Under the Radar, who you look forward to most?!

[4XPIPS]

So I am getting all amp'd for next year. I know it still is a long ways to go, but I certainly can't wait. At this point we have yet to go through our draft, and like recent years are drafts have been eye opening. So who know who will draft. We seem to draft out of left field sometimes, but like most of us I trust our front office/scouts/coaching to gives us the best possible outcome from our draft picks

Anyhow, I was wondering from our posters here who you were looking forward to next season. Probably someone who didn't get a lot of playing time last year, or someone that is coming off of injury, or someone who is filling in from a departed player?

I would assume most of us are excited to see Christine Michael? As Pete is high on him. There is also WR Chris Matthews who is 6' 5 215 from Kentucky. I heard about 4 months back on a podcast that Seahawks are looking forward to plugging him in this Pre-Season. Combine in 2011 was 40 @4.52(that is still pretty fast for his size) CFL Rookie of the Year. Can't wait to see what he brings..

However I really excited to see how Dan Quinn will use Deshawn Shead. Shead immediately filled in at the Superbowl when Kam was temporarily hurt. Didn't know he was a going to be a reserve Safety, but this kid is built like Kam. 6'2 220 LBS. I thought he was more of CB, but it is nice to see his versatility to play Strong Safety as well. With Thurmond gone, and Lane probably moving to our Nickle... it would seem Shead wouldn't get much playing time. However I just got this feeling he will be used sometimes on faster TEs or even when teams do go with 3 WRs sets. Tharold Simon didn't play at all last year, who knows what we do with him? However I am excited to see some Shead action!

[HumanCockroach]

Bowie and Bailey will play key roles, Bowie graded out as the BEST offensive lineman out of last years class according to pff, and I look forward to his development.....

[Zorn76]

Jared Allen - if he pulls his head out of his azz and signs on.

After that, gotta say Harvin, even if he doesn't fit the criteria, per say. Guy barely played last year, but ends up having a Great SB.

If he stays healthy, that alone will give us an excellent shot at matching our 13-3 record from last season, IMO.

[4XPIPS]

Jared Allen - if he pulls his head out of his azz and signs on.

After that, gotta say Harvin, even if he doesn't fit the criteria, per say. Guy barely played last year, but ends up having a Great SB.

If he stays healthy, that alone will give us an excellent shot at matching our 13-3 record from last season, IMO.

Harvin fits. He was injured last year. Allen would be nice to see him sign with us and have another 10+ sack year. I guess there is a lot to be excited about, not just one player. However I just was taking other POVs

[RiverDog]

Bowie and Bailey are wild cards for sure, and will more than likely be forced into service whether they're ready or not. This will be a do or die season for James Carpenter as he's in the last year of his contract. It will be interesting to see who they move into Leo with Clemons gone. Bruce Irvin was originally drafted to fill that role but has played it just once. Irvin is a bit of a curiosity, he was supposed to be a 'spinner', but he ended up being used more as a conventional OLB and wasn't in on a lot of passing situations. His playing time towards the end of last season diminished quite rapidly, and he's been a bit of a disappointment so far. This is Year 3 for him, time to put up or shut up.

It was disappointing not to see Christine Michael more than we did. My understanding is that his blocking, or lack of, is what hurt his available playing time. I'm anxious to see how Luke Willson develops. IMO he was one of the bright spots, probably our best contributing rookie on the squad last season. I'll also be curious as to who we use to return punts this season now that Tate has departed. I'm hoping that we do not use Harvin as I think it would constitute an unacceptable injury risk to him. My guess is that we'll probably use Kearse. It will be interesting to see if Rolando Lockette makes the team. He did a pretty good job for us, especially on special teams.

The biggest challenge will be to see if Percy can step up to the plate. With Tate gone, he almost has to or else we could be in deep trouble as we'd be minus the explosive catch-and-run playmaking ability that Tate brought to the table. His presence, or lack of, will determine if teams stack the box against us like they did so often last year.

The NFC West, already the toughest division in football, is getting stronger. I said last year that I thought that the Rams would leap frog someone into second place and into the playoffs last season. They've been a tough as nails opponent for us as they match up really well against us, and they have two top 15 draft picks. I think I was only a year behind in my forecast.

