Lynch, 25, is one of three starting running backs who should they hit the open market would become very hot commodities. Baltimore’s Ray Rice and Chicago’s Matt Forte are the other two free agent running backs this offseason.

Since being acquired from Buffalo in a mid-season trade in 2010 Lynch has become the focal point in Seattle’s offense. In 27 games Lynch has racked up 1,777 yards and eighteen rushing touchdowns on the field, and captivating the Seahawks fan base off it.

Nicknamed “beast mode” for his tough, aggressive style of running it wasn’t known nationally until his electrifying 67-yard touchdown run against the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 playoffs.  At the same exact moment Lynch scored that touchdown a small earthquake occurred under Qwest Field.

“Beast quake” quickly spread into the national spotlight along with the Seahawks new dynamic running back. While Lynch was the twelfth overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Cal he never didn’t gain national recognition until that run. Since then he’s gone on to set, and break several Seahawks rushing records.

This past season Lynch scored at least one rushing touchdown in ten consecutive games breaking Shaun Alexander’s record set it 2005. Lynch also became the fifth running back in Seahawks history to rush for 1,000 yards joining Alexander, Curt Warner, Ricky Watters and Chris Warren.

With time a crucial aspect for a running back in the NFL Lynch picked the perfect year to have his best season, a contract year. He finished the season with 1,204 yards rushing and twelve touchdowns which are both career highs. Both Seattle and Lynch need each other and it’s no secret that he’s going to remain with the Seahawks.

The only question has been whether the team and Lynch can agree on a “long-term” contract or use the one-year franchise tag to keep the Pro Bowler in Seattle. With the report from LaCanfora it’s good news for Seahawks fans and Pete Carroll.

Keeping Lynch in Seattle was a must of Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider this offseason and by all accounts Beast Mode will be back in 2012.

If the Seahawks need to tag Lynch it will hit the cap at $7.7 million, down from the past two years which were both over eight million.

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It’s no secret the Seahawks have lacked that elite pass-rushing defensive end since Patrick Kerney retired after the 2009 season. Clemons, who has recorded 22 sacks in his two seasons with the Seahawks, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2013 and Red Bryant is set to hit the market this offseason.

While the two differ in style and size, both have made a significant impact on the Seahawks up-and-coming defense. With that in mind the Seahawks have made upgrading their defensive end slots a high priority this offseason.

Holding the eleventh or twelfth overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft the Seahawks could use it to improve their defensive line with Melvin Ingram out of South Carolina. Seattle could also sign one of the many elite defensive ends in free agency.

Mario Williams, a 6 foot 6 283 pound menace at defensive end would be the ideal solution to the Seahawks sacking woes. A former No.1 overall pick in 2006 Willams has led the Texans in sacks four out of his six years. Only his rookie season in 2006 and this past season where he missed the final 11 games with a torn pectoral muscle.

At his worst Williams is a game changer. At his best he’s one of if not the best defensive end in the NFL. Simply put the Seahawks could be top five in the league on defense with Mario Williams. As history has shown wanting someone, and targeting someone doesn’t’ mean you’re going to end up with that player.

The Seahawks saved a lot back in salaries last offseason and come in with roughly $15 million in free cap space. That doesn’t include the contracts of players set to hit free agency like Marcus Trufant, Leroy Hill and Marshawn Lynch among others.

Seattle will likely franchise tag Lynch which would cost around seven million on a one-year tender. Both sides would like a long-term contract but Seattle doesn’t want to go beyond four years. What that means for the chances of signing Williams is who are the Seahawks willing to sacrifice.

Williams has said he’s not looking to become the highest paid defensive end, but he’s not going to leave Houston and take a massive pay cut either. With Jason Babin getting five years at $28 million in 2010 from the Eagles and DeMarcus Ware getting $79 million over seven years from the Cowboys Williams is going to get something in between.

While it won’t be easy the Seahawks stand at least a one in three chance to land Williams given there are only nine teams who can afford him. Houston stands at under one million under the cap and will need to make several moves to get in the range William’s is seeking.

