Is Seattle’s Legion of Boom a Bust in 2014?

Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

I noticed it during the first game and nearly every game after that. It bothered me. The Legion of Boom seemed, frankly, to be far behind their legendary production of last year. Why? I couldn’t put my finger on it so I figured it was time to look at stats. What I found both confirmed my consternation and held a few surprises. I concentrated on combined tackles, solo tackles and assists.

Earl Thomas is the emotional heart of the LOB. His passion for winning was of the in-your-face variety last year.  He once told Pete Carroll, in the middle of a game “I told you! Put it on my back, I’ll take us there!” However this year the emotion seems….gone. I am sure it isn’t, but his production is down so far this year. In 2014, he registered 105 combined tackles, 78 solos and 27 assists. This year he is on pace for 88, 56 and 32 respectively.

The drop in combined and solo tackles is perhaps not as glaring as it seems, but a drop off is a drop off none the less. The increase of 5 assists is helpful, but does not make up for the significant steps back in the other two categories.