Bo Crouch 8-25-24
There has been a lot of change heading into this season and that is one of the main reasons Vegas has Seattle's line set at 7.5 wins. A number I would bet the over on and although I still believe they are only a nine-win playoff bubble team there is a lot to like about what this version of the Seahawks are capable of.
Let's start with the side of the ball that they didn't need to overhaul all that much because on offense they are dynamic. Despite numbers that didn't look great last season that unit was capable of so much more. Although there has been a lot of argument that the offense underperformed because of Shane Waldren having a vanilla approach I look more at the injuries to the offensive line that derailed the potential of the team in 2023. Losing both Cross and Lucas in the first half of the Rams game week one really changed they dynamic of what they were able to do. Pair that with injuries at guard and center Geno ended up being one of the most hurried QB's in the league. It would be 14 weeks late that the O-line would actually be healthy and whether you think Geno is that guy or not it is hard to perform under those conditions. We only have to look at the previous year when the Rams and Cardinals suffered a similar fate and both teams wildly underperformed and both Stafford and Murry get hurt. To add a little more context the line was performing at a level that they were running 12 and 13 personnel meaning 2 or 3 tight ends and a running back respectively where they were in to help block. This means most of the creativity was applied to blocking schemes instead of moving the team down filed. I say that because this same unit that Geno set the Seahawks single season passing record with in 2022 and was a top 5 scoring offense that year was still mostly intact. Fast forward to this year and they have JSN and Bobo ready to add their mark, the sure handedness of Lockett and the big play ability of DK that this team could easily be one of the top scoring teams once again.
On Defense this is a wildly different team than the bottom 5 unit they have been over the last five season. This is where the new coaching staff will need to make its mark. There were some fan favorites that were shown the door this off season that people were unhappy with as guys like Wagner and Diggs landed on new teams as well as moving on from the mostly injured Jamal Adams. They have built the team with a younger core of players like Woolin, Witherspoon and Love, supplementing with some good pickups in the draft and signing key pieces like Williams. Pairing all of that with McDonald's defensive philosophy this side of the ball should be much improved in every category. Even if they are average that would be a huge step forward from what they have been as of late. This side of the ball will be a work in progress and fun to watch as the chemistry builds within the defensive unit. There were elements that we saw in practices and the preseason that will get betting in game speed situations as far getting everyone on the defense seeing the same thing and knowing how each other will react. This is where the shortened preseason and fewer games have an adverse effect on the week one product.
The new kickoff rule may just land Eskridge a spot on this team now that it is no longer just a ceremonious play but actually matters again. He highlighted why special teams players need to be on the roster after taking a kick to the house in the last preseason game in front of the 12's at Lumen field against the Browns. A play that a season ago didn't have enough returns to warrant burning a roster spot for (only 22% were returned) has now become an important play once again and breathes life back into careers that otherwise might be missed. The way the kickoff had evolved prior to this year, Hall of Famer Devin Hester may have never made the impact he did on the game and although purists may not be excited about the look of the rule change it was better than the alternative where kickoff gets eliminated altogether.
Everything we've seen makes this new era of the Seahawks encouraging to return to the top spot in the NFC West. There will be growing pains along the way as the Coach's learn the intricacies of their new roles, overcoming mental mistakes and penalties all while bringing new life and excitement to the team. The 49ers may still have the top spot in the division this season but don't sleep on these Seahawks because they're coming.
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