11/16/08

The Seattle Seahawks’ 21-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins on November 9th, 2008, probably spelled the end to their four year run to the playoffs. That does not mean things are not interesting in ‘Hawk Nation. This is the NFC West, after all.

A loss is a loss of course, but several things went right for Seattle. Back up QB Seneca Wallace did a fine job, executing the game plan well, though he was punished by at least five dropped passes, including one in the end zone. And after being plunged into a 14-0 deficit, Seattle’s justifiably maligned defense stepped up and stuffed the Dolphins for most of the next three quarters.

While this team is, in fact, 2-7, it is not that poor of a team.

As the team starts to get back its horses the talk around ‘Hawk nation is divergent. Talk of a miracle run to the post season is balanced by strategic talk of losing out to get a better draft pick.

Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals is, oddly, a big one.


A Last Chance for Math

At 2-7, Seattle still has a shot at a play off berth. I am not predicting it, but stranger things have happened … though I cannot think of any just right now.

Basically, the Seahawks would have to run the table for the rest of the season, resulting in a 9-7 record. A 9-7 record has been enough to win the last four seasons in the NFC West. Such a feat would involve beating Dallas on Thanksgiving, and Washington, New England and the New York Jets.

Surely, that is a tall order, though Washington, New York and New England must come to the usually friendly confines of Qwest Field.

Such a feat, however, would include two wins against the Arizona Cardinals, the current and break away leaders of the NFC West with a 6-3 record. Presuming the unlikely 7-0 stretch run for the Seahawks, Arizona would have to go a modest 3-2 in non-Seattle games to amass a 9-7 record themselves, losing, of course, the tie-breaker.

More realistic, and nearly as much fun, will be watching the Cardinals wilt under the pressure of being expected to win. Should Seattle win a couple in a row and Arizona lose a few in a row, the dry heat in Phoenix could well be cranked up to uncomfortable levels.

But enough of all that. There are some actually interesting questions swirling around this team: the coaching situation, the running back situation and the quarterback’s back.

Coaching Bubble

I am not one of them, but many members of ‘Hawk Nation would just as soon have HC Mike Holmgren resign right now and let the Jim Mora era begin. Mora, Defensive Back and Assistant Head Coach has been named Holmgren’s successor by GM Tim Ruskell after Holmgren steps down at the end of this season.

On the upside, a continuity of philosophy will be much easier to maintain; everyone who is going to be a Seahawk next year knows who the Coach will be. On the other hand, with things going poorly, the possibility exists that players will quit on Holmgren and begin to look forward to next year.

Again, I doubt this. Firstly, I think Holmgren has the respect of the men on his team. Also, I think they are to a man afraid of him; the “Holmgren Bubble” is an amazing thing to watch when things are not going well. Gigantic, muscle bound maniacs step backwards to not be near him on the sidelines when things go sideways.

More substantially, the core leaders seem to be stout Holmgren guys, starting with QB Matt Hasselbeck. And I dare anyone to think about quitting on Holmgren with LT Walter Jones in the room.

At worst, I think it is simply a shame that Holmgren’s Last Ride, as his tenth and final season is being billed, might result in his worst season as a Seahawk.

Give Him the Ball

Ruskell vowed after last season to address the running game from every angle and he certainly made good on his promise. RB Shaun Alexander was cut without ceremony. Through free agency he added RBs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, and LG Mike Wahle. RB Justin Forsett and FB Owen Schmidtt were added in the draft. And veteran OL Coach Mike Solari was signed to improve the unit pushing and shoving in front of whoever gets the ball.

With Alexander gone, Holmgren has gone with a committee approach in the back field. RBs Jones and Maurice Morris have been splitting carries at half back. Duckett and FB Leonard Weaver have been getting looks in the short yardage game. And all four have had some success receiving the ball.

All that is dandy, but I have an alternative idea: feed Jones the rock.

Jones is running like a man possessed. He’s got a chip on his shoulder after being shifted aside in Dallas in favor of Marion Barber and averages 4.6 angry yards per carry. Were he to get the ball 20-25 times per game, Seattle would have the feature back they haven’t had since Alexander’s 2005 campaign.

Thanksgiving’s tilt in big D could be his coming out party.

Matt’s Back
QB Matt Hasselbeck returns Sunday against the Cardinals after missing five games with a painful and weakening bulging disc injury. Obviously, he has been cleared to play, though reports suggest that team doctors originally recommended that he sit out the season entirely.

While he has been working on his core strength as part of his rehabilitation, rest, to my understanding, is the best cure for these sorts of injuries.

The fundamental question is this: is salvaging a few wins in this all but lost season worth risking an injury to your quarterback in the prime of his career?

With the playoffs still a possibility, it will be impossible to keep him off the field.
 

9/13/08

Don’t Panic?

On September 7th, 2008, the new look Seattle Seahawks took the field in Buffalo with disastrous results. HC Mike Holmgren’s locally fabled “Last Ride”, as he begins his tenth and final campaign at the Seahawks’ helm, began with several flat tires and some seriously thrown rods. The 34-10 loss to the Bills was as ugly of an example of pro football as ‘Hawk Nation has seen in recent memory.

Improbably, things got worse in the 48 hours to follow.

On the field, soggy conditions and a clearly out of synch passing game produced just ten points. And the much-vaunted committee of running back looked like some of ‘Hawk Nation has feared: 85 ineffectual yards by six second-tier, “change of pace” backs.

A defense that has fancied itself elite and has made a goal of playing well on the road didn’t appear to be and did not, though in their defense they looked quite stout in patches during the opening half. And the Special Teams were far from special, giving up fourteen points directly and doing the defense no favors with a ridiculous punting game, averaging an unacceptable yet deceptively high 30 yard net average on eleven punts, including two for less than 25.


His voice still hoarse with a hint of the rage and strain that must have made the three hour flight home from Buffalo a harrowing one, Holmgren admitted at Monday’s press conference, “I’m angry… I’m still very angry.”

On a calmer note, though the rage and strain still evident, he relayed his Monday morning message to his troops: “Don’t panic.” While this ranked as one of his most embarrassing games as a Seahawk, “… every team puts out a stinker now and then.” And, of course, virtually every team every year is going to lose at least a couple of games.

