hawknation2016
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In the preseason, it's easy to miss the forest for the trees. This has been a very productive time for shoring up potential weaknesses. In addition, the team is as healthy as I can remember at this stage entering the season, as there have been no really significant injuries.
The entire starting defense looks ready to go (sans rookie Jarran Reed with the injured toe). Tony McDaniel looks right at home manning the three technique. Rookie Quinton Jefferson has looked very good as well. Frank Clark has been a force, blowing up and pancaking blockers. Avril played with real intensity for the first time this preseason, notching two sacks. Michael Bennett has looked phenomenal. It's hard to be legitimately concerned about the pass rush when you have rushers of this caliber. Kam Chancellor and Jordan Hill were back in the lineup looking recharged. Mike Morgan's stellar play at Sam has erased all the doubt that I had about filling that position. Jeremy Lane and DeShawn Shead are playing the best football of their lives. If they continue to improve and play with intensity, this group may have a chance to rival the 2013 defense.
The offense has finally started to click. The first TD drive was all out of the I-Formation. Will Tukuafu adds some much-needed physicality. Russell Wilson just looks more comfortable dropping back with Tukuafu giving him the extra protection and confusing the defense. Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Jermaine Kearse, and Paul Richardson have all made some great catches for Wilson. Brandon Williams and Luke Willson look like a solid one-two punch at TE, while Jimmy Graham gets ready to play. Graham was suited up before the game and his return should be just around the corner. Hopefully, the success of Williams as an in-line TE will allow Graham to play more in the slot and split out wide. Christine Michael continues to play with the same hunger, intensity, and discipline that he showed at the end of last season. C.J. Prosise has shown intriguing explosiveness to add yet another dimension to the offense. And Thomas "The Rhino" Rawls is almost back too. Ryan and Hauschka are playing great, despite a few hiccups from the new long snapper.
The offensive line has played better than anyone could have anticipated when the year began. Justin Britt has been a revelation at center, playing with excellent technique and pad level and showing real leadership at the center position that we have not had since Max Unger's best days. Germaine Ifedi has looked like a great First Round pick. Mark Glowinski has looked good too. Bradley Sowell has been a surprise by showing consistency in his technique. His emergence has been another steadying presence. Garry Gilliam is adjusting to his new weight class, which should pay dividends as the season progresses. J'Marcus Webb looks so far, so good, adding more depth and experience. The way the line is shaping up, building cohesion and depth, reminds me of the start of the 2012 season. After being bullied for the better part of three seasons, the OL has the opportunity to return to being the bullies upfront.
The entire starting defense looks ready to go (sans rookie Jarran Reed with the injured toe). Tony McDaniel looks right at home manning the three technique. Rookie Quinton Jefferson has looked very good as well. Frank Clark has been a force, blowing up and pancaking blockers. Avril played with real intensity for the first time this preseason, notching two sacks. Michael Bennett has looked phenomenal. It's hard to be legitimately concerned about the pass rush when you have rushers of this caliber. Kam Chancellor and Jordan Hill were back in the lineup looking recharged. Mike Morgan's stellar play at Sam has erased all the doubt that I had about filling that position. Jeremy Lane and DeShawn Shead are playing the best football of their lives. If they continue to improve and play with intensity, this group may have a chance to rival the 2013 defense.
The offense has finally started to click. The first TD drive was all out of the I-Formation. Will Tukuafu adds some much-needed physicality. Russell Wilson just looks more comfortable dropping back with Tukuafu giving him the extra protection and confusing the defense. Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Jermaine Kearse, and Paul Richardson have all made some great catches for Wilson. Brandon Williams and Luke Willson look like a solid one-two punch at TE, while Jimmy Graham gets ready to play. Graham was suited up before the game and his return should be just around the corner. Hopefully, the success of Williams as an in-line TE will allow Graham to play more in the slot and split out wide. Christine Michael continues to play with the same hunger, intensity, and discipline that he showed at the end of last season. C.J. Prosise has shown intriguing explosiveness to add yet another dimension to the offense. And Thomas "The Rhino" Rawls is almost back too. Ryan and Hauschka are playing great, despite a few hiccups from the new long snapper.
The offensive line has played better than anyone could have anticipated when the year began. Justin Britt has been a revelation at center, playing with excellent technique and pad level and showing real leadership at the center position that we have not had since Max Unger's best days. Germaine Ifedi has looked like a great First Round pick. Mark Glowinski has looked good too. Bradley Sowell has been a surprise by showing consistency in his technique. His emergence has been another steadying presence. Garry Gilliam is adjusting to his new weight class, which should pay dividends as the season progresses. J'Marcus Webb looks so far, so good, adding more depth and experience. The way the line is shaping up, building cohesion and depth, reminds me of the start of the 2012 season. After being bullied for the better part of three seasons, the OL has the opportunity to return to being the bullies upfront.
