Greatest areas for improvement in 2016

Team Focus
A lot was accomplished in 2015, but it was also a year filled with disappointment and distraction. They narrowly lost a Super Bowl after a controversial decision. After that, the team appeared to fall into a malaise. The off-season was dominated by the uncertainity of Russell Wilson's contract situation with every doomsday scenario being thoroughly explored by the pundits. In addition, several veteran leaders needed to have surgeries. Earl Thomas questioned whether he still loved the game. Michael Bennett campaigned for a new contract and threatened a possible holdout. Kam Chancellor actually did holdout, missing all of OTAs, training camp, preseason, and the first two regular season games (close losses). Marshawn Lynch appeared to enter camp out of shape and then needed to have hernia surgery midway through the season. The most talented team in the league could not seem to get it together. Thus far, 2016 has been completely different with one of the quietest off-seasons ever. Hopefully, that calm will translate into laser-like focus this time around.

Return of the L.O.B.
The aforementioned malaise, injuries, and holdouts took a toll on the Legion in 2015, as did the play of former-Seahawk Cary Williams. With the re-signing of Jeremy Lane, Marcus Burley, and DeShawn Shead, the L.O.B. looks as well-stocked as it has been since 2013 and much more cohesive than they looked a year ago.

Dynamic Passing Game
Wilson went on a record-setting tear through the final half of the season, throwing 24 TDs against just one INT and completing 71% of his passes through the final seven games. If he managed that productivity through an entire 16-game season, Wilson would have had 55 TDs and 4,357 yards. His 132.8 QB rating would be the highest ever. Not bad for a "game manager."

The WR corps is the deepest it has been for the Seahawks. They return three WRs who finished in the Top 5 in WR-efficiency DVOA last season. Doug Baldwin had a breakout season in finishing #1 in receiving efficiency and catch rate, tied for #1 in receiving TDs, and eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. Tyler Lockett had about as great a rookie campaign as anyone could have hoped for, being named a Pro Bowl and All-Pro returner and finishing in the Top 3 in receiving efficiency. Jermaine Kearse will also return after being re-signed in the off-season. Kearse has turned into Mr. Reliable with an exceptional 72% catch rate. Former All-Pro TE Jimmy Graham just began to establish some connection with Wilson before ending his season with a torn patellar tendon. When Graham returns, my only hope is that he is used outside, not wasted in-line. Other promising undrafted receivers, like Kevin Smith, Kasen Williams, and Douglas McNeil, could make an already rich WR corps even richer.

Red Zone Efficiency
The Seahawks went from being the worst red zone team in the first half of the season to one of the better teams in the final stretch. Thomas Rawls' tough running certainly helped. But it was Wilson who put the team on his back and carried them into the upper echelon of the league. We can only hope that Graham's return adds to the team's red zone efficiency rather than detracts from it.

Blowin' Up the OL
By not re-signing Okung, Sweezy, and Bailey, the team has decided to essentially start from scratch in building this unit from the ground up, much like they built the L.O.B. They have added a couple bottom of the barrel free agents. In addition to developing the young talent already on the roster (Gilliam, Britt, Glowinski, Sokoli, Poole, etc.), they will need to draft extremely well at this position group. Only way to go is up, right?

Garry Gilliam looks like a promising fit at his natural LT position. But he should expect competition from veteran Bradley Sowell and possibly a rookie if they decide to draft a tackle. Justin Britt could move back to RT to compete with veteran J'Marcus Webb, 2nd year Terry Poole, and any other additions in the draft. Mark Glowinski and Kristjan Sokoli are also expected to battle for starting spots. You can expect real competition at every position along the offensive line, and that's a good thing. Whether it will pay off like the team's other rehabilitation projects is T.B.D.

I honestly felt like last year was a fluky year. Like it was not the normal seahawks haha and I think many would agree. I think it could all start with Kams Holdout tbh. it definitely set him back in the way of conditioning physically and mentally football wise.

I am anxious to see how Rawls does returning. He was spotted here recently (location escapes me) but he was still in a boot so that is kind of concerning. I do look forward to him coming back though and hopefully able to stay healthy.

