’Hawks have stars to return to Super Bowl,
Pieces in place for another run at Super Bowl
The Seattle Seahawks’ date with dynasty detoured when quarterback Russell Wilson’s ill-advised throw in the waning moments of Super Bowl XLIX was intercepted by the New England Patriots, the only franchise to carry the dynastic label in the past two decades.
However, with their nucleus returning and some talented players joining the fold, the Seahawks have more than a reasonable chance to carve out a place in history as they strive to become the first team to reach the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons since the 1990s Buffalo Bills.
Still, these Seahawks aren’t about to start counting any chickens prematurely.
“Every year is a new year; every opportunity is a new opportunity,” Wilson said. “When the season ends — whether you win the Super Bowl, don’t win it or whatever — the belief is to continue to do everything you can as a team to prepare so you have a great chance at getting there again.”
Now on hand to help achieve that is three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, acquired in March in a package that sent Pro Bowl center Max Unger and a first-round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints. Graham will provide a red-zone receiving threat.
He twice saw his Saints vanquished in the playoffs at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field. So if you can’t beat ’em … .
“This place has exceeded my expectations, by far,” he said. “The players run the team; they hold each other accountable, and everyone competes at everything.”
But Seattle isn’t devoid of issues. Several key players are mending from major injuries. Others, notably Wilson and allpro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, need new contracts. And the league’s best defense saw some top assistants poached. And the Super Bowl scars remain.
All problems most organizations would love to have.
“The way our guys have worked and the dedication that they’ve demonstrated and the camaraderie that they’ve demonstrated makes me think that we’re ready to have a great training camp coming back,” coach Pete Carroll said. “The things, like always, that happened before we need to leave behind and move forward, and we’ve done that.
“We’re ready to go.”
QUARTERBACKS
Wilson, who has won an unprecedented 42 games over his first three seasons, has been the NFL’s biggest bargain after being a third-round pick in 2012. However, that’s about to change along with Seattle’s salary structure once he gets his deserved raise. He says negotiations remain a private matter but he wants to stay in Seattle. Graham’s presence could really boost his stats and value if a new deal is put off until 2016. Though he makes scores of plays with his legs, Wilson continues to progress in the pocket and does a nice job of keeping his eyes downfield. And though he’ll never forget the Super Bowl interception, he does a superb job of protecting the ball. Steady Tarvaris Jackson returns as the backup.
RUNNING BACKS
Marshawn Lynch’s future in Seattle was a frequent topic of conversation last season. But during the Seahawks’ second-half surge, he reminded them who really drives the offense (though apparently not quite enough to command the ball at crunchtime in the Super Bowl). His Lynch-pin role earned him a contract exten- sion through the 2017 season. Lynch has rushed for at least 1,200 yards and scored at least a dozen TDs in all four of his full seasons with Seattle and is a sneaky good outlet receiver. Robert Turbin’s hip surgery should give Christine Michael and Thomas Rawls opportunities to shine in the preseason.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse make clutch plays, especially in the postseason, but are fueled by talk they don’t stack up with other starting tandems in the league. Plenty of young talent will push them from within. Rookie slot receiver Tyler Lockett impressed during the offseason. Chris Matthews gives Wilson a 6-5, 218-pound target and will look to build on his breakout performance in the Super Bowl. Speedy Paul Richardson can stretch the field but first has to
heal after his rookie season ended with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Ricardo Lockette and Kevin Norwood might have to fight for spots.
TIGHT ENDS
Graham had at least 10 receiving touchdowns in three of the past four seasons. No Seahawks tight end has managed double-digit scores in a season, and only two Seattle receivers have managed it in the 21st century. But Graham knows he can’t afford to be onedimensional in a run-first attack. “Personally, I am excited to block,” Graham said. “I know that’s going to help this offense out, and me being a part of that means teams can’t stack the box with 10 guys. For me, it’s all positive.”
OFFENSIVE LINE
Alvin Bailey takes over at left guard for departed James Carpenter. No one can replace Unger, one of the league’s top centers. But Lemuel Jeanpierre and Drew Nowak are among those fighting for the gig. Left tackle Russell Okung is in a contract year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Versatile Michael Bennett is the key guy in a deep four-man front but isn’t happy with a contract he signed a year ago. End Cliff Avril’s importance was never more apparent than in the Super Bowl. New England’s comeback coincided with a concussion that knocked him from the game. Run stuffer Brandon Mebane is coming off a serious hamstring injury. Tackle Ahtyba Rubin could be a cagey signing. Second-round defensive end Frank Clark was a controversial pick but has great talent. Jesse Williams’ career is likely over in light of his battle with cancer and loss of a kidney.
LINEBACKERS
Wagner was so impressive in 2014 he received an MVP vote. The team’s midseason swoon last season coincided with his toe injury. K.J. Wright excels in coverage, while Bruce Irvin tends to be more of a pass rusher. Irvin was not happy when Seattle declined his 2016 option.
SECONDARY
The “Legion of Boom” could one day be regarded as the best secondary of all time. But none of its key members emerged unscathed from the playoffs. All-pro corner Richard Sherman opted against elbow surgery but plans to be ready for training camp. Enforcer Kam Chancellor has convalesced nicely from a knee injury. However, all-pro free safety Earl Thomas is in jeopardy of missing the start of the season after having shoulder surgery. Nickel back Jeremy Lane is an even longer shot after breaking his arm and tearing a knee ligament in the Super Bowl. Newcomer Cary Williams has fit in nicely at right corner opposite Sherman.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Reliable Steven Hauschka has drilled nearly 88% of his field goal tries. Jon Ryan is a highly effective punter but also a weapon on trick plays, including when he is Hauschka’s holder. Several players, including Thomas, cycled through return duties in 2014. Lockett might solve that this year. Former Green Beret Nate Boyer is trying to latch on as the long snapper.
COACHING
Carroll took plenty of heat for his decision to not put the ball in Lynch’s hands, the call most of America expected would vanquish the Patriots in the Super Bowl. But Carroll is learning from the experience and continues to foster the competitive environment that has made this organization a juggernaut. Assistant head coach Tom Cable is a wizard at teaching offensive line play. On defense, coordinator Dan Quinn became the Atlanta Falcons’ head man, while former linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. is now the Oakland Raiders’ defensive coordinator. Carroll promoted defensive backs coach Kris Richard to run a defense that has allowed the fewest points in the league for three years running.