Whether or not Seattle ends up with Williams they do need to make him their number one priority in free agency.

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With the possibility of Manning being a free agent comes speculation as to where he could end up. The Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets are among the teams on a laundry list of potential suitors. One team not “favored”, but certainly in the mix is the Seattle Seahawks.

After failing to re-sign the face of the franchise last off-season, Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks went to plan B with Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson received a two-year, eight million dollar contract which doesn’t show long-term faith. He didn’t do anything do change that image which has put the Seahawks, once again, in the need for a legitimate starting quarterback.

Passing on Mark Sanchez in the 2009 draft  hasn’t proven to be a bad move, nor has Jimmy Clausen in 2010. However, passing on Andy Dalton in favor of right tackle James Carpenter in the 2011 draft is very debatable. Several experts and fans thought Dalton would be a perfect fit in Seattle.

Pete Carroll and John Schneider thought otherwise and as a result it’s put Seattle in the position of need to either sign or draft a starting quarterback. With the strides of the defense and all the pieces around the quarterback position, the Seahawks are only a quarterback away.

Easier said than done, as always. With the Seahawks holding the No.11 or No.12 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft and no other glaring need, they are in prime position to do whatever they want. They could move up to the No.2 overall pick and select Robert Griffin III. Or they could select a second-tier quarterback at their pick or the second round like Ryan Tannehill or Brock Osweiler.

When Peyton Manning comes into the discussion, it shouldn’t have any effect on who or where the Seahawks select a quarterback. Manning, while one of the leagues elite quarterbacks of all time, is going to be 36 this season. Coming off three neck surgeries in 18-months it’s not a wise move to count on him.

In all likelihood Manning won’t come to Seattle. If the Colts release him and he does sign with the Seahawks it won’t impact their need to draft a quarterback, even in the first two rounds. Seattle has had one consistent quarterback over the last decade and that man is no longer here.

When the Seahawks didn’t have Matt Hasselbeck under center Seneca Wallace, Charlie Frye and more recently Charlie Whitehurst and Tarvaris Jackson stepped in. The quarterback position has fallen into a depression and John Schneider and Pete Carroll need to have a solid bailout plan this time around.

In a weak NFC West, and with the pieces already surrounding the position the time has come for that franchise-leading signal caller to be revealed. Whether Peyton Manning is released or not the Seattle Seahawks need to draft a quarterback that can lead this team for the next ten years.

Kennedy, an elite defensive tackle, burst onto the scene in 1992 recording 14 sacks in route to being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Considered one of if not the best defensive tackle in NFL history, Kennedy retired in August of 2002. Several teams were interested in signing him, but he only wanted to play for Seattle.

In his eleven year career Kennedy was an eight time Pro Bowler, three time first-team AP All-Pro selection and selected to the 1990′s NFL All Decade team. In 2007 Sports Illustrated named Kennedy the best athlete every to wear the number 96. Kennedy finished his career with 58 sacks and three interceptions in 167 career games.

What stood out most about Kennedy was his heart and relentlessness on every single snap. Back then a defensive tackle wasn’t expected to be a dominating pass-rusher,but more of a brutalizing run-stuffer. Kennedy was both, a strong pass rusher up the middle and equally as stout in shutting down opposing running backs.

With the entire city behind him, it felt like this was the year for Kennedy to make it in. #Tezin2012 was the common hash tag trending around Seattle Saturday as the Hall of Fame ceremony started. As the list began to shrink, eliminating some of the leagues elite players such as wide receiver Andre Reed, it was Kennedy’s destiny to make in into the 2012 class.

Once Kennedy found out he was in he described the feeling as “one of the greatest feelings in the world. ”

With Kennedy’s election he becomes the second pure Seahawk to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame joining wide receiver Steve Largent. Both Largent and Kennedy played their entire careers in Seattle.

Jerry Rice (2004), John Randle (2001-03), Warren Moon (1997-98), Carl Eller (1979), and Franco Harris (1984) are the other former Seahawks to be inducted into the hall. With Kennedy’s induction, it seems fitting and likely that the Seattle Seahawks will retire his No.96 as soon as possible.

