Seattle Seahawks
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NFL Team Column By Mike Dixon 2009 Draft Analysis |
A Better Showing, but....
While the Seahawks played much better this time around against the Arizona Cardinals, the end result was still a loss by a score of 31-20. The loss today virtually extinguished any chance of a playoff push, dropping their record to 3-6.
The 'Hawks actually led 17-10 at halftime, care of a stingy defense, and an offense that was able to manage a good blend of run and pass. This was a game of two completely different halves though, as Arizona went on to outscore them 21-3 the rest of the way.
One of the best things that I saw from the 'Hawks today was the ability of RB Justin Forsett to get the running game going. Against the 4th ranked Rush Defense of the Cardinals (93.1 yards/game) the Seahawks were able to rack up 164yds. Compared to the 14yds that they were able to produce in the last contest they played, this was pretty darned spectacular.
QB Matt Hasselbeck ended up throwing for 315yds, but only completed 50% of his throws (26/52). Towards the end of the game, I noticed that Hasselbeck's shoulder seemed to be bothering him, and the accuracy of his passes was really poor, as he ended up throwing a couple interceptions in crucial situations when they really needed scores.
For the most part the Seahawks defense really showed a lot of improvement compared to their last meeting. Down the stretch though, the bigger, more physical receivers of the Cardinals were able to dominate the Seahawks secondary.
The Seahawks Offensive Line was able to open some nice holes in the running game, but ended up allowing 4 sacks. A few of the sacks I viewed as Hasselbeck's fault as he failed to recognize an overloaded blitz coming at him, and didn't audible out of the selected play.
After the game I reassessed the personnel needs that the Seahawks need to incorporate next year, and they really haven't changed much.
Number one is a Left Tackle to replace the probably retired LT Walter Jones.
Next would be a physical Safety, that can dominate against the run, and punish wide-outs coming over the middle.
A QB of the future that can be groomed to replace an obviously aging QB Matt Hasselbeck would be nice as well.
If a more physical corner was available to play opposite CB Marcus Trufant, I would really like to see the 'Hawks add that as well.
Next week we have the Minnesota Vikings (8-1) on the road. Unless QB Brett Favre, and RB Adrian Peterson slip and fall getting of the bus, I hold little hope for a victory in that one.
It Took Longer Than Expected...Beat Lions 32-20
So in rolls the cure-all to your disappointing season, the hapless Detroit Lions. With the bad offense, and an even worse defense, this looked to be the springboard that the Seahawks needed to make themselves right. Instead, you get turnover, after turnover converted into points and a troubling 17 point deficit after the 1st quarter.
Just when I was about to break out the hard liquor and start drowning my sorrows at the misfortunes of my favorite team getting blown out by the Lions, things became a little more acceptable. The Seahawks outscored the Lions 32-3 for the rest of the game, finally putting it away with a 61 yard INT return for a TD. Still, a 32-20 win eases the heart just a little...it just took longer than expected.
True to form throughout the season, the 'Hawks have been slow starters on offense. An interception on QB Matt Hasselbeck's first pass, a fumble on the next possession, and failing to convert on a 4th and short after that made me start looking for the highest ledge I could get to in a hurry. I have no idea why this team is so sluggish out of the gates, it really is troubling against bad teams, and a nightmare against good teams.
QB Matt Hasselbeck actually ended up having a pretty darned good game, finishing 39/51 329yds 1 TD, 1 INT. And once he got rolling, the Seahawks pretty much abandoned the run only gaining 55yds for the game.
The stars of the game were the Seahawks secondary grabbing 5 interceptions from Lions QB Matt Stafford. LB David Hawthorne, who is filling in for the gaping hole left by LB Lofa Tatupu being put on IR, led the team with 9 tackles and added 2 of those INTs.
I was pretty impressed with the way the offensive line performed today as well, only giving up 1 sack, and providing Hasselbeck with plenty of time to find receivers most of the afternoon. Hopefully getting these guys to stay healthy for a little bit will help them continue to gel as a unit.
I hate to start thinking positive again, but with the 49ers losing again today, the Seahawks crawled into a tie for second in the division. The match up against the Cardinals next week could turn out to be very crucial considering that with a win the 'Hawks could be only 1 game out of first place (fingers crossed)
Not The End Of The World, but....
Thanks to Fox for not allowing my local station to broadcast the Seahawks game today due to their commitment to the MLB Playoffs (they showed poker instead of my game)....that was super duper of them! I like listening to sports on the radio, but the intricacies of the game can be lost, especially when you are trying to write a column about it.
