Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Seattle Seahawks

Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Seattle Seahawks

Here's another late preview!

For my half of the Go For It On Fourth preview for the 2018 NFL season, I decided to ask fans of every team questions about how they think their team will do this season. Instead of asking just one fan per team, I decided to get as many fans as I could involved. For some teams, that was several. For some teams, that was just one fan. But we very much appreciate everyone who got involved in our Preview for the 2018 Season!

Representing the Seattle Seahawks:

Evan, Edinburgh, @TheRedZoneUk
Oliver, Bristol.
Joey, Liverpool, @GwladysOptimist

First off, sum up last season for us.

Evan: Last season was a tough pill to swallow. It was only going to be a matter of time before it happened, but it became evident that the ‘dynasty’ we had (if you could call it that) was coming crashing down. The offense sputtered with no reliable run game which more or less removed any effective use of play action calls, and relied mainly on an over worked and under protected QB to keep the team afloat. On the defensive side of the ball, we watched in agony as the sport cruelly took key members of our team off the field. Losing Avril, Chancellor and Sherman were nails in our season’s coffin. It was the kind of season that watched two solid offensive prospects hit the dirt before the season even really got going. Chris Carson and George Fant, both wonderful stories until brutal injuries befell them both. Last season was a season of loss, something compounded further by the resurgence of our division rival LA Rams, and the faint glimmers of newfound hope in San Francisco. The first year in Russell Wilson’s seven that he did not reach the post-season, all this pointed to what had to be a bit of an impactful offseason.

How was your offseason?

Evan: Our offseason definitely echoed my thoughts above. It was clear that the organization’s mind was on a rebuild, whether it was forced or not. As such, a lot of big names left, key members of the success in Seattle left the dressing room, some unable to return to the game altogether. Before free agency hit, we managed to jettison a large slice of our coaching staff, leading to changes on both sides of the ball. As usual, the names that came in are not proven names, and as such there’s faith in Pete Carroll and John Schneider to work their team building magic once again. Free Agency saw some smart additions, perhaps nothing as flashy as other teams in our division, but certainly salary and sport smart decisions were made. For the first time seemingly in 100 years, we drafted in the first round, addressing the need in the backfield, the rest of the draft saw some incredible stories being written as well. Training camp showed great promise, and even the pre-season shows positive signs!

Oliver: Offseason wasn’t great, lost a lot of defensive talent with some also to injury.

Joey: First time with the Legion of Boom bar Earl Thomas after an unprecedented exodus of the talent that brought about our only Lombardi, it’s been tough watching heroes leave but Father Time waits for no one. The rebuild is on but Thomas’ long running holdout coming to a end hopefully is the sign of a upturn from the low of the once feared Seattle defence.

Key additions from free agency and the Draft?

Evan: I have a few that I really like:

Mark Janikowski – We learned last year about the importance of a reliable kicker. They don’t get more reliable than Janikowski.

Michael Dickson – This kid is a phenom. Already in the pre-season, he’s managed to make punting exciting. He could change games with his leg.

Shaquem Griffin – Amazing Storyline, but the kid genuinely fits. He’s an athlete, he’s talented, and he works his ass off.

Tre Flowers – A project, conversion from Safety to Corner, and he already appears to be handing it well.

Rashaan Penny – On paper, this kid is a versatile playmaker when the ball is in his hands from the backfield.

Jaron Brown – Should be a reliable receiver. This could be hit or miss.

Brandon Marshall – Much like the above, he could be a Pro Bowler, or his could struggle to hit 500 yards.

Oliver: Key additions would be Brandon Marshall, gives a solid WR2. And the punter Michael Dickson will be a great surprise to everyone.

Joey: A lot of eyebrows were raised when we drafted Rashaad Penny in the first round, not because he isn’t talented but because it was expected to go in the 2nd. His speed with be used in tandem with the power of Chris Carson in what could hopefully bring about the return on a running game which has been lacking since Marshawn Lynch left. The drafting of Shaquem Griffin made history, as he will be the first pro to ever play in the NFL with 1 hand. Don’t let this fool you though, he’s not a gimmick, he’s an athletic freak that possesses incredible speed, and could be a vital weapon from weak side linebackers and especially special teams. One other notable pick from the draft this year was that of punting Jesus himself, Michael Dickson. Seriously, go look at his punts, they are incredible, he could be a vital weapon this season.

