Dec 9, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) reacts during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 58-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The addition of 2 great pass rushing defensive ends in the past 2 days has many Seahawk fans openly questioning the future of both returning starters: Chris Clemons and Red Byant. Let me just say, don’t. I don’t think either are going anywhere.

I know I said yesterday that Clemons might be on the chopping block, but that was before I took a very close look at his contract. His salary for 2013 is $6M (with an $8.16M cap number). There’s also a report that $1M of that base salary is guaranteed. If cut, he would count as $5.32M against the cap. That’s a lot of dead money, and the upside of getting him back in time for the playoffs is worth forgoing the tiny cap savings.

On the other side of the line, the salary numbers don’t even matter. Let me just say that Red Bryant isn’t going anywhere. Period.

The signing of the 2 DEs the last 2 days do nothing to undermine Bryant’s spot in the roster or his playing time. Everything about Seattle’s base scheme is based on the ability of the 5-tech DE to do the things that Bryant does. There isn’t another player on the roster, that is capable of 2-gapping an OT like he does.

Let me put it another way, cutting Red Bryant would mean the Seahawks would be switching to a completely different defensive scheme. That just isn’t going to happen.

Oh, and even though I said the salary numbers didn’t matter, they actually make a compelling argument on their own. Bryant would actually cost more against the cap if he was cut than he does on the roster. So, ya, he’s not going anywhere.

Chris Clemons on the other hand has no such scheme specific protection. There is nothing that he does that Bennett and Avril cannot do, even though I think he’s better than those other 2 when he’s healthy. So it is possible that he’s let go. I simply don’t believe there just isn’t a big enough financial benefit in doing so for it to happen.

Jan 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before the NFC divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

As the season comes to an end, it comes time to reflect on not only what happened in 2012 but Seattle’s outlook for the future. I suppose I could save you and I some time and say that the outlook is “bright” and/or “good” but I tend to be a more thorough person than that. When looking into the crystal ball at a team’s future you have to evaluate their “core”. If the core is too old or too flawed then the team is likely to struggle down the road, unless it can find new core players, probably in the draft, to build around.

When we talk about the core and core players it’s hard to know exactly what it is we are talking about. Usually a core player is someone worth building around; someone you know is going to stick around for a while. As is always the case, the contract is almost as important as the talent level. It’s hard to think of someone as part of the core of your team if they have an expiring contract, unless the plan is to franchise tag them every year like the Seahawks did with Walter Jones for a time. To summarize, the two major criteria for a core player are talent and a contract.

That being said it has always been a bit of a feel thing for me. Similar to how some players feel like Hall of Famers and some don’t even when their objective differences might be slight. That ambiguity is why I’ve developed a mental exercise to determine who the core of this team is. I simply ask myself, “would I consider buying that X player’s jersey?” and if the answer is yes they are probably a core piece. This is particularly pertinent to my life at the moment as my most up-to-date Seahawks jerseys are a Ken Hamlin jersey and a Shaun Alexander jersey. I understand that everyone has their own thoughts on jerseys and some people just buy their favorite player’s jersey but considering the expense, and my desire for the jersey to remain current for as long as possible, I’ve always considered it a big commitment/something worth putting a lot of thought into. In the case of Ken Hamlin I gambled and lost (largely due to very unfortunate circumstances) in 2005, thinking he was a core Seahawk coming out of his 2^nd year on the way up. I don’t want to get burned again.

As a result this article can either be seen as identifying/evaluating the Seahawks’ core or a column on jersey buying advice. Whatever floats your boat….. We’ll start on offense.

OFFENSE

Firstly, I’d put a disclaimer that I haven’t included o-lineman here, mainly because very few people seem to buy those jerseys. That being said Okung and Unger are both absolutely jersey worthy core players but if I had to choose I’d go with Unger because of his less scary injury history.

Russell Wilson: Wilson was the 4^th ranked passer in the NFL as a rookie. He also was ranked 4^th in the all-important yards per attempt statistic. He tied the rookie record for TD passes, without setting any records for interceptions like a certain Peyton Manning did. Wilson was also a fantastic runner which opened up some deadly read-option looks for this offense. His game isn’t perfect and he may suffer through some struggles down the road and a little bit of regression to the mean but I can’t conceive of a single reason not to not only consider him part of Seattle’s core but its most important part and to be very happy about this fact. Gushing over. Verdict: I would be proud to don his jersey.Wilson is the present and future.

