They could very easily be a vastly improved team ,but not be much better record wise. I think one thing allot of people forget is the amazingly lucky Geno Smith! He had a Great lucky(?) record when it came to interceptions, how they happened or didn't and why! I don't remember the exact numbers -(was brought up on both Sport Radio stations)But without a doubt he was the luckiest QB in the NFL last season. By a wide margin! So,if he improves , just a bit with his decision making and doesn't fall into the "unlucky category" and IF Seattle improves a bit on the O-line which they should (especially if they draft properly) then with an improved Defense which we all believe it will be, after FA and the draft then it falls on GENO! to be smart! and should lead to an 11-6 record. Hopefully---
Wow is it too early to talk about the schedule! For example this time last year we'd have seen the Ravens as an almost certain loss, currently that's an almost certain win. Giants would have been a certain win, now that's a scrappy tough game. Rams would be an 0-2 prediction, now rightly it's 2-0. Way way too much up in the air on even "settled" teams like the Eagles and Bengals and 49ers to think about what results we can get.
Yes if this was the '22 teams we played in '23 it'd be a really tough schedule. But how much did these teams change through '22, from '21 to '22 - total lottery right now to guess. I will assume we draft just as well as last year, add in the increased experience and scheme familiarity, Geno settles into this Week1-6/7 self, and therefore 'Hawks go 14-3, claim the #1 Seed, and lose immediately to like the #8 Saints 28:3
The opponents don't really matter. Right now it feels right to believe we might split our games with our mediocre opponents. When we feel like we might split our games with the top tier, we'll be onto something. At this time last year a lot of us would have been glad to split our games against our worst opponents, so who knows? We could surprise again, but it seems easier to turn a bad team mediocre than it is to turn a mediocre team great.
Dang guys, why all the doom and gloom? Not only is the preseason the time for rampant optimism but we only have to look back to Pete and John's first few season to see how quickly these guys can turn things around. I believe that last year was a cross between 2011 and 2012... my rose colored glasses only need the slightest tint to think that by the end of the season the Hawks could be the hottest team ion the league.
Well...I was waiting for this article. The single biggest downer of 2023 (and a reason to stockpile 2024 picks) is the schedule. It’s OMG tough. Repeating 9-8 and sneaking into the playoffs will be a much greater accomplishment than it was last year. Hope I’m wrong but it ain’t gonna be easy. Esp if we don’t have better than average injury luck again like Seattle did last year.
Figures it would be you though to bring this up though, amidst the breathlessness of a #5 pick -- always the realist and the media’s true Mr Objective.
Setting the defense aside, a couple of those loses came when we had no running backs (to speak of)… drafting or signing a decent/complimentary back to K9 will increase those odds of a win. Having a good or better #3WR would also take the pressure off Geno and help DK & Lockett + open up the running game… but defense definitely needs an improvement. Some good has been done but we need to kill it in the draft.
When it comes to outlooks on new seasons, I'm always circumspect. We really have no clue how good (or bad) this year's team will be. I'm not sold on Geno. I'm not sold on our upgrades on defense; I mean it's probably a good start but we're going to have to draft well to make a big jump. A serious injury to an important player like Lockett or DK could screw us badly. But if Adams starts the season healthy, stays that way and finds a niche for his "energizer bunny" style of play, we could be surprisingly good. I'd be somewhat astonished if we finish more than a game below .500 or if we made a deep playoff run. Anything in between would not be surprising.
Also would love to see your take on drafting a kick returner. Who is best in draft and whether that pays off. It feels like has been a while since there's been a real home run punt/kick returner in the league in general but the Leon Washington era ruled and would love to see that come back.
What 2023 draft pick do you think the Rams would get for Donlald, would you flip them the 5 (or 20) for what he has left in the tank and why would the rams wait to trade him until after the draft?
Last year, with a new DC, I thought the Hawks would win 11 games. The offense would survive but the defense would be much improved.
I was wrong, our defense sucked and the additions they’ve made in FA so far haven’t impressed me much. It’s cute to be flirting with the young QBs that may or may not be playing in a couple of years, but if you want to earn a better record against a tougher schedule in ‘23 then I think you need to draft the best DL available for picks 5 and 20. 3rd and long, no problem; 8 and 9 minute drives…, it’s how we play.
Screwing around trading down or building draft capital for down the road doesn’t do it for me. Draft running backs and wide receivers put me down for 8 wins max.
Last year, I projected 3-6 wins and a possible upset of the Niners. I’m leaving the schedule analysis to more insightful minds!
That being said, even with all of the needs on defense, the Hawks’ best chance to go deep into the 2023 playoffs is to upgrade the interior OL and add a third WR who is more than a safety valve. That would give them a chance to be an elite offense, and elite play is what gets a team to the conference finals.
To even make the playoffs, Bobby Wagner would have to be 2022 Bobby, not 2021. Geno would have to be NOT a one year wonder, and be first half 2022 Geno. The young tackles would have to turn experience and a pro offseason into being better than 2022. The Hawks would have to "hit" on the signings of Jones, Love, Reed , Bush and Brown . Adams would have to stay healthy and Woolen would have to NOT succumb to a sophomore slump. And they would have to "hit" on at least 2 of their first 4 picks in the draft and get quality defensive starters right out of the gate. And they would have to find a quality nose guard somewhere. Should be a piece of cake.
Apr 5, 2023·edited Apr 5, 2023Liked by Seaside Joe
OMG, I just realized that I thought JT O'Sullivan was Kyle Shanahan! I didn't realize who was who until JT started talking. Those guys could be brothers. Twins, even! Perfect that they went right into that.
