More Wilson Contract stuff

[RiverDog]

I won't be concerned until next year.

Oh, no. We need to sign him before the season starts, preferably before the preseason begins. If he still hasn't signed by then, the speculation and rumors that has been pretty intense now will only increase and it will be a major distraction for this coming season. There won't be a day that goes by without some talking head giving his opinion on where Russell Wilson is heading.

And we definitely don't want to let him hit the free market. If he does, we can pretty much waive bye bye.

[Anthony]

obiken wrote:
Your talking a lot more Dollars than with Lynch. Lynch is not marketable, he had to get the max contract while he could.

And that makes it okay?

No Anthony, but ML needs the money RW doesn't. Once Lynch's contract is done its over that's all the money he will ever get. RW will make Millions in endorsements, he doesn't need it then we are dealing with ego.

okay again for whatever reason you want to make it he fact still is they did it for Lynch and could do it for Wilson period. Just because a person make alot in endorsements does not mean he should not also get the "perks" as others. If they can do it for Lynch they can and sold do it for Wilson period. All the rest does not matter. Wilson has the right to ask for and expect to get something if the FO has done it for someone else. You can bet if they had done this for Lynch before Kam, Sherman, and Et did their deals they would have asked also.

[Anthony]

Oh, no. We need to sign him before the season starts, preferably before the preseason begins. If he still hasn't signed by then, the speculation and rumors that has been pretty intense now will only increase and it will be a major distraction for this coming season. There won't be a day that goes by without some talking head giving his opinion on where Russell Wilson is heading.

And we definitely don't want to let him hit the free market. If he does, we can pretty much waive bye bye.

Not only that but the longer we take the higher the price could become. Imagine he plays it out at 1.5 and leads us to another SB and even wins it. Imagine with his new weapons he goes out and puts up incredible numbers, Imagine if knowing this the FO limits his attempts so he cannot really get his numbers and it is obvious. Not saying the would but it has happened with other players on other teams. Just to many variable of what could happen most not being good for the hawks and resigning RW.

[mykc14]

Not only that but the longer we take the higher the p[rice could become. Imagine he plays it out at 1.5 and leads us to another SB and even wins it. Imagine with his new weapons he goes out and puts up incredible numbers> Imagine if knowing this the FO limits his attempts so he cannot really get his numbers and it is obvious. Not saying the would but it has happened with other players on other teams. Just to many variable of what could happen most not being good for the hawks and resining RW.

This is a major reason why I think we do it this year. Another year and not only does he have the potential to increase his resume but the salary cap will increase and that will lead to him costing us more.

[HumanCockroach]

I just love extremists, no I never said they hate Wilson, and no you cannot use Kama and them as that all happened before they gave into Lynch so you have no way of knowing how those players would have reacted had they catered to Lynch first. Also they are not QBs. I am ignoring nothing has my point about Lynch is very valid to any one with an open mind

That right there is funny, I don't care who you are. You should read what you have been posting, then look up what an extremists is. As far as "open minds", that doesn't mean you form an opinion, and stick to it no matter what ( usually in your case, doom and gloom about injuries, or how little Seattle values Wilson, or how unfair it was to extend Lynch, how Wilson will have a career ending injury behind this line, how the Seahawks only spend money on defense, only draft defensive players, how Wilson is going to leave Seattle because of not being re signed immediately, etc, etc).

Honestly, you might be the LEAST open minded, and most likely to jump to extremes on this board.

[obiken]

Ok Anthony, It comes down to IF he doesn't need to go for broke on the contract, is he smart in doing it? I say no. Winners stay where winners can win. No one can carry a Football team on their own.

[Anthony]

This is a major reason why I think we do it this year. Another year and not only does he have the potential to increase his resume but the salary cap will increase and that will lead to him costing us more.

agreed .

[Anthony]

I just love extremists, no I never said they hate Wilson, and no you cannot use Kama and them as that all happened before they gave into Lynch so you have no way of knowing how those players would have reacted had they catered to Lynch first. Also they are not QBs. I am ignoring nothing has my point about Lynch is very valid to any one with an open mind

That right there is funny, I don't care who you are. You should read what you have been posting, then look up what an extremists is. As far as "open minds", that doesn't mean you form an opinion, and stick to it no matter what ( usually in your case, doom and gloom about injuries, or how little Seattle values Wilson, or how unfair it was to extend Lynch, how Wilson will have a career ending injury behind this line, how the Seahawks only spend money on defense, only draft defensive players, how Wilson is going to leave Seattle because of not being re signed immediately, etc, etc).