Marshawn Lynch- To put it succinctly Lynch is a definite yes. Even so, running backs break down like it’s nobody’s business and Lynch does take a pounding so it’s not as much of a slam dunk as you might think. The thing is his accomplishments with the Seahawks so far and his superstar Beast Quake moment are already so legendary that his jersey would be a credible one to own 20 years from now even if he had a career ending injury tomorrow. In terms of his real life value to the Seahawks, he is under contract for three more years and is still in his prime (26) so he’s very much a core piece. Verdict: Yup.

Sidney Rice- Now we are out of the obvious candidates things get a little bit tricky. Rice is 26, he’s under contract for 3 more years, he’s Seattle’s #1 receiver and he’s good so all signs point to a yes here. The problem is twofold. Firstly, Rice has been immensely injury prone and that could severely alter his career path making your Rice jersey look foolish in the years ahead. Secondly, wide receiver is a position group that the Seahawks are trying to improve, probably fairly aggressive and possibly with the addition of another big-ticket free agent acquisition like Dwayne Bowe. It’s not so much that Rice is likely to be displaced or dislodged as there is a risk his importance diminishes over time. The development of Golden Tate could also be a factor. Verdict: Rice is a great receiver, but I can’t bring myself to confidently identify him as a core player for the Seahawks or purchase his jersey. Which hurts because I really like Rice.

Honorable Mention: Golden Tate- Although Tate is two years younger than Rice and seemingly on the way up you are banking heavily on a fair amount of additional development by calling him a core player. Also he hasn’t signed a contract extension and has yet to reach the level of value to the team wherein said extension is an inevitability.

DEFENSE

Richard Sherman- There is a strong argument to be made that Richard Sherman is the best player on the Seahawks and at 24 he’s clearly a core piece for the future. My only concern is that he is only under contract for two more years but he’s a player that I’d seriously consider extending this off-season even though the first team all-pro has so much leverage coming off a great year. I think a deal gets done; I’m not suuuure I’d buy the jersey until it does but that’s probably overly cautious on my part. Verdict: Love Sherman, he’s incredibly important to the club and his jersey is a must-own.

Earl Thomas- Everything that I just said about Sherman applies to Thomas. Thomas is actually younger at 23 even though he has played an additional year in the NFL. He is a two time Pro Bowler at 23 and despite being posterized by Jacquizz Rodgers last week is an essential core piece. Same contract situation as Sherman although his lofty draft status has him far better compensated at this moment, likely making an extension less of a priority. Verdict: Earl Thomas is a fantastic player and wearing his name on your back will only make you a better person by extension.

Bobby Wagner- He’s already a great anchor for this defense and there is no reason why he shouldn’t get better and better with experience. An underrated find by Pete Carroll and Co. Absolutely a core player and not a free agent until 2016. One of the best players on arguably the best defense in the league already. Verdict: Buy the damn jersey

Brandon Browner: Although controversial in his playing style Browner has been undeniably effective since making the leap from the CFL to the NFL. He does play second fiddle to Sherman to an extent but is a Pro Bowl corner in his own right coming out of only his second year. This all sounds promising but there are two issues. One is that Browner turns 29 this year playing a position at which it is difficult to age gracefully. The second is that his contract only takes him through 2013 (to be fair he’ll be an RFA after).Browner is going to command big money, money that the Seahawks may well be saving for Richard Sherman. I can’t say with a great deal of confidence that Browner will be in Seattle in 3 years and even if he is he will be 31 and likely not quite what he once was. Great player, not a core player. Verdict: I’d steer clear of a Browner jersey, though you could do a lot worse.

Kam Chancellor: My personal favorite Seahawk. This one hurts. Chancellor is only 24 and has a Pro Bowl berth to his name in 2011. The problem is he’s only signed through 2013 (followed by UFA unlike Browner), I’m inclined to think that he’ll get an extension but unfortunately that isn’t the only problem. At this point I’m not exactly sure how good Kam Chancellor is. Aside from a couple of highlight reel hits he wasn’t a big factor in 2012. Chancellor did very little in coverage this year with his INT’s falling from 4 in 2011 to 0 in 2012 and his PD’s dropping from 12 to 4. He wasn’t a liability he just wasn’t a game changer. Verdict: My heart says, “yes, yes, yes, yes, yes” and my head says, “no”. Regardless if I see someone in a Chancellor jersey my going in assumption is that we will be best friends.

Honorable Mentions: Basically every starter on defense was considered here but most had enough red flags to not be worth delving too far into. Here’s a quick summary.

Chris Clemons- too old, current nasty injury

Red Bryant- not a game changer this year, not convinced they won’t dump his hefty contract at some point

K.J Wright & Brandon Mebane- check all the boxes in theory but neither are quiteee good enough. As I said this is a bit of a feel thing.

