NFL Team-By-Team Previews - Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks caught a big fish in free agency.


Record: 4-12 (3rd NFC West)

Best Game: Week 3, Vs. St. Louis - 37-13
The 'Hawks got their first win of the season in week 3 against a divisional "foe" in the Rams, who dropped to 0-3 after this game. Seattle had an okay passing attack, but it was the running game that really moved the chains. Three players had runs of at least 15 yards, and Julius Jones and TJ Duckett combined for over 215 yards and three TDs. It felt good to get a win in Seattle, and they thought it might be the early turning point in Holmgren's last season.

Worst Game: Week 9, Vs. Philadelphia Eagles - 7-26
Seattle had just beaten San Fran and new coach Mike Singletary the week before, and looked to ride that wave of success over to a home game against Philadelphia. However, the E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles had other plans. After Seneca Wallace's 90 yard TD pass to Koren Robinson in the 1st quarter, the Eagles closed the game on a 26-0 run. Wallace only complete 45% of his passes and no player rushed for over 43 yards in this game. Even worse, it was the first of six straight losing outcomes for the Seahawks.

MVP: Julian Peterson
ROLB Peterson had a monster season for the 'Hawks last season. He amassed 86 tackles (2nd most on the team) along with five sacks, four FF, and five passes defensed. He and MLB Lofa Tatupu made a dynamic duo on a rather meager team. He was also named to the Pro Bowl for the 5th time in his career. The Seahawks opted to trade him over the offseason to the Lions for DT Corey Redding, hoping to shore up a weakness on the team.

The Offseason

Significant Losses:
Julian Peterson - LB - Traded March 14 to Detroit
Peterson was a pro-bowler in '08, but with the 4th overall pick in the draft Seattle felt the need to trade him for a position that would not be as abundant talent-wise in the draft.

Mike Wahle - G - Retired July 31
Wahle enjoyed 11 seasons in the NFL with three different teams. He signed a 5-year deal a year ago with Seattle, but after injuring his shoulder in week 11 he decided to call it quits after the season.

Maurice Morris - RB - Signed with Detroit February 27
Morris had a 4.3 ypc average on 132 carries last season. He is now backing up Kevin Jones in Detroit.

Mike Holmgren - Head Coach - Retired from coaching after '08 Season
Holmgren said last season was going to be his last, and he held true to his word. I personally believe he was a distraction last season, but he is a well-tenured coach with a Super Bowl victory under his belt.

Significant Additions:

Corey Redding - DT - Traded to by Detroit for Julian Peterson
Redding is a horse inside. Last season was the first he had missed any starts (3) since he became a full-time starter in 2004. He'll bolster a relatively weak Defensive Line.

TJ Houshamdzadeh - WR - Signed March 2
The big fish of the free agency period this offseason, Houshmandzedah instantly improves this offense. He broke 900 yards on a weak offense last season, and is glad to be back in the Northwest.

Ken Lucas - CB - Signed April 27
Spending his last four season with Carolina, Lucas has become an above average DB. He totaled 60 tackles, 2 INTs and 10 Passes Defensed last season.

Jim Mora - Head Coach - Signed February 5
Mora had a good year with Atlanta a while back, leading them to the NFC Championship Game in 2004. A new face at the head coach position could do this team some good.

Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 4: Aaron Curry - OLB - Wake Forest
Round 2, Pick 17: Max Unger - OT - Oregon
Round3, Pick 27: Deon Butler - WR - Penn State
Round 6, Pick 5: Mike Teel - QB - Rutgers
Round 7, Pick 36: Courtney Greene - SS - Rutgers
Round 7, Pick 38: Nick Reed - DE - Oregon
Round 7, Pick 39: Cameron Morrah - TE - California

Draft Grade: A
After trading away LB Julian Peterson, the Seahawks nabbed Aaron Curry with their first pick. He was projected by some to go #1 overall, and Seattle had to jump at him. Max Unger was a great pick (and one of need), and Courtney Greene may be slightly underrated. No team drafted better for needs in the NFL. Mike Teel will most likely make the team, and Deon Butler can develop into a solid slot receiver.

Training Camp Report:

- Players and coaches are raving about TE John Carlson's work ethic. He very well could be 2nd on the team in receptions behind WR Houshmandzadeh.

- Most players agree, Mora ran a much tougher training camp than Holmgren. That could do this team some good.

- All coaches are pleased with the progress the team has shown since the first day of training camp.

- Punter Jon Ryan had a great preseason game in their first against the Chargers.

- QB Matt Hasselbeck has looked strong and healthy up to this point.

- DT Red Bryant has looked strong, blowing up various members on the OL to disrupt running plays.

- RB Devin Moore has looked fierce, showing he has the power to be a backup in his rookie season.

- DT Corey Redding has looked strong. He recorded a sack of Philip Rivers on the very first play of the first preseason game. He's anxious to revamp his career in Seattle.

- Rookie OL Max Unger has spent some time with 1st string due to injuries, and has done well. He will still probably be moved to 2nd string once the season starts.

- DT Redding lined up at WR during one practice, throwing head fakes and the like on the play. Gotta love training camp.

- The Defensive Backfield looks much better than they did during the regular season. Every team should look better in preseason, however.

- QB Hasselbeck has shown his ability to escape the pocket and run down field when a play breaks down. He won't be doing that as much once the season starts, one would think.
2009 Outlook

Best Case Scenario:
Hasselbeck can stay healthy and mesh with new WR TJ Houshmandzadeh, Carlson has a breakout year, Julius Jones and TJ Duckett become a great RB combo. The Seahawks rebound from a disappointing season and fight for a playoff birth.

Worst Case Scenario:
Hasselbeck can't stay on the field, Jones and Duckett both feel like they need the ball more, and no WR outside of Housh establishes himself as a legit #2. The Seahawks struggle once again to stay out of the basement in the NFC West.

Prediction: 9-7 (2nd NFC West)