2010 RECORD: 7-9-0
(1st in NFC West)
HEAD COACH: Pete Carroll
Offense: Wholesale changes are the way to describe the offense of 2010 compared to what the Seahawks will feature this season at quarterback.
Matt Hasselbeck is gone and Tarvaris Jackson (341 pass yards, three touchdown passes, four interceptions) takes over after coming to Seattle from the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson adds a dimension that Hasselbeck lacked in scrambling abilities, but cannot be expected to match Hasselbeck's passing skills.
Charlie Whitehurst, who threw for 507 yards and two touchdowns with three picks in 2010, will backup Jackson.
The rushing offense was 31st in the league, averaging a meager 89 yards per game.
Marshawn Lynch (737 rushing yards, 3.5 ypc average, six TD) will lead the way after the breakout game he had against New Orleans in the playoffs. The 'Hawks are hoping for more of what they saw from Lynch in the post-season to boost those rushing numbers.
Justin Forsett (523, 4.4, two TD) will get his share of carries in the Seahawks' version of the two-headed monster running attack. The fullback is Michael Robinson.
The wide receivers now have Sidney Rice (17 receptions, 280 yards, two TD) to go with Mike Williams, who totaled 65 catches in 2010 for 751 yards and two touchdowns. Rice was injured last year and missed nearly the entire season in Minnesota.
Golden Tate (21, 227 yards), Deon Butler (36, 385, four TD), Ben Obomanu (30, 494, four TD), tight end John Carlson (31, 318, TD) and newcomer TE Zach Miller, who made 60 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns with Oakland last season, will also be targeted by Jackson in the passing attack.
The offensive line consists of center Max Unger, guards Rob Gallery and John Moffitt and tackles Tyler Polumbus and James Carpenter. Moffitt (Wisconsin) and Carpenter (Alabama) are rookie starters.
Seattle's offense was 28th overall a year ago, averaging 298 yards per game (89 rushing and 209 passing) while scoring 310 points.
Defense: The Seahawks had trouble stopping the pass and the run in 2010, and they ranked 27th in the NFL defensively, allowing 369 yards per game.
Playing the 4-3 look, Seattle has Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane at tackles with Chris Clemons (11 QB sacks to lead team) and Red Bryant at the end positions. Raheem Brock (nine sacks), Junior Siavii, Lazarius Levingston and Jimmy Wilkerson are on hand as well.
The linebackers have David Hawthorne taking over for the departed Lofa Tatupu at middle linebacker. The outside backers are Aaron Curry (3.5 sacks) and Leroy Hill. K.J. Wright, Dexter Davis, Michael Johnson and Matt McCoy provide depth.
The secondary was a weak link last season, yielding 250 pass yards per game.
Earl Thomas snared five of the team's 12 interceptions last year and is back at safety along with Kam Chancellor. The corners are Walter Thurmond and Marcus Trufant.
Atari Bigby, Richard Sherman, Mark LeGree and Brandon Browner will provide relief.
OUTLOOK: If the Seahawks want to pull another surprise in 2011 and return to the post-season, they will have to rely on Jackson and the running game to step up and make a big difference.
Head Coach Pete Carroll was the right guy at the right time for the team last year when they became the first ever NFL playoff qualifier with a LOSING record.
Call it dumb luck or whatever, but the Seahawks will have a lot of work to do this season to repeat as NFC West division champions.
If Lynch can stay healthy and produce like he showed in the playoff win over the Saints, it will definitely help take the pressure off Jackson and company in the passing game. Seattle has good receivers and two quality tight ends in Miller and Carlson.
The defense must improve in all areas, especially against the pass, where they were routinely torched by the long ball. The team had 37 quarterback sacks and more of that would help in 2011.
The Seahawks have a lot of work to do to accomplish another playoff spot and what ever the magic they had last season has to be around again for the Seahawks to go back to the playoffs.
Don't count on that happening as a 4-12 setback season looms in 2011.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at San Francisco
Week 2- at Pittsburgh
Week 3- vs. Arizona
Week 4- vs. Atlanta
Week 5- at NY Giants
Week 6- BYE WEEK
Week 7- at Cleveland
Week 8- vs. Cincinnati
Week 9- at Dallas
Week 10- vs. Baltimore
Week 11- at St. Louis
Week 12- vs. Washington
Week 13- vs. Philadelphia
Week 14- vs. St. Louis
Week 15- at Chicago
Week 16- vs. San Francisco
Week 17- at Arizona
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