Prior to the draft, the Seattle Seahawks began their offseason with several key additions that should help to revitalize their volatile offense. Last year the Seahawks offense played brilliantly as long as the offensive line blocked well. The team floundered, however, when the pocket collapsed quickly, and their inexperienced linemen missed assignments. The coaching staff signed several free agents to help spark a faltering, but potentially explosive offense.
Free For All: Evaluating The Seattle Seahawks Free Agency Acquisitions
Most notably, the Seahawks added depth to its rushing attack with the addition of running back Eddie Lacy. Provided they remain healthy, the Seahawks already possess two excellent options in their ground game with running backs Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise. Recent experience has shown that these two halfbacks are vulnerable to injury, so a third option can only help.
The Seahawks wisely chose the younger and less expensive Lacy over Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Salary cap space has been an issue since going to back-to-back Super Bowls obliged the team to reward the players who took them there. Signing Peterson would have prevented the team from rebuilding the line to help block for him. The prospect of signing Peterson is tempting because a dominant running game, combined with dominant defense, proved to be the championship winning formula four years ago. Due to Peterson’s age and the short life expectancy of professional running backs, however, there is no guarantee that he will perform at the same high level next year.
The Seahawks also could have chosen to use their money towards a pass-oriented offense by signing an extra option at wide receiver. Signing a wide receiver would prove costly. It would leave the rushing attack vulnerable should Rawls suffer another injury, or if Prosise struggles from a sophomore slump. Signing Lacy is a good middle of the road approach because it provides extra firepower for the running game, which in turn, should also open up opportunities in the passing game. The team is now able to strengthen its ground game without having to mortgage their future.
Fortifying The Trenches
Also a positive acquisition is the signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Joeckel. Joeckel can play at left tackle or left guard depending on where the team needs him most. This flexibility is important because the Seahawks line frequently shuffled its players around last year. Joeckel was the second overall selection in the 2013 draft, indicating he has enormous potential. Statistics are of little help in assessing a lineman’s value, but scouting reports suggest he is a highly effective player. The Seahawks also signed former Houston Texans offensive lineman Oday Aboushi. Aboushi has allowed few sacks during his time with the Texans, and previously the New York Jets. He also refrains from many false start and holding penalties. These additions will help repair the team’s frequent breakdowns on the offensive front.
Making Difficult Decisions
It is also important to note the coaching staff replaced kicker Steven Hauschka with former Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh. Hauschka was a valuable contributor during his tenure at Seattle, and was integral in their success during his six seasons with the team. Hauschka possessed extraordinary range and converted nearly 90 percent of his attempts. He often struggled in clutch situations, however. He missed a potential game winning field goal in the rare tie versus the Arizona Cardinals, then again missed a go-ahead extra point attempt in the Hawks second meeting with the Cardinals. The new kicker Walsh is best known to Seahawks fans for missing a chip shot field goal versus Seattle in the playoffs two years ago, enabling the Seahawks to advance to the second round. Aside from this rare miss, Walsh is a confident Pro Bowl kicker with an excellent conversion rate.
If It’s Not Broke, Don’t Fix It
On the defensive side of the ball, the team’s management prudently decided not to spend precious resources on an area where the team already excels. The Seahawks already possess all the pieces necessary to continue its dominant defensive play. They released, then re-signed, cornerback DeShawn Shead, who stepped up admirably in the absence of safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. The only loss is linebacker Brock Coyle, an effective player, but primarily a backup to Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner. The Seahawks were able to sign a few defensive players, like cornerback Neiko Thorpe and linebacker Arthur Brown, as insurance in case of injury. These players are relatively affordable, and should not hamper the team’s ability to acquire even more help in the upcoming draft.
Because they already possess many great players at the skill positions, the Seahawks are in the enviable position of needing only to make minor adjustments. They do not need to take unnecessary risks and add expensive talent to their roster. The most important goal is to keep the nucleus of the team intact. With the upcoming draft, the Seahawks should be able to strengthen their offense even more. They still need a couple more strong offensive linemen, and an extra option at wide receiver may help. Plenty of time, and ample salary cap space, remain to make these minor adjustments. These early free agency moves are definitely a step in the right direction.
