Pete Carroll is one of the most authoritative coaches in the NFL. When the Seattle Seahawks coach speaks, people listen. On Thursday, he had a lot to say about the future of his team, one of the best franchises in recent history, but a disappointment due to recent performances in the playoffs.
Lots to say
During Thursday's marathon media sessions, Carroll made it a point to greet one of his newest adversaries. Sean McVay was hired to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams this winter, making him the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL.
The two new enemies shared a laugh and a hug, with Carroll interrupting McVay's time holding court with reporters, before they went separate ways.
He then had much to say about one of the team's biggest positional battles for 2017: running back. He talked about Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise, gushing about the latter while discussing the injuries that held back the former in his first season as a projected starter for the team. Carroll then admitted that they two would be competing for the starting job in 2017.
Carroll also touched upon some other roster management issues, including the status of safety Earl Thomas. Last season, Thomas suffered an injury so devastating that he hinted he may retire as an immediate result.
That sentiment has seemingly come to pass, though, as the coach stated that it was likely Thomas would be ready to roll by the beginning of next year.
Offseason of change in Seattle
The running back and safety positions may be the most important to sort out for the Seattle Seahawks this spring.The Seahawks went 10-5-1 in 2016 and made the divisional round of the playoffs before being smoked by the eventual Super Bowl runner-ups in the Atlanta Falcons.
They face injury questions surrounding some of their most important players, including wide receiver Tyler Lockett. They also have to figure out the offensive line, which has been atrocious for several seasons. If they start to solve these problems, Pete Carroll may have another Super Bowl contender on his hands.
