NFL Preview: Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks 


Key Additions: 
G James Carpenter (draft)
G John Moffitt (draft)
WR Sidney Rice (FA) 
QB Tavaris Jackson (FA)
TE Zach Miller (FA)
OT Robert Gallery (FA)
DL Alan Branch (FA)
DE Jimmy Wilkerson


Key Departures:
QB Matt Hasselbeck 
MLB Lofa Tatupu 
C Chris Spencer
K Olindo Mare
OT Sean Locklear
S Lawyer Milloy 
DL Raheem Brock
G Chester Pitts


Report:
After 10 years of stability at the quarterback position for the Seattle Seahawks, Matt Hasselbeck has moved onto Tennessee. The quarterback competition is now between QB Charlie Whitehurst and free agent signing Tavaris Jackson. Whitehurst who led Seattle to the playoffs with a SNF win over the Rams in the last games of the season may have the upper edge on the quarterback position. Jackson has only started the majority of a season, which was in 2007 when he passed for 1,911 yards, 9 TD and 12 INT. Jackson may have an advantage, because he has a connection with WR Sidney Rice from thier times in Minnesota. The offensive line must improve for Seattle to have any success. Signing Robert Gallery helped, but they must replace the departures of Sean Locklear, Chester Pitts, and Chris Spencer. Guards James Carpenter and John Moffit are the lineman of the future, but they were drafted much to high and might be asked to start to early. RB  Marshawn Lynch on the other hand is still breaking tackles against the Saints. Lynch looks like he will be the starting running back this season. Seattle would like to have a tougher running back in Justin Forsett, but they need him to improve. Leon Washington is a playmaker who has a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Sidney Rice joins Mike Williams, Ben Obomanu, and Golden Tate to their WR corps. They also stole TE Zach Miller away from Oakland which is a great move. Miller will join TE John Carlson that will make a good one-two punch.


Seattle's front four should be similar to last season's. They made a fantastic signing by keeping DT Brandon Mebane. They also added DT Alan Branch and DE Jimmy Wilkerson which made Raheem Brock expendable and will likely not return to Seattle. Seattle released defensive captain LB Lofa Tatupu, but expect LB LeRoy Hill to be healthy and play like LeRoy Hill can play. Aaron Curry continues to improve and I expect to have a great season. David Hawthorne was the leading tackler last season and will start again. Fourth-round pick K.J. Wright out of Mississippi State is expected to contribute with packages. The secondary this season might be a little shaky. CB's Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings, Kennard Cox,Walter Thurmond and S Earl Thomas return. Lawyer Milloy is not expected to return which puts pressure of Jordan Babineaux who is yet to re-sign. If Babineaux does not return Ken Chancellor is expected to jump into the lineup and contribute. Mark LeGree will be called on to strengthen up the secondary. 


The special teams will get stronger once the team knows who the permanent kicker will be. Olindo Mare signed with Carolina which left Seattle without a kicker. Seattle signed two kickers rookie Wes Byrum and Brandon Coutu and have been talking with longtime Steelers K Jeff Reed. P Jon Ryan is a model of consistency at  punter. Leon Washington is both the PR and KR and is one the league's finest. Washington returned 3 kicks for TD's last season.


Recap:
With Hasselbeck gone Seattle does not have a reliable player at quarterback. The offensive line is shaky which is doesn't help the quarterbacks or an average running game. The defense won't be the finest, but in the division that they are in it will be fine. Leon Washington is able to help you when your offense and defense aren't performing well, which is something not every team can say. I don't expect them to have a successful season because of the inconsistency at QB and OL. 


Division Finish: TBA