The Marihawks Super Biased Seahawk Season Preview

Obviously I want to believe that the Seahawks will go 16-0, beating every team out of the water, to coast to their first Superbowl ever. I also think the Mariners are finally going to have a winning season, so that shows how much the fan in me likes to ignore most logic in many situations. I'm not saying the Seahawks don't have a super bowl caliber team, because they do. They've made a number of key moves, have experience, and now even the media is coining the Hawks to do something special. Tread carefully Hawk fans, it's going to be a fun ride.

Key Moves:
I could beat a dead horse talking about how great it was to get Percy Harvin and Cliff Avril in the offseason, but both are starting the season injured and are of no use. Both have the ability to transform their perspective side of the ball, and will do so when healthy. The biggest key for them is getting healthy. (Yeah, I still drafted Harvin on fantasy. Wishful thinking I suppose.)

Cutting FB Michael Robinson was a move that made the fan in me die a little. The biggest leader in the Hawks lockerroom was not only a fan favorite, but knew how to play his position. The Seahawk fan in me understands this move, as much as it pains me. He was getting paid $2.5 million to play only approx. 30% of the snaps. Why pay a play that kind of money to not play? The football move makes plenty of sense financially. The Seahawks don't use a fullback often, and when they do, a younger and cheaper player is more than worthy of stepping in.
Cutting CB Antoine Winfield made a lot of people shake their head also, but let's look at the facts. Winfield is older, slower, and simply outplayed by the younger corners. I'd rather have the young players who played better than to have the big name free agent signing. Look to see Walter Thurmond III, Jeremy Lane, and Byron Maxwell to all contribute to the Legion of Boom throughout the year.
Pete Carroll and John Schneider have cut Matt Hassleback, Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu, Mike Williams, and many other players that the fans thought could be something else. These guys know what they're doing, trust them.

Season Schedule (Worst Case Scenario):
This is my opinion of the season as their worst case scenario. It's silly to predict seasons based on an offseason or first few games of the year. Simply look at the Eagles "Dream Team" a couple years back or the Cardinals starting 4-0 last year. Injuries, weather, and momentum will always change the course of a season. This scenario will play on the relative youth of the Seahawks and the fact that they are no longer flowing on the radar. Teams will be ready for them, and it will show.

Sunday Sept. 8		at Carolina Panthers                                               LOSE (0-1) Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Sunday Sept. 15		San Francisco 49ers                                                WIN (1-1) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Sept. 22		Jacksonville Jaguars                                               WIN (2-1) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Sept. 29		at Houston Texans                                                   LOSE (2-2) Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Sunday Oct. 6		at Indianapolis Colts                                               LOSE (2-3) Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Sunday Oct. 13		Tennessee Titans                                                     WIN (3-3) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Thursday Oct. 17		at Arizona Cardinals                                              WIN (4-3) University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Monday Oct. 28		at St. Louis Rams                                                    LOSE (4-4) Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
Sunday Nov. 3		Tampa Bay Buccaneers                                          WIN (5-4) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Nov. 10		at Atlanta Falcons                                                   LOSE (5-5) Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Sunday Nov. 17		Minnesota Vikings                                                  WIN (6-5) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Nov. 24	---	BYE
Monday Dec. 2		New Orleans Saints                                                LOSE (6-6) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Dec. 8		at San Francisco 49ers                                           LOSE (6-7) Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday Dec. 15		at New York Giants                                               WIN (7-7) MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Sunday Dec. 22		Arizona Cardinals                                                 WIN (8-7) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Dec. 29		St. Louis Rams                                                       WIN (9-7) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA

To me, the absolute worst record would be a 9-7. That's with their struggles on the road and inability to knock off the passer. The NFC West is easily the toughest division in football, even the Cardinals are more than capable of surprising and ruining a few teams' records. Anything less than a winning record would be devastating to this team, and I simply don't see that happening.

 Season Schedule (More Realistic Approach):

This is how I see the season leaning more towards. This team has experience, the youth and the depth. With injured players returning, this is one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. They have the ability to just start off week one and keep the pedal down the entire year.

Sunday Sept. 8		at Carolina Panthers                                               LOSE (0-1) Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Sunday Sept. 15		San Francisco 49ers                                                WIN (1-1) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Sept. 22		Jacksonville Jaguars                                               WIN (2-1) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Sept. 29		at Houston Texans                                                   LOSE (2-2) Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Sunday Oct. 6		at Indianapolis Colts                                               WIN (3-2) Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Sunday Oct. 13		Tennessee Titans                                                     WIN (4-2) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Thursday Oct. 17		at Arizona Cardinals                                              WIN (5-2) University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Monday Oct. 28		at St. Louis Rams                                                    WIN (6-2) Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
Sunday Nov. 3		Tampa Bay Buccaneers                                          WIN (7-2) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Nov. 10		at Atlanta Falcons                                                   LOSE (7-3) Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Sunday Nov. 17		Minnesota Vikings                                                  WIN (8-3) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Nov. 24	---	BYE
Monday Dec. 2		New Orleans Saints                                                WIN (9-3) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Dec. 8		at San Francisco 49ers                                           LOSE (9-4) Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday Dec. 15		at New York Giants                                               WIN (10-4) MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Sunday Dec. 22		Arizona Cardinals                                                 WIN (11-4) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday Dec. 29		St. Louis Rams                                                       WIN (12-4) CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA

This team could realistically win those away games in Carolina, Houston, San Fran, and Atlanta, but I've taken into account the first few games might be fa learning curve for the new people on the roster. An early game on the east coast against a team that could have beat them last year in Carolina could start the season off rough. The Texans have proven their might in the NFL recently and the Hawks last year found ways to lose against good quarterbacks on the road. Gotta give credit to ATL and San Fran, those teams are ridiculously could and have every opportunity to take the NFC as Seattle does.

There is a lot to be optimistic about in Seattle. This team could easily take the NFL and bring home the first major championship to Seattle since the 70's, and first in football. They could also get bit by the injury bug and remind us all why Seattle has a difficult sports scene. Enjoy the optimism, enjoy the fact that this team is fun to watch and will always put on a show. For the first time in many years, it's fun to watch sports in Seattle.

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