Seahawks trade WR Deion Branch back to Patriots for 4th round pick

By Kshell

The Seahawks have finally ended the Deion Branch marriage trading him to the New England Patriots for a fourth round pick. Branch when he had came to Seattle brought with him tons of hype but after four disappointing years plus part of a fifth year the Seahawks decided to get something for him.

Both teams have been in the news lately with mid season trades which doesn't happen much in the NFL. The Seahawks last week traded their fourth round pick in 2011 and a fifth/or a sixth in 2012 to the Buffalo Bills for Marshawn Lynch. While the Patriots made the controversial move of trading Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings for a third round pick.

The Patriots have to be excited considering they traded a fourth rounder for Randy Moss after the 2006 season and now received a third round pick for him. In 2006 they traded Branch to the Seahawks for a first round pick and now have acquired Branch for a fourth rounder. Tim Ruskell made a mistake back then so don't fault Pete Carroll and John Scheinder for getting a fourth rounder for someone who has not fulfilled his lofty expectations.

When the Seahawks acquired Branch they were coming off of a Super Bowl appearance so giving up a first round pick didn't appear to be that bad. Branch was just a season removed from winning the Super Bowl MVP. Despite not ever having a single 1,000 yard receiving season or ever catching more than five touchdowns in a season Tim Ruskell traded away a 2007 first round pick plus gave Branch a 6 year/39 million dollar deal. Branch was supposed to be the piece that got the Seahawks over the hill but instead has been nothing.

Branch in 2006 learning the offense played in all 14 games plus two playoff games and had 53 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns. Not bad for a guy learning a new offense and moving to the other coast. Unfortunately for Branch and Seahawk fans this was the best Branch would do for Seattle. This year in four games Branch has a solid 13 receptions but has just 112 yards receiving.

Pete Carroll is continuing to blow up this roster and rid himself of Ruskell busts. Burlson, Houshmandzadeh and now Branch the three leading and costly receivers are all gone. Instead the Seahawks will turn to Golden Tate, Mike Williams, Brandon Stockley and the lone holdover Deon Butler. At the end of the day the Seahawks received a fifth round pick for Josh Wilson and a fourth for Branch. Essentially if someone said the Seahawks could get Marshawn Lynch for Deion Branch and Josh Wilson I'd be excited as should you. This is a great trade for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks.

Seahawks take on the Rams for divisional battle

By Kshell

When the Seattle Seahawks(2-1) go on the road to take on the St.Louis Rams(1-2)this Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St.Louis, Missouri first place could be on the line in the NFC West. The Seahawks have dominated the Rams of late having won 10 consecutive games against the Rams including five in the Edward Jones Dome. The Seahawks are looking to end their road woes having won just three roads games in the last two seasons but two of those three wins were against these Rams. This rivalry has pulled a complete 180 in the last 5 years. The Rams had beat the division champion Seahawks all three games in the 2004 season including twice at Qwest field.

I was at that playoff game in the 2004 Wild Card rounds and having left that stadium that was the most depressing sports loss I had ever been a part of. When Bobby Engram couldn't haul in that touchdown pass the Rams had won 27-20. The Seahawks as a franchise seem to be doomed. The Seahawks after making the playoffs just once in a span from 1989-2002 had just lost back to back heartbreaking games in the Wild Card playoffs. The Seahawks had some big free agents as well with Walter Jones, Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander. Head Coach Mike Holmgren was on the hot seat as well and could be fired. The Rams had the Seahawks number that season, earlier in the year at Qwest field the Rams overcame a 17 point deficit to win the game in overtime.

In the following season the Seahawks brought back Matt Hasselbeck and Walter Jones to long term contracts and Mike Holmgren was brought back. Shaun Alexander however was just franchise tag. The Seahawks were heading back to their house of horrors and were just 2-2 on the season. To make matters worse the Seahawks were down their top two receivers in Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram. No need to fear Joe Jurevicius is here. He would have 132 yards receiving on the game. Shaun Alexander would add 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the day. When Shaun McDonald fumbled the punt with 2 minutes to go the Seahawks would win the game 37-31 after giving up the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The curse had been broken and the Seahawks finally had ended the Rams curse. Little did the Rams know that the Seahawks wouldn't lose to them again.

