Offseason Preview: Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks' Offseason "To Do" List

Man, I love those alternate uniforms.  I am being completely serious when I say that.  They do something extra for that "12th Man" in Seattle.  But if they want to become something more than a team hard to beat at home, they'll need to rely on players, not jerseys and crowds.

Since Pete Carroll taking over in Seattle, he's put his stamp on the football team.  He's quickly shifted the 4-3 personnel to a hybrid 3-4/4-3 team.  He's added free agent skill players to his offense such as Sidney Rice, Tarvaris Jackson and Mike Williams. He also traded for Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch.  He has brought in valuable draft picks to add youth in the skill positions such as wide receivers Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin.  Most of his work has been constructing an offensive line, now led by guru Tom Cable, fit for his preferred zone blocking scheme.  He's used recent high draft picks on offensive linemen.  He selected Tackles Russel Okung and James Carpenter with first round picks.  He drafted Center Max Unger and Guard John Moffitt.  Left Guard Robert Gallery followed Tom Cable to Seattle from Oakland.

The hybrid scheme is becoming effective as he gets players better suited for that style.  His front seven is capable of rushing any player.  Defensive End Chris Clemons is often used as a linebacker rushing from a two point stance.  K.J. Wright, who was a rookie, filled in as a starting outside linebacker because of his versatility.  The secondary is becoming the backbone of this Seahawks' defense.  Earl Thomas has quickly become a top five safety in the NFL.  Pete Carroll has an underrated cornerback duo in Brandon Browner and Richard Sermon.  Sermon is the smaller of the two corners at 6'3, 195 pounds.  There hasn't been a tandem that long since Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent were with the Eagles in 2003.  Kam Chancellor is also coming into his own at Strong Safety.

With the eleventh or twelfth overall draft choice (to be determined by coin flip with Chiefs) and several free agents, Seattle is getting set for a busy offseason.  I believe Tarvaris Jackson should and will be back for another season as starting quarterback.  Even with QB settled, the Seahawks have important decisions to make.  Here's there "To Do" list:

Keep "Beast Mode": Lynch has proven to be a workhorse back.  Also, he's only 25 years old.  It would be wise to get him under contract early if possible.

Explore TE situation: Tom Cable didn't just bring Gallery with him.  TE Zach Miller also came over from Oakland.  Miller's injury history has been a problem.  John Carlson, who is a free agent, hasn't been an ironman himself.  Seattle needs to decide if re-signing Carlson, and going into the season with these two is a good idea.  They could opt to go younger via the draft or sign a different free agent other than Carlson.  Miller's contract could also factor into the decision.

Add to Defensive Line: With Raheem Brock, Anthony Hargrove and Red Bryant all being free agents, and far from being stud defenders, expect defensive line to be addressed in the NFL Draft.  Expect Carroll to be his usual aggressive self in free agency.  They could possibly go defensive end with their first round pick (Melvin Ingram or Quinton Coples).

Secondary Depth: Marcus Trufant could very well be done in Seattle with the emergence of Browner and Sherman.  They will need a solid nickel back and still look to add a safety for depth.  

Find a Middle Linebacker: The defense is possibly a true "Mike" backer away from dominance.  If Carroll could manage to get a veteran such as London Fletcher from the Redskins, he could buy time to get a longer solution.

Final Thoughts

Seattle is improving.  They were a tough team to beat at season's end.  With better health and more continuity, Seattle could make a playoff push.  The roster is far from perfect but it has cornerstones to build on.  Pete Carroll has a good eye for talent.  This will be an improved roster heading into to Training Camp.