The good news is that Seattle’s next two games are at home. And while they are important, divisional games, they are also against the not quite yet good San Francisco 49ers and the not good at all St. Louis Rams. Additionally, these two games lead into what at one time looked to be an unfortunately early week four bye week.

Given subsequent developments, this bye week could not come soon enough.

Fate and Management wielded heavy hammers as Monday wore on. In his grandfatherly public way, Holmgren summed it up as kindly as possible, “It’s kinda drastic what’s going on.”

Seattle’s lone veteran WR, Nate Burleson, seemingly poised for a break out year, was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee and is lost for the season. The cupboard is bare at the WR position behind him. Starting LG Chris Sims, appearing ineffective for much of the pre-season, was diagnosed with a torn pectoral muscle and lost for the season. He will be replaced by LG Floyd “Porkchop” Womack, whose injury history suggests that he will nicked up before I spell check this article.

RB Maurice Morris, the most experienced of Holmgren’s stable of halfbacks, will “miss some time” with a knee injury. And QB Matt Hasselbeck’s back, which limited his Pre-Season participation to exactly two series, is giving ‘Hawk Nation some serious spasms of doubt.

After eleven punts Sunday afternoon, third year P Ryan Plackemeier was unceremoniously given the rest of his Seahawks’ career off. P Jon Ryan, recently cut by the Green Bay Packers, was signed as his replacement.

On Tuesday, Seattle attempted to shift WR Jordan Kent and RB Justin Forsett to the practice squad. Kent survived the shift but Forsett, a clear bright spot of the Pre Season, failed to clear waivers and was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts.

These moves cleared spots to be filled by two experienced WRs, both “off the street”. Billy McMullen, formerly of Philadelphia and Washington, and Sammy Parker, formerly with Kansas City and Minnesota joined the team mid-week. With all of three days to learn the offense, their potential contributions are difficult to gauge, at best.

The clear picture developing on the offensive side of the ball is one of desperation. That Seattle’s back-up QB Seneca Wallace is taking significant reps at WR this week underscores that desperation. Given Hasselbeck’s back issues, Seattle could be one cheap shot on a Wallace crossing route short of the QB Charlie Frye era.

I just threw up a little in my mouth.

But the next few weeks could actually pan out well. As I mentioned earlier, Seattle’s opponents are not particularly fearsome. And both games are played in the frenzied and friendly confines of Qwest Field, where the Defense is particularly effective.

And, to belabor a point, the Qwest Field faithful are readying themselves to assist the defense by shouting chunks of lung onto the field turf from the opening kick off. There are serious (?) discussions bristling up on line and on the air and in dive bars among fans as to whether Holmgren should, if Seattle wins the coin toss, defer the kick off to let the twelfth man get into the game early.

We’re ridiculous that way, but we’re consistently ridiculous.

What lies ahead in these coming weeks is a two game marathon to the bye week. Holmgren and his staff must cobble together some way, however unorthodox or creative, to scrape together a couple of ugly wins.

Gimping into the bye week at 2-1, with two divisional wins under their belts, will go a long way to getting Holmgren’s Last Ride back on the road.
 

6/28/08

Seattle Seahawks 2008 Mini Camp Review

I. High Expectations

On Thursday, June 12th, 2008, the Seattle Seahawks broke their eighth and final mini camp in the wake of some scathing final remarks from HC Mike Holmgren. Seattle Post-Intellegencer beat writer Clare Farnsworth quotes QB Matt Hasselbeck in the moments afterward, “Mike chewed us out a good amount at the end of practice … If he spoke to us for ten minutes, nine of it was ripping us.”

Almost as an after thought, Holmgren wrapped up his remarks by cautioning them to stay smart in the off season and imploring them to arrive at Training Camp at the end of July ready to get better. Cautious optimism seems to be the vibe going into the next six weeks or so. Particularly on offense, Seattle is almost an entirely unknown quantity though quite possibly much, much better at many positions. Defensively, the Seahawks could potentially be elite. And the Special Teams are frankly a mystery.

“I have high expectations,” said Holmgren. Come July, all three units will be expected to stay good where they are good and get better where there are question marks.

II. The Offense

In Holmgren’s nine year era in the Great Northwest, the offensive side of the ball has provided the team’s persona on both national and local levels. While the defense has certainly featured its’ share of stars and successes, the likes of Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander and LT Walter Jones have been the faces of the franchise. The offense might well be quite good this year, but it will be almost unrecognizable to most Seahawk fans and observers.

The Running Game

From the beginning of the off season, GM Tim Ruskell committed to revamping the entire running game for the 2008 season. And his changes have been comprehensive. Ruskell aggressively addressed the back field and the coaching staff and added a key member to the line.

On a national level, the biggest move in the running game was the release of Alexander. The 2005 NFL MVP, Alexander was an integral part of the best season ever witnessed by ‘Hawk Nation, culminating in the team’s only Super Bowl appearance. After two injury-riddled and ineffective seasons, Alexander was unceremoniously cut and as of this writing has yet to find work.

Attempting to fill in Alexander’s shoes will be committee of largely unproven RBs. Seattle acquired RBs T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, from Detroit and Dallas respectively, via Free Agency. I originally believed these moves to be insurance in case none of this April’s Drafts’ top tier Running Backs would be available when Seattle chose at #25. None were and so this is the core of the group Seattle will move forward with.

On the surface, this appears to be an effort on Ruskell’s part to recreate the sort of thunder and lightning RB attack that propelled his Atlanta Falcons to some success in 2002-2007. This attack featured Duckett himself as the bruising goal line and short yardage specialist and RB Warrick Dunn as the slashing and dashing premier back.

In a glass half full scenario, the Seahawks are quite deep in this thunder and lightning alignment. Behind the presumptive starters in Jones and Duckett is an apparently good if unproven squad of backs led by RB Maurice Morris.

Morris has spent his entire career as a Seahawk, backing up Alexander through his glory years. And while he knows the Seattle playbook like the back of his hand, he’s projected to “back up” Jones. It is almost incorrect to speak of starters and back ups in this back field as rotations seem to me the likeliest way of looking at things.

