Seahawks earn an 'A' for offseason moves
Wide receiver Percy Harvin during Seahawks OTAs. Photo courtesy of Seahawks.
Matt Williamson likes what the Seahawks have done this offseason to strengthen an already solid roster that includes All-Pro players in running back Marshawn Lynch, free safety Earl Thomas, cornerback Richard Sherman and center Max Unger, as well as five Pro Bowl selections – quarterback Russell Wilson and left tackle Russell Okung, in addition to Lynch, Unger and Thomas.
Williamson provides a comprehensive look at each team in the NFC at ESPN.com while handing out his grades – with the Cardinals and the Eagles the only other teams earning an A. It’s an Insider feature, so registration and a fee is required to view it. But here’s a sampling of what he has to say about the most-recent moves by general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll:
On the trade to acquire Percy Harvin: “Along with San Francisco, the Seahawks might be the best team in the league – and this offseason only reinforces that notion for me. Adding Harvin as an explosive element to this offense is gigantic. When healthy, he is one of the best players in the league and he was playing at an extremely high level last season before being sidelined with an ankle injury. Seattle will get creative with how it employs him.”
On the defensive additions: “A great defense got even better this offseason. The addition of (Antoine) Winfield, who excels in the slot, against the run and as a blitzer, makes the league’s best secondary very much improved. Seattle lost (Jason) Jones and (Alan) Branch up front, but added (Cliff) Avril, (Michael) Bennett, Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams. Those switches in personnel not only make them younger up front, but also improve the pass rush dramatically with Avril off the edge and Bennett coming from either a standard defensive end position or on the inside in passing situations.”
On the 325-pound Williams, the defensive tackle who was drafted in the fifth round: “On tape, Williams looked like a first-round pick to me, and if medical issues do not slow him down, he could be a very instrumental member of this defensive line. The Seahawks are stacked.”
--Clare Farnsworth, Seahawks blog