All season long, armchair quarterbacks have done their best to solve the Seahawks' problems. Now that the season is over, those armchair quarterbacks have become general managers as they start to address offseason needs for the Hawks. So in a game of take it or leave it, let's play.
Jimmy Graham: Leave it
Graham's contract expired at the end of the season. No need to bring him back. For his $10 million salary, Graham finished with just 520 yards receiving, ranking him 17th among tight ends. He also finished second among all receivers in dropped passes. He did lead all tight ends with 10 touchdowns, but that's hardly the red zone threat the Hawks envisioned for $10 million. Graham virtually disappeared in the last four games, catching just five passes for a paltry 47 yards and one touchdown. Was it all his fault? No. Maybe the Hawks just never figured out how to use him and his 6 foot 7 inch, 265-pound frame, but a guy that big should at least know how to block.
Darrell Bevell: Take it
Bevell took a lot of heat for his play calling and the weekly slow starts from his offense. There's plenty of blame to go around on that side of the ball, but a good running game can make a guy like Bevell look like an offensive wizard. Unfortunately, he didn't have much of an arsenal, including a corps of running backs that collectively resembled a pop gun.
Tom Cable: Leave it
The Seahawks' offensive line coach has been on Pete Carroll's staff since 2011. He's had seven years to develop the line, which averaged fifth in the NFL in run blocking until two years ago when it finished 26th. This season, the Hawks finished 31st -- second to last in run blocking. It doesn't matter if you coach the O-line, the D-line, special teams or if you're the head coach. When things start to head south, sometimes players just need to hear a different voice, a different approach to their craft. That time has come for the offensive line.
The Richardsons: Take them, if you can afford them.
Sheldon Richardson proved he could be a force on the defensive line and he just turned 27 years old. Paul Richardson evolved into a big play threat this season and ranked second on the team with 703 receiving yards, behind only Doug Baldwin. Both Richardsons are worth keeping, but the price may be too high for both, or even one..
Blair Walsh: Leave it
As a former kicker, I know the demons can get you. Walsh was possessed in the worst way, finishing second to last in field goal accuracy. Nice guy, but the one-year experiment failed. Here's hoping a change of scenery does him good.
And lastly, Cliff Avril, Kam Chancellor, and Richard Sherman. Even if Cliff and Kam are healthy enough to resume their careers, could they become salary cap casualties? What about Sherman? He's scheduled to make $11 million next season, but he's coming off surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles. With a four to six month recovery, does he figure into the team's plans?
Bottom line: the Seahawks have written some big checks on the defensive side of the ball. It's been worth every penny, but it's time to share the wealth. Eight of the top 10 scoring offenses are in the playoffs. Amazingly, the Hawks somehow finished 11th in scoring. They seemed to do it with smoke, mirrors and a magician, but it's time to stop relying on one guy pulling a rabbit out of his hat.
