Cover / Artwork » Now that it’s over, Russell Wilson’s belief

RENTON Greedy Williams Jersey , Wash. (AP) —in the comparison of where the Seattle Seahawks were during his rookie season in 2012 and this season has only grown stronger.Seattle fans can only hope Wilson is correct in his vision because, if so, 2019 could end up being a special year for the Seahawks.“It makes you a little sick to wake up this morning and know you don’t get to compete with your guys today,” Wilson said Sunday, a day after a 24-22 wild-card round loss at Dallas. “It’s part of the journey. I look at this season very similar, as I’ve said 100 times over to you guys, like 2012 a lot. We weren’t able to beat Atlanta at Atlanta, but coming off the field, we felt like great things were in store.“We feel like with this team great things are in store.”While there was a healthy dose of optimism as the Seahawks packed up their lockers Sunday, there also was a level of regret after Seattle lost its opening game of the playoffs for the first time since January 2005. The loss to the Cowboys on Saturday was littered with missed chances and what-ifs all around.Whether it was an offensive game plan that was seemingly too stubborn to make adjustments away from the run, a defense that gave up a handful of big plays in the fourth quarter, or the special teams issues, the Seahawks were left with plenty to lament about the loss.“It’s still frustrating, especially watching football and knowing you still could be competing Sione Takitaki Jersey ,” Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “We had to do a little bit more to win the game and we didn’t do enough.”Seattle’s loss was the first time it dropped its opening playoff game since losing to St. Louis in the NFC wild-card game after the 2004 season. Whether it was the wild-card or divisional round, Seattle had won at least one game in nine straight postseasons until losing to the Cowboys.A major issue was the struggles on offense as the best running team in the NFL couldn’t get going against a stingy Cowboys front. Seattle had just 73 yards rushing against Dallas and seemed almost determined to run no matter the success rate. Wilson compared it to Seattle’s win at Carolina in late November when the Seahawks were held to 75 yards rushing and Wilson threw for 339 yards.This time, though, the switch to being more pass heavy didn’t happen in time for Seattle to have enough offensive success.“We were throwing it pretty well in the game and I think we could have kept doing that some more, but you also want to stay true to running the ball, too,” Wilson said. “So I think that, like I said, this game was kind of similar to the Carolina game, I felt like, a little bit. They did a pretty good job stopping us on the run and in that game we had to throw the ball and make some plays, and I think this game was kind of similar in a sense.”While there was anger among fans about the lack of adjustments on offense, the Seahawks also had defensive breakdowns in the fourth quarter that played just as large a role. Dallas had 234 total yards through the first three quarters, then had 148 in the fourth quarter with a pair of long scoring drives. Dallas had touchdown drives of 67 and 54 yards in the final quarter, the last one capped by Dak Prescott’s scramble to convert third-and-14 and led to the deciding touchdown.“To let him have a third-and-14 and allow him to get that close to scoring again is bad Sheldrick Redwine Jersey ,” Wagner said. “But you know, I’ll see him again.”Seattle doesn’t have many major contract issues going into the offseason with K.J. Wright, Frank Clark, D.J. Fluker and J.R. Sweezy the most notable unrestricted free agents among starters. Carroll has made clear they want Clark back coming off a career-high 14 sacks, which could mean using the franchise tag for the first time since 2010.While they are both under contract through the 2019 season, the contract situations with Wagner and Wilson will be two of the more interesting stories of the offseason for Seattle. Both said Sunday they would like to have contract certainty with the Seahawks beyond 2019, but both indicated they would be willing to play out the 2019 season without a new deal if necessary.“I know essentially after (the 2019) season I can be a free agent,” Wilson said. “I don’t think that way. I see myself being in Seattle. I love Seattle. It’s a special place for me. I also understand it’s a business world and everything else.” KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Frank Clark held it together through the questions about his checkered past, what he plans to bring to the Kansas City Chiefs and the massive new contract the star pass rusher signed with his new team.The tears finally rolled when he talked about its impact on his family.