Largent, and future Hall of Famer Walter Jones, both have their numbers retired. Currently no Seahawk player has the No.96.

After an exemplary eleven year career and four ballots later Cortez Kennedy has rightfully earned his spot in Canton, Ohio amongst the NFL’s greatest.

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After failing to beat out Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job Whitehurst started only two games, with his second start in week 17 for the NFC West title. Whitehurst was given the role to be a “game manager” and not lose or win the game. After a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams in the first quarter Seattle took the lead and never looked back.

Matt Hasselbeck returned for the playoffs and led Seattle on one of the biggest upsets in playoff history knocking off the New Orleans Saints 41-36.

During the offseason Pete Carroll, and general manager John Schneider decided to move on from Hasselbeck. After the lockout ended Seattle immediately signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to a two-year, eight million dollar contract ending Whitehurst chances in Seattle.

Carroll named Jackson the starter over Whitehurst, even before he took a snap in training camp. The decision was due in large part to Jackson’s relationship with new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who were together in Minnesota. The decision drew mixed reactions from the fan base but no one could argue Jackson was worse than Whitehurst.

It was Jackson’s first legitimate starting opportunity in his career having been beaten out by several other quarterbacks in Minnesota.

Through and up and down season Jackson proved two things. One, he’s a tough son of a gun who will play through any injury including a torn pectoral muscle. Two, he’s got some potential but he’s nothing more than an 8-8, 9-7 quarterback.

With Pete Carroll’s “we don’t need a gun-slinger at quarterback” mentality the Seahawks could very well be content with Tarvaris as the starter. But with a fan base that continues to sell out Century Link field year in and year out that’s not going to cut it.

Seattle doesn’t need Drew Brees or Peyton Manning throwing who will throw it til their hearts content, somewhere around 60 or 70 attempts a game. However they are going to need more than a “game manger” if Carroll or Schneider have any aspirations of a deep playoff run, let alone a Super Bowl.

With the team holding the 11th or 12th selection in the 2012 NFL Draft the opportunity is there to make a move for franchise quarterback.

The two hot, “can’t miss” commodities in the draft: Andrew Luck (Stanford) and Robert Griffin III (Baylor). Luck, tabbed as the No.1 overall pick back in 2010 when he decided to stay at Stanford one more year, is out of Seattle’s range. The rumors that it would take three first-round picks to acquire the No.1 overall pick are grotesque and flat out criminal.

That leaves Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III as the only quarterback within Seattle’s chances. Likely a top five pick the price wouldn’t be cheap, but it wouldn’t be three first-round picks either.

So the question is, should Pete Carroll and John Schneider put together a package of picks and players and move up to get Griffin?

No, they shouldn’t.

Simple as that. Every year there are quarterbacks that are “can’t miss” and like certain players in past drafts. People buy into the notion “if he can do it, I’m sure this guy just like him can as well.” There only one problem, no one is the same as someone else. There is only one Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Cam Newton.

This year it’s Robert Griffin III who has been compared to 2010 No.1 overall pick Cam Newton. Griffin, like Newton has the same style of play and similar character. But make no mistake Griffin is no Newton.

With the risk-reward always a factor it, doesn’t make sense for the Seahawks to reach for a player that isn’t worth a top 15 pick. Granted Griffin is an incredible athlete, and he’s got the accuracy and leadership you want in a franchise quarterback.

However at 6’1 218 Griffin is a toothpick compared to the 6’5 248 Newton. Secondly, no one expected Newton to perform like he did this season. He was expected to improve an almost non-existent Panthers offense from 2-14 to possibly 4-12, 5-11 if he was really lucky.

With the uncertainty of how well, or poorly, Griffin will hold up in the bigger, faster NFL alone is enough for the Seahawks to pass on him.  There’s no doubting Griffin’s athleticism, accuracy and speed. But with the lack of size size, and consistent proven ability the risk isn’t worth the reward for the Seahawks with Robert Griffin III.

Pete Carroll said he won’t build an offense around the quarterback, why risk two first-round and two second-round picks for an unproven rookie? Simple, he won’t.

