Seattle Seahawks Midseason Report Card

We’re 8 games into the season, and it’s time to hand out some grades. With the team a disappointing 4-4, you can expect that we won’t be seeing a 4.0 GPA on this report card.

Russell Wilson: C+

I’m sure this low of a grade will ruffle some feathers, but in all honesty he doesn’t deserve better. He was too inaccurate at times, had way too many interceptions, way too many open receivers who didn’t get the ball, and way to many unnecessary QB scrambles that killed plays and drives to get a better grade here. He has shown tremendous improvement in recent games, but it hasn’t yet been enough to overcome his poor grades from earlier in the season and get him up to a better score here. If he keeps working hard, I don’t see any reason why he can’t pull his grade up by the end of the year.

Oct 7, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 16-12. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

Marshawn Lynch: A

He is the league’s 2nd leading rusher, and has done so behind an inconsistent and, at times, poor offensive line. He also has to run against 8-9 man fronts, as teams have stacked the line to try and stop him. Lynch is averaging 2.6 yards per rush after contact, which is an absolutely amazing stat. Someone obviously deserves a gold star.

Offensive Line: C

The line is improved from last season, but that doesn’t mean it’s been good. Breno Giacomini has been downright awful, and so have been all the penalties. But it hasn’t been all bad. Max Unger is quietly having a steller year, and Russell Okung has been good besides the flags. Even James Carpenter has played well, though not as well against the Lions. At least JR Sweezy isn’t playing anymore. His performance was embarrassing. I’m suggesting tutoring here.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: C-

Sydney Rice and Zach Miller have been good. Doug Baldwin has been when healthy, but he’s almost never been healthy. The rest of this group deserves an F. I suggest they all drop the call (like they do the ball) and try again next semester.

Run Defense: B+

This was a solid A until the 2nd half of the 49ers game. Then they bombed an exam and let Frank Gore make them look silly. That can’t happen. It cost the Seahawks a win, and it cost this unit an A.

Pass Rush: B-

The stats look good; plenty of Sacks, plenty of disgruntled QBs, etc., but the consistency isn’t there. The Seahawks lost last week because they were completely unable to get any sort of pressure on the QB. Basically  there’s good marks here, but way too many missing assignments that haven’t been turned in.

Secondary: B+

This is the group that does well on all the daily assignments, but then inexplicably stumbles on the exams (3rd down). It’s frustrating because there more than enough talent in this group to be getting a very solid A. I suggest they study more. Those exams are important.

Special Teams: A-

This is another unit that should have an A, but doesn’t. Why not? Because Leon Washington repeatably thinks that running the ball out from 8 yards deep in the endzone only to be stopped at 14 is a good idea. Seriously, stop handing in doodles as answers on the short anser questions. I know you know better.

Coaching: C

Penalties, clock management issues, horrible game planning choices, and the inexplicable phenomenon of the team only playing well for 2 quarters out of the every game, have all helped get in the way of the good results on the field. These are a rowdy kids in the back of the room that take away from the learning of the other students. It’s time to get your act together and do what needs to be done to let everyone succeed.

Luckily, these are only midterm grades. There’s plenty of time left in the term for everyone to put the work on and get their grades up. If you need extra credit, then you better make it to the playoffs.