They could very easily be a vastly improved team ,but not be much better record wise. I think one thing allot of people forget is the amazingly lucky Geno Smith! He had a Great lucky(?) record when it came to interceptions, how they happened or didn't and why! I don't remember the exact numbers -(was brought up on both Sport Radio stations)But without a doubt he was the luckiest QB in the NFL last season. By a wide margin! So,if he improves , just a bit with his decision making and doesn't fall into the "unlucky category" and IF Seattle improves a bit on the O-line which they should (especially if they draft properly) then with an improved Defense which we all believe it will be, after FA and the draft then it falls on GENO! to be smart! and should lead to an 11-6 record. Hopefully---
Wow is it too early to talk about the schedule! For example this time last year we'd have seen the Ravens as an almost certain loss, currently that's an almost certain win. Giants would have been a certain win, now that's a scrappy tough game. Rams would be an 0-2 prediction, now rightly it's 2-0. Way way too much up in the air on even "settled" teams like the Eagles and Bengals and 49ers to think about what results we can get.
Yes if this was the '22 teams we played in '23 it'd be a really tough schedule. But how much did these teams change through '22, from '21 to '22 - total lottery right now to guess. I will assume we draft just as well as last year, add in the increased experience and scheme familiarity, Geno settles into this Week1-6/7 self, and therefore 'Hawks go 14-3, claim the #1 Seed, and lose immediately to like the #8 Saints 28:3
The opponents don't really matter. Right now it feels right to believe we might split our games with our mediocre opponents. When we feel like we might split our games with the top tier, we'll be onto something. At this time last year a lot of us would have been glad to split our games against our worst opponents, so who knows? We could surprise again, but it seems easier to turn a bad team mediocre than it is to turn a mediocre team great.
Dang guys, why all the doom and gloom? Not only is the preseason the time for rampant optimism but we only have to look back to Pete and John's first few season to see how quickly these guys can turn things around. I believe that last year was a cross between 2011 and 2012... my rose colored glasses only need the slightest tint to think that by the end of the season the Hawks could be the hottest team ion the league.
Well...I was waiting for this article. The single biggest downer of 2023 (and a reason to stockpile 2024 picks) is the schedule. It’s OMG tough. Repeating 9-8 and sneaking into the playoffs will be a much greater accomplishment than it was last year. Hope I’m wrong but it ain’t gonna be easy. Esp if we don’t have better than average injury luck again like Seattle did last year.
Figures it would be you though to bring this up though, amidst the breathlessness of a #5 pick -- always the realist and the media’s true Mr Objective.
That is bananas they dont put him out there. I get there is a chance for injury but get SOME value from his roster spot in the interim.
Setting the defense aside, a couple of those loses came when we had no running backs (to speak of)… drafting or signing a decent/complimentary back to K9 will increase those odds of a win. Having a good or better #3WR would also take the pressure off Geno and help DK & Lockett + open up the running game… but defense definitely needs an improvement. Some good has been done but we need to kill it in the draft.
When it comes to outlooks on new seasons, I'm always circumspect. We really have no clue how good (or bad) this year's team will be. I'm not sold on Geno. I'm not sold on our upgrades on defense; I mean it's probably a good start but we're going to have to draft well to make a big jump. A serious injury to an important player like Lockett or DK could screw us badly. But if Adams starts the season healthy, stays that way and finds a niche for his "energizer bunny" style of play, we could be surprisingly good. I'd be somewhat astonished if we finish more than a game below .500 or if we made a deep playoff run. Anything in between would not be surprising.
Also would love to see your take on drafting a kick returner. Who is best in draft and whether that pays off. It feels like has been a while since there's been a real home run punt/kick returner in the league in general but the Leon Washington era ruled and would love to see that come back.
What 2023 draft pick do you think the Rams would get for Donlald, would you flip them the 5 (or 20) for what he has left in the tank and why would the rams wait to trade him until after the draft?
I am an optimist, which I have said before. So I am hoping for the best, and the best is 17-0. I'll start there and see what happens.
I'd send the Rams #20 for Kupp in a heartbeat.
Last year, with a new DC, I thought the Hawks would win 11 games. The offense would survive but the defense would be much improved.
I was wrong, our defense sucked and the additions they’ve made in FA so far haven’t impressed me much. It’s cute to be flirting with the young QBs that may or may not be playing in a couple of years, but if you want to earn a better record against a tougher schedule in ‘23 then I think you need to draft the best DL available for picks 5 and 20. 3rd and long, no problem; 8 and 9 minute drives…, it’s how we play.
Screwing around trading down or building draft capital for down the road doesn’t do it for me. Draft running backs and wide receivers put me down for 8 wins max.
Last year, I projected 3-6 wins and a possible upset of the Niners. I’m leaving the schedule analysis to more insightful minds!
That being said, even with all of the needs on defense, the Hawks’ best chance to go deep into the 2023 playoffs is to upgrade the interior OL and add a third WR who is more than a safety valve. That would give them a chance to be an elite offense, and elite play is what gets a team to the conference finals.
To even make the playoffs, Bobby Wagner would have to be 2022 Bobby, not 2021. Geno would have to be NOT a one year wonder, and be first half 2022 Geno. The young tackles would have to turn experience and a pro offseason into being better than 2022. The Hawks would have to "hit" on the signings of Jones, Love, Reed , Bush and Brown . Adams would have to stay healthy and Woolen would have to NOT succumb to a sophomore slump. And they would have to "hit" on at least 2 of their first 4 picks in the draft and get quality defensive starters right out of the gate. And they would have to find a quality nose guard somewhere. Should be a piece of cake.
OMG, I just realized that I thought JT O'Sullivan was Kyle Shanahan! I didn't realize who was who until JT started talking. Those guys could be brothers. Twins, even! Perfect that they went right into that.