What Seahawks positions are most important to another Super Bowl Year?

I will be going through the different grouped positions (i.e.: defensive backs, Linebackers O-line etc.) ranking which ones I feel need to have a great year in order for the Seahawks to return to the big game. Not so much particular players, just different units. Just a couple days before training camp opens, here’s what I see.

1)      Offensive line-This has, for the last few seasons anyway, been an area of major concern with the Seahawks. Nothing different this year. It is entirely possible that they will have different starters at all 5 positions. Losing Okung and Sweezy, Britt moving to center and Gilliam going from right to left tackle are all huge moves, and reason for concern. If they don’t get a good fit before week one, we could be in for another lackluster start (see 2014 &’15). Being .500 after week six or eight just isn’t what I’m hoping for. If we can give #3 enough time in the pocket, well, look at the second half of 2015. Enough said.

2)      Running back-With the departure of Marshawn ‘Beast Mode’ Lynch, there is obviously a huge hole to fill here. With the way Thomas Rawls performed for the nine games he was there, we do have a glimmer of hope. But that’s just it. Coming off an injury, and really only having nine games of work, it’s really hard to tell what we have here. I’ve heard some great things about rookies C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins, with Prosise seeming to have now departed Fred Jackson’s spot (third down back) wrapped up. But it’s never too late to sign a free agent. Let’s just hope Rawls is the real deal, which I feel pretty positive about. He looked awfully good in those nine games.

3)      Defensive line-With the departure of Brandon Mebane there is a big hole to fill here too. Returning Ahtyba Rubin, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril is great, and the signing of second round pick Jarran Reed, who was considered by many to have first round skills, we should be acceptable here. Also bringing back Chris Clemons from the Super Bowl 48 team should help. I always thought the ability to platoon players here, as we did in 2013, was a big reason the defense played so well. Quinton Jefferson, Tavaris Barnes and Sealver Siliga can hopefully contribute a lot also, hopefully. Second year Frank Clark should see considerable time on the field, and ha has earned it. His rookie year was quite impressive. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him work into the starting line-up.  Returning defensive lineman Jordan Hill and Cassius Marsh should also help out here.

4)      Linebackers-We lost Bruce Irvin from the strong side LB, or SAM, position, so this could be an interesting battle in camp. It sounds like from day one, it is Mike Morgan’s job to lose. With six years in the league, and having played for Coach Carroll at USC, this may be the obvious choice. Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright have been stalwarts at middle and weak side. The Seahawks are also trying out Eric Perkins, a converted DB, and Cassius Marsh, mentioned above as a defensive end, at the strong side position. Kevin Pierre-Louis may be an option, but he’s been used as a fill in at weak side LB, so I’m not sure we want to change that. Not a ton of depth at the linebacker position, so hopefully we can groom our man, or pick up a free agent along the way.

5)      Receivers-After last years improvement over the second half of the season, and with speedster Tyler Lockett having another year under his belt (if you get to practice against R. Sherman everyday, you better improve). With Doug Baldwin’s amazing second half of 2015, I’m sure he will see a lot more coverage options. That only improves the chances for Lockett and Jermaine Kearse to see more throes. I still think Kearse is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. He might not make a ton, so far anyway, but he has really made some great circus catches in crunch time. That coupled with Lockett’s pure speed and quickness will hopefully just continue the awesomeness that was the Seahawks passing game the last half of ’15. But again, it all comes down to giving Russell more time in the pocket.(see #1 above)  As for tight end, we have Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson both coming back, and Cooper Helfet has seen extensive playing time. Also rookie Nick Vannett has opened a lot of eyes in the OTA’s and three day camp earlier. Some have said he is the steal of the draft. Nothing wrong with that. Just a numbers game, so we might have to take the wait and see approach. Especially with Graham coming off an injury also.

6)      Quarterback-Not a huge concern here (DUH). With the exception of an injury to all world DangeRuss, we have what I consider the best young QB in the league, but yeah, I’m a lot biased. The things RW3 has done in the four years he’s been here have been, in my opinion, amazing. As a rookie, the defense fell apart for: 18 against Atlanta, or he’d have been in three straight conference championship games in his first three years. He is such a focused individual. I catch a lot of flack for this, but I consider him to be the best young QB since Joe Montana. He just seems to be able to process actions quicker than most. Also, when the pocket does break down and he has to scramble, his eyes are always looking downfield. Take the play against Minnesota last year. Ball snapped over his shoulder while he wasn’t looking he makes an amazing slide and scoop, gets away from Vikings rush and finds Lockett wide open. Really? I’m sorry; I just don’t see more than one or two other FL quarterbacks making that play. Most would fall on the ball, or at the least, pick it up and think nothing but run. That mental fortitude is what separates #3 from the other young QB’s in the league. The question at this position seems to be who is going to be the backup. Tavaris Jackson, backup for the last few years, is notorious for signing late, but now he seems to have some legal problems, so I’m not sure if that’s even an option. Trevone Boykin and Jake Heaps are both in camp, and Boykin may make himself a carbon copy of Russell, but only time will tell. I’ve also heard there is some interest in signing free agent Michael Vick. That, to me, is a head scratcher. He has the tools, but does he have the mental fortitude? Only time will tell. Let’s just fix the O-line so we don’t have to worry about it.

7)      Defensive Back-Hopefully the area we have the least concern. With Richard Sherman cemented in at one cornerback, the only question will be who starts on the other side? With Jeremy Lane and Deshawn Shead seeing considerable field time last year, one of those two will probably be the starter, with the other being the fifth, or ‘nickel’ position. We also have brought back Brandon Browner, though I’ve read that the Seahawks might be looking to move him to a backup safety position. Speaking of safety, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor have been the rock at that position for a few years now, and I don’t see it changing. With Kelcie McCray and Steven Terrell to back up at strong and free safety, respectively, this area just seems pretty laid out. Also, my two cents worth: Kam is not overrated as has been published recently. The way he hits crossing receivers is as big a reason we got to, and won, Super Bowl 48. With the hits he got on Davis in San Francisco (Conf. Championship) and Thomas in Denver (Super Bowl) there’s a reason the NFL players ranked him so much higher than Earl. I believe Kam’s was earned; while Earl’s was totally out of whack. I don’t see more than one or two free safety’s at or above his level.

8)       Special Teams? –Not going to spend any time here. I just feel it’s a waste. With Jon Ryan having another great year, and Steady Steven Hauschka back for placekicks, we should be able to keep the boat steady here.

So there you have it, my rundown of the team by positional units. Overall I’m excited to get this year under way. I feel positive with the offensive line after how they finished last year. The defense should be as stout as ever. Leading the league for four years on defense doesn’t happen by a fluke. Still, the gnawing concern is in the offensive line play, and at running back, with some real young players back there. Again, I believe the biggest help for the Seahawks is starting quick. Not playing .500 ball for the first half of the season would be AWESOME!!

Until next time----------------------#GO HAWKS!!!