I really hope they stick Britt to one position. He really didn't get enough time to get down the LG position and I think going into this offseason deserved a shot at starting LG. Ill get flack for that but its true. guy literally started playing LG in the middle of pre season. Not sure I like him at RT because well he played not so good at a position he was familiar with. If anything I'd like him as that Alvin Bailey Swing T role.

I absolutely love this off-season so far. The FO knows the OL wasn't great last year and that they need to improve it but they are also way more realistic than the doomsayers around here. Last year was a hangover year and if not for injuries we could very well have won the SB again.

We shouldn't change the formula too much and I'm glad the FO agrees with me.

Excellent post. Can't really find anything I disagree with. Hard to make major improvements when you already have one of the most talented teams in the league and you are near the top of the salary cap.

- bsd

A fine post, but where do some of you get the idea that LT is Gilliam's "natural" position? I mean, other than idle speculation from within this community. It seems to me that assuming he can be plugged into that role is a significant leap. It's not an easy position to play, even if he does have good athleticism.

will see how all the optimists react when wilson goes down to injury with this cfl o line...sorry but just dont see how it is improved...more like blown up and patched together. Guess will see what happens at draft. Would think first four picks are gonna be all o linemen.

It's way too early to say he'll be successful there but Gilliam was immediately in the competition with Bailey for backup LT in his rookie season. He only shuffled to RT with Britt's move and so now that we have a void at LT it does seem likely Gilliam will be going back.

MysterMatt":10jbqupj said:

A fine post, but where do some of you get the idea that LT is Gilliam's "natural" position? I mean, other than idle speculation from within this community. It seems to me that assuming he can be plugged into that role is a significant leap. It's not an easy position to play, even if he does have good athleticism.

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I hear that a lot about Gilliam, and the only assumption I can make is that he is very athletic and has really good feet. I think the natural assumption is that he'll do better on the left side of the line where he will see more speed rushers than power bull rushers, where he seemed to have more trouble at the beginning of the year.

I'm not sure what we can call "natural" for him at this point of his career. He's only played Tackle for one year.

Hawks46":3q07dqqo said:

MysterMatt":3q07dqqo said:

A fine post, but where do some of you get the idea that LT is Gilliam's "natural" position? I mean, other than idle speculation from within this community. It seems to me that assuming he can be plugged into that role is a significant leap. It's not an easy position to play, even if he does have good athleticism.

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I hear that a lot about Gilliam, and the only assumption I can make is that he is very athletic and has really good feet. I think the natural assumption is that he'll do better on the left side of the line where he will see more speed rushers than power bull rushers, where he seemed to have more trouble at the beginning of the year.

I'm not sure what we can call "natural" for him at this point of his career. He's only played Tackle for one year.

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Gilliam played tackle for Penn State in 2013, tackle for Seattle in 2014, and tackle for Seattle in 2015 . . . 1+1+1=3.

Gilliam was being groomed at LT, but was shifted to RT due to Alvin Bailey sucming rocks and Gilliam being one of the 5 best linemen Seattle had on the roster. He progressed significantly trhought the season. We are projecting based on that progression, the fact that his skill set fits better at LT, and that Seattle has done NOTHING to address the position in free agency.

Agree with most of OP. I disagree that Sokoli will push anyone, or even have meaningful reps. Dude is still in the 'project' phase according to coaches, but many posters here still choose to throw him into the mix. He shouldn't even be in the discussion.

HawKnPeppa":1cf4ts1x said:

Agree with most of OP. I disagree that Sokoli will push anyone, or even have meaningful reps. Dude is still in the 'project' phase according to coaches, but many posters here still choose to throw him into the mix. He shouldn't even be in the discussion.

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When Carroll made that comment, I believe he was referring specifically to the center position, which is more challenging to learn than guard. Sokoli could very well be in the thick of the competition at guard, unless they decide to use him exclusively at center. Right now, it is all hands of deck for the offensive line. Every position should see competition.

Of course, we don't know for sure because the competition has not played out yet. Just like we don't know for sure that Gilliam will be moved back to -- what I call -- his "natural" position at LT.

