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2008 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS PREVIEW

By Bernard on | From sportsfanzcentral.com

2008 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS PREVIEW
2007 Record: 10-6 (1st NFC West)
Predicted 2008 Record: 10-6 (1st NFC West)

Key Acquisitions: DT Chris Cooper, RB TJ Duckett, RB Julius Jones, LB DD Lewis, S Omare Lowe, K Olindo Mare, DT Larry Tripplett, G Mike Wahle, G Ben Claxton
Key Losses: RB Shaun Alexander, OT Tom Ashworth, LB Kevin Bentley, K Josh Brown, DT Chuck Darby, WR DJ Hackett, LB Niko Koutouvides, TE Marcus Pollard, DL Ellis Wyms, G Chris Gray (retired)

The Seahawks have been the dominate force in one of the weakest divisions in all of football for several years now, but the other 3 teams in the West seem to be getting better and getting younger while the Seahawks remain mainly the same. This is head coach Mike Holmgren's last year in the NFL and he hopes to go out with a bang. He will, at least, this year have what he wants: a wide open offense based around the passing game. Since 2001, the Seahawks had been a primarily running team due to Shaun Alexander's gawdy numbers. The last 2 years Alexander had been injured and running behind an aging offensive line that was not as effective as it once was. Alexander is now gone and the running game will be split between Atlanta castaway TJ Duckett and Cowboys castaway Julius Jones. There are still some injuries (Deion Branch for one) that need to be mended, but a solid defense will most likely once again lead the Seahawks to 1st place in the West. The Seahawks need to watch out, though, because those other 3 'weak' teams are coming for their head.

OFFENSE
There's no question about whose team it is now, its Matt Hasselbeck's and there wont be any excuses now. He must lead this team now. Hasselbeck's knowledge of the Seahawks' West Coast Offense is vast and his chemistry with Bobby Engram is about as good as it gets. Their big pickup from a year ago, Deion Branch, has yet to gain that chemistry with Hasselbeck primarily due to numerous injuries since his trade to the 'Hawks. Branch will likely miss at least half of the season with his ACL tear in February. Branch will sorely be missed and he badly needs to start getting that chemistry thats lacking with his QB. Opposite Engram will most likely be Nate Burleson with Courtney Taylor & Ben Obomanu playing behind them. None of them are very fast nor the playmaker that Branch is, but Engram is a reliable receiever that will get the job done. The other 3 most perform too if the Seahawks are to succeed. Seneca Wallace is a great backup QB but he is also very atheltic. The few times the Seahawks have split him outwide have been successful, expect to see that more this season. The Seahawks drafted John Carlson (Notre Dame) this year hoping, once again, for a solid TE pressence. Behind him will be Will Heller Jeb Putzier, but its hoped that Carlson is finally their answer. Seattle's run blocking last season (and the year before) was horendous and now Offensive Line coach, Bill Laveroni, is gone (replaced by Mike Solari). Walter Jones is still one of the best LTs in the entire NFL and once again he is not in question. At LG will be former Pro Bowler Mike Wahle, a gritty, tough run blocker. Rob Sims is moving over to the RG replacing retired Chris Gray where they hope to get more production out of him. At RT Sean Locklear remains but he has played with little effort at times, but with a new contract the Seahawks hope that he will be able to move to the next level of play. At Center Chris Spencer hopes to stay healthy this season and if he is, he will flourish with his unbelievable strength and quickness for a Center. Shaun Alexander is gone and will be replaced by underachievers Julius Jones & TJ Duckett. Jones & Duckett will split carries this year but they have to play like their 'supposed' to not like they've been playing. Behind them will be Maurice Morris, who is probably the best all around back on the Seahawks team. He'll rarely see the field this year, most likely, except maybe on Kick Returns. At FB Leonard Weaver was the heir apparent of retired legend Mack Strong and he has all the ability to be an All Pro just like Strong. Expect a great season for Weaver.
Grade: C+

