By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Mike Macdonald,” We are a different team.”

The NFL’s new fiscal season began on March  12th, and from that date, the Seahawks coaching staff began their quest for a Super Bowl repeat. The quest to repeat, according to head coach Mike Macdonald, begins with embracing an evolution mentality.  The team that won last year’s Super Bowl cannot be the same team searching for back-to-back Super Bowl wins.  

“We’re a new team, and we have to rebecome the team that we’re destined to be,” Macdonald said. “There’s a lot of new pieces, and I think that’s where the focus is. OK, how can we get those ground elements back to where we want them? What’s a better way within our process? How can we do Phase One better? How can we do Phase Two—even though we’re going to alter the schedule a little bit—how can we do those things the best we can and take those things to the next level?”

FINDING AN IDENTITY

As with everything Macdonald does, he will be seeking input from players and coaches on creating a new team identity.

“ I’ve already talked to some of the guys about it, and they’re great. The guys are awesome, and they know what we need to do. We’re working through those things; it’s not like you have the definitive meeting—no, it’s this is our mentality on how we want to approach it. We’ll work through it,’ said Macdonald. “ It’s not just me saying it, our coaches have an influence, and we’ll figure out ways for guys to talk—we’ll do walk and talks or whatever—we’ll figure out ways for the guys to really make it their journey again so we can all be on the same page moving forward.”

MAJORITY OF THE TEAM WILL RETURN

The Seahawks lost five players in free agency, which means the nucleus of the team will return.  Gone are cornerback Riq Woolen, safety Cobby Bryant, running back Kenneth Walker, outside linebacker Boye Mafe, and receiver Dareke Young.  Of the five players, Dareke Young was not a regular starter during the team’s Super Bowl run.  The loss of the four starters led many outsiders to create a narrative that the Seahawks had slid to non-contender status for the upcoming season. Not that General Manager John Schneider and Macdonald pay attention to what is said about their team. The two have always been in lockstep regarding talent evaluation.

RETENTION OF IN-HOUSE TALENT



The first move by Schneider and  Macdonald after letting the five players walk was to retain key in-house free agents and bring in complementary players. Re-signed were wide receivers Rashid Shaheed, Jake Bobo,  cornerback  Josh  Jones, safety  D’Anthony  Bell, tight end   Brady Russell, offensive lineman Josh Jones, linebacker Drake Thomas, long snapper Chris Still, defensive back A.J. Finley, and nose tackle  Brandon Pili.   Major additions to the roster were safety Rodney Thomas II, running back Emanuel Wilson, and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene.

SHORT OFF-SEASON MEANS   SEAHAWKS HAVE TO BE CREATIVE

Winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal in the NFL. Once the dust has settled and celebrations give way to the business at hand, the winners of the coveted trophy have to deal with a shortened offseason.  Macdonald and Schneider have created a plan they hope will balance veterans getting the rest they need and newcomers and rookies getting a substantial immersion in the Seahawks’ way of operating.

“It was a shorter offseason, so I just felt like the guys needed a standard amount of time away from the building, so we’re kind of tiering it, what we had planned out for them to come back during the offseason,” Macdonald said. “Guys that didn’t really play through that whole playoff push, young guys we’re trying to develop, or guys that are injured that we’re trying to get extra hands on, we’ll ask them to come back a little bit earlier, then the other guys will be remote for the first two weeks. Then, starting with phase two, we’re hoping to get everyone back in the building and rolling, then we go from there.”

Discover more from Cascadiasports.net

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply