MAGIC 8-BALL WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI
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emember the Magic 8-Ball, that hard-shell plastic prognosticator with the often vague, floating triangle answers inside? Yes, it held both magic and mystery — one of them being what, exactly, was that blue liquid and what would happen if you cracked the thing open? But we figured the Magic 8-Ball would be just as reliable as some experts in predicting the Seattle Seahawks’ fortunes this season. So we posed some questions and gave it a few shakes. Here’s what happened:
Q: Will the Seahawks win the Super Bowl this year? Magic-8 Ball: Reply hazy, try again. As of this writing, Vegas has 12-1 odds that the Seahawks win the Super Bowl, behind the Patriots, Cowboys, Packers, Steelers and Raiders. Seattle did little, draft-wise, to fix an offensive line that was not only porous but poor. Quarterback Russell Wilson got chased and hammered by opposing defenses all last season. The Seahawks also finished 25th (of 32 teams) in the NFL in rushing last season, and one preseason story claimed they possess the worst line in the NFL. Wilson played hurt all season, and even with a great defense bailing them out on a regular basis, the Seahawks looked little like the young team of such great promise that reached the Super Bowl in back-to-back years in 2014 and 2015.
Q: Will PATs be less of an adventure this season? M8B: Cannot predict now. Seattle exchanged one kicker with the yips for another. The Seahawks’ answer to the free-agency departure of once-deadly Steven Hauschka, the team’s all-time leader in field goals made, was to sign younger (and cheaper) kicker Blair Walsh, the onetime Pro Bowler released in November 2016 after four years with Minnesota and some inconsistent kicking. One of his most notable misses came in the 2016 wild card playoff game against the Seahawks, when he shanked a 27-yarder with 22 seconds left, allowing Seattle to win, 10-9. Walsh went 15-for-19 on PATs and was 12 of 16 on field goals after nine games last season. Hauschka abruptly lost his mojo in 2016, missing more extra points (six) than any other kicker.
Q: Is it really that bad? M8B: Ask again later. Wilson is back with even more enthusiasm, if that’s possible (“Go Hawks!”). So is running back Thomas Rawls, kick returner Tyler Lockett and defensive back Earl Thomas after injuries. A dominating defense returns largely intact, led by Legion of Boom veterans Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, K.J. Wright, Cliff Avril, recently married Kam Chancellor and linebacker Bobby Wagner, who led the NFL in tackles. On offense, deep-threat, clutch receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and company, including stellar pass-catching tight end Jimmy Graham, will help.
Q: Will the Seahawks win their division? M8B: Outlook good. They are favored to win their fourth NFC West division title in five years and make their sixth-straight postseason. The biggest challenge will come from the Arizona Cardinals. The L.A. Rams and Francisco make for a pretty weak division. The Seahawks know how to win, finishing at 10-5-1 last season, their fifth-straight with 10 or more wins. But since the 2013 Super Bowl title and all-but-won one the next year, anything but a shiny silver trophy will feel like a loss to demanding Hawks fans.
Q: Will Russell Wilson return to his old, dynamic running self? M8B: Signs point to yes. A lot depends on the offensive line protecting him. In camp Wilson appeared slimmer, faster, and healthy. Wilson’s ankle and knee injuries last season had a cascading effect on the team’s fortunes: Not a threat to run, opposing teams could sit back against the pass — even though Wilson and Seattle receivers managed occasional brilliance, especially on deep routes and in clutch situations. But teams could rush with success, because Wilson wasn’t his usual Houdini self. At times, it was painful to watch.
Q: Can Marshawn Lynch please come back? M8B: My reply is no. Lynch came out of retirement to sign with his hometown (and hated elsewhere) Oakland Raiders, who look to be in the mix among the NFL elite. But Seattle upgraded its running game with newcomer Eddie Lacy, and if Rawls stays healthy, you won’t even miss Lynch. Or maybe you will, but for other reasons, like his classic go-to press conference answer: “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” Q: Is head coach Pete Carroll, 65-going on 45, a gumchomping, sideline-sprinting freak of nature? M8B: It is decidedly so.
September 2017
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