Seattle does need to make an improvement at quarterback, but spending four picks and possibly a player, isn’t worth it.

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Thomas, a first round pick in 2010 out of Texas has improvement immensely this season and it’s come without a boat load of  interceptions. Thomas has become more of a leader and captain in the defensive backfield this season and he’s helped other players emerge as well.

Seattle is likely to give Thomas some company with strong safety Kam Chancellor, cornerback Brandon Browner and fullback Michael Robinson were named first alternates. Running back Marshawn Lynch was named as a second alternate and punter Jon Ryan was named a third alternate.

Lynch was a surprise snub given his strong showing over the second half of the season including breaking the  Seahawks record for consecutive games with a rushing touchdown. Since October Lynch has ran for 855 yards and nine touchdowns compared to his 263 yards and three touchdowns between September and October.

Lynch has gotten 3/4 of his total yards and touchdowns  in the second half of the season due to his increased role with the team. Matt Forte (Chicago), Frank Gore (San Francisco) and LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia) were selected as starters for the NFC.

Kam Chancellor has become one of the more well known hardest hitting safeties in the league while drawing some fines from the NFL. Chancellor received a $20,000 fine for a hit on Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin and $40,000 for a hit on Rams tight end Lance Kendricks.

His mentor and former Seahawks Lawyer Milloy taught the 6-3 232-pound second year star well and as a result he’s become the starting strong safety this season. Chancellor also has 88 tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles on the season.

Cornerback Brandon Browner, a rookie by technical terms, has come out of the Canadian Football League and flourished in his first season in the league. At 6-4 Browner is a dominating physical corner and at times it’s hurt him with penalties for holding and pass interference.

However he hasn’t let it, or the early negative comments, get to him and over the last five games he’s recorded five of his team leading six interceptions. Browner has gone relativity unnoticed by the league while racking up several league leading stats. He ranks 2nd in Int return yards (220), tied-4th in Int’s (6), tied-1st in passes defensed (19) and tied-1st in Int touchdowns (2).

Browner, along with rookie Richard Sherman combine to have the tallest cornerback combination in the NFL. Exactly what Pete Carroll wants.

Jon Ryan ranks tied-3rd in punts (87), 8th in yards per punt (46.8), tied-2nd in punts inside the 20 (30) and tied-2nd for touchbacks (8).

Here are some of the reactions to Pro Bowl announcements by the Seahawks coaches and players.

Earl Thomas reaction on Twitter: “Dream come true pro bowl baby….thanks to all my teammates…”

Kam Chancellor reactions on Twitter: “Great news!!!!!” and “Just found out that I’m the first SS pro bowl alternate for the Pro bowl… “Dancing”.

Jon Ryan reaction on Twitter: “No Pro Bowl for me this year. Thank you #12thman for all your votes. Maybe next year. Congrats to all the Pro Bowlers.”

Pete Carroll reactions on Twitter: “Congrats to Earl Thomas — 2011 Pro Bowler!! And also to 1st alternates Brandon Browner, Kam Chancellor & Michael Robinson!” and “And more #ProBowl congrats to 2nd alternate Marshawn Lynch & 3rd alternate Jon Ryan! A special season for all 6 Seahawks honored!”

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Justin Blackmon (WR-OKSU), Andrew Luck (QB-Stanford) and Matt Kalil (OT-USC) are just some of the underclassmen who have already declared. Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones and LSU’s Morris Claiborne still haven’t made their decisions yet.

Having said that the Seahawks aren’t in the running for Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin but still in need of a long-term solution at quarterback. Seattle also could look to add a defensive end, running back and another offensive linemen early in the draft as well.

Before they pick on April 27th 2012 Pete Carroll and John Schneider already have to know their quarterback situation. There’s really only three options for Seattle at the quarterback position. One, keep Tarvaris Jackson and have him be the starter without question next season and see if he can improve. Two, keep Tarvaris but trade for an elite veteran quarterback. Three, draft a quarterback in the first round and have him progress into starting as the season goes along.