The 27-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals was more than just a woeful beat down at the hands of a divisional opponent. The Seahawks were looking to build on their big win against the Jaguars last week, and climb back into the picture in the NFC West title chase.
The Seahawks showed to me that they are not yet ready to return to prominence with their performance Sunday. Many a weakness were exploited by the Cardinals, not the least of which is the inability to field a healthy offensive line. Lack of physical Safety play, and corners that were manhandled by the Cards bigger receivers was another deficiency that was highlighted.
QB Matt Hasselbeck was under duress for most of the afternoon, going a measly 10-29 112yds, 1INT, and don't get me started on the 14yds of rushing that we produced.
That the defense allowed QB Kurt Warner unimpeded access to the end zone on its opening drive is one thing, but being unable to field the ball on the ensuing kick off is an embarrassment. The Seahawks were out played, out coached, and out hustled for the entire game. The defense did play better after the 1st quarter, but it wasn't enough, even if they had been able to force more turnovers, or keep the Cardinals from scoring.
Top needs leaving this game to fill are:
Dominant Left Tackle
Athletic Safety...someone that can punish a receiver for coming over the middle, and take pressure off of the corners.
QB of the future
Offensive Line depth...starting quality Left Guard would be nice.
Physical CB...someone tall enough and strong enough to match up better with a big receiver.
While getting all of these things next year would not guarantee success, the current players on the roster being healthy, and some better coaching of said players would definitely help.
In the games that the Seahawks have won this year, their opponents are 3-9, conversely the opponents that they have lost to are 13-5. Coming out of the bye next week, the Seahawks play opponents with a combined 22-33 record, including 3 teams that are winless (St. Louis, Detroit, Tennessee). That should mean at least 3 more wins right?
Something Worth Cheering About
With their 41-0 win Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Seahawks obviously played the best game of this young season. This is the kind of game that the Seahawks desperately needed as well, and while it came at the hands of a team struggling just as bad as the 'Hawks, it was beautiful none the less.
True to form so far this season, the Seahawks offense was sluggish past the 1st quarter. They scored 31 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and went into victory mode in the 4th. What I am guessing is that the script that the offense has for the first few series is just completely ineffective, because this trend of slow starts has happened in almost every game this season.
QB Matt Hasselbeck showed just how valuable he is for the Seahawks in his return from a cracked rib. The first thing that is noticeable about his game compared to back up QB Seneca Wallace is arm strength. Hasselbeck just has a little more zip to his throws that allows him to get the ball into tighter coverage. The second thing that is very apparent is that Hasselbeck can manipulate the opposing teams secondary better...pump fakes, looking off the safeties, all of that makes the passing game much more effective for the 'Hawks when they decide that they really want to pass the ball.
The running game for the Seahawks was virtually nonexistent for the most part, with a good majority coming after the game had already been decided. The Seahawks defense played inspired football Sunday, especially against the run. Holding Maurice Jones-Drew to 34yds on 12 rushes was insanely good, and Jacksonville as a whole to just 199 net yards total!
The Seahawks apparently read my column, because they actually let DE Nick Reed see the field. What did he do, you ask? Just make plays! Two Tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 TD.
The defense showed a renewed energy this week, something that had been missing all season. Tackling was exceptional compared to previous weeks, and there were more gang tackles than I had seen also. Aaron Curry had his most complete game this year, finishing with 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble.
Facing the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday will require this kind of performance from the team, both offense and defense. The NFC west is wide open, and the Seattle Seahawks can makes strides towards a title if they can continue to improve week to week.
How unlucky is it that we traded for the Denver Broncos 1st round pick next year...and they are
5-0!
Assessing Performance and Need
I am not going to do a long, drawn out analysis of the Seahawks 34-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, because that would acknowledge the fact that they actually had a shot to win this game. Well, they didn't...not in their current form that is. The Colts this season,last week, were the better team by a long shot.
What I am going to do this week is break down the performance of the 2009 Draft selections from the 'Hawks, and give them a Quarterly Report Card. Also, I am going to look at the weaknesses that have prevailed into the season and identify a few college prospects that I think would help them out for next year.
2009 NFL Draft Grades:
1st Round- OLB Aaron Curry: B+
Curry has started all 4 games so far for the Seahawks this season. He did show up late for training camp due to a contract hold out, but nowadays that is almost to be expected of a player drafted with the #4 selection. Through 4 games Curry has 22 Tackles, and one sack, and continues to grasp the key aspects of the defense. While he hasn't been given a ton of opportunity to rush the passer, Curry is primarily effective against the run. He sheds blockers well, and delivers punishing hits to the ball-carrier. With both of his fellow starting linebackers having been injured so far this season, Curry has been thrown to the wolves a littler earlier than the coaching staff would have liked. I see Curry as a potential Pro Bowl caliber player, and hopefully the woes of the team as a whole don't stunt his development.
2nd Round- G/C Max Unger: A
What Max Unger has done so far hasn't grabbed any headlines, or been flashy at all. His versatility coming out of college fit right in with what the Seahawks needed coming off a year where every single member of their offensive line had been injured. So far the trend of injuries has continued, and Unger has excelled wherever he has been thrown. Really the 'Hawks won't know exactly how good Unger can be until he is given a chance to really master one position, and that will not come until they can keep a healthy line in general.
3rd Round- WR Deon Butler: C
Through 4 games Butler has seen very limited playing time, producing only 3 catches for 30yds. With a healthy Deion Branch back into the fold, the potential playing time for Butler was reduced even further. With good hands, and great speed the upside for Butler is huge..he just hasn't been able to display them yet.
6th Round- QB Mike Teel: Incomplete
Currently the 3rd string QB, who right now is one play away from starting for the Seahawks. With QB Matt Hasselbeck out with a broken rib, and QB Seneca Wallace taking all of the snaps, Teel could potentially see the field this season. No stats, and just a little playing time in the preseason leads me to not be able to give him a grade thus far.
7th Round- S Courtney Greene: F
Not on the team, cut during preseason.
7th Round- DE Nick Reed: Incomplete
Has played very limited time this season, producing only 1 tackle in 4 games. I would like to see him enter the game in obvious passing situations because of the skill he showed in the pre-season of getting to the QB, but apparently the coaches are happy so far with the lack of effective QB pressure.
7th Round- TE Cameron Morah: Incomplete
Morah is the 3rd TE on the depth chart so obviously he hasn't played much (1 catch, 3yds) but I think he could turn into a very good option in the future. Needs to improve blocking skills to move up the depth chart.
So let's Look at the 2010 NFL Draft:
The Seahawks will have two 1st Round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft. I had been hoping that the pick that they got from Denver in last years trade would be a very high pick, but so far the 4-0 Broncos have completely let me down in that regard. If the season ended today, I would give the Seahawks the 10th and 27th Picks in Next years draft.
10th Pick- Taylor Mays- USC
The safety play from the current roster has been absolutely terrible this season. Better athletes at the position would improve the defense by making the corners less vulnerable, even with CB Marcus Trufant, and CB Josh Wilson healthy. S Eric Berry, and S Taylor Mays are the top two Safeties in the draft, and Berry will not be available to the 'Hawks at pick 10.
27th Pick (From Denver, that will probably be a bit lower)- LT Ciron Black- LSU
It seems with the injury issues stacking up for future HOF LT Walter Jones, the bookend for the next decade needs to be drafted here. The top two Tackles in the draft, Trent Williams, and Russell Okung will be gone by the time this pick is made.
The Seahawks will need to invest in the QB of the future with the lack of durability that QB Matt Hasselbeck has shown the last two seasons. Also, a premier running back if one is available wouldn't disappoint me as well...someone like a Jahvid Best perhaps.
1-2 and Feeling Blue
After the 25-19 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, I was getting ready to write a column completely devoid of any hope and about ready to look forward to next year. So I took a few deep breaths, and a couple days to collect my thought into something more positive.
The Seahawks got off to the fast start that I was looking for, scoring their first 1st quarter points of the season. Things were looking great to start the game, RB Julius Jones showed great burst running the ball, and scored on a nice screen pass for 39yds. The Bears brought a lot of pressure at QB Seneca Wallace, who was getting the start for the injured QB Matt Hasselbeck, and the depleted offensive line held up fairly well considering. With the success of the screen pass in the 1st quarter, I would have thought that the screen might have been something that was used a little more often as the game progressed.
The starting defense Sunday was just as depleted as the offense. The starting linebackers had a total of 6 NFL starts combined, with rookie LB Aaron Curry the elder statesman at 3 starts. For all of that inexperience, I thought the LB corps acquitted themselves very well, especially MLB David Hawthorne (15 tackles, 1 INT)
While 1st year Head Coach Jim Mora threw Olindo Mare under the bus after the game for missing 2 of his 6 field goals, I will come to his defense a little bit, and say that Mare did not LOSE the game for the Seahawks. Going 6/6 would only have made the ballgame an even contest, although the misses could have added to the then lead that the Seahawks enjoyed an d that could have changed the dynamic ofcourse. What lost the Seahawks the game was the inability to stop QB Jay Cutler from driving down the field and scoring with under 5 minutes to play.
