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Seattle Seahawks Preseason Opener Shows Signs of Offensive Improvement

Seattle Seahawks preseason opener shows signs the team has significantly improved offensively including rushing, passing, and offensive line continuity.

Wise men say only fools rush in. Although fans should be careful not to draw premature judgments on the basis of one exhibition game, the Seattle Seahawks certainly looked impressive in their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Seattle Seahawks preseason opener showed signs the team has significantly improved offensively including rushing, passing, and offensive line continuity.

Seattle Seahawks Preseason Opener Shows Signs of Offensive Improvement

The performance of Seattle’s defense is less worrisome than the play of their offense, which struggled mightily last year. Seahawks fans can reasonably expect the Legion of Boom to continue preventing opponents from posting high scores again this season. Although they struggled early, allowing two first quarter touchdowns, the defense played well the remainder of the game. Especially encouraging to the 12th man is the remarkable execution of Seattle’s offense.

Talented Running Backs Provide Options At Running Back

Running back Thomas Rawls will likely be the team’s starter at the beginning of the season. Rawls has displayed flashes of brilliance in his young career. He broke former Seahawks superstar Marshawn Lynch‘s franchise record for most yards in a playoff game in last year’s wild card victory over the Detroit Lions. His Achilles’ heel has been his susceptibility to injury, the reason he has spent long tenures on the bench over the past two seasons. Fortunately, Head Coach Pete Carroll stated Rawls has returned to peak physical condition. He started Sunday night’s game, only playing a couple series, as is customary for presumptive starters in an effort to avoid injury.

Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell possess multiple attractive options for the running game. Newly signed running back Eddie Lacy, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, entered the game after Rawls’ early exit, indicating he may be the team’s second string rusher. Promising running back C.J. Prosise played like a tight end or wide receiver in the game, similar to his role last year before he too succumbed to injury. Among the most electric ball carriers is running back Chris Carson, the team’s final pick in this year’s draft. Although he had limited carries, he scored two touchdowns in the game and has impressed many scouts in training camp.

Offensive Line Provides Better Pass Protection And Run Blocking

Seattle’s offensive line opened up running lanes in the ground game, and provided ample time and spacing in the pocket for passing situations. However, defensive linemen often exert less than maximum pressure in situations where outcomes do not count towards playoff eligibility. While the offensive line may not have faced the league’s strongest competition, they appeared cohesive and competent as a unit. Solid performance against weaker competition often demonstrates players have a basic grasp of fundamentals. Newly added guard Oday Aboushi started ahead of guard Mark Glowinski, who underperformed last season. The additions of free agent tackle Luke Joeckel and versatile rookie lineman Ethan Pocic should fortify the line substantially. Pocic was the team’s second overall draft pick this year, and can play at multiple positions, including center. Renewed health and additional experience for guard Germain Ifedi, last year’s first round draft pick, should benefit the team as well.

Young Playmakers Provide Depth For Wide Receiver Corps

The Seahawks distributed the ball to numerous receivers, including training camp standout wide receiver Kasen Williams, who had four catches for 119 yards. Running back Tre Madden converted on a deep pass for 51 yards. Wide receiver Dave Moore contributed three catches for 29 yards. The passing game proved particularly remarkable given that star wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett did not play.

The one drawback in the game was a shoulder sprain to wide receiver Paul Richardson. He will likely sit out for a short time, or “a bit” in coach Carroll’s own words. The injury does not seem serious, and he may return in time for the regular season.

Backup Quarterback Trevone Boykin Supplies Insurance In Emergency Situations

Backup quarterback Trevone Boykin played exceptionally well, connecting on 12 of his 15 passing attempts for 189 yards, a touchdown, and only one interception late in the game. He also ran for 31 yards on four carries and a touchdown. Many fans do not have much confidence in Boykin, but he is an effective quarterback in this league. He knows the playbook well, and is prepared to lead the team on scoring drives in case quarterback Russell Wilson suffers an injury.

Blair Walsh Is An Accurate And Reliable Kicker

Technically, field goal attempts are classified as special teams. Like the offense, though, the kicker’s main goal is to put points on the scoreboard. Seahawks fans may remember place kicker Blair Walsh, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, for missing a chip shot field goal at the end of their playoff game with the Seahawks two years ago. This one miss aside, he is an accurate and reliable kicker with long range. He had a perfect night in Sunday’s preseason game, successfully converting both his field goal opportunities, and all six extra points. Walsh will replace former place kicker Steven Hauschkawho was an excellent player for the Seahawks, but sometimes struggled from short distance in clutch situations.

Many analysts claim the New England Patriots are the prohibitive favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions. This claim is an overstatement. There are many teams capable of dethroning the Patriots, and the Seahawks are one of them. Seattle’s defense has already proven their dominance. If the Seahawks can play offense like they played in their first preseason game, it is fair to say they are the definitive favorites to win the Super Bowl.

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