My personal attitude has changed somewhat. Last year was filled with anticipation and nervousness as I knew we had SB ability but was waiting for the other shoe to drop, like a cruel joke when someone tricks you into thinking you won the lottery. That feeling is gone, replaced with more of a feeling of curiosity of whether we can repeat rather than the urgency to win our first Lombardi.

[c_hawkbob]

For an outofnowhere story I wanna see Benson Mayowa develop.

[Hawk Sista]

The thing the Hawks had last year (outside of the #1 D, most aggressive beast of a RB, and a QB...despite pea-minded pundits calling him a game manager...was one of the league's most efficient passers,amongst the leagues most ypp and was a record breaker in many categories for a two yr QB in LEAGUE history) was our DEPTH. I know, duh, right! We've lost some players and pundits are calling it the talent leak that inches the niners, Cards and Rams to more easily challenge. #I do think it tightens up...Cards beat us at home and are improved, Rams looking better and have their QB and two early 1st rounders, who knows about the whiners. They were w/in a few great plays of making it to all three of the last Super Bowls and 1 play from winning it. Part of me feels that high level continues and they play hungry this year, and part of me thinks they take a step back?? Back to the topic....

Hold on: not only is free agency not over, and the draft has yet to begin.... but there are the little talked about contributors/PS dudes, and ID guys from last year. Luke plays more like a big wideout w/ his speed, IF Percy stays healthy - shooooot what a weapon, locket caught a helluva drive saving pass in the big game & was stellar on st, Zach is back, Anthony is back and Bowie & Bailey got solid game time. I'm hoping they have what it takes and that carp becomes the beast he is on 1/2 his snaps. I REALLY need to see him coming to camp fit and hungry or he will lose opportunity fast - hopefully we have the talent to sit him if he doesn't beast up. I want to see Tharold Simon, Ware, Coleman, Michael, (sorry - I think MRob is gone), Williams and Hill shut these pundits up. I like Matthews size and potential.

Finish FA including June 1 cuts, and draft well... I'd Like to see one of these dudes early:

Morgan Moses OT
Xavier Sua FILO OG
Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida 6'5

[HumanCockroach]

Ricardo RD. I would LOVE for that dude to become what many of us thought he would his first time through with the team. If that one catch in the SB is any indication, I'm excited, he has speed to burn, and size, his issue was running routes not named fly, or 9 or deep skinny post, or any other route that involves streaking pretty much straight down the field.

If he can consistently run good crisp routes, receiver becomes a much smaller concern...

[NorthHawk]

In no particular order Michael, Simon, and Lockette.
Michael and Simon to see what they have and Lockette as HC mentioned can be the deep threat.
As well, if Lockette does blossom into a good WR, it will tweak the nose of SF who had him on their roster and let him go all while they were looking for WRs. That would be sweet.

[4XPIPS]

For an outofnowhere story I wanna see Benson Mayowa develop.

oohhh I totally forgot about him Bob. Good one. With how deep our DL is he can easily get lost in the mix.

-Clemons
-Bryant
-McDonald

Possible + Allen. Will Mayowa get some some PT? I hope so, I like to see us develop this guy. Built like Bennett, maybe will come in on NASCAR package. Totally forgot about him.

[4XPIPS]

Bowie and Bailey are wild cards for sure, and will more than likely be forced into service whether they're ready or not. This will be a do or die season for James Carpenter as he's in the last year of his contract. It will be interesting to see who they move into Leo with Clemons gone. Bruce Irvin was originally drafted to fill that role but has played it just once. Irvin is a bit of a curiosity, he was supposed to be a 'spinner', but he ended up being used more as a conventional OLB and wasn't in on a lot of passing situations. His playing time towards the end of last season diminished quite rapidly, and he's been a bit of a disappointment so far. This is Year 3 for him, time to put up or shut up.

It was disappointing not to see Christine Michael more than we did. My understanding is that his blocking, or lack of, is what hurt his available playing time. I'm anxious to see how Luke Willson develops. IMO he was one of the bright spots, probably our best contributing rookie on the squad last season. I'll also be curious as to who we use to return punts this season now that Tate has departed. I'm hoping that we do not use Harvin as I think it would constitute an unacceptable injury risk to him. My guess is that we'll probably use Kearse. It will be interesting to see if Rolando Lockette makes the team. He did a pretty good job for us, especially on special teams.