What's your hopes for this coming season?

Evan: I’d love to see a return to the hunger and passion of previous years. The results aren’t as important for me as the effort and hunger that this team develops. I would hope we finish second in our division, and I would hope we make the playoffs, but those are in an ideal world. The most important thing for me is to just see the team get young, healthy, and hungry. I’d also like to see us get back to a near 50/50 split on play calling, help keep Wilson upright. A further developed O-Line would round out this list.

Oliver: Hopefully Wilson can carry us to the postseason.

Joey: There’s no doubt and no hiding from it, this season is a rebuild, it’s a work in progress, so expectations are as low as they have been in the Pete Carroll era. Am hoping to see a big improvement in the O Line this year, it’s been a real negative for a while now but with coaching changes and the extension of Duane Brown for a couple of seasons, am optimistic that we can surprise a lot on offensive.

What's your thoughts on your starting quarterback?

Evan: Future Hall-of-Fame guy. Great leader, great competitor, and seemingly a great guy. He doesn’t seem to have a selfish bone in his body, and just wants to contribute to the team. I love his ability to get out of the pocket and create something out of nothing. Truly exciting to watch, even when we’re getting beat! Wouldn’t trade him for any other QB in the league, and that’s not a joke.

Oliver: Wilson is a great QB and a top 5 in the league.

Joey: It’s Russell Wilson, he’s fantastic, and still criminally underrated. He’s the best QB in the league not named Brady or Rodgers, and I’d honestly not trade him for either. He should have been MVP last year, he led the league in TD’s and accounted for over 90% of Seattle’s scoring offence alone. That’s the definition of a player carrying a team to a completely unjustified winning record.

And your thoughts on your head coach?

Evan: Love him. Some fans were calling for him, saying his method doesn’t work anymore, and that he had lost the locker room. I disagree. When Pete came into the team, the same things were said. Every ‘expert’ made it clear he would fail because his college team management methodology wouldn’t work in the NFL. I’m delighted that he’s proved them wrong. I love that he’s not the loudest guy on the sideline as well. He builds a team that does all that for him, and just keeps at the competitive mindset. I would love to see him stick around for a few more years, as long as it doesn’t affect his health. Oldest coach in the NFL, and he looks like a kid on the sideline. Who can’t love a guy like that? My only real criticism? Stop chewing your gum like a horse please Pete.

Oliver: Pete Carroll is a great coach and could do well with these rookies.

Joey: I love Pete Carroll, every 12 loves Pete Carroll, but I think this season will be the first he will feel real pressure to some improvements from the disappointing season last year.

A player that will be key for you this season?

Evan: If I wanted to stick to the obvious, I would say Russell Wilson, or Bobby Wagner. They would both be good answers, but if I put one name out there that simply must ball out week in and week out, it’s Shaquill Griffin. He has big Pro-Bowl sized shoes to fill, and he has shown great promise in his time on the field. I hope for big things for him, but if we are to do well, he needs to be a solid lock at corner.

Oliver: Russell Wilson will be the key if he can stay healthy and not be sacked all the time.

Joey: I think Frank Clarke could really break out this season, now that Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett are no longer around. I can see him in double digit sacks. He possesses a really aggressive and angry pash rush ability which I think will trouble a lot of offensive line men

And who would you happily drive to their next club?

Evan: Great question! I am tempted to put two names:

Germain Ifedi: The Penalty King of the Pacific Northwest. I want to love the guy, but he’s had nearly three years to get it right, and it’s not happening. That being said, there isn’t exactly an over-abundance of availability for a replacement at the moment.

Earl Thomas: Whoa… I know right!? Ultimately, we need a team that is ready to rock. What Earl has going on at the moment is a bit of poison. Whilst I agree with the concept surrounding what he is doing, I am disappointed in both sides for not finding resolution before now. I don’t think he is just grabbing for money, he wants to make sure his ass is covered for every time he throws his body on the line for the team – it’s fair, but I’d like to see him in a jersey, be it navy blue and green, or white and blue.

Oliver: Happily get rid of Duane Brown with a cap value of 10.3 million.

Joey: Germain Ifedi, nothing more to say, but a completed first round bust.

What made you choose to support your team?

