where you’re not putting the other team’s defense under pressure,” Metcalf said. 

“So, we were just talking about what we could do to get things moving.” 

If you’re buying Metcalf’s description of a friendly, good-old-boys chat with Grubb on the headset, hey, I’ve got some live video of Sasquatch to sell you. 

Let’s be serious. 

Metcalf gets wired quickly, and to be fair, he can start steaming at himself as much as anyone else. 

The normally sure-gripped DK has lost critical fumbles in each of the last two games, and missed catching an “out" pattern that cost the Hawks a big third down. 

FINALLY, on a pass that Geno Smith heaved a little bit short into the end zone, DK waited on the ball instead coming back to attack it — giving the 49ers a free shot to blow up the play. 

That’s not the DK Metcalf we’ve seen since he first stepped on the Hawks practice field as a rookie. 

In the midst of fans admitting they’re puzzled about their star receiver, several national media outlets have suggested that Seattle may be prepared to trade Metcalf for a couple of high draft choices. 

No matter what’s going on, that would be a shock. 

You can’t just go out to a street corner and find another DK Metcalf. 

Among the reasons the Hawks should not move Metcalf — here and now, prior to the Nov. 5 trade deadline — is that it would strip the passing game. 

Pure and simple. 

The Hawks are high on second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but the super reliable Tyler Lockett is now 32, and he’s been banged around over the past couple of years. 

Lockett remains a money player in big-time situations, but he’s wearing out. 

It’s a fair question how long Tyler will remain the third member of Seattle’s gifted trio. 

So, really? 

Would you trade Metcalf with only JSN (Smith-Njigba) left as a long-term target? 

It wouldn’t seem to make sense, but team chemistry in the NFL can explode in a heartbeat — most especially on a rookie head coach. 

These are rugged individuals whose job is to turn in three hours of violence each week. 

Making sure things don’t go boom is Macdonald’s No. 1 job. 

IT GOES without saying that Macdonald and his staff are busy as hell just keeping the Seahawks a team that’s getting better. 

Simply making sure that these guys are blocking and tackling (they’re No. 28 in yardage allowed) is tough enough. 

Decisions will have to be made over the next year or two, tough calls on whether current players fit into future plans. 

The Hawks signed some free agents last off season, but it’s telling that while most are solid professionals, none were full-time starters before getting to Seattle. 

So many things are sharp one week, but shaky the next. 

Injuries, penalties, blown assignments. 

Among other things that Macdonald knows all too well, he needs talent and depth at linebacker — where Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson were signed as FAs. 

They’re a long way from Bobby Wagner in his prime. 

Up front, first round draft choice Byron Murphy II has been injured for three weeks, and he’s questionable for this Sunday at Atlanta. 

Macdonald did not inherit a BAD football team. 

But this group needs work, and some time, and to get healthy. 

More than anything, though, these Seahawks really, really need a win. 

Now.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com 

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens. 

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”