By John Sarianides
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll hopes that a new commitment to running the football and playing good defense will help the Seahawks get back to the Super Bowl.
The offense last season was centered around Russell Wilson and the passing game. While Seattle still managed to win the NFC West and get to the divisional round of the playoffs, the Seahawks did not look like themselves.
The Seahawks are hoping the addition of running back Eddie Lacy is going to change that. Lacy looks motivated and in shape. If he plays like he did his rookie season, he will give the Seahawks the power back they have been lacking.
The Seahawks passing game is more developed now than it was in 2013 when Marshawn Lynch was the centerpiece of the offense. Wide receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett and tight end Jimmy Graham form one of the best skill groups in the NFL.
A young offensive line and their development will be a major key for the Seahawks this season. Carroll is hoping that by running the ball, he can get those guys going.
Defensively, the core of this once great defense is still intact in Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas, Cam Chancellor and Michael Bennett but this defense isn’t as good as they once were. They were shredded by the Falcons in the playoffs and one has to wonder if this group is starting to regress.
Here are three keys for the Seahawks in 2017.
1. Eddie Lacy: The Seahawks are hoping that Lacy gives them the tackle to tackle hammer that Marshawn Lynch was. Obviously Lacy has to stay healthy and in shape but if he does, he can recapture the form he showed his rookie year. If he does, the Seahawks will be more balanced and tougher to defend.
2. The O-Line Must Grow Up: The Seahawks offensive line improved as the season went on last season but then struggled in the divisional playoff loss to the Falcons. If the Seahawks are going to go back in time and pound the ball, this unit needs to grow up and play better. The pressure will once again be on offensive line coach Tom Cable to get the most out of this unit.
3. Re-Capture the Edge Defensively: The Seahawks just aren’t as scary defensively. They lost their edge last season and need to get it back. It starts with the leaders of this group. Sherman and Bennett need to talk less and focus on playing. Chancellor and Thomas need to stay healthy. This defense is still talented but age and health issues are starting to catch up.
In the End: The Seahawks are still an NFC blue blood and when the dust settles, they will still be in the playoffs. The difference between being in the playoffs and getting to the Super Bowl however is their running game and defense. If the Seahawks can effectively run the ball again and get their edge back defensively, they will be tough to beat.