The Seattle Seahawks became the first team with a losing record to make the playoffs and then followed the season with a huge upset win over the Saints before losing in Chicago to end the season.
Pete Carroll continues to put his stamp on the team with a new quarterback and top receiver and release of a fan favorite on defense.
Tavaris Jackson was imported from Minnesota via free agency to replace Matt Hasselbeck,who was allowed to go to Tennessee by the same route.
Jackson has plenty of things to prove to me as I am not convinced of him as a true starter.
Charlie Whitehurst backs up and looks to be a wasted use of draft pick (via trade) after just one season.
I do not think Whitehurst is the answer either,but a drop down in round two and giving a three away for a backup sure seems like a high price to pay.
California rookie Josh Portis will be the clipboard carrier.
Marshawn Lynch gets the full time chance as the water carrier among the backs.
Lynch picked his game up late in the season,so it is possible he has something left in the tank.
Justin Forsett will be the backup with Leon Washington getting to play in long yardage situations.
Former Penn State quarterback and 49er Michael Robinson adds an unusual dimension at fullback should the Hawks decided to mix things up.
The enigmatic Sidney Rice was the other top free agent signed from the Vikings.
Rice missed ten games after a super 2009 in Minnesota,but the 2009 season was his only true strong season.
Which is the real Rice? Seattle needs the star player to be the one that arrives.
Seattle needs Rice as a deep threat as Mike Williams is more of a possession receiver on the other side.
Williams had an excellent year in his comeback from exile,but is not a true number one.
Ben Obomanu returns as the third receiver with the remaining receivers being young with second year man Golden Tate and rookie Kris Durham along with former Viking Doug Baldwin rounding the corps out.
Zach Miller was signing from Oakland to a large contract to start at tight end and it is a good thing that they did as last years starter John Carlson will miss the season with a shoulder injury.
Miller is one of the better tight ends in the league and should rack up good numbers.
He had better as the backups are untested Anthony McCoy and Dominque Byrd.
The offensive line is young and I mean YOUNG with two rookies,a second year man and a third year man that missed much of last season.
Only free agent pickup Robert Gallery at guard has top level experience and Gallery might miss the opener.
2010 top pick Russell Okung is a stud at left tackle,when he can stay on the field and Max Unger looks to be solid now that he has returned to his natural position at center.
The teams first and third rounders in the draft are starting with James Carpenter at tackle paired with John Moffitt at guard on the right side.
This group will have its growing pains,but should get better as the season moves along.
The defensive line does not have the type of depth one would like,but is solid with the starters.
Chris Clemons returns at one end after eleven sacks last year and Red Bryant was playing very well at the opposite end before a season ending injury.
Veteran Raheem Brock adds pass rush ability as the top situational lineman.
Brandon Mebane was re-signed to a new deal in the off season after improving to the point of being the teams best all around lineman and will pair with former Cardinal Alan Branch as the tackles.
Mebane and Branch must stay healthy as the team lacks quality depth at tackle.
Seattle released long time starter Lofa Tatupu in order to use David Hawthorne in his spot.
Hawthorne is an excellent tackler,but the loss of Tatupu adds pressure to Leroy Hill and Aaron Curry to come through.
Curry has been inconsistent in his two year career and Hill has to find his past production to make this a plus group.Rookie K.J. Wright and veteran Matt McCoy will see time as the main backups.
Marcus Trufant anchors one corner and will draw the top receiver to cover.
The other corner is the question with former CFLer Brandon Browner the starter for now.
Second year man Walter Thurmond and rookie Richard Sherman are the backups.
Earl Thomas returns after a good rookie campaign at one safety with another second year player.
Kam Chancellor at the other.
Former Packer Atari Bigby was signed to be the main backup at safety and to play in the nickel and dime packages.
Well traveled Steven Hauschka replaces Olindo Mare at kicker after Mare left as a free agent.
Jon Ryan returns as the punter and Leon Washington will again pair with Golden Tate as the kick returners.
I just do not know what to expect from this team.
I like some of the pickups and the pass catchers are improved,but the quarterbacks have huge questions to me and the play of Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst could be the main issue in the season results.
Seattle will be tough at home,but can they win on the road?
Lets go generic 8-8 and that should give them a chance to again win the weak NFC West....
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