Rushing Offense: C+
In the 1st Quarter the rushing offense was clicking, RB Julius Jones was hitting huge holes, and moving the ball fairly easily. After that however, the running game was practically nonexistent, and Jones seemed to be running slower and more hesitant in the holes.
Passing Offense: B-
QB Seneca Wallace wasn't very efficient, going 26-44 for 261yds 1 TD, 1 INT, but in the face of constant pressure let through by the depleted offensive line one could hardly expect him to be. Play calling as much as anything hampered the passing game, but the Bears do have a pretty darned good defense, so I will give them a lot of credit as well for shutting us down.
Offensive Line: B-
The 1st quarter showed me that this line, even missing folks with injuries still has a lot of talent. For as much pressure as the Bears brought, both with run blitzes and attacking QB Seneca Wallace, I thought the group of LT Brandon Frye, LG Rob Sims, C Chris Spencer, RG Max Unger, RT Ray Willis did a pretty good job.
Defense: B-
This banged up unit did a phenomenal job against the run, holding RB Matt Forte to 66yds on 21 carries. Against the pass you could tell just how many pieces they were missing, both in the secondary and in the linebacking corps. QB Jay Cutler was able to pick the secondary apart with surgical precision, going 21-27 247yds 3TD, 1 INT, and next weeks task against the great QB Peyton Manning just keeps these guys in the fire.
Special Teams: C+
K Olindo Mare was relied on a little too much for my comfort in this offense. While he should have been able to go 6/6 with his field goals, the offense needed to score touchdowns to beat a decent Bears team.
The 'Hawks should have a few pieces back this week for the Colts game. LB Lofa Tatupu, and CB Josh Wilson are expected to give it a go, and the Seahawk secondary will need all the help it can get against one of the greatest Quarterbacks in NFL history.
So Much For Running The Table
First of all...Go Huskies! I am a lifelong Washington Husky fan, and that win against #3 USC Saturday was such a thrill.
The Seahawks had a prime opportunity Sunday to take control of their division with a win at San Francisco. The result of the contest was a 23-10 loss however, and the game was not as close as the score would make it seem. The Seahawks were outplayed, out coached, and out hustled all day Sunday, unable to get anything going on offense, and unable to stop the 49ers at all.
I don't know which was worse, giving up two huge runs to RB Frank Gore or the fact that they did so with eight and nine men in the box both times. True, the 'Hawks were missing DT Brandon Mebane, LB Leroy Hill, and for most of the game LB Lofa Tatupu, but I thought that's why we signed Cory Redding, and Colin Cole...to stop the run.
When QB Matt Hasselbeck dove toward the end zone and left the game in a lot of pain, I could feel a sense of wins slipping from our grasp. I like QB Seneca Wallace as a back-up, but that is exactly what he is, and always will be. An offense that can't score points and a defense that can't stop the run is called the 2008 Seattle Seahawks...Deja Vu anyone?
Grades for the Game:
Rushing Offense: D
66yds on 23 rushes is pitiful, and that led to an abysmal 25:29 time of possession considering that 14 of the 49ers points came on long runs. Justin Forsett showed some burst with 35yds on 5 carries, but that wasn't nearly enough.
Passing Offense: C
Hard to really grade this one out, because QB Matt Hasselbeck looked like he was just starting to find a rhythm when he left with an injury just before halftime. My issue with the passing game is that this is the second game in a row that it took well into the 2nd quarter of the ballgame to get any sort of production. That is bad enough against a terrible team like the Rams, let alone against a seemingly decent team like the 49ers. While 25-41 for 217yds and 1 TD isn't terrible, it isn't good enough.
Offensive Line: C+
For as patchwork as this line is, allowing only 1 sack to a really good defense like the 49ers have is pretty darned amazing. However, only being able to produce 66yds in the running game leads me to point the fingers primarily at this group. LT Walter Jones should be able to return soon, and that should help out a lot.
