Team Needs - The National Perception of Seattle

With the Superbowl in the rearview mirror, the time has come for the eyes of the entire nation to look to the future. Danny's piece on the upcoming offseason events give us much to look forward to. Between signing Free Agents in March and the Draft in April, not to mention undrafted RA signings, the teams of the National Football League are going to improve in every way they can.

The national media will take any opportunity they can to capitalize on the interests of the public at large. Sadly, it isn't always the case that the national media has any freaking clue what they are talking about. It's almost as if it happens to Seattle more often then most, but that is what happens when you live in South Alaska... or when places like ESPN and Sports Illustrated don't hire folks like Danny Kelly or Thomas Beekers to their staff..

Such a piece was recently written by Jeff Diamond of Sports Illustrated. Here is what he had to say about Seattle's team needs:

Team Needs: QB, T, DE. The Seahawks want to find a potential elite QB to replace Tarvaris Jackson, but they're in a tough spot. Picking at 11 or 12 in the first round, it's too far to trade up for one of the top two. Perhaps they can get a shot at Ryan Tannehill, the third-ranked QB. In free agency, they would have interest in Matt Flynn, but Miami (with Joe Philbin) has a leg up unless the Dolphins can sign Peyton. The Seahawks also must improve their pass protection after giving up 50 sacks, so they will draft offensive linemen in the early rounds. A better possibility in the first round is a pass-rushing DE to play opposite Chris Clemons (such as Melvin Ingram of South Carolina or perhaps a trade up for Quinton Coples). The Seahawks also should seek a vet WR from the strong free agent class. And they may have to franchise Marshawn Lynch after his strong season (1,204 rushing yards, 12 TDs).

It is gonna make sense that the number one need for the Seahawks is going to be finding a replacement for Tavaris Jackson (or at the very least a QB in the draft to compete for the starting gig. That is fair. I get that. I don't see how he says that "Perhaps they can get a shot at Ryan Tannehill" when I personally t)hink that Tannehill isn't getting picked anywhere close to 11/12. It wouldn't surprise me to see him take a tumble down draft boards into the very late first round of possibly day two.

The thing that blows my mind about this piece is the prospect of drafting an offensive lineman in the early rounds. It makes me wonder if people take into consideration the fact that we drafted an offensive lineman in the first round of the last two drafts. Yeah James Carpenter hurt his ACL, but I don't think we are going to use our resources so poorly as to draft another offensive lineman at 11/12. The only way I can possibly see this happening is if Carpenter moves to the left side at guard to replace Gallery. Even then, 11/12 is not really the place to draft a RT. In the late twenties where we got Carpenter, sure. As early as we are drafting, naw.

I think, and I think we all think, that they have it right in that we have to improve our pass rush. Most are probably going to agree that we should pay Beast Mode. I'm not sure how much we should be paying him realistically, for how long, and what that contract might possibly look like. I'm not sure about seeking a vet WR. I'll leave that for you to discuss. Looking forward to what you have to say!