Morris and Jones will be joined by recently signed rookie RB Justin Forsett (California-Berkley) in the mix at the fast back position, though his likeliest role will be on Special Teams.

Duckett, meanwhile, is listed as a Fullback on the team’s depth chart, though he might likely be expected to carry the ball when he is on the field. Behind him is a slowly but steadily improving FB Leonard Weaver who has himself shown some flashes of being a crushing ball carrier.

Behind these two gentlemen, neither of whom you would want to meet in a dark alley, is rookie maniac FB Owen Schmitt. Likely a Special Teams contributor early on, Schmitt is the prototypical (and very rare) FB in that he would just as soon throw an annihilating lead block than score the TD himself.

In a glass half full scenario, Seattle has a lot of options at the RB position. Various combinations of thunder and lightning might develop as particularly effective with the six gentlemen in the mix. And some potentially harrowing short yardage combinations are possible for perhaps the first time in Seahawk history: images of FB Owen Schmitt as an H-Back playing close in and FB Leonard Weaver lead blocking for FB T.J. Duckett on a third and goal have some members of ‘Hawk Nation salivating, this writer emphatically included.

In a glass half empty scenario, the more traditional featured back that Seattle has enjoyed for the past 15 years (most recently Shaun Alexander since 2001, preceded by Ricky Watters from 1992-1997, and Chris Warren from 1998-2001)has been replaced by six “change of pace” backs, none of which and no combination of which have truly proven themselves.

Pushing and mauling in front of this backfield is an injured but decidedly upgraded offensive line. LT Jones, C Chris Spencer and RG Rob Sims all missed on-field time during mini-camps recovering from off season surgeries. All are expected to be able to contribute come training camp, though Spencer in particular is in need of as much practice as possible.

Jones can skip training camp and still play at a Pro-Bowl level and Sims should excel if he can concentrate at the RG position. Spencer is the biggest question mark as he has struggled with line calling responsibilities since assuming the starting job in the wake of C Robbie Tobeck’s retirement in 2006.

The additions of Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari and LG Mike Wahle are both upgrades. Wahle, cut in what looks to be a salary cap move by the Carolina Panthers, seemed immediately to bring a much needed bag of bad ass to the interior line.

Solari did not enjoy much success as Kansas City’s Offensive Coordinator the last two seasons. But he racked up a great reputation as an OL coach during some of KC’s greatest seasons. RB Priest Holmes’ successes from 2001-2003 and RB Larry Johnson’s in 2005 and 2006 all owe more than passing thanks to Solari’s infamous lines zone blocking in front of them.

The Passing Game

Hasselbeck is at the height of his powers as a QB in the West Coast Offense and is coming off of a career year (352/562 for 3966 yards, 28TDs and 12 INT). But questions abound regarding his targets in the passing game.

Firstly, all of the question marks that present themselves in the running game translate to the passing game: only Morris returns as a proven commodity catching balls out of the back field in this offense. Jones and Duckett have had some receiving success in similar offenses at times in their careers; Weaver and Schmitt appear to have a bit of upside in this department. But as a group, they are as unproven as a receiving option as they are as runners.

Of more concern is the make up of the Receiving Corps. Both WRs Deion Branch and Bobby Engram, the #1 and #2 WRs respectively, missed the entirety of the June mini-camps. Branch is out due to reconstructive knee surgery he underwent in February; it is unlikely he will be able to contribute in the opening weeks of the season, let alone training camp. Engram appears headed to a prolonged hold out in an attempt to get a contract extension more in line with his production last season. Seahawk management has dug its heels in and seems dead-set against any re-negotiations going into the season.

These situations leave WR Nate Burleson as Seattle’s lone veteran receiver. Burleson had a decent season in 2007 but it remains to be seen if he can carry the load of the #1 WR in this offense. Joining Burleson is a quartet of young, talented WRs with virtually no real game experience: Jordan Kent, Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor and Logan Payne.

None are household names outside of their own households, but at least two will be expected to make significant contributions in the passing game right out of the gates in the 2008 season.

As to the Tight End position, recently signed veteran Jeb Putzier and third-year Seahawk Will Heller would seem to be serviceable enough. But only 2nd Round pick Jon Carlson (Notre Dame) can realistically be thought of as having an upside that could include being elite in Holmgren’s complicated West Coast Offense. And relying on a rookie TE, however talented, is not necessarily the best scenario for success in this offense.

With a healthy Branch and a participating Engram, the Receiving game can probably perform at high, if not elite, level. Without these gentlemen, this will be among the more interesting positional situations to keep an eye on in Training Camp.

III. Special Teams.

Like facets of the Offense, questions abound on the Special Teams squad. And if you buy into the adage that Special Teams are a full third of the Team, Seattle could find itself in trouble.

PK Josh Brown, Seattle’s most significant Free Agent departure, leaves some, well, big shoes to fill. Brown’s FG percentage of 82% was slightly above his career average (80%) in 2007, but problems with a rotating group of ineffective Long Snappers seemed to play a part in Brown’s departure to St.Louis. Brown’s value was higher to the Seahawks than a success percentage, his absolutely clutch performances late in games making him an integral and automatic part of the two minute drill in close games. Seattle fielded potential replacements for both Brown and the LS position during the mini camps. The Seahawks look frankly weak at PK but I am hopeful about the LS position.

Seattle took what many assume to be something of a reach in April’s draft, selecting Tyler Schmitt (San Diego State) with a pick in the sixth round. In a perfect world, no fan should even know their LS’s name; one only hears his name when something goes horribly wrong. Decidedly a need pick, Schmitt will be expected to contribute right away. Likely the best LS in the country, he did not, according to Scout.com writer Doug Farrar, “miss a snap on a punt or kick in his four years at San Diego State.” I’m inclined to think of him as an improvement over last season.

I am less confident about the team’s questions at PK. Filling “Bigfoot” Brown’s right shoe will be PK Olindo Mare or rookie PK Brandon Coutu. Converting 82% of his Field Goal attempts from 1999-2005, Mare is not the kicker he once was, connecting just 72% of the time in 2006 and an anemic 59% in 2007. This is not trending in Seattle’s favor. But it would be folly to just hand the job to a rookie. By design, these two will have all of training camp to kick it out for the job.

