24-Oct-2011 - Three Key Players: Seattle Seahawks | GiantsFootballBlogcom

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1. Marshawn Lynch Marshawn Lynch is overrated. If it weren’t for his ridiculous touchdown run (and some poor Saints tackling) in the 2010 NFC playoffs, most people would not remember what team he was on. In 16 games with the Seahawks, he is averaging a measly 3.4 yards per carry behind an offensive line that doesn’t do him many favors. But you can’t take any opponent for granted in the NFL, especially after getting torched for 138 yards and three touchdowns by Beanie Wells. If Lynch even approaches those numbers, something has gone terribly wrong. Still, the Seahawks are so barren offensively that the Giants need to focus on shoring up their run defense and locking Lynch down. Force Tavaris Jackson to throw the football and good things will happen. 2. Zach Miller Miller is one of the most talented young tight ends in the game; a young Jason Witten. He was one of the Seahawks’ prize free agent signing this offseason, and the trickle-down effect of him jumping ship from the Raiders had Kevin Boss leaving New York for Oakland. Unfortunately for Miller, he joined an offense that is even less competent than the Raiders’. With Mike Williams likely SEO out with a concussion, the Giants’ secondary should be able to focus on stopping Sidney Rice, Seattle’s other big offseason signing. But Big Blue has had a lot of trouble defending talented tight ends in the past, and if used correctly, Miller can wreak havoc on a team’s linebacking core. The Giants’ last three opponents did not feature a tight end as a key weapon, but the Redskins’ Fred Davis torched the Giants for 105 yards on five catches in week one. Seattle has struggled to get Miller the ball so far this season (8 catches, 62 yards), but they’ll need to target him often if they wish to have any success moving the ball. (Miller is questionable with injuries to his knee and ankle.)  3. Earl Thomas It wasn’t too hard to pick the Seahawks’ key defensive player. In only his second season, Thomas currently leads Seattle with 27 total tackles. Although he is undersized for a safety (5-10), Thomas is the complete package. He is athletic and can fly from sideline to sideline to break up or intercept a pass, and the Seahawks like to use him in run support as well. Thomas doesn’t have an interception yet, but he picked off five passes last season, so he is the one defensive back that Eli Manning needs to look out for. Manning has done a much better job with ball security lately, but Thomas is developing into one of the better young safeties in the league, and he has the ability to change a game on one play.

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