Three things Hawks fans COULD be worrying about

SEATTLE -- There's a certain, acquired confidence that comes with back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.

The Seahawks have Marshawn Lynch. Russell Wilson. The Legion of Boom and newly acquired Jimmy Graham.

What could 12s possibly have to worry about?

Ahhhh, if only it were so simple. Because along with the confidence of being a 12, most of us possess the natural pessimism and tendency to worry that comes with being a Pacific Northwesterner. Years of rain, gloom and the Mariners have even the best of us wringing our hands from times to time.

Heck, it would be irresponsible of us as sports and 12s fans NOT to worry.

So as the Seahawks roll into Kansas City to play in the always-tough Arrowhead Stadium, think of the three things that are most uncertain with this team.

Don't worry too much, though. Every team has uncertainties, especially this early in the pre-season.  Remember as 12s, we have it better than most (see Cleveland Browns fans).

Coverage for the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Kansas City Chiefs begins at 4 p.m. on Q13 FOX.

Top Three things Hawks fans COULD be worrying about   

Tarvaris Jackson (FILE)



3. The back-up quarterback situation -- What an embarrassment of riches, right? Other teams worry about their starting quarterback, and here we are stressing about our back-up. The Seahawks go-to number two quarterback, veteran Tarvaris Jackson, will be out about 4-6 weeks with a high-ankle sprain. In his absence, the Hawks signed former Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters.

Both Waters and the Hawks other back-up, R.J. Archer, are newbies in comparison to Jackson. While this is no problem in the preseason, should something -- God forbid -- happen to Russell Wilson, the Hawks will be in a deep hole come September. Sure, if anything happens to Wilson the Hawks will be in a deep hole regardless. But Tarvaris is confident. He knows the system. He's more than an adequate fill-in. Let's hope he's back on the practice field soon, just for that piece of mind.

2. The absence of Kam Chancellor -- Legion of Boom star Kam Chancellor is still in the midst of a contract dispute with the Hawks, and by all reports, has no plans to end the dispute and return to the field any time soon.

"I think it's critical," Sports reporter Ian Furness said of the contract negotiations. "Nobody thought it would go this far."

While one player does not a team make, Chancellor's loss would certainly impact the Hawks notorious backfield. Perhaps the most powerful safety in the game, Chancellor combined for 78 tackles in the 2014 season, with one interception. And since Kam is reportedly willing to take his holdout into the regular season, DeShawn Shead and Dion Bailey must step-up. Watch the backfield tonight, 12s. Is it missing some boom? Lets hope not...

1. The Offensive Line -- After struggling mightily in the first-preseason game, coach Pete Carroll totally retooled the offensive line going into tonight's game against Kansas City. Justin Britt was moved to left guard, and backup Garry Gilliam will takeover his spot at right tackle. New Center Drew Nowak will start the game against the Chiefs, as opposed to the struggling Lemuel Jeanpieere.

The new group, undoubtedly just getting their sea legs after the shuffles early this week, will face quite a test against the strong defensive line of the Chiefs. Last week, the line struggled in pass protection, allowing a first-possession snap that ended in a fumble. Overall, Seahawks quarterbacks were hit 20 times by the Broncos defense, including 7 sacks.  Carroll said he's "anxious" to see how the new line defends Friday night. It's fair to be anxious too, 12s. One can only imagine how many retools the team can stand before the regular season opener against the Rams.