After the Seahawks made the Superbowl and swept the Rams the previous year in 2006 they had two nailbiting games vs the Rams. The first meeting again took place in St.Louis where Seattle found themselves without league MVP Shaun Alexander. The Seahawks(3-1) were trailing 21-7 at halftime to the Rams(4-1). Then newly acquired wide receiver Deion Branch had a big game catching two touchdown passes. Josh Brown having nailed two 49 yard field goal attempts hit a game winning 54 yard field goal as time expired and the Seahawks won 30-28. In the rematch at Qwest field the Seahawks found themselves without MVP Shaun Alexander or pro bowl Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks led by Maurice Morris 124 yards rushing on the game won 24-22 again on a Josh Brown game winning field goal. Nate Burleson had a huge 90 yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Seahawks a lead late in the fourth. That would be the only competive game from the Rams at Qwest field from 2005-2009.

In 2007 down in St.Louis the Seahawks(6-4) taking on the 2-8 St.Louis Rams found themselves trailing 19-7 at halftime on the road. Branch would add a touchdown as would Josh Wilson on a kick off return touchdown. The Seahawks would win the game on a Leonard Weaver 5 yard touchdown run up the middle. With Seattle leading 24-19 the Rams had the ball on the goal line but fumbled the ball and Seattle had recovered and once again pulled out a huge win in St.Louis.

In 2008 Josh Brown had left the Seahawks for the Rams and again the Seahawks found themselves in a battle with the Rams in St.Louis. Seattle was trailing 20-13 at one point in the fourth quarter. Tied the game up on a T.J. Duckett touchdown run. Then Olindo Mare the kicker who had replaced Brown kicked the game winning field goal.

Typically in this series recently the Seahawks blow out the Rams at Qwest field but as I just pointed out at the Edward Jones Dome the game will most likely come down to the wire. Given how Seattle has played on the road in the past years this game should come down to the wire. Just remember it wasn't always that way.

Leon Washington sets franchise record in Seahawks 27-20 win over Chargers

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks(2-1) led by 2008 pro bowl kick returner Leon Washington's career day prevailed over the San Diego Chargers(1-2) 27-20 in front of Qwest field in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game despite allowing a franchise record worst 455 yards passing and gaining just one first down in the second half. The Seahawks blew several opportunities in the first half to put the game open. Good teams find ways to win and with Leon Washington returning not one but two kickoffs for touchdowns the Seahawks found a way to win.

The game started off slow for both teams as the game was scoreless in the first quarter. Seattle facing a 3rd and 5 from the seven yard line elected to call a toss sweep to Justin Forsett which was blown up for a loss. The Seahawks had to settle for a field goal. The first of many wasted opportunities. On the Seahawks next possession Matt Hasselbeck found Deion Branch for a 41 yard touchdown. After San Diego had challenged the play it was ruled a fumble out of the end zone. It was the correct call as Branch had fumbled the ball before crossing the pylon and the ball had squirted out of bounds for a touch back so Seattle still remained up just 3-0.

The Seahawks moved the ball on their next possession this time resulting in a Matt Hasselbeck touchdown strike to John Carlson for 9 yards to make the game 10-0. On the ensuing kickoff Seattle had forced a fumble. With just 12 seconds remaining in the half and Seattle facing a 3rd and 1 from the two yard line and no timeouts the Seahawks called a quarterback draw to the aging Matt Hasselbeck who was stuffed. He didn't make the first down so the Seahawks couldn't spike the ball and didn't get the field goal unit out in time so the score remained just 10-0 at halftime.

The second half began with Leon Washington taking the opening kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown. Washington who had made the pro bowl in 2008 with the Jets as a return man gives the Seahawks another weapon. The return was the longest kickoff return in franchise history.

The Chargers offense started to get in a groove. Led by Phillip Rivers 455 yards passing the Chargers would cut the lead to 20-12. The Chargers overcoming their own mistakes and penalties finally drove down the field into Seattle's red zone. Rivers hit Gates for a 12 yard touchdown to make the score 20-18, on the two point try Rivers hit former Boise State standout Legedu Naanee for the two point conversation to tie up the game.

With a little over six minutes left in the game and the Seahawks offense lacking any punch the Seahawks had to find a way to score again. On the ensuing kickoff Leon Washington ran it back again for a touchdown 99 yards. That was his second kickoff touchdown of the game which already makes him the franchise record holder for most kickoff return touchdowns in Seahawks history.

