The biggest problem I have with it is my ignorance of salary cap and disregard for such. I like to go into Madden mode, turn off cap, and sign every free agent to an unnecessary and unwarranted contract just so my team can be the best. With that in mind, as I go through each position, I will talk about the year in review, the state of the position, what I would like to see happen in the draft and free agency, and what I believe will actually happen. With all that said, let's finish up with the defense!
Quick thought: Why did Seattle lose to Atlanta in the playoffs? Better yet, what hurt Seattle during the regular season? Answer: The defense. This is not going to make me popular among Seahawk fans, but I feel like the defense was a big reason our season didn't turn out as good as it could. Granted, as I've stated BEFORE, we have arguably one of the best. But a little extra depth would have helped. I can look back at games against Miami, Detroit, and Atlanta to prove this point. Now, I'm not saying our D is to be fully blamed for any loss, but they need to take it personal. Injuries late in the year to DE Jason Jones and DE Chris Clemons didn't help, but I can only hope that Seattle improves on the little things.
Defensive Line:
Year in Review: It was a tale of two halves for the Seattle D-Line. During the first eight games, they lead the league in rushing yards against. Just like the year before, virtually nobody could run on the Hawks. Also, anybody remember a certain Green Bay game? Eight sacks in the first half. EIGHT. With DE Jason Jones, DE Chris Clemons, DT Alan Branch, DT Brandon Mebane, and DT Red Bryant, Seattle has one of the more talented d-lines in the league. Add rookies DE Bruce Irvin and DT Greg Scruggs and Jaye Howard, Seattle can rest assure that they have talent. What happened, however, was they stopped pressuring the quarterback. They stopped getting sacks, and in turn, a few games were lost. Late injuries to DE Jason Jones and DE Chris Clemons hurt badly.
State of Position: It is going to be an interesting offseason for this group, and probably will be the most important issue to address. DT Alan Branch and DE Jason Jones are both becoming free agents this offseason, and re-signing them is a must. Branch will be affordable in terms of resigning, as 2012 was less productive than 2011 and other DT free agents will demand much more. DE Jason Jones is an issue because of durability. Seattle might be able to resign him for much less than anticipated. Chris Clemons' knee injury is a huge issue, as it was a total ACL tear. That tends to be a 12 month recovery, and his production next year will reflect it. The rest of the D-line are held to contract, and I don't see any trades or cuts to the players mentioned above.
What I Would Like to See: I would love to see the Hawks resign Branch and Jones to small one-year contracts. Wouldn't mind seeing Clemons go to that doctor that worked on Adrian Peterson either, but I digress. In terms of free agents, names like DT Desmond Bryant, DT Richard Seymour, DE Dwight Freeney, and DE Osi Umenyiora all intrigue me. Bryant, a Raider, recorded a sack in the final four weeks of the season, something Seattle struggled doing. Seymour throughout his career has been disruptive to both the run and the pass, an addition I feel like would help to motivate and mentor some of the younger d-linemen. Freeney and Umenyiora both intrigue me, but I see only one coming. Both are older and coming off weaker seasons. Because they are old, I could see them trying to sign with Seattle and have a chance to win some games and a trophy or two. I like Umenyiora a little better due to his athleticism, but I would be happy with either one. In terms of the draft, I see Seattle taking the 25th pick overall as a lineman. Either DT John Hankins from Ohio State, DE Sam Montgomery from LSU, or DE Datone Jones from UCLA. Personally, I'd like to see either Hankins or Jones, but that's just me.
What I Plan on Seeing: As much as it absolutely pains me to type this, I don't see Jason Jones being resigned with Seattle. His durability is an issue, and I see another team offering him more money than the Hawks will. In terms of free agency, I believe Seattle will resign Branch. I believe they will pick up a couple of free agents, with only one being mentioned above. My thinking has Seattle signing Umenyiora. I can't see Oakland getting rid of both Seymour AND Bryant, and if Seattle were to get one or both, it would be through a trade for draft picks. If Seattle does draft a lineman, which I feel will be an absolute, it will be either Hankins or Jones. I also expect them to pick up a few in the later rounds.