The biggest challenge will be to see if Percy can step up to the plate. With Tate gone, he almost has to or else we could be in deep trouble as we'd be minus the explosive catch-and-run playmaking ability that Tate brought to the table. His presence, or lack of, will determine if teams stack the box against us like they did so often last year.

The NFC West, already the toughest division in football, is getting stronger. I said last year that I thought that the Rams would leap frog someone into second place and into the playoffs last season. They've been a tough as nails opponent for us as they match up really well against us, and they have two top 15 draft picks. I think I was only a year behind in my forecast.

My personal attitude has changed somewhat. Last year was filled with anticipation and nervousness as I knew we had SB ability but was waiting for the other shoe to drop, like a cruel joke when someone tricks you into thinking you won the lottery. That feeling is gone, replaced with more of a feeling of curiosity of whether we can repeat rather than the urgency to win our first Lombardi.

As I agree with most of what you say RD, why are we still so hard on Bruce Irvin? So maybe his pass rush skills don't live up to advertisement. He did after all have 8 sacks his Rookie season. Yet most of that came in a game against the Packers. He did show excellent coverage skills for an OLB. That interception in the Rams game was awesome. It wasn't a tipped ball it was thrown on route and Irvin ran the route well.
http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/v ... be8a792249

I am not saying I am completely satisfied with him, but I can't go as far to say he has been a disappointment.

[Agent 86]

I remember being intrigued with the drafting of Jesse Williams. I think his stock fell a bit at the draft, and he was placed on IR last year.

I don't know much about him, but I hope we get to see this year if he has any game.

[RiverDog]

Bowie and Bailey are wild cards for sure, and will more than likely be forced into service whether they're ready or not. This will be a do or die season for James Carpenter as he's in the last year of his contract. It will be interesting to see who they move into Leo with Clemons gone. Bruce Irvin was originally drafted to fill that role but has played it just once. Irvin is a bit of a curiosity, he was supposed to be a 'spinner', but he ended up being used more as a conventional OLB and wasn't in on a lot of passing situations. His playing time towards the end of last season diminished quite rapidly, and he's been a bit of a disappointment so far. This is Year 3 for him, time to put up or shut up.

It was disappointing not to see Christine Michael more than we did. My understanding is that his blocking, or lack of, is what hurt his available playing time. I'm anxious to see how Luke Willson develops. IMO he was one of the bright spots, probably our best contributing rookie on the squad last season. I'll also be curious as to who we use to return punts this season now that Tate has departed. I'm hoping that we do not use Harvin as I think it would constitute an unacceptable injury risk to him. My guess is that we'll probably use Kearse. It will be interesting to see if Rolando Lockette makes the team. He did a pretty good job for us, especially on special teams.

The biggest challenge will be to see if Percy can step up to the plate. With Tate gone, he almost has to or else we could be in deep trouble as we'd be minus the explosive catch-and-run playmaking ability that Tate brought to the table. His presence, or lack of, will determine if teams stack the box against us like they did so often last year.

The NFC West, already the toughest division in football, is getting stronger. I said last year that I thought that the Rams would leap frog someone into second place and into the playoffs last season. They've been a tough as nails opponent for us as they match up really well against us, and they have two top 15 draft picks. I think I was only a year behind in my forecast.

My personal attitude has changed somewhat. Last year was filled with anticipation and nervousness as I knew we had SB ability but was waiting for the other shoe to drop, like a cruel joke when someone tricks you into thinking you won the lottery. That feeling is gone, replaced with more of a feeling of curiosity of whether we can repeat rather than the urgency to win our first Lombardi.

As I agree with most of what you say RD, why are we still so hard on Bruce Irvin? So maybe his pass rush skills don't live up to advertisement. He did after all have 8 sacks his Rookie season. Yet most of that came in a game against the Packers. He did show excellent coverage skills for an OLB. That interception in the Rams game was awesome. It wasn't a tipped ball it was thrown on route and Irvin ran the route well.
http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/v ... be8a792249

I am not saying I am completely satisfied with him, but I can't go as far to say he has been a disappointment.

One simple fact: Top 15 draft pick. That raises the expectations bar considerably.

[HumanCockroach]

SMH. Isn't worth it. RD doesn't like specific players. It's that simple.