The Seahawks had to hold the Chargers on two red zone attempts. The first time Roy Lewis batted a ball away on 4th down. The second attempt with 20 seconds to go in the game Earl Thomas the first round pick had his second interception of the game off Rivers to secure the win.

This is a game the Seahawks found a way to win. The Chargers turned the ball over five times and were flagged another 11 times. The Chargers once again much like the Kansas City loss found a way to lose to an inferior team. The Seahawks are now 2-1 and head off to St.Louis(1-2) who they have beaten 10 consecutive times.

Observations:

- Seahawks have a dangerous special teams this year. With Leon Washington returning kicks(4 for 253, 2 TD's, 63.3) and Golden Tate returning punts(3 for 44, 14.7 avg)you can see why the Seahawks traded away Josh Wilson. The big cry about losing Wilson was because of his special teams well with these two along with Butler and Forsett the Seahawks special teams is fine.

- The Seahawks pass defense is bad. For the second straight week they were shredded by the opposing quarterback. Luckily for the Seahawks they play six divisional games vs a rookie QB(Bradford), Derrick Anderson(bad) and Alex Smith(bad) along with games vs Josh Freeman, Jimmy Clausen(rookie), and any Raiders quarterback. Thats over half the schedule against young inexperienced quarterbacks or crappy quarterbacks.

- Last week I had complained that the Seahawks need to give Forsett more carries and they did. Forsett ran the ball 17 times while Washington had just one carry and Julius Jones didn't even play in the game.

- The Rookies are making an early impact on the season. Golden Tate every time he touches the ball he is capable of turning that into a big play. Earl Thomas is that play making safety that Seahawks have lacked since Kenny Easley in the 1980's. Cham Chancellor and Walter Thurmond have stepped up and played well in Nickel and Dime coverage situations. The Seahawks when they get 6th overall pick Russell Okung back could be a very impactful draft class if not the most impactful class in Seahawks history.

- I watched the game at Muggy's sports bar in Meridian, Idaho. For those who don't know Meridian is a short drive from Boise like less than 15 miles. It was a great atmosphere and each room had a separate game for the particular fan base. Since I had a long drive ahead I didn't have any drinks but it was fun watching the game with those fans.

Seahawks win season opener 31-6 over 49ers

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks behind Matt Hasselbeck and timely interceptions defeated the 49ers 31-6 at Qwest Field. The Seahawks who made more moves than any other NFL team in the past season debut 27 new players to the roster. Nobody knew what to expect from the Seahawks who were supposed to be in a rebuilding season. Well someone must have forgot to tell that to Pete Carroll and company.

Seattle got off to a horrible start. Matt Hasselbeck throws an interception on his first possesion and I'm sure some in the stands were thinking put in Whitehurst. The 49ers then went down the field for a touchdown. Pete Carroll challenged the catch and was right Morgan did not have two feet in bounds. So the 49ers settled for a field goal to make the game 3-0. At the end of the first quarter the Seahawks had just 9 yards of offense while Alex Smith was 9 for 10 passing.

In the 2nd quarter is when the game changed dramatically. The 49ers had the ball inside the 10 yard two times and scord just 3 more points. The Seahawks who have been stuffing Frank Gore all game long. Gore was held to 38 yards on 17 carries(2.2 YPC). The 49ers despite drafting two offenslve lineman in the first round couldn't pick up those key 3rd and shorts. On 4th and 1 the 49ers called a beautiful play action pass which was wide open only Smith threw the ball high. Had Smith completed that pass the 49ers take a 10-0 lead. Later in the 2nd quarter up 3-0 the 49ers had the ball on the 2 yard line and were facing a 4th and 1 but a delay of game penalty so the 49ers had to settle for a field goal. The 49ers had the ball three times inside the 10 yard line and came away with just 6 points.

Momentum had swung Seattle's way. The 49ers had given the Seahawks and the 12th man life. Hasselbeck started to hit some passes as Seattle determined to ditch the running game. Hasselbeck would hit Mike Williams for a key 35 yard pass which was Williams first NFL catch since 2007. Williams who had played under Carroll is looking to make a comeback in the NFL. Hasselbeck kept the ball on a boot leg and ran it in for a 1 yard run that won't make fans think he was Michael Vick. It still counts the same.

