I know what you are thinking...preseason, who cares! 

Normally I would feel the same. A couple years ago, when they discussed adding regular season games and eliminating a couple preseason contest, I was beside myself. Unfortunately it was the same time the league was addressing concussions, and how to make the game and players more safe. Then addition of the two games went against this notion and quickly fell off the table.

This year, however, I feel much differently about these "meaningless" games. Most importantly, as I have wrote about and will continue to highlight, the offensive line will need each and every snap of those 4 games. Last year these games came in handy as the line did not really shake out a starting 5 until opening week 1.

This preseason will also be important for the defensive line gelling and to see if Lane will be able to hold up opposite Sherman at corner.

That all being said, here is the Seahawks 2016 preseason schedule: (some dates yet to be determined)

Game 1 (Aug 11-15) at Chiefs

- One interesting thing to watch offensively besides that line will be two skill positions. At The and running back, will Graham or Rawls play. Both currentkynare still rehabbing from season ending injuries in 2015.

Game 2 Aug 18 vs. Vikings

- This will be a nice rematch of the phanton missed field goal game from a year ago. There, the usually clutch, Blair Walsh missed a field goal to win it in Minnesota. The kick would have sent the Vikings further into the playoffs, but insteads the Hawks went on to play Carolina.The Vikings will go into the preseason game with a lingering bitter taste in their mouth. Try and tell them that preseason games do not matter Aug 18th. 

Game 3 (Aug 25-28) vs. Cowboys

- This is usually the big one. Game three is dress rehearsal day in preseason. Meaning, the starters will play a longer majority of the game. This will give you the best look you will get of the Seattle line that mayl line up week one..as well as all other positions. 

We will also see if the Cowboys throw Romo in for some snaps against Michael Bennet and company. Romo has missed a lot of time with injury to his collarbone, and this may be his first test of the bone since he was slowed by the injury.

Game 4 Sept 1 at Raiders. 

- Bruce Irvin will welcome his old team to the black hole to close out the preseason portion of the year. Between Irvin and Mack, the Seattle offensive line will have a good test to close out things before they begin the season one week later.

The strong Oakland defense could really shake up the offensive line rotation, but will probably not get a chance as usually game 4 has teams p!ayimg their starters just a series or two. 

Again, these games could not be anymore important and provide some interesting storylines that have me craving football once again. August can not come soon enough. 

Picture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/erin_costa/4813598841/in/photolist-8kmXet-...