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Hate to wear out the cliché Sleepless in Seattle, but the city and its fan base have to be excited about this upcoming season. Two reasons to be excited are the return of Matt Hasselbeck and the free agent addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who might be the most lethal weapon Hasselbeck has ever had.
During one practice, Houshmandzadeh hauled in several touchdowns, “It was at least eight or nine, and I should have caught more. I’ve never caught that many in one practice. You should never catch that many in one practice.”
Think about the success that Donovan McNabb had with Terrell Owens and look at how Tom Brady’s numbers exploded with the arrival of Randy Moss. Could the same thing happen in Seattle?
OFFENSE
 Quarterbacks: A lot was made of the Seahawks being in love with Mark Sanchez this past April. However, it was much ado about nothing as they drafted linebacker Aaron Curry. Matt Hasselbeck is the unchallenged starter and even though some thought that Seneca Wallace might win the job, he was never a serious threat the incumbent. Hasselbeck missed time last season with a bad back but all indications are that he’s ready to go in 2009. With the addition of former Bengal T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the passing game should be even more effective. During Hasselbeck’s absence, Wallace played well…just not well enough to prove he’s a starter. Mike Teel, the 6th round pick out of Rutgers, has prototypical size and be given a chance at the third-string gig, with a chance to learn the system.
Running Backs: It’s hard to imagine that only two years ago, Shaun Alexander was carving his record breaking seasons. Julius Jones was brought in last season and had a career high 4.4 per carry average. Even though his numbers weren’t eye staggering, Jones produced when he was given the chance. Coach Mora seems confident in Jones and expects big things from the back this coming season. Remember, this team was decimated by injuries last season, especially on offense. Fan favorite Leonard Weaver signed with Eagles this spring, leaving Owen Schmitt and Justin Griffith as the team’s fullbacks. T.J. Duckett, who played in Atlanta while Mora coached there, will be back to supply the goal line carries.
Wide Receivers: One of the biggest moves Seattle made in the off-season was the signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Remember how the Vikings didn’t want him to leave Minneapolis, but Seattle ended up signing him away? Hasselbeck’s injury certainly hurt the Seahawks, but it didn’t help that a trio of receivers followed him to the sidelines. Between Engram, Branch, and Burleson the Seahawks’ wide outs missed 24 games. That’s a ton of offensive injuries, and makes it easy to see why the Hawks finished 4-12 in 2008. Expect bigger things from the offense and the trio of Burleson, Branch and Housh. They have only one way to go.
Tight Ends: Did any good come from the injuries to the wide receivers? Look no further than John Carlson, the team’s second-year tight end who led the team with 55 receptions as a rookie and established himself as one of the best young tight ends in the NFC. The team drafted Cameron Morrah from California with their last pick in this April’s draft. Jeb Putzier provides depth with a solid all-around game.
Offensive Line: While the slew of injuries ravished the receiving corps, the offensive faired even worse. With a less-than-healthy Walter Jones and Mike Wahle getting long in the tooth, this unit will be hard-pressed to regain its past glory. But there is help on the way, albeit young help. Center Chris Spencer (27), guard Rob Sims (25), and tackle Sean Locklear (28), have a combined average of four years’ experience. If second-round pick Max Unger proves capable, he can challenge Spencer and Sims and carve out some playing time.
DEPTH CHARTS
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FS |
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SS |
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CB |
BRIAN RUSSELL |
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DEON GRANT |
CB |
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MARCUS TRUFANT |
C.J. WALLACE |
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SLB |
MLB |
WLB |
JORDAN BABINEAUX |
KELLY JENNINGS |
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KEVIN HOBBS |
COURTNEY GREEN |
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LEROY HILL |
LOFA TATUPU |
JULIAN PETERSON |
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JOSH WILSON |
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D.D. LEWIS |
DAVID HAWTHORNE |
AARON CURRY |
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DEON BUTLER |
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K |
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TONY FEIN |
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DUSTIN PHILISTIN |
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OLINDO MARE |
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LDE |
LNT |
RNT |
RDE |
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P |
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PATRICK KERNEY |
BRANDON MEBANE |
ROCKY BERNARD |
LAWRENCE JACKSON |
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RYAN PLACKEMEIER |
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BARAKA ATKINS |
HOWARD GREEN |
CRAIG TERRILL |
DARRYL TAPP |
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COACH |
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NICK REED |
RED BRYANT |
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JASON BABIN |
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MIKE HOLMGREN |
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MICHAEL BENNETT |
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WR |
LT |
LG |
C |
RG |
RT |
TE |
WR |
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NATE BURLESON |
WALTER JONES |
MIKE WAHLE |
CHRIS SPENCER |
ROB SIMS |
SEAN LOCKLEAR |
JOHN CARLSON |
COURTNEY TAYLOR |
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JORDAN KENT |
MAX UNGER |
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MANSFIELD WROTTO |
RAY WILLIS |
JEB PUTZIER |
LOGAN PAYNE |
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DEION BRANCH |
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ANDRE RAMSEY |
CAMERON MORRAH |
BOBBY ENGRAM |
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FB |
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QB |
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RB |
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OWEN SCHMITT |
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MATT HASSELBECK |
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JULIUS JONES |
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SENECA WALLACE |
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T.J. DUCKETT |
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CHARLIE FRYE |
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JUSTIN FORSETT |
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MIKE TEEL |
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DEVIN MOORE |
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TYLER ROEHL |
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DEFENSE
Defensive Line: Former Buccaneers’ linebacker coach Gus Bradley enters his first season as defensive coordinator with Seattle. Any success the new coach hopes to have will start with a healthy Patrick Kerney, Seattle’s only proven commodity on the line. Darryl Tapp played great last season and will be counted on to continue his fine play while second year DE Lawrence Jackson is being shifted around a bit in an effort to improve his production. The former Trojan needs to produce, and in a hurry. Big boys Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane will help plug the holes in the middle.