The LT protects the blind side of the quarterback - since Russell Wilson is right handed. The defense will generally put their fastest and best pass rushers against his blindside, and the rusher will often line up a bit outside and to the tackle's left to create room to run around him. Thus, the LT is often playing in space and needs particularly quick feet.

The RT is playing on the side of the ball where the QB faces and more often plays next to the TE on the strongside. The defense will usually counter this by putting their best run stopping end against the right tackle, so the RT typically needs to be the stronger of the two tackles.

Gilliam is a fluid athlete who lacks the bulk and power that people typically associate with a RT. He was being groomed at LT before being forced to move to RT in preseason due to the need to move Britt to LG. By "natural," I mean the LT position is more in agreement with Gilliam's character and makeup.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/bcondotta/status/712382360222875649[/tweet]

I really want to see the fo get Ryan kelly at center. I think if we have him, the best center come out in years imo, then with the young talent we have already, this line could have potential to be good. People are freaking out because we didn't get any of the good free agents this year. But they were young players once too, just looking for a chance to make their name. According to the fo, we have young guys with talent. We saw glowinski come in and play well for a game. I would just caution people from having a doomsday mentality when it comes to the line. I would bet money that when the draft wraps up, our line will be better than last year. Às I noted above, if we can get kelly at center, that means lewis could compete for one of the guard spots. Who knows, a lot of possibilities. I am excited about it.

Good post, a lot of good points, but IMO the top-2 didn't make the list.

One is the return of a consistent, dominant power running game. We gotta get back to being the bully on the block. That is where we have our edge. It ties in quite a bit with your O-Line point, but if we start heavily relying on the passing game, we are going away from what we do/did better than everybody else.

Second is a consistent interior pass rush. Bennett and Avril got tons of pressure, but when the QB's got away from them, too often we didn't have anybody else there to clean up, and we never really had anybody else step up as a third rusher last season. It was basically them or nothing.

hawknation2016":qogcwjll said:

HawKnPeppa":qogcwjll said:

Agree with most of OP. I disagree that Sokoli will push anyone, or even have meaningful reps. Dude is still in the 'project' phase according to coaches, but many posters here still choose to throw him into the mix. He shouldn't even be in the discussion.

Click to expand...

When Carroll made that comment, I believe he was referring specifically to the center position, which is more challenging to learn than guard. Sokoli could very well be in the thick of the competition at guard, unless they decide to use him exclusively at center. Right now, it is all hands of deck for the offensive line. Every position should see competition.

Of course, we don't know for sure because the competition has not played out yet. Just like we don't know for sure that Gilliam will be moved back to -- what I call -- his "natural" position at LT.

The LT protects the blind side of the quarterback - since Russell Wilson is right handed. The defense will generally put their fastest and best pass rushers against his blindside, and the rusher will often line up a bit outside and to the tackle's left to create room to run around him. Thus, the LT is often playing in space and needs particularly quick feet.

The RT is playing on the side of the ball where the QB faces and more often plays next to the TE on the strongside. The defense will usually counter this by putting their best run stopping end against the right tackle, so the RT typically needs to be the stronger of the two tackles.

Gilliam is a fluid athlete who lacks the bulk and power that people typically associate with a RT. He was being groomed at LT before being forced to move to RT in preseason due to the need to move Britt to LG. By "natural," I mean the LT position is more in agreement with Gilliam's character and makeup.

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TE's move around to both sides pretty equally. The biggest reason the right side became the running side is that RB's are right handed. It fits perfectly, since you need your LT to be a pass-rushing specialist, it makes sense that you can prefer to have a run blocker at RT. What happens more often than not though, is that the LT is the best lineman overall as well, and often teams end up running better to the left than they do to the right.

Tical21":4yfpbsjv said:

Good post, a lot of good points, but IMO the top-2 didn't make the list.

One is the return of a consistent, dominant power running game. We gotta get back to being the bully on the block. That is where we have our edge. It ties in quite a bit with your O-Line point, but if we start heavily relying on the passing game, we are going away from what we do/did better than everybody else.

