Russell Wilson is the 2nd African American QB.....

[Bulltalk]

That's kind of why I reframed the question as to who one might choose over Wilson for your QB at this point in time, rather than merely using the term "elite". The weakest parts of the Seahawks this year were their WR's and their offensive line. You could argue their only weaknesses this year.

Their shortcomings on the offensive line were largely the result of injuries (Okung and Unger, their two Pro-Bowl OLmen), and their relative youth (Sweezy, Bowie, Jean-Pierre, Alvin Bailey). Sweezy is probably going to get better for a few more years (he switched from DL to OL when they drafted him), and they are very high on Bowie and Bailey (rookies this year). Barring injuries, and with adding another strong OLman in the draft, they should be somewhat significantly better next year than this year on the OL, and deep as well if they resign Giacomini and retain Carpenter (a bit of a disappointment at LG, and probably replaced as a starter by Bowie next year).

I could see this being their starting OL next year:

LT--Okung
LG--Bowie
C--Unger
RG--Sweezy
RT--Giacomini/Bailey

Then a bench consisting of these (or not):

--Giacomini/Bailey
--Carpenter (may be cut)
--Jean-Pierre
--McQuisten (may be cut)
--New OLman from draft
--A few other young players on the roster

I think they'll be just fine on the OL next year, better than last year barring a slew of injuries. I think Wilson will benefit from this as well.

As for the receiving corp, Wilson was a bit compromised this year by Percy Harvin being out almost the entire year, by Luke Wilson (their receiving TE) being a rookie, and by Sidney Rice being out for the year (his only tall target as a WR at the flanker position). On the positive side, Baldwin, Tate, and especially Kearse really improved this year, and proved to be an underrated WR corp, in spite of their size/speed limitations from a collective standpoint.

My guess is the Hawks cut Rice and get a bunch of CAP relief in doing so, and resign Baldwin and Tate (both FA's). Then I see them drafting a taller/faster breed of WR. It wouldn't surprise me of they make such a WR their top pick in the draft in a deep draft at the WR position. They also might draft a TE in the first round if one of the top three fall to them. Otherwise they'll probably draft an OLman or DLman first.

The Hawks receiving corp could look something like this next year:

Flanker--Kearse/Rookie/?
Split End--Tate/Baldwin/?
Slot Receiver--Harvin/Baldwin
Tight End--Wilson/Miller (will have to return on a lesser contract)/Rookie

I think the Hawks will be okay in this way next year, and probably better so than this year because Wilson will have Harvin back, a more experienced receiving corp, and a few new additions. He'll have more competent targets.

Another thing most don't know about is that the Hawks had a dynamic rookie RB in Christine Michael this year who hardly played, but who many draft experts/scouts thought to be the best RB in last year's draft from the standpoint of pure talent. He's probably going to see more action next year, especially as they attempt to preserve Marshawn Lynch as much as they can through a long season and with his hard running style.

Long story short, yes, teams will "make-book" on Wilson more next year. They already did so at the end of last season when certain teams sought to pass-rush in such a way as to better contain him in the pocket, and did so successfully at times. But Wilson will have more weapons next year at his disposal, and he also will adjust and continue to improve (he always does).

And it also can't be understated that Wilson was coached to not make mistakes, given the team's strong running game and stout defense. It's not like Wilson wasn't capable of making more things happen than he did. He's just not an aggregate "stat-QB" in the way Manning, Brees, Rodgers and Brady are, and for good reason. It simply isn't the Hawks approach to winning, at least not until they need it to be.

[orlandomanic]

To win a Superbowl, right? Why is no one talking about this? I thought they would make a big deal about this, especially considering Donovan McNabb was being talked about as being the next Black QB to win a Superbowl in his playing days.

Because having a black guy at quarterback is not a big deal anymore...... and really, that is a good thing people are not making a big deal.

i remember in the 80s, their was a big stigma about black guys can't be quarterback, or leaders on a football team, especially in college. everybody wanted Montana, Marino, Elway, Kelly, Aikman. Warren Moon was a blessing and curse for the movement for black QBs, because he gave the racist ammo because they would always say that black guys are physically gifted, but mentally don't have what it takes win games and they would always use Moon as an example.

in the 90s, the stigma went away little bit. you had Cunningham, Kordell, McNair,... and in 2000, nobody even mention about black being an issue when guys like Vick, Culpepper, and McNabb were being drafted in the first round to become franchise quarterbacks.

and now in 2014, nobody mentions anything or cares, about being black and QB in both college and the NFL. you have big time college programs like Florida, Texas, Auburn, Oregon, Ohio, Michigan, Florida State, etc. all recruiting black guys as QBs now.