Offseason positional breakdown: offense
It’s never too early to start thinking about this. Here’s a look at what each position has in store for us this offseason on the offensive side of the ball.
QB: The Seahawks are set here. Matt Hasselbeck is a top QB, and will return unchallenged as the starter. Seneca Wallace is more than serviceable as a backup, and is still under contract for next season. The oft forgotten Charlie Frye will likely hold the #3 spot next year, since it seems unlikely that Seattle will sign or draft another QB.
RB: I’m glad I don’t have to make the call on this one. Will Shaun Alexander, constantly injured and horribly ineffective the last 2 seasons, return to Seattle next year? As much as I’d love to see his ass in a different uniform, smart money says he’ll return for one more year. They simply have too much invested in the slow-footed former MVP to cut him loose. However, if he continues to stink up the entire northwest with his atrocious play, next season will certainly be his last in Seattle.
Maurice Morris will return as the backup, though he will continue to see a lot of touches, particularly on 3rd downs. I personally don’t see Morris being effective as a full time starter. If the front office decide to cut ties with Alexander, they will surely replace him with a starting caliber RB via the draft, FA, or a trade (Dayne Trayne, anyone?).
Special teams ace and 3rd string RB Alvin Pearman will be a RFA. He spent most of 2007 on IR. He will be tendered at the lowest level, if at all.
FB: Leonard Weaver is a RFA. He will probably return as a mid-level tender, unless someone signs him to a ridiculous offer sheet, which I don’t see happening.
WR: What was considered a position of great strength and depth for the ‘Hawks this year is now extremely questionable. D.J. Hackett has been an absolute monster when healthy, but that is unfortunately a rare event. He will be an unrestricted free agent, and will likely field some lucrative offers from teams willing to take a chance on his brittle body.
Deion Branch has also been injured frequently during his Seahawks tenure, and now he could be out up to 6 months after undergoing knee surgery. It is said he will be ready for training camp, but at what level will he play?
Bobby Engram was a great story this year, putting up his first 1000 yard season at the age of 34, but can he be counted on the replicate that production? He still runs great routes, has great hands, and is Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite target on 3rd downs. Still, he will be another year older, and I doubt he will be so effective if forced to start at split end.
Nate Burleson has shown flashes of brilliance in the passing game, and has developed into one of the top punt returners in the league, but he is still inconsistent and unproven. But with the injury to Branch and the questionable return of Hackett, he will have plenty of opportunities to develop better chemistry with Hasselbeck during mini camps.
Ben Obomanu played fairly well in limited action this year. I hear the Seahawks coaches are impressed with him, but I wouldn’t count on a big year. The rest of the receivers on the roster are largely unknown entities. Hopefully we’ll have a better idea of where they fit in when the draft rolls around.
TE: This is unquestionably a position of weakness. Marcus Pollard struggled with injuries, sloppy play, and the effects of aging, and failed to produce even mediocre numbers. Will Heller is a good blocker and caught a few goal line TDs, but will never develop into the receiving TE so desperately needed in Mike Holmgren’s west coast offense. I will be utterly shocked and enraged if the front office doesn’t address this position.
OT: Walter Jones is still a top tackle on the left side, but he hasn’t been nearly as good the past 2 seasons as he was earlier in his career. Still, he should be counted on once again to anchor the line.
Sean Locklear will be a UFA. He is an above average pass protector, but struggles in the running game. The Seahawks could bring him back, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him elsewhere next year. I haven’t heard much about backup Ray Willis this year, but the coaches seemed high on him prior to this season.
OG: Guard is a TOP priority. Alexander might somehow achieve mediocrity with a good line in front of him. The interior line also struggled mightily in pass protection this year, which, as you might have guessed, is not a good thing in a pass-first offense. Chris Gray is a savvy vet, but his skill set has declined dramatically since his prime. Rob Sims is solid at times, but cannot be counted on as a starter unless his improves his blocking. I never hear anything bad about Porkchop Womack, but the fact that he continues to sit behind Sims and Gray says something about his ability. The OG position is in need of a major overhaul. If the Seahawks only address this one position, I will be satisfied going into next year.
C: Not much to say here that isn’t a repeat of the above. Chris Spencer needs to learn how to call out coverages on his own, so Chris Gray can finally be put to bed. He’s not a bad player, but he may just not have the cranial capacity to play center. If he doesn’t improve, he should be moved to guard to make room for someone who can make the calls.
Check back again this week for a look at defense and special teams!
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