SEAHAWKS MUST RIDE WAVE OF WILSON'S SUPER BOWL VISION

The Seattle Seahawks are coming off their second defeat this season and unfortunately, it had to be at the hands of their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers.  For a Seahawk fan, losing to the 49ers is akin to losing a child or something similar.  Jim Harbaugh and Colin Kaepernick carry the honor of being the most disliked 49ers and they always seem to be the ones with their mouths flapping constantly anytime a microphone or camera is nearby. 

After the loss to the Niners, free safety Earl Thomas mentioned that perhaps some of his teammates got too caught up in the idea of winning the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by earning the number one seed in the NFC.  The Seahawks took care of business, beating the New Orleans Saints, in Seattle the week prior, but their flight down to San Francisco didn't turn out the way they had hoped or expected.

First, and foremost, the Seahawks committed far too many penalties and what's worse, the flags occurred on plays that were critical to drives leading to field goals rather than touchdowns.  Reportedly, 49ers head Coach Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman, had a pre-game on-field meeting with NFL referee, Clete Blakeman, and the rest of his officiating crew.  Harbaugh and Roman tipped them off that, in their words (paraphrased), "The Seahawks held our receivers on every single play up in Seattle, in our first meeting.  That's why our receivers were unable to get loose and make plays down field."  They went on to warn the officiating crew on practically every infraction Seattle has drawn since Pete Carroll took over in 2010.  I don't quite understand why it is that the referees tolerate coaches attempting to sway them into making penalty calls against their opponent.  The officiating crews should already be prepared for all rules and penalty situations as well as interpretation for all on-field infraction calls before the game starts without a pregame powwow with the coaches and other team personnel.  It’s preposterous and should be considered a giant insult to the NFL officiating crews, but somehow it’s allowed.  There were several ghost penalties on Seattle, though I also saw several penalties called on the 49ers that had no merit whatsoever.  This is by far the worst officiating performance on the year that I have seen in recent memory.  Clete Blakeman’s have been highly criticized for making errors in officiating and affecting the outcome of more games than any other crew currently officiating.  If the replacement officials were making these calls, they would be crucified by the; league, media, fans, the players and coaches alike.  I expect more from these professionals and it just might require that the National Football League pay the officials like full-time employees, rather than the job being seasonal, something like public school teachers deal with each summer.  The decisions and interpretations made during these pro-football games are integral to calling a clean game, and each individual game has more gravity and impact than perhaps any other team game in terms of the ramifications that lead to post game qualification.  Not to mention, the difference of hundreds of millions of dollars between successful organizations and perennial losers.  Last season, the Seahawks were denied a divisional championship by "one half game" because the 49ers tied with the Rams earlier in the season.  Because of that, Seattle became a wild-card team and did not get the first round bye in the playoffs or a home game in postseason play.  Instead, they had to fly across the country to Washington DC to play the "Washington Pro Football Team" in the wild-card matchup at FedEx Field, in Landover, Maryland.

Although Seattle did get some questionable officiating calls against them at Candlestick Park, it's important to point out that poor officiating wasn't the reason that Seattle lost to the 49ers last Sunday.  The Seahawks had their chances and simply didn't execute.  This was a very hard-fought contest that remained close for all four quarters of the game.  The only major difference in the game was that when the 49ers needed a big play, they got it.  Running back, Frank Gore, ripped off a 51 yard trap play, placing the 49ers well within their kicker's (Phil Dawson) field-goal range.  Many, including myself, sat in front of their televisions wondering why Coach Carroll didn't simply allow the 49ers to score, which would have left the Seahawks offense and Russell Wilson more than two minutes to put together a "possible" game-winning or tying drive.  Seattle had a one point lead 17-16, so even if the 49ers would have scored a touchdown, and tried for a two-point conversion, Seattle would have only trailed by six or seven points.  They could have figuratively driven down the field, scored a touchdown and tied the game with the PAT or could have tried for a two-point conversion, themselves, for a victory.  The two point conversion for Seattle would have been unlikely, though.  Carroll would likely have opted to play for the “tie” and an overtime period to live to fight on.  However, when the Seahawks coaching staff decided to play for a defensive stop or perhaps a turnover, (which made no sense whatsoever) they left so little time on the clock that any kind of heroic drive to score and tie the game was unlikely with just 26 seconds remaining in regulation.  The ensuing kick was short, giving Golden Tate a chance for the return.  Unfortunately, he was only able to manage a return to the 15 yard line.  Next, Russell Wilson found Jermaine Kearse on a deep "go route" down the middle of the field.  Kearse tripped on his own feet, and fell down as he tried to adjust to the ball.  This allowed the defender to intercept the ball, icing the game for the 49ers and ultimately splitting the 2013 series with Seattle, 1-1.

So, what did we learn about the 49ers game last week?

The Seahawks played one of their worst games of the season and lost by only a deuce.  Colin Kaepernick didn't look particularly sharp and even without Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond, the Seahawks kept the Niners' wide receiving and tight end “quartet” under control for the most part.  Kaepernick was 15-29, 175 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT and a passer rating of 67.5.  The Niners signal caller has never had particularly good outings against the Seahawks, going 1-2 and getting blown out in both trips to the Northwest.  Seattle's defensive line also did their jobs for most of the game; Frank Gore had 110 yards, with 51 of those yards on one play at the end of the game, the play that ultimately decided the game.  The Niners had no touchdowns rushing and they kept Kaepernick from using his feet to attack Seattle's defense.  The real breakdown was on Seattle's offense and the ongoing problem with making mental errors and drawing ridiculous and unnecessary penalties on big plays and important drives.  The Seahawks had four plays called back of 20 or more yards gained passing and rushing.  Five of their nine penalties were on third down, killing drives and giving the ball back to the 49ers.  Russell Wilson was 15-25, 199 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT and a passer rating of 81.9.

The Seahawks protection of Russell Wilson was much improved, from what the diminutive QB phenom has dealt with over a 10 game stretch, while 2/3 of his best offensive lineman were out with various injuries.  Breno Giacomini, Russell Okung and the rest of the offensive line allowed Wilson to be sacked just twice for 21 yards.  Unfortunately, Seattle could not get their running game going throughout the game.  Marshawn Lynch tallied just 72 yards on 20 carries and his longest carry was for just 11 yards; Lynch scored the only rushing TD.  Robert Turbin was the only other Seahawks running back with a carry, just 2-12.  Another aspect of Seattle's offense that was nonexistent was Russell Wilson running the read option or even taking off of boot passing plays where he would usually tucked the ball under his arm and run if he couldn't find an open receiver.  Wilson carried the ball just once for 2 yards.  This is highly unusual for the Seahawks offensive not to utilize Wilson's speed while out on the flank looking for throwing lanes.  Slot receiver, Jermaine Kearse, had a real good look at a well thrown ball from Wilson in the left front corner of the end zone that hit Kearse right in his hands, but failed to haul it in.  This was a game of missed opportunities and far too many mistakes.  The mistakes have been a common theme for Pete Carroll's Seahawks over the last two years.  However, making plays hasn't been a chronic problem for this football team.  Each week it seemingly turns out that a new hero arises and makes the plays necessary for Seattle to move the ball and score often enough to win.  Wilson was unable to consistently find open receivers as Tate (6), Baldwin (3) Kearse (2), and Miller (1) seemed almost nonexistent.  The leading receiver of the day was rookie tightend, Luke Willson, 3-70, TD.

From the onset, it didn't appear that the Seahawks came into the stadium with the energy we are used to seeing from Pete Carroll’s highly excitable players.  There was a lot on the line for both football teams; the Seahawks playing for the division title and playoff rewards and the 49ers simply playing for a spot in postseason.  It was as if, the Seahawks' players believed the 49ers game wasn't one they needed.  As it turned out, that's the way they played the entire game, too.  Seattle had no energy, no sense of urgency and even the coaching staff seemed unimaginative, tentative and careful with their playcalling.  All in all, it was an uninspired afternoon of Seahawk football, with too many errors and not enough big plays to win.  The 49ers players were well aware what was on the line for them.  This was a must win game or they were going to be back on the Bay, watching the playoffs (on TV) this year from their living rooms. 

