12th Man Rising
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Seahawks: Should we be worried about the 2016 season?

By Keith Myers

Oct 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (77) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (77) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the league’s most dominant team for the last three and a half seasons, but the volume of talented free agents leaving has me worried about next season.

I need your help. I need you to talk me down on the ledge a bit, because I’m starting to genuinely worry about next season. I know it is early, and that the offense hasn’t even officially begin yet. I know the core of the team that won a Super Bowl and made it to another is still here, but something about this offseason feel different.

Let me explain what I mean:

Lets start with the offensive line. It was terrible last season, and now we’re looking at two most-competent (notice I didn’t say good) members of that unit both leaving in free agency. Justin Britt, who was arguably the worst OF in the NFL last season, is now the longest-tenured starter of the group.

None of the trio of Britt, Lewis and Gilliam (the three remaining starters) are cornerstones of a great offensive line. In a normal year, we’d be focussed on finding upgrades on Britt and Lewis. Gilliam at least has upside, but it isn’t like he was great last season.

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The situation is just as bad on the other side of the ball. Both defensive tackles are free agents. There is literally zero depth behind them. Jordan Hill is a recognizable name, but he cannot stay healthy and is strictly a pass rusher that offers no help against the run.

There are concerns elsewhere too: LB, TE, CB, plus the minefield that is the Kam Chancellor contract situation. All of these add to my anxiety, but they don’t have the ability to crush the team the way the lines do.

Football is still a game that is won and lost in the trenches. We saw last year how a porous offensive line can cripple a talented offense. Next year’s line looks like it will be far worse.

Look back to how the 2012 season ended and you’ll see what happens when the defensive line falls apart. Remember when the team couldn’t hold a lead after scoring with just 34 seconds left in the playoffs? The entire Legion of Boom was present that day, but the pass rush was non-existent.

What you think, am I crazy here? How are you feeling about 2016 as the offseason begins?

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