Defense: D-
Allowing 256yds rushing should get this entire unit flogged for their efforts. They did manage 4 sacks, and that was the only positive at all for the entire defense. They did not allow a passing TD, but QB Shaun Hill for the 49ers managed the game well and only threw when he needed to. The linebacking corps for the 'Hawks has suddenly sprung a lot of leaks with the injuries to LB Leroy Hill, and LB Lofa Tatupu. Coming into the season this was going to be the strongest unit on the field with the addition of 1st round draft choice LB Aaron Curry. Hopefully these guys can get healthy in a hurry, because lack of production up front combined with an ineffective linebackers is a recipe for more failure against the run.
Special Teams: A-
P John Ryan averaged 52.1yds on 7 punts, and K Olindo Mare consistently put his kickoffs deep into the end zone..not that he got to kick off much with the lack of scoring by the offense. Punt/Kick coverage teams did pretty well also only allowing 7yds average on punt returns, and 1 kick off return for 20yds.
We have an opportunity next week to turn things around in a hurry with the Chicago Bears coming to town. I am running out of things to throw at my television as I watch these games so hopefully a solid performance will ensue.
We Are On Our Way! Week 1 in the books
The Seahawks start their 2009-10 season with the first ever shutout of the St. Louis Rams 28-0. In a game that started out sloppy on both sides, and the first points coming halfway into the 2nd quarter, the Seahawks were able to finally get things clicking to lock down the first win of the season. This game however did not give me warm and fuzzy feelings all over though...at least not at first. A better team than the St. Louis Rams would have capitalized on the Seahawks mistakes. And this game would have turned out much differently.
Offense:
QB Matt Hasselbeck finished with a decent day, 25-36 279yds 3TD:2INT. Pretty good numbers at the end of the day, but the two interceptions came fairly early and he was not making good decisions with his throws. St. Louis had some play makers in its secondary that took advantage of Hasselbeck locking in on 1 receiver without reading who was breaking on his throw.
TE John Carlson showed that he was not just a one year wonder, producing 6 catches for 96yds and 2 TD. St. Louis seemingly had no answer for Carlson, who was able to run all over their secondary uncovered.
RB Julius Jones proved that he deserved the spot as the Seahawks featured back this year with a very impressive first game, contributing 117yds on 19 carries and 1TD. His 62yd blast into the end zone in the 3rd quarter was a thing of beauty, and it seemed like maybe the Seahawks actually knew what they were doing when they pulled him out of the Cowboys discard bin.
Defense:
The crowd was its normal deafening self Sunday, causing numerous false starts for the Rams offense. Since the new stadium opened that has been an invaluable tool that gives life to the Seahawks defense.
The Seahawks produced 3 sacks, which was actually impressive considering that the Rams had QB Marc Bulger in a 3 or 5 step drop almost the entire game.
LB Aaron Curry showed flashes of why he deserved to be the #4 pick in the draft. One thing is for certain...if Curry tackles you, you stay tackled.
While the defense threw a shutout Sunday, there is definitely room for improvement. With CB Marcus Trufant out for the first 6 weeks, the corners are going to get tested like never before. The defensive line really needs to step up and put consistent pressure on the opposing QB to give them a break.
Special Teams:
Olindo Mare's blocked kick turned out to be a blessing in disguise in the 2nd quarter. The Rams had 12 men on the field, and gave the offense a 1st down. Turns out that the offense that came back out on the field knew what to do with the ball, because they came out with 4 TD's after that.
P John Ryan averaged 53.2 yds per punt on 5 kicks. The field position advantage that the Seahawks will have with this guy is huge....thats assuming that their coverage teams don't blow it of course.
Overall this was a very good way to start the season for the Seahawks. While there is definitely room for improvement in all aspects of the game, its always nice to start with a W. If they can win next week in San Francisco, the Seahawks can take sole possession of the division that is rightfully theirs.
(In my April column Shamelessly Early Predictions for the 2009 Season, I had the Seahawks winning this game 27-13....going to pencil that one in as one I got right.)
Unimpressive, but still a Win
The third preseason game was supposed to be the breakout game for the offense, with all of the starters playing a good majority of the time. However, the 14-10 win at the hapless Chiefs failed to impress on many levels.
The offensive line seems to have regressed to the end of the season as far as its health and continuity, and the running game, and pass security have suffered for it. The running backs did show bursts of success, as did QB Matt Hasselbeck later in the game. Hopefully practice time with the projected starters on the line will give them a little more confidence going into the season. I can't argue that they don't have the potential talent to be a good front five, but they just don't have the experience.
There is a big connection between Hasselbeck and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh already this off season. They read each other very well, and its safe to say that barring injuries that hookup will play a major part in the success of the team this year.