The Seahawks still possess a two-game lead on the 49ers in the NFC West division, but now it becomes imperative that Seattle wins two of their final three remaining games against the; Giants, Cardinals, and Rams.  The NFC West is widely believed to be the toughest division in football and division rivalries can create outcomes that are inconsistent with collective logic.  In simpler words, the Seahawks cannot sleep on any of these remaining opponents if they have any hope of winning the division and securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.  The latter, being imperative, Seattle not losing a football game in the last 14 contests at CenturyLink field.  Russell Wilson has been the starter for all of those winning games on his home field.  Winning this week against the New York Giants would be a favorable start to finishing the regular-season and dominating the NFC West.  Taking back the division title for the first time in three years would also be a shot in the arm for the 12^th man and would likely ramp up the volume at the C’Link for the playoffs.  Because of the decided advantage for the Seahawks, playing in Seattle in front of the 12th man at CenturyLink Field, home field advantage in the playoffs would virtually be "curtains" for any team coming to the cold, wet and miserable Pacific Northwest in January.

Pete Carroll seems to have his football team ready for the New York Giants.  This will be “one” of hopefully “two” visits to the New Jersey Meadowlands this season, for this year’s Super Bowl XLVIII will be played at New Jersey’s “MetLife Stadium,” the home of the New York Giants and Jets.  It’s a long flight and it will be another 10:00 AM start for the Seahawks, one of five this season (tied for most).  Carroll has his team in the mindset that “time zones and game start times” should absolutely have no effect on their ability to execute their game plan, and thus far, his team has responded winning five of seven road games this season, four of them being in different time zones with one remaining this Sunday.  Seattle has certainly bucked the stigma of being a poor “Road team.”  In fact, going back to last season, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are 8-3 in road games for their last 11, including a playoff road win in Washington.  It was the first playoff road victory for the Seahawks in three decades.  The Seahawks have a road ready, dominant defense, and as history shows, you could take a defense on the road with little or no effect on the players; it’s another case altogether for traveling offenses, though.

Look for Seattle to re-establish their dominant running game this week against the Giants, followed by a rigorous and beguiling play action, read option combination in tandem with a big play deep threat to punish the aggressiveness of a team that may likely play in the same brand of football they usually do, but now without the personnel to make it effective.  Under Tom Coughlin this season, New York is a dismal 5-8 and mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.  So, the question for the Seahawks is likely; “How will the team react to playing for nothing, literally, in terms of this year’s postseason.  The Giants’ players are beaten down from a long, and losing, 17 week season, fall of a laundry list of key injuries and a roster that has been allowed to get old.  I believe it all depends on how much is left “in the tank” for these Giants’ players.  How many of Coughlin’s personnel are playing severely hurt or injured, and how successfully he can ready them for a game that seemingly has no real meaning to the players.  Other than, to save their coaches job and for their sense of pride, not surrendering to the West Coast bullies without a fight, there isn’t much to say about this game for Giants fans.  They must have a certain amount of pride on that football team, yes?  After all, this team has won two Super Bowl Championships in four years and both under the tutelage of Coughlin.  The Giants have their share of stars on the roster, as well.  Super Bowl MVP QB Eli Manning, big sack men; DE Jason Pierre-Paul and DT Justin Tuck, and WR Victor Cruz, and WR Hakeem Nicks.  Coach Coughlin has always put together very well coached and discipline defensive squads.  It’s vital that the Seahawks go to the East Coast with an aggressive game plan and a laser focus… A focus on Nothing other than the New York Giants football team.  The Seahawks must make this a “statement game” in New Jersey; everything else comes later; the time is NOW to concentrate on the HERE and NOW.  No one knows the concept of “supreme focus” more than Russell Wilson. 

There is no doubt among the Seahawks players, that this is Russell Wilson’s football team.  He is; their field marshal, their locker room cornerstone, their calming centerpiece and their on-field captain (voted by the team).

The Seahawks players must ride the wave of Wilson’s hopelessly positive attitude and his impeccable attention to detail.  They have their leader and now they must follow him into battle and take care of the business that they are fully capable of completing.  Wilson has already visualized winning multiple Super Bowls, and now the team must make the first one in reality.

NFC WEST COPING WITH INJURIES AND HIGH HOPES IN THE TOUGHEST DIVISION IN FOOTBALL

What is happening in the National Football League?  Every day the infirmary report seems to include dozens of casualties and some of the most high profile players are standing around the training camp practice fields in street clothes or jogging suits with ballcaps.  The Seahawks have been no exception, nor has division rivals San Francisco been able to avoid the injury bug to several players and at key positions.

Just prior to the NFL draft, national sporting news sources picked up on the so-called arms race between the Seahawks and the 49ers.  Each of their moves seemed to be connected in some way to the transactions of both teams.  Early in the off-season, the Seahawks made a blockbuster trade to bring the highly sought after, multi dimensional wide receiver, Percy Harvin, to Seattle.  Almost immediately, Jim Harbaugh's Niners made a trade with the Baltimore Ravens to acquire wide receiver Anquan Boldin.  Not exactly a tit-for-tat equal with the Harvin pickup, but it was clearly a move to keep up with the Seahawks potentially superior aerial attack.  Boldin provides a big bodied receiver that San Francisco didn't have on the roster last year except for perhaps Vernon Davis, their tight end. With big hands and the ability to physically take the ball away from defenders, Boldin added a new dimension to a defense that featured primarily speedy, but shorter wide receivers.  Because the Seahawks have such unusually tall, physical defensive backs, it's presumed that Harbaugh needed players who could match up with the press, man-to-man style coverage that Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner present.  Boldin had an outstanding 2012 season with the Ravens, showing exactly the kind of physicality that the 49ers needed to counter the tough corner play of the Seahawks huge DBs known from the Pacific to the Atlantic as "The Legion of Boom." 

Next, Seahawks GM John Schneider worked some magic to bring sack-master, free-agent defensive end, Cliff Avril, to Seattle to shore up the Seahawks pass rush.  Last season, the Seahawks improved their pressure on the quarterback, but only by four sacks did they improve from the previous season 32/36.  That wasn't satisfactory to the Seahawks organization and they meant to do something about it.  Avril was a free agent, having several successful seasons with the Detroit Lions, but the Lions requisitioned most of their salary cap reserves toward their offense to improve the rushing attack acquiring Reggie Bush from the Dolphins and to pay Calvin Johnson who recently signed a $135 million contract for seven years, with $60 million of that guaranteed.  This made Avril a numbers game for them and because the Seahawks had such a promising season, Seattle has become a destination for veteran players looking for a chance to get on with the team that could possibly challenge for Super Bowl.  Schneider negotiated a two-year deal for Avril, for approximately $7 million a year  Before the 2012 season, the Lions offered Avril a franchise tag of over $10 million for one season and he turned it down.  Avril was asked whether or not he regretted turning down the offer, but he said that he believed everything happens for a reason and he was glad to be in Seattle to show his talent and help the Seahawks compete for a division title and perhaps a lot more.

Almost immediately after signing Avril, Schneider parlayed his luck going after former Seahawks Michael Bennett, who was a free agent and left for Tampa Bay.  The Buccaneers released Bennett and the Seahawks were fortunate enough to be able to sign him to a one-year deal in Seattle.  The Buccaneers fan base was furious to see their best pass rushing defensive end leave.  Bennett is familiar with Seattle's system and should fit right in without much in terms of growing pains learning Seattle's defensive sets.  This gave the Seahawks the best  two of three defensive pass rushing free agents on the market.  San Francisco answered by signing first-round draft pick from 2008, Glenn Dorsey, who became a free agent after a disappointing four seasons with the Chiefs who released him leaving him an unrestricted free agent.  He was expected to be a standout defensive end, and San Francisco is hoping that a change of scenery will improve his play on the field.

