Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #25
by adelfish | 5 years ago | 0 Comments
Season 62 Power Ranking Preview - #25
Welcome to the 2020 Red Zone Power Ranking Preview. In this long-running preview, I will be going team at a time, ranking them 32-1, discussing the user, the team, the schedule, etc.
COVERED TEAMS: Lions, Jaguars, Bengals, Patriots, Bears, Vikings, Dolphins
Another week, another group of teams. This week we are approaching the 4th of July, we will be receiving franchise information regarding Madden 21 tomorrow (fingers crossed), and we are a little under 2 months away from the beginning of Season 62. With that being said...
#25 - Seattle Seahawks (Trent)
(5-11 Projected Record)
I hope everyone got a chance to read 'All Eyes on Me' by Coach Tholstrup from a month ago, talking about his past success and most recent failures in Red Zone history, and how with the arrival of his first child, it may have sparked that fire he needed again.
Enter the Seattle era. After stints in Denver and Minnesota, stock has plummeted for the Tholstrup regime, a guy who has been accused of going through the motions at the team building side of the operation. With the letter he wrote in May, I believe he is a changed man.
With one of the best quarterbacks he has ever had (outisde of Manning) and a division he is capable of competing in, will we see a new Trent, or the same one we have grown accustomed to? Let's find out.
One Big Question
Coach Tholstrup appears to be back, with an inspired introduction as new head coach of the Seahawks. This is one of the best rosters he has been around, but will it be enough to redeem his damaged reputation?
With a motivated Trent Tholstrup, this Seattle team could do some damage. This is not the Legion of Boom era days, but this team is very solid on both sides of the football, although some glaring holes up front.
When Trent had the Broncos back a few cycles ago that resulted in his lone Super Bowl appearance, he relied on a stout defense and a very strong run game, while utilizing play action to strike downfield. This Seattle team is built with a very similar style offense, with a deep group of running backs, a defense that has some nice pieces, and one of the best, if not the best, play action quarterback in football.
One of the biggest weaknesses of Trent's regime for the past three cycles has been his inability to build through free agency and the draft, spending a lot of money, but on big names rather than the right fits. I couldn't tell you how many times that Denver won big names in free agency, only for that player to fizzle out.
In order for his reputation to be repaired, not only will Trent have to devise a plan that works on the field, but off the field as well. So much success in Red Zone comes from the preparation, and I believe that the fire is back for him to get back to the chess match style of planning.
One Big Schedule Issue
I actually really love how the season starts for Seattle, giving them a very good chance to start out with a winning record into their Week 6 bye.
@ Falcons (Kelly)
vs Patriots (Glenn)
vs Cowboys (WG)
@ Dolphins (BM)
vs Vikings (Eikim)
Now there are two games in there I think the Seahawks lose (Falcons, Cowboys), but the other three are very winnable. I think the homefield advantage of Seattle is definitely important, along with their advantage at the quarterback position in all those matchups. Coming out of the first five 3-2 would be a huge boost for Trent.
Now after the Week 6 bye, things get tough. In their next 4 games, they play 3 NFC West games, the Bills, and the Eagles. I predict Seattle to split with the Rams and Cardinals, while being swept by the 49ers. I don't see how Seattle beats Philadelphia, and they lost to the Bills on the road as well.
You blink, and suddenly Seattle is 4 losses more, with 2 more NFC West games, and the Jets, Giants, Redskins.
My big schedule issue for them is that I don't think they will be able to capitalize on the easier start to the season. Despite superior roster matchups, it is very difficult for me to call Trent a slam dunk at this point in his career in many games.
Reasons for Optimism
Russell Wilson seems like a pretty obvious place to start. He was graded as the top quarterback in football last season, and has consistently been a threat in Red Zone over it's history. He will come into Trent's first season with exceptional numbers, and will be the main catalyst to the success of this offense. His ability to scramble, throw on the run, and throw from the pocket makes him a rare weapon in the league.
The weapons around Wilson are very good, especially the backfield depth of Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and Carlos Hyde. Carson and Penny have had injury issues, but are very effective when healthy, and Hyde just rushed for 1000 yards in Houston before joining Seattle. Using these three in a rotation will be deadly, and Trent's style of offense will utilize the skillset of all three.
I also really like the receiving core, with second year D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett being a great 1-2 punch, with depth including Phillip Dorsett and David Moore. The best part is these four make up a grand total of about $16 million in cap, most of that coming from Lockett. I also love the addition of veteran tight end Greg Olsen on a 1 year deal, who will be a massive part of this offense, especially on third down.
Defensively you obviously mention the linebacker duo of Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright who have been here since the start of the Seattle resurgence. Wagner is the leader of the defense, and will be it's best player. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin has been developing into a really solid pro, while the trade for Quandre Diggs at safety was a great one.
I really like Quinton Dunbar as well who was acquired via trade, but off the field issues may result in his release, so we can't get too excited about him yet.
In the draft Seattle used it's first two picks to grab pass rushers in Jordyn Brooks out of Texas Tech and Darrell Taylor out of Tennessee. Two guys with a ton of upside that will need to make early impacts for the front seven.
Reasons for Negativity
We can start on the offense, where I think the offensive line is still pretty shaky. Duane Brown at left tackle is still really talented, and under contract for 2 more years at $25 million, but outisde of him it is a mess. Mike Iupati is a stopgap guard at this point in his career, while B.J. Finney and Brandon Shell were disasters at points last year. This offensive line has a ton of work to do, and a few draft picks must be spent on upgrading this group.
Defensively, the d-line isn't very talented. Relying on aging veterans like Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, along with 'potential guys' like Jarran Reid and Poona Ford isn't something to get excited about. I don't see how this group is going to get to the quarterback, and take pressure off of the secondary. Maybe it is still possible that they can land Jadaveon Clowney before the season begins?
One of Seattle's biggest issues is that they have wasted 1st round picks consistently over the past decade, which leaves their roster devoid of highly talented cheap players. Their best players are making double figures each year, which makes it difficult to keep a talented roster together. Yes, they have building blocks like Shaquem Griffin on defense, and the receiving core and running backs we mentioned on offense, but there isn't anyone on the defensive line or offensive line who has been drafted and has been a success (yet).
Last Word
I like Seattle on paper in a lot of areas, they have an elite quarterback, a really good left tackle, two great receivers, and a solid secondary. They can compete, and they certainly are in the conversation for one of the best two rosters in their own division.
The problem lies with the coach, is he ready to bounce back? In a division with Ramesu, Sin, and Jim, there are no guarantees. There is a reason I am projecting him to finish last, because right now I trust those three coaches over him on and off the field.
Find a way to build a productive offense around Russell Wilson, manage the cap and draft picks, and this team may go places. Do what you've been doing, and you'll prove me right with the ranking at 25.