Why I’m looking forward to this Season More Than Most

Why I’m looking forward to this Season More Than Most

For starters I know, everybody is thinking their team is going to the Super Bowl during the off-season and training camp. For the last four, all Seahawks fans have thought the same, for very good reason.

What seems to set this year apart for me is the attitude from the top of the organization down. From Pete Carroll down to #90 on the roster, all the Seahawks seem extremely pumped to get this season under way. I’ve heard numerous players/coaches mention that this camp reminds them of the 2013 camp. After the previous season’s loss in Atlanta in the divisional playoff, the Seahawks seem to have the 2013 hunger back.

From Russell Wilson having another year under his belt (four years, four playoff appearances) and his having come to camp in “phenomenal” shape, to the return of an original member of the ‘Legion of Boom’, there just seems to be a different attitude to this team. I believe a lot of it has to do with no contract holdouts this year. Michael Bennett was the question mark as this years camp began. When he came in on time, obviously wanting, and deserving, a bigger paycheck, but giving the “the team comes first” mantra, it seemed to change the entire teams’ attitude.

On defense, the defensive line seems to have a ton of depth, as does the defensive backfield. If you remember 2013, the Seahawks defense was able to platoon a lot of fresh bodies onto the field. Specifically on the line; them are some big boys out there, and if the other team goes on an 8-10 play drive, they can and do get winded in a hurry. The ability to throw a ‘fresher’ set of legs out there every two or three snaps can, and does make a huge difference. With Frank Clark having the rookie year he did, with a very limited number of snaps, he should be lights out this season. Coach Carroll has already stated that he wished he had used him a little more last year. I think Clark can be one of the truly special players on this defense.

As for the defensive back, having Brandon Browner back, even a couple of years older, should play huge dividends. With his size, 6-4, he is the mold the Seahawks have built their defensive backfield around. The word on the street is that they are going to use him as a “hybrid safety” this year. What exactly that means, I’m not sure. I just know that with us getting burned by more than a few Tight Ends last year (Carolina & Cincinnati’s specifically) having a bigger, longer DB should be just what the doctor ordered. I’m not knocking Kam Chancellor here in any way. There aren’t many safeties in the league who can hit as hard as Kam has proven he can. Watch the hit’s be put on Davis (49ers) and Thomas (Broncos) during our Super Bowl run. I’m sure that’s the reason neither receiver caught much after those hits. There just was a couple times last year where the opponents Tight Ends seem to be a little too open. Whether we go with a 4-2-5 set on defense more, or the standard 4-3-4, we need to shut down opposing Tight Ends from killing us down the middle. I’ve thought maybe in the 4-3-4 we should put Kam at SAM, with Browner at Strong Safety. You’re not going to find any harder hitting Linebackers than Kam, right? Just a thought? The other two Linebackers, KJ Wright, and Bobby Wagner have proven themselves more than capable of defending the run and the pass. Obviously the Cornerbacks/Safeties not mentioned, Sherman, Thomas and either Jeremy Lane or Deshawn Shead are also capable of doing there job. I just really like the idea of the 4-2-5 defense. With five backs we should be able to defend the run and the pass, whether short over the middle, or the long ball. There has to be a reason we’ve been the #1 defense all these years; it isn’t coincidence.

Moving to the offensive side of the ball, the line play and the replacement of Marshawn Lynch should be the big question marks to begin the year. As for the Running Back spot, if Thomas Rawls shows that last years nine game stretch can be turned into sixteen games, we’ll be just fine, thank you. Coming off injury, only time will tell. Personally, I still expect big things from Christine Michael. I thought when the Seahawks drafted him that he could be as close to Lynch as you could get. So far, it hasn’t played out, and this may very well be his last chance with the team. As camp has progressed, I’ve heard some very positive things about rookie Alex Collins too. A little undersized at 5-10, he runs as aggressive as any rookie I’ve seen in a while. Let’s just think positive thoughts for Rawls, and it shouldn’t be a problem. As Russell proved over the second half of last season though, they can do an awful good job in the passing game also. Given another year to learn, besides getting married (?), Wilson also has his top three receivers back with Baldwin, Kearse and Lockett all having their own traits to complement the passing game. Lockett having another year under his belt could be phenomenal, but he isn’t going to catch anybody by surprise like he did. Most defensive coaches in the league have seen enough tape to know that you better keep an eye on him. With the second half that Wilson and Baldwin had, they won’t be an unknown anymore either; the seven game stretch they has last year was amazing. I can really see a big year for Jermaine Kearse. With the other two receiving so much attention, and his penchant for making the big catch, it would be great to see the former UW Husky have a career year.

As for the offensive line play, that will probably be the most frightful group to watch. An entirely different line-up from last season. With the new players, and the others moving to a new position, we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed. I have enough trust in Coach Cable as any we have, so I’m hoping all the new guys in new positions can come together as a unit before the first regular season game. Surprisingly, one of the biggest moves, Gary Gilliam going from right to left Tackle, really has me the least worried. I’ve watched a few recent videos of his play, and interviews with him, and he is really a sharp dude. I guess just not what I expected from an offensive lineman. I think he’ll be fine as long as we can keep his, and the entire O-lines, penalties to a minimum. Probably my biggest worries with this unit is the right tackle, J’Marcus Webb and his foot speed against the quicker defensive ends in the league, and whether Justin Britt can successfully make the transition to center. If not I’ve seen enough of Patrick Lewis to know he’ll be a capable replacement, and I have heard good things about rookie center Joey Hunt. Also if Webb doesn’t work out at right tackle, Bradley Sowell is about the same size, so it gives us a little flexibility. The coaches seem to be doing a lot of trying this guy here, that guy there during camp too, which should only help.

Last position I’ll talk about here is the Tight End. Hopefully, Jimmy Graham can make a full recovery from last years injury, and recapture the magic he has shown previously. If not, I have a ton of confidence in Luke Willson. He has also shown the ability to show up big when its needed most, and he and Russell have grown together, and have quite an impressive chemistry. I have seen nothing but positive about rookie Nick Vannett, as long as he can show some versatility in being a good blocker, and perhaps show the coaches a thing or two on special teams, he should make the 53 man roster.

As I started with, I’m extremely excited to see this season play out. Getting quality play from our offensive line and a capable body at running back, barring injuries and excessive penalties we could have a very exciting season. But honestly, as long as our record isn’t .500 after six or eight games (see the last two seasons) we could do something real special again in 2016. As always, until next time…………..Go Hawks!!