1. Russell Wilson & The Dangeruss Show
The past few years you might have noticed we have been a heavy running team that relied on our defense for most of the year and they eventually played a huge part in carrying us most of the time. Sometimes you might have seen glimpses of greatness from our offense, but with the Oline lacking, it was often a sputter at best. Well, this year is going to be different, this year is the year of Russell Wilson, the year of Dangeruss. That means you will see Russ go back to his previous methods of running the ball, making plays, finding receivers and overall scoring TD's. There is no Marshawn Lynch to rely on this year, and until Rawls proves himself to be 100% reliable, Russell will be forced to play with a more pass heavy offense, which is going to be great for his game, not to mention stats.
2. The Seahawks Defense is healthy as ever, and hungry.
You've seen what they can do, you've seen them play among the ebst defense in the entire history of the NFL, and this year is no different. Well it's a little different in the sense there is nothing but hunger left on the field after last years loss when we were so close to a re-pete. We've been at our highs and we've been humbled; which makes me feel like the entire Seahawks defense is finally hungry again. They are all done being banged up from last year and they won't have as much pressure on them to "save the day" as Russell will be in charge of that, which will let them loosen up and have a bit of fun; which usually turns into superb gameplay on thier part. Sherman is going to have a great year for picks, Bennet will be going off on sacks, and overall you can expect the legion of boom to come ready to play, every game. Not to mention our schedule is a bit easier this year than last... I'm excited to see how they play today.
3. Tyler Lockett is about to have a glorious year. Both on Special teams and Offense.
Last year we got to see some of what Tyler Lockett can do and let me tell you, the kids no slouch. He's bust's his balls to be the best player he can be, and it's paying off for him. I have never been so excited about the future of the Seahawks receiver core as I am now, Lockett, Baldwin, Graham & Kearse? Oh boy, the hail mary touchdowns will be raining for sure this year. They have been saying a huge focus this year for Tyler is going to be on punt returns, which we've seen he's very capable of last year as well. All in all, Tyler Lockett is setup to do very, very, very good this year. And if Wilson has anything to say about it, so does the rest of our receiver core.
4. Jimmy Graham is baaackkk, and he's healthy.
Our big secret weapon had a bit of a rough year last year and injury got the best of him, while we still had a solid team without Jimmy, his addition back into the core is going to no doubt help us get some extra touchdowns this year. He's always a solid player and has a bit of a chip on his shoulder this year, feeling he has something to prove after spending so much time on the bench last season. I mean we didn't trade all of those picks for nothing right? This will be no Percy Harvin, mark my words, Jimmy is going to have a HUGE impact on Seahawks offense this year, all the way up and into the Superbowl. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a few touchdowns per game by Jimmy... but only time will tell!
5. Thomas Rawls & Christine Michael; running back by committee.
Everyone likes to act like the Seahawks losing Marshawn was a gamebreaker, that we have no run game left, but I assure you between Thomas Rawls & the "Newly Awakened" version of Christine Michael we definately have a very strong run game. As we've seen with Rawls he can be the #1 back on any team in this league, he's a smaller version of Marshawn and he runs with a bit of a zing to him. He might be a bit more injury prone than some would like but thats why you have someone like CMike play RB2 behind Rawls and just have them plow through defenses all day long, we always have the read option for those crazy plays that don't work out or when the defense catches a glimpse of the play pre-snap.. all in all I think the Seahawks running game, albeit lonely without Beastmode, will be juuusttt fine this year.
6. The ever so sure-handed Doug Baldwin.
Not many people are as big of a fan of Doug Baldwin as me honestly, but there is plenty of reasons for it, I promise. ADB has always been the type of dude who is humbled just by the fact he's playing in the NFL, but don't think that means he is anything but an all-star player. This guys has THE best hands in the NFL, and is arguably one the most efficient receivers in the entire league. Last year, the year before and the year before that we were never really an offensively focused team, but this year we do, and it will be his time to shine. You though 12 touchdowns in 4 games was crazy? I bet he gets 16 this year, because at this point him and Russell are gelling so well, I don't see how it couldn't happen. He's going to break records this year, 100% positive. I wouldn't be surprised if he surpassed some of the all time greats with his boulder on his shoulder. (that rhymed so I had to keep it lol)
7. The Seahawks are better than you can imagine, depth wise.
We have alot of big-time names on the Seahawks but beyond that we also have some pretty nice depth to (most) of our positions, so much so even injuries can't hold is back this year. All of last years players are back and healthy, we added some wonderful talent to the Oline (FINALLY) and last years rookies are settling into the systems alot better. Between Frank Clark, Lockett, Ifedi, Rawls, Cmike & Russell, I think we are going to see a dominant offensive performance like never before. This year is going to be the year of the Seahawks offense, not just the Seahawks, and all the backups have a HUGE part to play in that role.
8. Steven "$$$$$" Hauscka & Being Reliable.
He's known as Money Hauschka for a very good reason, he's always on the money. This guy has one of the best legs in the entire league and his field goal percentages are nuts! I can always rely on this guy getting us atleast 9 points a game on average, and thats huge in any football game. Anyone who knows the Seahawsk, knows we have one of the best kickers in the league and we all love him so very much. Keep doing your thing Hauscka!
9. The Seahawks are underrated, yet again.
As with most sports, the media controls the perception of the game. If the media decides they don't want to cover a certain team as much, the perception is that team must not be very good. Now the Seahawks have always been the underdog team until last year and not winning the superbowl just made us that much more of the underdog, people are all saying things like we had our year or whatever else and thats the end of it. But I disagree heavily, I think the Hawks are in for the greatest football season yet, and the entire team knows they have a part to play in becoming Champions again, and I for one think they are primed and ready.
10. The rest of the league isn't ready, for the BOOM.
While some teams may be "better" than last year, noone improved as much as the Seahawks between players returning, draft picks & overall player retention, we have created an even tougher squad than previous years, and I think that every single game we play, we will do better and better until not a single team in the NFL is ready for us, come post-season. Rams? Weak. Cardinals? Soft. Broncos? No offense. Panthers? Lol sh.