3 biggest concerns as we sit

[cberg]

Now that I am beyond the euphoria of last Saturday's victory over Denver, I am clear minded enough to put together my top three concerns entering the back half of the preseason.

1) TE coverage. This is my #1 concern. We have shown a disturbing history of having trouble covering the TE emphasized the the playoff game last year against Tony Gonzalez and the Atlanta Falcons. San Diego's Antonio Gates and Denver's Julius Thomas have already burned us and we have some of the best TE's in the league in our division in Vernon Davis and Jared Cook.

2) Run Defense. This is a more obvious concern as we watch the team add two DT's in the last 2 days. Jesse Williams is not going to work right now and none of us know what we have in McDaniel. Our LB's need the freedom to run and hit unmolested, we need a couple guys to step in and allow that to happen.

3) TE. Miller is above average when healthy but that is no sure thing and our team doesn't have much behind him. Wilson has shown that he is very athletic but very raw and McGrath is a fringe talent at best. TE's in our system should go nuts with Russell's running ability sucking in the LB's leaving the middle of the field wide open.

Am I missing a concern that can unseat any of these three?

 

[JSeahawks]

1. How am I going to afford Super Bowl tickets and airfare to New York?

 

[theENGLISHseahawk]

Pass rush #4 for me.

 

[Basis4day]

1) TE coverage. This is my #1 concern. We have shown a disturbing history of having trouble covering the TE emphasized the the playoff game last year against Tony Gonzalez and the Atlanta Falcons. San Diego's Antonio Gates and Denver's Julius Thomas have already burned us and we have some of the best TE's in the league in our division in Vernon Davis and Jared Cook.

Show me a team that does a good job of shutting down Gonzalez. He's gonna get his, same as Larry Fitzgerald at WR.

 

[13thMan]

I think you have nailed it... and yes, pass rush is going to be something to watch also, no doubt. I don't like that this team has gotten exposed by good TEs for the reasons you have mentioned... It's possible that another team in our division will be fielding two very good ones and featuring them alot on offense...

I'm a little less concerned (but still conerned) about our run defense.... I guess I just hope this will work itself out, particularly since our CBs can basically cover on an island... so I will reserve judgement on this through week 2 where we will know definitely if it's even serviceable....

If we had a good TE, it would be the final piece to an already good offense.... one can hope/dream/wish but it is definitely high on the priority list!

EDIT: #5 Toughest schedule of any team in the NFL this year?

 

[Hawks46]

If Miller can come back healthy, I'm not too worried. I also think Miller is healthy, and the coaches know how much we're screwed if Miller can't go, so I think they are bubble wrapping him preseason and taking every precaution to get him on the field week 1.

Agreed on run defense, covering the TE, and pass rush.

My 4a. would be our Guard positions. It shows up in a game like Atlanta, which wasn't that great at stopping the run, but sold out to do so. We don't have overpowering physical talent at Guard, unless Carpenter can get healthy. Both McQuistan and Sweezy are below average at pass pro, and Sweezy isn't always very physical at the point of attack. Sweezy excels at the 2nd level blocks, but I'm not overly impressed at the point of attack, and bruiser DT's can bull rush him effectively.

 

[13thMan]

@Hawks46 -- your point on the guard play is understood, however I believe that RW can mask many of the deficiencies of the Oline... that's a big plus....

 

[chris98251]

You don't mask a shitty line, you end up getting injured, ask Ric Mirer.

 

[cberg]

Nobody has asked Rick Mirer anything in years......

 

[chris98251]

Well if not Rick maybe Brady Quinn while he's here, in KC and Cleveland he saw just about the worst line play in the league.

 

[ClumsyLurk]

For me;

#1 Run defense
#2 Run defense
#3 TE/middle coverage

 

[FlyingGreg]

1. Pass rush.
2. Pass rush.
3. Pass rush.

Nothing more important than being able to rush the passer, especially on the road when we need to close out games.

 

[Sports Hernia]

1. How am I going to afford Super Bowl tickets and airfare to New York?

That's what plastic is for! Figure out how to pay for it LATER!

 

[Sports Hernia]

1. Stay healthy
2. Stay healthy
3. Stay healthy

 

[Attyla the Hawk]

All about the pass rush.

It's the one missing piece.

 

[Blitzer88]

Pass rush is still the big concern for me, also the DT position outside of Mebane is also something that I have been paying close attention too. Not much proven depth behind Bane and that concerns me.