2010 NFL Preview: Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks began their first post-Holmgren era season a year ago, and it only proved to end disastrous. A disappointing 5-11 season led to the removal of head coach Jim Mora, and general manager Tim Ruskell, and the allowing the team to start anew.
Enter Pete Caroll.
After a successful decade at USC which included two national championships, Carroll always left the door open to return to the NFL given the right opportunity, and the Seahawks provided him with the perfect opportunity. While many may think that it was due to the violations at USC, that remains to be seen. However, we will focus on the present and future of the team, as Technorati goes inside the Seattle Seahawks.
Recap:
- 2009 Record: (5-11, 3rd NFC West, missed playoffs)
- Key Additions: QB Charlie Whitehurst (San Diego Chargers), RB Leon Washington (New York Jets), RB Quinton Ganther (Washington Redskins), WR Mike Williams (Tennessee Titans, 2007), WR Ruvell Martin (St. Louis Rams), TE Chris Baker (New England Patriots), G Chester Pitts (Houston Texans), G Ben Hamilton (Denver Broncos), DE Chris Clemons (Philadelphia Eagles), DT Kentwan Balmer (San Francisco 49ers), OLB Matt McCoy (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), SS Kevin Ellison (San Diego Chargers).
- Key Departures: QB Seneca Wallace (Cleveland Browns), RB LenDale White (Denver Broncos), WR Nate Burleson (Detroit Lions), OT Walter Jones (retirement), OT Brandon Frye (UFL), G Rob Sims (Detroit Lions), DE Patrick Kerney (retirement), DE Darryl Tapp (Philadelphia Eagles), DE/DT Cory Redding (Baltimore Ravens), OLB Lance Laury (New York Jets), CB Ken Lucas (free agency), S Deon Grant (New York Giants).
Overview: 
Offense: After the roster cuts were made in Seattle there are going to be some changes, and eventually Matt Hasselbeck will not be the starter for the Seahawks by the time the season ends. Hasselbeck, one of the few holdovers from the Mike Holmgren era, is 35, and he's taking some blows in the past couple of seasons, and it could be apparent that he is going to be passed up on the depth chart by Whitehurst. The only thing is that Whitehurst never took a snap in the NFL, despite being drafted in the second round by the San Diego Chargers. With only two quarterbacks on the depth chart, Seattle will need to find somebody to give that added insurance should one (or both).
The running back position should bring a power/speed combination of Julius Jones and Justin Forsett. Jones has not had the best of times in Seattle, only rushing for four touchdowns in his two seasons with the team. Forsett, picked up the slack in 2009 in the running game, and has shown promise, but struggled against the more elite defenses. In his second start of his career, after a 130 yard performance against the St. Louis Rams, he only had eight carries for nine yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Aside from these two, you have Leon Washington, who was good with the Jets until he broke his leg and was done for the season. It will be interesting to see how he responds to it this season when he's utilized.
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