In 2011, as I have stated a couple weeks ago, the offense was quite different and not yet proven for success. Quarterback was a big question. We had made the change with a very short time before pre season games started due to the NFL Lockout. Travis Jackson came in seeming to know the system being that he came from Minnesota where the new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell came from. The rest of the offense looked a few pages behind, which was suspected due to the short preparation. At the beginning of the season we had those miscommunications and misunderstandings. But from the game to game, we improved. Then Jackson had an injury to his throwing pectoral muscle and had to sit out a few games. During that time Charlie Whitehurst showed us what he was able to do, and it was not good. It was a relief with Jackson was able to come back into the lineup, even if he was only 75%. In the last half of the season Jackson was able to progressively get healthier and do a better job. Overall I'd give the position a C grade.
At the offensive line positions, for the second straight year in a row, we suffered several injuries. In the beginning of the year we started Okung at LT, Gallery LT, Unger C, Moffit RT, and Carpenter RT. By the end of the year Okung, Moffit, and Carpenter were on the injury reserve. Only Gallery and Unger survived the year, kind of. Even both of these two guys missed a few games here and there. We had a new starting offensive line each game. But I was impressed with how the O line stepped up there aggressiveness this year. I believe credit can be given to Tom Cable for helping the new transformation into a new personality. Overall grade for the offensive line, B-.
Marshawn "Beastmode" Lynch lead the running back core to heights we have not seen in Seattle for some time. For the first time since Shawn Alexander's 2005 Superbowl season performance, Beastmode gave a +1000 yard rushing season. Thanks to a new offense and to new offensive line schemes we were able to see a better run offense, which in years past had really been missing. Justin Forsett and Leon Washington were good different looks on 3rd down or when Marshawn needed a few downs to rest. Between the three of them, I give the running backs a B+ grade.
With the arrival of Sidney Rice from Minnesota, where he played with Jackson for a few years and inside Bevell's offense, we had hoped he would add another big target to our arsenal of wide receivers. Unfortunately he missed several games due to injury. He in fact ended the season on injury reserve. Our 2010 break out kid, Mike Williams also suffered from several injuries and was never able to get on the same page of the offense with Jackson. We did however get a very nice surprise in Doug Baldwin, an undrafted rookie free agent from Stanford. He emerged as the leading receiver coming out of the slot position. He showed maturity in his route running and confidence in his hands. Ben Obomanu both Golden Tate had solid years with good catches and solid performances. Deon Butler came back in the last half of the year from breaking his leg in the end of the 2010 season and showed he can still benefit the team. And in the last 3 games of the year, Ricado Lockett was another great young receiver who showed he can run by any cornerback. He is tall to compliment Rice, Williams and Obomanu at above 6'1". With a solid year even with injuries throughout the receiving core, I give the wide receivers a B grade.
After the lockout finally conceded, we quickly picked up tight end Zach Miller from free agency. Tom Cable coached him in Oakland and gave good input into what he could do for the team. Along with John Carlson, both tight ends have Pro Bowl attributes and I looked forward to seeing double tight end formations throughout the year. But just as every other position on our team, the tight ends suffered injuries. John Carlson did not even get to the season before being placed on the injury reserve list for the whole year. Zach had a few little injuries throughout the year and never allowing him to really get into a rhythm with Jackson and the offense. It also never allowed Bevell to really put in a good tight end scheme into the offense. Anthony McCoy and Cameron Morrah did average jobs in both blocking and routes with catches. Overall I give the tight ends a C grade.
Next week I will go over the defense and what 2011 held in store for that group of players on the Seahawks.
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