Honestly, you might be the LEAST open minded, and most likely to jump to extremes on this board.

if you say so.

[Anthony]

Ok Anthony, It comes down to IF he doesn't need to go for broke on the contract, is he smart in doing it? I say no. Winners stay where winners can win. No one can carry a Football team on their own.

You are assuming here is the only place he can win. DO you really think if you put him on say Buffalo they would not win? Lots of assuming, and again did you or any one say this when they did Kams, ETs or Shermans deal..No, did you guys say this when Lynch squeezed more out of the Hawks? No. For some reason though when it comes to Wilson everyone wants him to take less to help the team. Also who is to say what going for broke is? Also who is to say what he wants and what they are offering, we really do not know.

What it boils down to is the Hawks making an offer that pays him like a top QB and then him accepting it. So far we do not know what they have offered. For all we know they have not offered much for all we know Wilsons agent wants to much. The 2 offers we have heard about are 4 years 80 mil which is way low. And the newer one which depending on the guarantees and bonuses might be legit. The possible sticking points are length and this coming year. Both to me should not be issues no reason not to do longer than 4 years and no reason not to give him something more for this year.

[NorthHawk]

No big deal,if it doesn't get done until next year.
The Cap will increase and there will be other contracts coming off the books as well as some cuts.

Hell, the Colts did that twice with Manning and look to be doing the same with Luck who will get more than Wilson regardless of if we win another Super Bowl or not.

For all we know, Wilsons position is to play out this year and capitalize next year.
It's a bit of a gamble on his part but might be worth it in the long run.

[obiken]

How is 20 a year way low?? IF you bust the cap no he wins in Seattle, Buffalo, or NY.

[Hawktawk]

Russell Wilson would win wherever he went. Russell Wilson would win however he needed to. Hes a winner,an explosive player, a guy Cowherd called "the most underrated athlete on the planet" following the Superbowl.Yeah I think he might be the best QB in the league right now.Like his height its just hard to measure what he does because nobody else does it quite like Wilson.

[obiken]

I think that is exaggerated, He works well in our system but you don't think Tom Brady would have done better that RW last year with our system and defense? Come on. He is underrated no doubt about that. But I don't think he goes to Cleveland, Buff, or the Jets and wins a SB with them sorry, I just don't.

[Anthony]

How is 20 a year way low?? IF you bust the cap no he wins in Seattle, Buffalo, or NY.

Because it is not really 20 a year is is really 81.5 mil over 5 years which is not 20 mil a year. Also if as reported they were offering the same bonuses and guarantees at Sherman then it is less than Newtons, so that would make it low

[Anthony]

Russell Wilson would win wherever he went. Russell Wilson would win however he needed to. Hes a winner,an explosive player, a guy Cowherd called "the most underrated athlete on the planet" following the Superbowl.Yeah I think he might be the best QB in the league right now.Like his height its just hard to measure what he does because nobody else does it quite like Wilson.

I agree.

[Anthony]

I think that is exaggerated, He works well in our system but you don't think Tom Brady would have done better that RW last year with our system and defense? Come on. He is underrated no doubt about that. But I don't think he goes to Cleveland, Buff, or the Jets and wins a SB with them sorry, I just don't.

Really lets look at that lets look at that, we look at Buffalo

They play in the AFC a much easier conference
They had a top 5 defense
They just added McCoy to their run game a top 5 back
They have a better Wr corps than we do Watkins was ranked 24th with a at best Avg QB
Add to that they would build the team and game plan around him unlike here.

Yes he fits into our system but that does not mean he cannot do more. In college he want from NC to Sic both of which use 2 different systems. So anyone that thinks Rw can only be successful in our system is kidding themselves. The fact maybe our system may hold him back some, as has been proven when we have had to trash can out system and let Rw be Rw and he has been exceptional Atla, Chicago, Rams, etc. You can think what you want but that does not make it true or right.

[obiken]

There is a line there, can he win in Dallas, GB, NE or Balt? Yes. They have owners committed to winning. But Tommy made Dion Branch a SB MVP, what did Matt do with him? Nothing. Matt was a good QB, not great but good, thats when I knew Brady was great.

