With the 2016 NFL season now in the books, and the 2017 league year not yet upon us, now is a good time to take a look at where things stand with the Seahawks roster. This week, we continue to take a position-by-position look at the Seahawks, both looking back at the 2016 season and looking ahead to 2017. Today, the focus is on special teams.
2016 Recap
The Seahawks did plenty of good things on special teams in 2016. Jon Ryan had his best net average (39.3 yards per punt) since 2012; there were standouts on kick and punt coverage units, most notably Cassius Marsh and newcomers Neiko Thorpe, Dewey McDonald, Brandon Williams and DeAndre Elliott; and when healthy, Tyler Lockett was good enough to earn second-team All-Pro honors as a returner. But those positives were somewhat overshadowed by some uncharacteristic struggles in the kicking game, and in particular on extra points. While Steven Hauschka was solid as usual on field goals, he missed or had blocked six extra point attempts. Not all of those misses were Hauschka's fault—there were some errant snaps, as well as pressure that led to blocks on some—but as Seahawks coach Pete Carroll noted, Hauschka "had gotten a little stink with kicking the extra points."
On a more positive note, Hauschka finished the season strong, making all four field goal attempts and four of five extra points in the postseason.
"I was really excited that he finished the season on a good note and he hit everything that he had a chance to hit, because he knew he was up against it, he knew he needed to show that," Carroll said. "I wish it would have happened a few weeks earlier, just so he could have had more weeks to bank on that. Hauschka is a really good kicker that got in a little bit of a rut with the extra points. He's come through for us a lot of times and been a big-play guy for us, so I outwardly commended him about showing that he's back and he's on it by the way he finished, and I thought that was pretty good."
Notable Number: 9
The Seahawks signed cornerback Neiko Thorpe following their season opener in large part because they thought the former Oakland Raider could help on special teams, and he came through in a big way, leading the team in special teams tackles with nine. It was second time in as many years that the Seahawks added a defensive back in September who would go on to lead the team in special teams tackles, with Kelcie McCray accomplishing the same feat in 2015 after coming to Seattle in a trade with Kansas City.
Offseason Outlook
The Seahawks got an early start on their special teams offseason work, signing former Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh last week. While the new league year has yet to begin, the Seahawks were able to sign Walsh because he was released by the Vikings during the season and finished the year as a free agent. Hauschka is set to become an unrestricted free agent when the year begins, and while he could re-sign, Walsh's addition signals that there will be a competition and possibly change at a position that has remained the same since Hauschka became the Seahawks kicker in 2011.
There are also a number players who have been big contributors on special teams who are headed to free agency, including Thorpe, McCray, Williams and Mike Morgan.
As is always the case when it comes to adding young talent in the draft and free agency, the Seahawks will be looking for players who can not only help on offense or defense, but also contribute on special teams.
What The Future Holds
Walsh has a strong résumé—last year's struggles notwithstanding—including Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2012, but even if Hauschka isn't back, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Seahawks have more than one kicker in camp to compete for the job. There could also to be a battle for the long-snapping job between Nolan Frese and Tyler Ott, who was signed late in the season when Frese was injured. With Tyler Lockett recovering from a broken leg that required surgery, the Seahawks could also look to find a player or players who can handle return duty if Lockett isn't ready for a full-time workload at the start of the season.
RELATED
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Wide Receiver
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Offensive Line
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Cornerback
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Defensive Line
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Quarterback
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Safety
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Running Back
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Linebacker
- Offseason Position Breakdown: Tight End
The best photos from team photographer Rod Mar's behind-the-scenes 'Eye on the Hawks' photo blog from the Seattle Seahawks' 2016 NFL season.
At 12:15, the defensive backs, led by Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, left the locker room an headed to the field, passing a large 12 flag signed by fans.
The Seahawks players and coaches linked arms in a pregame display of unity during the playing of the national anthem. From left are defensive coordinator Kris Richard, cornerback Richard Sherman, head coach Pete Carroll and defensive backs coach Andre Curtis.