“You come from a place where, like, in life, you’re only given so many shots, or so many opportunities, to do something great for so many people Austin Seibert Jersey ,” he said, “and to finally get to a place in my life to do something great for so many generations, man, it’s awesome.”While other teams were introducing their first-round draft picks Friday, the Chiefs were unveiling their own addition. But rather than a wide-eyed, unproven rookie, Clark happens to be a four-year vet who established himself with the Seattle Seahawks as a dominant and versatile defensive end.The Chiefs acquired the 25-year-old Clark this week for a first-round pick this year and a second-round selection next year. The teams also swapped third-round picks.Kansas City finally made its first selection at No. 56 on Friday night, when it sent a fifth-round pick to the Rams to move up five spots and select Georgia speedster Mecole Hardman.An undersized wide receiver, Hardman ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash. Throw in his elusiveness and open-field playmaking ability, and it appeared as the Chiefs had drafted a replacement for Tyreek Hill, who is under investigation for his role in a suspected child-abuse case.The Chiefs then used the 63rd overall pick in the second round to select Juan Thornhill, a versatile defensive back from Virginia. He has the speed and ball skills of a cornerback and the ability to defend the run like a safety, making him a good match for new running mate Tyrann Mathieu.They wrapped up the second day of the draft by choosing Khalen Saunders out of Western Illinois in the third round, giving the Chiefs a massive run-stuffer in the middle of their defensive line.Meanwhile, the Chiefs gave Clark a life-changing $105.5 million Trysten Hill Jersey , five-year deal that includes $63.5 million in guarantees — more money than he could have dreamed of while growing up homeless in the rough, gang-infested neighborhoods of south-central Los Angeles.“I come from a place, dog, where nothing was given. It was hard. It was very hard,” he said, “and to be able to affect my family, I swear, it’s the happiest thing in my life, knowing that my family can rely on me. There was a time where I felt they couldn’t, that I wasn’t the role model I could be for my brothers, my sister. It’s awesome. It’s a blessed feeling, man.”Clark’s arrival comes at an awkward time for the Chiefs, who are reeling from Hill’s criminal investigation. The case was reopened Friday after a TV station aired audio that showed Hill and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, discussing injuries to their child.Clark has his own off-the-field history. He was kicked off the team at Michigan when he was charged with first-degree domestic violence and assault following an incident with his then-girlfriend. The charges were later reduced to fourth-degree persistent disorderly conduct and Clark completed a domestic violence course and paid court costs and fines.Clark has been outspoken in support of those harmed by domestic violence. He also has worked closely with the homeless community in Seattle Connor McGovern Jersey , and said he hopes to continue that work in Kansas City.“I’ve had to learn to be a better teammate, a better person and a better man in general,” Clark said. “You have to own up to it and what you did. I affected a lot of people during that.“It’s something I have to learn and grow from, and that’s why I’m so persistent in bettering myself,” he said. “I’m a real person. I don’t have nothing to hide. That’s just me. Everyone is going to get a chance to know me. I know what they read, I know the perception people can have. The hard part is getting to know someone. Once they do that, they will understand me as a person.”The Chiefs certainly like what they see as a football player.Clark plays with a relentless motor, not only when it comes to rushing the passer but also against the run. He also has relatively little wear on his body after starting his career as a backup, and that means there’s a good chance he is only now beginning to reach his prime.“This was our plan all along. This was the guy we targeted,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. “When we find someone we like, we find a way to get him. We did that with Pat Mahomes. We didn’t have a first-round pick last year and it was because we traded up to draft the league MVP.”Veach and Chiefs coach Any Reid both said they were comfortable with Clark given the franchise’s questionable history when it comes to players with character concerns.Along with Hill’s legal trouble, the organization endured a grisly murder-suicide involving linebacker Jovan Belcher and his girlfriend in 2012. Last year, they quickly released star running back Kareem Hunt when video surfaced showing him shoving and kicking a woman in an Ohio hotel hallway.