If you're going to be bad, be really bad. That might be a good slogan for the Seahawks, as they start the regular season Sunday against the 49ers in San Francisco.
National media predictions say the Seahawks will be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year. KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says that may be a good thing.
Worst team = best draft pick
If the Seahawks end up with the worst record in the NFL this season, that would allow them to have the top pick in next year's draft. They would likely select star quarterback Andrew Luck of Stanford. Art has high praise for Luck.
"He's a guy worth losing for. And that's where the social media campaign has erupted around Seahawks fans called 'Suck for Luck.' Because if the Seahawks are really bad ... they would be among the likeliest to get that No. 1 pick and draft Andrew Luck. And that might be the best way to go."
Luckwas the runner-up for the 2010 Heisman Trophy and many scouts say he's the next John Elway. Andrew Gardiner of USA Today is among those who have written about Luck's talents this year.
Not looking good
Art says you just have to look at the Seahawks' offensive line to know why the forecast is for a losing season.
"They can't protect the passer because they are so young and so new across the offensive line. And Tavaris Jackson has never established himself as an average NFL quarterback."
Art says the Hawks are using Jackson and No. 2 quarterback Charlie Whitehurst as "placeholders" this season. They didn't spend much money on them.
They DID spend money on key players like wide receiver Sidney Rice and tight end Zach Miller in the offseason. But they won't be of much help this year if the quarterback can't get the ball to them.
Lockout took its toll
Art says the lockout shrunk the window for training camps and preseason. That means it's a guessing game for most teams, including the Seahawks, going into the regular season.
"They really don't know what they have until things roll out Sunday. If you judge by the preseason, they don't have much."
You can find Art Thiel's work at Sportspress Northwest.