When talking about elite quarterbacks who Seattle could target either in free agency or trade the two we can immediately rule out is Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Outside of those two Seattle could look at Philip Rivers who’s had a down year but still has elite level talent.

Rivers signed a seven year $98.25 million back in 2009 but could be pried away with the uncertainty in San Diego. Green Bay’s Matt Flynn could also be a viable option, but given the success Seattle’s had with backup quarterbacks recently it wouldn’t be a smart choice.

Currently the Seahawks are projected to hold the 15th overall pick in the 2012 draft. With that being said here is my First Seattle Seahawks big board for the 2012 NFL draft. What this board represents are the top 5 players Seattle should be looking at for the draft, not all first round picks.

1) Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama:

At 6-2 265 Upshaw is listed as an outside linebacker by most NFL scouts but could convert to defensive end in the NFL. Upshaw isn’t an incredible athlete but is one of the strongest players in terms of ability to push and collapse the pocket in the draft. He doesn’t have consistent quickness off the line which is a negative, but when he is on he’s really on.

Upshaw is projected a mid to late first round pick.

2) Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska:

Ndamukong Suh 2.0 is his old teammate, Jared Crick. Crick was considered my many to be the next Suh and even be in contention for the Heisman trophy in 2011. However a torn pectoral muscle, suffered against Washington on September 17th changed that. He sat out their next game against Wyoming but did play against Wisconsin and Ohio State before calling it a season.

His injury has hampered his draft stock right now but come February, March and April Crick will be a mid to late first round pick. Before having a setback in 2011 Crick was one of the most dominant pass rushing defensive linemen in the country along with Suh. Crick had 140 total tackles and 18.5 sacks in between 2009 and 2010.

At 6-6 285 Crick a pure beast and would bring the same impact Suh has brought to Detroit to Seattle.

3) Chris Polk, RB, Washington:

A junior, Polk has yet to declare for the draft but is expect to not return to Washington for his senior year. Signed as a wide receiver out of high school Steve Sarkisian made it his priority to move Polk to running back were he’d have a much bigger impact. Three years later Polk holds the school record for most carries (769) and second in yards (3,902) along with 24 touchdowns.

Polk doesn’t get the national recognition he deserves but will still be a mid second round pick. For Seattle Marshawn Lynch will re-sign, but Seattle needs to add another ground and pound back to support him. Polk is the perfect fit.

4) Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M:

A solid developmental prospect Tannehill is a potential mid first round pick with a solid arm and above average athleticism. At 6-4 222 Tannehill is a big presence in the pocket but needs to work on his delivery and step into his throws more, and work on his footwork as well. He doesn’t need a drastic, Tebow style rework of his mechanics but he has a 3/4 delivery that will hurt him more often than not in the NFL.

Should Seattle miss on everyone Tannehill is a solid plan D.

5) Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina:

Unlikely Coples falls to Seattle in the mid first round but in the event he does he’s the easiest pick on the board. At 6-6 272 Coples is the best defensive end prospect in the draft and arguably the most dominant since Chris Long in 2008.

He brings elite athleticism, above average instinct and top end speed. Combining Chris Long and Jason Pierre-Paul is the easiest way to describe Coples. Most likely a top 10 pick but could always slip.

Just missing the cut: Alameda Ta’Amu (NT, Washington), David DeCastro (G, Stanford), Alfonzo Dennard (CB, Nebraska) and Landry Jones (QB, Oklahoma).

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Next Big Board will come out in February.

Whether it be poor performance, a better replacement or lack of confidence Tarvaris Jackson hasn’t performed above below average in his NFL career. A second-round pick pick out of Alabama State in the 2006 NFL Draft Jackson was deemed by former Minnesota Vikings head coach as “a piece of clay with all the skills to be a No.1″.

Well, that would explain one of several reasons why Childress is out of a job.

Jackson has been passed over for another played almost every year he’s been in the league. That was until Pete Carroll hired Darrell Bevell, Jackson’s former offensive coordinator in Minnesota to replace Jeremy Bates this past offseason. With a prolonged lockout Carroll and John Schneider needed a quarterback who knew Bevell’s offense already.

