Even with the revolving door of defensive personnel never coming to a rest, the Seattle Seahawks still find themselves most in need on offense. The blue birds wait for another player to show up on the other side of the ball — someone, anyone, to be a third offensive threat other than superstars Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch.
The dynasties or mini-dynasties of yore had a big three: The 1990s Dallas Cowboys had Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith. The San Francisco 49ers had Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Roger Craig. The most recent multiple Super Bowl winner, the 2004 New England Patriots, had Tom Brady, Corey Dillon and a pretty lethal-yet-balanced receiving duo of David Givens and Deion Branch. OK, so they had four players take lead roles but they achieved full offensive balance in their attack — a feat the Seahawks have yet to accomplish.
Without doubt, the Seahawks are as well — or better — stocked at the quarterback and running back positions in 2014 as they were in their 2013 championship season. Wilson and Lynch may each be individually crafting their finest NFL seasons. Wilson continues his rapid ascent to elite status. Lynch, despite warnings of decline due to age and high mileage by many (me included), has revealed the same burst of power and perhaps even more wiggle than ever.
The great remaining missing piece to the Seahawks’ offensive puzzle remains a viable third option.
Who can it be now?
That’s quite a collection of tight ends the Seahawks currently have — enough to field a basketball team. Unless that basketball team needs players with functioning legs. In that case, the Seahawks have two tight ends. Neither of them has caught a pass from Russell Wilson yet this season. Newcomer / injury replacement tight ends RaShaun Allen (just resigned) and veteran Tony Moeaki (just added) provide the only two fully healthy tight end options for Sunday’s contest against the Kansas City Chiefs and potentially beyond.
Help came and Allen and Moeaki are it. That’s not going to cut it.
The Seahawks continue to wait for a wide receiver to step up and own a lead role. Despite Wilson’s growth as an offensive threat and commanding presence in and scurrying out of the pocket, the Seahawks’ passing attack has slumped from last season’s 26th ranking to an even worse 31st ranking so far in 2014.
Gone are last season’s projected big three: oft-injured Sidney Rice retired, enigmatic Percy Harvin remains an enigma in Jet green and Golden Tate is a top-five receiver for Detroit. Tate is currently fourth in the NFL in receiving yards. One that broke down, one that imploded and one that got away.
In are team reception leader Doug Baldwin with 38 receptions and one touchdown. His average of 11.6 yards per reception is the lowest of his career. Baldwin ranks 47th (tied) in receptions among all NFL receivers. No. 2 receiver Jermaine Kearse has a mere 20 receptions and one touchdown. Rookies Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood have 14 catches between them and no touchdowns.
Perhaps the Seahawks should look for stellar offensive production elsewhere.
Among the backup running backs — the duo that was supposed to edge Lynch into retirement — opportunities to tote the rock are hard to come by for your 2014 Seattle Seahawks. Lynch’s opportunities are down yet it’s not because he’s giving up carries to the backups. No.2 Robert Turbin has only 32 attempts for 148 yards and Christine Michael has only 14 attempts. Both have stellar per-carry averages but have not been able to fight their way into the game plans for meaningful attempts.
So what gives?
The Seahawks have found themselves oddly abandoning the run for stretches and relying upon Wilson to work his magic. More often than not, he has come through, including an NFL record outing against the Washington UAOPITPNNAIPNTs with more than 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in a single game.
Wilson is arguably the most dangerous running quarterback in the NFL with three 100-yard games to his credit this season alone. He can make all the throws from most any position. Still, the offense manages to routinely underperform in today’s relaxed passing rules NFL. Is it scheme? Play calls? Players? Injuries? The offensive line is indeed as much of a patchwork project as the entire Seahawks defense.
Whichever reason you think it is, someone — anyone not name Wilson or Lynch — needs to overcome the circumstances and be the man if the Seahawks are going to overtake the Arizona Cardinals and fend off the 49ers for a chance at a repeat. Home field advantage in the playoffs is looking like a pipe dream at this stage, so if the Seahawks do return to the postseason, their path will be much more difficult than last year’s task. A more diversely potent offense will be a must on the road in the NFL playoffs.
Still, they’re winning. Despite some bumps in the road and at home, the Seahawks are a playoff-bound team (if the season were to end today). Wilson and Lynch have provided enough offensive spark to will the team to their six wins. Lacking that third offensive element, they find themselves keeping overmatched opponents (Oakland Raiders, New York Giants) in games they have no right to be in with occasionally sloppy / shoddy execution and ball handling. Big Blue even entered the fourth quarter last Sunday tied with the blue birds of the northwest, until the Seahawks put some distance between themselves and the G-men by repeatedly feeding the Beast.
That will work against stumblebums like the Raiders and Giants. It won’t work against playoff caliber opponents — of which the remainder of Seattle’s season is chock full of, including four dates against the Cardinals and 49ers, and road games at the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.
No. 3, where are you?
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