The defense continues to miss a lot of tackles, giving up bigger gains by the opposing offense than they should. OLB Aaron Curry played a good chunk of the game this week and showed that he is starting to get a handle on things. DE Nick Reed also produced another sack late in the game when the Chiefs were trying to drive down for the go ahead score. I would almost suggest that he move up the depth chart to play ahead of the more experienced DE's in passing situations as he is the only one that has shown he can consistently get to the QB.
I was about to anoint K Brandon Coutu the winner of the battle against incumbent K Olindo Mare based on the woeful placekicking exibited Saturday, but reports from both teams suggested that the field was incredibly slick, and the holds were almost impossible to get down properly. I wouldn't be completely surprised if the job did go to Coutu seeing as how the 'Hawks drafted him and all.
P John Ryan has shown that he may be the biggest bright spot of the entire special teams unit this year. His booming punts have given the team an explicit advantage as far as field position so far in the preseason. He seems to be able to kick to the situation really well...belting a huge kick when the team really needs it, but not so much as to out-kick his coverage.
While the Seahawks are 3-0 this preseason, a lot of concerns still remain. This team is definitely a better squad this year, but it is really tough to get a handle on just how successful they will actually be. It's quite possible that they could turn into a playoff team, but only time will tell.
The 'Hawks have a Preseason Winning Streak Going!
A change of head coaches didn't alter the spate of injuries that the Seahawks offensive line has suffered over the last year. While there were many positives coming out of the Seahawks 27-13 victory over the Denver Broncos, the loss of another starting lineman C Chris Spencer, may have been the biggest negative. Before the preseason even started, I thought that OG/C Max Unger would crack the starting lineup simply because of talent, but now its looking like it will be of necessity if nothing else.
The starting offense looked phenomenal to start the game, and the starting defense looked equally as bad when the Broncos got the ball. The tackling by the starters was absolutely abysmal, mainly by the linebacking corps, with defensive linemen making many tackles way past the line of scrimmage. OLB Aaron Curry didn't play in this game, sidelined with the consistent holdout injuries that seem to plague young players that don't show up to camp on time.
I was extremely impressed with both WR Deon Butler and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the way that they worked with QB Matt Hasselbeck. Barring last seasons catastrophic injury plague to the wide outs, and the offensive line giving Hasselbeck time to throw, the passing game should be huge for the 'Hawks even though they are switching to more of a run first offense under Jim Mora.
That man did it again! DE Nick Reed once again thrust himself to the forefront of this preseason game. With 1.5 sacks, and a blocked punt against the Broncos, the “undersized” 7th round pick for the 'Hawks is quickly making himself indispensable. If he doesn't make the team there will be something completely wrong and another team will snatch him up fast.
So, other than the Denver Broncos not looking as pitiful as I had hoped (fingers crossed for a #1 draft pick), and some work needed to correct timing issues in a new system on offense the team looked pretty good. Two wins in the preseason does not a Super Bowl make however.
Preseason game 3 prediction:
Seahawks 40, Chiefs 10
The Pre-Season is Finally Underway.
Within the Seahawks 20-14 win at San Diego on Saturday were many interesting observations. Most of the action happened in the 2nd half of the game, along with the majority of the surprises and disappointments. The first thing that was obvious to me was that 1st round pick Aaron Curry suffered for missing training camp time with his contract dispute. Curry showed very little in the way of outstanding play, and needs to catch up in a hurry.
Positives:
DE/OLB Nick Reed, one of the 7th round picks this year showed that being a little undersized is quite alright, racking up a couple sacks and an interception. Reed, along with DE/DT Michael Bennett an undrafted rookie free agent out of Texas A&M, provided a lot of pressure to the San Diego QB, and really changed the tone of the whole game. The biggest positive that I saw throughout the game was the new depth of the 'Hawks defensive line.
RB Devin Moore, an undrafted rookie out of Wyoming, showed really good burst and was a pleasant surprise in the running game. The word that came to mind watching him run was slippery...it seemed like the San Diego defense had a tough time getting a solid hit on Moore.
QB Mike Teel showed promise as the 3rd string QB for the 'Hawks. Displaying a decent grasp of the offense and a pretty good arm, it was easy to see why Teel was seen as a steal late in the draft. While playing time this season should be nonexistent, a couple years seasoning could turn Teel into a player that will excel as a starter.
Concerns:
Health of the Offensive line is going to be a huge concern for the Seahawks again this year. Without healthy starters, both the running and passing games will not be completely effective. The problem also are the little injuries to key backups that hamper their development as well. The depth, and talent is there to succeed, but the health of the unit will be the key to a successful season.
