A lot to fix, but to like also
Watching the Seattle Seahawks miss the playoffs came down to a lot more than a few missed field goals in clutch moments.
Injuries were one, but every team has those.
An offensive line that didn’t allow a running game to get established is another.
You can optimistic all you want, but getting back to the playoffs really comes down to two big things.
SOMEHOW THE team needs to find a running game this year.
Whether that comes from top draft pick Rashaad Penny, who was one of the top running backs in college football last year, or quarterback Russell Wilson, remains to be seen.
The hope might be that Wilson can stick to just throwing the ball around the field instead of taking unnecessary hits.
Then again, Wilson has done some things when pressed into scrambling and running that have been key to Seattle’s success, so if that’s how the games have been won before, might as well stick with what works.
Seattle hasn’t really done anything spectacular running the ball on a consistent basis since Marshawn Lynch retired, unless it has been Wilson running from his quarterback position anyway.
Maybe the revamped offensive line will prove to be the difference, but that remains to be seen.
Seattle has been a passing team the last three years, and could be a little better in that phase of the game than in previous years with the addition of Brandon Marshall.
If nothing else, Marshall gives Wilson another target on passing downs to go along with Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett.
MEANWHILE THE biggest question in the secondary is whether Earl Thomas joins the team.
Thomas has been holding out of camp and hasn’t practiced as he is in search of a new contract, or a trade somewhere else in the NFL.
The only problem is, Seattle doesn’t seem interested in trading him and Thomas doesn’t want to play unless he knows the team is going to keep him around.
Thomas is a huge reason why the defense had the success since Pete Carroll arrived as coach.
He makes the tough plays look easy, gets players in the right positions and plays each play like his last.
At times during the preseason, Seattle has looked fine without him and could be just fine dealing Thomas somewhere else.
Last Friday’s loss in the final seconds at Minnesota, albeit in the preseason, is enough to make you think that maybe they should just give in, sign Thomas to an extension, and get on with trying to contend again.
WHO KNOWS what will happen between the start of the season in two weeks in Denver and the final weekend of the season.
Seattle should be entertaining to watch this season, win or lose.
Hopefully a little more winning than losing, though.
Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.com.