Well, we won’t have to worry about the members of the Seattle Seahawks reading the press clippings and getting a big head this offseason. In what has been a continuing trend this offseason, the defending Super Bowl champions are being pushed aside for other, shiny toys.
This time, it’s Bill Barnwell from ESPN back at it again with his skill position group (running backs, wide receivers, tight ends) rankings, and wouldn’t you know it, he has the Seahawks dead last in the NFC West.
You read that right,
he has the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals (are you freakin’ kidding me??) ALL ahead of the Seahawks who ranked 11th overall. The funny thing is that Barnwell’s introduction included this gem:
“You don’t need a dominant set of playmakers to win the Super Bowl, but it sure helps to have a few along the way. Ask the Seahawks, who had Jaxon Smith-Njigba put the finishing touches on a career season by going for 153 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game.”
He also outlines his criteria which includes wide receivers being weighted more heavily, injury history being considered, and elite players being a focus. Barnwell then goes on to discount the injuries for Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, and George Kittle for the 49ers. Ditto for Davante Adams. As for the Cardinals, Barnwell actually said that if everyone in their lineup meets expectations, they could be No. 1 next year…while hedging his bets by saying that Trey McBride is the only sure thing they have.
Alrighty then!
Distilling down the Seahawks “analysis”, Barnwell believes in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and that’s about it, referring to AJ Barner as “a nice pair of hands.” He also (fairly) talks about Zach Charbonnet’s injury and the question of whether Jadarian Price can shoulder the load.
Overall, it’s a pretty dismissive take on the defending champs. Add it to the old chip-on-the-shoulder pile that’s been building all offseason.