[Anthony]

There is a line there, can he win in Dallas, GB, NE or Balt? Yes. They have owners committed to winning. But Tommy made Dion Branch a SB MVP, what did Matt do with him? Nothing. Matt was a good QB, not great but good, thats when I knew Brady was great.

That's great but that does not change what I said. I mean unless we Wilson had branch we have no clue what Wilson would have done for Branch and in that system really not relevant at all. As to the rest all you did was say if he goes to a team committed to wining he will win, same can be said for any QB including Brady you do not think that NE is committed to winning? really. Like I said nothing y9ou said is relevant at all.

[HumanCockroach]

Wilson could win anywhere, the real question is, could he win a SB next year "anywhere" ? The answer to that is no. Can he win a SB anywhere, sure, but assuming that Wilson is the ONLY reason behind Seattle's success, is just being dishonest. Unfortunately talent costs money and there is only so much available. In order for Seattle to REMAIN. A SB contender for the foreseeable future, they simply can not pay Wilson 30 million a year. It's unfortunate that fans can't grasp the concept that QBs do not win SBs alone, and without the necessary talent, NO QB no matter how talented they are, even sniffs a SB, much less wins one by himself.

At some point I fully expect Wilson to understand that ( and honestly with how smart he is, I assume he already Does) and sign a good contract, not one that handcuffs them. I doubt very seriously that Wilson expects the largest contract in history, unless he is indeed not as he appears.

I would not be surprised in the least to learn that it is some other sticking point, not the money that continues to drag out the process ( looking at you, no baseball clause).

[Anthony]

Wilson could win anywhere, the real question is, could he win a SB next year "anywhere" ? The answer to that is no. Can he win a SB anywhere, sure, but assuming that Wilson is the ONLY reason behind Seattle's success, is just being dishonest. Unfortunately talent costs money and there is only so much available. In order for Seattle to REMAIN. A SB contender for the foreseeable future, they simply can not pay Wilson 30 million a year. It's unfortunate that fans can't grasp the concept that QBs do not win SBs alone, and without the necessary talent, NO QB no matter how talented they are, even sniffs a SB, much less wins one by himself.

At some point I fully expect Wilson to understand that ( and honestly with how smart he is, I assume he already Does) and sign a good contract, not one that handcuffs them. I doubt very seriously that Wilson expects the largest contract in history, unless he is indeed not as he appears.

I would not be surprised in the least to learn that it is some other sticking point, not the money that continues to drag out the process ( looking at you, no baseball clause).

I think we can but to think we are SB contenders without RW is foolish as well. FYI there are several teams he could go to that he could possibly win an SB with, there is no guarantee he will win one here either. Given as I laid out Buffalo is really a franchise QB away from being a SB contender there is one right there. I mean lets think about it, as I laid out they have a great top 5 RB, a great Wr corps, a top 5 defense, they were 9-7 a better record than we had when we got Wilson and they play in the AFC. According to the link below Buff QBs cost them 4.5 wins and Rw adds 5.73 wins that would mean Buff with Wilson would be at least 13-3 and that would have won their division and planted themselves as the SB favorites in the AFC. And that was only one team. Using those same numbers Philly would be an SB contender, Minny, Chicago, Rames, Cleveland who were 7-9 with QBs that cost them 4.17 games as opposed to Rw who adds 5.73, Houston, etc there are at least 6 and that is without thinking to hard. I think you really under estimate RWs value

http://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/bl ... /04/page/3

[RiverDog]

Russell Wilson would win wherever he went. Russell Wilson would win however he needed to. Hes a winner,an explosive player, a guy Cowherd called "the most underrated athlete on the planet" following the Superbowl.Yeah I think he might be the best QB in the league right now.Like his height its just hard to measure what he does because nobody else does it quite like Wilson.

That's a disrespectful remark to our entire Seahawks team less Russell, from Pete Carroll to Jon Ryan, as it implies that the only reason we win is because of Russell Wilson.

[kalibane]

Am I the only one who finds this thread completely pointless? Wilson is under contract this season and if a deal doesn't get done he'll be franchised for the next season, possibly the next two. I can't believe this has 180 replies plus another thread devoted to this mess. Truly a sign it's the offseason.

[NorthHawk]

Am I the only one who finds this thread completely pointless? Wilson is under contract this season and if a deal doesn't get done he'll be franchised for the next season, possibly the next two. I can't believe this has 180 replies plus another thread devoted to this mess. Truly a sign it's the offseason.

