SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2009 RECORD: 5-11-0
(3rd in NFC West)
HEAD COACH: Pete Carroll
Key Additions: RB Leon Washington (trade/NY Jets), S Quinton Teal (FA/Carolina), DE Robert Henderson (trade/Detroit), TE Chris Baker (FA/New England), QB Charlie Whitehurst (trade/San Diego)
Key Losses: QB Seneca Wallace (trade/Cleveland), WR Nate Burleson (FA/Detroit), CB Josh Wilson (trade/Baltimore), DT Cory Redding (FA/Baltimore), FB Justin Griffith (FA)
Offense: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (3,029 yards passing with 17 touchdowns and 17 interceptions) is back for another season after coming back from injuries in '09 with a decent performance. Charlie Whitehurst comes over from the Chargers and will be the backup.
The running game needs to improve from last season, when the Seahawks averaged only 98 yards per game and that was 26th in the league.
Julius Jones (663 yards with two TD) and Justin Forsett (619 yards, 5.4 ypc average and four TD) will get the most carries and Leon Washington also will be on hand after being traded to the 'Hawks from the New York Jets.
The wide receivers include Seattle's leading receiver last season, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (79 catches, 911 yards and three touchdowns) along with Deion Branch, who made 45 catches for 437 yards and a pair of scoring grabs. Rookie Golden Tate will be available as will Ben Obomanu.
The tight end is John Carlson, who made 51 catches for 574 yards and seven touchdowns.
The offensive line is made up of center Chris Spencer, guards Mike Gibson and Max Unger and tackles Russell Okung and Sean Locklear.
Defense: Lawrence Jackson and Chris Clemons will play defensive end and the tackles will be Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane.
The linebacking unit features middle man Lofa Tatupu along with outside backers Leroy Hill and Aaron Curry.
Marcus Trufant and Walt Thurmond are the cornerbacks and the safeties are Earl Thomas and Jordan Babineaux.
The Seattle defense, once a true strength of the team, slipped to 24th overall in '09, allowing 356 yards per game. The run defense gave up 111 yards while the pass defense ranked near the bottom of the league, yielding an average of 245 yards per game.
OUTLOOK: The Seahawks will be looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, but that will be a tall order as they have a new Head Coach in Pete Carroll, who comes back to the NFL after coaching at USC for the past decade.
The 49ers and Cardinals are the clear favorites in the NFC West, but Seattle is coming off a 5-11 season which features a softer schedule this season.
The offense will need to improve after scoring just 280 points in '09 while the defense also needs to show improvement after allowing 390 points.
If Hasselbeck can translate the new offensive system Carroll and his staff installs in 2010, then some good things could come about as the Seahawks have some talented wideouts along with a good tight end a decent backfield to run the ball.
The offensive line must do a better job of protecting the quarterback after allowing 46 sacks a year ago. In addition, Seattle only scored seven rushing touchdowns.
The Seahawks appear to be in rebuilding mode as the 2010 season approaches and they will battle the Rams to stay out of the NFC West cellar this season. Look for a 4-12 finish from Seattle this year as they look toward the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. San Francisco
Week 2- at Denver
Week 3- vs. San Diego
Week 4- at St. Louis
Week 5- Bye Week
Week 6- at Chicago
Week 7- vs. Arizona
Week 8- at Oakland
Week 9- vs. NY Giants
Week 10- at Arizona
Week 11- at New Orleans
Week 12- vs. Kansas City
Week 13- vs. Carolina
Week 14- at San Francisco
Week 15- vs. Atlanta
Week 16- at Tampa Bay
Week 17- vs. St. Louis
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