What's The Plan?

Following the roller coaster of free agency rumors today, one thing jumps out....... where's the defense?

Depending on who you follow/believe.... the Seahawks are close to finalizing deals with OG Robert Gallery and WR Sidney Rice.  These are players who would provide big upgrades at positions of need for the Hawks, but it begs the question, what's the plan?  Why aren't we linked to any defensive players? 

In my mind, the answer is twofold:

A)  Offensively, next year shapes up as one of the best QB drafts in many years, and you can bank on the Hawks taking one of those guys with their first pick.  Kolb wasn't worth dealing a 1st rounder for, and Carroll/Schneider didn't see a franchise guy in the 2011 draft, so the plan is to set up our next franchise QB for long-term success by taking care of things on the offensive side of the ball.  We have devoted the top of our last two drafts to building a nasty, tough, young O-line, and now it looks like Tom Cable-favorite Gallery will be joining the pack.  These guys will open much bigger holes for Lynch, Forsett and Washington to run through.  Rice is the kind of game-breaking, young, #1 receiver we have been seeking for years, and together with Mike Williams gives us an exciting pair of weapons on the outside.  Two years from now, when our starting QB is named Barkley or Luck or Jones or Lindley, he'll be playing behind a big, cohesive line, with a dominant running game to support him, and a couple of big-play receivers to throw to.  This is how you build a successful offense.

B)  Carroll can scheme on defense, and he's shown an afinity for, and an ability to find, undervalued, hungry defensive players (Clemons, Brock, Lewis, Siavii, Brock).  With the glut of free agents available this year, bargains and steals are there to be had.  Carroll also knows that an improved ground game makes the defense better.... keeps them off the field... and shortens the game.  

It's still VERY early, and I'm not predicting that we won't sign any recognizable defensive players.  In fact, word is we are working hard to keep Brandon Mebane, and that's a good start.  We were linked to Ray Edwards earlier this week, but I haven't heard any buzz since then.  It may simply be that The Plan is to set the offense up first, fix the running game, and build a unit that will be conducive to welcoming a young QB in a year or two....... while piecing together what you can on defense, and then throwing all your resources at that side of the ball next offseason. 

Is it the perfect plan?  Only time will tell.  But on the record right now I just want to cast my vote.

I like it.