DEFENSE
The Seahawks Defense has no reason to be one of the most feared in the NFL this year, their front seven help accumalate 45 sacks last season and the secondary boasts to of the better cover Corner's in the league. DE Patrick Kerney led the NFC last season with 14.5 sacks and should remain productive this year, while Darry Tapp and rookie Lawrence Jackson (USC) will handle the other side as both guys should be very productive. At DT Brandon Mebane has drawn the praise of his coaching staff with his great run stopping ability. Mebane has yet to see his full potential which is what the coaching staff is so excited about. The other DT spot will most likely be manned by Rocky Bernard or Larry Tripplett. Bernard as an awesome blend of power & agility, which he shows with the penetration he he often gets. Bernard's only problem is his off the field issues, he must fight those as well as newcomer Larry Tripplett to remain on the field. Behind that line is the best starting LB corps in the league, period. MLB Lofa Tatupu's speed along with his great pass coverage skills combined with his run stopping ability make him the best Middle man in the league. Tatupu is also very inteligent yet sometimes gambles (whichs works for him at times and against at others). Peterson is one of the best pass rushing OLBs in the league, mixed with his coverage ability and great closing speed make him one of the better OLBs out there(along with DeMarcus Ware & Lance Briggs). Hill is very raw, but he is also very strong and has unbelievable closing speed and is a great tackler. Neither of these 3 have had injury problems, but behind them youngster Will Herring, DD Lewis, & Lance Laury make up the rest of the depth chart. In the secondary playmaker Marcus Trufant is the cream of the crop, hes a ball hawk and has great downfield coverage ability and not only does he make plays, he stops them. Teams will not throw at Trufant much this year, for fear of INT and because it is likely that the player hes covering simply wont be hopen, so that puts alot more pressure on youngster Kelly Jennings. Jennings consistently got better as the season progressed last year and should continue that this season. Jennings doesnt have blazing speed, but he is a good closer and is a physical corner that doesnt give a Receiver a ton of space to work in. Josh Wilson & Jordan Babineaux will share time at Nickel, but expect the younger Wilson to eventually garner more playing time than the latter. At Safety Deon Grant & Brian Russell are both very physical and play the deep ball about as well as anyone.
Grade: A

SPECIAL TEAMS
Why did the 'Hawks let Josh Brown get away? Who knows but they signed aging veteran Olindo Mare. He will compete with rookie Brandon Coutu (Georgia) for the Kicking duties. Expect Coutu to eventually win the job. Ryan Plackemeir struggled in '07 and will have to compete with Reggie Hodges this camp. Nate Burelson is the best punt returner on the team, but his pressence of offense more will most likely cause others to handle the return duties. Most likely Josh Wilson. Wilson should also return kickoffs along with Maurice Morris
Grade: C

2007 LEADERS
PASSING
Matt Hasselbeck: 352-562, 3,966 yards, 28 TD, 12 INT
Seneca Wallace: 19-28, 215 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 2 catches, 47 yards
RUSHING
Shaun Alexander: 207 carries, 716 yards, 4 TDs, 14 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
Maurice Morris: 140 carries, 628 yards, 4 TDs; 23 catches, 213 yards, 1 TD
RECEIVING
Bobby Engram: 94 catches, 1,147 yards, 6 TDs
Nate Burleson: 50 catches, 694 yards, 9 TDs
Deion Branch: 49 catches, 661 yards, 4 TDs
DJ Hackett: 32 catches, 384 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE
Lofa Tatupu, LB: 109 tackles (83 solo), 1.0 sack, 4 INT (116 yards), 9 PBU
Marcus Trufant, CB: 85 tackles (78 solo), 7 INT (150 yards, 1 TD), 15 PBU
Deon Grant, S: 78 tackles (65 solo), 3 INT (34 yards), 10 PBU
Julian Petterson, LB: 74 tackles (63 solo), 9.5 sacks, 2 INTs (3 yards), 3 PBU
Brian Russell, S: 68 tackles (60 solo), 1.0 sack, 1 INT, 6 PBU
Leroy Hill, LB: 81 tackles (53 solo), 3.0 sacks, 4 PBU
Patrick Kerney, DE: 62 tackles (50 solo), 14.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU
SPECIAL TEAMS
Josh Brown: 28-34 FGs, 43-43 XPs
Ryan Plackemeir: 40.0 YPP
Nate Burleson: 27 KOR, 590 yards, 1 TD; 58 PR, 658 yards, 1 TD
Josh Wilson: 14 KOR, 385 yards, 1 TD