P Ryan Plackemeier is turning into a good Punter with a monster leg. His distance numbers slid down a bit from his rookie campaign in 2006 (from 45/ 37.3 net yards per punt to 40/34.3) but his inside the 20 numbers have improved (25 times/ 29.8% to 30 times/ 34.9%). He’s posted longs of 72 yards in 2006 and 62 yards in 2007. P Reggie Hodges has been invited in as nominal competition, filling in for STL and PHI in his only NFL season, 2005, but this job is securely in Plack’s hands.

WR Nate Burleson has been electric in the return game since signing with Seattle in 2006, though his importance as a WR this off season will likely put an end to that, at least until the WR situation is clarified. The likeliest successors to Burleson are probably second year CB Josh Wilson, who looked comfortable and capable in the role at times last season, particularly on kick offs, and speedy rookie RB Justin Forsett, who excelled at times in the return game at California.

IV. The Defense.

If a few waves break right, this could be a top five Defense. GM Tim Ruskell has spent the passed three off seasons cherry picking draft choices and Free Agents to meticulously assemble this squad. It was in the top half of most Defensive stats last year and made some solid additions to some positions that were a bit thin.

The Line

With glaring needs at the interior OL, TE and DT, Ruskell surprised many fans and observers in April by drafting DE Lawrence Jackson (USC) with Seattle’s first round pick. Jackson will immediately join DE Barak Adkins in rotation with starters DE Daryl Tapp and DE Patrick Kearney. A big part of Kearney’s game is simply being in better shape and having more energy than his opponents late in games. Adding a first round talent in the mix at DE will only keep him that much fresher. His 14.5 sack 2007 season might well be repeatable.

Inside, things could get very interesting. DT Brandon Mebane played out of his mind in his rookie season, stepping up when DT Marcus Tubbs went down with his second serious knee injury in successive years. To Mebane’s left shoulder, DT Rocky Bernard is entering his seventh NFL season and has locked down the starting job since 2006 with his solid and consistent play. While this unit got fairly well pushed around in the second round of the play offs at Green Bay, some serious beef seems poised to rotate through with Mebane and Bernard, one from an unlikely source.

I would have been happy had Red Bryant (USC) been selected with Seattle’s third round pick (traded to Tennessee earlier in the draft); I was elated when the 6’4”, 318-pound Bryant was there in the fourth. While he has his limitations and some injury issues coming out of college, I can see him thriving in a rotation where he can concentrate on being a run-stuffing mauler on the interior.

In the rotational mix along side Bryant will be journeymen DT Craig Terrill and DT Chris Cooper. And, on a very exhausted horse, the white knight riding into the mix on this unit might well be DT Marcus Tubbs. Tubbs is coming off of an ACL injury in his right knee, sustained early in the pre-season in 2007. This might qualify as a blessing in disguise in that sidelining him for the entire season allowed extra time for the 2006 micro-fracture surgery in his left knee to heal.

It is something of a long shot, but, if he is healthy, having a big body with Tubbs’ skills coming off of the bench is a luxury that few teams can claim. According to Seahawks.net, he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation of the ACL injury and was running some low impact agility drills on the sidelines at mini camp. Originally thought to be available no earlier than the opening weeks of the season, there is an outside chance he might be an active participant from the beginning of Training Camp.

The Linebackers

The starting three of this Corps (Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and Leroy Hill) are arguable the best in the business. A natural football leader even as a rookie, Tatupu is maturing into a perennial Pro Bowl field general and he has led the team in tackles the last three years, posting 104, 122 and 109 tackles. Peterson’s athleticism makes him a difficult match up in the pass rushing game, where he notched up 9.5 sacks, and a very good option in pass coverage where he is big enough to take on TEs and quick enough to match up with RBs. Leroy Hill might be the league’s most under rated LB. Coming off of an 81 tackle, 3 sack season, Hill is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be playing for a gigantic payday. The corps’ stated goal this June is to land all three of them in the Pro Bowl.

The Backfield.

Going into the 2007 season, GM Ruskell blew up the Safety position, bringing in veterans Deon Grant and Brian Russell via Free Agency. That move may single handedly have sent CB Marcus Trufant to the Pro Bowl. He could play the corner without constantly looking his shoulder to see how badly S Kenny Hamlin and S Kelly Herndon were caught out of position. And he responded with a career-high seven interceptions.

With the pressure applied by the front seven leading to 45 sacks (4rd in the NFL), Trufant and company responded with 20 interceptions (3rd in the NFL). With another year of experience under the belts of young CBs Kelly Jennings, Josh Wilson and S C.J. Wallace, this backfield should again be able to terrorize opposing aerial attacks.


V. Holmgren’s Last Ride

With Coach Holmgren’s ripping tirade ringing in their ears, Seahawk players were released into to world outside of football to rest, recover from injuries and, hopefully, stay out of trouble. With two of his starters (defensive Captain LB Lofa Tatupu, arrested for suspicion of DUI in April, and DT Rocky Bernard for allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend in the forehead early in June) already in pretty serious trouble this off season, this hope might seem to Holmgren to be a fragile one.

On the other hand, there is a lot on the line for the core of this team that has achieved un paralleled success since 2003, making the playoffs five consecutive years, winning the division and advancing to the second round four consecutive years. But despite this success, every season has ended with a loss.

And this clearly burns Holmgren.

It might sound naļve on my part, but the leadership core of this team will be highly motivated to “win one for Holmgren,” so to speak. That motivation begins with doing the right thing in the off season

Holmgren’s last ride begins not on opening day and not when training camp begins but the second the ringing fades from the player’s ears. Holmgren’s last ride begins right now.
 

5/10/08

The Seattle Seahawks limped out of their post-season loss to the Green Bay Packers with some fairly obvious needs. Areas that needed immediate improvement included interior Defensive Line, interior Offensive Line, Running Back, Kicker and Tight End.

General Manager Tim Ruskell was particularly active in Free Agency, addressing to one extent or another most of these needs. Heading into the draft, this activity positioned Seattle well in that all of their needs had been addressed, if not outright solved; with serviceable players in place, the Seahawks could proceed with a best player available approach and never be forced to reach for a player of lesser skills to fill a need.