The Seahawks continued their gluttony of good defensive line free agents by signing defensive tackle, Tony McDaniel, a 6'7" 305lb. earth-mover from the Miami Dolphins. McDaniel is an interior pass rushing tackle who ironically uses all of his 6'7" to get down and develop leverage on offensive lineman.  It is extremely rare for such a tall defensive tackle to be effective in the interior defensive line, but McDaniel has been a great run stopper with the Miami Dolphins and should be able to help Seattle replace Alan Branch who had a subpar season particularly against the run last year.

The Niners, suffering in their defensive secondary, due to the casualties of pro-bowl safety, Deshon Goldson, to free agency and the inconsistent play of Carlos Rogers, Chris Cullinver and Dante Whitner, made a move to pick up free-agent, Nnamdi Asomugha, the former standout from the Oakland Raiders. Asomugha played three years in Philadelphia first, where he drastically underperformed his huge contract, forcing the Eagles to release him.  Again, the 49ers are hoping that another veteran underachieving will come closer to achieving their potential in the Bay Area.

The Seahawks appeared to react to the Asomugha deal in San Francisco by signing the best available slot corner, Antoine Winfield, who was released by the Vikings for financial reasons.  Winfield will nicely fill out an already ridiculously talented defensive secondary in Seattle.  At 36 years old and entering his 15th season, Winfield still has a lot in the tank, but he will be a nickel and dime back on primarily passing downs allowing him to rest so that he's fresh on every down.  Winfield is a masterful open field tackler and in coverage, hasn't given up a touchdown pass in three years.  Although, even older than Marcus Trufant, Winfield doesn't have a litany of injuries slowing him down.  Trufant was released and acquired immediately on waivers by Gus Bradley, the Jacksonville Jaguars new head coach, after Bradley left Seattle's defensive coordinator job.

Since the slew of new acquisitions by both the Hawks and Niners, things have slowed down somewhat in terms of veteran free-agent acquisitions.  However, the Seahawks acquired Brett Swain, a WR dropped by the Niners and San Francisco acquired Charly Martin and Ricardo Lockett formerly wide receivers with the Seahawks earlier in the year. 

There's definitely something going on between the Seahawks and the Niners, but most of it really couldn't be categorized by good or bad.  What can be categorized is the injury onslaught on both teams and throughout the NFL.  Ironically, before the 2011 season when the NFLPA and the league officials came to terms on the new collective bargaining agreement, the stipulation on work conditions restricted coaches from continuing several traditional agendas developed over the decades since the NFL AFL merger in 1970.  Gone are the days of the grueling two-a-day practices sessions and full pads and helmets contact drills throughout training camp.  Now, coaches are limited to one training session per day and the number of hours are limited.  Also limited, are the number of minicamps and OTA's leading up to the summer training camp.  With nearly no real game like player contact during drills and scrimmages and limited hours on the practice field, it's astonishing how many moderate and serious injuries have been reported even before contact drills commenced.  Reports of; concussions, ACL tears, Achilles tears, hamstringing injuries, Hip and shoulder injuries and ankle and foot injuries have dominated the training camp headlines and many of them are season ending injuries or at least injuries that will preclude players from practicing or taking part in preseason games.  It's difficult to evaluate the difference between coaches and trainers being extra sensitive to nagging but insignificant injuries or if players are just getting injured at an alarming rate.  Even before teams began engaging in serious player contact drills, there there have been reports of several notable players ruled out for the season already;

TE Dennis Pitta, Ravens
CB Chris Cullinver,  49ers
WR Santonio Holmes, Jets
WR Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
TE Anthony McCoy, Seahawks
WR Michael Crabtree, 49ers
DL Tyrone Crawford, Cowboys
C Dan Koppen, Broncos
WR Armon Binns, Dolphins
DL Jason Pierre Paul, Giants
 LB Jason Phillips,Eagles

There are far more than this list injured, but some have indefinite return predictions and some are held out for minor injuries without explanation by the teams doctors or trainers.Regardless of the severity of each of their injuries, it's not debatable on how much precious time they're missing to prepare for the upcoming regular-season, particularly the rookies and younger players as well as players new to the system.

So, the questions beg; "What is making the injury statistics skyrocket during the NFL off-season and preseason camp activities? With the shorter camp sessions and decreased amount of player contact with pads and helmets, why are so many players getting injured? How severe are these injuries that are landing scores of players on physically unable to perform lists and the non-football injury category before the big hitting even starts?  One thing is for certain, it's time to revisit the idea that shorter training camps and shorter fitness training before the season is helping players stay uninjured and ready for the regular-season.  Something isn't working,

COMPETE! SEAHAWKS RESERVES HAVE TRUE REASON TO BELIEVE

Golden Tate speaks for reserves: "Don't you forget about me"

It's not just a coincidence that Pete Carroll's name is half of his motto in life and in football; Com-pete, Com-pete, Always Compete!  But, this isn't just lip-service from some rah-rah, high-energy coach trying to excite and motivate his players.  "Always Compete" has always been Carroll's solemn belief in a system that continually renews itself simply on the premise that each position on his football team is a competition, not just a slogan, but a real promise.  The head coach of the Seahawks has promised his players, "If you outplay another player on the team consistently at his position in training camp, on the practice field, and in the classroom, you Will get playing time and you Will have your opportunity to be great.  The cornerstone of this belief system, however, requires that each player earns his playing time, unaffected by his draft position, the size of his contract or by any other status level based on something other than performance.  This has been promised and like any other leader in any situation, the system collapses and has no meaning unless the promises are honored.

There's no greater illustration of Pete Carroll's "Always Compete" mantra than the story of Russell Wilson, the 2012 third round selection by the Seahawks, from the University of Wisconsin… all 5'10 5/8" of him.  Most of us already know the story; how free-agent veteran, Matt Flynn from Green Bay, was signed with Seattle during the off-season with a multi-year multi-million dollar contract, and universally believed to be the heir apparent to the starting quarterback position with the Seahawks.  Flynn chose to sign with the Seahawks despite the fact that Pete Carroll wasn't willing to promise him the starting job.  He was promised, just like every other Seahawks player, that he would be given a legitimate chance to compete for a starting position, but that he would have to earn it.  It's important to mention that the Seahawks signed Flynn before the NFL draft, and before Russell Wilson was selected 75th overall to perhaps become the future signal caller in Seattle.  It was said that the team would go into training camp with a three-way competition for quarterback between incumbent Tavaris Jackson, veteran Matt Flynn and rookie Russell Wilson.  Practically every one of the Seahawks fans or NFL analysts on television and radio believed the job was Matt Flynn's to lose.  Even as the preseason wore on, it was clear that Wilson was outplaying both Jackson and Flynn, but still most believed it was a good idea to sit Wilson for a season, or perhaps part of the season, and start Flynn.  However, Pete Carroll was there during training camp and every practice between each of the four preseason exhibition games, and saw something in Wilson that the rest of us weren't lucky enough to see.  It is said that Russell Wilson had intangibles off the charts and a level of maturity and intelligence that made him stand out above everyone interviewed at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis over a year ago.  Unfortunately for the rest of the NFL, most saw his lack of height as a deterrent from him finding success at the professional level and 74 selections past without his name being called.  "He's too short" they all said, even though each of them noted his intangible qualities and maturity beyond his years.  In fact, Wilson showed excellent to above average on every other category used to evaluate a college quarterback for the NFL.  Wilson had a strong arm, and long arms for his size, and 10 inch hands, equivalent to a player as tall as 6'7".  Wilson has always been extremely athletic, running 4.5 seconds in the 40 and a 34 inch vertical leap.  However, the combine results don't tell even a fraction of the story when evaluating Wilson's ability as a quarterback.  His straight-line speed is pretty good, but when he starts changing direction and evading defenders and extending plays, then he's in his natural realm.  Wilson made scores of great defensive pass rushers look bad, and they would be the first to admit it.  Wilson has an innate ability to feel pocket pressure and he's only going to get better in his second season in the NFL.