Bruce Irvin- too large a range of outcomes for his career, still a complementary player

Overall there are a lot more options on defense than offense which really shouldn’t come at a surprise given the way this team is designed. At the end of the day we wind up with a “core” of Wilson, Lynch, Wagner, Sherman and Thomas, to which you can add Unger and Okung.  None of these players are above the age of 26 and 5 of the 7 have made Pro Bowls. That sounds like a pretty impressive core not only for 2013 but for many many more years as well. Not only are these players in their prime but they are also still developing and getting better. I’m not sure if you guys know this but this Seahawks team is really good, and it’s going to be really good for a while. Having done all this I don’t know which jersey I would buy, but that’s sort of a first world problem. The fact there are too many great players on my favorite team is something I can live with.

Before I started the game, I had to make a couple changes to the rosters. For starters, I had to change the team’s starting QBs to Russell Wilson and John Skelton. I also buried Terrell Owens on the depth chart enough that he wouldn’t play, since he’s no longer with the Seahawks.

And now, on to the game:

The Cardinals kicked off, and Seahawks started off pounding the ball with 6 straight runs for 2 first downs before Wilson’s first pass, and it’s a play action pass complete to Edwards for 5 yards. The drive finally bogs down when Lynch gets spelled and Leon Washington can’t pick up a 3rd and 3 at the 8 yard line, but Hauschka hits a short field goal to make it 3-0 Seahawks.

The Cardinals first drive ends with a 3 and out. After 2 runs for a total of 4 yards, Skelton throws wide of his target on 3rd down and the Cards punt, giving the Seahawks decent field position for their 2nd drive.

The Seahawks 2nd drive, with Washington still in at RB, can’t get a first down and the Seahawks punt the ball right back. Skelton only completes one pass on their drive, and the ball goes back to Seahawks.

The Seahawks and the Cards continue trading punts in this fashion after this as neither team is capable of getting a first down. The Seahawks defense is dominating, and the Cardinals are stacking the line to stop the run and the Seahawks passing game can’t take advantage.

The punt trading was finally ends when Wilson throws an interception at the Seahawk’s 28 yard line. Luckily for Seattle, the Cardinals can’t get the ball into the endzone, and the game is tied up at 3-3.

Nov 14, 2010; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Leon Washington (33) heads up field on a punt return during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 36-18. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

After trading punts yet again, Leon Washington take a quick toss around the left side 53 yards to the endzone. 10-3 Seahawks with the first half almost over.

The Cardinals pound the ball into the line twice and it’s halftime with the Seahawks leading 10-3.

The beginning of the 2nd half looks much like the first half, with neither team able to get a first down and trading punts back and forth for most of the 3rd quarter. The first drive not to end in a punt in the 2nd half ends with a Robert Turbin fumble at the Cardinal 45 yard line with just 24 seconds on the clock, ending the Seahawk’s best looking drive of the half.

Again the Cardinals go 3 and out and have to punt, but with the good field position the Cards had, the Seahawks are backed up deep. Luckily, Doug Baldwin finally gets involved in the offense, and the Seahawks are able to string together a few first downs on passes to Baldwin and end up getting a 47 yard FG by Hauschka for a 13-3 lead with 8 minutes to go in the game.

The Cardinals answer with 12 play drive that finally dies at the 15 yard line, and a J. Feely FG cuts the lead to 13-6, but there’s just 2:11 on the clock.

The Cardinals elect to kick the ball deep and not try for the onsides kick, hoping to use their time outs and the 2 minute warning to get get the ball back. It doesn’t work. 3 straight play action passes burn the Cardinals who have everyone at the line to stop the run, and then the Seahawks are able to run out the clock.

In the end, it’s a very ugly football game, but the Seahawks win 13-6.

Dec 12, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) runs through a cloud of smoke before the game against the St. Lous Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Statistically, the game was as ugly as they come. Wilson’s passing numbers end up as 12/21 for just 98 yards and an interception. That’s 49.3 QB rating. Skelton’s numbers were only slightly better at 13/25 for 132 yards and a 67.4 rating.

The Cardinals, despite 33 rushing attempts, managed just 86 yards on the ground against the Seahawks defense. The Seahawks faired slightly better, with 167 yards on 45 attempts, though 53 of those came on the Leon Washington TD run.

Clearly, the stars of this game were the 2 defenses. The Cardinal’s defense was led by Daryl Washington, who had 13 tackles and one of the team’s 2 sacks.

The Seahawks were led by defensive end Red Bryant, who finished the game with 11 tackles, including 3 sacks and 2 more tackles for loss. The Seahawks ended the game with 5 sacks on Skelton, though they didn’t manage to force any turnovers.

