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2007 Team Report: Seattle Seahawks

Quarterbacks

Starter: Matt Hasselbeck
Backup(s): Seneca Wallace

Starting QB: Matt Hasselbeck missed four starts in 2006 due to a knee injury, but he's cemented himself among the league's top tier of quarterbacks with his play over the three previous seasons. Leading the West Coast offense of head coach Mike Holmgren ensures that Hasselbeck will be among the league leaders in yards and touchdowns during the 2007 campaign, as long as another injury doesn't come into play. He's recovering from offseason surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, but has been a fixture in practice and shouldn't be considered an injury risk. He exudes confidence in the huddle and on the sideline that only a veteran winning NFL quarterback can display.

Backup QB: Seneca Wallace started four games for the Seahawks in 2006 after Hasselbeck's injury. The team didn't have to alter their offense as Wallace demonstrated that he was sufficiently skilled to operate head coach Mike Holmgren's version of the West Coast Offense. Wallace actually has a stronger arm than Hasselbeck but struggles to deliver the quick-hitters over the line of scrimmage due to his diminutive size. The team rewarded Wallace with a 3-year contract extension in August, a sign that he's a capable injury fill in for Hasselbeck if the need arises.

Running Backs

Starter: Shaun Alexander
Backup(s): Maurice Morris, Alvin Pearman
Fullback(s): Mack Strong, Leonard Weaver

Starting RB: After his MVP season in 2005, Alexander was perhaps struck by the Madden curse. A broken bone in his foot forced Alexander to miss six full games. Further, injuries and the loss of All-Pro G Steve Hutchinson threw his offensive line into chaos narrowing what were once gaping holes to run through. However, he did manage to finish with 305 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the final three weeks of the season. Even so, Alexander is still among the elite running backs in the NFL and should be counted on for another 300-carry season as long as he remains healthy.

Backup RBs: Maurice Morris got his chance to be the featured running back in 2006 when starter Alexander missed time due to injury. Morris started slow having to face the Super Bowl-defense of the Chicago Bears, but he later rebounded with consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts in wins against St. Louis and Oakland. Morris doesn't have the necessary size to take a physical beating week after week, but he does possess enough burst to get through the hole when it presents itself. The Seahawks traded for Alvin Pearman in early September; Pearman is an exceptional receiver out of the backfield but not a naturally-gifted runner.

Fullback: Mack Strong returns for his 14th and likely final season as a Seahawk. Expect Strong to average two carries and two receptions per game as he has over the past five seasons.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Deion Branch, D.J. Hackett
Backups: Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson, Ben Obomanu [R], Courtney Taylor

Starting WRs: Branch was acquired midseason during the 2006 campaign for Seattle's 2007 first-round draft pick and instantly stepped into a starting role. Darrell Jackson was traded to division rival San Francisco on the second day of the 2007 Draft paving the way for D.J. Hackett to step into the starting lineup opposite Branch. Time will tell how long it will take for the new starting tandem to jell with Hasselbeck, but history indicates that Mike Holmgren's version of the West Coast Offense is a plug-and-play system. Each player should post solid fantasy numbers with Branch dominating in receptions and Hackett getting more of the red-zone and deep passes. Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdowns and 40-yard receptions before injuries put him on the bench. Hackett will get the chances, but the jury remains out on how he will respond to his golden opportunity.

Backup WRs: Bobby Engram continues to fill the slot receiver role as the third wide receiver, which in essence is another starting position. He'll likely be on the field for at least 70 percent of the snaps as Seattle spends tons of time in three-receiver formations. Nate Burleson arrived in 2006 with intentions of starting opposite Darrell Jackson, but instead the Seahawks were disappointed with his drops and inconsistency. He did emerge midseason though as a dangerous kick returner. Ben Obomanu spent the 2006 season on the Seahawks practice squad but has impressed enough to remain on the radar of many dynasty owners in deep leagues.

Tight Ends

Starters: Marcus Pollard
Backups: Will Heller, Ben Joppru

Injuries and numerous off-field issues forced the Seahawks to end their volatile relationship with Jerramy Stevens. Seattle signed 35-year-old free agent Marcus Pollard away from the Detroit Lions. Holmgren has said he envisions a 40-reception season for Pollard. Will Heller returns as the backup but didn't contribute much last season even though he had a wide-open opportunity to shine when Stevens was out with an injury. He only caught four passes in 2007. Ben Joppru was added for depth in the offseason.

