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Brady HendersonESPN
SEATTLE — The points that led to the Seattle Seahawks‘ offensive collapse in the second half of final season have been largely, however not completely, associated to scheme.
The Seahawks did not have sufficient of a brief and intermediate passing recreation to maintain defenses sincere as soon as they began taking away the deep throws that have been working so effectively early on. It’s an enormous purpose why Pete Carroll replaced Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator with Shane Waldron.
Then once more, they may have averted these points in the event that they have been higher geared up up entrance to deal with the robust go-dashing items they confronted down the stretch. Or if Russell Wilson had one other go-to possibility behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
In that sense, it is no coincidence that the Seahawks’ top two veteran additions on offense have been a lineman recognized for his go-blocking (Gabe Jackson) and an athletic tight finish who can create mismatches and run after the catch (Gerald Everett).
With the offseason program in the books and coaching camp a month away, this is a have a look at Seattle’s offense by place group, with a verdict on whether or not every is healthier, worse or the identical in comparison with 2020.
Receiver
Additions: D’Wayne Eskridge, Darvin Kidsy, Travis Toivonen, Connor Wedington (UDFA), Cade Johnson (UDFA), Tamorrion Terry (UDFA)
Losses: David Moore, Phillip Dorsett, Josh Gordon
Returners: Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Freddie Swain, Penny Hart, John Ursua, Cody Thompson, Aaron Fuller
Better, worse or the identical? The identical
Since neither Dorsett nor Gordon performed final 12 months, the modifications basically amounted to a swap of Moore for Eskridge.
The Seahawks used their first of three draft picks to take Eskridge in the second spherical, believing his explosiveness and versatility could make him a distinction-maker. But he is a rookie at a place that usually comes with a steep studying curve, missed a lot of the offseason program with a bothersome toe and initiatives as their No. 3 receiver at greatest. So whereas Eskridge appears to be like like a protracted-time period improve, you may’t essentially count on him to right away high Moore’s manufacturing (35 catches, 417 yards, six touchdowns) final 12 months.
Swain made a robust impression on the Seahawks as a rookie. Hart was a standout of the offseason program. They will battle Eskridge to be the No. 3, which ought to basically be a beginning position given how incessantly Waldron’s system is predicted to make use of three-receiver units.
Here’s meals for thought on the Wilson drama from earlier this offseason: the 4 groups on his checklist of acceptable commerce locations appealed to the QB as a result of they’d two issues Seattle did not — an offensive-minded head coach and a historical past of massive spending on their O-line. But none of these groups, and few in the NFL as an entire, have a greater duo at receiver than Lockett (who got a $69 million extension in March) and Metcalf (who’s in line for a megadeal of his personal subsequent offseason). So if Wilson turns into sad once more, the grass won’t be completely greener elsewhere.
Tight finish
Additions: Gerald Everett, Cam Sutton, Dom Wood-Anderson
Losses: Greg Olsen, Jacob Hollister, Luke Willson, Stephen Sullivan
Returners: Will Dissly, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Mabry
Better, worse or the identical? Better
Everett made good sense given Seattle’s want at tight finish and his familiarity with Waldron’s system from their 4 years along with the Los Angeles Rams. He’s a transparent improve over Olsen, who missed 5 video games and produced sparingly earlier than calling it a profession.
Dissly, the crew’s greatest blocking tight finish, is coming off his first harm-free season as he enters his contract 12 months. Parkinson is actually one other addition since final 12 months’s fourth-spherical choose missed most of his rookie season with a foot harm. Among the different tight ends, Mabry has the greatest likelihood to earn the fourth spot. The Seahawks are excessive on the 2020 UDFA.
Running again
Additions: Josh Johnson (UDFA)
Losses: Carlos Hyde, Bo Scarbrough
Returners: Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, Alex Collins, Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas, Nick Bellore
Better, worse or the identical? Worse
Penny missed most of final season recovering from his 2019 ACL tear. If he was fully wholesome, this group is perhaps the identical or maybe higher since his return would at the very least cancel out Hyde’s free-agent departure. But Penny is coming off one other knee surgical procedure that sidelined him throughout the offseason program. He hasn’t put collectively a full season since Seattle drafted him twenty seventh general in 2018.
Penny’s go-catching means was one purpose the Seahawks took him over Nick Chubb. Carson, who re-signed in free company, has nearly as good of arms as some receivers. Yet the Seahawks have not thrown to their working backs almost as usually as different groups in latest seasons. Waldron must do a greater job than his predecessors did of using Carson and Penny in the passing recreation.
Collins stuffed in capably final season and returned on a minimal-wage deal. He appears to be like slimmer and faster than he did in his first Seahawks stint. He’ll compete with Homer and Dallas for what is perhaps two roster spots.
Offensive line
Additions: Gabe Jackson, Stone Forsythe
Losses: Mike Iupati, Chad Wheeler, Alex Boone
Returners: Duane Brown, Damien Lewis, Ethan Pocic, Brandon Shell, Cedric Ogbuehi, Jordan Simmons, Kyle Fuller, Brad Lundblade, Phil Haynes, Tommy Champion, Jamarco Jones, Jake Curhan (UDFA), Greg Eiland (UDFA), Jared Hocker (UDFA), Pier-Olivier Lestage (UDFA)
Better, worse or the identical? Better
Jackson was the lone veteran the Seahawks added to their offensive line after Wilson publicly lobbied for improved go safety. But it was a major addition by way of what they gave up (a fifth-spherical choose and a new contract averaging $7.525 million) in addition to the improve he is anticipated to be over Iupati, whose profession was on its final legs.
Jackson will play proper guard and push Lewis to left guard after his robust rookie season. The Seahawks introduced again Pocic (one 12 months, $3 million) regardless of some considered discovering an improve at middle as effectively. So any enchancment there must are available in the type of Pocic rising right into a place he is solely performed for one season.
Brown’s contract state of affairs bears watching, with the NFL Network reporting throughout minicamp that the quickly-to-be-36-12 months-outdated left deal with needs a brand new deal. Forsythe, the Seahawks’ sixth-spherical choose, will compete with Ogbuehi at swing deal with behind Brown and Shell.
Quarterback
Additions: None
Losses: None
Returners: Russell Wilson, Geno Smith, Alex McGough, Danny Etling
Better, worse or the identical? The identical
Smith is again for a 3rd season as Wilson’s backup. McGough joined Etling on Seattle’s follow squad final December as COVID insurance coverage. So that is the identical group the Seahawks had by the finish of the season.
Their hope is that Waldron’s offense will make Wilson higher. It’s anticipated to lean closely on fast tempo, one thing Wilson loves. And its elevated emphasis on getting the ball out faster ought to cut back the variety of hits he takes. Waldron’s problem will probably be discovering the proper steadiness between quick-to-intermediate throws that assist hold Wilson clear (and comfortable) and the deep ones that is perhaps his largest energy.
