kearly":3npi8qrw said:
MontanaHawk05":3npi8qrw said:
We probably would have won it all if we'd had either of Brandon Mebane or Jordan Hill.
And if, you know, one play(call) had gone differently. Sorry, someone had to say it.
I get what you are saying Montana, but next year's team won't be 2014's team. Next year's schedule won't be 2014's schedule. I don't think you can really just look at last season and think next season will have the same feel. The franchise has a slight "unraveling" vibe to it right now. Doesn't mean a great offseason can't fix that, but for the first time in a while, I think Seattle could take a step back this year if they don't have a pretty strong offseason.
Good OP, and I agree with almost everything you said. I feel the same way, generally, about this team. I just don't feel quite as good about it as last year's. This could be due to the different outcomes of the seasons, but we do have some real holes to fill, and like some have said, the draft isn't strong or deep in those areas.
I disagree about your OL opinion. It seemed to me that Wilson regressed slightly, or if you like this better, didn't progress. I also feel it's due to the terrible pass pro we have. I know Wilson is equipped to deal with this probably better than anyone else in the league, but the break downs were truly atrocious at times and no QB can get better with this pass blocking. Wilson missed a lot of open WRs, and when the chips were down and the pressure on, he tended to zone in on favorite targets. When you predetermine where you are going to go with the ball, you either have trouble getting to your later reads due to reading the defense (Kaepernick) or you don't trust your pass protection (Wilson). At all.
If we fixed some of the interior pass blocking issues (both Sweezy and Carpenter and just plain terrible pass blockers), that would help Wilson tremendously. Even if was consistently from one area, Wilson could work with that, but when both of your Guards are consistently getting their asses beat, it makes it hard for a 5'11" QB to see the field properly. Wilson needs throwing lanes and many times he wasn't getting them. A stud WR is only a bandaid.
I also disagree with the "unravelling" thing. I see some holes, and I feel this team isn't quite as good as last year's, but the division also doesn't feel as good as last year's. SF is in a down slide (any more than 8 wins would honestly shock me), AZ is turning over some of their defense (just released Dockett), and STL's QB position is still unsettled.
I like Jville's post . If Miller comes back, that will help blocking and 3rd down conversions. We don't need much more from the offense: the same run game with a few more 3rd down conversions to keep drives alive and we're really ok. Not stellar, but ok. Also, we won't have the Harvin drama. You can't say with certainty, but Harvin probably kept guys like Richardson and Norwood from developing. Also, Norwood was hurt in TC last year, so I'm hoping he progresses. Him and Miller make this offense more consistent. Couple that with our running game, and we're going to be better.
On defense, I'm worried about CB. Simon looks like he has all the tools, but I think he has difficulty in getting mentally prepared. Every time he knew he was going to be the starter, he was fine. When he came in for a guy with an injury, he looked lost. Plus he hasn't proven he can stay healthy yet. Not sure where we are going to plug that hole. Interior pass rush could be a problem, but Hill could come back strong and Marsh could develop. I liked what I saw from both last season.
Pre FA and draft, yea I'm worried about some stuff. We're making the playoffs, but not sure we have a deep run in us. GB and the Cowboys look to be issues, Carolina could get better with some good moves, and AZ is on the cusp of something good. Then again, things turn so quickly it doesn't keep me up at night. Signing either Suh or Marshall would be enough to put us over the top rather quickly.