hawknation2016
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Team Focus
A lot was accomplished in 2015, but it was also a year filled with disappointment and distraction. They narrowly lost a Super Bowl after a controversial decision. After that, the team appeared to fall into a malaise. The off-season was dominated by the uncertainity of Russell Wilson's contract situation with every doomsday scenario being thoroughly explored by the pundits. In addition, several veteran leaders needed to have surgeries. Earl Thomas questioned whether he still loved the game. Michael Bennett campaigned for a new contract and threatened a possible holdout. Kam Chancellor actually did holdout, missing all of OTAs, training camp, preseason, and the first two regular season games (close losses). Marshawn Lynch appeared to enter camp out of shape and then needed to have hernia surgery midway through the season. The most talented team in the league could not seem to get it together. Thus far, 2016 has been completely different with one of the quietest off-seasons ever. Hopefully, that calm will translate into laser-like focus this time around.
Return of the L.O.B.
The aforementioned malaise, injuries, and holdouts took a toll on the Legion in 2015, as did the play of former-Seahawk Cary Williams. With the re-signing of Jeremy Lane, Marcus Burley, and DeShawn Shead, the L.O.B. looks as well-stocked as it has been since 2013 and much more cohesive than they looked a year ago.
Dynamic Passing Game
Wilson went on a record-setting tear through the final half of the season, throwing 24 TDs against just one INT and completing 71% of his passes through the final seven games. If he managed that productivity through an entire 16-game season, Wilson would have had 55 TDs and 4,357 yards. His 132.8 QB rating would be the highest ever. Not bad for a "game manager."
The WR corps is the deepest it has been for the Seahawks. They return three WRs who finished in the Top 5 in WR-efficiency DVOA last season. Doug Baldwin had a breakout season in finishing #1 in receiving efficiency and catch rate, tied for #1 in receiving TDs, and eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. Tyler Lockett had about as great a rookie campaign as anyone could have hoped for, being named a Pro Bowl and All-Pro returner and finishing in the Top 3 in receiving efficiency. Jermaine Kearse will also return after being re-signed in the off-season. Kearse has turned into Mr. Reliable with an exceptional 72% catch rate. Former All-Pro TE Jimmy Graham just began to establish some connection with Wilson before ending his season with a torn patellar tendon. When Graham returns, my only hope is that he is used outside, not wasted in-line. Other promising undrafted receivers, like Kevin Smith, Kasen Williams, and Douglas McNeil, could make an already rich WR corps even richer.
Red Zone Efficiency
The Seahawks went from being the worst red zone team in the first half of the season to one of the better teams in the final stretch. Thomas Rawls' tough running certainly helped. But it was Wilson who put the team on his back and carried them into the upper echelon of the league. We can only hope that Graham's return adds to the team's red zone efficiency rather than detracts from it.
Blowin' Up the OL
By not re-signing Okung, Sweezy, and Bailey, the team has decided to essentially start from scratch in building this unit from the ground up, much like they built the L.O.B. They have added a couple bottom of the barrel free agents. In addition to developing the young talent already on the roster (Gilliam, Britt, Glowinski, Sokoli, Poole, etc.), they will need to draft extremely well at this position group. Only way to go is up, right?
Garry Gilliam looks like a promising fit at his natural LT position. But he should expect competition from veteran Bradley Sowell and possibly a rookie if they decide to draft a tackle. Justin Britt could move back to RT to compete with veteran J'Marcus Webb, 2nd year Terry Poole, and any other additions in the draft. Mark Glowinski and Kristjan Sokoli are also expected to battle for starting spots. You can expect real competition at every position along the offensive line, and that's a good thing. Whether it will pay off like the team's other rehabilitation projects is T.B.D.
A lot was accomplished in 2015, but it was also a year filled with disappointment and distraction. They narrowly lost a Super Bowl after a controversial decision. After that, the team appeared to fall into a malaise. The off-season was dominated by the uncertainity of Russell Wilson's contract situation with every doomsday scenario being thoroughly explored by the pundits. In addition, several veteran leaders needed to have surgeries. Earl Thomas questioned whether he still loved the game. Michael Bennett campaigned for a new contract and threatened a possible holdout. Kam Chancellor actually did holdout, missing all of OTAs, training camp, preseason, and the first two regular season games (close losses). Marshawn Lynch appeared to enter camp out of shape and then needed to have hernia surgery midway through the season. The most talented team in the league could not seem to get it together. Thus far, 2016 has been completely different with one of the quietest off-seasons ever. Hopefully, that calm will translate into laser-like focus this time around.
Return of the L.O.B.
The aforementioned malaise, injuries, and holdouts took a toll on the Legion in 2015, as did the play of former-Seahawk Cary Williams. With the re-signing of Jeremy Lane, Marcus Burley, and DeShawn Shead, the L.O.B. looks as well-stocked as it has been since 2013 and much more cohesive than they looked a year ago.
Dynamic Passing Game
Wilson went on a record-setting tear through the final half of the season, throwing 24 TDs against just one INT and completing 71% of his passes through the final seven games. If he managed that productivity through an entire 16-game season, Wilson would have had 55 TDs and 4,357 yards. His 132.8 QB rating would be the highest ever. Not bad for a "game manager."
The WR corps is the deepest it has been for the Seahawks. They return three WRs who finished in the Top 5 in WR-efficiency DVOA last season. Doug Baldwin had a breakout season in finishing #1 in receiving efficiency and catch rate, tied for #1 in receiving TDs, and eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. Tyler Lockett had about as great a rookie campaign as anyone could have hoped for, being named a Pro Bowl and All-Pro returner and finishing in the Top 3 in receiving efficiency. Jermaine Kearse will also return after being re-signed in the off-season. Kearse has turned into Mr. Reliable with an exceptional 72% catch rate. Former All-Pro TE Jimmy Graham just began to establish some connection with Wilson before ending his season with a torn patellar tendon. When Graham returns, my only hope is that he is used outside, not wasted in-line. Other promising undrafted receivers, like Kevin Smith, Kasen Williams, and Douglas McNeil, could make an already rich WR corps even richer.
Red Zone Efficiency
The Seahawks went from being the worst red zone team in the first half of the season to one of the better teams in the final stretch. Thomas Rawls' tough running certainly helped. But it was Wilson who put the team on his back and carried them into the upper echelon of the league. We can only hope that Graham's return adds to the team's red zone efficiency rather than detracts from it.
Blowin' Up the OL
By not re-signing Okung, Sweezy, and Bailey, the team has decided to essentially start from scratch in building this unit from the ground up, much like they built the L.O.B. They have added a couple bottom of the barrel free agents. In addition to developing the young talent already on the roster (Gilliam, Britt, Glowinski, Sokoli, Poole, etc.), they will need to draft extremely well at this position group. Only way to go is up, right?
Garry Gilliam looks like a promising fit at his natural LT position. But he should expect competition from veteran Bradley Sowell and possibly a rookie if they decide to draft a tackle. Justin Britt could move back to RT to compete with veteran J'Marcus Webb, 2nd year Terry Poole, and any other additions in the draft. Mark Glowinski and Kristjan Sokoli are also expected to battle for starting spots. You can expect real competition at every position along the offensive line, and that's a good thing. Whether it will pay off like the team's other rehabilitation projects is T.B.D.