Can the Seattle Seahawks go 19-0 in 2015?
By Thomas Oide
WEAKNESSES
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
1. Health
Now, labeling health as a weakness is utterly unfair, but must be considered as the Seahawks chase 19 wins. Richard Sherman played Super Bowl XLIX with a torn elbow ligament. Earl Thomas played with a torn labrum. Kam Chancellor played on a torn MCL.
If the Legion of Boom isn’t at 100 percent by the first snap of the 2015 season, there is simply no way the Seahawks can succeed. The team relies so heavily upon its top ranked defense, and the results could very well be disastrous if a member of the LOB has to miss time.
2. Offensive Line
Jimmy Graham came at a price. And boy, was it steep.
Former center Max Unger is now gone, and with him goes the extra yard per carry that was associated with him whenever he was healthy enough to play.
Now, the Seahawks are left with three starters from last year: Russell Okung, J.R. Sweezy and Justin Britt. The latter two looked very shaky at times last year, and Russell Wilson did find himself under pressure a lot more than Seahawks fans would like.
Lemuel Jeanpierre and Alvin Bailey will take over at center and right guard, respectively. Both have played sparingly in the past couple of years.
Until proven otherwise, the offensive line looks like it will be a weakness for the Seattle Seahawks again.
3. The other cornerback
Byron Maxwell left Seattle for a much sweeter $60 million deal in Philadelphia, which left a huge void for the Seahawks on one side of the field. Jeremy Lane is still recovering from his gruesome arm injury in Super Bowl XLIX, which leaves Cary Williams and Will Blackmon to fill the cornerback spot opposite Richard Sherman.
Both fit the frame of a typical Legion of Boom defensive back, but it has yet to be seen if they can perform at the level. Blackmon played for the irrelevant Jacksonville Jaguars, which makes it hard to deduce how he will perform.
And all will remember when Dez Bryant tore up the Eagles for 114 yards and three touchdowns… Yes, that was with Cary Williams trying to defend him.
Next: STRENGTHS