The very next possesion Alex Smith threw an interception to Jordan "Big Play Babs" Babineaux who returned the pass 20 yards. Babineaux who was cut earlier this week then resigned only to take a pay cut had a very effective game collecting 8 tackles along with that interception. Hasselbeck then hit 2nd year wide receiver Deon Butler for a 13 yard touchdown pass. That was Butlers first career touchdown. The Seahawks despite being dominated at halftime led 14-6.

The second half the Seahawks continued that momentum with Alex Smith throwing another interception to Marcus Trufant. Trufant ran the interception 32 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks get another stop on the 49ers and get the ball back. Hasselbeck was feeling it at one time going 10 of 11. He hit Deion Branch for a 3 yard touchdown pass. Hasselbeck showing everyone he still is the best quarterback in the division.

The Seahawks had lead at the end of the third quarter despite their leading rusher being Julius Jones with 8 yards rushing. Thats what happens when you have a quarterback of Hasselbecks calibar. Hasselbeck finished the day going 18 of 23 for 170 yards passing, 2 touchdowns and another touchdown rushing. His counterpart Alex Smith entering his 6th season with the team was 26 of 45 passing for 225 yards and 2 interceptions.

At the end of the day the Seahawks were victorious over the 49ers who many had predicted to win the division. The Seahawks overcame a bad start and with a swarming defense handed Pete Carroll his first NFL win since 1999.

Observations

- The Seahawks are going to be a hard team to run on. In preseason they had success against Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson. Today they limited Frank Gore to just 37 yards rushing and 2.2 YPC. The defense starts basically three defensive tackles in Red Bryant at defensive end, Brandon Mebane and Collin Cole. With LeRoy Hill being suspended the Seahawks would often play Tatupu and Hawthorne at the same time. If the Hawks continue to put teams in 3rd and long situations they should find success.

- Matt Hasselbeck when given time is still the best quarterback in the division. Alex Smith is not ready to take that from him. In fact that was the difference in the game. Both teams stopped the run and it was up to which quarterback could lead his team down the field. Hasselbeck in the redzone threw for two touchdowns and ran for one. Alex Smith threw one interception that led to a touchdown, another that was ran back for a touchdown and overthrew a fullback who was wide open near the goal line.

- Golden Tate the talented 2nd round pick wasn't even active for the roster. He couldn't crack the 45 man lineup. Apparently Williams, Branch and Butler are ahead of him. Obomanu was the 4th receiver due to his special teams work. Obomanu also made a nice first down catch.

- Aaron Curry is a defensive end. Almost all game Carroll utilizing Curry's talents lined him up at defensive end on 3rd downs and would often rush him on 2nd downs. The 4th pick overall might have to make a permanent change to defensive end.

- Former two time probowler(1998 and 1999) with the Seattle Seahawks Chad "the Snake" Brown raised the 12th man flag. Brown was the very first Seahawks jersey I ever bought back before the 1998 season began. I always liked Brown and he was a great outside linebacker who was a great leader. I always felt bad that Brown missed out on the Seahawks superbowl since he played with the Hawks from 1997-2004.

- Walter Jones didn't raise the 12th man flag. I'm curious to why a future hall of famer did not raise the 12th man flag the first game after his retirement. I thought this would have been the perfect time to have him raise the 12th man flag then unveil the #71 jersey in the rafters as no player will ever wear that jersey number again.

- Mike Williams gives the team plenty of options with his size. He is so tall teams can't play physical with him. Williams had 4 receptions for 64 yards but he also had two drops. Williams the former 10th pick overall in the 2005 draft is basically still raw in the NFL.

- The Seahawks shut out the Rams last season 28-0. The Seahawks dating back to 2003 are 6-2 in season openers. The Seahawks are also 7-1 in home openers.

Well guys hope you enjoyed my post game recap and observations. This is a great start to the season. The Seahawks if they had any shot at winning the division had to win this game given they were at home.

2010 Seattle Seahawks Season Preview

By Kshell

The Seattle Seahawks head into the 2010 season after coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons.

The Seahawks had sustained consistency when they were led by head coach Mike Holmgren. Holmgren coached the franchise from 1999-2008 and in that span led the team to five division titles, six playoff appearances,seven winning seasons and one Superbowl appearance. The franchise had experienced its greatest success under Holmgren. He was then forced out in favor of hand-picked coach, Jim Mora Jr.

After a 5-11 season, which saw Tim Ruskell resign, Paul Allen stunned everyone after he fired Mora after just one failed season. He then brought in USC head coach Pete Carroll, who had posted a 97-19 record (with sanctions the record is 83-19) and won seven straight Pac-10 championships along with two national championships.