Russell Wilson is only one example of Pete Carroll's system and his honor as an honest coach who is asking his players to trust him and the only way to get trust, is to show that you are trustworthy.

Richard Sherman grew up in the rough neighborhoods of Compton California.  He excelled in football and track, but football was his biggest love and he was rewarded after becoming a high school standout, at Dominguez High, as a wide receiver.  He began receiving offers from many esteemed colleges for a full academic scholarship.  Several great coaches from excellent programs around the nation came knocking for the lanky (6'3" 185 lb.), but athletic Sherman.  Pete Carroll of USC, Urban Meyer of Florida were among two of the most powerful programs that saw his potential, but it was Sherman himself who decided that "He, a kid from the rough streets of Compton, would be a Stanford graduate someday and the next big thing in college football.  You could say that Sherman was practically born with a chip on his shoulder and believe it or not, it's a welcome chip to him, primarily because it has been the central story of his entire career, it has become the motivating factor that keeps him revved up, motor running and goals reached one after another.  What's interesting is that no matter what he seems to do, he doesn't really get the credit for what he has accomplished on and off the field.  He is arguably the best defensive back on the team, (Earl Thomas might argue that), but is the only starting DB on the team not to be invited to the Pro bowl.  Simultaneously, he was picked All Pro at the cornerback position for the 2012 season, and snubbed at the Pro bowl again.  Yet, nothing seems to drag him down, in fact, quite the opposite.  He continually feeds from neglect and oversight and tops his performance in practically each game or season he plays.  When Sherman was drafted by the Seahawks, it might have looked as if he was excited and grateful to be picked by the Seahawks to play professional football, but that excitement would be disingenuous.  He believed he was worthy of a much higher draft position, and ever since that day, it has become fuel for his craft.  Sherman reported to the Seahawks training camp, a tall, lanky corner that had only one year experience at the collegiate level at the cornerback position.  Coach Carroll saw his competitive nature and his hard-working and intellectual approach to the game.  Sherman was in a backup position behind a standout of his own, out of Oregon; Walter Thurmond was starting at left corner for Seattle.  However, Pete Carroll is always looking for a player who is hungry and wants the limelight, the responsibility and the opportunity to show his talent.  Thurmond went down with an injury and Sherman was called into action.  The rest, as they say, is history… Carroll doesn't live by the adage "A player cannot lose his job to an injury."  He believes, the most capable player who has proved his worth on the practice field and all other opportunities to prove their ability, will be given playing time.  Thurmond has had an injury riddled career thus far in the NFL, and Richard Sherman made good on every opportunity he was afforded by the Seahawks and has become the best cover corner in football.

Brandon Browner and Kam Chancellor have similar stories of rising to the occasion of opportunity.  Browner was playing in the Canadian football league after being passed over in the NFL draft by all 32 teams.  Chancellor's story is similar to that of Richard Sherman.  Both were excellent players in college, and both were passed over until the fifth round.  While both Sherman and Chancellor appreciate the Seahawks giving them the opportunity to play in Seattle, both of them are still very salty about being disrespected.  Carroll loves finding players who have interesting and inspiring stories, stories that incite special motivation and unique reasons for a tireless preparation and a motor that runs on high, no matter what the reason.  He also likes to find players who possess certain unique athletic ability, sometimes completely bypassing any traditional benchmarks or trends for evaluating talent.  This is why players who truly believe in themselves and their talent love playing in his system, his program and with his fundamental approach to competition and equal opportunity for everyone despite any other predetermination or status level that precedes them.  He literally couldn't care less how much money you're being paid, what draft position you may have been selected in or your reputation with your previous team or college achievement.  Competition can only be competition if it's a real and if the competitors believe that they have a chance to succeed.  Carroll wouldn't give a second thought to a player on his team just because they might be related to an NFL legend, or if they happened to play for a small Division II or Division III school or if they were awarded a Heisman Trophy, and Outland Award or a Butkus Award.  He has proven time and time again, that he is genuinely focused on filling each position on the roster with players who give his football team the best chance of fielding a winner… and that's that.

Now, the Seahawks are in the news again, but not for the reasons they would like.  After trading a boatload of precious draft picks and signing a player to the most lucrative contract in Seahawks history; it has been reported that Percy Harvin will miss the majority of the 2013 season before he ever catches a football in the game for the Seattle Seahawks.  Percy Harvin reported to training camp, but it is believed that he did so after talking to the coaching staff about some discomfort in his hip.  During the minicamps and OTA's, Harvin complained of hip pain, but it was believed to be a simple case of a hip flexor strain, a condition that only gets better with rest and time.  He practiced sparingly during the OTA's, but the pain in his hip began to progress and before the training camp began, the Seahawks doctors took him in to have a CAT scan and an MRI to get a better look at the hip and determine if there was any structural damage and if a surgical procedure was necessary.  The Seahawks medical staff allegedly reported that the damage to the hip labrum was minimal and that it could be played on and repaired after the upcoming season had ended.  Like every NFL player is entitled to, Harvin elected to get a second opinion from a private physician outside the Seahawks program.  Harvin chose hip specialist, Dr. Brian Kelly, in New York City, and flew across the country to get his opinion of the injury and his assessment on whether or not the injury required immediate surgery, and if so, what procedure would be necessary to repair the damage and more importantly, prevent any further damage from ignoring the injury that was already present.  Nevertheless, Percy took the advice of his independent physician to repair it surgically now.  Some Seahawks players, coaches and fans look at this is a bad thing, but I can almost guarantee you that not everyone is morning the loss of Percy Harvin to the year 2013.

Percy Harvin was a huge asset for the Seahawks to take into the upcoming season, but he is in no way the end-all for the Seahawks chances to compete for an NFL title.  I believe that Pete Carroll would have rather had Percy play through the pain and address the problem after the season, but I'll bet he wasn't disappointed very long.  Yes, the Seahawks gave up a lot to get Harvin in a Seahawks uniform.  They gave up the 25th pick in this year's draft, a seventh round pick and a third round conditional selection next year.  So, at least, the Seahawks are without a first-round player they would have chosen at the number 25 spot.  It could have been one of the draft's talented wide receivers; Tennessee's WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Clemson's WR DeAndre Hopkins or USC's WR Robert woods; all were talented college receivers.  It could have been an outside linebacker where the Seahawks had an obvious need for after the team chose not to re-sign Leroy Hill from last year.  It could have been Arthur Brown of Kansas State, Sio Moore of Connecticut, or Khaseem Greene of Rutgers.  It also could have been used to fortify the offensive line with more depth, or perhaps more depth at the safety position.  However, the truth of it is that GM Jon Schneider and Pete Carroll thought enough of Percy Harvin that they were willing to take a chance on such a dominant player, a player that comes along available only every great once in a while.  Analysts graded the 2013 draft as "deep, but no real playmakers are game changers."  The biggest problem right now is that many people are using perfect hindsight to grade whether or not the Seahawks made the right decision with the draft and with Percy Harvin.  It's too late, and to rehash this is ridiculous because no one has a crystal ball on the time and place for an injury to occur in perhaps the world's most dangerous team sport.  Players get hurt, and the injury bug is not biased or prejudiced.  High profile players like RGIII get injured and players that most people wouldn't be able to recognize if they walked right up to and shook your hand and told you there name.  I believe Schneider and Carroll, along with their boss, Paul Allen, made the right decision for their football team with the information they had at the time.  Harvin is a supreme athlete with athletic ability unmatched in the NFL.  He's a threat to take the ball to the end zone every time he touches it and defenses are forced to create special defensive packages simply to stop number 11.  He was the kind of player that immediately makes a good team, a great team overnight.  In Seattle's case, it was taking a great team and launching their expectations into the stratosphere and beyond.  There were no such players in the draft this year, and the closest player to do the kind of things that Percy can do is Tavon Austin.  He ran a legitimate 4.35 40 yard dash and has the change of direction abilities like few players in college football.  However, Austin is just a generous 5'9" tall and 173 lbs.  I don't believe football players should be valued by their height and weight, just like I don't believe the final word on an athlete is connected to his 40 yard dash time.  However, Percy Harvin has every bit of speed that Austin has, plus he carries nearly 20 lbs. more and 3 inches of height over this year's rookie Speedster from West Virginia.  What's more important is that Percy Harvin has proven his value on the biggest stage in football.  He won the NFL rookie of the year and last year, he was the early favorite to win NFL MVP at the midway point with the Vikings.  However, Percy is made of muscle, bones and everything that holds them together, just like the rest of us.  He has had several injuries, but not necessarily caused because he's injury prone, but perhaps because of the passion and determination that he plays with every time he takes the field.  The Seahawks made the right decision, but unfortunately we're all going to have to wait until next year to see what he can do in a season with a healthy body and a sensational football team to support him.