As is becoming usual with Ruskell’s drafts in Seattle, the Seahawks’ draft seems to make no sense to observers on the national level. The late rounds in particular, which seem to target very specifically some Special Teams needs, could easily be termed reaches. Locally, however, the sense seems to be that each of the seven gentlemen drafted has a legitimate chance of not just making the team but making a positive contribution in 2008. If it shakes out in that way, this will have to be viewed as a successful draft.

- With the top five RBs off the board and depth at TE that would likely slip into the second round, Seattle added a strength to a strength on the defensive edges. And managed to add a couple picks in the process. Jackson’s career on some of the best college teams ever fielded oddly worked against him. By staying for his senior season, he seemed to have become yesterday’s news in the minds of many scouts and front offices. Not in Ruskell’s. Jackson was a team leader and started in 51 of the 52 games he suited up for the Trojans. He likely would have been Seattle’s choice at 25, but Ruskell shrewdly traded down three picks with Dallas, adding picks in the fifth round and seventh round in the process. Jackson joins an effective unit anchored by Darryl Tapp and NFL sack-leader Patrick Kearney, both of whom seemed to be noticeably rundown at the end of the 2007 season. He will likely be in the rotational mix spelling both gentlemen from the beginning and will possibly push Tapp for starting time.

- Perhaps bolstered by adding two day two picks, Ruskell strayed from form and parted with Seattle’s third round pick to jump up from 55 to Baltimore’s pick at 38. This might be viewed as a bit of a reach, but clearly Carlson was at the top of Seattle’s TE board and it was worth the pick to insure his services. Projected by most to be of back up caliber early in his career, primarily because of his relative lack of speed (4.89-40) Carlson will be pressed into service as early as right away. He entered the draft as the most complete TE in terms of being able to contribute in both the running and passing games. Carlson will likely compete with FA TE Jeb Putzier for playing time immediately.

- For much of ‘Hawk Nation, this pick was a pleasant surprise on a couple of levels. Ruskell’s predilection for undersized, speedy Defensive Linemen has limited the number of big bodies in that corps to, basically, one, in the person of DT Marcus Tubbs. With Tubbs’ career in serious doubt (at this point, any contribution on his part has got to be filed as an extra) and with Seattle getting frankly pushed around the field in Green Bay last December, it was time for even Ruskell to go for some serious beef at the position. That he actually did so was a pleasant enough surprise; that Red Bryant was available in the fourth round was excellent news. Personally, I would have been quite happy to see him in the third round. Voted a team Captain for the Longhorns in 2006 and 2007, some spectacular team stats follow Bryant to the NFL. In 2006, Bryant missed five games due to a knee injury. In the eight games he played, the Aggies allowed a stingy 75 yards per game against the run; in the five he missed they allowed a spectacularly generous 229 yards. In 2007’s first ten regular season games, according to seahawks.net, 42 rushing plays were directed at Bryant; he allowed 43 yards on these 42 plays. That will keep you in the majors. He will likely be expected to contribute immediately and will likely succeed at doing so.

- In a strictly on the field sense, Seattle’s selection of Schmitt in the fifth round might be considered a bit of a reach. Fullback is one of those positions that many draft observers simply dismiss as being an inherently sixth and seventh round affair. Whatever. In a philosophical sense, Schmitt joins the Off Season signings of RB Julius Jones, RB T.J. Duckett, LG Mike Wahle and OL Coach Mike Solari, among others, as tangible proof of Ruskell’s commitment towards revamping the entire running game. Again, whatever. In a frothing at the mouth sense, a huge segment of ‘Hawk Nation could not give less of a damn about either of those sissy senses and wants to howl with this guy for the maniac he appears to be.

Hell, freakin’ yes!

Much has been made, to the tune of 11 pages of fan response in the twelve hours after his selection, many from rabid Mountaineer fans who have adopted Seattle as their NFL team, about his exploits (culled from KJRAM.com and Seahawks.net): in 353 rushing attempts at the college level he has lost yards precisely four times; he holds the local record for Mario’s Fish Club, of WV, in the category of, well, eating a beer coaster; he’s been captured on YouTube beating his be-mohawked skull with his helmet after failing to convert a pooch-kick; he’s played TE as well as FB and seems to love, if not prefer, clocking people in the blocking game to scoring touchdowns; he must hold the unofficial NCAA season record for shattered face masks with eleven, ten of them his own. He is this draft’s cult hero for the Seahawks.

Realistically, Schmitt will be a Special Teams maniac, probably in every situation available. He might also press for time in a FB/TE/HB sort of role depending on how quickly he processes HC Mike Holmgren’s offense.

Seattle will likely take a bit of criticism for taking such a specialist in the draft at all but Long Snapper was a big problem in terms of consistency in 2007. PK Josh Brown had his worst season as a pro and his defection to the St. Louis Rams might well be attributed to some obvious problems with LS Boone Stutz’ accuracy. Perhaps a bit undersized for the position at the NFL level, Schmitt recorded exactly zero missed snaps as a LS (punt) and Short Snapper (FG/EP) in his four years at San Diego State. In a perfect world, Mr. Schmitt will make the team without fanfare and ‘Hawk Nation will never hear his name again for his fifteen year career. That’s Pro Bowl stuff for Long Snappers.

A very productive back at Cal, Forsett probably projects to be a Special Teams contributor in the immediate future. This is particularly true as, with WR Deion Branch’s availability for the entire year appears murky, WR Nate Burleson’s services are looking to become too valuable in the receiving game for him to continue returning kicks. Long term, Forsett is probably is a poor-man’s Brian Westbrook, with quickness and ball catching ability out of the backfield. He certainly fits into the mold of RB Juluis Jones or RB Maurice Morris as a classic "change of pace" back, which might bode well for his future in Seattle behind an improving OL and a gigantic and aggressive FB corps. There might not appear to be room on this roster for Forsett, but Ruskell has made good on his word to revitalize the running game and nobody’s position on the depth chart is untouchable. I like his chances.