I've been on the same tack as you, kal. It's not the time to get uptight about a contract for Wilson.
If he gets one, great but if he plays out this season, we'll deal with it then.

[NorthHawk]

"I think we can but to think we are SB contenders without RW is foolish as well. FYI there are several teams he could go to that he could possibly win an SB with, there is no guarantee he will win one here either. Given as I laid out Buffalo is really a franchise QB away from being a SB contender there is one right there. I mean lets think about it, as I laid out they have a great top 5 RB, a great Wr corps, a top 5 defense, they were 9-7 a better record than we had when we got Wilson and they play in the AFC. According to the link below Buff QBs cost them 4.5 wins and Rw adds 5.73 wins that would mean Buff with Wilson would be at least 13-3 and that would have won their division and planted themselves as the SB favorites in the AFC. And that was only one team. Using those same numbers Philly would be an SB contender, Minny, Chicago, Rames, Cleveland who were 7-9 with QBs that cost them 4.17 games as opposed to Rw who adds 5.73, Houston, etc there are at least 6 and that is without thinking to hard. I think you really under estimate RWs value"

I think the comparison to Buffalo is valid. They have a balanced team without a QB that makes great decisions.
We have an imbalanced team with a QB that does make great decisions, so Wilson's value (although difficult to measure in this regard) is in my opinion magnified for us.

[c_hawkbob]

Am I the only one who finds this thread completely pointless? Wilson is under contract this season and if a deal doesn't get done he'll be franchised for the next season, possibly the next two. I can't believe this has 180 replies plus another thread devoted to this mess. Truly a sign it's the offseason.

I don't agree. The F-tag is not what it was when we tagged Walter 3 years in a row before extending him, under these new rules there is no way it makes any sense at all to use the tag more than once, and very little sense to use it at all on a QB.

[kalibane]

Thus the "possibly" twice. Point being, in the absolute worst case scenario Wilson is still playing for the Seahawks in 2015 and 2016. But for some reason people want to worry that a front office this smart who has consistently extended it's core players won't be able to figure something out over the next two years.

[HumanCockroach]

Actually that would be the next three years, under contract, FT, FT... Something tells me it isn't going to be some enormous problem, and as always Seattle fans need to fret about something, so they do.

[Anthony]

That's a disrespectful remark to our entire Seahawks team less Russell, from Pete Carroll to Jon Ryan, as it implies that the only reason we win is because of Russell Wilson.

I disagree, there was no mention of what level of winning, you just really have a problem with giving Wilson his full do. Hate to say it he is right Wilson would win were every he went., Maybe not the same way as he does here, or maybe not to the same degree but he would. To try and turn that into a knock on the Hawks is at best a stretch and in reality wrong.

[Anthony]

Am I the only one who finds this thread completely pointless? Wilson is under contract this season and if a deal doesn't get done he'll be franchised for the next season, possibly the next two. I can't believe this has 180 replies plus another thread devoted to this mess. Truly a sign it's the offseason.

Well for one it is not a guarantee he is tagged next year given it would be 25 mil or the year after given it would be well over 35 mil and so on. Those numbers would be hard for the Hawks to swallow so it is not a given by any means.

[Anthony]

"I think we can but to think we are SB contenders without RW is foolish as well. FYI there are several teams he could go to that he could possibly win an SB with, there is no guarantee he will win one here either. Given as I laid out Buffalo is really a franchise QB away from being a SB contender there is one right there. I mean lets think about it, as I laid out they have a great top 5 RB, a great Wr corps, a top 5 defense, they were 9-7 a better record than we had when we got Wilson and they play in the AFC. According to the link below Buff QBs cost them 4.5 wins and Rw adds 5.73 wins that would mean Buff with Wilson would be at least 13-3 and that would have won their division and planted themselves as the SB favorites in the AFC. And that was only one team. Using those same numbers Philly would be an SB contender, Minny, Chicago, Rames, Cleveland who were 7-9 with QBs that cost them 4.17 games as opposed to Rw who adds 5.73, Houston, etc there are at least 6 and that is without thinking to hard. I think you really under estimate RWs value"

I think the comparison to Buffalo is valid. They have a balanced team without a QB that makes great decisions.
We have an imbalanced team with a QB that does make great decisions, so Wilson's value (although difficult to measure in this regard) is in my opinion magnified for us.