Special Teams left me a little uneasy, aside from the kicker and punter themselves. I saw a lot of assignments blown, and tackles missed, seemingly no improvement from last year. The return game was also a little chaotic, but I chalked that up to the team trying new personnel out at the positions.
Defensive Secondary depth is also a major concern to me. If one of the starters go down, I don't know that there is enough talent behind them to compensate for that loss from what I saw this week. Hopefully some more practice, and film study will change my opinion of the unit in the weeks to come.
Now this was just the first preseason game of the year, and in no way indicative of how the season will turn out ( The Detroit Lions went 4-0 in last years preseason) but is it sure good to see the team out there again. I cannot wait for game 2 against the Denver Broncos this coming Saturday, both to see how the Seahawks improve this week, and to see what kind of pick the Broncos are going to relinquish us in next years draft.
Things are Falling in Place for the Hawks
With Aaron Curry's signing of the richest non-quarterback rookie contract in NFL history yesterday, the Seattle Seahawks locked down a huge piece of their 2009 puzzle. On one hand, I am excited to get this guy on the field, because I know he is going to be special...but on the other, it's a lock that if he isn't a pro-bowl linebacker within the next couple of years he will be labeled a bust.
I considered G/C Max Unger to be one of the best picks for the 'Hawks in the Draft due to his versatility in playing multiple positions, and already in camp he has had a chance to prove his worth. With the retirement of LG Mike Wahle due to failing his physical, and the ankle sprain of C Chris Spencer, Unger has made himself even more important to a team that has had an unbelievable amount of injuries to their O-Line the last few years.
WR T.J Houshmandzadeh not only replaced the veteran leadership of the departed WR Bobby Engram, but added a lot more talent to the unit, as well as appearing to make everyone around him better. Everything that I am seeing from camp indicates that the receiving corps for this years season will be an amazing unit to watch.
With DL Cory Redding getting pushed more to the outside to help with the run defense look for DT Brandon Mebane, and DT Red Bryant (whom I was very high on 2 years ago out of Texas A&M) to really lick down the middle of the line. Mebane has excelled from day one as a good all around DT, but look for his sack production to go way up this year with the addition of the new talent on the line.
With the first preseason game now just a week away the excitement is just building and building. I don't know that I have looked forward to a season more since the Seahawks got robbed my the black and gold striped officials in the Super Bowl. I just know that the Mora era will bring many happy returns to us 'Hawks fans, but dang the wait is killing me!
Preseason Game 1 prediction:
Seahawks 27, Chargers 17
Getting Ready for Training Camp
One thing we know for certain going into Seahawks training camp is that Brett Favre will not be their quarter back...or apparently any other teams either.
That being said it is great to be able to shake off the NFL off-season blues, and get excited with training camps opening up. It was a very lackluster couple of months for the Seattle Seahawks, aside from FB Owen Schmidt getting arrested for a DUI. The regions sports teams that had dismal seasons a year ago have sparked a lot of enthusiasm, and hopefully the 'Hawks can continue that trend...from the Portland Trailblazers making the NBA playoffs, to the Seattle Mariners being much better than the 100 loss club from a year ago, things are really looking up....giving fans a reason to be interested again.
There are going to be a couple of key things to watch in the coming weeks, first and foremost is the health of QB Matt Hassock. As he goes, so go the fortunes of the Seahawks and this will be a crucial season for the 'Hawks. New head coach Jim Mora Jr. needs to get things headed in the right direction from day one, as the aberration that was the 2008 season needs to be just that, a one time thing that will never happen again.
Aside from the QB play, getting the defense back to its top form is a priority as well. The addition of LB Aaron Curry from the draft has really excited the coaching staff. He seems to be even better than they thought, and will be really exciting to watch as a fan this year.
And of course there is one thing that Seahawks fans will definitely be rooting for this year...and that is a really bad season from the Denver Broncos since they own the conditional #1 draft pick from them. Getting two top 5 picks in a row without having to “earn” it like they did last year would be awesome.
I look forward to reporting positive happenings here in the next couple weeks, and hopefully will be touting a phenomenal season from our beloved Seattle Seahawks.
Final Seahawk 2009 NFL Draft Analysis
2nd Round- Pick #49
OL Max Unger- I love this pick because of his versatility. I don't think that Unger will ever be an All Pro type of player, but I do think that he will be in the league for a very long time and have a phenomenal career. The Seahawks need a guy that can play all of the positions on the line just in case (knock on wood) that the same injury plague hits the team again this year.
