We may still be several months away from meaningful football, but it's never too early to start examining the bigger storylines in the NFL. One narrative that is especially interesting is the Seattle Seahawks' quest for a third straight Super Bowl appearance and their second championship in three years. Results like that are what dynasties are built on and the Seahawks have a legitimate shot to build one.
That belief is only bolstered by ESPN's roster rankings which lists Seattle in the top spot for the second year in a row.
"The best roster in football belongs to the Seahawks," Sam Monson wrote. "The team, which was littered with injuries at the time, came up one play short of winning back-to-back Super Bowls, and that had more to do with a questionable play call and a fantastic defensive play than any sort of roster weakness.
"The offensive line remains below average at best, but [Russell] Wilson, [Marshawn] Lynch and no [Jimmy] Graham give the Seahawks weapons perfectly suited to make up for any blocking issues, especially when their read-option plays are added into the equation. Lynch broke 130 total tackles last season, including the playoffs, while no other back got near 100.
"The Legion of Boom was very banged up by the end of that Super Bowl, but [Richard] Sherman and [Earl] Thomas remain elite talents, and there are quality players all over the defense. Even free-agent pickup Cary Williams, much maligned in Philadelphia, could have a pretty good year in a defense that puts better talent around him and supports his aggressive play. With the roster in this kind of shape, the Seahawks aren't going anywhere for a while."
Monson is right to point out Seattle's offensive line woes which didn't get any better with the trade of center Max Unger. But the Seahawks went 6-0 when Unger was sidelined by injury last season and Wilson's mobility helps to make up for some shoddy protection. Overall, the Seahawks are too deep and too talented not to be contenders for the foreseeable future.
