Browner didn´t play for them after Week 10, Maragos played a total of 52 snaps, their OL was bad last year so losing guys there doesn´t make them any worse and Harvin could replace Tate´s production. I agree they lost some guys on the DL but they still have four veterans returning on the line. It´s fun that you assume the young guys on the Packers will get better but don´t expect any second year players to step up for the Seahawks (they have two 2013 draft picks on the DL as well).
I really don´t have any idea how anybody would think the Packers roster is deeper than the Seahawks one. Our offense is better than theirs with Rodgers, no doubt about that. Nevertheless the Seahawks ranked 8th in points scored last season, so they can put up points as well.
IMO our defense hasn´t improved a lot during this offseason. As it stands right now we´ve lost three veterans on the DL as well in Pickett, Jolly and Wilson (all of them being mainly run stoppers) and brought in a 34-year old former All-Pro and just another guy. Peppers will improve the pass rush, but don´t see the run defense improve because of him.
Thompson has done nothing to improve our biggest needs at defense at safety or ILB, so I have no idea why anyone would get the impression that our defense will be significantly better.
I'm not even gonna go into our offense being better then the Seahawks and deeper at every position on offense. There deeper at quarterback and that's it. TE might be arguable. I really don't like doing the 2013 picking apart thing because Aaron Rodgers was out for a large part of the season which affects the defense as well.
For the most part I like what TT has done. He brought in some help that includes a still very productive impact player(Peppers). He also re-signed are key guys. You could make an argument on Jones and EDS but they didn't make long term sense. Jolly isn't gone yet and they want to sign him. It sounds like there just waiting for clearance and I would be surprised if he wasn't brought back. Pickett and Wilson needed to go and there won't be any room on the roster for them anyways.
Peppers isn't your normal 34 year old. He can physically still play at a high level. The bears miss-used him and played him way to many snaps. He had no help out there whatsoever and kind of gave in. He is going to be used differently to address the things he still can do. Lined up opposite Clay, teams will not be able to double both of them. Your talking about two potential "Hall of Famers" here coming from opposite sides. When has Clay had that kind of presence on the opposite side of him? John Abraham turned 35 last year and switched from DL to OLB and ended up back in the Pro Bowl.
I agree with you as everyone will that there are a few pieces missing. TT has 9 draft picks to find those pieces. Add C.J Mosley or Shazier next to Hawk and suddenly the front seven looks better and faster.
We could have Peppers, Hawk, Mosley/Shazier, Matthews, starting at linebacker. Looks pretty good to me.
That with Multiple looks upfront on the D-line: Raji, Daniels, Jones, Neal, Worthy, Boyd, and hopefully Jolly.
Add Jimmie Ward to Morgan Burnett plus having Hyde now over at safety and things immediatley look better at safety. Also, Remember that Hayward will be back to help in the slot.