Second is a consistent interior pass rush. Bennett and Avril got tons of pressure, but when the QB's got away from them, too often we didn't have anybody else there to clean up, and we never really had anybody else step up as a third rusher last season. It was basically them or nothing.

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I think the point of the OP was to talk about aspects of the team that he expects to improve, not stuff that he hopes will improve.

Tical21":4yfpbsjv said:

One is the return of a consistent, dominant power running game.

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I hate to say it, but this team just doesn't have the personnel to be an elite smashmouth offense right now, and it could be years before the OL, TE, and RB groups are built for it. We don't have an offensive line that can impose its will. We don't have a RB who takes half a team to tackle. We don't even have a true blocking tight end, much less two of them.

It's interesting that all the RBs Seattle has looked at so far this offseason are undersized and fast. Seattle will continue to have a productive running game, but it will be productive in a Steelers kind of way.

I think the move away from a smashmouth identity has been in the works for years. The Harvin trade, the Graham trade, the P-Rich pick, the Lockett pick, even the C-Mike pick all pushed this team more towards a finesse identity.

kearly":3spw4dvo said:

Tical21":3spw4dvo said:

Good post, a lot of good points, but IMO the top-2 didn't make the list.

One is the return of a consistent, dominant power running game. We gotta get back to being the bully on the block. That is where we have our edge. It ties in quite a bit with your O-Line point, but if we start heavily relying on the passing game, we are going away from what we do/did better than everybody else.

Second is a consistent interior pass rush. Bennett and Avril got tons of pressure, but when the QB's got away from them, too often we didn't have anybody else there to clean up, and we never really had anybody else step up as a third rusher last season. It was basically them or nothing.

Click to expand...

I think the point of the OP was to talk about aspects of the team that he expects to improve, not stuff that he hopes will improve.

Tical21":3spw4dvo said:

One is the return of a consistent, dominant power running game.

Click to expand...

I hate to say it, but this team just doesn't have the personnel to be an elite smashmouth offense right now, and it could be years before the OL, TE, and RB groups are built for it. We don't have an offensive line that can impose its will. We don't have a RB who takes half a team to tackle. We don't even have a true blocking tight end, much less two of them.

It's interesting that all the RBs Seattle has looked at so far this offseason are undersized and fast. Seattle will continue to have a productive running game, but it will be productive in a Steelers kind of way.

I think the move away from a smashmouth identity has been in the works for years. The Harvin trade, the Graham trade, the P-Rich pick, the Lockett pick, even the C-Mike pick all pushed this team more towards a finesse identity.

Click to expand...

I really disagree were going to be finesse, even after last season Pete addressed this by saying we need to get back to being a more physical team. We didn't seem to have the nasty in our game last year, I am curious as to how we become physical and intimidating with the new rule as well as maintain the finesse you describe. Now playing a down hill game with more deep strikes, yes that's a possible situation, to do that our line needs to provide time for those routes to clear though and that takes a superior line or a superior run threat to hold the linebackers up and not have the D Line pin their ears back.

We took two seasons to establish our running game with Lynch, our O line has been a revolving door every year pretty much, when we picked up Miller and then Lynch our running game started to work, it took the rest of the season for Lynch to learn to run behind the scheme Cable had and then he broke out, it also was when we had our nastiness on the O line. I think we need some of that back.

We have Vets there right now with guys that have been in development pushing them as of now, I think with a solid blocking TE that can catch we have potential plus any draft picks, the question is the physical runner, Rawls is physical but not intimidating and doesn't punish like a Lynch or a Bettis or Campbell type back. Michael doesn't have that mentality, now put Rawls skill set and attitude in Michaels body we would have a special back

The Steelers lost the Bettis and have been searching for a back that can play that physical level of play ever since, with Lynch possibly gone or probably I should say we will be in that same boat, but that's the only thing I think we share.

To me, Britt has proven one thing, and that is he is better suited as a back up. He played RT poorly in his rookie year and the move to LG didn't do much to inspire either. One could say it was a big transition or one could say he isn't that great of an athlete.

