Seattle Seahawks Wrap-Up and Free Agency: How Good Are the Defensive Starters?

The week after Wild Card weekend can be difficult for fans of teams that will be drafting in the first 20 spots the following April. The can also be full of optimism, pondering where there team stands and what they can do in free agency and the draft to make the playoffs next season.

Over the coming days, weeks and months, Bleacher Report will be dissecting and analyzing what the Seahawks can do to take back the top spot in the NFC West.

Pete Carroll's vision of competing in the NFL is mixing a big, fast, stifling defense with a conservative offense based on the run game and ball control. He took over a Seattle Seahawks team and led them to the playoffs in 2010 even though they failed to meet any of those goals.

Most analysts felt the 2011 team was going to be far from reaching those targets as well.

Early in the season, Seattle was attempting to prove them right.

The Seahawks surrendered 57 points in their first two games. It could have been much more if the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't shut down their offense in the second half of their Week 2 meeting.

However, there is more to the story. A special teams collapse contributed to 14 of those points in Week 1. The Seahawks were still working through personnel issues; this was exacerbated by losing two key special teams contributors to injury early in the game.

There were improvements thereafter, though it was clouded under a 2-6 start to the season. But the rookies were learning the NFL, and the new bodies on offense were beginning to gel.

After predicting a 5-3 finish to the season, many Seahawks fans called me overly optimistic. The fans of the San Francisco 49ers weren't quite so kind.

Seattle went on to win four of their next five games, much of that based on the play of their defense. They even took playoff hopes into Week 16.

Losing the last two games didn't end their postseason goal; the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons did that...not to mention key losses earlier in the season. 

The offense will need to be upgraded in the offseason, and a piece on that will follow next week. These pieces will also frame forthcoming discussions on free agency and draft needs, as well as supporting my initial full mock draft for the Seahawks.

Free agency will be important for Seattle, as they have 18 of their own bodies to deal with. Bleacher Report will publish a run-down on those players on Wednesday, including what steps Seattle should take for each. Seattle looks to be developing a "keep them here" philosophy with their talented young players, which will certainly be part of the analysis.

Chris Clemons, DE: 51 Tackles, 11 Sacks, 3 Forced Fumbles, 5 Passes Defended

2010 Season

Chris Clemons had what many believed was a career year in 2010. After logging eight sacks in 2007 with the Oakland Raiders, he had just seven in two full seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Clemons had 11 sacks last season and 49 tackles.

2011 Expectations

While some were concerned that Clemons' 2010 season was an anomaly, the team and fans expected him to continue to pressure the quarterback. A fair projection would have called for 10 sacks and 45 tackles along with a bevy of quarterback hits and pressures.

2011 Performance

Pete Carroll saw Clemons' quickness and size (6'3", 254 lbs.) as a good fit for his "Leo" pass-rusher. He was spot-on, as Clemons has shown his 2010 resurgence was no fluke. Clemons is routinely harassing opposing quarterbacks and is on pace to match his 2010 sack total.

Clemons was also named the NFC defensive player of Week 11. He only had three tackles in the game, but all three were sacks. He forced two fumbles and deflected another pass that was intercepted by Red Bryant.

Clemons showed 2010 wasn't a fluke, nearly matching his production from last season. The issue, though, is he had little consistent help getting to the quarterback.

2012 will be the final year on Clemons' contract. It will be interesting to see if Seattle makes a move to keep a 31-year-old defensive end or if Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will be ready to turn the position to the oft-injured Dexter Davis.

Red Bryant, DE: 32 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 Tackles for Loss, 2 INT, 4 Blocked Kicks

2010 Season

The loss of Red Bryant last season demonstrated the biggest weakness of the 2010 Seahawks...a marked lack of depth. Prior to his Week 7 injury, Bryant was a disrupting force in Seattle's rush defense. 

2011 Expectations

Bryant's return was highly anticipated by the Seahawks and their fans. He was expected to help return Seattle's run defense to a dominant unit. There were few expectations of him contributing in pass defense, though.

2011 Performance

Bryant combines nose tackle size (6'4", 323 lbs.) with defensive end quickness. He routinely shuts down half of the offensive line, which allowed the Seahawks to move Brandon Mebane back to the one technique.

