Training Camp: Seattle Seahawks

While we won’t know for sure for another couple of seasons, right now it seems as though the Seattle Seahawks may have gotten the steal of the 2012 NFL Draft.  When Seattle took University of Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson with the 75th overall pick in the 3rd round, many “experts” believed the Seahawks were gambling on a player who was too short to play quarterback in the NFL.  All Wilson did in his rookie season was earn a trip to the Pro Bowl by completing 64% of his passes for over 3,000 yards with 26 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions.  Oh, and he led Seattle to a playoff appearance and a trip to the NFC Divisional round.

Don’t call Russell Wilson short
Photo Courtesy of Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

The question surrounding Wilson as he heads into 2013: Can he improve on an outstanding rookie year and avoid the dreaded “sophomore slump?”

It’s a good question and I’m not going to speculate one way or another.  What I do know is that even if he regresses a little bit, this team is still built for a postseason run.  They have 19 starters coming back and the defense was the number one in scoring (15.4 points-per-game) and fourth in total yards allowed last season.

RB Marshawn Lynch
Photo Courtesy of Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Seattle also boasted the third-ranked rushing attack in football in 2012, led by Marshawn Lynch who is coming off a career year with 1,590 yards and 11 touchdowns. Russell Wilson also doubled as the second leading rusher on the team with close to 500 yards and four touchdowns.  Backing up Lynch is second-year back Robert Turbin, who saw limited action in his rookie year, and 2013 2nd round pick Christine Michael (Texas A&M).

Seattle thought they added a, potentially, big-time weapon at wide receiver when they acquired Percy Harvin in a trade with the Vikings.  However, Harvin had hip surgery in July and expects to be out until mid-season.  While no Seattle receiver posted more than 50 receptions or 800 yards, the tandem of Golden Tate and Sidney Rice played well even though the Seahawks were a run-first team.  Rice (50 rec, 748 yds, 7 TD’s) and Tate (45-688-7) are both deep threats as each averaged over 15 yards-per-catch.  Tight ends Zach MIller and Anthony McCoy combined to produce numbers of one decent tight end (56 rec, 600+ yds and 6 TD’s).

Head coach Pete Carroll spent his first three seasons in Seattle rebuilding the offensive line.  Left tackle Russell Okung and center Max Unger each played the whole season in 2012 and went to the Pro Bowl.  J.R Sweezy, a converted defender, will play at right guard after finishing his rookie season as the starter.  Breno Giacomini returns at right tackle after starting all 16 games in 2012 and Paul McQuistan will make a switch from tackle to play left guard.

As I said earlier, the Seahawks defense was one of the best in football in 2012, especially at linebacker and in the secondary.  The back seven for Seattle is athletic and opportunistic.  They helped force 31 turnovers as the Seahawks finished the season with a +13 in turnover differential.

Up front, Cliff Avril (9.5 sacks) was added from Detroit to help bolster the pass rush, which only racked up 36 sacks in 2012.  He will split time with Chris Clemons at right defensive end.  Clemons led the team with 11.5 sacks last season.  Right defensive tackle Brandon Mebane ( 16 starts, 3 sacks) and left defensive end Red Bryant (16 starts) both return for 2013 along with free agent pickup Tony McDaniel who came over from Miami to start at left defensive tackle.  Seattle also spent its second round pick on DT Jordan Hill (Penn State).

Underrated middle linebacker Bobby Wagner probably could have made the Pro Bowl last season after notching 140 tackles, two sacks, three INT’s and four passes defended.  He returns to anchor the second line of defense.  He is joined on the right side by K.J. Wright (99 tackles, 5 passes defended) and Malcolm Smith will be a full-time starter at LOLB for the first time in his career. He played in 16 games and made three starts in 2012.

All-Pro Cornerback, Richard Sherman (25)
Photo Courtesy of Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

The secondary is one of the best in the NFL.  They produced 18 interceptions last season, including a team-leading eight by left cornerback Richard Sherman (24 passes defended too).  Sherman might be (and he certainly thinks he is) the best cover corner in the league.  Brandon Browner (44 tackles, 3 INT) joins him on the right side.  Third-year free safety Earl Thomas (61 tackles, 3 INT) went to the Pro Bowl for the second straight season.  He will play alongside strong safety Kam Chancellor (81 tackles).

Steven Hauschka (24 of 27 on field goals) and Jon Ryan (40.8 net punt avg) return to handle kicking duties.