This game ended up pretty represent of all 20 that were simulated.

As you can see, none of the games were really an offensive shootout. Madden 13 clearly expects the defenses to dominate this game, and it also expects the Seahawks to win.

Dec 24, 2011, Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) participates in pregame warmups against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

The final preseason game is usually merely a final tune-up, most important to players desperately clinging to the bottom of the roster. With the quarterback competition all wrapped up this game feels fairly anti-climactic but there are some interesting roster battles to observe. It’s also our last chance to see the Seahawks before they take the regular season plunge and our last to chance to not care if they lose. Despite that fact, losing to the Raiders just feels wrong. Without further ado, here is this week’s edition of Matchups of the Game.

Matchup #1: Richard Sherman vs. Darrius Heyward-Bey

The disadvantage of the big corners that Pete Carroll prefers is the ever present risk of getting beat down the field by receivers with elite speed. If there is anything Heyward-Bey has it’s elite speed. Many laughed at Oakland when they selected Heyward-Bey 7th overall in the 2009 draft, believing that he was a late first round value at best. To his credit, he developed into a very productive receiver last year with 975 yards despite missing two games. Heyward-Bey’s calling card is his world-class 4.25 speed which easily trumps Sherman’s 4.54 mark. That gap in raw speed makes me nervous, but luckily for Sherman there is more to football than running extremely fast. Sherman has the ability to dominate receivers with his physicality and Heyward-Bey is not very large or particularly strong. It is the sort of scenario where Sherman could bully Heyward-Bey all game at the line of scrimmage, but if Heyward-Bey blows by him just once it will be considered a rough game for Sherman. Considering neither of them will play all game it’s probably most likely that Sherman holds his man in check for a couple of series.

Matchup #2: Braylon Edwards vs. Ron Bartell

This is a battle of two players trying to re-establish their value in the latter portion of their careers. Bartell is 30 and trying to rebound from a gruesome neck injury. Edwards, 29, is attempting to bounce back from an off-year and some questions about his character. Bartell was a very effective corner with St.Louis and has the size, at 6-1, to compete with Edwards on balls in the air. Since the departure of T.O Edwards looks fairly likely to make the team but having a good game today certainly wouldn’t do him any harm. He has made some big catches so far this preseason but producing against a quality corner with size will help prove Edwards is more than just a big target. Receiver reclamation projects are something of a specialty of Pete Carroll and Edwards can help continue that tradition with a good performance today.

Matchup # 3: Breno Giacomini vs. Lamarr Houston

Giacomini has come into his own over the last few years, perhaps due to the fact he is a converted tight-end who didn’t play offensive tackle until his senior year of college at Louisville. He started 8 games for the Seahawks last year and looked competent doing so. His opposition is Lamarr Houston, a well thought of DT coming out of college that Oakland converted to a big DE, sort of in the mold of Red Bryant. Houston made an encouraging debut in 2010 but regressed last year. Apparently he has lost a lot of weight in hopes of putting the production levels of his “sophomore slump” in the past. Giacomini is probably quicker on his feet but Houston could likely have some success with the bull rush against the 6-7 Giacomini. Houston is a talented and unusual DE who will be a nice last challenge for the Seahawk OT before we start with the games that matter.

This game is more important to the guys fighting for their livelihoods rather than the established players that figure to play the biggest role with this year’s Seahawks. That being said, depth is exceedingly important in a game as violent as football, and while some of last roster spots may seem inconsequential now, the players at the bottom of the roster may well be playing big roles by the end of the year. So when you are watching this game don’t complain about watching all the backups because these guys are a play or two for starting for your 2012 Seattle Seahawks. Every player on the 53-man roster is important and as a result so too is this game.

Oct 23, 2011; Cleveland, OH, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) celebrates after blocking a Cleveland Browns field goal attempt in the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

The big story of the Seahawks third preseason game will be Russell Wilson’s performance. It’s that simple. In fact in the mind of most Seahawks fans it will be the only story. However, we should not forget that there are plenty of interesting matchups in this game that don’t involve Mr. Wilson. These matchups will help determine outcome of this meaningless game and more importantly show how ready some key players are for the 2012 season. Without further stalling designed solely to make an introductory paragraph of a credible length, here is Preseason Week 3’s Matchups of the Game:

