One thing that could derail the budding Russell Wilson-Cam Newton rivalry
Cam Newton and Russell Wilson have now played each other in two consecutive postseasons, splitting their matchups. Considering the Panthers and Seahawks could be atop the NFC for years to come, the quarterbacks are already drawing parallels as the next Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry.
But if that's going to happen, MMQB's Peter King told Colin Cowherd on "The Herd" Tuesday, the Seahawks desperately need to make some improvements — or else.
Wilson had a career year (4,024 yards, 34 touchdown passes, eight interceptions). But he was also sacked 45 times — the most in his four seasons in the league.
The Seattle signal caller's longevity might take a hit "if Seattle doesn't fix its offensive line," King said. "Did you see some of the shots he took? For some reason it's like Russell Wilson had got some suit of armor on. He always just gets up from these blows. He never seems to be hurt."
Wilson was sacked 31 times in the first seven games before Seattle shored up its line a bit. But in the playoffs, the Seahawks gave up seven sacks in two games, and five to Carolina in their divisional-round playoff loss.
In the offseason, Seattle traded center Max Unger to New Orleans for tight end Jimmy Graham, which turned out to be a bust of a trade for the Seahawks before Graham got hurt anyway. Left tackle Russell Okung is a free agent, but Seattle may not be able to give him top dollar.
"That's fool's gold right there if Seattle doesn't spend time/energy/high draft choices on (offensive linemen)," said King, alluding to Wilson having started every game of his career so far.
That said, if can both stay healthy, Newton (the NFL's front-runner for MVP) and Wilson could give us years for great quarterback play.
"Those two guys are tremendously entertaining to watch," King said. "I want to see the new kind of quarterback and these guys are both the new kind of quarterback -- and it'd be great if we saw them for the next 10, 15 years at the top of the heap."