Certainly one of the top five kickers in the class, Coutu had three excellent years as a Bulldog, though struggled a bit as a senior with hamstring injuries. This is a position of great need in the wake of PK Josh Brown’s departure to St. Loius. He will challenge aging veteran PK Olindo Mare in Training Camp for the Kicking job.

4/13/08

On February 29^th, 2008, eligible NFL players declared themselves Free Agents, effectively kicking off the pre-season. The Seattle Seahawks participated pretty actively in attempting to acquire and, eventually, acquiring several Free Agents to improve the team heading into the Draft.

Heading into Free Agency, Seattle had several glaring needs: Running Back, Interior Offensive Line, Interior Defensive Line, Tight End and Kicker. Several of these needs were addressed, if not entirely solved, by Seattle’s activity in the Free Agent market.

And one of these needs was vigorously addressed before Free Agency even began.

Before a single player agent was officially contacted, Seattle made significant improvements to its offensive line. On January 25^th, 2008, Seattle hired former Kansas City Offensive Coordinator Mike Solari as its new Offensive Line Coach. While not particularly successful as an OC, Solari is considered one of the better OL minds in the NFL. He is credited with masterminding a fairly consistently dominant OL attack from 1997 -2005, with spectacular success from 2001-2003 in front of Priest Holmes and a dominant 2005 campaign in front of Larry Johnson.

I have always been a fan of having position coaches with deep resumes. Head Coach Mike Holmgren has several years of experience as a General Manager. And both Defensive Coordinator (and later, due to health issues, Special Defensive Assistant) Ray Rhodes and Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Backs Coach Jim Mora have been Head Coaches.

Solari fits right in in my book.

Seattle seems to have some talent on the interior line. However, C Chris Spencer and G Rob Sims in particular have hit something of a wall in their development in grasping the nuances of OL play at the NFL level. The hope is that Solari will be able to help this situation.

On February 14^th, 2008, the Seahawks got a jump start on Free Agency, snatching up LG Mike Wahle, who was cut by the Carolina Panthers in what looks to be a salary cap maneuver. Wahle brings ten years of experience and two Pro Bowl nods to a position that has bedeviled Seattle since the departure of G Steve Hutchinson to Minnesota.

The domino effect of Wahle’s signing should allow Sims to concentrate on being the starting RG, where he seemed to have more success last season.

RB Shaun Alexander will likely be cut. I suspect this will happen after the Draft.

There: I said it. Luck to you, Shaun!

For better or worse, Seattle’s GM Tim Ruskell seems intent on recreating the, well, glory days of the Atlanta Falcons’ version of the "Thunder and Lightning" attack, which enjoyed most of it’s success from 2003-2005.

The Falcons’ attack during those halcyon days featured RBs Warrick Dunn (5’9"; 185#) as a quick- running, pass-catching threat and T.J.Duckett (6’0"; 254#) as the goal line and short yardage bruiser. It also included the unique talents of QB Michael Vick, which will be virtually impossible to duplicate.

On March 8^th, 2008, Seattle signed FA RB Julius Jones (5’10"; 208#) (Dallas) to fill the Dunn role. Jones put up pretty pedestrian numbers last year but, in his defense, Marion Barber was simply a much better talent. Jones is certainly a player at the NFL level, but not the classic load-carrying starter. He is certainly capable of putting up big performances now and then and his hands out of the backfield will be a sure improvement over Alexander.

Starring as T.J. Duckett in this new Falcons West scenario is none other that Duckett himself. Signed on March 3^rd, 2008, most recently of the Detroit Lions, Duckett represents an immediate improvement in the short yardage game, where Seattle struggled mightily in 2007.

While I am not entirely sold on this development at Running Back, it will be interesting to see the combined talent of Jones and Duckett in QB Matt Hasselbeck’s offense. Hasselbeck is probably the best practitioner of the West Coast Offense in the League right now and both Duckett and Jones, while certainly less talented, are better fits in this Offense than the likely departing Alexander ever was.

Seattle also signed TE Jeb Putzier, most recently of the Houston Texans. While not a household name, Putzier has carved out a solid enough career for himself, mostly with the Denver Broncos. Putzier will likely step into the starting role at TE and with TE Will Heller and prospect TE Zac Alcorn will be part of a serviceable if not stellar TE Corps.

In what must be considered a downgrade at the position, Seattle signed PK Olindo Mare, most recently of the New Orleans Saints, in the wake of PK Josh Brown’s departure to the St. Louis Rams.

Mare has had a productive career, though his best days do seem to be behind him. He posted a 72% FG conversion rate in 2006 and a 58% rate in 2007, both well below his career average of 79.9%.

I view this signing as something of an insurance policy. I suspect it is Mare’s job to lose, but Seattle will give him every opportunity to lose it in training camp; I expect several kickers to be invited to compete for the job, possibly including a draft choice.

With its actions in Free Agency, Seattle has put itself into an interesting position going into the Draft. While all GMs dislike the idea of reaching for a player because of a glaring need, in GM Ruskell this idea has positively evolved into a phobia. The Seahawks have addressed their most pressing needs through Free Agency, though none of these acquisitions necessarily represent a solution to those needs.

By addressing these needs with serviceable Free Agents, GM Ruskell has diffused the need to reach for any particular position and, thereby, allows Seattle to proceed with a Best Player Available approach to the Draft.

Seattle’s draft will be among the more unpredictable in the upcoming Draft.

2/6/08

Renowned for its ear-splitting crowd noise, no place on Earth could have felt as quiet as Seattle’s Qwest Field, this Sunday, January 20^th, 2008. Its cold, wet, empty seats were the perfect metaphor for the hush in the middle of ‘Hawk Nation’s collective room.

The improbable had happened. The New York Giants had beaten Tampa Bay and Dallas on the road, setting up one of only two scenarios in which Seattle could host the NFC Championship Game. Particularly with the Seahawks’ fan base thinking of the Giants as their personal whipping toy within the friendly confines off Elliott Bay, the possibilities still running around the region’s imagination could tend to make us positively wistful.

Ahh … what might have been, what might have been, what might have been …

Of course, what might have been might have included a ridiculously anemic Seattle running attack. And what might have been would certainly have included a man-sized portion of man-beast RB Brandon Jacobs running the ball right down Seattle’s throat.