Linebackers:
Year in Review: Probably the biggest story in the Seattle defense not named Thomas, Chancellor, Sherman, or Browner was MLB Bobby Wagner. As a rookie, he lead Seattle in total tackles and barely lost out to Carolina LB Luke Kuelchy for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The only player on the team to beat out Wagner in tackles for loss was LB K.J. Wright, another young and tenacious Seattle backer. Leroy Hill split time with Malcolm Smith for the third LB position, both playing pretty decently. Shout out to MLB Heath Farwell, listed as a linebacker on the roster but primarily a special teams player. He's the special teams captain and very fun to watch.
State of Position: Hill is the only free agent, and he will definitely not be back following another arrest. Wagner and Wright will anchor this defense in 2013, and Smith will compete against any free agent pick ups, as well as LB Allen Bradford and Mike Morgan.
What I Would Like to See: With Hill gone, Seattle is going to have to better the young linebackers on the roster. In terms of free agency, I've heard on the radio that Dannell Ellerbe might be targeted. While he's a good player, if Seattle wants to get him, they will have to pay more than I would like to see. Same goes for Bart Scott, recently released by the Jets to open up some cap space. I would like Seattle to sign them, but only for cheaper contracts. The draft could be the best place for Seattle to replenish their linebacking corps, and if, and I mean IF, Mante Te'o falls to the second or third round, I would love to see Seattle pick him up,
What I Plan on Seeing: I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hawks get rid of Hill and draft a couple linebackers. No free agent will be worth the money they ask from Seattle, so don't expect a huge splash there. They will take at least two draft picks at linebacker, with Te'o being a stretch. This team has a lot of good young talent, and I expect to see them develop and use it in 2013.
Year in Review: Referred to as the meanest, most athletic, least desirable to play secondary in the league, the secondary, also known lovingly as "The Legion of Boom" (LOB), had quite the year. They finished the year ranked 6th in passing yards allowed, 4th in opponent yards per attempt, and 3rd in opponent passer rating, all with little to no quarterback pressure. The emergence of Richard Sherman as one of the best corners in the league was great to see, and the man has a sort of swagger that he can actually back up. Safety Earl Thomas, after a slow start, has proven again and again why he is the heart and soul of the LOB. The smallest, but probably smartest, player on the field, Thomas is known for clutch interceptions and never missing a tackle. Corner Brandon Browner and Safety Kam Chancellor the two hardest hitting at their positions, ask Vernon Davis and Wes Welker to testify. Corners Walter Thurmond, Marcus Trufant, Jeremy Lane, and Byron Maxwell all played a decent amount and only added to the optimism of the future of this secondary. If 2012 was any indication, the NFL is looking at possibly the greatest secondary since the '76 Steel Curtain.
State of Position: Does perfect count? Sherman, Thomas, Chancellor, and Browner are all in contract years this year. Expect to see Chancellor sign an extension either this offseason or during the year, as Seattle doesn't want to lose him in the upcoming offseason. The only free agents on this squad will be CB Marcus Trufant and Safety Chris Maragos. I see Seattle resigning Maragos for his speed and knowledge of the defense, and they will more than likely let Trufant go. He has lost a step, and players like Thurmond, Maxwell, and Lane are more than able to step into the nickel position.
What I Would Like to See: I want to see them resign every player on this squad to 7 year extensions. While that won't happen, I hope to see Chancellor sign his extension before the season begins, as to get rid of any possible distraction. I don't see Seattle picking up and free agents or drafts unless to provide depth, as the starting lineup is definitely solidified.
What I Plan on Seeing: Like I said above, the only way I see Seattle picking up a free agent or drafting a player is for depth, something in which they are not lacking. Don't expect much secondary news, unless it includes Sherman having another Twitter battle with another player.
Obviously I believe Seattle has one of the best, if not the best, defense in the league. You give up only 15.9 points a game and you'll expect to be pretty successful. Hopefully with a good draft and a few good free agent signings, it won't even be debatable next year.
MATT FLYNN UPDATE: Love the guy. GM John Schneider today has mentioned that he will listen to offers on the back up quarterback, but he expects Flynn to stay in Seattle for 2013. The nicest part about Flynn is he is unlike the Alex Smith saga in San Francisco; a team trying to rid him due to money. Flynn is affordable for Seattle, and unless the right offer is made, expect your purchase of that Matt Flynn jersey you bought when the new jerseys came out to be relevant for another year.
Mariner fans, do not fret! Their first Spring Training game is tomorrow, so news will start coming!!!
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