Six wide receivers, five offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, and a starting running back to boot all got hurt this year for the Seattle Seahawks, who had dominated the mediocre NFC West for a very long time. But after a 4-12 crash down to Earth and the retirement of head coach Mike Holmgren, it's time for the Seattle Seahawks to reload.
The Seahawks still have confidence in Hasselbeck's ability, but they have not hidden their concerns about his health, and they don't believe Seneca Wallace is a viable long-term solution. They added T.J. Houshmandzadeh this off-season to a huge contract, which I think will blow up in their face, but it's unlikely that Seattle tries to upgrade the receiver position anymore, as they have their split end, flanker, and slot receiver all set.
The Seahawks also have to be concerned about their offensive line and running game. Walter Jones is coming off of a mediocre season (yet somehow made the Pro Bowl) and had microfracture surgery on his knee. The Seahawks may need to start thinking about getting their future blindside protector on the roster, unless they believe that Sean Locklear is their man. The Seahawks think highly of Locklear and center Chris Spencer, but both suffered season ending injuries, and Spencer is entering a contract year. In fact, Locklear, who got an extension last off-season, may be their only guarantee for the future on the offensive line.
On the defensive side of the ball, Seattle is a lot better off. They could have a lethal defense, and probably would have last year, but sometimes an offense can be so detrimental that it malaffects the defense. The most obvious example is an offense that can't stay on the field and causes their defense to have to keep coming out every couple of minutes. By the end of the year, it can add up to a defense having played an extra game or two.
Still, Seattle could have one of the deepest defensive lines in the NFL if they stay healthy next season. With young standout Brandon Mebane and Colin Cole will clog the middle effeciently, with potential breakout player Red Bryant backing them up. On the outside the Hawks will have Cory Redding returning to LDE, where he played his best football in Detroit. Redding is a terrific run stopping DE, and should excel if he stays healthy. Darryl Tapp will become a situational pass rusher, and Lawrence Jackson could take over at RDE if Patrick Kerney's second reconstructive shoulder surgery is career threatening. A return to full health for Kerney could be a game-breaker for Seattle.
LeRoy Hill was franchise tagged, and while his long-term future with Seattle is in question, he could have a huge year in Mora's defensive scheme playing a similar role to new Giants OLB Michael Boley.
The secondary needs a major overhaul. The team is expected to move to a Cover 2/Tampa 2 type of zone in the secondary, and while this will be fine for Marcus Trufant, it's going to create a hole at #2 corner. Josh Wilson will probably move to the slot, and Kelly Jennings (the 2006 1st round pick) may need to find a new home entirely. The Seahawks committed a lot of money to Deon Grant two off-seasons ago, and to Marcus Trufant last season. They're going to need to probably upgrade at free safety and #2 corner after having one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL last season (and worst pass rushes).
Seattle Seahawks Team Needs:
FS
QB
OT
OG
OLB
P
So now for Seattle, what's next?
1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
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The Seahawks are going to give Stafford a seriously hard look. He's considered the elite prospect at quarterback this year, and Stafford's got an absolute cannon for an arm. Coach Jim Mora Jr. is on the record that he believes the position needs to be upgraded this off-season because of potential lingering injuries to Matt Hasselbeck. Stafford would have no problem throwing a fastball through the rain and wind of Seattle, but he isn't really the right fit for the Seahawks. They call for a lot of shorter, accurate passes and Stafford's arm would be put to waste. Considering that there's been some concern about Stafford's consistency and short and moderate passing accuracy their is major cause for concern here. Stafford could fall even further.
2. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Despite having over 90 million dollars tied up in their top three receivers, the Seahawks are going to give Crabtree a seriously hard look. Nate Burleson is expected to play split end next season according to SI's Bucky Brooks, and if he's right, then the Seahawks may need an upgrade. Burleson is coming off a torn ACL, and has only been running for a month. If the Seahawks feel that Burleson isn't going to be the same receiver (and he hasn't been all that great since one standout year in Minnesota), then it may be time to say goodbye to Burleson, who restructured his contract to stay in Seattle. While it's a lot of money to tie into the receiver position, Crabtree could be a truly special player with the Hawks, as he fits exactly what there system calls for--short, crisp route running and getting YAC.
3. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
This could be a seriously scary match for the Seattle Seahawks, and they're going to give Sanchez the hardest look of any team picking so far. His best attributes are his pinpoint accuracy and poise in the pocket. His natural leadership is also highly valued (not as highly as Stafford's). His arm strength isn't elite, but neither is Matt Hasselbeck's, so he shouldn't have a problem in any bad weather. Plus, Sanchez needs a few years on the bench, and Hasselbeck/Wallace should be able to hold down the fort, because Sanchez really shouldn't start in the NFL until his 2nd or 3rd year.
4. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
This pick would give the Seahawks a ton of versatility at the tackle position because Walter Jones may be moving to RT after his current injury. Smith could be drafted, stuck at either guard position, and groomed as a future tackle when Jones finally does decide to hang it up. The other option, of course, is Jones retiring and Smith starting immediately at tackle, but I don't see that happening. Any team that adds Smith will have the capability to be a dominant run blocking squad.
5. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
I will say this for the record that I've always been a big fan of Chris Wells, and I'm glad that his stock has jumped back up after taking a major hit this season. At one point considered a serious Heisman contender, an injury derailed Wells' season. He still finished with respectable numbers: 207 carries for 1197 yards and eight touchdowns, but his stock took a huge hit. Wells looked really good against Texas during the Fiesta Bowl. He was hitting the open holes really hard, and looked fully recovered from his injury. He ran a sub 4.4 which got him back into the mix as a top ten pick. While I don't think Wells is going to be an Adrian Peterson, I think he's going to have a very good career in the NFL as long as he can stay healthy. The Seahawks Julius Jones tailed off quite a bit, and T.J. Duckett is not the answer. Maurice Morris was hurt most of last season, so Seattle could be seriously enticed by a running back.
With that being said I think the true debate here is Matthew Stafford vs. Mark Sanchez. Talent vs. System. Stafford has fallen into Seattle's laps unexpectedly, and they've got a chance to acquire a game breaker at quarterback. On the other hand, Mark Sanchez fits their system and their need perfectly. He doesn't have to start right away, and can eventually replace Hasselbeck without the team missing much of a beat.
Sanchez has a ton of talent, and he fits the system better. But Stafford's overall talent level is better, and he's not such a misfit in Seattle that he'd bust. There are things he needs to work on, and no player is a finished product. With Hasselbeck and Wallace ahead of him, he should be ready to lead Seattle at some point during his first season or early in his second season.
With the fourth overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.
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