NFL: 5 reasons Seattle Seahawks won’t repeat
By Phil Watson
Defections
Seattle lost a lot of players who were key contributors to the Super Bowl run.
On the offensive side, wide receiver Golden Tate led the club with 64 receptions and 898 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with five touchdown catches, while tackle Breno Giacomini started nine games.
Tate is now with the Detroit Lions and Giacomini signed with the New York Jets.
Defensively was where the real story could be told.
The Seahawks lost defensive ends Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond.
Clemons and Bryant both bolted to play for former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley in Jacksonville, while McDonald signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, Browner wound up with the New England Patriots and Thurmond is now with the New York Giants.
Bryant was a 15-game starter who had 17 tackles and 1½ sacks. Clemons started 11 games with 12 tackles, three forced fumbles and 4½ sacks and McDonald had 23 tackles and 5½ sacks from the middle of the line, even though he only made one start.
Browner was limited to eight games because of injuries and a suspension and had one interception and 10 pass breakups. Thurmond started three games and had one pick and seven breakups.
That’s a lot of depth to have to replace.