Century Links 2/13: Seahawks must improve on 3rd down

Hey everyone,

SB Nation’s having some technical difficulties and that’s why I’m presenting Century Links to you today and it’ll look a lot different than usual, but use this place to talk about the Seattle Seahawks and stuff. Especially stuff.

Seahawks must find solution on third downs:

According to Football Outsiders, the Seahawks finished 20th in third-down efficiency in 2016 after finishing first the previous year.

Russell Wilson was 13th in YPA and 15th in yards per dropback last season. Just 38.5 percent of his third-down pass attempts (17th) netted first downs. In 2015, that number was 50.4 percent (third).

Pierre Desir a potential solution at cornerback:

Seattle added a significant player in Pierre Desir in a move that went completely under the radar.

Desir has all the makings of a Seahawks corner. He’s tall (6-1) with long arms giving him the length Seattle loves. He’s also a great overall athlete, posting a 133 inch broad jump, a 6.86 three cone, and an 11.6 second 60-yard shuttle at the NFL Combine in 2014. Thrown in good hands, smooth hips and a great work ethic, and there’s very little not to like.

PFF’s top 25 free agents:

16. Andrew Whitworth, T, Cincinnati Bengals

The only thing keeping Whitworth this low on the list is his age (35). Despite those advanced years, he remains one of the league’s best offensive tackles, surrendering 14 total QB pressures over the 2016 season. The Bengals have likely learned over the season that they can’t allow him to hit free agency, but if he does, he will have no shortage of suitors. As long as you accept that you’re not in it for the long haul given his age, Whitworth is one of the best potential short-term upgrades slated to hit the market.

Tracking the Falcons coaching changes since Super Bowl loss:

Offensive Coordinator: Steve Sarkisian (Kyle Shanahan)

Defensive Coordinator: Marquand Manuel (Richard Smith)

New SB Nation Mock Draft, Seahawks still take Garett Bolles:

These offensive line picks are starting to become locked in, which means in April none of them will happen. Bolles, who is a good athlete for an offensive lineman, fits a big need for Seattle and this should be the start of his draft range.

Should they draft a quarterback? Seattle needs to hit on a few picks in this draft, and quarterback is not one of them.

Relevant Tweets:

Rams may be moving on from wide receiver Kenny Britt