3rd Round- Pick #91
WR Deon Butler- Brings good college experience with him into the NFL. A small speedy receiver with good hands, lots of people compare him with the departed WR Bobby Engram. Time will tell what type of NFL receiver Butler becomes, whether it takes him a few years to hit his stride, or can make an immediate impact on the team.
6th Round- Pick #178
QB Mike Teel- The 2009 NFL Draft was a little shy of QB talent to draft from. Going into the draft one of the picks the Seahawks needed to make was a back-up QB. Many pundits had been thinking that they would take Mark Sanchez at the #4 pick and anoint him the QB of the Future. When the 'Hawks picked Aaron Curry in the first round, that made the selection of a QB something akin to kissing your sister....there would be players available, but the options weren't that exciting. I project Teel to be a career back up in the NFL until I can see his performance at mini camps, and in game situations.
7th Round- Pick #245
S Courtney Greene- Good value pick up for the 7th Round. Will probably be a special teams player for awhile, but may turn in to a productive role-player in the secondary down the line. Video I saw of Greene looked good, and over all I think that he will find a role to excel on the team.
7th Round- Pick #247
DE Nick Reed- Productive college DE that will more than likely see limited time in the rotation at the next level until he can put on a little weight. Again, this is a guy that will see more time on special teams until he can round into NFL shape.
7th Round- Pick #248
TE Cameron Morah- Good back-up TE for the 'Hawks to draft. Came out a year early from college, so a 7th Round pick up this year is a great value, as he probably would have gone earlier next year if he had stayed in school. Will need to work on his blocking skills if he wants to excel in the NFL.
Overall Draft Grade: B+ The lack of mid-round picks hurt a little, but trading for the Denver Broncos 1st Round pick in the 2010 Draft may net huge results (root for a 3-13 season for them Broncs!).
Seahawks Draft Day
Day 1
Pick #4 OLB Aaron Curry- Wake Forest
The planets aligned for the 'Hawks at the beginning of the round. I had said all along that if Curry was available, the Seahawks would take him to replace the departed Julian Peterson. With the meteoric rise of DE Tyson Jackson up the boards, and being selected #3 by Kansas City that opened the door for Seattle to get their guy.
I am excited about this pick for multiple reasons. The Seahawks got a complete linebacker that can start from day one, and he has a phenomenal character. There is no guessing as to what role Curry will play for the Seahawks as there would with some of the other combo-backers in the draft.
Grade: A+
Pick #37 Traded to Denver for 1st Round pick in 2010
The Denver Broncos had two picks in the first round for 2010, and traded one of them to the Seahawks to select CB Alphonso Smith- Wake Forest.
Grade: Incomplete
Pick #49 (From Chicago) C Max Unger
I love this pick (see 2/22/08 Column) because Unger is as versatile as it gets being able to play all of the positions on the offensive line. Constantly injured Center Chris Spencer makes it possible for Unger to be a rookie starter if he takes leadership during training camp.
Grade: A-
NFC West Draft Grades
Arizona Cardinals- Grade B+
Pick #31 Chris (Beenie) Wells/RB Good replacement for the aging Edgerrin James. Will be interesting to see how Wells is used in the pass happy Cardinals offense.
Pick # 63 Cody Brown/DE/OLB Good pick to add some depth because of his versatility.
San Francisco Cardinals- Grade A
Pick #10 Michael Crabtree/WR Excellent value at the #10 pick. From a Seahawks perspective I am now scared of the 49ers passing attack. I think Crabtree has the type of ego that will make his on the field performance punish all of the teams that did not draft him.
Seattle Seahawks- Grade A
Pick #4 Aaron Curry/OLB Complete Linebacker that will start from day one. Makes a great unit even better.
Pick # 49 Max Unger/C Versatile offensive lineman that can play all positions. With the injuries that they had last year this is an outstanding pick. I had him targeted from my first mock draft after the Combine.
St. Louis Rams- Grade A-
Pick #2 Jason Smith/OT Excellent athlete at the Left Tackle position. The Seahawks defensive ends will have to be on top of their games to get past this guy.
Pick #35 James Laurinaitis/ILB The Rams got a leader for their defense in Laurinaitis. His stock had dropped during his senior season at Ohio State, but instincts and savvy will overcome his lack of foot speed and quickness.
With the talent that the NFC West was able to draft on Day One, I can guarantee a better quality of play by all of the teams for this coming year.
