Seahawks’ perfect start hasn’t come easy

By Michael Grey

Adversity.

The conversation Monday afternoon following the first 4-0 start in Seahawks history seemed to center on adversity. Overcoming a second-half deficit, changing an ineffective game plan, dealing with the force of nature that is J.J. Watt and the like were near the top of everyone’s list.

Take a closer look, however, and the truth is that overcoming adversity has become the standard for the 2013 Seahawks, and it didn’t start with the game in Houston.

Just consider the offseason, preseason and early-season list of circumstances surrounding the most successful start in franchise history:

• The loss of their defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley? Check.

• Suspension drama courtesy of Bruce Irvin (with an assist to Jim Harbaugh)? Check.

• The loss of their key offseason acquisition, Percy Harvin, to injury? Check.

• Their best returning pass rusher (Chris Clemons) and a pass rushing specialist who was a key offseason addition (Cliff Avril) starting the year injured? Check.

• Starting the season on the road and on the east coast? Check.

• Playing their first home game in primetime against their top rival in a divisional showdown? Check.

• Winning a second road game with three-fifths of their offensive line on the shelf against the best defense in football? Check.

All of this and it’s just now Oct. 1.

It’s easier to see that winning the game in Houston was a result of having already dealt with adversity.

In the weeks to come Max Unger, Breno Giacomini, Russell Okung, Harvin and Irvin are all on the way back and it’s not a stretch to see that the ceiling for this team has yet to be reached. These are exciting times for Seahawks fans everywhere as this team has been steeled by tougher times and still claims the most successful start in franchise history.