The Seahawks gave Carroll, who is only 33-31 in the NFL with a 1-2 playoff record, a 5-year/35 million dollar deal. The deal not only made Carroll the head coach, but also the team president. Allen is hoping Carroll is the next Jimmy Johnson and not the next Dennis Erickson. The hope is that Carroll's enthusiasm and college success will transfer over to the NFL and rescue the Seahawks from the 9-23 rut in which they currently find themselves. The Seahawks had a good draft, but when you go 9-23 and sign nobody in free agency there will still be plenty of growing pains. I'll proceed to break down each position of the team.

Quarterback: For the first time since Trent Dilfer was the backup, Matt Hasselbeck has someone who will be challenging him for his starting job. Hasselbeck will be entering his 10th season with the Seattle Seahawks this upcoming year. Hasselbeck, the franchise's best quarterback, has led them to more playoff wins than any other quarterback in the team's history. Although Hasselbeck has made three appearances at the Pro Bowl, he is coming off his worst season ever in Seattle. Hasselbeck threw for a career high 17 interceptions last season. In fact, in his last 21 starts he has thrown for 22 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. Hasselbeck will also turn 35 this September. He is definitely past his prime years.

The question still remains if Hasselbeck still has game. He, at times, has shown he can still move the offense and when he does have protection, can still be a top ten quarterback in the NFL. Carroll, knowing that Hasselbeck has missed nine games the last two years, traded a 2011 third round pick and swapped second round picks with the San Diego Chargers for third string quarterback, Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst is a 6-foot, 5-inch strong arm quarterback who is mobile. However, Whitehurst has never thrown a pass in four NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Whitehurst, at times this preseason, has looked great and at other times, when things aren't going so well, he tends to sulk his shoulders. The Seahawks also brought in former Buffalo Bills first round bust J.P.Losman. The Seahawks, with Hasselbeck, still have the NFC West's best quarterback, and with that, will have a shot in games.

Runningback: Carroll and general manager, John Schneider, made some draft day moves to bolster this rushing attack which has been lacking since Shaun Alexander's MVP season in 2005.

The Seahawks traded for Leon Washington(2008 Probowl kick returner) and Lendale White. White was then released at mini camp, despite Carroll being his former head coach. The Seahawks also return Julius Jones for his third season. Jones has been the starter, off and on, the past two seasons. Jones led the team in rushing last year with 663 yards(3.8 YPC) but with only two touchdowns. In fact, Jones has had just two touchdowns, rushing, the past three seasons. Jones, in his Seahawk career, has just three career 100-yard rushing performances with two against the St. Louis Rams (3-29 last two years) at home. Jones is obviously not the answer at runningback.

Justin Forsett is a former seventh round draft pick out of Cal back in 2008 and emerged for fantasy football owners last year in 2009. Forsett ran for 619 yards(5.4 YPC) with five rushing touchdowns and 41 receptions for 350 yards and a TD. Forsett is very fast and versatile. Despite limited playing time he still had 41 receptions. Forsett is the favorite to win the starting runningback job.

Leon Washington is the other option at runningback for the Seahawks. Washington, many believed, would start the year injured and miss some games, but he has played in two preseason games so far. Washington, when he was healthy in 2008, ran for 448 yards with six touchdowns, while catching 47 passes for 355 yards with two touchdowns and he also had 1,534 return yards and one touchdown. The Seahawks hope that with three running backs especially Washington and Forsett that somehow they can finally have a running game. No Seahawk has ever ran for over 1,000 yards since Shaun Alexander accomplished this in 2005.

Wide Receiver: This is the strength of the Seahawks team and given the amount of money and draft picks on this particular unit it should be. The Seahawks brought in former pro bowl and Oregon State wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh in 2009 to shore up a weakness from 2008 when all the receivers were injured. Houshmandzadeh had a pretty disappointing season but still managed 79 receptions for 911 yards but only 3 TD's. Houshmandzadeh appears to be a great over the middle receiver who can catch those key 3rd down passes but isn't the #1 Wide Receiver that the Seahawks paid him to be. In a shocking move that I couldn't have guessed at the time of writing this T.J. Houshmandzadh will not be playing for the Seahawks this season

Houshmandzadeh at least produced something unlike the Seahawks other high priced Wide Receiver Deion Branch. Branch had just 45 receptions last year for 437 yards and just 2 TD's. The former Superbowl MVP is in year 5 of a 6 year deal he signed with Seahawks back in 2006 which cost the Seahawks their 2007 1st round draft pick. Branch has yet to produce a 1,000 yard season and has decline in each season with the Seahawks. He is slated to start this year. He is still quick on those slants and can still be a productive receiver. Branch just needs to stay healthy for the Seahawks. Asking Branch to stay healthy is like asking Seattle Mariners fans to ask for Erik Bedards health.

