Scenario: 2013-2014 NFL Season
Involved: Seattle Seahawks
For this week's Throwback Thursday, I would like to relive a pretty cool roster that had a pretty cool season. Although it is not that old, it still should be recognized. The young 2013-2014 Seattle Seahawks definitly had a season to remember. Led by a bunch of up and coming stars, Seattle made a run for the ages. Although the roster is still pretty much the same, some key players split with the team. Such players made a huge difference last year. Their absences really show, too. Now, I would like to review a roster that has been compared to the '85 Bears.
Quarterback
The Seattle Seahawks selected Russell Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. With the new addition of Matt Flynn, Wilson was supposed to be a backup. Only 5'11", Wilson surprisingly overcame all odds and became the starter. Wilson broke out in 2013, finishing with 3,357 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. A main part of Wilson's game was his ability to extend plays. He also recorded 539 rushing yards. In the Super Bowl, Wilson led his team with 206 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Seahawks have a great, young quarterback for years to come.
Runningback
He's about that action boss. Another no-brain starter was RB Marshawn Lynch. Lynch would have a stellar regular season. Lynch, a perfect power-back, rushed for 1,257 yards on 301 carries. He also totaled 12 rushing and 2 receiving touchdowns. Marshawn would put his team on his back thoughout the playoffs, putting up great numbers. In 3 games, he rushed for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns. Lynch has always been pretty fun to watch, on and off the field.
Wide Receivers
Over the course of the year, the Seahawk receiving corp has changed the most. Percy Harvin and Golden Tate departed from the team. Harvin was out all season with an injury, but left his mark in the playoffs. Harvin was most known for returning the 2nd half kickoff to the house. That was the
knock-out punch, locking up Seattle's first Super Bowl win in franchise history. Tate also contributed in the regular season with 898 receiving yards. That left Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse as role players. They combined for 3 playoff touchdowns. Tate and Harvin would eventually spilt with the team.
Defensive Line
The Seattle Seahawk defense is loved by many. Everyone loves their young and energetic play. It all starts with the pressure up-front. DE's Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett would create pressure off the edge. They would combine for 51 tackles, force 6 fumbles, and sacked the quarterback 16.5 times in the regular season. DT Brandon Mebane would lock down the middle with 45 tackles. In Super Bowl XLVIII, this group did a great job of disrupting Peyton Manning.
Linebackers
Another great aspect of the Seahawk defense are their linebackers. LB's Bruce Irvin, Malcolm Smith, and Bobby Wagner really stepped up in 2013. Irvin and Wagner had done a tremendous job stopping the run all year. Smith was known for intercepting Peyton Manning and returning it for a touchdown. He also won the MVP of the game. All 3 of these young players are still with the team.
Defensive Backs
LOB. Legion. Of. Boom. The tandem of S Kam Chancellor, S Earl Thomas, CB Richard Sherman,
CB Byron Maxwell, and CB Walter Thurmond III were shutting down offenses all season. In 2013, Seattle had one of the deepest secondaries in the league. Sherman was their shutdown corner. Maxwell was shutting down number 2 receivers all year. Thurmond produced as a slot corner. Chancellor was big hitter who came up in the box and basically put the boom in LOB. Thomas was their scrappy hustler. This wrapped up a scary defense. This secondary limited the number 1 offense to 8 points in the Super Bowl last year.
With Super Bowl XLIX approaching, it's time to put up or shut up. Can Seattle prove once again they are not a fluke? Or will Seattle fall to the more experienced New England Patriots? We will just have to wait and find out.
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