Seahawks receive midseason grades

At the halfway point of the season the Seattle Seahawks are sitting with a 4-4 record. Just when we think they've turned the corner and are among the NFL's best teams, they lose a game they should win.

They're the quintessential "C" students. Not bad, but not good.

The Tacoma News-Tribune offered up this midseason report card.

The offense, not surprisingly, didn't fare so well.

Naturally, the running backs, led by Marshawn Lynch, earned the best grade - a B-plus. Lynch is on his way to a second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaign. He's second in the league in rushing with 757 yards on 159 carries for a robust 4.8 yard-per-carry average. Lynch has three rushing touchdowns, including a career-long 77-yard rumble for a score Sunday against Detroit. Lynch has rushed for more than 100 yards four times this season.

Fourth-round pick Robert Turbin has been a nice addition as a complementary back to Lynch, rushing for 129 yards on 30 carries. And fullback Michael Robinson continues to block like a Pro Bowl player as a lead blocker for Lynch. Robinson also is among the league leaders in third-and-1 rushes for first downs. He's 4-for-4 on the year.

The defense has showed a bit of a decline in recent weeks, particularly on third down, and it was reflected in the grades. The grade that stood out the most was the C-plus given to the LB's.

Rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner has done a nice job of adjusting to the speed of the NFL. Wagner is second on the team in tackles with 62, and second-year pro K.J. Wright leads the team with 63. Both are athletic, rangy players who cover a lot of ground and are sure tacklers.

However, both have struggled in pass coverage because of their inexperience, leading to Seattle's trouble getting off the field after third down.

The Seahawks face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and are hoping with a win their teacher will give them some extra credit.