RENTON Chargers Kyzir White Jersey , Wash. (AP) Pete Carroll insisted again that he’s not going anywhere. He’s intent on remaining the leader of the Seattle Seahawks even if it means many of the faces he spoke to this week while closing out the 2017 season are gone by the time Carroll finally gets to coach his team again.

”I’m pumped up about it. I’m excited about that challenge,” Carroll said Tuesday. ”I’m upset that we have to face it this early. I’d like another six weeks here, that would be nice. But that’s not what this one is. We got to go after it. Nothing’s going to change other than maybe our resolve.”

For just the second time in his eight years in Seattle, Carroll spent Tuesday explaining why the Seahawks were not in the postseason. It’s the first playoff miss for Seattle since the 2011 season and with the rapid rise of division foe Los Angeles indicated – at least for one year – a significant change in the hierarchy of the NFC West.

Injuries played a major role in Seattle’s slide to 9-7. So, too, did inconsistency on offense Authentic Sam Hubbard Jersey , continued problems with penalties and salary cap constraints that limited adjustments the Seahawks could make during the season.

It’s likely to be a busy offseason as Seattle attempts to manage its tight cap situation while making key decisions about how to move forward and if it still is a championship contender needing slight tweaks or a major overhaul.

”I think there is a championship team sitting in this meeting room right here,” Carroll said.

Here are some of the issues to know about Seattle’s 2017 season and going into next year:

REDISCOVER THE RUN: Perhaps nothing irritated Carroll more, or had a great impact on the efficiency of the offense, than Seattle’s inability to run. It’s been a staple of Carroll’s program from the day he arrived in Seattle.

This year the Seahawks had one rushing touchdown by a running back. Quarterback Russell Wilson was the leading rusher with 586 yards, 346 more than any other player. Seattle had hopes for promising rookie Chris Carson, but he was sidelined by an ankle injury early in the season and never made it back. The lack of a running game affected Wilson as a passer as well Authentic Rasheem Green Jersey , as defenses didn’t have to commit an extra safety to stopping the run, leading to smaller throwing windows and some tentative decisions by Wilson.

”There are tremendous examples of teams around the league that have turned their fortunes around with a formula that should sound familiar to you: teams running the football, playing good defense and doing the kicking game thing,” Carroll said.

INJURY CONCERNS: Carroll wouldn’t get into specifics, but there is a chance Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor have played their final games. Avril and Chancellor suffered neck injuries during the season. Carroll said on the radio Tuesday that both would have a ”hard time” playing football again. A couple of hours later, he softened his stance Authentic Jeremiah Attaochu Jersey , saying each have quality-of-life decisions to address with their football future.

”Both those guys are marvelous people and competitors and all that. We’d love to see them through the rest of their career. I don’t know what’s going to happen there,” Carroll said.

LEGION OF WHOM: If Chancellor does not return, it could be the start of a major makeover for Seattle’s secondary. Richard Sherman is coming off a torn Achilles tendon and was openly shopped by Seattle last offseason. Earl Thomas is entering the last year of his contract and his actions toward the end of the season indicated a desire to be elsewhere for the 2018 season.

A big key will be if Seattle can re-sign versatile safety Bradley McDougald after he played both free and strong safety this season.

HOME-FIELD AVERAGE: Seattle went 4-4 at home, its first .500 record at CenturyLink Field since 2011. The Seahawks have always thrived at home, but some of their uglier performances this year came in front of their own fans.

OFF THE FIELD: Seattle was among the most active teams in the league with a significant number of players participating in national anthem protests. The protests, on top of the incident Michael Bennett had with police in Las Vegas in August Authentic Mark Andrews Jersey , created a number of unexpected issues.

Carroll said he believed that only once this season – Seattle’s loss at Tennessee – did discussions of off-field issues affect the team’s performance. Seattle had long discussions following comments by President Donald Trump about NFL players and opted to remain in the locker room as a team during the anthem before that game.

”That was an extraordinarily heated time,” Carroll said. ”I think that was a different amount of emotional output that occurred before the game and it looked like it the way we played.”

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A thumbnail look at the players selected in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night (x-denotes early entry).

1. Cleveland (0-16)

Baker Mayfield http://www.tampabaybuccaneersteamonline.com/vinny-curry-jersey , 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Oklahoma

Strengths: Accuracy, competiveness, and command of the offense. Gets the ball out quickly and decisively.

Weaknesses: Undersized. Elusiveness and mobility that was a plus in college might not translate to the NFL.

Fact: The former walk-on is the eighth player to win the Heisman Trophy and then be picked No. 1 in the proceeding draft. First since Cam Newton in 2012.

2. N.Y. Giants (3-13)

x-Saquon Barkley, 6-0, 233, Penn State

Strengths: Quick feet, sharp cuts, top-end speed, powerful lower body, solid pass catcher, willing blocker and, by all accounts, excellent work ethic.

