Going through the Seahawks’ checklist

RENTON, Wash. – The Seahawks’ 14-13 loss at Kansas City on Friday night dropped them to 0-2 for the exhibition season. Coupled with a 22-20 defeat to Denver, it’s the first time they’ve lost their first two exhibition games since 2002.

But it’s also just the exhibition season. And hey, maybe they are getting their close losses out of the way now when they don’t even count.

Here are a few more things we’ve learned so far that may have more lasting importance.

The running game hasn’t been good so far – but it’s too early to panic:

Through two games, the Seahawks are averaging just 83.5 rushing yards per game – less than half of the 172.6 they averaged in the regular season in 2014, which led the NFL.

“We are used to running the ball more significantly than we have the first two games,” coach Pete Carroll said.

But Carroll then added one big caveat – Marshawn Lynch has yet to play. The team justifiably sees no reason for him to need much action in the preseason.

Russell Wilson and his operation of the zone read is also a big part of Seattle’s running game and that’s something else basically shelved for the exhibition season.

Also recall that Seattle’s style is to keep pounding away for four quarters, usually getting stronger as the game wears on. Seattle’s worst scoring quarter the last two years has been the first.

But establishing and sticking with a running game with the same personnel also goes out the window due to the nature of the exhibition season.

This isn’t to downplay the offensive line issues, which the team has felt are significant enough to make major personnel changes last week.

Seattle’s revamped line – with Garry Gilliam at right tackle, Justin Britt at left guard and Drew Nowak at center – appeared markedly improved during pass blocking but unquestionably remains a work in progress. What’s also likely without question is that the running game stats so far tell an incomplete picture.

This Jimmy Graham guy may be the real deal:

OK, so it’s no revelation that Jimmy Graham should make a big impact on the Seattle offense this season. But maybe somewhat lost in the loss is that we finally saw just what kind of impact Graham will indeed make.

Graham played just 19 snaps but helped key the best drive by the Seattle starting offense with three catches for 39 yards – receptions of 6, 12 and 21 yards in the span of nine plays. The last reception helped make up for his own holding penalty, which had made it second-and-18, and got Seattle in position for a field goal.

There have been times in camp when Graham has appeared to still be adjusting to working with Wilson and in a new offense. But Friday night offered a glimpse that it’s starting to come together.

“We wanted to see him play a little bit and get him and Russell working,” Carroll said. “You can see that he’s a good fit.”

If you wondered if Michael Bennett would let his unhappiness about his contract impact his play, the answer appears to be an emphatic no:

Bennett’s been vocal for months about his frustration over his contract, which has three years remaining.

But he’s playing like the happiest camper in town. Bennett had four tackles in 34 snaps against the Chiefs and got the highest grade of any Seahawks player from Pro Football Focus at plus-3.2, giving him the second-highest grade of any Seattle player through two weeks behind Frank Clark.

Cliff Avril has played well, too, illustrating that the preseason emphasis on areas of need can make fans take for granted how strong Seattle’s defensive end duo is.

DeShawn Shead proved again the value of his versatility:

Shead has spent most of camp working at strong safety, often with the No. 1 unit in place of holdout Kam Chancellor. But the Seahawks also like the progress of Dion Bailey, and on Friday gave him the start there while moving Shead to cornerback to fill in at an injury-riddled spot. Shead, who has played both corner and safety throughout his four years with the Seahawks, looked comfortable back on the outside, getting the second-highest score of any Seahawk from PFF, giving up just one reception for 7 yards in four times targeted, in playing 47 snaps overall.

“He always seems to be a factor making plays when he’s at corner,” Carroll said.

Which could help assure a roster spot for another season.