Seahawks Report Card Part 2 For 2016-2017 Season

The Seahawks season ended sooner than anyone of wanted it to happen. I am sure most of us were expected them go to the NFL Conference Championship if not the Super Bowl however because of injuries and other issues it did not happen.

Russell Wilson along with Tyler Lockett and Earl Thomas were the primary injured players. Fortunately Wilson did not miss any action however Lockett and Thomas seasons ended prematurely. Lockett was replaced by Paul Richardson at wide receiver. He did an excellent job especially against the Detroit Lions in the first playoff game. At punt returner and kickoffs the Seahawks brought in Devin Hester who now plans to retire. He had a great punt return against Atlanta that if it had not been brought back by penalty may have allowed Seahawks to win instead of the Falcons.

Now I will look at how the Seahawks defense played for the season. Playing through November the Seahawks defense was leading once again points scored against them however it changed when Earl Thomas was injured and out for the season against Carolina on Dec. 4. He was replaced by veteran special team’s player Steve Terrell. He did an OK job however he was not Thomas. A lot of that I believe had to do with communication along with not playing a lot at the position.

The Cornerbacks: Better known as the legion of boom this core group had a good season but not up to what we have known them to do. Richard Sherman made the news most of the season for yelling when coming off the field and then he said that he would not speak to the local media. I got so fed up that he was being disgruntled and then the season ends with Pete Carroll mentioning that he had played with MCL a lot of the season. Since it was not mentioned he had an injury by Seahawks they could lose a draft pick so the drama continues. So we may hear about this all of the off-season. Jeremy Lane who played inside on passing downs had a good season. DeShawn Shead who played across from Sherman was injured against the Atlanta Falcons in the final game of the season. He had a torn ACL and he could be out for some time so the Seahawks signed veteran cornerback Perrish Cox as insurance in case that Shead is out for some time. There is a good possibility that the Seahawks will draft some corner backs this year too. Grade B.

Safety: This was known as the all-pro team for the Seahawks however both starters Kam Chancellor who missed several games early and then Earl Thomas was lost for the season when being injured against the Carolina Cougars. This showed how value both these guys are to the Seahawks. There is a good chance that the Seahawks could draft at these positions as well. Could end up being the top draft pick the Seahawks make depending who is available? Because of the health of Chancellor and Thomas the Seahawks will bring someone into camp to compete along with drafting one. Grade B only because of injuries.

Linebackers: Bobby Wagner might be named the defensive player of the year in the NFL. He had an outstanding season including making more tackles than any player. K.J. Wright who plays one of the outside linebackers had another good year and he was named to the Pro Bowl. Wagner and Wright have to be the best two linebackers on one team. The one weakness the Seahawk is on the other outside linebacker position. Mike Morgan was the starter there when the season began however he missed half the season because of injuries before returning to the lineup. He has been known in the years with the Seahawks as a pretty good special team’s player but didn’t start until this year. During his absence the Seahawks went with their backup linebackers. In his press conference after the season Coach Pete Carroll said that they would have to bring in players to compete against Wagner and Wright. Of course they won’t lose their positions but Carroll is looking at the future and those players may get some playing time at the other outside linebacker position. The Seahawks could bring in a veteran linebacker or go through the draft as well. So you see the Seahawks could be filling the draft on the offensive line, cornerbacks and linebackers more than any other positions. Also college players that were not drafted could come in to compete as well. Grade A minus

Defensive Line: This group is considered by many as the best in the NFL being led by ends Michael Bennett who signed a new three-year contract and Cliff Avril. These two guys had outstanding seasons. Frank Clark plays a lot at defensive end as well. When he does often Bennett goes inside to tackle. Another defensive end is Cassius Marsh. Both Clark and Marsh look like two guys that will take over for Bennett and Avril when they retire. Tony McDaniel played very well at one of the defensive tackle positions on running downs. Also rookie Jarran Reed who started at the other spot showed that he may have a good future with the Seahawks. I am sure the Seahawks will bring in other players to compete however it is not a big concern. Grade A

Although the defense was not what we have been accustomed to the last several years I give a total mark of B plus. The major reason because of injuries; they were why the Seahawks made the playoffs once again. Like every year under Carroll they will have competition at every position go Hawks!