When Mora takes over next season will he be leading the defending Super Bowl champs?
The Seattle Seahawks better watch out or they just might be the NFL’s version of the Atlanta Braves. The team is the four-time defending champions of the NFC West and has been to the playoffs five consecutive years, but that hasn’t translated into a lot of playoff success.
They are now three seasons removed from their Super Bowl appearance but according to Curtis Crabtree, who covers the team for sports radio 950 KJR in Seattle there is no reason they cant go back this season. “This is absolutely a playoff team,” said Crabtree. ” I think they will win the NFC West pretty handily and if they can get healthy and remain healthy, they can win the NFC title this season.”
There are some questions however and many of them are on the offensive side of the ball. Can the running back tandem of Maurice Morris and Julius Jones replace the production of Shawn Alexander’s MVP season? “Right now, they are co-starters,” says Crabtree. But add in T.J. Duckett for the short yardage and I think they will be okay,” he added. Another question mark seems to be the offensive line, especially at center where Chris Spencer looks to be the starter.
While there are some performance questions, according to Crabtree, “injuries are the story.” Star defensive end Patrick Kearney, who led the NFC with 14.5 sacks in 2007 is in a boot and hasn’t practiced yet. Wide-out Deion Branch is recovering well from a knee injury, but has yet to step on the field. They are the two biggest names watching from the sidelines, however, there are many other key injuries that could hamper the Seahawks early in the season.
On a positive note, Matt Hasselback is the quarterback and he is one of the best in the business. He also has developed a good connection with wide receiver Bobby Engram. Engram is in camp even after asking for more money after a productive 2007 season where he brought in a career best 94 catches, 1147 yards and grabbed six touchdowns. Even with the steady Engram back in the fold, the wide receiver battle is one to watch in Kirkland (home of the Seahawks camp).
“They have one of the best defenses in the NFC,” said Crabtree. The Seattle defense includes two pro-bowl line-backers with Lofa Tatupa and Julian Peterson, a pro-bowler in Kearney on the defensive line and a young secondary that according to Crabtree “is piecing it together.”
While they might be the best team in the west by default, the gap is closing, but for a team that is returning all 11 starters back on defense it might be to much to overcome for a division that’s filled with more questions at quarterback then the Yankees have in the starting rotation.
The guess here is when Jim Mora Jr. takes over for Mike Holmgrem next season he will be leading the defending NFC West champion Seahawks into battle, but not the defending NFC champs.
Next up: San Diego Chargers
This is a series called “2-A-Days” that will preview two teams per day every day this month, where Mike Gill will interview a beat writer or radio personality who covers the team on “The Mike Gill Show” on ESPN Radio 1450 , weekdays from 3-6pm.
Wow – great insights into the Seahawks. I really can’t disagree with anything here.