The Seattle Seahawks have to find a way to replace several key members of their once ferocious defense heading into 2018, and head coach Pete Carroll seems pleased with the progress they are making in doing that.
With Pro Bowlers like Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor no longer in the picture and All-Pro safety Earl Thomas still holding out, the Seahawks are holding open competitions at several positions. Carroll has enjoyed seeing all the new faces in his system, and he says the turnover doesn’t concern him at all.
“They’re just different people,” Carroll told Albert Breer of The MMQB. “Nobody knew who Richard was or who Kam was back in the day. There are guys in that room right now that they’re going to know about in time. It’s thrilling. It’s a thrill to go through this and watch it happen, watch it emerge. There’s so much energy, so much positive juice from these guys, the effort they’re giving. Wait and see.
“I ain’t worried one bit. Not one bit. I see who they are and what they’re doing.”
Carroll is hoping fans will quickly become familiar with names like Shaquill Griffin, a second-year player who is filling Sherman’s top cornerback spot, and Bradley McDougald, a former undrafted safety who is expected to take on Chancellor’s old role. But unlike many other teams, the Seahawks are already set at the most important position on the field.
“The difference is the quarterback has been playing for years, it’s not like we’re starting with a new guy, this is not that at all,” Carroll said. “This is so much different. We’ve got extraordinary performance and leadership ability from the QB spot. I don’t know what you guys are thinking, he’s the best he’s ever been. That’s so instrumental in your future.”
Carroll has already expressed some concerns about an area that has been a major Achilles heel for the Seahawks for several years now, so that will have to improve. If nothing else, Seattle should be under less pressure this year than in years past. That might go a long way toward rejuvenating a team that has been a disappointment in recent seasons.