The next two receivers are 3rd round draft pick Deon Butler and 2nd round draft pick Golden Tate. Butler the Penn State Standout Tim Ruskell felt was so valuable traded a 2010 3rd round draft pick to jump into the 3rd round of the 2009 draft to grab him. Butler last year was disappointing having just 15 receptions and no TD's. He did haul in a catch in week 13 to set up a win vs the 49ers. The other young receiver is Golden Tate. Tate was a standout at Notre Dame posting 9 100+ receiving performances and 3 200+ yard performances. Golden Tate will also help out on the punt return game as well.

The Seahawks took a gamble on former first round bust Mike Williams. Williams played under Carroll and gives the team much needed size. He has performed as the best receiver this preseason. Will this translate to the regular season? The Seahawks have a great talent in Williams for practically nothing. With the Seahawks getting rid of Houshmandzadeh it appears Mike Williams will be the #1 receiver. It was questionable he would even make the team. Now he will be the #1 receiver on the team. He is favorite for NFL comeback player of the year.This could be the steal move of the off season. For the Seahawks to have a chance this year the passing game has to be moving the ball.

Tight End: John Carlson is heading into his 3rd year with the Seattle Seahawks this year. He is also learning his 3rd different offense in his 3 years. Carlson the 2nd round pick who Tim Ruskell traded the 2nd and 3rd round draft choices to move up to snag the Tight End from Notre Dame.

In Carlsons rookie year he was the lone bright spot in a disappointing 2008 season catching 55 passes for 627 yards and 5 TD's. His 2nd year there was a bit of a drop off with 51 receptions for 574 yards with 7 TD's.

The Seahawks this year brought in Tight End Chris Baker who has 159 career receptions in 115 games. The hope is with Baker he can stay in and block and Carlson can move around and be used as an H back.The Seahawks decided to keep four tight ends on the roster. The Seahawks plan to use a two tight end set this year. .Last season with the offensive live issues Carlson was often stuck blocking. Carlson is the sleeper pick this year in fantasy football to have a big season.

Offensive Line: The Seahawks lost future pro football hall of famer Walter Jones to retirement in offseason. From 1997-2008 the Seahawks could always count on one thing and that was big #71 taking out the opposing teams best DE and making him completely useless.

The Seahawks offensive line will be coached by legendary coach Alex Gibbs(the former Broncos O-line coach). Gibbs likes to use zone blocking schemes and typically improves teams offensive lines. Gibbs has also let the team a week before the regular season.

The man asked to fill the void of Walter Jones is 6th pick overall in the draft Russell Okung from Oklahoma State. Okung will be wearing former probowler Steve Hutchinson old number #76. The rest of the offensive line will be Ben Hamilton the former Denver Bronco who will be in his 10th NFL season. The hope is he can teach Okung along the way. Chris Spencer is back for his 5th straight season of starting at center. Max Unger the center of the future again will be starting at right guard and Sean Locklear for the 6th straight season will be starting. Locklear is currently being shopped around. Locklear was promised by Ruskell he'd be the new left tackle when Walter Jones retired. With Okung being drafted with the 6th pick overall its obvious Locklear will not be the left tackle.

The offensive line needs to improve alot. Since the loss of Hutchinson and other veterans like Robbie Tobeck and Chris Gray the offensive line has been downhill. The offensive line needs to keep Matt Hasselbeck healthy for this team to have any chance at making the postseason.

Defensive Line: The Seahawks have rid themselves of every defensive end on last years roster. Pete Carroll completely overhauled the defense with Kearney retiring and ridding themselves of Tapp, Redding and the first round bust of 2008 Lawrence Jackson.

The Seahawks return Defensive Tackles Brandon Mebane and Collin Cole. Carroll moved 320lb Red Bryant(former Seahawks great Jacob Green's son in law) to defensive end. The Seahawks are hoping to stuff the run this year and with basically three defensive tackles on the front four the Hawks will be a tough team to run on.

