Seattle Seahawks 2008 Season Preview

With one of the NFL’s top defenses, the Seattle Seahawks are ready to defend their NFC West crown in 2008.

Seattle Seahawks Preview: Overview

The Seattle Seahawks have been the consistent bright spot in an otherwise dreary division. In 2007, the Seattle Seahawks zipped to a 10-6 record en route to their fourth consecutive NFC West division title and their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The Seattle Seahawks’ success is not only attributable to the caliber of the other teams in the NFC West. With only 59 penalties accrued in 2007, the Seattle Seahawks showed that success comes from playing smart football and limiting opponents’ opportunities.

Seattle Seahawks Preview: Offseason

The Seattle Seahawks revamped their running game by adding veteran running backs Julius Jones from the Dallas Cowboys and T.J. Duckett from the Detroit Lions. The Seattle Seahawks hope that Julius Jones will come into his own now that he is out of Marion Barber’s shadow. Julius Jones will be the featured running back in the Seattle Seahawks high-octane offensive system. The Seattle Seahawks drafted DE Lawrence Jackson from the University of Southern California in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft and followed up by selecting TE John Carlson in the second round.

Seattle Seahawks Preview: Offense

Julius Jones will be the featured running back in the Seattle Seahawks offensive scheme because he is capable of making plays out of the backfield. Julius Jones will lose snaps in short yardage and goal-line situations to T.J. Duckett. In training camp, Julius Jones proved to be the speedy, pass-catching running back that the Seattle Seahawks hoped he would be. T.J. Duckett is a big, bruising running back who head coach Mike Holmgren will use at fullback. The thunder and lightning combination of T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones gives the declining Seattle Seahawks offense something to rejoice about.

A question mark for the running game is the effectiveness of the aging offensive line. To remedy this situation the Seattle Seahawks hired Mike Solari as their line coach and signed Mike Wahle, an established left guard. The Seattle Seahawks hope that Mike Wahle and Walter Jones can produce despite their recent struggles. Considering the struggles the Seattle Seahawks endure down their offensive line all season, it is surprising that they did not look to add a young offensive lineman through the draft.

Seattle Seahawks Preview: Defense

Despite offensive troubles, the Seattle Seahawks have the talent on defense to help the team win games. DT Marcus Tubbs is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after returning from knee surgery. If Marcus Tubbs can manage to come back healthy and give the Seattle Seahawks some quality snaps, he will anchor a solid defensive line that will take pressure off of the Seattle Seahawks back seven. Marcus Tubbs’ health may not be a big concern for the Seattle Seahawks as young players emerge in organized team activities. With an excellent run stuffer in Brandon Mebane and rookie DT Red Bryant making an early impact as a pass rusher, the Seattle Seahawks defense is shaping up to be extremely formidable. The Seattle Seahawks defense will have to watch for opposing teams that chip away with short-yard plays.

Seattle Seahawks: Special Teams

P Ryan Plackemeier could miss part of training camp with a torn pectoral muscle which required surgery. Reggie Hodges is the only other punter currently on the Seattle Seahawks roster. Reggie Hodges, who has only 41 career punts but averages over 30 yards per punt, may have to step up while Ryan Plackemeier is out with injury. Nate Burleson is the most experienced wide receiver on the Seattle Seahawks roster, and he hopes to reprise his role as the go-to return man.

Seattle Seahawks Preview: Outlook

2008 will be the last season for Mike Holmgren as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks so look for the Seattle Seahawks to play inspired football to push further into the playoffs and give Mike Holmgren a proper farewell. The Seattle Seahawks offensive troubles may not be solved with an aging and deteriorating offensive line, but the defense will remain one of the best in the NFL. Look for Qwest Field in Kirkland, Washington to be rocking well into 2008.