It's human nature for fans to panic a little when one of their star players falls to an injury.  It's even more worrisome when it happens to a player who hasn't even taken the field yet.  However, this Seahawks team isn't just any old team looking for identity and the players to build around.  This football team has a very sturdy nucleus of leaders on and off the field and a deep enough roster to absorb bad fortune, whenever it happens.  Percy Harvin has never suited up for the Seahawks in a regular game, though Russell Wilson led them to a 12-6 season including the first road playoff victory in nearly 3 decades.  Pete Carroll returns all 11 offensive starters and 9 of 11 defensive starters from 2012 to take into the new season, plus a very successful bevy of veteran free agents to fortify an already dominant defense.  As usual, Schneider and Carroll had a very productive draft board and 11 selections to use to reinforce an already impressive roster of football talent.  In fact, if Seattle made no changes to their roster, this would still be a contender for a Lombardi trophy.  Seattle averaged nearly 35 points per game in the second half of the season and a three-game stretch where they scored 150 points, giving up just 30 to their opponent.

The Percy Harvin news is hard to take for the Seahawks players, the coaching staff and of course for the 12th man.  However, the opportunity for several wide receivers trying to make the roster has skyrocketed into high gear and the excitement of competition.  Golden Tate is on a contract year and played sensationally in the second half of the season.  He has all kinds of talent and he has also developed a game chemistry with Russell Wilson and that relationship is more important than any other with one position player to another.  Sidney Rice is also in prime territory to rack up some great statistics and performances now that Wilson is one year smarter, one year smarter and one year more confident.  Wilson has never been a player lacking in confidence, but it's a quiet confidence that becomes contagious throughout the entire team.  His belief, all by himself, is enough for a team to win a championship, but his demeanor and leadership inspire his teammates to follow him into any challenge or any circumstance to make the team succeed.  Doug Baldwin sustained a nasty injury in the beginning of the 2012 season, but without uttering a sound about his grisly shoulder dislocation, he rehabilitated himself back into the lineup and immediately began to produce and build the trust of his quarterback.  Coming into the new season completely healthy, look for Baldwin to have a fantastic season with this fortified offense.

Perhaps the players most affected by Percy Harvin's injury are; fourth round draft selection, wide receiver Chris Harper, and fifth-round tight end Luke Willson.  Both will have the opportunity to produce early and be given the chance to be great and they have all the talent in the world to get it done.  It is said by many coaches and analysts, that "It's God that gives you the talent.  The rest is up to the athlete to achieve and it requires; a strong work ethic,  a belief in self, superior study habits, a mentor, ability to accept criticism, goals and dreams (with a plan) and most important… a genuine love of the game.  Chris Harper and Luke Willson have the characteristics that Pete Carroll looks for in a player and each of them have unique, specialized skill sets that fit the blueprint for his football team.

Lastly, I return to the main point of my column:

Pete Carroll has created a level of trust with his players and backed up their trust by continually giving opportunity to players who perform when given the opportunity and afforded more playing time as they progress in the preseason and on the practice field.  This is all you could ever hope to get from a coach as a young player or reserve player and exactly what every player wants when they get to the NFL.  The Percy Harvin injury appears at first like a disaster when you consider his extraordinary athletic skill set, but it's also important to remember that in his absence, great players just waiting for an opportunity now have a chance to shine on the biggest stage in football.  Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Chris Harper, Stephen Williams and Jermaine Kearse are all on deck and the preseason will be there stage.  Now, it's time to perform…

FOR THE SEAHAWKS, WINFIELD IS A "WINDFALL"

 2013 Seahawks Defensive Secondary Best EVER?

The Minnesota Vikings have reaped the benefits of acquiring CB Antoine Winfield since signing him nine years ago.  For nearly a decade, he didn't disappoint anyone with the Vikings.  Winfield is considered by several, NFL player analysts, to be the best pass defending slot cover in the NFL and also one of the best DB's in run support.  His diminutive 5'9" frame didn't scare away the Vikings years ago, nor did it scare the Seattle Seahawks just months ago, signing him to a one-year contract as a free agent after the Vikings released him.  Apparently, officials in the front office of the Minnesota Vikings determined that the 36-year-old Winfield had already played his best football in the past, and considering his age, predicted he would no longer be able to continue to perform at the high level that he has throughout his 14 year career  The Seahawks genuinely hope they were very wrong!  After having the OTA’s and minicamps in Seattle, the Seahawks may have collected one of the really great free agent steals of the 2013 off-season in Winfield.

So, does Antoine Winfield have "enough left in the tank" to play on the same field with Seattle's "Legion of Boom" (Sherman, Browner, Thomas, and Chancellor), the best defensive secondary in football?  The Seahawks coach and front office officials sure seem to think so.  In fact, Seattle GM John Schneider, was completely perplexed as to why Vikings' head coach, Leslie Frazier, and GM Rick Spielman, would even consider parting ways with such a high character, high performance and big-time player, like Winfield.  AW is a three-time pro-bowl cornerback that probably deserved more trips and who has done nothing but dominate [both as a pass defender and against the run], throughout his career, but particularly in his final year with the Vikings.  In Minnesota, Winfield was the much-needed veteran leadership keeping a very young and shaky defensive group together, (on and off the field).  He was also the kind of balancing presence essential for an inexperienced, developing defense, like the Vikings, to grow, work together and stay focused.  After studying the career statistical spreadsheet on Winfield, in particular the last five seasons, it's puzzling why anyone (in their right mind) would let this man go, regardless of his age.  Anyone who can add, subtract, multiply and divide can see that Winfield has a lot of tread left on his tires and everything you could possibly want in a corner, in particular a slot corner.  In fact, he’s obviously got enough tread to drudge on out of the snows of Minneapolis and onto the slick streets of Seattle for the 2013 season, if not more.  The Seahawks are doubtful to offer him an extension and his age, with Pete Carroll who likes to keep the team young and incredibly athletic.  However, if Winfield has an outstanding season, and stays injury free this season, who knows? 
NOTE: Winfield played it all 16 games last season collected 101 tackles in 2012, along with 3 interceptions, 8 passes defended and 8 stuffs.

"Pro Football Focus", a magazine publication and Internet website primarily devoted to deep statistical analysis of the NFL has ranked the Top 10 Cornerbacks over the last five years of play, and comes to the conclusion that Winfield is not only one of the best in the game against the pass, having not allowed a touchdown to be scored against him in three years, but is also so much better than the rest of the league at stopping the run it's "insane" to let him go and a true nugget of gold to put in the pockets of an already filthy rich team with a defensive secondary and total defense that was already the best unit in football; A true defining example of the rich get richer in this case, and now Winfield gets a legitimate chance to play for a team that is serious about bringing a Lombardi trophy to the city of Seattle for the first time in franchise history. All comments coming from Winfield to the press reflect a man who was ready to put Minnesota and the Vikings in his rearview mirror and genuinely excited to play for a team with a new confidence and expectation of flying to the Meadowlands in 2014 and taking it ALL on the biggest Sunday in all of the NFL.  However, Winfield is also impressed by a Seahawks team, from top to bottom, that has a collective realization that they haven't done anything… yet.  They also understand that the only way to the Super Bowl is one game at a time and that's their approach to the new season.

