Seahawks’ roster moves show franchise thinking Super Bowl
SEATTLE Urgency is rarely the overwhelming feeling within the Seattle Seahawks’ locker-room. It’s usually a calm confidence surrounding them.
This year is a bit different. There is some urgency built not out of worry but of opportunity, realizing Seattle can again be the class of the NFC and possibly find its way back to another Super Bowl.
The latest example was this week’s trade for left tackle Duane Brown, a move to solidify the biggest issue for the Seahawks.
When personnel issues have arisen before, the Seahawks (52) haven’t been this aggressive in trying to find fixes. The first move came before the season even began when Seattle acquired defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from the New York Jets when there was a need on the defensive line. Seattle also grabbed Justin Coleman from New England, a move that has proven vital as Coleman has become the Seahawks’ nickel cornerback. Then came the move for Brown, yet another sign of how serious the Seahawks are.
“It says a lot about what our front office thinks of our team right now and what they think of us moving forward,” Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said.
“I think they think this is our window, this is our chance to take it by the reins and they are doing everything they can to put us in position to be successful and make us a championship team. Any perceived weaknesses, they are doing their best to shore up.”
Brown is a major upgrade for Seattle’s offensive line and will get tested right away against Washington and top pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan.
Washington (3-4) has lost three of four and in each of the three losses have been run over. Washington allowed 168 yards rushing to Kansas City, 127 to Philadelphia, and a season-high 169 last week to Dallas. In Washington’s three victories, it allowed just 71.3 yards per game rushing.
Back-to-back divisional losses and attrition on the injury front is testing Washington’s morale. Already, four players are on injured reserve, and more than a dozen are uncertain to play Sunday.
Here’s what else to watch as Seattle goes for its third straight win over Washington:
Eddie’s up: After rotating running backs through the first seven games and seeing minimal results, the Seahawks intend to give Eddie Lacy first crack at being the featured running back against Washington.
The Seahawks are coming off one of the worst rushing games in franchise history, finishing with 33 yards on the ground. Seattle’s running backs had five yards on 16 carries. The Seahawks would like to be balanced offensively and intend to give Lacy the carries needed to try to establish a rhythm.
O-line shuffle: Injuries along Washington’s offensive line could mean a starting front of T.J. Clemmings, Arie Kouandjio, rookies Chase Roullier and Tyler Catalina and banged-up Morgan Moses, who is playing with two sprained ankles.
The noise in Seattle is one factor along with getting linemen used to playing with each other.
“They’re learning. It’s new to them,” coach Jay Gruden said. “It’s just about communication, playing together, trying to play in unison, which is hard to do at this stage of the season, but I think (offensive line coaches) are getting them ready to go.”
Staying up with the Joneses: Defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis’ broken hand pushed Washington to sign veteran Arthur Jones, who will join the rotation immediately.
The 31-year-old has played 63 NFL games, most recently with Indianapolis last season.
“He brings that experience,” defensive lineman Ziggy Hood said. “All he has to do is get the playbook down, learn the calls, learn the terminology and then just let his technique take over from there.” Safety valve: Seattle’s biggest injury question surrounds free safety Earl Thomas, who suffered a strained hamstring late in the loss to Houston.
The Seahawks are clearly a different defence when Thomas is not on the field and it was highlighted last year when he missed the final four games of the regular season with a broken leg. Seattle has more depth in the secondary now than a year ago and would turn to Bradley McDougald to start if Thomas can’t go.
“He is just a really, really good football player to be able to set up,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said of McDougald.
“There is no question. We don’t have any hesitation in him playing or keeping the plan, principles intact.”