Fans can finally rejoice as the 2018 football season is here. Well, almost. It is only preseason but fans can start to get see what their teams might look like and the exciting rookie outlook. Below, we discuss three takeaways from the Seattle Seahawks preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
Three Takeaways From the Seattle Seahawks Preseason Opener
Chris Carson
Chris Carson‘s promising rookie season sadly ended in week four against the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. It was from the very beginning of their 2018 training camp that head coach Pete Carroll said Carson looked outstanding. Carson certainly showed that in his 2018 week one preseason return against the Colts. It seems as if Seattle’s running game is finally returning to it’s Marshawn Lynch form. From the start, Carson boomed on the field, impressing with every snap. Even with only four total carries, he’s one of the biggest names coming out of last night’s game.
Carson’s finished with four carries for 26 yards, averaging 6.5 yards, with 12 yards being his longest run.
The Offense is Rolling
The Seahawks offense got off to the right start by scoring on their very first drive of the game. In 2017, the Seahawks only had three offensive opening possession touchdowns. If fans have this to look forward to, this new look could be in thanks to the new offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer.
Russell Wilson looked like his usual NFL-best self, finishing his first and only drive with 4-out-of-5 completions, 43 yards, a touchdown, and a 142.1 passer rating. Wilson’s touchdown was in red-zone tight coverage to tight end Nick Vannett. Vannett, the third-year tight end out of Ohio State, hasn’t been totally present among the Seahawks offense since he was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. With Jimmy Graham gone to the Green Bay Packers, Vannett has a real chance to compete for the starting spot against veteran Ed Dickson and rookie Will Dissly, among others.
We didn’t get to see much of Wilson or the Seahawks starting offense together, but the small preview we did get had solid production and a lot to look forward too.
Defensive Rookies
The Seahawks lost a lot of defensive contributors after the end of the 2017 season. Defensive end Michael Bennett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and all-pro cornerback Richard Sherman signed with the San Francisco 49ers after the Seahawks cut him. Free Safety Earl Thomas is basically a lost cause after he has been very vocal this off-season about his dismay with the front office and the lack of discussion over a contract extension.
Linebacker Shaquem Griffin‘s was a big standout on the Seahawks defense against the Colts, totaling nine tackles. It’s probably safe to safe his lack of one hand won’t be much of a bother. Another rookie standout was defensive end Rasheem Green, looking to vie for Bennett’s empty spot possibly. He completed the game with seven total tackles and 1.5 sacks and even was apart of the bundle of Seahawks defensive players that helped recover a fumbled snap in the end zone.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
