By signing Wahle, they were able to focus on other areas like picking up Julius Jones and TJ Duckett for a running back competition that will be very interesting to watch. Jeb Putzier, who is not going to be mistaken for Jeremy Shockey anytime soon, is a solid tight end signing.
I was of two minds about possibly trading for Shockey. On one side, his all around skills in blocking and receiving are undeniable. He would be a good fit for the Seahawk offense, but all the baggage and attitude are a turn-off to me. This is something I have debated over and over with other fans and I keep coming back to the same thing. This team works better without that kind of element. Management took major steps to rid the roster of that style of player. Getting Shockey now would send the wrong signal to the other players.
Finally Orlando Mare was signed to replace the now Ram Josh Brown at kicker. That brings up another point that puzzles me. Brown was franchise tagged the year before because the team loved him as their kicker. He claimed that it was not about the money but about winning. So he signs with a team that finished 5-11 last year for not much more money that the Seahawks offered. Why don’t the players that care more about the money just admit that it is about the money? In the past I was a huge Josh Brown fan, but that little episode just made me lose a lot of respect for him.
Update: As I am writing this, word has filtered down that Chris Gray, the regular right guard who was penciled in to back up Rob Sims and Wahle, has been forced to retire due to a back injury. Personally I thought he should have retired after 2005 which was his last good year; this is a blow to depth and knowledge on the line. He will be missed.
3) Go wild in the draft.
Okay, so Tim Ruskell is never going to be considered a wild man at the draft. It goes back to that plan I mentioned earlier. Even so, I believe he hit two winners with DE Lawrence Jackson from USC and TE John Carlson from Notre Dame.
Defensive end is not necessarily a weak spot on the roster but when a solid player like Jackson falls to you in the draft, you have to take him. The team believed that Carlson was the answer at tight end so much they traded up in the second round to get him. Some fans were disappointed they didn’t try to get Fred Davis out of USC, but most of the reviews I have read said that Carlson was the better all around player. The Seahawks don’t need a star at tight end, they need someone that will do the hard work and catch the ball in the seam and those are supposed to be Carlson’s forte.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Nice analysis. And with Holmgren no doubt hungry to go out with a ring, I like our chances this year for that little sumptin sumptin to get the foul taste of getting robbed at our last SuperBowl out of our mouths. Go Hawks!
-Glen
2 - nicolas
1. you may want to check out the other kicker they signed, OLINDO Mare.
2. how would having shockey have been any more trouble than jerramy stevens? and shockey's a much better player.
3. what does holmgren's last year have to do with playbook changes?
you told a lot, but the team you described doesn't really look a ton better than another 9-7 year
3 - Douglas Mays
they looked good last night in pre-season. really good. I am not too worried about them. this team could go all the way.
WOW. if their new practice facility (best in the league they say) is an inspiration, good!
anyway, we'll see....
4 - Russ Evenhuis
Thanks for the comments! I look forward to a very fun year. As a fan, we'll be riding this wave as long as it goes.
Nicolas, sorry for the spelling, my mistake entirely. Good catch!
To answer your other questions:
2. Stevens isn't with the team anymore and the reason is exactly the same. In the past the Hawks have put up with problem players that produced but since Ruskell took over for Whitsett (I am sure I spelled that name wrong), they have worked hard to get rid of the problem players. Getting Shockey just tells the other players that all that talk and work is meaningless.
3. I think it has quite a bit to do with it actually. Holmgren doesn't have to worry about a contract, not that they would fire him for running the statue of liberty play anyway, but I think that he's going to be looser and more creative with the play calling. Onside kick to start the second half? Why not. Now, he's not going to completely change his stripes but I feel he'll be just a little more relaxed and also more competitive at the same time to go out with another Super Bowl ring.
9-7? Really? How do you figure that? There are some tough games on their schedule for sure, but there is not one of them they can't win. Even the Patriots game because it will be in Seattle is winnable. Remember, the Seahawks almost beat the Patriots a couple of years ago on the road with an arguably weaker team that was the better team on the field that day.
Despite being a homer, I realistically put their record this year at around 12-4 or 11-5. Yes, I really honestly think they are that good.
5 - Andy Marsh
Hey - as a Superbowl Champion NY Giants fan, I have to make a complaint.
How can you call this a football preview and then talk about the Shehawks? Isn't that an oxymoron???
6 - Douglas Mays
9-7? Well, with an attitude like that, you are right.
That sort of attitude with this years Hawks would get you booted OFF the team.
Why not? 11-5 is more realistic of a record. Well, let's hope they don't pull a Mariners out of nowhere. Pre-season darlings sucking deep in the regular season.
Naw, not with Holmgren at the wheel...
I should get my SuperBowl tix today!!!