The defending NFC west champions have the potential to return to the Super Bowl i
n the weaker NFC,but need to have some things fall their way.Things that did not fall that way in 2006.
Matt Hasselbeck returns as the quarterback.
Hasselbeck is an above average quarterback,but not a elite one and needs to step up his decision making.
All too often you see a QB without the huge arm attempt to make throws that only fireballers can complete.
The years that Hasselbeck spent around Brett Favre did not help him there,as he makes similar decisions that Favre does,but does not have the same gun.
Seneca Wallace backs Hasselbeck up and filled in ably last year when Matt was lost to injury.
Wallace would be very effective in "Versatile" roles,but without another veteran QB,that cannot happen.
Shaun Alexander attempts to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2006 and re-establish himself as an elite back.
I think that will happen,but think is the operative word.
The Seahawks NEED that to happen as Maurice Morris struggled to fill Alexander's shoes in his shot as the full time back.
Mack Strong is one of the leagues best blocking backs and an able pass catcher at fullback.
The wideouts are another question mark.
Deion Branch gets a full training camp and season to establish himself as the top receiver and I think he is sitting on a big year.
The loss of Darrell Jackson creates questions though.
Jackson was often injured and dropped a lot of passes,but trading him to the division rival 49ers was a bad move in my opinion.
D.J. Hackett gets his first shot as an every down receiver and he was solid in 3 and 4 wideout sets,but needs to show he can take it to the next level.
Veteran possession reciever Bobby Engram returns as the talented,but enigmatic Nate Burleson as well.
The tight ends finally ended the big potential-little production Jerremy Stevens era as Stevens left via free agency.
Veteran Marcus Pollard takes over as the starter and gives the Hawks an excellent catching tight end,but struggles in the blocking game.
Watch for backup Will Heller to get plenty of time as the blocking tight end.
The offensive line ranks with the best in football led by All-Pro Walter Jones at left tackle.
Jones could be the best tackle in football and will help open the holes for Alexander to run the sweep,which is his preferred running play.
Sean Locklear returns at right tackle,along with guard Chris Gray to continue to give the line stability.
Former Buckeye Rob Sims enters his second year looking at a good future after a good rookie season at left guard and former number 1 pick Chris Spencer solidifies the middle at center.
This could be the best line in the NFC.
The defense has a different look,but yet many of the mainstays are still in Seattle.
The defensive line loses Grant Wistrom to retirement,but was able to replace him ably with the signing of Patrick Kerney from the Falcons.
Kerney is a excellent pass rusher and should combine with Bryce Fisher on the other end to wreak havoc on opposing passers.
Darryl Tapp will also see extended playing time as the Seahawks love to rotate their defensive linemen.
Rookie Baraka Atkins and the recent acquired Jason Babin could also see action.
Rocky Bernard and Chuck Darby are both excellent defensive tackles,especially Bernard,who is the rarest of all defensive linemen-A good pass rushing tackle!
The depth was hurt with the loss of Marcus Tubbs to injury for the season,so rookie Brandon Mebane will need to play quality minutes from the first game.
The linebackers return all three starters from last season.
Middle man Lofa Tatupu continues his high level performance as the teams leading tackler,while Julian Peterson returns to add his pass rushing and cover skills and should only improve in his 2nd year in the system.
Leroy Hill is the other wing man and often gets overlooked by his fellow backers,but is nothing to sneer at either.
The Corners return Marcus Trufant at one corner and 2006 number 1 pick Kelly Jennings mans the other corner.
Trufant slipped a bit last season from his past performance and Seattle needs him to return to previous form.
Jennings played often last year in multiple DB packages and did well enough that the Seahawks allowed last years starter Kelly Herndon to leave via free agency.
The Seahawks top pick in this years draft,2nd rounder Josh Wilson adds depth to nickel and dime packages as does versatile Jordan Babineaux.
The Safeties have been overhauled as Ken "the Hammer" Hamlin and Michael Boulware are out and Deon Grant,Brian Russell and Mike Green are in.
All 3 of the new players are familiar to fantasy players,as all have been valuable at different times in their career.
I saw Russell all season with the Browns last season and I think he has lost a step,although with this teams pass rush he could be a beneficiary of some interceptions.
The Jury is out here.
Josh Brown returns as a top kicker and Ryan Plackemeier is back as the punter.
Plackemeier needs to improve or he wont be back for a 3rd year.
Nate Burleson is one of the leagues better return men.
My pick for Seattle?
12-4 -NFC West Champions and a possible Super Bowl
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