Quite simply, Bryant has brought swagger back to the Seahawks run defense. They were a top-five run unit prior to Bryant's injury in 2010, but ended the season 15th with an average of 4.2 yards per carry.

Seattle cut a half-yard off that average in 2011, returning them to the top-five in the NFL.

Bryant's best play of the season wasn't in run defense, though. It was his interception against St. Louis. Dropping back into coverage, he snagged a tipped pass and rambled across the field. Fans were pulling for him to find the end zone, as were the astute fantasy players that added the Seahawks Defense at midseason, but Bryant came up a bit short. OK...he only gained five yards.

Still, the play demonstrated his athleticism, as did his four blocked kicks. Bryant would later find the end zone following an interception in Chicago.

Bryant's biggest weakness is his inability to pressure the quarterback. Instead, he routinely pressures a bench and a water bottle on passing downs.

Seattle will have a dilemma on draft Thursday. Do they look at an impact offense player or perhaps address their pass rush issue? Given the need for long-term planning on getting to opposing quarterbacks, they may very well opt for the latter, finding a player to rotate in with Bryant in the short-run.

Raheem Brock, DE: 28 Tackles, 3.0 Sacks, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 Forced Fumble

2010 Season

Raheem Brock was a pleasant surprise in Seattle's run to the playoffs. He was a solid pass rusher, registering 9.0 sacks to go with 28 tackles.

2011 Expectations

Brock was a borderline signing for the 2011 season. It appeared the team was looking to find a youthful pass rusher to rotate with Red Bryant in passing situations.

It isn't fair to Brock to say Seattle settled for him, but it is at least accurate to say the 33-year-old may not have been their first choice. Still, fans and coaches were hoping Seattle's system would allow a command performance for a player who had averaged just 3.5 sacks in his eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

2011 Performance

While it didn't show up in stats as much as it could have, Brock did help with quarterback pressure. However, he had difficulty finishing plays. Quarterbacks seemed to be able to step up into the pocket without finding a defensive tackle and were also able to move around the edge on Brock.

It was clear that Brock wasn't able to command his 6'4", 274 lb. frame as well as he had the prior season. Seattle will certainly look for a youthful pass rusher to replace the free agent.

Anthony Hargrove, DE/DT: 18 Tackles, 3.0 Sacks, 2 Tackles for Loss

2010 Season

Anthony Hargrove spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the New Orleans Saints. After posting 5.0 sacks in their Super Bowl season, he had just one in 2010.

2011 Expectations

Hargrove was a late addition to the Seahawk roster. The Philadelphia Eagles released him in their final roster cut, and Seattle added him just prior to the season opener in San Francisco.

There were few expectations for Hargrove, but he failed to even reach those in his first game. 

2011 Performance

As the season progressed, it was easy to see what GM John Schneider and Pete Carroll saw in Hargrove. He has the speed and drive to cover a large chunk of the field and is a solid tackler. He emphasizes the hard-nosed brand of football the Seahawks have begun to embrace.

Hargrove had a "breakout" game in just his second week in Seattle. While three tackles aren't exactly impressive, it was the manner in which he made them. He was in the backfield on one play, only to release downfield and make a tackle well downfield. 

He followed that up with an impressive display against the New York Giants. He routinely blew up the offensive line, highlighted by his tackle of D.J. Ware for a five-yard loss...and a safety.

At just 28 years of age, Hargrove should fit into Seattle's plans going forward. He is the "Energizer Bunny" of this unit, and his ability to play any position on the defensive line adds to his value.

It will be crucial for Seattle to find a way for him to apply pressure on the quarterback, though, be it from the middle of the line or at defensive end.

Alan Branch, DT: 34 Tackles, 3.0 Sacks, 2 Tackles for Loss, 2 Passes Defensed

2010 Season

Alan Branch spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. He had two sacks in each of his prior two seasons and was a solid run defender.

2011 Expectations

Branch was a solid free agent addition for the Seahawks. The fact that they were able to steal him away from a division rival made it all the better.

He was expected to be a solid force in the middle of the line.

2011 Performance

Branch shared time with Clinton McDonald (35 TKL, 0 Sacks, 1 FR) playing next to, and spelling, Brandon Mebane. McDonald was acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the maligned Kelly Jennings.

The two were big in run defense but were not active in getting to the passer. Seattle needs to find a tackle that can get a little bigger push up the middle.

