Seahawks Are Solid, If Only Hasselbeck and Alexander Can Remain On the Field

Team-By-Team Offseason Roundup

Seattle Seahawks

Players Released:
Robbie Tobeck, C (retired)
Grant Wistrom, DE (retired)

Free Agents Lost:
Jean-Philippe Darche, LS
Ken Hamlin, S
Joe Tafoya, DT
D.D. Lewis, LB
Jerramy Stevens, TE

Traded:
Darrell Jackson, WR

Free Agents Re-Signed:
Will Heller, TE
Josh Parry, FB
Floyd Womack, G/T
Bobby Engram, WR
Chris Gray, G
Josh Brown, K

Free Agents Added:
Patrick Kerney, DE
Deon Grant, S
Brian Russell, S
Marcus Pollard, TE

Draft:
Rd. 2 (No. 55 overall) Josh Wilson, CB, Maryland
3 (85) Brandon Mebane, DT, Cal
4 (120) Baraka Atkins, DE, Miami
4 (124) Mansfield Wrotto, G, Georgia Tech
5 (161) Will Herring, LB, Auburn
6 (197) Courtney Taylor, WR, Auburn
6 (210) Jordan Kent, WR, Oregon
7 (232) Steve Vallos, G, Wake Forest

Analysis:

The main thing that was wrong with the Seattle Seahawks last season was that they couldn't keep quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and tailback Shaun Alexander healthy and in the lineup full-time. Even so, they managed to break the curse of the Super Bowl loser and reach the playoffs. If Hasselbeck and Alexander have better luck with injuries this time around, the Seahawks very well could be the class of the NFC.

They upgraded the defense in free agency by signing pass-rushing end Patrick Kerney, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons. With linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson already in the fold, the Seahawks now have three players in the defensive front seven that will give opposing offenses fits to try to block. The Seahawks also patched a hole at safety by signing free agents Deon Grant and Brian Russell. On offense, veteran Marcus Pollard was added to replace troubled tight end Jerramy Stevens, who was allowed to exit via free agency.

Veteran wide receiver Darrell Jackson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. He still can be a productive player, but the Seahawks were overloaded at receiver. Deion Branch probably will be more comfortable and productive this season after being a late arrival last season; the Seahawks traded for him in September to culminate his contract dispute with the New England Patriots. The Branch trade left the Seahawks without a first-round draft pick this year. They used their top selection, a second-rounder, on Maryland cornerback Josh Wilson after being left shorthanded at the position during last season's playoffs due to injuries.

This is a highly talented team on both sides of the ball. The Seahawks should be able to win games in different ways, from wearing down opponents with Alexander's running to scoring big points with their passing game to leaning on their ever-sturdier defense. If all the parts remain in place all season, they're as good a choice as anyone to be the NFC's Super Bowl representative.

By Mark Maske |  June 5, 2007; 10:29 AM ET  | Category:  Seahawks
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