Now in uniform, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin prepare to take the field for pregame warmups.
Quarterback Russell Wilson surveys the field looking for an open receiver.
Head coach Pete Carroll walks on the grass of the Coliseum, site of many of his memorable victories as coach of the U.S.C. Trojans. In the background (from left) are assistant line coach Pat Ruel, receivers coach Dave Canales, special teams assistant Chad Morton and assistant strength coach Jamie Yanchar. All were with Carroll at U.S.C. as coaches, except for Morton who played for Carroll from 1996-1999.
It's less than ten minutes from kickoff and the Seahawks fill the hallway of the locker room, ready to take on the Rams.
Quarterback Russell Wilson emerges from smoke and fog as he prepares to be introduced during pregame.
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett stops to sign a young fan's jersey after walk-thru on Saturday.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll smiles after a Christine Michael touchdown in the fourth quarter extended Seattle's lead to 24-10.
Frank Clark sweats during a pregame workout as he and trainers assessed his fitness to play after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the week.
Quarterback Russell Wilson throws a pass during the offensive unit's brief walk thru in a hotel ballroom.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam methodically tapes his fingers before taking the field.
An hour before kickoff, the Seahawks defensive backs including DeAndre Elliott, Jeremy Lane and Kam Chancellor and receivers coach Dave Canales prepared to take the field for pregame warmups.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Carson Went greeted each other at midfield.
Once on the plane for the trip to Seattle, linemen Mark Glowinski and Germain Ifedi were already reviewing game video with line coach Tom Cable.
Seahawks including Kelcie McCray (left), Russell Wilson and others salute receiver Tyler Lockett who finished off his 75-yard touchdown with a basketball celebration in the end zone.
Just before 10am, safety Earl Thomas arrives for work in a pink overcoat as the Seahawks honored Breast Cancer Awareness month during the game by wearing pink accessories with their uniforms.
Seahawks head coach speaks with Atlanta head coach and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn after the hard-fought contest.
Kevin Pierre-Louis sports a holiday sweater featuring the "Crying Jordan" meme as he heads to the bus for the trip to Green Bay in Week 14.
Seahawks players cast long shadows in the late October sun as they walk to the airplane for the flight back to Seattle.
Head coach Pete Carroll address the team in the quiet locker room after the game.
Bobby Wagner gets ready to run out of the tunnel during introductions.
Michael Bennett leads a cheer as the team celebrates in the locker room after the game.
The defensive backs get pumped in their pregame circle.
A member of the military helps hold the American flag aloft during the playing of the national anthem prior to kickoff.
Seattle receiver Tyler Lockett signals to the crowd as he is helped to a cart to be taken off the field after injuring his leg in the second quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin kneels and prays in the end zone after his touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Waiting at midfield was a table with memorabilia from their relationship and a marriage proposal from Brock. She said yes, as friends and family watched from afar.
As light snow falls, Jeron Johnson uses his camera phone to record himself, Kam Chancellor and Mike Morgan as they prepare to board the Delta charter.
The weather was much milder upon landing in San Jose as Michael Bennett descends the stairs from the aircraft.
Back in the locker room Jarran Reed gets ready in the final moments before the team left the locker room for kickoff.
Defensive end Frank Clark corrals the loose ball.
At game's end head coaches Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll met at midfield.
Free safety Earl Thomas returned to CenturyLink Field for the first time since injuring his leg, and he joined his Legion of Boom teammates outside the locker room for their pregame huddle.
Cornerback DeShawn Shead walks through fog and lasers as he waits for his name to be called during pregame introductions.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman offers a wave and a smile to the media during his postgame press conference.
Between quarters, former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was spotted talking to teammates on the sidelines including Michael Bennett.
Safety Kam Chancellor fires up the team as they circle around him moments before taking the field for kickoff.
Michael Bennett lets out a yell with teammates at the end of their postgame gathering in the locker room after the win.
Seahawks players board the Delta charter on a sunny autumn Friday for the cross-country trip to New Jersey for the game against the New York Jets.
