The Seattle Seahawks' date with dynasty detoured when quarterback Russell Wilson's ill-advised throw in the waning moments of Super Bowl XLIX was intercepted by the New England Patriots, the only franchise to carry the dynastic label in the past two decades.
However with their nucleus returning — and some talented new players joining the fold — the Seahawks still have more than a reasonable chance to carve out a place in history as they strive to become the first team to reach the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons since the 1990s Buffalo Bills.
Still, these Seahawks aren't about to start counting any chickens prematurely.
"Every year is a new year, every opportunity is a new opportunity," said Wilson. "When the season ends — whether you win the Super Bowl, don't win it, or whatever — the belief is to continue to do everything you can as a team to prepare so you have a great chance at getting there again. That's our mindset and that is our goal."
Now on hand to help achieve it is three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, acquired in March as part of a package that sent Pro Bowl center Max Unger and a first-round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints. Graham will provide a red-zone receiving threat rarely seen in the Pacific Northwest and is exactly the kind of player who might have enabled a rare Super Bowl repeat last February.
On a personal level, he has never advanced beyond the divisional round and twice saw his Saints vanquished in the playoffs at Seattle's CenturyLink Field. So if you can't beat 'em …
"This place has exceeded my expectations, by far," said Graham. "The players run the team, they hold each other accountable, and everyone competes at everything."
But Seattle isn't devoid of issues.
Several key players are mending from major injuries. Others, notably Wilson and all-pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, need new contracts. And the league's best defense saw some top assistants poached for promotions elsewhere. And, of course, the Super Bowl scars remain.
All problems most organizations would love to have.
"The way our guys have worked, and the dedication that they've demonstrated, and the camaraderie that they've demonstrated makes me think that we're ready to have a great training camp coming back. The things, like always, that happened before we need to leave behind and move forward, and we've done that," said coach Pete Carroll.
"We're ready to go."
Quarterback
Wilson, who's won an unprecedented 42 games in his first three seasons, has been the NFL's biggest bargain after being a third-round pick in 2012. However that's about to change along with Seattle's salary structure once he gets his deserved raise. He says negotiations remain a "private matter" but wants to stay in Seattle. Graham's presence could really boost his stats and value if a new deal is put off until 2016. Though he makes scores of plays with his legs, Wilson continues to progress in the pocket and does a nice job keeping his eyes downfield. And though he'll never forget the Super Bowl INT, he usually does a superb job protecting the ball. Steady Tarvaris Jackson returns as the backup.
Running back
Marshawn Lynch's future in Seattle was a frequent topic of conversation last season. But during the Seahawks' second-half surge, he reminded them who really drives the offense (though apparently not quite enough to command the ball at crunch time in the Super Bowl). But his Lynch-pin role earned a contract extension through the 2017 season. Lynch has rushed for at least 1,200 yards and scored at least a dozen TDs in all four of his full seasons with Seattle and is also a sneaky good outlet receiver. Robert Turbin's hip surgery should give Christine Michael and Thomas Rawls opportunities to shine in preseason.
Wide receiver
Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse make clutch plays, especially in postseason, but are fueled by talk they don't stack up with other starting tandems in the league. Plenty of young talent will push them from within. Rookie slot receiver Tyler Lockett impressed during the offseason. Chris Matthews provides Wilson a 6-5, 218-pound target and will look to build on his breakout performance in the Super Bowl. Speedy Paul Richardson can stretch the field but first has to heal after his rookie season ended with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Ricardo Lockette and Kevin Norwood may have to fight for roster spots.
Tight end
Graham has at least 10 receiving TD in three of the past four seasons. No Seahawk tight end has ever managed double-digit scores in a season, and only two Seattle receivers have managed it in the 21st century. But Graham knows he can't afford to be one-dimensional in a run-first attack. "Personally, I am excited to block," said Graham, who's generated high praise as he melds with his new mates. "I know that's going to help this offense out, and me being a part of that means teams can't stack the box with 10 guys. For me, it's all positive. I can't wait."
Offensive line
Seattle is switching gears inside. Alvin Bailey takes over at left guard for departed James Carpenter. No one will replace Unger, one of the league's top centers. But Lemuel Jeanpierre and Drew Nowak are among the players fighting for the gig. Left tackle Russell Okung is in a contract year.
Defensive line
Versatile Michael Bennett is the key guy on a deep four-man front but isn't happy with a contract he signed a year ago. End Cliff Avril's importance was never more apparent than in the Super Bowl. New England's comeback coincided with a concussion that knocked Avril from the game. Run stuffer Brandon Mebane is coming off a serious hamstring injury that stunted his 2014 season. Tackle Ahtyba Rubin could be a cagey signing. Second rounder Frank Clark was a controversial pick but a great talent. Jesse Williams' career is likely over in light of his battle with cancer and loss of a kidney.
Linebacker
Wagner was so impressive in 2014, he received an MVP vote. The team's midseason swoon last year overlapped with his toe injury. K.J. Wright excels in coverage, while Bruce Irvin tends to be more of a pass rusher. A 2012 first-round pick, Irvin was not happy when Seattle declined to activate his 2016 option.
Secondary
The "Legion of Boom" may one day be regarded as the best secondary in league annals. But none of its key members emerged unscathed from the playoffs. All-pro corner Richard Sherman opted against elbow surgery but plans to ready for training camp. Enforcer Kam Chancellor has convalesced nicely from a medial collateral ligament injury ... though he's also reportedly looking for more dough. However all-pro free safety Earl Thomas, probably the defense's most vital player, is in jeopardy of missing the start of the season following shoulder surgery. Nickelback Jeremy Lane is an even longer shot after breaking his arm and tearing an ACL in the Super Bowl. Newcomer Cary Williams has fit in nicely at right corner opposite Sherman. Look for Will Blackmon and Marcus Burley in sub packages.
Special teams
No concerns in the kicking game. Reliable Steven Hauschka has drilled nearly 88% of his field-goal tries since he began kicking in Seattle's sometimes subpar elements in 2011. Jon Ryan is a highly effective punter but also a weapon on trick plays, including when he's serving as Hauschka's holder. Several players, including Thomas, cycled through return duties in 2014. Lockett may solve that this year. Former Green Beret Nate Boyer is trying to latch on as the long snapper.
Coaching
Carroll took plenty of heat for not putting the ball in Lynch's hands, the call most of America expected would vanquish the Patriots and allow the 'Hawks to keep their crown. But Carroll has moved on, learning from the experience, and continues to foster the competitive environment that's made this organization a juggernaut. Assistant head coach Tom Cable is a wizard when it comes to teaching offensive line play. On defense, coordinator Dan Quinn left to become the Atlanta Falcons' head man, while former linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. is now the Oakland Raiders' defensive coordinator. Carroll promoted defensive backs coach Kris Richard to run a defense that's allowed the fewest points in the league three years running. "If it's not broke, don't fix it," said Richard. "I'm going to keep going to the old adage there. … What we've done around here, we've been pretty successful, so we're going to keep the ball rolling."