Matchup #1: Brandon Browner vs. Jon Baldwin

I think this matchup is intriguing because the players share such similar physical profiles but contrasting career paths. Browner stands at 6-4 and weighs in at 221 lbs, while Baldwin is 6-4 230. They are both sophomores but how they reached this point could not be more different. Browner is a CFL veteran who made the leap to the NFL at age 27 and excelled, whereas Baldwin was a highly-touted first round pick who failed to produce in his first year. In his second year Browner looks to keep up the good work while improving on the nuances of his game, nuances such as not taking so many damn penalties. Baldwin on the other hand is looking to make good on his potential and establish himself as a starting receiver in the NFL. I like Browner in this match-up because his greatest strength is the way he disrupts receivers at the line and beating the jam is something young wide-outs often struggle with, and something that was specifically a concern for Baldwin coming out of college. Also Baldwin lacks the pure speed to burn Browner severely down the field, enabling Browner to be even more aggressive at the line of scrimmage. Look for the more experienced sophomore to win out here, but expect an interesting battle of two players who have elite size and strength at their respective positions.

Matchup #2: Red Bryant vs. Eric Winston

I cannot really explain why, but Eric Winston is a player I’ve always liked. I thought the Seahawks should have drafted him when he fell to the 3rd round in 2006 and I thought they should have signed him when he became available on the free agent market this off-season. Alas it was not to be. Instead we will get to see our favorite massive human being, Mr. Red Bryant, against the underrated tackle. The reason I find this matchup noteworthy is that I think that Bryant may have a good opportunity to dominate with his raw power which is something that simply makes for good television. Winston is a fantastic tackle; however I think he might be ill equipped to handle Bryant. Standing at 6 foot 7 and weighing in at a lean (remember that this is all relative) 302 pounds, Winston is a nimble pass blocker that lacks bulk by the standards of an NFL O-Lineman. Normally, facing DE’s in the 260-280 pound range and 3-4 outside linebackers at 240-260 pounds, Winston’s size is not an issue. Facing the colossus that is Red Bryant, all of the sudden Winston finds himself undersized. Bryant is listed at 6-4 323 but unless I’m missing something he carries quite a bit more weight than that. In this game I’d like to see him leverage that size into results against a taller, lighter tackle that he should be able to get under and push back. It’s always fun to see Red at work and I think this is a game where he can make his presence known and impact the running game of the Chiefs in a big way.

Matchup #3: Sidney Rice vs. Stanford Routt

This is a matchup that Sidney Rice wins merely by stepping on the field and surviving. By participating in this game and coming out unscathed Rice can create significant optimism about the Seahawks’ offensive potential this year. Rice can be the legitimate #1 receiver that any offense needs to be potent and strike fear into the hearts of opponents. Stanford Routt is an insanely good athlete, much like many Oakland draft picks under Al Davis, with excellent length (6-2) and speed (4.27 40 yard dash time). He received a rich extension from Oakland that he may not have deserved but he has been better in recent years, recording a career high 4 INT’s last year. Despite this Routt has never been able to come close to fulfilling his athletic promise. If Rice was 100% you could envision him having his way with Routt but I would settle for a couple of catches, maybe a touchdown, and a graceful exit. This game is also Rice’s first chance to establish any chemistry with Wilson, which may or may not be incredibly important depending on how Wilson does today.

Regardless of anything I’ve written here I know that today is about Russell Wilson and Russell Wilson alone. When the game starts his performance will keep your eyes glued to the TV screen not Red Bryant’s. I know this because I am at least as guilty as you if not more so. We are all suckers for a QB controversy, especially one involving a promising rookie. That being said, if you manage to snap out of your Russell Wilson trance at some point today enjoy the matchups I’ve outlined here because I think they’ll show the Seahawks have far more than one player worth watching.

Nov 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll congratulates defensive end Chris Clemons (91) on a defensive stop against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

As the headline states, the Seahawks seem to have been amassing a large number of specialists for their defense. First round pick Bruce Irvin is a perfect example. He’s an amazing pass rusher, but at least at this point in his development, he offers next to nothing in run support.

This is especially true on the defensive line. Brandon Mebane, Red Bryant and Alan Branch are among the league’s best run stuffers. They also offer next to nothing in terms of pass rush. Conversely, Chris Clemons, Jason Jones, and now Irvin are exceptional pass rushers, but offer little in terms of run support.

That dichotomy can lead to really good things for the Seahawks. It should allow them to be great against both the run and pass. Get he run stuffers out there on running downs, and then pull them off for the pass rushers one passing downs.  The problem is that this system puts tremendous pressure on the coaches to make sure the right the right personnel on the field for every play. Have the wrong unit in there and bad things are bound to happen. Luckily, I have a lot of faith in Pete Carroll and Gus Bradley.

