November 3, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn during the second quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks have hired Dan Quinn to be their defensive coordinator. Quinn has spent the last 2 seasons as the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida.

Dan Quinn was the defensive line coach in Seattle in 2009 (part of Jim Mora’s staff) and was retained in that roll when Pete Carroll was hired.

Quinn fits in well with the current staff and the current scheme. He went to Florida and used 300+ lb DT Sharrif Floyd in the Red Bryant DE roll on the Florida Defense in 2011. He is a perfect scheme fit for this defense, and will provide great continuity for the defense.

Quinn will find ways to get more out of the Seattle’s defensive line, which became a weakness of the defense in 2012. It should also mean that we can expect 2012 4th round pick Jaye Howard to have a bigger roll. The Seahawks drafted him out of Florida on Quinn’s suggestion. Current coaches were high on Howard, but he was only active for 2 games this past season.

Oct 30, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at CenturyLink Field. The Bengals defeated the Seahawks 34-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

On top of being a good coach, Bradley is also a very  charismatic person. He was going to “win” any interview he was given. He’s the type of guy who makes these decisions very easy on the owner and and GM.

He does inherit a mess down in Florida. They have no QB and little in the way of offensive talent. Blaine Gabbert was a bust, and the Jags now need ner answers. There are a few pieces, but that team isn’t close to competing.

Replacement possibilities for Seattle are many Dan Quinn is the name that jumps out right away if the team looks outside the organization. Internal options would be Rocky Seto and Ken Norton Jr. Also don’t be surprised if Carroll brings in someone completely unexpected. Carroll isn’t afraid to bring in guys who he’s never worked with before to bring in fresh idea, like he did with Darrell Bevell.

I’m curious to see if Bradley takes any coaches with him to help form his staff. If the Seahawks hire Quinn or someone from outside the org as their new DC, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Seto go with Bradley to become Bradley’s DC.

Either way, I’ll continue offering my thoughts and optimism. But again, these are the most positive scenarios imaginable (and believable, if you’re a homer).

So here is another dose of homer optimism for everyone:

The Seattle Seahawks will have a defense that statistically ranks in the top half of the league.

Far fetched? Possibly.

And yes, I’m aware that last season’s defense ranked 30^th in the NFL last season in total yards allowed per game.

But the Seahawks have an entirely new coaching staff, several new players, and injuries aren’t as widespread and common as last season (yet).

Mike Holmgren is out, Jim Mora is in. Holmgren was an offensive genius and the offensive side of the football was his baby. Over the last decade in Seattle, the focus was always offense; the defense wasn’t exactly an afterthought, but close.

In that regard, Jim Mora is nearly a complete opposite of Mike Holmgren.

Mora was a defensive back at the University of Washington. Defense is his specialty; he brings intensity, tempo, and confidence to a unit that struggled to get off the field last season. In addition, Mora brought with him a very good staff with him to Seattle, replacing most of the defensive coaches from the previous year.

Gus Bradley, although a rookie his in new role as defensive coordinator, was spoken highly of by Monty Kiffin and shares a philosophy similar to that of Mora’s. Dan Quinn, probably capable of being a coordinator in this league, should already be given credit for two undrafted free agents making the football team this season (Derek Walker, Michael Bennett). The front seven have looked spectacular, and a complete 180 degrees difference from last season.

With Mora in town, intensity is back on the defensive side of the ball. And so far, through training camp and preseason, it shows. Fans of the Seahawks can only hope that continues into the regular season.

The preseason is usually meaningless and never a good predictor of the regular season, but Seattle ranked 9th overall in total defense. The team gave up an average of 14.5 points per game. It may not continue through the regular season, but it certainly gives hope and shows a step in the right direction.

And don’t forget the biggest preseason statistic: the Seattle Seahawks led the lead in third-down percentage, allowing opponents to convert only 26% of the time. Defense on third downs has been atrocious in recent years, and drastic improvement will be critical for the team to be successful this season.

To go with a new coaching staff, the Seattle Seahawks also added several pieces to the defense that should pay dividends during the season.

The entire defensive line was swapped, bringing in free agent Colin Cole to play nose tackle and acquiring Cory Redding at left end. Brandon Mebane moves to the under-tackle position, and Patrick Kerney slides over the right side.

In addition to the starting four, Seattle has acquired excellent depth which allows them to work through a solid rotation along the defensive line. Recent draft choices Lawrence Jackson and Red Bryant appear primed for excellent years, and veterans such as Darryl Tapp and Craig Terrill can be productive. And don’t forget about rookies Nick Reed, Michael Bennett, and Derek Walker, who all made the team because of stellar performances in the preseason and training camp.

The Seahawks have been rather small in previous seasons on the defensive line, but this season that shouldn’t be an issue. The average weight of the starting defensive line is nearly 299 pounds. A big, active front four is a perfect recipe for big plays from the linebackers.

Oh, and the Seahawks have a pretty good trio back there.

Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill are Pro Bowl-caliber backers. And in last April’s draft, Seattle selected Aaron Curry fourth overall.

Aaron Curry is a phenomenal athlete and should develop into an absolute terror for opposing offenses. From what I’ve seen, he’ll be able to step right in and make an immediate impact.

If Seattle doesn’t struggle through injuries, the defense should be greatly improved. Last season, Kerney, Tatupu, Hill, and several others all struggled through injuries. The injuries helped Seattle build depth, but all of the starters are back now and look ready to contribute.

Injuries, a new coaching staff, and an overhauled defense are just a few reasons why Seattle’s defense will be a top-15 unit in the National Football League this season.