Place Kicker

Josh Brown : While Brown's FGs percentages have fluctuated, his scoring with the Seahawks has remained remarkably consistent: 114 as a rookie, 109 in 2004, 110 in 2005, and 111 last year. He finished 2006 hitting 25 of 31 (80.6%), although half of the misses were blocked. Most importantly, several of the successful field goals came in critical game situations (a.k.a. clutch). He also made significant improvements on his kickoffs last year, averaging 64.9 yards with 11 touchbacks, although Kurt Smith will get a look for the kickoff role. The Seahawks designated Brown as their franchise player this year. CAMP UPDATE: Josh Brown made a 36 yard field goal in the preseason game at San Diego; however that was his second chance. He initially missed from 41 yards, however the kick was negated since the Chargers had 12 players on the field. Camp leg Kurt Smith has an outside chance of making the team as a kickoff specialist. In the game his kickoffs went for 67, 60, and 69 yards. Brown has done just as well and often better than that so far this year.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Nate Burleson; Josh Wilson

Seattle lost their starting KR Josh Scobey to injuring during last year, and then brought in WR Willie Ponder who fared okay. Meanwhile, WR Nate Burleson was doing quite well on punt returns, and the team decided to let him handle both roles. He averaged 24.7 yards on 26 kickoff returns during the latter part of the year. He'll compete to retain that job against second round draft pick CB Josh Wilson. The small and very speedy Wilson averaged 27.3 yards on kickoffs for Maryland last year and scored once.

Punt Returners: Nate Burleson; Bobby Engram; Ben Obomanu

WR Nate Burleson led the Vikings in punt returns 2004 (25 returns, 8.6 avg., 1 TD). After joining the Seahawks last year he did just as well (34 returns, 9.5 avg., 1 TD). There's always very reliable and effective WR Bobby Engram. Since joining Seattle in 2001, he has averaged 11.1 yards and scored twice on his 69 returns. Maurice Morris was a backup PR in 2004 (15 returns, 5.0 avg.).

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Walter Jones, LG Rob Sims, C Chris Spencer, RG Chris Gray, RT Sean Locklear
Key Backups: Floyd 'Pork Chop' Womack, Tom Ashworth, Ray Willis, Mansfield Wrotto [R]

Walter Jones is still an elite tackle but he gave up 10 sacks a year ago and is beginning to show his age. Chris Gray is back for a 15th season in the NFL but is now an average lineman at best. Second-year player Rob Sims started three games for the club as a rookie. Chris Spencer is a third-year center that started 13 games last year and has tremendous upside. Sean Locklear will likely get the nod once again at tackle, but he's only an average starter. Jones' presence still gives confidence, and both Sims and Spencer offer hope for the future, but this group will not be great in 2007. Ray Willis has been given starter reps in camp at right guard, and would probably be the first lineman off the bench in an injury situation.

Team Defense

The Seahawks were an uninspiring fantasy option in every respect last season, finishing in the middle third of every major statistical category except sacks where they were 6th. On the field, Seattle relied on strong linebacker and solid corner play to mask a poor pass rushing line and questionable play from the safety positions. The stellar linebacking corps of Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill returns intact for 2007 and should again provide good sack numbers and coverage stats. The Seahawks hope to have addressed the pass rush and secondary concerns with the additions of end Patrick Kerney and safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell. All three additions are capable of boosting the Seahawk big play numbers. A season without injuries to offensive anchors Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander should keep the Seahawks in the lead more often and would provide more big play opportunity. If things break right this unit could emerge from mediocrity in '07.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Patrick Kerney, DE Daryl Tapp, DT Chantric Darby, DT Rocky Bernard
Backups: DE Bryce Fisher, DE Jason Babin, DE Baraka Atkins [r], DT Brandon Mebane [R], DT Craig Terrill, DT Russell Davis, DT Marcus Tubbs [IR]

Starting DL: Ex-Falcon Kerney was one of the more coveted defensive players in free agency (his contract included close to $20 mil. in guaranteed money). The 30 year old former lacrosse standout had an exemplary career in Atlanta (where he knew Ruskell and Mora), but is coming off an injury-shortened season. At his best he is a fine two-way strong side DE. He has a sterling resume in terms of intangibles, which the front office has placed a high priority on recently. This fills a hole left by the abrupt retirement of former Ram Grant Wistrom. Tapp had a very pro ready game for a rookie, with an array of pass rush moves and counters. Extremely strong for his size (27 reps), with plastic man-like long arms to keep OL off of him, the second rounder hits like a fist loaded with a roll of quarters. Ex-Ram Bryce Fisher could start, but after a disappointing '06, Tapp will likely get a chance to be Kerney's bookend. Darby's meal ticket is as a run stuffer and occupying blockers so his teammates can make plays. Bernard is an outstanding pass rusher for an interior DL, and has been effective in a situational role. He is like a poor man's Rod Coleman; but must prove he can hold up in a starting role.

