As we get set for preseason game number three, there may be more questions than answers through the first two thirds of this "exhibition" schedule. One thing we do know for sure though is that Pete Carroll has had a complete shift in his preseason philosophy.
Despite a new offensive coordinator, and in theory a new offense, we have not seen any of the main pieces for that offense in the first two preseason games. Consider this: nine of 11 projected starters on offense have not seen the field in the preseason. Add into that number, the projected third wide receiver (Eskridge), second and third tight ends (Dissly and Parkinson) and it is obvious that you can take absolutely nothing from the games against the Raiders and Broncos.
On defense, more projected starters have played than on the offensive side of the football. But nine players who would either start or be key contributors in a rotation have yet to see the field. With base, nickel and dime units, more players rotate in and out, but you get the point. From Bobby Wagner to Marquise Blair, and everyone in between- important players have not left the sideline yet.
So what can we expect this week against the Chargers. It is the final preseason game, but also the third. In the past, preseason game number three was a rehearsal for the regular season. Starters, in including Russell Wilson, would play into the second half. While we may see Wilson and others early, I can't imagine Carroll will leave many of his starters out there any longer than a couple of series, especially his franchise quarterback.
But with all of that said, what do we know about this team? My biggest takeaway is obvious to anyone watching the games and that is this team may have very, very good top end talent, but the depth this organization has been known for just isn't there. The second units have been badly outplayed and not just by the first string players on the Broncos last week. We have always known that the Hawks would be in trouble of Wilson or Wagner went down. Now it is apparent than any significant injuries could be season altering because the team just isn't very deep.
The above isn't a surprise. Good teams have good players who make a lot of money. But the depth players, and lack of draft picks this year may be catching up to the Hawks as they head into the final week of the preseason.