THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT July 30, 2016
It might sound like a broken record at this point, but with the security of having general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll get their contracts extended well before the start of this year’s training camp, it sure seems as if the Seattle Seahawks aren’t messing around in 2016.
Much like the last few years, they’re all in — all the way — toward getting back to the Super Bowl for a third time in four years.
ON SUNDAY, Seahawks owner Paul Allen opened up his checkbook — which has been getting a good workout this week with the other signing of Portland guard C.J. McCollum — and signed Schneider to remain with the team until 2021. A few days later, Allen did it again, locking down Carroll through the 2019 season.
The two, when together, have made a ton of roster moves to get to this point.
In case you forgot, they passed on Matt Hasselbeck for Tavaris Jackson as starting quarterback in 2011 — after a playoff berth — before eventually deciding on that third-round guy from Wisconsin in 2012 that was too small to play the position.
That move to get Russell Wilson in the NFL Draft has paid off big for the team, with a playoff berth in each year since, and that Super Bowl title in 2013.
Granted, had the Seahawks opted to hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch in 2014 ... maybe it’s two by now.
Lynch has long since departed due to retirement — we think — and was one of the biggest reasons for the team’s success in recent years.
But since they’ve been together, all that Schneider and Carroll have done is reload the roster, keeping the nucleus of Wilson, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Doug Baldwin, Kam Chancellor, Bobby Wagner in Seattle for at least a few more years.
FOR A franchise with limited postseason experience compared to that of the San Francisco 49ers, there’s a good chance that the Seahawks might not be in the shape they’re in without Schneider and Carroll.
Somehow, they’ve found a way to get players to buy into whatever they’re preaching, and it’s worked out well.
Bringing back Brandon Browner could wind up being another swift move. Browner, you’ll remember, had problems remaining healthy and eligible to play due to suspensions. If things pan out and he can remain on the field ...
Probably the most amazing stat of the team in the last few years is that they haven’t lost a game by double digits. Not even that playoff game last year when they fell behind 31-0 at halftime to the eventual NFC champion Carolina Panthers.
AT SOME point, something will give — whether that be a double-digit loss, injuries or players not quite buying into what the coach and GM are preaching.
They’ve got a good thing going in Seattle with Schneider and Carroll under contract for the near future.
As long as they avoid the injury bug, I don’t see things being any different either.
Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-0239 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JEPressSports.