Matt Hasselbeck wasn’t interested in a two year contract at the age of 36 and left for Tennessee and Charlie Whitehurst hadn’t proven to be the starting quarterback. With that in mind Schneider signed Jackson to a two year, eight million dollar contract and Carroll immediately named him the starter.

At the time you couldn’t argue against the move given Seattle’s two other options. Charlie Whitehurst or Josh Portis, an undrafted rookie out of California University of Pennsylvania. With Bevell and Sidney Rice supporting him and no one expecting him to win 10 plus games it seemed like smart short-term move.

The key being short-term.

This season Seattle has been up and down on both sides of the ball due in part to who’s pulling the trigger as well as injuries. The one constant has been Tarvaris Jackson’s inconsistency and lack of awareness.

Pete Carroll has said from day one that he doesn’t want to have to rely on the quarterback to have success. He wants to run first, have a strong defense and have a quarterback capable of heaving the offense balance. Well he’s got two out of three so far but the one thing holding Seattle back is Tarvaris Jackson.

The NFL is a quarterback driven league but that doesn’t mean every team needs that 4,000 yard passer or gunslinger that heaves it up 45 times per game. For Seattle that means getting a veteran quarterback capable of leading an offense without having to go into the game one dimensional.

During their 2005 Super Bowl run Seattle had the perfect recipe offensively with Shaun Alexander leading the way and Matt Hasselbeck balancing him out. Alexander, who won the league Most Valuable Player award in 05, ran for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns.

While those numbers don’t replicate that of a typical starting running back having over 1,000 yards isn’t out of the ordinary. With Marshawn Lynch the Seahawks have by far the ideal back for the offense Carroll wants to run. The only problem is he doesn’t have the right quarterback.

Yes Tarvaris Jackson has had the best season of his career to date and he’s played through a partially torn pectoral muscle. His toughness isn’t questioned, but his consistency and where his limit is in terms of skill set is widely questioned and criticized.

He’s not a legitimate starting quarterback that can lead you beyond a .500 season year in and year out. For the Seahawks .500 isn’t going to cut it with the way the defense has emerged and Marshawn Lynch becoming an elite running back.

Jackson is a solid backup option when a legitimate No.1 goes down but nothing more. He ranks 21st in QB rating, 20th in passing yards, 23rd in passing touchdowns and 16th in completion percentage. He’s not as athletic as people make him out to be, he doesn’t have the arm to throw 3,500 plus yards a season and doesn’t have the vision to spread the ball around.

When it comes down to crunch time, when he needs to make a play Jackson doesn’t rise to the occasion. Against San Phrancisco on Christmas Eve Jackson fumbled the ball late trying to scramble around looking phor an open receiver. Holding the ball in the open it allowed 49ers linebacker Larry Grant to record the easiest fumble in his NFL career.

On the next drive Jackson needed 40 yards with :41 seconds to give Steven Hauschka a good chance to kick the game winning field goal. An eight yard completion, an overthrow to Doug Baldwin and throwing the ball 20 yards over Zach Miller’s head on the final play Jackson conceded the 19-17 lose to San Francisco.

He’s a good backup and fill in option but now Pete Carroll and John Schneider have to remove the barricade holding this team back, Tarvaris Jackson.

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At the core are two elite defenses with league leading stats and game changing players.  Supported with a strong rushing attack featuring Frank Gore on one side and Marshawn Lynch on the other. While the quarterback play of Seattle and San Francisco maybe be sporadic at times both Alex Smith and Tarvaris Jackson are smart with decision making.

With Pete Carroll being the “rah-rah” type and Jim Harbaugh the stout “we will hit you in the mouth and you will take it” style something has to break this Saturday.

Coming in winning five of their last six the Seahawks have emerged as one of the elite defenses in the NFL without having the big names. First year cornerback Brandon Browner leads the team with sixth interceptions, five coming over the last four games.

Second year safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor have created a “hit-and-pick” combination while rookie  Richard Sherman has emerged as a legitimate No.2 corner. All four will have to take every opportunity given from a Niners offense  that has given up a league low 10 turnovers all season.

