INDIANAPOLIS — The Seattle Seahawks do have one historically daunting issue in front of them: repeating.
No team has won consecutive Super Bowls since the New England Patriots in 2004-05. It has been even more challenging for the losing team to get back to the game. That hasn’t happened since 1994 when the Buffalo Bills made the last of three consecutive trips.
As he did when asked about dealing with the Super Bowl, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll likened the process to something he went through at USC. He said the Seahawks’ program is designed to sustain.
“I don’t think it’s any different than winning a national championship and trying to win it again and having another great season one year after the next,” Carroll said. “There’s a whole mentality that goes into how you get there that once you get there you continue.
“It’s not a brand new experience. It doesn’t have to be. But it does take great discipline and it does take the proper work ethic and mentality so that you can stay in connection with that which got you there.”
When the season ended, Carroll said his players needed to understand the challenges ahead in the offseason. Not the least of which is remaining focused amid increased fame and demands.
“You have to see the signs that are demonstrated by the players and coaches and the people that support you that takes you away from what it takes,” Carroll said. “That’s a whole science.”
Their front office also has to deal with one of the issues for every team this season. The Seahawks began holding draft meetings the Wednesday before the Super Bowl. A record number of underclassmen have declared for the draft, making scouts and front offices going back to research college juniors they paid little attention to before.
While the Carroll and the front office sort through the draft prospects, they will be keeping an eye on the players on the roster. They don’t have access to them again until April 21 when offseason workout programs start.
“I think it’s in the makeup of the people. We’re going to watch that really carefully,” Carroll said. “That’s the kind of indicator, signs we look for. Do things change because of what just happened? It’s the same as did you change because you got beat last week or because you won big last week? It’s no different. We want to stay on course, stay the same and continue to expand and grow.”
Seferian-Jenkins doesn’t run
Former Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins did not run the 40-yard dash with the other tight ends at the NFL combine Saturday.
Seferian-Jenkins was informed that medical testing done in Indianapolis revealed a pre-existing foot condition and the NFL would not allow him to work out, according to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com. A source said Seferian-Jenkins has a stress fracture in his foot and is looking at a 6-8 week recovery.
Washington’s Pro Day is April 2.
Seferian-Jenkins did participate in the bench press Saturday. He benched 225 pounds 20 times. That was good for 10th among the 14 tight ends that participated.
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