The other defensive end is Chris Clemons. He is expected to generate the most pass rush for the Seahawks this upcoming year. Clemons has 20 sacks in his career, including 8 back in Oakland in 2007. The Seahawks must find a way to get some pressure on the quarterback this year. In 2007 the defense was so successful because of the past rush of the front four but the pass rush has been lacking the last two years.

Linebacker: On paper this unit looks incredible yet the production the last two years has been lacking. The Seahawks with the 4th pick overall in the 2009 NFL draft selected Aaron Curry from Wake Forest University. Curry after some initial success had an underwhelming rookie season.

Curry is expected to bounce back this year and with Ken Norton Jr as the Linebackers coach there is hope Curry can live up to the hype. Curry is expected to rush the quarterback more and give the team something they lacked since Julian Peterson was on top of his game back in 2006 and in 2007. If Curry can be that enforcer on defense and provide a pass rush this defense could be solid.

The other outside linebacker spot is held by Will Herring and then Leroy Hill when he returns from his problems. Hill in the playoff win over the Redskins during the 2007 season led the team in tackles with 13 and had a sack. Hill was the best linebacker that day which is saying something since Tatupu and Peterson both made the probowl that year. The Seahawks are hoping Leroy Hill can show more consistency on a game to game basis but give the fact that he is starting this year injured and suspended that appears doubtful.

The Seahawks middle linebacker is considered the heart and soul of the defense. Lofa Tatupu in his first 3 seasons became the first player since Dan Marino to win the division title and make the probowl in his first 3 years in the NFL. Tatupu when he is healthy is one of the top linebackers in the NFL. In 2007 he started the probowl for the NFC. The last two seasons Tatupu has been hurt and missed 11 games last season. A defense will always struggle when they lose their probowl MLB for 11 games. If Tatupu is healthy and Hill and Curry play to their potential the Seahawks could have one of the better linebacking cores in the NFL.

Secondary: The Seahawks pass defense has ranked in the bottom of the NFL the past two seasons. The Seahawks will have two new starters at safety. One of the starters is 14th pick overall Earl Thomas of Texas.

Thomas left after his sophmore year in college and is just 21 years old. He is also the all-time interception leader in Texas Longhorns history. The other safety will be 3 time probowler and superbowl champion Lawyer Milloy. Milloy in his 2nd year with his hometown team is expected to prevent big plays and lay big hits. He is also expected to teach Thomas the ropes and show him in the NFL. The Seahawks are gambling on an aging safety and a rookie safety.

The corners will be Marcus Trufant and the other spot is up for grabs. Trufant a former probowler in 2007 had 7 interceptions that season. He has had just 3 Interceptions the last 2 years. Trufant missed 6 games last season. Whenever you lose a probowl calibar corner it hurts you alot. The other corners will be first round disapointment Kelly Jennings(just 1 INT in 4 seasons) and Josh Wilson Wilson has since been dealt to the Ravens for a 5th round pick. The Seahawks also selected Walter Thurmond from Oregon in the 4th round of the NFL draft. The secondary must find ways to make stops on 3rd downs and get the defense off the field. The front 7 should be good this year against the run so the secondary has to prevent teams from marching up and down the field on them at will.

Kicking: The Seahawks must feel pretty confident in their kickers this year. Olindo Mare has found a home in Seattle last year going 24 of 26 from FG's. Mare is also known for his deep kickoffs which helps with field position. The Seahawks punter Jon Ryan averaged 46.2 yard a punt last year in 88 punts. The Seahawks kicking game should give the defense plenty of good field positions.

Overall, this team is building towards the future. The team had a great draft in 2010 and with some luck on staying healthy the Seahawks could capture a weak NFC West where the favorite in the division is quarterback by Alex Smith. The Seahawks have to find a way to make the 12th man matter again.

Pete Carroll was brought to fix this mess that Tim Ruskell left this franchise in. The Seahawks ownership and fanbase will have to be patient with Pete Carroll and John Schneider and give them more than just a single season to turn this around. This rebuilding process will take time but with another year or two of good drafting like Schneider did with the Green Bay Packers the Seahawks should be back and competing for multiple division titles in no time.

Hopefully Caroll can translate his USC success to the NFL which will result in the Seahawks someday winning a Superbowl.