12th Man Rising
FanSided

Seahawks poised for perfect training camp?

By Dan Viens

Jul 31, 2015; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and tight end Jimmy Graham (88) sign autographs following training camp practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and tight end Jimmy Graham (88) sign autographs following training camp practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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As training camp approaches for the Seattle Seahawks, you can make the case that things couldn’t have gone any better for them since the 2015 season ended.

Is there such a thing as the perfect off season, or the perfect training camp?

We may be about to find out.

Since the Seahawks ended their 2015 season with a playoff loss in Carolina, seemingly everything has gone right. To wit:

  • They had a draft haul that most experts are calling one of the best in the league, and then signed a number of UDFA’s who appear talented enough to make a run at the final roster.
  • They locked up key players to contract extensions without much stress or fanfare, including Jeremy Lane, Doug Baldwin, and Ahtyba Rubin.
  • While they suffered some big-name free agent losses (Russell Okung, Bruce Irvin and Brandon Mebane) and the retirement of Marshan Lynch, they appear set to move one with talented, younger players in those positions.

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  • The two major medical rehab cases, Thomas Rawls and Jimmy Graham, appear to be ahead of schedule and both players are expected to be ready for the opener.
  • There were no new major injuries.
  • Even with Michael Bennett grousing about wanting a new deal, he has said he’ll report to camp on time and play hard, as he did last year in the same situation. There are no other potential holdouts.
  • Franchise QB Russell Wilson has had a stellar off season, drawing rave reviews for his leadership and accuracy on the field.
  • The superstar GM and Head Coach combo of John Schneider and Pete Carroll just signed lucrative contract extensions, ensuring continuity at the top.

Everything appears to be lined up perfectly. Schneider himself said in a radio interview today that he thinks the overall talent on the roster rivals that of the great 2013 team. There isn’t the pressure to repeat as Super Bowl participants, and the off season was longer for them since they didn’t qualify for last year’s game. In fact, some analysts think the Arizona Cardinals might be the team to beat in the NFC West, perhaps even adding more fuel to the Hawks fire.

Sure, there are questions. In particular, who will be the five starting offensive linemen, and how quickly can they come together? The good news is that the NFL schedule makers gave the Hawks a softer landing out of the gate this year, so they should have a chance to find the right combination before the hairiest part of the agenda.

Next: Pete Carroll signs 3 year extension

Is success a sure thing in 2016? Certainly not, the NFL simply doesn’t work that way. But if you were grading the Seahawks off season you’d have to give it an A.

And that might just lead to a perfect training camp as they look to once again be Super Bowl contenders.

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