Carroll will have to rely on defensive end Chris Clemons, who leads the team with 11 sacks, to get to Alex Smith early and often. While Seattle has several play-making defensive backs their strength is up front with Red Bryant and their run defense.

Same can be said for San Fransisco who haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown in almost one calendar year, December 26 2010 against St. Louis. Marshawn Lynch has been arguably the best running back in the NFL during Seattle’s late-season run. Lynch has rushed for 613 yards and seven touchdowns over the last six games.

While it might not be flashy or win many style points Pete Carroll doesn’t care, as long as it keeps working.

“We’re not trying to win any popularity contests,” Carroll said. “We’re just trying to win games and play well.”

Simply put this game will come down to who forces the most turnovers and who has the ball last. However, its possible that one quarterback could outshine the other or one defense could just collapse and lose in a blowout. It’s more likely you’d see Pablo Sandoval suit up and play defensive end than having one team blowout the other.

Whoever can break the mirror first in this game will win the game. It’s just that simple. Two of the elite defenses in the league, two of the best up-and-coming coaches, and one loud stadium. Pete Carroll believes his Seahawks are ready to prove the doubters wrong and move one step closer to returning to the playoffs.

“We know what we’re going for and we’re getting tested right in the heart of the division.”

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While Pete Carroll and John Schneider have gotten a lot of attention for the 513 roster transactions the club has made over the last year and a half Lynch has been performing on the field. Before Lynch the Seahawks had the likes of Julius Jones, Louis Rankin, and Justin Forsett as featured backs along with the declining Shaun Alexander.

The last time the Seahawks had a 1000 yard rusher was their Super Bowl run in 2005 when Shaun Alexander ran for 1,880 and a then NFL record 27 rushing touchdowns. With Lynch at 1,018 yard with two games to go he’s well on his way to a long-term deal to keep the 25-year old in Seattle.

Pete Carroll said the two sides have already started talking about a long-term contract for Lynch but nothing is imminent. Lynch is just one of several key players the Seahawks need to lockup long-term over the next two years. Tight end John Carlson, defensive end Red Bryant and cornerback Brandon Browner are also unrestricted free agents this offseason.

Carlson, a second-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft is current only injured reserved with a torn labrum and hasn’t played since their playoff game against the Bears. Before his injury Carlson was used mostly in pass protection instead of a pass catching tight end because of Seattle’s weak offensive line. With the signing of Zach Miller from Oakland Carlson isn’t a sure lock to return next season.

If Lynch is priority No.1 for the Seahawks Red Bryant is definitely No.1a.

Since being converted to defensive end when Pete Carroll took over as head coach Bryant has thrived in the role and become a key figure in Seahawks run defense. At 6’4 323-pounds Bryant has emerged as one of the top defensive ends in the league while making only $555,000 this season, a figure that is surely to go up with his next contract.

The player with the most intrigue when it comes to a new contract is “rookie” cornerback Brandon Browner. After spending four years in the Canadian football League Pete Carroll gave the 6’4 corner a tryout and was impressed with what he saw. Browner has played well for the most part this season but still has a long way to go in terms of a full body of work.

Browner is the most penalized cornerback in the league but is still tied for fourth in the league with six interceptions. He also ranks tied for first in passes defensed (19), interceptions return for touchdowns (2) and first in interception return yards (220). Needless to say Browner is an outstanding physical cornerback who does more than draw penalties, but they do hurt.

Carroll and general manager John Schneider love tall cornerbacks and with Browner at 6’4 and Richard Sherman at 6’3 Seattle has the tallest cornerback combo in the NfL. No reason to think that both Carroll and Schneider want to break that combo.

Browner won’t get a Nnamdi Asomugha or Darrell Revis type contract but expect a substantial raise from his $375,000 salary this season.

After this offseason defensive end Chris Clemons and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson are free agents. With Jackson, Seattle needs to decide this offseason what their plan is moving forward. They can’t wait till 2013 when Jackson is a free agent and Josh Portis is the only quarterback under contract.

Raheem Brock, Charlie Whitehurst and Matt McCoy are also free agents this offseason.