Loading ...Excitement builds for Seahawks Season
With the Mariners just completely stinking it up and the Sonics possibly on the way out, the biggest thing we here in Seattle have to look forward to is the coming NFL season. Luckily it is the ‘Hawks time on Seattle’s rotation of competing pro-teams (only one major team is allowed to be in the upper echelons of their league at a time here), and this could be a big year for them. I love what the Seahawks have done this off-season, and I don’t think it’s just because I’m a huge homer.
Tim Ruskell continued his re-shaping of the defense during the offseason, adding depth and talent to the defensive line in the form of Larry Tripplett, Lawrence Jackson and Red Bryant. Jackson will bolster a rotation that already features Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp. The trio of Baraka Atkins, Chris Cooper and Jason Babin should also produce a fourth DE who will make spot contributions.
Defensive tackle, always a deep position for the Seahawks, is even deeper this year. If Marcus Tubbs is healthy and Rocky Bernard doesn’t get suspended or kicked off the team, the ‘Hawks will have six solid players with which to mold their rotation: Tubbs, Bernard, Brandon Mebane, Craig Terrill, Bryant and Tripplett. The greatest thing about what Ruskell’s done with the DT’s though, is that even if Tubbs and/or Bernard suffer from injury or other mishap, the team will still have a solid rotation inside.
Here’s what I really love about what Ruskell’s done with Seattle’s defense though. He fixed the ‘Hawks longtime problem at linebacker (namely, not having more than one really talented guy at the position at a time) and their longtime problem in the defensive backfield (namely, not having smart safeties) over ‘05 and ‘06 by adding Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill, Julian Peterson, Brian Russell and Deon Grant (and especially by getting rid of Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware). Now, over ‘07 and ‘08 it looks like he’s fixed the team’s problems on the defensive line (namely, lack of explosive pass rushers and an abundance of injury-prone defensive tackels) by brining in Kerney, Mebane, Jackson, Bryant and Tripplett. That right there is some respectable work.
It’s true that there are also question marks for the ‘Hawks this season so let’s take a look at some of those:
- Lack of experience at WR: Many thought Seattle would draft a WR in the draft last year but I’m not surprised that they didn’t. The team had other immediate needs and there is potential in the organization. Although Deion Branch may not be back until mid-season (if at all), Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson both played well last season and the team has high hopes that two players from their group of youngsters (Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne, Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent) will step up and contribute. There is also the potential that they will seek out a veteran cut loose by another team during training camp. If rookie TE John Carlson can provide some catches that will be a big help.
- The Offensive Line: The line clearly needs to see an improvement this season. I think that the addition of Mike Wahle may finally stabilize the left side, and if that happens the rest of the line will benefit greatly for it. It’s time for Chris Spencer to step up and he definitely has the ability to do it, especially if he doesn’t have to worry so much about a shaky LG. On Spencer’s right, Pork Chop Womack and Rob Sims will fight for the job and I’m confident one of them will come through. Hopefully Womack, who has been a jack of all trades on this line, will benefit from being able to concentrate on one position. He has shown the skills in the past and this is a great chance for him to claim a long-term job.
- Running Back by committee?: In my opinion the job is Julius Jones’ to win. He has the all-around game to be a big contributor in the West Coast system and I imagine Holmgren will be happy to open the play book up a bit in the wake of Shaun Alexander’s departure. I know Matt Hasselbeck will be elated to have a feature back that will actually throw a block for him. Maurice Morris and TJ Duckett give the team a solid third down back and a short yardage bruiser, and this is the first time in a while that the Seahawks will actually have three solid options for different types of situations (oh my lord a short yardage specialist!). Finally, if Jones doesn’t prove to be an every down quality back, at least the team can fall back on the committee approach and rotate three quality guys.
I have to say I am excited about the coming Seahawks season. Holmgren has already said that he’s pulling out all the stops and having fun this year, and that could mean big things for the offense. The defense has the potential to be one of the better units in ‘Hawks history. Hasselbeck is coming off his best season and looking for more. The division is still weak and the NFC Championship is up for grabs. Could this finally be the ‘Hawks year?
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