2008 NFL Preview > Seattle Seahawks Preview

2008 Seattle Seahawks Football Preview

Head Coach: Mike Holmgren

2007 Record: 10-6

Key Additions: John Carlson, T.J. Duckett, Lawrence Jackson, Julius Jones, K Olindo Mare, TE Jeb Putzier, DT Larry Triplett, G Mike Wahle

Key Losses: RB Shaun Alexander, K Josh Brown, G Chris Gray, WR D.J. Hackett, DT Marcus Tubbs

This coming season will be Mike Holmgren’s 10 th and final year as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Next year, the organization will hand the head coaching reigns to Jim Mora Jr., a questionable decision, considering his lack of success in Atlanta. While Holmgren has shaped the once moribund Seahawks into a perennial playoff contender, the ultimate prize has eluded him during his tenure in Seattle, which included an unceremonious demotion a few years ago, in which Holmgren was forced to relinquish his final say over personnel. Nonetheless, in comparison to the franchise’s past, Holmgren’s overall tenure in Seattle can only be considered a success.

2008 Seattle Seahawks Offense:

With injuries to Deion Branch and Bobby Engram, the Seahawks will be without the services of arguably their two best receivers, until Engram is due back in late October. Branch, on the other hand, is not projected to return to the lineup until around Thanksgiving. In the meantime, Seattle will be counting on wide receiver Nate Burleson to raise his level of play considerably and provide Matt Hasselbeck with a capable target in the passing game. Hasselbeck is coming off another fantastic season in which he posted 28 touchdowns and only 12 intercptions, while throwing for nearly 4,000 yards. The Seahawks also need rookie tight end John Carlson to be productive immediately. The running game should be improved with the acquisition of Julius Jones, who will replace Shaun Alexander, who was worn down and ineffective in 2007. The offensive line lost former Pro Bowl guard Chris Gray to retirement and All Pro left tackle Walter Jones turned 34 years old in January. The signing of guard Mike Wahle should help offset Gray’s loss. The Seahawks offense could find points tougher to come by in 2008, especially if wideouts Burleson, Courtney Taylor, and Jordan Kent cannot create separation from opposing defensive backs. Also, either Julius Jones or Maurice Morris must prove to be effective enough to take some pressure of Hasselbeck until Engram returns.

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2008 Seattle Seahawks Defense:

While the Seahawks only ranked 15 th in total defense, Seattle’s ability to create turnovers allowed them to hold opposing offenses to only 18.2 points per game, good for sixth in the NFL Patrick Kerney reestablished himself as a viable pass rushing threat, totaling 14.5 sacks last year, first on a team which tallied 46 total quarterback takedowns in 2007. The line’s play should receive a boost from the addition of first round defensive end Lawrence Jackson out of USC, who is expected to start opposite Kerney. Linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson are among the best in the league at their positions, and both players made the trip to Honolulu last year as starters along with talented cornerback Marcus Trufant. One potential problem for Seattle’s defense is that they may be a susceptible up the gut.

2008 Seattle Seahawks Special Teams:

The kicking game should be a cause for concern, as Olindo Mare struggled considerably last season with the Saints. Burleson will return kicks and punts again this season. Ryan Plackemeier is the punter (Seattle fans can only hope his punts are as long as his name).

2008 Seattle Seahawks Expectations:

The Seahawks should be able to win the NFC West again. It could very well be the worst division in football. The Cardinals haven’t improved significantly over the offseason but still could challenge Seattle for a division title if the passing game struggles while Engram and Branch are on the mend. In spite of an easy path to the playoffs, it doesn’t appear Seattle has done enough to in the offseason to merit the belief that they will defeat a quality opponent in the postseason.

2008 Seattle Seahawks Prediction: 1st place in the NFC West

By Glenn Katzman
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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