The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 10. Today, the Seattle Seahawks.
Last year’s record: 12-4
Head coach: Pete Carroll
Core players: Russell Wilson (QB), Jimmy Graham (TE), Marshawn Lynch (RB), Doug Baldwin (WR), Bobby Wagner (LB), K.J. Wright (LB), Richard Sherman (CB), Earl Thomas (FS), Kam Chancellor (SS)
2015 is about… Rebounding from a painful end to 2014. There hasn’t been a more jaw-dropping, heartbreaking ending to a Super Bowl, and for most teams it might be a struggle to overcome that kind of loss. Fortunately, the Seahawks aren’t most teams. Led by the best young leader in the game in Russell Wilson and a coaching staff headed by the insatiable Pete Carroll, Seattle will enter 2015 with just as much tenacity and swagger as they entered 2014 after winning the franchise’s first championship. There’s no doubt about that.
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They lost… Kam Chancellor, for the time being. The Seahawks announced prior to Week 1 that their Pro Bowl strong safety will miss the season opener against the Rams due to Chancellor’s holdout for a new contract. With negotiations at a standstill, it doesn’t appear that 27-year-old will be back with the team any time soon. In the meantime, second-year player Dion Bailey will fill in opposite of Earl Thomas.
The Seahawks also traded Pro Bowl centre Max Unger to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for dynamic tight end Jimmy Graham in a shocking move that kicked off the NFL off-season in March. One of the best in the game at his position, Unger played a big role in Marshawn Lynch’s success as well as the protection of Wilson.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell signed in Philadelphia for a monster six-year, $63-million contract. Maxwell did well in limited starts for the Seahawks handling the pressure of being the cover guy on the other side of the field of Richard Sherman (who quarterbacks rarely throw at), but the Seahawks have done a solid job of replacing corners who have left in the off-season. A perfect example being Maxwell himself, who filled in after Brandon Browner departed for New England.
Yeah, but they got… Graham, who has proven time-and-time again throughout his career that he’s a game-changer. The addition of No. 88 gives Russell Wilson something he’s never really had before: an elite pass catcher. Simply having Graham on the field will free up other receivers, open running lanes for Wilson, and give a boost to the already dangerous ground game. Graham is one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive weapons and should be a big help in the red zone, where Seattle struggled last year.
After eight years in Buffalo, Fred Jackson was surprisingly released by the Bills last week and the Seahawks didn’t take long to scoop up the veteran running back. With Beast Mode over 2,000 career rushing attempts and no clear-cut backup emerging prior to last week’s signing, Jackson should be a great addition to a team that makes a living of running the football. Even better, the 34-year-old will be looking to prove that his former team made a mistake.
Pulling off the ol’ cornerback swap, the Seahawks signed former Eagle Cary Williams after Maxwell left for Philly. Williams makes sense in Seattle due to his aggressive, bump-and-run cover style, but he’s been known to give up a lot of big plays—the Eagles led the NFL in X-plays in 2014 (gains of 20 yards or more).
Finally, the Seahawks made an underrated signing in former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, who has impressed enough throughout the pre-season to be named a Week 1 starter in St. Louis.
Growing from within: The Seahawks appear to have found another third-round gem in speedy receiver Tyler Lockett, drafted 69th overall out of Kansas State in April. He turned some heads with his explosiveness in the passing game and on special teams throughout the pre-season.
Frank Clark fell to the Seahawks at No. 63 in the 2015 draft due to off-field issues, but his play on the field throughout August has many tabbing the former Michigan standout as a potential defensive rookie of the year candidate. According to Pro Football Focus, Clark was the NFL’s top-ranked 4-3 defensive end in the pre-season.
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Why this team? The Seahawks have been the class of the NFC since 2012 and have locked up much of their core, including their star quarterback, who is expected to take another step forward in his fourth season. Not to mention the addition of Graham—one of the most prolific TD catchers in the game. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Carroll’s Seahawks, it’s that the defence is going to be stout no matter what.
Why not? The recent run of success has begun to catch up with Seattle, as many players have already left for greener (coincidentally the colour of money) pastures and many more appear to be wanting a raise or heading elsewhere to get one, most important of those players being Chancellor.
Perfect for fans of… Stingy defence. And this group is going to be good for a while. Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Cliff Avril and the rookie Clark: all players locked up for through 2019.
How much hope? 8/10. The Seahawks are going to be one of the best teams in the NFC and the league—that’s to be expected. But if there’s one concern in Seattle it’s the offensive line, which has two new starters and a player that switched positions in the off-season.
Will you be mocked for front-running? Not if you’re a long-time fan. If you’re a new member of the bandwagon crew, then you definitely will be mocked.
A Meme to Remember: They probably should’ve just handed the ball to Beast Mode.
