2007 Rankings
Rushing: 20th (101.2)
Passing: 8th (247.8)
Total Offense: 9th (348.9)
Run Defense: 12th (102.8)
Pass Defense: 19th (219.1)
Total Defense: 15th (321.8)
What was the Seahawks’ best move during the offseason?
There’s been a hole at left guard for the Seattle Seahawks since All-Pro Steve Hutchinson was snatched away by the Minnesota Vikings a couple years ago, and the team hopes they have finally found an answer at the position after picking up former Pro Bowl guard Mike Wahle shortly after he was released by the Carolina Panthers. Wahle is going into his 11th season in the NFL, but thus far has looked better than any of team’s other options, and is expected to improve the overall play of a line that hasn’t been the same since Hutchinson left.
What needs to go right for the Seahawks to succeed this season?
Right now the Seahawks are banged up at the receiver position with both Deion Branch and Bobby Engram having issues. And there is also concern that center Chris Spencer may not be ready for the start of the regular season. With backup Chris Gray announcing his retirement last month, that means backup guard Steve Vallos, who has no experience at the center position at the pro level, could be relegated to the starting role when the season begins.
So obviously the Seahawks need to get some guys healthy, but perhaps their biggest need is to jump start a once-powerful running game to take a little pressure off starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who is suffering through some back pain himself and has missed some preseason action because of it.
In 2005, Seattle had the third best running game in the league, posting more than 150 yards per game on average. In 2006, they dropped to 14th in the league and in 2007 fell to 20th at just over 100 yards per game. The team is hoping the addiotion of Wahle, along with that of running backs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett will put the Seahawks run game back among the league’s top ten ground attacks.
Where will the Seahawks finish the 2008 NFL season?
With Mike Holmgren headed into his final season as the Seahawks head coach, there’s no doubt this team is going to put everything on the line to send their long-time leader off in style. However, I do feel they face a challenge in holding off the Arizona Cardinals, who look to me like a team ready to turn the corner. No doubt the Seahawks will remain in contention for the division title until the end barring a rash of injuries. But I don’t see them cruising through the division unchallenged like they have in recent seasons.
Prediction: 10-6 and second in the NFC West