It's well-known that Antoine Winfield is a solid cover corner in the NFL and despite his lack of verticality; he has been practically unbeatable in the red zone.  Over the last 14 years he's averaged 75.25 tackles per year, and 76 average in his last five seasons, so it's obvious he isn't slowing down.  In fact, just last season he had 101 tackles.  Now, because he's going to primarily play the nickel role in Seattle's defensive secondary, on primarily passing downs, he won’t even come close to his numbers in Minnesota, but that's simply because he is surrounded by great players 100% of the time.  Another potential impact player to play side-by-side with Winfield is a fourth-year pro corner Walter Thurmond.  Despite Thurmond's four years in the NFL, he has only played sparsely due to a collection of injuries.  He has tremendous upside potential and has shown freakish athletic ability playing in press coverage and in complex zone blocking combinations.  He has big hands and a huge wingspan from fingertip to fingertip.  He has quick hips and can snap them around and change direction to reroute the fastest wide receivers in the NFL, destroying the timing between the quarterback and receiver.  When he has played, he has looked sensational.  Unfortunately, the injuries keep him on the bench, but for the first time in his pro career, Thurmond is healthy.  He has looked fantastic during team OTA's and the veteran minicamp's.  He has tremendous leaping ability and puts himself in a position to make even the most difficult interceptions.  There's nothing but upside for Thurmond if he can keep himself away from the injury bug.  Winfield will truly be guilty of the lily as he comes into his first Seahawks training camp.  In his 14 years in the NFL, he has averaged 9 passes defense per season, and 12 in his final season with the Vikings. What is going to make Winfield so effective in the Seattle secondary is that he won't be required to cover as much of the field as he did during his playing days in Buffalo and Minnesota.  There's a lot of help in Seattle's defensive secondary and that will allow him to cheat a little on receivers in space, knowing he can rely on help from all directions inside and out, shallow and deep.  Winfield also has an exemplary character and will provide valuable veteran presence in the locker room, throughout a long, grueling NFL season.  He has a great attitude and understands exactly what his role is in this defense, which will be a big departure away from his starting position at the corner position during his 14 seasons.  I think he could be a huge improvement to an already stifling, almost impenetrable secondary in Seattle.  Pete Carroll has got to be smiling from ear to ear.  It appears that Winfield is an ideal fit for the Seahawks at this time in his career and at a time were Seattle is posturing for a special, hopefully memorable season.  They really do have all the talent in the world to get some great things accomplished this year. They have the best owner in football, a great coaching staff, great facilities, the loudest fans in the world and a roster that seems loaded in every aspect of the game.  For perhaps the first time in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks franchise has become a destination for many young and veteran players throughout the NFL.  The snazzy new uniforms never hurt.  I think one of the reasons the Oregon ducks program has been so successful is the influence of the Nike Corporation on the university’s athletic department.  They have excellent facilities and an ever-changing variety of newfangled, futuristic type uniforms that attract a lot of young athletes to the school.  I don’t think the NFL is such a huge departure from the college attraction to the new and innovative parts of the game.  The best of the best is what professional athletes want.

Notes:
The Seahawks will likely keep six corners and five safeties.  Corner Locks: Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Antoine Winfield.  Fighting for three possible openings: Jeremy Lane, Walter Thurmond III, Tharold Simon, Byron Maxwell, Will Blackmon, Ron Parker, and DeShawn Shead.  Safety Locks: Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas.  Fighting for three possible openings: Winston Guy, Jeron Johnson, Ray Polk, and Chris Maragos.

Go Hawks! 

 ****

SEAHAWKS FEEL A NEED, A NEED FOR SPEED

HAWKS LACKING REAL SPEED AT WIDEOUT

COULD TACOMA PRODUCT "VELTUNG" BE CARROLL'S ANSWER?

It’s the oldest play in the passing playbook and you just haven’t lived unless you’ve played street football and had the neighborhood QB tell you, “Just go deep!”

There are all sorts of names for this;  the“Fly, Streak, Seam or Go" route or the "Hail Mary" at the end of the game for a team that is trailing. Each of these pass patterns has its special nuances that help wide receivers shed safeties and corners, for example; the “double move”, “hitch and go”, and “the deep post or flag,” but when it comes to running an NFL deep route… nothing beats pure, blinding, natural, God-given SPEED. 

More on this later…

The Seahawks went into the off-season with few blatant bleak spots on the offensive or the defense.  With Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, Michael Robinson, Leon Washington and a maturing offensive line, Seattle ran the ball very well and often.  In fact, the Seahawks ran the ball more than any other team in the NFL by percentage.  Russell Wilson showed great maturity coming in as a rookie quarterback, an instant leader and accurate thrower.  As the year progressed, Darrell Bevell (the Seahawks offensive coordinator and play caller) and Pete Carroll opened up the playbook for Wilson and Seattle’s new QB sensation didn’t disappoint.  In the final ten games of the 2010 season, including Seattle’s two playoff games, Wilson threw 19 touchdown passes and ran for five more against only three interceptions, and his team went 8-2.  The Seahawks seemed to hit on a gamble to switch newly drafted JR Sweezy, a defensive tackle in college, to offensive guard.  He struggled, as expected in the first half of the season, but much like Wilson turned it on in the second half winning more playing time and effectively protecting QB Wilson from the interior pressure after allowing several defensive tackles a chance to haul off and plow into his quarterback earlier in the season.  Breno Giacomini played well in the second half of the season, as well.  After putting his position and perhaps his career in jeopardy drawing penalty after penalty for stupid after the whistle personal foul calls, he finally began to get his head together and his game.  Russell Okung was his usual brilliant self, avoiding serious injury in 2012 and showing just exactly what his worth really is after being a first-round draft selection in 2009, a player in Carroll and Schneider’s first draft class in Seattle.

One of the positions that the Seahawks coaching staff thought would be a strength going into the season, with “Steady Eddie” a.k.a. Zach Miller, backup tight end Anthony McCoy and rookie Luke Willson who was perhaps the brightest spot early on during the OTA’s and rookie minicamp.  Wilson has excellent speed for a man 6’6” tall and 252 lbs. running a 4.5 second 40 at the NFL combine and he makes a great target with his size.  Coach Carroll said he was particularly impressed with Wilson’s soft hands and ability to use his speed in mismatch situations with shorter and slower linebackers.  All looked pretty good for the Seahawks group at tight end going in to training camp.  Then, Anthony McCoy tore his Achilles tendon in camp, essentially ending his 2013 season before it started.  McCoy will miss a minimum of six months for the surgery and rehab, but in reality, it wasn’t exactly a lock for McCoy to make this football team.  He’s tall, he has decent speed and fairly good hands, but he is frustratingly inconsistent and drops the ball in big moments with Seattle needs a sure-handed receiver to make a play.  Several analysts and so-called experts are making a lot of this loss for the Seahawks, but I think it is superfluous.  McCoy was in tough to make this roster and because of his continued mistakes, I think he would have lost his position to Luke Willson and Sean McGrath is a much better blocker.  Victor Marshall, a local product, is a long shot to make the Seahawks final roster, but he is another great athlete who could surprise a lot of people.  The Seahawks signed Darren Fells, a basketball player from California Irvine who showed great athleticism at a recent workout.  He was invited to the Hawks try out at the Virginia Mason athletic center and was cut, but at the rookie camp that he was invited back to, he showed promise and was re-signed to work out with the team going into its training camp this summer. Cooper Helfet was also signed and invited to work out at the Seahawks training camp.  In complete contrast to most analysts who believe the sky is falling in Seattle because backup tight end Anthony McCoy was injured, I believe the Seahawks tight end situation is alive and well and will be surprised to see Zach Miller involved more in the passing game and Luke Willson to play much better than McCoy ever played in a Seahawks uniform.  No need to worry—The “Willson” on the Seahawks roster with two “L’s” is going to play in lots of (2)two tight end sets, making the Seahawks run and pass game much more versatile and dangerous downfield.