Backup DL: Fisher led the team in sacks in '05, spearheading the team's league lead (50). He stumbled in '06, and even with the departure of fellow ex-Ram Wistrom, he could be relegated to a rotational role with the addition of Kerney and the development of the good looking Tapp. The team acquired pass-rushing DE/LB Jason Babin from Houston a week before the season and he will likely play a situational role this season. Atkins is a 4th rounder from the U that offers decent size at 6'4" 270 and DL depth. He multi-tasked (DE/DT) and received two degrees from Miami, and the scouting staff awarded him a third round grade (they got him in the 4th) and think he could be a potential starter. Mebane is an underrated DT who was third team All American (and first team All Conference), and more DL depth the SEA war room graded higher than his 3rd round pedigree. He can push the pocket and generate QB pressure, is stout at the POA, shows up strong in run support and provides much needed insurance with Stubbs coming off knee surgery.

Linebackers

Starters: WLB Julian Peterson, MLB Lofa Tatupu, SLB Leroy Hill
Backups: MLB Niko Koutouvides, OLB Kevin Bentley, OLB Will Herring [r], OLB Lance Laury

Starting LBs: Ex-49er Pro Bowl OLB Peterson was one of the most coveted defensive players of the '05 free agent class. Given a monster multi-year contract ($54 million with $18.5 million guaranteed) by the SEA front office, he proved a sound investment, returning to his electrifying pre-Achilles tendon injury form, and looked like SEA's best defender (career high 10 sacks). He is the only player since the merger known to have lined up at DE, LB, S and CORNERBACK (!) in the same game. He is the rare SLB with the freakish athleticism and talent to be a game breaker. The 2005 DROY runner up Tatupu is a much better football player than athlete. His soaring, off-the-charts football IQ, telepathic instincts and unerring first step make him like a Samoan Zach Thomas. He is a deceptively good athlete and playmaker despite sub-par measurables (by anticipating the play better than everybody), making plays blitzing and dropping into coverage. Hill isn't a tackle maven, but is an exceptional pass rusher (as a rookie, he finished third among rookie LBs in sacks, after only Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware).

Backup LBs: Koutouvides is an athletic MIKE LB. At one time he was briefly viewed as the potential MLB of the future. That was before Tatupu's incendiary 2005 rookie campaign. He does provide solid depth at an important position. Bentley has some starting experience (with CLE), and has the size, athleticism and skills to play inside or outside and help in nickel situations. He represents marginal starter talent and provides above average backup depth. Herring is a rookie 5th round tweener who was a big safety (6'3" 220) for most of his collegiate career at Auburn but finished his career at LB and projects there at the next level.

Defensive Backs

Starters: SS Brian Russell, FS Deon Grant, CB Marcus Trufant, CB Kelly Jennings
Backups: SS Jordan Babineaux, FS Mike Green, CB Josh Wilson [R], FS C.J. Wallace

Starting DBs: Russell is a sixth year former UFA with starting experience in MIN and CLE. Somewhat limited athletically, he is tough as nails, a heady player with solid intangibles and expected to be an upgrade over the gifted but maddeningly inconsistent Michael Boulware; who was traded to Houston late in the preseason. Other than his outlier '03 season when he was among the league leaders with 9 INTs, Russell has not been much of a ball hawk or big play maven (just one career sack and FF in five seasons), but should provide a steadying presence in run support and be more instinctive and reliable in coverage. Former Panther/Jaguar Grant will start and is likewise viewed as an upgrade over the former incumbent Ken Hamlin (now Roy Williams sidekick in DAL), who had increasingly become a liability in run support AND coverage. The boosted coverage capability from the starting safety duo upgrade is critically important in a division with elite WR tandems such as Holt/Bruce in STL and Boldin/Fitzgerald in ARI. Trufant has not stepped up since an exceptional start to his career, gives up too much cushion and may have lost confidence. He is a blue chip athlete with the big time talent to be born again hard under Mora's tutelage. Jennings has promise in coverage, but his diminutive stature makes him suspect in run support.

Backup DBs: Babineaux also has NFL bloodlines (brother Jonathan is an ATL DT), and has the rare multi-talented skill set and versatility to be equally adept at CB or S, making him a valuable nickle/dime CB and backup. Green is a former 7th round overachiever who started for the Bears and can play SS/FS, but doesn't have a lot of upside at 30. Wilson was the team's first selection in the '07 draft, coming in the second round (because of the Deion Branch trade). He is an ultra-competitive speed merchant, skilled in coverage and is expected to push for the nickle CB role immediately. The former Maryland Terp standout may have the talent to eventually overtake starter Jennings.

Last modified: 2007-09-03 08:06:39