Evan: I am Canadian. I grew up in and around Vancouver, BC, and left in 2007. I actually fell in love with the NFL and American Football after that, and Seattle was always ‘my team’ given the proximity of it and Vancouver. It got serious though in 2013 as they started to do well, and ultimately the first year I truly supported them, they went and won the bloody Superbowl!

Oliver: Started supporting them through playing the Madden demo featuring them.

Joey: The reason every supporter picks a team, the kits!!! The kits are just cool as fuck man!!!

For a first-time NFL fan, tell us some reasons why they should support your team?

Evan:

·       We’ve had reasonable success but you won’t be a glory hunter!

·       Russell Wilson is about as exciting as it gets in the QB position

·       Seattle itself is an incredible city, a place you simply must visit.

·       The uniforms, logo, and branding are all fantastic in my opinion.

·       The 12s (our fans, named 12s as we’re considered the 12^th man on Defense). We can make it so loud that Centers can’t hear their QBs cadence, and get caught as a result. We are also loud enough to make the earth shake (Youtube Beastquake)

·       The core values of our team are competition, positive energy, and teamwork. We’re also a sucker for a fairytale (Google Shaquem Griffin).

Oliver: Got a great fan base and stadium, and the Jerseys look good.

Joey: Seahawks are constantly written off, all the time, even when we had the most dominate defence in the league Russell Wilson was deemed too short to be elite. We are the perennial underdog, and everyone loves an underdog.

Compare your team to a European football club.

Evan: Tough question! I would maybe suggest something like Leicester City, what I saw happen when they won the League reminded me a lot about what I love in the Seahawks.

Oliver: European club would be Man United as they’re a good side but were better a few years ago but still have a fair bit of talent.

Joey: My own, Everton. Both clubs have such a great connection to the fans that’s makes them feel like they are a part of something special.

What's the best-case scenario for you this season?

Evan: The best-case scenario for us is obviously to win a Super Bowl, though being realistic, our best case scenario is making it to the NFC Championship Game, and I may be even more realistic and simply hope we make the play-offs.

Oliver: Best case would be getting a wildcard spot at 8-8/9-7.

Joey: A winning season would be a big plus given the rebuild our hands, 9 wins would be really good given the situation we are in.

And what's the worst-case scenario?

Evan: The most realistic worst-case scenario is a losing season with more long-term injuries for key players. I don’t care too much about a losing record so long as there are signs of life and progression towards the end of the year, and we’re still mostly healthy!

Oliver: Worst case would be losing Wilson to injury 4-12/5-11.

Joey: Having the first overall pick in the 2019 draft.

With the Legion of Boom all but gone, where do Seattle go from here defensively?

Evan: I think they’ve already started addressing this quite well to be honest. They’ve gone back to the same formula that helped them uncover guys like Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, etc. We are lucky to have one of the best Linebacker Corps in the league, and as a result we have some freedom to put inexperienced guys in the Secondary. We also have a pretty deep looking front four as well, so I am not that worried. I can’t wait to see what the Griffins develop into, Tre Flowers will be fun to watch grow, Tedric Thomson looks fully capable up top. I am certainly not going to be thinking we’re looking at the Legion of Gloom!

Oliver: Use their linebackers more and rely on them.

Joey: Next man up, as always, time for the like of the Griffin brothers, Thompson, McDougald, Coleman to set up and make a name for themselves.

Predict your record for this season, and how far (if at all) you will go in the postseason.

Evan: Probably 9-7, We might squeak into the play-offs, and depending on who we meet, I think we’d be hard-pressed to get past the Wildcard game.

Oliver: Realistically 7-9/8-8. If they make it to the wildcard them.

Joey: Am thinking 9-7 again and we just miss out on the play outs unfortunately.

Tell us who you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta on February 3rd next year?

Evan: In a dream Scenario, I’d love to see the Cleveland Browns lift it – no joke. I have a soft spot for them! If I am being more realistic, we could be looking at the Los Angeles Rams or the Pittsburgh Steelers. I also have a strange feeling Matt Ryan might wake up again this year.

Oliver: I think that the Eagles have a very good chance of a repeat.

Joey: It honestly wouldn’t surprise me if The Eagles go all the way again, they have such a depth in talent all over the field it’s hard not to seeing them doing well.

Anything else you'd like to promote?

Joey: GO WATCH MICHAEL DICKSON KICK A BALL REALLY HIGH!!!!