There is room in the rotation to add a player through the draft or free agency while keeping Branch and McDonald on the roster. 

Seattle was fortunate to upgrade their line with both of these competitors, but they need a little more push up the middle...or at least a DT that can keep the quarterback in the pocked for the defensive ends to finish.

Brandon Mebane, DT: 56 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 7 Tackles for Loss, 1 Pass Defensed

2010 Season

Brandon Mebane was the heart of the defensive line in 2010, but his move from the inside defensive tackle didn't pay the dividends the Seahawks had hoped. He was still a solid run-stopper, but his tackle count dipped below three a game with just 31 in 12 games. He had 49 tackles in 15 games from the one-technique in 2009.

Mebane also continued to struggle with quarterback pressure. He had 5.5 sacks in 2008, but has only had 2.5 over the last three seasons. 

2011 Expectations

Re-signing Mebane was a priority for the Seahawks. Several teams were interested in his services, but the Seahawks had different plans for him. The intent was to surround him with other hard-nosed run stoppers and make them one of the best run-stoppers in the NFL.

Mebane was expected to hit the 50-tackle mark, and most believed he would tally at least 2.5 sacks.

2011 Performance

The run-stopping ability is certainly there with Mebane. At times, it feels like he and Red Bryant can take care of an entire offensive line by themselves. 

However, it is difficult to say Mebane was superior to the other interior linemen. Seattle used a rotation and didn't seem to be lacking when Mebane was out of the lineup. This is mostly because the rest of the talent has been upgraded, but Seattle didn't get the dominating performances from Mebane that they'd seen in seasons past.

There is no doubt that Mebane is one of the better run-stoppers in the NFL, but he will not get put into the mix of elite interior linemen until he is able to be a solid three-down contributor that generates at least a few sacks per season.

Mebane will likely have at least four more years in Seattle to fix the issue. He is an example of how the new Seahawks front office plan to keep their own players in-house, signing a five-year, $25 million contract in the offseason.

Mebane figures to be a major component of their defense during that time. 

K.J. Wright, OLB: 50 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 8 TFL, 1 FF, 1 Fumble Recovery

2010 Season

K.J. Wright was finishing his career at Mississippi State in 2010.

2011 Expectations

The expectations of Wright were few entering the 2010 season. Seattle selected him in the fourth round, prompting analysts to call it yet another wasted pick for a Seattle team that already had Aaron Curry and David Hawthorne. 

The coaching staff had different expectations of Wright, seeing him as a guy that can play outside or in the middle. It seems as though they saw a reliable tackler with good size that could replace Curry in the starting lineup.

2011 Performance

It took Wright all of one game to find the starting lineup for Seattle, replacing an injured Hawthorne in the first game of the season. He quickly demonstrated what Seattle saw in him when drafting him 99th overall.

Wright showed good instincts, which was an area of concern for him coming out of college. It is possible that he was even better in the middle than at outside linebacker, which could pose some interesting mini-camp rotations during the offseason. Pete Carroll has stated he wants to see more speed at the linebacker position, and with two of his three starters lacking speed and scheduled to be free agents, Seattle has the potential to make it happen.

Wright's versatility gives Carroll and Co. a lot of options at linebacker. 

Leroy Hill, OLB: 89 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 4 Tackles for Loss, 1 Forced Fumble

2010 Season

Leroy Hill missed the 2010 season due to injury.

2011 Expectations

While Hill had injury issues over the prior two seasons, most didn't expect Hill to return due to off-field issues. In a few preseason summaries on Seattle's free agency needs, I "warned" Seahawks fans to prepare for Hill's return, believing he could be a solid contributor at outside linebacker for the Seahawks.

2011 Performance

Hill was solid around the line of scrimmage and in the opponent's backfield. His 89 tackles were three short of his second-year total, but good for fourth on the team. He was a pleasant surprise for those that thought his days, or at least productive ones, were over in Seattle.

Hill will turn 30 early in the 2012 season, and his speed has been an issue in pass protection. One of the biggest issues with Seattle's defense is their difficulties covering tight ends and receivers in passing routes. Much of that falls on Hill's shoulders.

Hill was solid for Seattle in 2011, but will that be enough for his return next season? More on that in Wednesday's article.