I do not disagree the way this team is built Wilson means more to us then perhaps any other team, but to think that Wilson could not do very well on other teams and even help them to be SB contenders is short sighted. he has shown with limited talent around him on offense he can carry an offense throw 30+ and do great, and also throw under 20 and do well. He is for all extent the ultimate chameleon QB who can morph into whatever a team needs.

[NorthHawk]

The Defense carries our Offense.
Wilson can make some drives in spurts, but it's the Defense that continually carries our team. The Offense just tags along and makes contributions where they can.

[RiverDog]

Am I the only one who finds this thread completely pointless? Wilson is under contract this season and if a deal doesn't get done he'll be franchised for the next season, possibly the next two. I can't believe this has 180 replies plus another thread devoted to this mess. Truly a sign it's the offseason.

It is a very redundant thread, but I don't think it's pointless.

IMO it is very important that we re-sign Russell before the start of the regular season for the following reasons:

1. Leaving him unsigned will cause him and the rest of the team to endure a huge distraction. Read about SBB's nightmare and you'll get a sample of what having an unsigned star like Russell will do to our 12th man fan base.

2. Using the FT takes away a valuable asset that we might need to retain the services of another player, such as Bobby Wagner.

3. Waiting to resign him is only going to make it more expensive, and not knowing how much we are going to end up paying him will introduce uncertainty into future contract negotiations with other players and make pursuing free agents more problematic.

[kalibane]

Sorry Riv not buying it. I think people are just working themselves up. In response to your points:

1. I don't recall this being a problem for the Ravens when they didn't extend Joe Flacco. The Colts don't seem to think this is a problem with Andrew Luck. What special circumstances are involved that would make it so much of a distraction with Russell Wilson?

2. I would be upset if they franchised Wagner. That's too much of the cap in one year for a middle linebacker. So I don't find this compelling whatsoever.

3. The price may go up but the rest is complete BS. Their lack of being able to find an agreeable number doesn't mean anything for other Free Agents. All they care about is what they are able to get. The FO has shown great ability to negotiate with their star players and they don't spend big in Free Agency in the first place because they value compensatory picks so much.

Lastly... none of these fans expressed any of these same worries when Hass was allowed to play out his contract and they almost had to franchise him. It would be completely unprecedented for a QB who plays at the level of RW in the prime of his career to hit the open market. It's never going to happen. People are just wringing their hands because they want to wring their hands about something.

[Anthony]

The Defense carries our Offense.
Wilson can make some drives in spurts, but it's the Defense that continually carries our team. The Offense just tags along and makes contributions where they can.

Yes I am sure that was true in Chicago, Atl, and so on and so on. That statement you just made prove my point about under estimating Wilson. I am very sure the 6 minutes more that the offense holds the ball compared to 2011 does no help the defense at all, the low TOs does not help the defense at all, the defense knwoign they have a QB that can lead scoring drives when it counts does not help the defense at all. Under your premise we do not need to resign Wilson any QB would do after all the defense carries the team and can score every game enough to win also. You may mistakingly feel that way but thankfully that thought process has already been factually proven to be wrong, and even more importantly the players know better


"Russell Wilson keeps beating these “elite” quarterbacks. Last year, he beat Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. This year, he beat Drew Brees and Peyton Manning on the biggest stages when it really counted. People need to start putting Russell Wilson in that category because he is an elite NFL quarterback. He’s been a pro since day one, and he’s more than half of why we’re winning now. He came in poised. You look at him now after we won a championship, and he’s still the same guy. He hasn’t let the lights get too bright for him, and he’s stayed true to himself. He’s still that same poised person."

Seems ET Disagrees with http://www.earlthomas.com/2014/02/11/super-bowl-part/

enough said

[NorthHawk]

"Yes I am sure that was true in Chicago, Atl, and so on and so on. That statement you just made prove my point about under estimating Wilson. I am very sure the 6 minutes more that the offense holds the ball compared to 2011 does no help the defense at all, the low TOs does not help the defense at all, the defense knwoign they have a QB that can lead scoring drives when it counts does not help the defense at all. Under your premise we do not need to resign Wilson any QB would do after all the defense carries the team and can score every game enough to win also. You may mistakingly feel that way but thankfully that thought process has already been factually proven to be wrong, and even more importantly the players know better"

Yes, in spurts but not all season long which is the definition of carrying a team.
It's not Wilson's fault, though - it's the design of the position of importance put on the Offense.
Is it any wonder why we either lead or are near the top in explosive plays? That's the design of where the Offense fits. Not carry a team, but make big plays or occasional drive and take advantage of the benefits a great Defense gives them.

