"A sampling of the preseason buzz about the Seahawks: The playoffs are realistic. A winning record should be mandatory. The Seahawks might have a top-five NFL defense. The running game, assuming Marshawn Lynch dodges heavy punishment, should be a strength. This team is young and hungry, and I love it. The rest of the nation better wake up and recognize. But, oh, who's going to be the quarterback? It seems that premature praise has become the substitute for joy in Seattle sports. Over the past five years, such early euphoria has revealed itself as dismay once the actual season began. But those resilient fans are unbowed. And now, with the Seahawks trending toward becoming a quality team again, there's renewed hope that it's OK to have expectations. As long as this wonky three-man quarterback competition bears fruit. It's the first year of legitimate expectations in the Pete Carroll era, but there are legitimate issues — like, well, you know — to overcome, too. With the Seahawks set to open training camp next weekend, it would be prudent to offer a word of caution that, while it appears things are lining up well, this team still has a long way to go. But who practices prudence during the preseason? This is a time to dream big, or at least dream bigger than you've been able to during a four-year skid of losing seasons. In the second half of last season, the Seahawks indeed established themselves as one of the NFL's rising young teams. They're agile and brawny now, a tough and united team that is developing a rugged style of play. It only took Carroll, general manager John Schneider and the rest of the front office two seasons to gut and restore the roster with talent that can win." Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrybrewer/2018743204_brewer22.html