David Hawthorne, MLB: 115 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 7 TFL, 6 PD, 3 INT, 1 TD

2010 Season

David Hawthorne followed his breakout 2009 season with another solid showing last season. He had 106 tackles but failed to register a sack. Instead, he forced three fumbles, recovered one and added five pass defenses to his interception.

2011 Expectations

Hawthorne was expected to challenge Lofa Tatupu for the starting middle linebacker position, but most saw him playing on the outside in 2011. It became clear to the coaching staff that Tatupu's injuries had gotten the best of him, though, and that Hawthorne would take over at the middle linebacker spot this season.

There was no reason to expect less than 100 tackles and for Hawthorne to be a disrupting force in the passing game.

2011 Performance

After missing the first game, it was clear that Hawthorne didn't want to give Wright too much time to show what he could do at middle linebacker. 

Hawthorne played the rest of the season, leading Seattle in tackles for the third-straight year. He has eclipsed the 100-mark in each of those years.

Hawthorne has shown adequate skills leading the defense, but it is possible he isn't the best middle guy on the team. He is versatile and adds a solid element to the defense.

Nicknamed "Heater" by Tatupu, he lacks typical NFL size and speed. He makes up for it with determination and effort.

"

Nothing has ever been given to me. Coming in, you’re always kind of playing behind the Eight Ball a little bit. So that motto, ‘Earn Everything’? That’s not a motto when it comes to me. That’s my logo.

David Hawthorne on being an undrafted free agent

"

With the emphasis Seattle is putting on speed, it is hard to say if Hawthorne's intangibles will be enough for Seattle to out-bid potential suitors for his services in 2012. They have been enough to make Hawthorne to heart of this defense, though.

Brandon Browner, CB: 54 Tackles, 23 Passes Defended, 6 INT, 220 Ret Yards, 2 TDs

2010 Season

Brandon Browner spent the last four seasons playing for the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders. He was third in the league with five interceptions 

2011 Expectations

This answer will vary greatly depending on whom one asks. I mentioned Browner several times in the offseason as a reason why Seattle might not need to use a first-round pick on Jimmy Smith.

Others saw Browner as an NFL-flunky that wouldn't make the final roster in Seattle. 

2011 Performance

Browner is the Pro Bowl's first alternate for NFC cornerbacks. 

For some, that might be in the "enough said" category. However, considering Browner's start to the season, that isn't nearly enough.

Browner showed he could cover NFL receivers in the preseason. It was amazing to see this large, imposing body sticking right next to talented receivers. It was clear very soon that Seattle made an incredible find and the right decision to ignore the position early in the draft.

The problem was a cornerback with no NFL experience or pedigree shouldn't be staying THAT close to top receivers. There was often some contact, and he was flagged early and often for it.

Through the first few weeks, many didn't believe Browner deserved to be starting for "the worst secondary in the NFL," as some called it. He still hadn't learned just how little contact the NFL would allow, and officials didn't think he should be so close to receivers without holding onto them.

As Browner learned NFL officiating, officials also learned how good he is. Flags diminished and interception return yards kept adding up.

With the top two seeds in the NFC holding a spot at cornerback in Hawaii, Browner could be making his first Pro Bowl appearance in his "first year" in the NFL.

Richard Sherman, CB: 10 Starts, 55 Tackles, 17 Passes Defended, 4 INT

2010 Season

Richard Sherman was playing for Jim Harbaugh and the Stanford Cardinal. He seemed like a logical pick for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 NFL draft, but they opted for Chirs Culliver instead. 

Passing on Sherman was Harbaugh's second biggest mistake in his first season in the NFL.

His biggest mistake…well, he plays on the opposite side of the ball from Sherman in Seattle.

2011 Expectations

None. Seriously...he was expected to see some time in special teams, but he was a third-string corner at the break of training camp. He was depth and a project that Seattle thought could be a good starter in a few seasons.

NFL draft analysts use Seattle's pick of Sherman as part of the fuel for torching Seattle's draft as one of the worst of 2011. Evidently, Seattle either needed to look at the cornerback position earlier or not at all.

There is a reason why most analysts work for media outlets and not NFL teams.

2011 Performance

Sherman has to be one of the biggest surprises in the NFL. He isn't a surprise to his coaches, and on a Seahawk team that features several undrafted free agents making big contributions, the efforts of a starting fifth-round selection get a little lost in the headlines.

