Seattle Seahawks Season Preview 06

10 THINGS THAT THE SEAHAWKS HAVE GOING FOR THEM  by Levi Grudzinski

1. Shaun Alexander. 
Many people thought that he would be running for a new team this season after a brutal loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.  People’s thoughts were even more reassured when he was seen wearing a Carolina Panthers hat at the Pro Bowl.  But before he could be signed in free agency Seattle re-signed him to a lucrative 6 year, sixty two million dollar contract.  Him being a Seahawk his entire career is pretty much a certainty now.  Its probably a good bet that Shaun wont repeat his MVP and record setting numbers, but if he gets the carries he’ll get solid numbers that’s for sure.

2. The unleashing of Matt Hasselbeck.
In each of Hasselbeck’s three seasons as the starting Quarterback he has improved in each one.  Last season was I think the final learning season for him and he finally asserted him self as the leader of the offense.  His field vision rivaled that of Peyton Manning’s this year, and he tied with Jake Plummer of the Broncos for fewest interceptions (9) while starting every game.  And with his best receivers back from injury and the addition of Nate Burleson, he will move into one of the top three Quarterbacks in the League.

3. There Offensive line.
The departure of  all-Pro Guard Steve Hutchinson will hurt, but if Floyd Womack performs to his abilities, the line will still be the best in the league.  There is plenty of depth with still retaining Pro Bowlers Walter Jones and starting Center Robbie Tobeck.  Sean Locklear, though his legal troubles have set him back he has evolved into a potential future Pro Bowler in only his second year.  There is enough depth in the line to support multiple injuries.

4. Defense.
Despite leading the league in sacks (50) and being 6th in the league in points per game allowed, (16.9)  the Seahawks ended up tying for 16th in overall defense.  It was mostly due to the poor secondary that ranked 25th against the pass that was plagued by injuries.  Newly departed Andre Dyson sprained his ankle against the Eagles and Free Safety Ken Hamlin was seriously injured in a bar fight in downtown Seattle after beating the Houston Texans.  The loss of Dyson and Safety Marquand Manuel wont hurt as some think.  With Hamlin returning and corner back  Marcus Trufant returning and the signing of first round pick Kelly Jennings at Corner back they might finally have some depth.  Also Jordan Babineaux who was second on the team in tackles in his second year.  He intercepted Drew Bledsoe’s pass with five seconds left for Josh Brown to nail a 55 yard field goal to put them up 13-10 with no time left.  He should be even more productive this season.  The Defensive line was adequate last year in the pass rush and was a large part of the defense ranking 5th in the league against the run.  Hopefully Defensive End Grant Wistrom can recover from injury and a less then stellar season.  Also rookie Second round pick Daryl Tapp should provide some depth and more speed that he has displayed in training camp.

5. Defense 2, Linebackers.
Hopefully the Linebackers will live up to the hype and be a whole other force. Inside Linebacker Lofa Tatutpu’s rookie numbers were extraordinary coming from a 2nd round pick.  Leading the team with over a hundred tackles, 3 INT’s and one he returned 38 yards for a touchdown on Monday Night Football.  His season earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl which he was a first alternate and saw playing time.  He should be even better this season which will be scary.  But Seattle made news for being the only team to have two starting rookie linebackers with Leroy Hill at Outside Linebacker.  Seattle used him to blitz on plays which he accumulated 7.5 sacks last season, second among rookie Linebackers.  With those two, only in there second year this season, it seems to good to be true.  But then Seattle made probably the most influential signings during the off season, the signing of Outside Linebacker Julian Peterson.  Peterson was a Pro Bowler in 2003 but has never gotten back to that form because of injuries.  This season however, in preseason and in training camp has simply been all over the field.  He has been displaying the pass rushing qualities of a defensive end while demonstrating his cover abilities of a safety.  His addition could make the Seahawks a dominate force on defense. 

6. Receivers
Matt Hasselbeck was one of the best Quarterbacks in the League even without the starting receivers, Darrel Jackson and Bobby Engram.  He found targets like big, 6 foot 7 inch Tight End Jeremy Stevens and Joe Jurevicius in the end zone.  But now with Jurevicius gone to Cleveland and Stevens out until most likely week 3 of the regular season with a knee injury, it seems last years stars are gone or hurt.  But Darrel Jackson and Bobby Engram will both be back this season as starters.  Also off-season acquisition Nate Burleson should provide a good replacement for Jurevicius.  Burleson is young and in his second year two years ago he exploded for 1006 yards and 9 touchdowns.  But last year, like Peterson, was bothered by injuries.  He has since recovered and is clicking with Hasselbeck in training camp.  He could also see time at as a return man for the Seahawks in ‘06 which he excelled at in 2004.  With Stevens out, and veteran Itula Mili taking his place, expect to see many three receiver formations with Jackson, Engram and Burleson.  Burleson will be a good shoulder to rest on when Jackson and Engram aren’t open.  Also D.J. Hackett gives the receivers great depth.  Hackett’s rookie numbers were solid, mainly due to the injuries of the starters, but he made clutch catches when he had to.  His most noted was a 45 yard catch in overtime against the Giants that set up a Josh Brown field goal to win it.