My concern is that this type of system is open to team’s that “break convention;” throwing on running downs and passing in running situations. I think we’re going to see a lot of teams going 3 or 4 wide and then handing it off. Or coming out with 2 TEs and a fullback only to pass the ball.

Another thing that makes me worry is versatile players like SF’s LaMichael James. I can see them huddling with 2 TEs, a FB, James as the RB, and just 1 WR, and then shifting into a formation that has James and speedy TE Vernon Davis both split out wide. The Seahawks would mostly likely find themselves with their run-stopping unit on the field, and would be at a major disadvantage against any pass play called by the Niners.

Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see how this all plays out. As I said above, I have a lot of Faith in Carroll and Bradley to get the right players on the field and to call the right plays. I’m just concerned. There’s a reason why other teams don’t do this. While there’s potential for this defense to be absolutely amazing, I’m still worried.

• Seahawks re-signed Red Bryant. Very good move.
• Seahwks also re-signed Heath Farwell, who plays mostly on special teams. Not sure why this had to happen this early. ST players like Farwell are available after the draft.
• The Seahawks have made an offer to James Jones, though it appears he’s headed to the Rams instead.
• Peyton Manning is now off to Tennessee. Still no trip to Seattle planned. Makes me wonder if Matt Hasselbeck will be available soon, not that I’d be interested in signing him.
• Jason Campbell signed with the Bears, so he wont be coming to Seattle to compete with Jackson.
• Matt Leinert was cut. This was expected, as is his connection to Seattle. I only expect him to come here if the Seahawks draft a major project at QB in April, and that QB wont be ready to be backup in 2012.
• Matt Flynn to Miami will likely be done later today. Sadly, an already “meh” Dolphin roster got worse when they traded Brandon Marshal to the Bears.
• Mario Williams was offered what is reportedly the largest contract for any defensive player in the NFL by the Bills, but he still isn’t signed. While it’s still possible, I don’t think he’s coming to Seattle either.
• WRs Vincent Jackson and Rober Meechum are now both off the market, so an upgrade at WR is no longer an option via free agency.
• Of the 16 remaining unsigned Seahawk free agents, none of them received interest today. This includes Michael Robinson and David Hawthorne, so it’s possible that either or both could still return.

Oct 23, 2011; Cleveland, OH, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) celebrates after blocking a Cleveland Browns field goal attempt in the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Red Bryant re-signed with the Seahawks Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Bryant was one of the best defensive linemen on the market, and was an instrumental part of the Seahawks defense last season. Bryant is considered to be one of, if not the best DR against the run in the entire NFL. Conversely, he also lacks almost all pass rush skills, making him an extremely one-dimensional player. The Seahawks unique 4-3 hybrid defense is based almost entirely on Bryant’s abilities at the DE position.

The deal 5 year deal worth around $35 million overall. $14.5 mil of that is guarenteed. As with the Marshawn Lynch contract, the guaranteed money is believed to tied up in the first 2 years of the deal. This protects that Seahawks long term salary cap situation.

Liz Matthews reported that the Patriots were very interested in Bryant and offering him a pretty substantial contract. This likely prompted the Seahawks to up their offer and get this deal done.

You should especially notice the absence of Marshawn Lynch, Red Bryant, David Hawthorne, and Michael Robinson. Even though it is very likely that all 4 will return next season, I wont be adding them to this depth chart until after they’re signed.

I’ve done my best to fill in the practice squad caliber players who were recently been signed to futures contracts, even though it’s difficult to discern exactly what roll the Seahawks envision for those players. I’m not particularly worried though, since the probability that any of those players ultimately makes the team is close to zero.

*Player is recovering from a major injury.

With Robinson still unsigned, the Seahawks have no FB on the roster. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

The Seahawks were just 1 Lynch injury away from being a very bad team in 2011. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Offense: Quarterback, Line, Backs, Tight Ends, Receivers

Defense: Tackles, Ends, Linebackers, Safeties, Corners

Specialists

After combing through every player on the roster, I have to say that my opinion of the roster went nowhere but down. Before I started this process, I felt that the Seahawks were a QB, a LB and few roll players (like a 3rd down pass rushing DE) away from being a Super Bowl contender. I simply just don’t feel that way anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, the Seahawks still need a serious upgrade at QB and LB, and they still need a another pass rusher. Those needs are still there. The problem is that they aren’t the only needs. Overall, the depth across the entire roster is really poor.

The Seahawks were actually rather lucky last season when it came to injuries. The 2 positions hit hardest, CB and Offensive line, were the 2 positions that had enough depth to handle the loss. The rest of the roster was ill prepared to overcome injuries.