Sherman took over for Marcus Trufant and Walter Thurmond in Week 7 after both were lost for the season to injury. It will be tough for the former Pro Bowl CB to take back his starting position...and by tough, I mean almost impossible.

Sherman's performances over his time as a starter extrapolate to Pro Bowl-caliber numbers. In a late-season poll, a little over five percent of respondents felt Sherman was the best member of the Seahawks secondary.

While that may not sound impressive, keep in mind the other three will be in the Pro Bowl this season if the Green Bay Packers make the Super Bowl.

Earl Thomas, FS: 69 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 INT, 6 Passes Defended

2010 Season

Earl Thomas came into his rookie season with great expectations. He certainly lived up to them, posting five interceptions, defending seven passes and posting 64 tackles.

2011 Expectations

Players are expected to become more productive each season, particularly early in their NFL career. Given Thomas' youth (he was just 20 years old when drafted), he was expected to see marked improvement in year two.

Total tackles for a free safety are hard to judge, as much relies on schemes and the talent of the front seven. Certainly, 65-75 is a reasonable expectation for Thomas, while a half-dozen interceptions should be an annual goal.

2011 Performance

If David Hawthorne is the heart of the Seahawks defense, the respectable choir boy from Orange, TX is certainly its soul.

A player's performance can't always be registered in their statistics. Thomas was afforded more options in 2010, as teams weren't prepared for his speed and playmaking abilities.

The 2011 season forced teams to game-plan around Thomas. The problem is, they also had to scheme around the other three starters in the secondary.

It didn't often work out well for opposing offensive coordinators.

Thomas was a disruptive force in the run game, using great instincts and speed to get to rushers that made it to the linebackers. While some accused Thomas of not being a solid tackler coming out of Texas, he has spent the last two seasons proving them wrong.

The Earl of Orange did see his interception total drop in 2011, but this is more a result of teams avoiding Thomas. The coaches aren't likely concerned, though, as the team posted 22 picks on the season. Seattle had just 12 interceptions in 2010.

Thomas has taken ownership of the defense and looks to be the next great safety in the NFL. Well, free safety, that is, as it is hard to say if he is even the best safety on his own team.

Kam Chancellor, SS: 97 Tackles, 1.0 Sacks, 3 FF, 1 FR, 4 INT, 12 Pass Defended

2010 Season

Kam Chancellor was the backup strong safety, learning the position to veteran Lawyer Milloy. He had 23 tackles to go with a sack, two forced fumbles and one pass defended. 

2011 Expectations

There was some concern for Seattle at the strong safety position in 2011. It seemed clear that Milloy wasn't going to return, which meant there would be a distinct lack of veteran leadership in Seattle's defense and secondary.

For many, the expectations for a mostly untested Chancellor was to not give up too many big plays and hurt the team. 

Pete Carroll and Chancellor deserve a lot more credit.

2011 Performance

Some might say I've saved the best for last. As alluded to in the prior slide, it is difficult to peg which is even the best safety on this squad, let alone defensive back or best defensive player.

That is good news for the Seahawks, though. In the poll mentioned on Richard Sherman's slide, Chancellor received about 26 percent of the vote as the Seahawks' strongest member of the secondary (Earl Thomas was the clear leader with 61 percent).

Chancellor has earned the name Bam-Bam, while some still refer to him as Kam-Bam. His amazing blend of size and speed makes him a threat to receivers going across the middle of the field, and many have learned how quickly he can close...although the velocity of his hits might have made a few forget exactly what happened on the play.

Chancellor was fined in consecutive weeks for blows to the head. I had mentioned a concern with how that might impact his game headed into Week 12, as his reckless abandon is part of what makes him so dangerous.

There did seem to be a difference in his ferocity, particularly in the following week vs. the Washington Redskins.

Any lingering concerns with Chacnellor's ferocity dissipated as the season concluded.

Chancellor will certainly be seen as the enforcer of this secondary. His ability to close on the run game is impressive for any safety, but to bring his size, speed and instincts from the strong safety position is rare indeed.

Getting him in the fifth round of the NFL draft makes him another gem from John Schneider and Carroll and provides insight on how a unit that was one of the worst in the NFL from 2008-10 is now in the top 10.