After losing Sweezy, and considering Britt's play and the defenses we play against, I'm firmly in the draft a center and 2 guards territory. RT is still going to be a challenge as well if they move Gilliam over.

The passing attack will be better based on what the Hawks we're forced into becoming last year. They'll take that knowledge and confidence into this year.

I think the secondary will be improved, barring any slew of injuries.

I expect a RB screen game to be added this offseason, something this Hawks team has never bothered with. That's why you're seeing a fascination with quick and undersized backs.

I also expect the pass rush to improve on the edges by Clark playing a bigger role.

XOXO

Trey Junkin

chris98251":1e73907d said:

kearly":1e73907d said:

Tical21":1e73907d said:

Good post, a lot of good points, but IMO the top-2 didn't make the list.

One is the return of a consistent, dominant power running game. We gotta get back to being the bully on the block. That is where we have our edge. It ties in quite a bit with your O-Line point, but if we start heavily relying on the passing game, we are going away from what we do/did better than everybody else.

Second is a consistent interior pass rush. Bennett and Avril got tons of pressure, but when the QB's got away from them, too often we didn't have anybody else there to clean up, and we never really had anybody else step up as a third rusher last season. It was basically them or nothing.

Click to expand...

I think the point of the OP was to talk about aspects of the team that he expects to improve, not stuff that he hopes will improve.

Tical21":1e73907d said:

One is the return of a consistent, dominant power running game.

Click to expand...

I hate to say it, but this team just doesn't have the personnel to be an elite smashmouth offense right now, and it could be years before the OL, TE, and RB groups are built for it. We don't have an offensive line that can impose its will. We don't have a RB who takes half a team to tackle. We don't even have a true blocking tight end, much less two of them.

It's interesting that all the RBs Seattle has looked at so far this offseason are undersized and fast. Seattle will continue to have a productive running game, but it will be productive in a Steelers kind of way.

I think the move away from a smashmouth identity has been in the works for years. The Harvin trade, the Graham trade, the P-Rich pick, the Lockett pick, even the C-Mike pick all pushed this team more towards a finesse identity.

Click to expand...

I really disagree were going to be finesse, even after last season Pete addressed this by saying we need to get back to being a more physical team. We didn't seem to have the nasty in our game last year, I am curious as to how we become physical and intimidating with the new rule as well as maintain the finesse you describe. Now playing a down hill game with more deep strikes, yes that's a possible situation, to do that our line needs to provide time for those routes to clear though and that takes a superior line or a superior run threat to hold the linebackers up and not have the D Line pin their ears back.

We took two seasons to establish our running game with Lynch, our O line has been a revolving door every year pretty much, when we picked up Miller and then Lynch our running game started to work, it took the rest of the season for Lynch to learn to run behind the scheme Cable had and then he broke out, it also was when we had our nastiness on the O line. I think we need some of that back.

We have Vets there right now with guys that have been in development pushing them as of now, I think with a solid blocking TE that can catch we have potential plus any draft picks, the question is the physical runner, Rawls is physical but not intimidating and doesn't punish like a Lynch or a Bettis or Campbell type back. Michael doesn't have that mentality, now put Rawls skill set and attitude in Michaels body we would have a special back

The Steelers lost the Bettis and have been searching for a back that can play that physical level of play ever since, with Lynch possibly gone or probably I should say we will be in that same boat, but that's the only thing I think we share.

Click to expand...

Kearly is spot on with the comparison of our evolving offense to the Steelers. Lynch & Bettis are very unique & rare runners but I'm not so sure either team isn't better off in their current situation. Still effective and dynamic at times running but far more dynamic & dangerous in the pass game. I suspect 21 & 22 personnel are gonna give way to way more 11 & 12 with this team. We are still gonna be a balanced offense, just gonna go about it a different way and have more ability to throw it 40 times if need be or we choose to. I would love to see a Nick Vannette or Beau Sandland type TE added in this draft to be the guy you speak of.

As for the physicality of the team, I think it's the defense that needs to get back to it's physical/fast selves that won the SB 3 years ago. With a healthy core back, a few young vets coming into their own and the new additions via FA & draft ; I think our D can return to dominance.