Seahawks set to begin a Championship Offseason
With the right roster additions this offseason, the Seattle Seahawks will set the table for another championship to come next season.
The Seattle Seahawks 2016 season may have been plagued with on field inconsistency.Despite that, one principle that remained steadfast was head coach Pete Carroll’s proclamation that the character of each player had grown individually and collectively.
Character, connection and love are three attributes that Carroll often touches on. He’s made clear emphasis on orchestrating a systemic yet organic brotherhood that deeply revolves around these core philosophies.
With this philosophy in place, the coaches are freely able to preach pure competition to players among teammates and within themselves. This creates a supportive place for veteran players to feel compelled to mentor younger players. In turn, this creates a perpetual environment of competition for the veterans since they know someone younger, faster, or stronger could potentially take their job.
Just two days into the offseason, during his end of the year press conference, Carroll showed his unwavering enthusiasm to commence the 2017 season in that exact moment. After a long, rigorous season it would be understandable if he considered a short window of down time, but he never quits. That mentality is crucial for this team in the offseason.
Vitality in the 2017 draft is another central aspect of this offseason. Many Seahawks fans are approaching the draft with the offensive line on the mind considering the glaringly obvious reasons. If a reminder is needed, allow me to be blunt. The Seahawks’ offensive line was arguably the worst line league wide, as well as the weakest unit on the team. This should be a priority, right? Yes, at a certain point. But, in my opinion, there’s not a body for that position that’s worthy of the Seahawks 26th overall pick.
The position has been addressed countlessly. The Seahawks have drafted more offensive lineman in the last five years than any other team in the league. This proves spending high quantities of draft capitol on a position group doesn’t necessarily provide the repairs that might be expected. Continuity and communication advancement, while maintaining formidable competition, are key right now. The line is in need of grooming, not an overhaul.
As experience grows with this young group, I truly believe they can be productive. We’ve seen signs of potential before. For example, the end of the Seahawks 2015 season when quarterback Russell Wilson had a seven-game stretch from Week 10 to Week 16 when he was only sacked 12 times during that span versus 33 times the first half of that season. Young players like guard Mark Glowinski, center Justin Britt, and tackle Gary Gilliam were part of that run.
Going into the 2017 season with the sixth highest paid quarterback in the league behind arguably the league’s worst line implies the Seahawks front office duo of Carroll and general manager John Schneider have been willing to put Wilson’s health at risk to retain their core players. As we saw last season, this strategy has finally started to fail them.
Wilson suffered a high ankle sprain week one versus the Miami Dolphins when the line failed to protect him on a fake handoff to running back Thomas Rawls. Week three against the San Francisco 49ers, Wilson suffered an MCL injury to his knee on a dropback after the line failed him again. The third injury that Wilson suffered was a pectoral injury, that may have happened while being sacked by linebacker Chandler Jones during week six against the Arizona Cardinals.
The line needs to regain their cohesion, confidence, and unity to reignite the unstoppable spree they went on in 2015. A great offseason of tenacious teamwork is the first step to reclaiming that.
So, if the Seahawks shouldn’t use their first pick on the offensive line, what should they use it on? With uncertainty ensuing from starting cornerback DeShawn Shead’s knee surgery, as well as the unpredictable tackling by nickel cornerback Jeremy Lane, a good place to start in the draft would be at cornerback.
With Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman receiving fewer targets than his opposite cornerback, it’s imperative this need be addressed with urgency in the draft.
Injuries at pivotal positions afflicted the Seahawks in 2016. Wilson’s injuries were monumental in the direction the season went. Earl Thomas suffered a broken leg in a collision with teammate Kam Chancellor during week 13 against the Carolina Panthers. This proved detrimental to the function of the defense as points allowed per game increased and interceptions slipped to a historical low within the Seahawks franchise.
Tyler Lockett sustained a PCL injury to his knee early in the season that he fought through. His season ended with a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula in week 16 against the Cardinals. Lockett is a prominent returner in the league and had also just stepped in as the number two wide receiver before his season ended. His versatility and reliability on third down conversions and explosive plays was missed considerably.
Lockett has been providing updates through social media about his recovery and recently posted a video on Snapchat of himself playing basketball. Earl has also been seen walking without a cast. These small victories are tremendous so early in the offseason.
Next: A RB in round 1 is a terrible idea
A championship offseason is made up of triumphs both big and small. For the Seahawks, the key is constructing an environment of emotional connections to one another, communication, and competition. This setting is developed and initiated by Carroll, but is ultimately executed and achieved by each player individually and collectively. This fruition begins now.