The most obvious example was RB. There was noone on the roster to step in for Lynch when he was hurt in the Cleveland game. Forsett and Washington were completely ineffective when given playing time.

The Defensive line was paper thin. The 4 starters, Clemons, Mebane, Branch, and Bryant were all completely irreplaceable with the other players on the roster. If any of them had been hurt then entire defense would have likely fallen apart. The problem was so bad that there wasn’t even a competent pass rusher who could come in for Bryant on 3rd downs.

And that problem existed all over the roster. Safety. TE. Even linebacker was bad, which is sad since the starters were a major weakness to begin with.

The truth is that the Seahawks are just 3 or 4 players away from being a very good team capable of beating anyone in the league. But the point isn’t to be good enough to win one regular season game, the point is to be able to win a Super Bowl. So while you need a team good enough to beat any other team in the league, you also need a team that is deep enough to do so after playing 18 or 19 games.

And even if the Seahawks fill in those holes in the starting lineup, it wont be enough until they are are also deep enough to handle the long season. And they are still long way from reaching that point.

How much will it cost to re-sign Red Bryant? Credit: Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

DE is thought to be the biggest need for the Seahawks other than QB. In 2011, the pass rush was at best inconsistent and at worst completely absent. Even if the Seahawks manage to re-sign Red Bryant, a massive overhaul of this group is needed.

Chris Clemons quietly had another outstanding year in 2011, with 11 sacks and 51 tackles. The problem was that Clemons had almost no help in terms of putting pressure on the QB. If he didn’t get there, then no one did. Clemons wil definitely be back next season.

Red Bryant is a unique player in the NFL. At 323 lbs. he’s a mammoth at the position. He’s also a big reason why the Seahawks run defense was so good. Bryant’s size and strength are unmatched by any other player at his position in the league, and he creates major headaches for opposing offensive coordinator.

At the same time, Bryant is all but useless as a DE against the pass. While the Seahawks will occasionally use him at DT on passing downs, he hasn’t shown much ability on the inside either. The best place to line him up on passing down is on the sidelines. He might be the league’s most extreme 1-dimensional player in that regard.

Bryant is also a free agent. Re-signing him is a majot priority for the Seahawks. He is an irreplaceable part of the Seahawks defense. Losing him to another team will mean fundamentally changing the structure and scheme of the defense.

Raheem Brock was perhaps the team’s biggest disappointment in 2011. After 2010 season where he had 9 sacks as a part time player who subbed in for Bryant on passing downs, his sack total dropped to just 3 this past season. Even worse than his lack of sack was his general lack of effectiveness. Brock just never managed to generate a pass rush despite considerable playing time and absolutely never being double teamed. Brock’s career seems to be at an end.

Rookie Laz Levingston spent most of the season on the practice squad, and is thought to be a potential backup to Red Bryant’s 5-technique. Little is really known about his actual potential, other than the fact that Seahawk coaches like him a lot.

Anthony Hargrove and Jimmy Wilkerson are similar players. Both are too big to play the Leo end position, and too small to play the 5-tech. Wilkerson spent the year on IR. Hargrove was actually used as a backup DT, who came in on passing downs to try and provide some inside pressure. Neither appear to have a long term future with the team.

And finally there’s Dexter Davis. Davis is, apparently, the best pass rusher on the roster and has double digit sack potential. The problem is that Davis can’t stay healthy both of seasons in the NFL have been spent on injured reserve. It remains to be seen if those injuries were flukes, or a sign that he’ll never be able to stay healthy.

Prediction: Red Bryant will re-sign. Clemons will return, and Dexter Davis will be given one more shot at staying healthy. Laz Levingston also returns, but everyone else is replaced.

Up next for the Seahawks is the NFL Scouting Combine. Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, the entire league can finally turn it’s attention to getting each roster ready for 2012.

The first thing on the agenda is the NFL Draft Scouting Combine that takes place at the end of the month. It will also be at the combine that we learn the results of the coin flip that will decide if the Seahawks pick 11th or 12th in the first round of draft.

Over the next couple weeks, we should begin hearing about negotiations taking place on new contracts with players who were on the Seahawks roster last season. Key free agents include Marshawn Lynch, David Hawthorne, Michael Robinson and Red Bryant. Paul McQuistan and Breno Giacomini are also high on the team’s wish list of players to be brought back.

At the same time, the Seahawks are likely to trim a few roster spots held by veteran players with contracts that aren’t cap friendly. Marcus Trufant and Mike Williams are candidates to be cut, though neither is a certainty.