 Linebackers: Last week on Monday Night Lights, Courtney Greene, the 7th round pick from Rutgers, said “You wonder why some guys get drafted where they do” in regard to the fourth overall pick of 2009, Aaron Curry. Greene went to on say that Curry is a special talent, one that should benefit greatly from the already-outstanding linebacking corps in Seattle. Lofa Tatupu is the heart and soul on the defensive side of the ball. Even with the departure of Julian Peterson, Seattle was able to resign Leroy Hill who has come into his own the last couple of seasons, making himself a fixture on the landscape of top linebackers. If Curry lives up to his billing, this could be one of the best units in all of football.
Defensive Backs: Marcus Trufant didn’t get tested much last season after his seven interceptions in 2007. Trufant is by far the best player in the Seattle secondary--the rest of the defensive backfield must show improvement. Ken Lucas returns for his second stint with Seattle while Josh Wilson should come in during nickel situations. Brian Russell and Deon Grant are solid, but not spectacular. Rookie Courtney Greene is a punishing hitter who could surprise.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Last season the Seahawks drafted and kept Brandon Coutu on the roster despite using Olindo Mare all season. Look for the former Georgia Bulldog to supplant Mare this coming season. The punting duties belong to former Packer Jon Ryan. He replaced Ryan Plackemeier on September 9th of last season. Seattle should see improvement with the drafting of Deon Butler from Penn State. The rookie should provide a much-needed spark to the return game, as will a healthy Nate Burleson.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS OFF-SEASON TRACKER
Acquisitions
FB Justin Griffith: FA Raiders; 1 yr, terms unknown
FB David Kirtman: FA; terms unknown
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh: UFA Bengals; $40M/5 yrs, $15M guaranteed
TE John Owens: UFA Lions; terms unknown
DT Cory Redding (trade Lions)
DT Colin Cole: UFA Packers; $21.4M/5 yrs, $6M guaranteed
CB Ken Lucas; FA Panthers; $2.3M/1 yr
LS Bryan Pittman: UFA Texans; terms unknown
Drafted
QB Mike Teel, Rutgers
WR Deon Butler, Penn State
TE Cameron Morrah, California
OT Max Unger, Oregon
DE Nick Reed, Oregon
LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
SS Courtney Greene, Rutgers
Undrafted Free Agents
RB Devin Moore, Wyoming
RB Tyler Roehl, North Dakota State
OT Andre Ramsey, Ball State
DE Michael Bennett, Texas A&M
LB Dave Philistin, Maryland
LB Tony Fein, Mississippi
Re-signed
WR Jordan Kent: Potential ERFA; $460,000/ 1 yr)
WR Ben Obomanu: ERFA; tendered at $460,000; terms unknown
WR Courtney Taylor: ERFA; tendered at $460,000; terms unknown
OT Ray Willis: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown
LB Lance Laury: Not tendered as RFA; 1 yr, terms unknown
LB Leroy Hill: UFA; $38M/6 yrs, $15.5M guaranteed
LB D.D. Lewis: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown
CB Kevin Hobbs: Potential ERFA; $460,000/ 1 yr)
DB C.J. Wallace: Potential ERFA; $460,000/ 1 yr)
Departures
DT Rocky Bernard: UFA Giants; $16M/4 yrs, guarantee unknown
WR Bobby Engram: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown
OG Chris Gray: UFA; retired
DT Howard Green: UFA Jets; $625,000/1 yr, guarantees unknown
TE Will Heller: UFA Lions; 1 yr, terms unknown
RB Maurice Morris: UFA Lions; $7M/3 yrs, SB unknown
LB Julian Peterson (traded Lions)
FB Leonard Weaver: UFA Eagles; $1.75M/1 yr
OT Floyd Womack: UFA Browns; terms unknown
Unsigned
QB Charlie Frye (not tendered as UFA June 1)
WR Koren Robinson (not tendered as UFA June 1)
LB Wesley Mallard (not tendered as UFA June 1)
OC Steve McKinney (not tendered as UFA June 1)
LS Jeff Robinson (not tendered as UFA June 1)
PROJECTION
Even with the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals to contend with, the Seahawks should be able to win their division. Injuries destroyed Seattle’s 2008 season but that experience helped the future, creating on-the-job training for several players who will now go back to second string. After posting double digit losses in 2008, they should turn it around and post double digit wins in 2009. The Seahawks should be flying high above the rest of the NFC West on their way to another division title. Projection record: 10-6.
Photo Credit: College Press Box (Rutgers, Wake Forest)
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