A defense, the Seahawks shined throughout the season, keeping opponents scoring down while rookie Russell Wilson grew into his professional football shoes.  The Seahawks weren’t a scoring juggernaut earlier in the season the way they were toward the end.  However, the way that the Seahawks defense played, it wasn’t necessary to score much more than 14 points for a Seattle win.  The Seahawks defense was number one in the NFL for allowing the fewest points by opponents.  The Seahawks defensive front was expected to be as dominant as their secondary and linebackers, but Seattle looked fairly weak down the stretch of the 2012 season allowing far too many rushing yards and putting more pressure on the defensive secondary for run support in open field.  Carroll and Schneider addressed those problems during the off-season, signing free-agent Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett to increase the pass rush and Tony McDaniel to help shore up the interior defensive line along with Red Bryant, Brendan Mebane and Clinton McDonald.  The Seahawks also drafted help for the defensive line, drafting in the interior pass rushing DT Jordan Hill from Penn State and huge DT Jesse Williams out of Alabama.  Along with Seattle’s existing D line, these additions should help Seattle live up to the lofty goals of last season.  It was expected that the Seahawks would draft an outside linebacker to replace Leroy Hill.  Carroll and Schneider didn’t make a move on a linebacker in the draft until the seventh round and they also decided not to be aggressive in free agency to shore up that position, either.  Schneider hinted in a post draft press conference that Seattle would lean on current players on the roster and perhaps move some of Seattle’s quicker defensive lineman to the weak side linebacker position.  Ostensibly, they’re talking of Bruce Irvin and Cliff Avril to perhaps play back in space, where earlier they were only expected to put a hand in the dirt and rush the quarterback.  Both Irvin and Avril have considerable speed for their size and could be extremely effective at the Will LB spot.  Malcolm Smith, who played more in 2012 as Leroy Hill was being phased out of Seattle’s linebacking corps. Smith is seriously involved in the hotly competitive fight for that WILL linebacker position, as well as; John Lotulelei, Mike Morgan, Ty Powell, Heath Farwell, Craig Wilkins and Kyle Knox.  Smith and Morgan likely have the inside crack at this position.  Much of it will depend on each player’s contribution to special teams.  Pete Carroll raved about Lotulelei's constant motor and sidelined to sideline speed.  Mike Morgan is another LB on the roster who could also fight for one of the 5 to 6 linebacker spots on the final 53 man roster.  Much of that will depend on each player’s ability to play special teams in addition to linebacker duties. Rookies John Lotulelei, Ty Powell, Craig Wilkins along with young veterans; Korey Toomer, Allen Bradford, Heath Farwell and Kyle Knox will also compete for a linebacker spot where special teams will improve their chances.

Without a doubt, the Seahawks defensive secondary is the strongest aspect of their team.  It’s hard to find a weakness on this team, and several other aspects of the team are easily are close to it as well, but the secondary is something special.  Led by All-Pro corner Richard Sherman and pro-bowl players Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Brandon Browner, these players are the best cover DB’s in football and they will hit you if you happen to catch a pass or two.  In fact, I think this quartet of defenders wants each wide receiver to catch one pass, but one pass only.  This way, they can show each player the consequences of catching a pass in their zone.  Like lumberjacks and a blue ox, these guys will punish you and make you wish that you played baseball.  Even the best receivers in the game think twice before stretching out to catch a pass against Sherman, Browner, Thomas and “The Punisher” Kam Chancellor.  These men patrol the secondary hoping a wide receiver has the opportunity to stretch out his arms to catch a floating pass from his quarterback.  Not only is the Seattle Seahawks secondary the best, they are also deep at these positions.  Jeremy Ln., Byron Maxwell, Winston guy, Ray Parker, and extremely talented Walter Thurmond III are ready to go if needed in the nickel or dime packages used by Dan Quinn (Seahawks defensive coordinator).  The Seahawks made another valuable acquisition in free agency, signing perhaps the best nickel corner in the NFL from Minnesota, Antoine Winfield.  At 5’9” tall and just 180 lbs., Winfield is a punishing blocker and provides an extremely effective tackler underneath in the rushing defense.  At 35 years old, Winfield admits he doesn’t have the speed he once had, but he still possesses the same small space quickness that he had his entire career and that’s what the Seahawks sign him for.  It's hard to imagine, but the addition of Winfield at the nickel, makes the Seahawks secondary even more frightening to match-up against than last season's defensive secondary.  Without Winfield, the Seahawks corners and safeties were considered far and away the best in the game and if they live up to the legend created over the off-season, they could be the best ever. This fabulous five could all realistically be voted All-Pro.  He is pro-bowl caliber and with Browner and Sherman at his flank, teams are going to want to test his resolve over the middle and that’s exactly where Winfield excels.  He's always been a fantastic hitter, who finishes tackles. Separating ball-carriers from the ball has always been his forte… AW is a master of the take away…

As I mentioned earlier, the Seahawks were expected to draft a linebacker in the earlier rounds of the NFL draft last April.  Schneider and Carroll already struck gold on to linebackers in the draft taken last year and the year before.  Bobby Wagner was selected in the second round of the 2012 draft and KJ Wright was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft.  Both Wagner and Wright have become stellar linebackers covering equally as well against the run and in space covering the intermediate passing game.  So, who will play next to these pro-bowl caliber linebackers is still a mystery.  Fortunately, the worst case scenario would be to continue Malcolm Smith at the WILL, or it’s possible that KJ Wright could switch from the SAM to the WILL and have; Smith, Irvin or Avril play the SAM.  Seattle has only had 10 days of OTA’s, and thus far it appears Quinn and Carroll are moving defensive players around to find out exactly what they have before they settle on a plan to use players in certain formations.  One thing is for certain, they have all of the press reps confused as they try to figure out what Seattle will do defensively with the linebackers or the front four down linemen.  Even if opposing teams had illegal scouts following Seattle’s plans at the OTA’s, they wouldn’t be able to decipher much.  Everything seems undecided at this point in the off-season workout structure.

So, I believe I’ve covered every aspect of the Seattle Seahawks offense and defense with the exception of special teams, and receivers.  I’ll get this out of the way quickly: The punter, barring any unforeseen injury or other unnatural circumstance, will be John Ryan.  The kicker will likely be Steven Haushcka, but Carson Wiggs may push him if he can consistently kick field goals outside of 45 yards and touchbacks on kickoffs.  Haushcka was relatively consistent in 2012, but he ended the season with a calf injury and struggled on field goals outside of 45 yards.

Now, onto the reason I wrote this article:

The “Fly” or “Go” pattern has its special nuances that help wide receivers shed safeties and corners, for example; the “double move”, “hitch and go”, and “the deep post or flag,” but when it comes to running an NFL deep route… nothing beats pure and natural, Blinding Speed.

