Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.It's a new era in Seattle -- and the Seahawks need an old star to lead them through it. Gone into retirement is former head coach Mike Holmgren after a mostly-enjoyable decade-long run with the franchise. How Seattle adjusts in its new, Jim Mora-led world will rely heavily on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's performance. It's not unfathomable to think that Seattle could sneak up and steal the NFC West away from Super Bowl runner-up Arizona. But a daunting schedule and some major question marks on defense will make the Seahawks earn it.
Offense: The success of the Seahawks' offense begins and ends with the status of Matt Hasselbeck's back. He wasn't healthy last year, struggled, then was shut down for the last nine games of the season, and the team had major issues. If he's in good shape, this unit has a chance to be pretty decent -- if not, Seneca Wallace isn't capable of doing more than he did last year, which wasn't enough. Julius Jones has been a disappointment at running back, but the addition of Edgerrin James should provide a boost in the backfield. They'll run behind fullback Owen Schmitt, an old-school, hard-nosed fullback, and Justin Griffith is also in the mix. Adding T.J. Houshmandzadeh provided a substantial upgrade to the receivers -- combined with Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and rookie Deon Butler, that group could be tough to deal with. Tight end John Carlson has also developed into an important weapon. The offensive line underperformed in 2008, and the loss of Walter Jones to injury in the preseason is a gigantic blow. Rookie Max Unger could wind up seeing heavy minutes, but the front still isn't going to blow anyone away. Heat Index: 7
Seattle Seahawks Photos
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Linebacker Aaron Curry #59 of the Seattle Seahawks battles tackle Cornell Green #74 of the Oakland Raiders on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Linebacker Aaron Curry #59 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after tackling running back Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Running back Devin Moore #30 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against Sam Williams #54 of the Oakland Raiders on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sam Williams;Devin Moore
Getty Images
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Wide receiver Jordan Kent #82 of the Seattle Seahawks leaves the field after being injured against the Oakland Raiders on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jordan Kent
Getty Images
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines against the Seattle Seahawks on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Cable
Getty Images
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Tom Cable (L) of the Oakland Raiders meets with head coach Jim Mora of the Seattle Seahawks after the game on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Mora;Tom Cable
Getty Images
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Jim Mora of the Seattle Seahawks looks on from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Mora
Getty Images
SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Quarterback Charlie Frye #3 of the Oakland Raiders passes as he is hit by Michael Bennett #96 of the Seattle Seahawks on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Bennett;Charlie Frye
Getty Images
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry hits Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (5) during the second quarter Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in an NFL preseason football game in Seattle. The Seahawks won 31-24. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
AP
Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora, left, greets Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable after an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the Raiders 31-21. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
AP
Defense: Not many teams can trade away a five-time Pro Bowler and be fine, as Seattle did with linebacker Julian Peterson, but the Seahawks still boast one of the league's top LB groups, assuming Aaron Curry is all he's been built up to be. With Curry, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill, Seattle is stout in the middle. The problems for Seattle comes from the surrounding parts. The defensive line has some potential, assuming Patrick Kearney stays healthy at right end, and newcomer Cory Redding continues to develop on the left. The interior of Brandon Mebane and Colin Cole have to hold up and get major pressure on the QB -- because Seattle's secondary is a mess. The Seahawks gave up more yards than any team in the league in 2008, and there's not much hope for major improvement. Their best secondary player, cornerback Marcus Trufant, has landed on the PUP list, meaning he can't play before Week 7. That slides overmatched Josh WIlson into the starting lineup, opposite Ken Lucas. Deon Grant and Jordan Babineaux have their work cut out at safety. Heat Index: 6
Special Teams: Butler, a speedster out of Penn State, could provide a jolt to this unit. Between him and Justin Forsett, the Seahawks should be able to generate some field position on returns. Olindo Mare is back after a steady 2008, while punter Jon Ryan also returns. Neither Mare nor Ryan were incredible -- Ryan had an inexcuseable 12 touchbacks -- but both are reliable. Head Index: 5
Coaching: Seattle groomed Mora for this job as Holmgren's replacement early, naming him the head-coach-in-waiting midway through the 2008 season. Will that early decision pay off, though? Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and defensive coordinator Casey Bradley are each in their first season with Seattle as well -- it's a lot of turnover for a team coming off a rocky 4-12 season. It's not hard to wonder if the franchise would have been better off completely wiping the slate clean, though, and sending Mora out with Holmgren. Heat Index: 4Intangibles: It's going to be an interesting year in Seattle -- partly because the NFC West appears to be up for grabs, despite Arizona; and partly because the team's trying to recover from that miserable 2008 minus their guiding hand in Holmgren. Hasselbeck should be motivated to show he's healthy and that he can win without Holmgren, and since he's Seattle's leader, that's a good start. Heat Index: 7
Total Heat Index: 29/50 -- Depending on what you think of Arizona, Seattle could be right in the NFC West mix come November and December. Any success the Seahawks have, though, will rely on Hasselbeck's ability to bounce back from 2008, and the secondary's efforts to avoid getting torched on a routine basis. If Seattle can somehow be 3-3 or 4-2, then get Trufant back after their Week 7 bye, it could be an exciting chase down the stretch.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-09-2009 @ 12:51PM
Sam said...
Schmitt isnt starting FB anymore - check the depth chart. Griffith took over the position
Reply