At any rate, after a week of appropriately sullen mourning, ‘Hawk Nation watched one hell of a game on the 20^th and turned its eyes to the off season.

Damn the Greatest Super Bowl Ever Played, there is plenty of work to do in Seattle.

Upper management needs to improve on and manage numerous problems, each more important than the next if success is to be maintained next year and in years to come.

The short lists of cats that need to be juggled include locking up or making tough decisions on some key Free Agents currently on the roster, upgrading the Offensive line and, indeed, the whole running game, shoring up the Defensive line, and clarifying HC Mike Holmgren’s situation.

Holmgren’s off season regimen has lately included long rides in the Arizona desert on his Harley-Davidson to recharge, reflect and boil over the last loss of the season. These losses, for the last five years, have come in the play offs and, according to Holmgren himself, are becoming increasingly difficult to recover from.

The passed few years, this process has taken several weeks. This year, Holmgren’s proverbial ride seemed to have skipped the actual Harley road trip and he came out of his self-imposed sabbatical in less than two weeks to announce that he will be back for one more year, the last of his extension and the tenth of his tenure in Seattle.

Arguably the most important off season cat that needed juggling, Holmgren’s return sets up a transition year that will most likely culminate in Assistant Head Coach Jim Mora’s promotion to Head Coach in 2009. There is some thought that this will be formalized into Mora’s current contract in the next few weeks.

A certain segment of ‘Hawk Nation fears a lame-duck campaign in 2008. If there is trouble, it well could originate from such a status, but not in the way many might think.

As far as Holmgren’s status with the players, I vehemently believe he is immune from the pitfalls of being a lame duck coach. The core group of players and Holmgren have been through a lot in the passed several years, with generally positive results. There is an obvious mutual respect and I think, cheesy as it may sound, the prospect of "winning one for Holmy in his last year" could be a very real motivation for this core.

Some problems, however, might arise with the front office. Indeed, questions abound. With his successor in the room, how much weight will Holmgren’s opinions carry in regards to personnel decisions?

GM Tim Ruskell certainly has no problems making his own decisions. And he would be foolish to completely disregard advice from a football mind such as Holmgren’s. But what if Mora and Holmgren are at odds on a particular player or issue? Wouldn’t the ties go to Mora?

And things could get potentially murkier with Coaching decisions. Fiercely loyal to both players and his Coaching staff, Holmgren may have several uncomfortable decisions made for him in this final year. What direction will the heir-apparent go offensively? Is OC Gil Haskell, a dyed in the wool Holmgren guy, the future OC? And, if not, is a player deemed a great fit in the Holmgren WCO, how might he fit in the Mora system? What the hell is the Mora system offensively?

One of these decisions has already been made and two more seem inevitable.

Bill Laveroni, a member of Holmgren’s staff since 2004, was unceremoniously not re-invited to return as Seattle’s Offensive Line Coach. This quite possibly might have happened had Holmgren chosen to extend his tenure as the OL unit was probably the weakest on the team. Assistant OL Coach Keith Gilbertson was reassigned to the WR Corps, effectively blowing up the entire OL coaching staff.

Just days later, Seattle nabbed up Kansas City’s Offensive Coordinator Mike Solari and named him the OL coach. While not sporting much success at OC, Solari was the mastermind of an eight year run of KC OL dominance from 1995-2003.

On Friday, January 25, 2008, QB Coach and Seattle Seahawk legend Jim Zorn accepted the OC position with the Washington Redskins. On the same day, former DC and Defensive Special Assistant for the last two years, Ray Rhodes, accepted a similar special assistant job with the Houston Texans. Rhodes, from relatively nearby Mexia, TX, has struggled with health issues and with Holmgren on his way out, saw a chance to work closer to home.

Rhodes’ position likely will not be re-filled, but Zorn’s must be.

QB Matt Hasselbeck’s career surely has Holmgren’s fingerprints all over it. And he has flourished in the last few years under Zorn’s tutelage. Realistically, at this point in Hasselbeck’s career, the position coach will have little effect on his development.

At the organizational level, however, the QB Coach is often an offensive leader, running certain meetings and, well, quarterbacking the offense in conjunction with the OC. And, of course, all of Hasselbeck’s back-ups and potential back-ups will need hands on position coaching to advance their development. At any rate, whoever replaces Zorn will clearly be a Mora guy, not a Holmgren guy.

III. Keeping Their Own.

Of the current ‘Hawks set to become free agents, I would consider four to be of first tier importance.

1. CB Marcus Trufant. After switching back to the right, and his more natural, CB position, Trufant responded with an excellent year (85 tackles; 7 interceptions). And it will make him a LOT of money next year. A hometown guy done good, (grew up in Tacoma, attended Washington State University) conventional local thinking suggests that he would like to stay on board with the team that drafted him in 2003. But forget about a hometown discount. If Seattle has the money, they would be wise to sign him long term.

In my opinion, the NFL is such a copy-cat league that the success of the New England Patriots’ (and, while we’re at it, the Packers’ and Seahawks’) multi-WR looks will likely spawn many similar schemes next year. This will make coverage DBs much more valuable than they had been considered in the past. I believe teams will need to start thinking of (and paying) the Nickel back as an every game starter. Having Trufant locking down one side of the field will go a long way towards Seattle having a successful Defensive season.

If talks do break down, I have little doubt that Seattle will use the franchise tag on Trufant.

2. PK Josh Brown. An all weather mudder, Brown is a fan favorite, a clutch late game play maker and even considered by team mates to be an actual football player. He is consistent and a competitor and has been a major part of Seattle’s successes since he was chosen late in the 2003 Draft. I have heard some talk of using the franchise tag on him, particularly if Trufant gets locked up, though it seems to me that he’s worth top five PK money and the team should just pay the guy.

3. RT Sean Locklear. While the OL is clearly the weakest link on the team, the gentlemen filling the starting Tackle positions are unquestionably a strength. ‘Hawk Nation has been spoiled by LT Walter Jones’ consistent and dominant career since being drafted in 1997. And while that career is not necessarily done with, he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Barring any draft or FA coup, Locklear is the heir apparent to Jones’ anchor position on the left. He probably will not garner Franchise-level money, nor frankly should he, but he is an integral part of a young, seemingly talented but as of yet underperforming line.

