Reason No. 2: Perhaps the Seahawks Roster Isn’t as Bad as You Think
Perhaps the NFC West isn’t as strong as many think. But the Seahawks’ 2018 fortunes still hinge on the talent Pete Carroll has available.
Based off all those aforementioned offseason losses, it doesn’t look good. Outside quarterback Russell Wilson and a handful of defensive blue-chip players, Seattle lacks that talent, right? Especially with All-Pro safety Earl Thomas still holding out.
Again, not so fast.
The Seahawks aren’t devoid of talent on the defensive side of the ball — the unit many associated with Seattle’s success in recent years.
As long as the Thomas situation pans itself out, fellow defensive backs Bradley McDougald, Shaquill Griffin and Justin Coleman are still young and promising. And Bobby Wagner has solidified himself as one of the best linebackers in the NFL today.
But what about Richard Sherman? How can the Hawks go about defensive life without him? Interesting point, though. According to Pro Football Focus, Seattle’s defense actually improved after Sherman’s Week 10 Achilles tear last season, averaging a 69.23 overall grade from Weeks 11 through 17 compared to a 65.52 overall mark before his injury.
Still, arguably the biggest Seahawks roster question marks come on offense, namely the offensive line. PFF ranked this unit No. 30 in the league heading into 2018. Yet raising concerns about Seattle’s O-line is nothing new. In fact, it’s been a problem for a number of years now, including ones in which the team was a playoff contender.
Check out the rankings from Football Outsiders:
- 2017 — Run Blocking: 31st, Pass Protection: 25th
- 2016 — Run Blocking: 26th, Pass Protection: 25th
- 2015 — Run Blocking: 4th, Pass Protection: 30th
- 2014 — Run Blocking: 4th, Pass Protection: 24th
Interestingly enough, 2015 was now-Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch’s final year in Seattle. The Seahawks have struggled to find consistency on the ground ever since, although the hope is Seattle’s 2018 first-round NFL Draft choice, Rashaad Penny, fills that void. He’s explosive, which might negate the O-line’s recent run-blocking woes.
Pass protection for Russell Wilson remains questionable, yes. But it hasn’t been the problem Wilson and the offense has faced during that stretch. A year ago, Wilson’s 95.4 passer rating was good enough for 10th among all qualifiers, and he rode that momentum to a Pro Bowl. Two years earlier, when Seattle’s pass protection was at its weakest, Wilson’s 110.1 passer rating led the NFL.
Which leads us to the next topic.
Next Page: No. 1