I should also note that any player cut during this process (like perhaps Peyton Manning) does not have to wait until free agency to begin before negotiating with other teams. Therefore, it’s possible that we’ll see a couple of new players signed in the next few weeks, thought I seriously doubt the Seahawks will do so.

Will Seattle find an upgrade at QB? Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

1) Quarterback – Tarvaris Jackson played better than we thought he would, but he was a below average player at the game’s most important position.While the Seahawks may still go into 2012 with Jackson at QB, there’s no doubt that this team cannot reach it’s potential until they find an upgrade at QB.

2) Weak Side Linebacker - Leroy Hill is a popular player among fans, but he was awful in 2011. The Seahawks ranked dead last against running backs on passing plays in 2011, and much of that is the fault of Hill. While he is decent against the run, there were few LBs worse against the pass that Hill in 2011.

3) Split End – This is the wide receiver position manning in 2011 by big Mike Williams. Williams struggled all season. He finished the year with just receptions 18 for 236 yards and 1 TD. For a guy who started 15 games, those numbers are completely unacceptable. If the Seahawks are going to take the next step forward on offense, they must get more production out of whoever is playing opposite of Sydney Rice.

4) Right Tackle -  This one is tough to put on this list, because I think that James Carpenter has a bright future, but if the Seahawks are going to win in 2012 they need to upgrade this position. Carpenter will be out for the entire offseason and likely most of training camp (and possibly the first 6-8 weeks as well if they place him on the PUP list) so the Seahawks need someone at RT no matter what. While Giacomini played decently, his presence in the starting lineup meant that TE Zach Miller was used to help block way too often. An upgrade at RT would mean another target for the passing game on most passing plays.

5) Pass Rush Specialist – The Seahawk defense is built around stopping the run first. Both Alan Branch and Red Bryant are beasts against the run. The problem is that neither is all that useful against the pass. Since the Seahawks use specialists (last season is was Anthony Hargrove and Raheem Brock) to replace those two in passing situations, new starters aren’t needed. Just the specialists need upgraded, but serious upgrades must be made.

1) At least one of the team’s top priorities to be re-signed (Lynch, Robinson, Hawthorne, Bryant) wont return.

I’m not sure which one, but something tells me that at least one of those 4 players will get an offer from another team that the Seahawks wont be willing to match. All 4 are priorities for a reason, but none of the 4 are truly irreplaceable.

2) The Seahawks sign a player that most Seattle fans have never heard of, and that player will be a starter. 

John Schneider has a knack of unearthing talent. Brandon Browner and Alan Branch come to mind from a year ago. Neither were considered NFL starters before Schneider signed them, and both were impact players on the defense.

Could Mario Williams be the next great Seahawks pass rusher? Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

3) The Seahawks will sign at least 1 big name player.

Last year it was Sydney Rice, Robert Gallery and Zach Miller. The year before it was Lawyer Milloy. Schneider has not been afraid to spend big as long as the deal is short term, or for a young player. Mario Williams comes to mind, but there are other such players available this year as well.

4) The Seahawks will sign a QB.

It might not be a big name, or even someone who ultimately makes the team, but I believe that there will be a free agent QB who’s brought in to provide depth at the position in case the Seahawks don’t get a QB in the draft, or get a late round project.

5) John Carlson and Marcus Trufant won’t be Seahawks in 2012.

The Seahawks would like both of them back, but not at a starter’s pay level. Both will be given contracts by another team that the Seahawks wont be willing to match.

Leadership

One thing that I take very seriously in evaluating a team is leadership. This is one reason I always doubted Tarvaris Jackson. In all of his press conferences this year he looked scared and confused, as well as mumbling every word he spoke. It was almost like he didn’t really want to be our starting quarterback, as if his mom was forcing him to go out for the team.

All year long I have been trying to decipher who our leaders are. With the absence of Marcus Trufant, Lawyer Milloy, Lofa Tatupu, and Matt Hasselbeck it has been difficult for the Seahawks. We are definitely a young team in transition waiting for leaders to emerge. So with this article I am going to do my best to evaluate which leadership roles have been filled as well as try and spotlight roles where leadership is still needed.

I’m going to start with the two emotional leaders of the team since they are definitely the most fun to watch (as well as being my favorite players). Our two emotional leaders are unquestionably Marshawn Lynch on offense and BIG Red Bryant on defense. The emotional leader on an offense or a defense is the guy that thrusts energy into the heart of every player before kick-off as well as being the one to keep that energy pulsating as the game wears on. They also help pick the team up in situations when they are down, whether with a play on the field or through encouragement on the sideline. Richard Sherman is a player to watch in this regard, for he is too emotional not to become a leader.

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