4. WR D.J. Hackett. Could he stay healthy, Hackett will push WR Deion Branch for the #1 WR spot, particularly with Branch likely to miss huge chunks of next season with his own health issues. Could he stay healthy, Hackett could demand top dollar as a free agent. The tangibles are all there. He is 6’2" and 199# and even while scrapping for playing time as a #4 WR made a reputation for himself of making big catches in important situations over the last two years. Could he stay healthy … I mean seriously, could he?

His propensity to miss games due to injury might be a blessing in disguise as other suitors might not be willing to throw around huge money to get his services. But, as is said, it only takes one. I have heard that both Minnesota and Denver have interest in Hackett and his fragility, coupled with Seattle’s potentially great depth at the WR position, might see the Seahawks willing to go in another direction should another team significantly outbid them for Hackett’s services.

IV. Inside the Lines.

Seattle’s interior DL is at the edge of the lawn and its interior OL is deep in the weeds.

There is, however, hope, mostly in the form of talent and potential, for both units.

On the defensive side of the ball, the interior was rocked by the pre-season right knee injury to DT Marcus Tubbs, who had missed 9 games in 2006 for an injury to his left. At 6’3", 320#, Tubbs was Seattle’s only legitimate big body in the middle going into 2007. And as far as big bodies in the middle across the NFL go, Tubbs is not a monster.

This is likely a lament that Seahawk fans will just have to get used to living through. GM Tim Ruskell’s defenses, the one he seems to be piecing together in Seattle included, all tend towards being very fast and, as a result, a bit undersized. Its not that Ruskell would mind a few 6’5", 380# maniacs with 4.6 40’s, but that is a, well, fairly rare skill set.

In other words, Ruskell values speed higher than any other tangible skills. Almost by definition, size will suffer.

This contributed mightily to Seattle’s poor showing on the tundra in Green Bay. If you cannot find purchase to run around the guy 40 pounds heavier than you trying to push you out of the way, you will get pushed out of the way. And RB Ryan Grant will blow through you like a January Norther’ off of Lake Michigan. While conditions at Lambeau Field were particularly horrible that Saturday, play off football is, after all, a winter sport often played outdoors. In my opinion you’ve got to have some beef up front to succeed in the post season.

The good news is that rookie DT Brandon Mebane (6’3", 314#) responded to his opportunity with a tough, disruptive effort. Earning the starting nod for the last ten games, he racked up 29 tackles and 2 sacks. These aren’t earth-shattering numbers, but the DT job in Seattle’s defense is more about causing disruption and occupying blockers than actually making plays.

If Tubbs can return to form next year – and to be certain, this is a big "if" after missing 23 straight regular season games and four play off games – the four man rotation of Tubbs, Mebane, DT Rocky Bernard and DT Chartric Darby (who joined Tubbs on the IR) could certainly get the job done.

If one were to assume that Tubbs cannot return to form (two major knee injuries in about 18-months make this a pretty good assumption) DT will have to be towards the top of the list of areas to improve through Free Agency and the Draft.

But other needs are certainly more pressing.

Which statement dovetails neatly into any discussion of the OL.

As mentioned above, Seattle has its ducks in a row in terms of the starting Tackle position. And if interior play can somehow be improved, a solid enough back up corps in the persons of G/T Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack and T Tom Ashworth are already on the roster. Unfortunately, the oft-inured Womack and 15-year veteran G Chris Gray, perfectly suited as stellar depth on a very good team, spent way too much time in the line up as C Chris Spencer and G Rob Sims just did not seem to be "getting it."

Both Spencer and Sims are credited with starting every game, though Gray in particular subbed in for Sims quite often at RG, with Womack covering the LG position.

Both Spencer and Sims seem to have the tangibles to excel. And when bright and physically gifted athletes cannot seem to "get" the scheme being forwarded, sometimes Coaches get fired.

Recently hired OL Coach Mike Solari might just be able to make the intangibles click for Spencer and Sims. On January 21^st, 2008, ESPN reporter John Clayton, on a KJR 950AM radio interview suggested that Solari’s hiring would make pursuing a Free Agent Guard of the Alan Faneca (PIT) level unnecessary.

I tend to disagree; but I am no John Clayton.

At this point in his career, Sims seems most productive on the right side. And it might be a make or break year for Spencer if the nuances of line calling continue to elude him.

Even if Solari’s teachings can coach these gentlemen up to their potential, and his successes in KC suggest that they can, this unit is still in need of another starting Guard. The Draft seems particularly thin at this position (and I would not stake a play off run on a rookie performance at this position anyway) so I would expect Seattle to pursue with great purpose a top flight Free Agent.

I have been the biggest RB Shaun Alexander apologist that I know for the last two years.

I believe that his injuries and weak line play made for a poor season in 2006. And I believe that his wrist injury, which caused him to fumble twice early in 2007 made for his over protecting of the ball to amplify his already self-admitted tendency to occasionally save himself for the next play.

Is he cautious or is he soft?

Is he battling through injuries or is he finished trying now that he has his gigantic contract in hand?

I don’t know.

I do know that listening to him talk makes my skin crawl. I have a younger sister and have worked in the restaurant/cruise ship industry for the last ten years or so, often with much younger female staffers who I come to feel more or less protective of. As a result, I have developed an intense distrust of guys who always have the right thing to say.

I would not pass on Mr. Alexander’s phone number to any of them. Even when he is saying the right things, it never rings true.

On the field itself, could a healthy Alexander, running behind a young talented line that has finally gotten it under the tutelage of a great OL Coach put together a decent season or two?

I hate to admit it, but yes.

But it is decidedly time to find, probably by the Draft, his eventual replacement.

It is a good Draft in which to address this need in virtually every round, though a few excellent Free Agents are out there. Any top flight Free Agent would likely replace Alexander as opposed to augment or back him up.

While the rest of the universe took part in the ill-fated, football-scented QB Tom Brady love orgy that was supposed to be Super Bowl XLII, a certain segment of ‘Hawk Nation was already in pre-season mode.

If you’re reading this, this might be you.