You're far too quick to take issue with any statement not praising Wilson even when it's not directed completely at him. I've never said any QB would do, and never will.
Wilson is the best QB for this type of Offense - maybe the best of a generation for the requirements it entails, but the Offense is secondary to the Defense on a Defensive oriented team.
It's just the way it is.

[Anthony]

"Yes I am sure that was true in Chicago, Atl, and so on and so on. That statement you just made prove my point about under estimating Wilson. I am very sure the 6 minutes more that the offense holds the ball compared to 2011 does no help the defense at all, the low TOs does not help the defense at all, the defense knwoign they have a QB that can lead scoring drives when it counts does not help the defense at all. Under your premise we do not need to resign Wilson any QB would do after all the defense carries the team and can score every game enough to win also. You may mistakingly feel that way but thankfully that thought process has already been factually proven to be wrong, and even more importantly the players know better"

Yes, in spurts but not all season long which is the definition of carrying a team.
It's not Wilson's fault, though - it's the design of the position of importance put on the Offense.
Is it any wonder why we either lead or are near the top in explosive plays? That's the design of where the Offense fits. Not carry a team, but make big plays or occasional drive and take advantage of the benefits a great Defense gives them.

You're far too quick to take issue with any statement not praising Wilson even when it's not directed completely at him. I've never said any QB would do, and never will.
Wilson is the best QB for this type of Offense - maybe the best of a generation for the requirements it entails, but the Offense is secondary to the Defense on a Defensive oriented team.
It's just the way it is.

And that will be were we disagree. I do not feel the offense is an after thought or secondary. IF it was we would have won in 2011.

[NorthHawk]

And if we had a mid ranked Defense last year or 2013 we would have been hard pressed to win in the playoffs if we even made it.
This IS a Defensive oriented team. That's a fact. It's what Pete said he would build when he first got here and he's done it.

I would wager (if I were a betting person) that if our Defense faltered, our Offense would not be able to pick up the slack enough to get us into the playoffs.
On the other side of the coin, our Defense can and has proven to be able to hold our opponents to the point where the Offense doesn't have to be prolific for us to win.

[HumanCockroach]

Why you continue to dismiss a top five offense in the NFL North I have little idea, doesn't mean Anthony is right either, and simply shows once again that teams win championships not a QB, not a Watt, not a Mega Tron, not a defense, or A RB no "one" player ( including Wilson, no matter WHAT some say) wins titles. They ALL matter, every Damn one of them. Which is WHY the " pay Wilson whatever he wants, and do it now" crowd is so incredibly out of touch. That said, insisting that a top five offense is just along for the ride isn't realistic either.

All three facets are important, all three facets controll the outcome of games, and Seattkes O scores and moves the ball among the best in the NFL. That offense allows the defense to be in good position week after week, shifting field position consistently, that simply does not happen by luck. Seattle had the least three and outs in the NFL last year, the most explosive plays, continuing to insist things like that occur because of the defense makes no logical sense.

[mykc14]

The Colts don't seem to think this is a problem with Andrew Luck. What special circumstances are involved that would make it so much of a distraction with Russell Wilson?

Being a 1st round pick the Colts have the luxury of the 5th year option with Luck so they won't be in the same position as the Hawks are with Wilson until next off-season. If Luck hasn't signed a long term extension by this time next year I can guarantee you the Colts fans will be feeling the same type of pressure some of the Hawks fans are.

[NorthHawk]

We have an average at best Offensive Line, we have had an average at best WR corps (Graham may change that), and we've had Wilson and Lynch on the Offensive side.
On the Defensive side, we have possibly the best Secondary in the league, a very good Defensive Line, and underrated Linebackers - maybe one of the best groups in the NFL but overshadowed by the Secondary.

The Stats don't tell the whole story (as usual), so why do we win? Our Defense, that's why.
There's no way our Offense can consistently win shootouts, but our Defense can consistently hold the best Offenses to minimal points which puts the Offense in a position to score just enough to win any game.

I would rather see a much more balanced team, but it's a formula that's been proven to work until the Defense hits a bad stretch. Then the Offense is exposed by its limitations.