Weaknesses: The one knock: He needs to use that power to run through more tacklers and push piles forward.

Fact: The first Penn State player to reach 3,000 yards rushing and 1 Authentic Tyquan Lewis Jersey ,000 yards receiving, and the 10th Nittany Lions running back to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

3. N.Y. Jets (5-11; from Indianapolis, 4-12)

x-Sam Darnold, 6-3, 220, USC

Strengths: Excellent arm, good size and can make accurate throws – or the occasional positive run – when the pocket breaks down. Works his progressions.

Weaknesses: Ball security. Ball security. Ball security.

Fact: Darnold is the fifth USC quarterback to be drafted in the first round since 1970, and the second to go in the top five to the Jets. New York took Mark Sanchez No. 5 in 2009.

4. Cleveland (0-16; from Houston, 4-12)

x-Denzel Ward, 5-10, 196, Ohio State

Strengths: Blazing speed, physical for his size, and gets his hands on a lot of passes.

Weaknesses: Any issues stem from size and strength, neither of which is optimal but have hardly held him back.

Fact: Sat out Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl game against USC, a decision he made late into game preparation. Ward is the fourth Ohio State player taken in the top 10 of the draft in the last three seasons.

5. Denver (5-11)

Bradley Chubb http://www.neworleanssaintsteamonlines.com/rick-leonard-jersey , 6-4, 269, North Carolina State

Strengths: Rushes with a good combination of power and speed, and varied moves. Holds his ground well against the run.

Weaknesses: Not quite the elite athleticism of a player such as Myles Garrett, which could limit his upside.

Fact: Wore No. 9 at N.C. State the last two seasons for former Wolfpack defensive end and No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams.

6. Indianapolis (4-12; from N.Y. Jets, 5-11)

Quenton Nelson, 6-5, 329, Notre Dame

Strengths: Maybe the most likely to succeed of any player in this draft class. Powerful, tenacious and sound.

Weaknesses: Not much to complain about. Could do better at getting off the line and getting to second level.

Fact: Nelson is the second Notre Dame offensive lineman taken in the top six in the past three seasons. Baltimore took tackle Ronnie Stanley at No. 6 in 2016.

7. Buffalo (9-7; from Tampa Bay 5-11)

Josh Allen, 6-5, 233, Wyoming

Strengths: Arm strength, athleticism, size. It’s all ideal.

Weaknesses: Accuracy and ability to change speed on his throws while still being on target.

Fact: Had no major college scholarship offers coming out of high school. Coached in college by the same head coach (Craig Bohl) and offensive coordinator (Brent Vigen) that Carson Wentz had at North Dakota State.

8. Chicago (5-11)

x-Roquan Smith, 6-1 Cheap Ed Dickson Jersey , 236, Georgia

Strengths: Excellent recognition, sideline-to-sideline range and athleticism, with coverage skills to keep him on the field on passing downs.

Weaknesses: A bit undersized and can get engulfed by big blockers – if they can get to him.

Fact: Won the Butkus Award as best linebacker in college football in 2017.

9. San Francisco (6-10)

Mike McGlinchey, 6-8, 312, Notre Dame

Strengths: Good athlete, solid technique and team leader.

Weaknesses: Could use more bulk and might be better suited for right tackle.

Fact: Four-year starter and team captain. Teamed with Quenton Nelson to form the best left side of an offensive line in college football last season.

10. Arizona (8-8; from Oakland, 6-10)

x-Josh Rosen, 6-4, 226, UCLA

Strengths: Polished passer with excellent mechanics and nice touch.

Weaknesses: Durability issues in college. Will force plays unnecessarily.

Fact: Was an elite youth tennis player. Is the fourth UCLA quarterback to be taken in the first round and first since Cade McNown in 1999.

11. Miami (6-10)

x-Minkah Fitzpatrick, 6-1, 201, Alabama

Strengths: Versatility, intelligence Cheap Lorenzo Carter Jersey , instincts, leadership and smooth athleticism.

Weaknesses: The nits to pick: He is not an explosive hitter and maybe he could use a few extra pounds.

Fact: Returned four interceptions for touchdowns in his first two seasons at Alabama. The Crimson Tide has had a first-round pick in 10 straight seasons, second longest streak to Miami’s 14 from 1994-2008.

12. Tampa Bay (5-11; from Buffalo via Cincinnati, 7-9)

x-Vita Vea, 6-4, 347, Washington

Strengths: Athleticism and quickness for his size outstanding.

Weaknesses: Production and playmaking inconsistent.

Fact: Played some wildcat quarterback as a 270-pound high schooler in San Jose, California.

13. Washington (7-9)

x-Da’Ron Payne, 6-2, 311, Alabama

Strengths: Massive and powerful with quick hands. Run stuffer.

Weaknesses: His pass rush is almost all power.

Fact: Caught a touchdown pass against Clemson in a College Football Playoff victory last year.

14. New Or.