douche wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 10:33 pm
BY CAMERON VAN TIL
Seattle Sports
Earlier this month, NFL Network and FOX Sports analyst Peter Schrager tabbed the Seattle Seahawks as potentially being this year’s team that takes a significant leap forward.
He’s not the only expert who shares that view.
What are experts predicting for Seahawks’ 2024 record?
During an appearance on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy this past week, former longtime NFL executive Michael Lombardi said he views the Seahawks as a “sleeper team” this season. Lombardi thinks that with better health and a new coaching staff led by defensive guru Mike Macdonald, Seattle can improve on last year’s 9-8 record.
“I really think Seattle is going to be a sleeper team,” Lombardi said. “I think it’s going to be a tough out for people. I think their talent is better than they performed last year. Defense was the problem. Injuries were the problem. … And yet, (former coach Pete Carroll) still won nine games. And if they beat Pittsburgh (in Week 17), it’s a playoff team.
“But they didn’t, and so now Mike comes in with his scheme and (new offensive coordinator) Ryan Grubb gets to run the offense. And I think that if they play complementary football and (Macdonald) coaches the team not as a defensive coordinator but as a head coach, they’ll have a chance to really improve.”
Lombardi likes the Seahawks’ offense and thinks they have a good collection of talent with quarterback Geno Smith, running back Kenneth Walker III and the receiving trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He viewed the slew of injuries along the offensive line last season – especially the knee issues that sidelined right tackle Abraham Lucas for 11 games and a nagging toe injury that plagued left tackle Charles Cross – as a major reason Seattle was 17th in the NFL in points per game after finishing 10th in 2022.
“I think their (offensive) skill is really good,” Lombardi said. “I think … this is a good offensive team. I think their struggles lined with the fact that Lucas missed a lot of games last year and they had to bring in (41-year-old offensive lineman) Jason Peters off the retirement couch, which made it really challenging.
“I think Geno, if he’s protected, his accuracy is really good,” he added. “His decision-making has really improved. His anticipation is really good. But I think last year he got hit way too much.”