The Seattle Seahawks were knocked off their high horse on Sunday losing to the Chicago Bears 35-24. Neither the 12th Man, “Beast Mode,” or Matt Hasselbeck swimming in the fountain of youth were on display in the Windy City. Instead of looking like the miracle workers from the week before, the Seahawks looked like the team that went 2-6 on the road during the regular season.
It seemed as though nothing could go right for Seattle. After a quick three and out by the offense, the defense gave up a 58 yard passing touchdown to TE Greg Olsen on the Bears’ third play from scrimmage. On the ensuing drive, in ironic fashion, coach Pete Carroll decided to punt on 4th and 1 inside Bears territory. This coming from a team that was playing with house money and with “nothing to lose.”
By: Justin Mertes-Mistretta
After multiple dropped passes, negative run plays on offense, and deep pass plays given up on defense, it was clear that this team just lacked talent in certain areas. Going forward there is a lot that this team could do in free agency and the draft to improve. The Seahawks motto, “We all we got. We all we need,” is no longer true. Seattle, you need more than what you “got.”
Positions in need: #1 WR, OL, CB
The receiving corps is young and promising with a solid possession receiver and red zone threat in Mike Williams, the always reliable Brandon Stokley in the slot, the Percy Harvin-esque Golden Tate, and deep threat in Ben Obomanu. However, what they are lacking is a true stud WR who can pick up key third downs and dominate any corner. Mike Williams is close, but he simply doesn’t have the speed to be a consistent week in and week out stud.
Possible free agent WR pick-ups: Vincent Jackson, Terrell Owens
In a very unlikely scenario, the Seahawks may be able to grab Georgia WR A.J. Green in the draft if they are able to trade up or if he somehow falls. However, they are more likely to go after OL and CB in the draft given the fact that they were the 31st ranked rushing attack and 27th ranked pass defense.
With the California Bears tandem of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett (both only 24 years old) and the speedster Leon Washington, there is plenty of talent in the backfield. The problem seems to be the blocking up front, which is also evident when you consider QB Matt Hasselbeck was sacked a total of 30 times, including the post season. It didn’t help that Hasselbeck, age 35, is the anti-Vick in terms of eluding pressure, but work can still be done on the OL.
Possible first round OL draft picks: Gabe Carimi-Wisconsin, Nate Solder-Colorado, Anthony Castonzo-Boston College
Speaking of Hasselbeck, he is not getting any younger, but he probably has one more year in him. At the very least he could finish his career as a solid backup. He could also serve as a mentor to Charlie Whitehurst, who Seattle clearly likes considering they traded for him in San Diego.
Finally, we have seen how a defense can turn elite overnight with a shutdown corner (a.k.a. Revis-Jets, Woodson-Packers). Both Champ Bailey and Nnamdi Asomugha are both free agents in 2011. If the Seahawks are able to land one of those two, this defense will be instantly stout. With a young LB corps, two good edge pass rushers in Chris Clemons and Raheem Brock, this defense has more potential than the numbers may indicate.
The aforementioned list of potential moves is not short, nor is it going to be easily attained. However, if anyone is willing to pull the trigger it’s Pete Carroll and the Seahawks management.
Follow Justin Mertes-Mistretta at MertesMist_tsb. You can also read more articles from Justin at percysperspective.com.