 The Seattle Seahawks have a plethora of talented receivers to play the valuable slot position in the passing game.  Acquiring one of the most versatile and dangerous offensive threats with the football in his hands, Percy Harvin is going to make the Seahawks offensive attack options almost limitless.  Golden Tate had a breakout year finally in his third year in the NFL and seems poised to have a very good year with second year quarterback Russell Wilson who has confidence off the charts and leadership that takes several other charts.  Pete Carroll said his new franchise quarterback scoured the film footage of his 2012 game performances looking for the things he could improve to make him an even better signal caller.  “His footwork is impeccable,” Coach Carroll gushed about Wilson.  “He has made it a mission to work on the intricacies of perfect footwork in every aspect of the game no matter if it’s a rushing handoff and improving his movement mechanics or if it is his passing foot technique inside the pocket and out.  It’s just amazing to watch and he’s a million miles beyond where he was at this time a year ago.”  As Wilson hones his game and becomes even better, opposing defenses will find themselves even more frustrated with the diminutive 5’10” 5/8 quarterback from Wisconsin.  Wilson is dangerous in the pocket despite his lack of verticality, but once he ventures outside the comfort of the O-Line pocket… That’s when he becomes really dangerous, which is probably why his twitter account name is “#dangeRussWilson”.  Percy Harvin is going to create a serious fear factor among defensive backs and defensive coordinators all year long.  Add to Harvin and Tate, a Sidney Rice and a Doug Baldwin and you’ve got a veritable Chinese Fire Drill of Confusion and Trouble that no defensive back in his right mind would ever want to tangle with.  The Seahawks drafted a very talented wide receiver out of Kansas state, Chris Harper, who at 6’1” and 235 lbs., this is a wide receiver that simply doesn’t go down with an arm tackle and even if you’re lucky to get your hands on him, he’s more likely to drag you down the field for 20 yards as he is to hit the ground.  Harper isn’t a track speed type receiver, but he’s fully capable of playing the X receiver in the spread offense.  He ran a 4.45 second 40 at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, so he has the speed to compete with the best corners in the game and his size gives him the ability to bully smaller corners and safeties.  This guy has the build to play a full back on offense and linebacker on defense, but hasn’t sacrificed any of his speed after bulking up 25 lbs. in college.  Pete Carroll was very pleased to see Harper catch passes and said that he has the soft hands necessary to play the X and the ability to run after the catch, even with DB’s hanging all over him.  Sidney Rice had his first full season with Pete Carroll, avoiding serious injury for the first time since being a Seahawk.  He had a respectable season leading the Seahawks with 51 catches, but the world-class speed that Sidney once had has passed him by after leg and shoulder injuries, combined with his age.  It’s not that he’s slow, but working the X might be asking a little too much for him to do on a consistent basis.  Last year, Seattle’s fastest receiver was Dion Butler, but he was waived in the off-season and has now signed with the San Diego Chargers.  Butler had reoccurring injuries hampering his progress in Seattle and was ultimately let go.  Doug Baldwin is also ideally a slot receiver working underneath and over the middle of the field with his small space quickness and ability to shed defenders, but doesn’t have the kind of speed to stretch the defense and take it off at the head.

So, Pete Carroll’s problem is that he has too many slot receivers and no true number one X.  I’m sure Carroll Ann Schneider would love to have a weapon fast enough to burn past corners and safeties, utilizing that great deep ball that Wilson throws so accurately.  However, the draft didn’t really have a player with that kind of speed that John and Pete liked enough to draft early or even in the middle rounds.  Even Cordarrelle Patterson, DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Hunter don’t really have top speed like you see in players like; Mike Wallace, Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson.  If they were drafted by the Seahawks, they would likely fit into Seattle’s offense in the slot or flanker positions.  The Seahawks have a bevy of players with that description.  But, the blazing speed, 6’4” receivers with great hands… There just simply weren’t any players in the free-agent market that Seattle liked enough to offer draft picks and a large portion of their salary cap surplus.  Mike Wallace is certainly an attractive player and a constant the threat, but he has been somewhat inconsistent and not what Pete and John believe is worth $68 million, which is what it took for the Miami Dolphins to snag the former Pittsburgh Steeler wideout.

So, what do you do with five slot style wide receivers?  Great question and I wish I had a great answer, but perhaps there just isn’t a true X wideout for the final roster.  Unless current speedy roster players; Phil Bates 4.49, Greg Hurd 4.47, Jermaine Kearse 4.43 or the  fastest Seahawks WR Justin Veltung who runs the 40 in just 4.39 seconds. Unfortunately, the two fastest Seahawks receivers are a little vertically challenged.  Veltung is just 5’10” and Kearse stands just 6’1” which isn’t particularly short per se, but not in the same class as the prototypical mold as in; Houston’s Andre Johnson 6’3”, Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald 6’3”, Atlanta’s Julio Jones 6’3”, Cincinnati’s AJ Green 6’4”, Tampa Bay’s Vincent Jackson 6’5”. Seattle has a few tall receivers like Sidney Rice 6’4”, Stephen Williams 6’5” and Greg Hurd 6’3”, but they either don’t have the speed (Rice) or are likely not make the final roster (Williams and Hurd). Any way you slice it, the Seahawks don’t have prototypical size and speed X receivers on the roster presently.

One thing is for certain; Pete Carroll and John Schneider aren't through looking for a legitimate deep threat to take this football team into the regular-season, deep into the playoffs and hopefully on to a Super Bowl.  However, if you they're going to do it at this late stage of the off-season, it's going to have to be another diamond in the enormous landfill of undrafted players who might possess the size, speed and talent to make the Seahawks football team.  Note: Just today, the Seahawks signed undrafted free-agent Arceto Clark, a 5’11” 180 lb. rookie wide receiver from Mississippi State.  Of the 90 man roster that Seattle will take into their summer training camp, 14 of those players will be wide receivers.  Pete and John are obviously not particularly thrilled with their entire receiving corps.  Perhaps it’s better to say, they love the players they have, they just happen to be embarrassed with riches at the slot receiver position.  Could there be possible trades made?  Could Sidney Rice and his $8 million price tag be available?  How about Golden Tate who is currently playing out the last year of his contract and is reportedly in a twist about the Seahawks trading for Percy Harvin, a better player who plays his position.  Tate is a valuable athlete and has tons of potential as a receiver, a kick returner and flanker.  It just so happens that the Seahawks chose to give security to Kam Chancellor to keep him happy on his final year of his rookie contract and last year, Earl Thomas was taking care of.  Tate has been somewhat of a head case in his three years in Seattle, and made no effort to sound disgruntled as reporters informed him that the Seahawks just sold their first round selection and seventh in last April’s draft, and a third in 2014, plus a boatload of money, to a player who hasn’t played a single snap for the Seattle Seahawks and has zero ownership on this football teams rise to potential greatness.  Tate has always seen life through Golden colored glasses, and if you think about it from his perspective for a moment, he might have a point.  This is a business and sometimes teams have to make crappy, unpopular decisions.  Carroll and Schneider’s mantra has been that they will take care of their own if they give themselves completely to their system.  Tate’s road hasn’t been as smooth as Earl Thomas’ or Kam Chancellor’s, but he did have a good year in 2012 and definitely contributed to a football team that no one thought would be 24 seconds from a divisional playoff victory in Atlanta against the number one seed in the NFC. Golden Tate made several memorable plays last season, and you can bet he thinks he’s a “Made Seahawk”.  Exchanging Tate for a true speedy receiver might not be such a bad idea; or maybe a linebacker or left tackle to back up Breno Giacomini. During a press conference today broadcast by KJR Sports Radio 950 AM, HC Pete Carroll confirmed rumors that Giacomini missed practice today while in New York having his knee examined for a possible surgical procedure. Giacomini and his physician decided that invasive action wasn’t necessary at this time.  Carroll mentioned that Giacomini could have practiced today, but collectively they decided it was best to have him examined before the ensuing training camp began.  Carroll played down any possible misconception that Giacomini was in danger of missing training camp or the beginning of the regular season.  Still, when you have an overabundance at one position, things can be done and Schneider is just the kind of GM to think outside the box and bring in the kind of help Seattle could use to fill an integral position in the passing game.  Now, the difficult part is to find one you like and a team that willing to part with a player that nearly every team would like to have.  One other thought, Brandon Lloyd is still sitting at home with an empty dance card.  His price might be too much, but to play on a great team with the possibility of playing in the Meadowlands in February, might be an attractive selling point for the former Ram and Patriot.  

Just saying…