The Seattle Seahawks will be eying a second trip to the Super Bowl when the 2006 NFL season kicks off in September. For the most part, the Seahawks are still intact from last season, and now have a taste of what it’s like to be in the big game. However, there is a huge target on their backs and every team in the NFC will be gunning for the chance to reach Super Bowl XLI (Forty-One). Fortunately for Seattle, they belong in the very weak NFC West division where six wins are almost guaranteed.
OFFENSE
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck may still be underrated as far as some critics are concerned, but he’s led Seattle to Super Bowl XL. In 2005, Hasselbeck threw 29 touchdown passes against 9 interceptions, earning him a trip to Hawaii. Stable play from Hasselbeck in 2006 is exactly what the Seahawks will need in order to return to the Super Bowl. Protecting him will be an offensive line that gave up only 27 sacks and open huge holes for running back Shaun Alexander. Tackle Walter Jones is the anchor of this unit that features two aging linemen (Chris Gray and Robbie Tobeck). Although Steve Hutchinson has departed from Seattle, Head Coach Mike Holmgren and the rest of the coaching staff believes that the O-line won’t miss a beat this season.
Once upon a time, Shaun Alexander was only a popular figure amongst the fantasy football fanatics, like me. Very rarely would you hear the “experts” mention Shaun Alexander as one of the elite tail backs in the NFL. Twenty-eight touchdowns and 1880 rushing yards later, everyone is jumping on the Alexander bandwagon. The elusive Alexander shouldn’t be slowing down anytime soon and could have a season that will equal to 2005. Fullback Mack Strong, who turns 35 years old on September 11, still offers the Seahawks with the ability to gain the tough, short yardage.
The addition of Wide Receiver Nate Burleson from Minnesota is an upgrade for the receiving corps. The Seahawks hope that Burleson can duplicate the 1,000 yard season he had in 2006. Both Darrell Jackson and Bobby Ingram are prone to injury and have missed substantial amount of time last season. Tight end Jerramy Stevens is huge target for Matt Hasselbeck. At 6’7″ and 260 pounds, Stevens is a safety net when a play breaks down.
DEFENSE
The D-line totaled 24 sacks in 2005, a unit that was supposed to be the weak-link on the defensive unit. Seattle hopes that Bryce Fisher and Rocky Bernard can continue the success they had last year.
Undersized rookie Linebacker Lofa Tatupu took control of the defense last season, recording 104 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions and a touchdown. He will only get better as his career goes on. That’s pretty scary if you ask me. The newest addition to the linebacker corps is Julian Peterson who made 82 tackles in 2005. Peterson is a pass rusher who can quickly change a game. Both Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu should have lots of fun causing havoc for opposing teams.
The secondary will still be strong in 2006 despite the predictions to suffer due to a lack off adequate replacements for Andre Dyson. Marcus Trufant, Michael Boulware, and Ken Hamlin had solid years last season, but will need to produce more turnovers in 2006.
A LOOK AT THE 2006 SCHEDULE
Once again, the Seattle Seahawks have a powder-puff schedule in 2006. The main reason for the weak schedule is the NFC West division that the Seahawks belong in. Tampa Bay, Denver, N.Y Giants, and Chicago are the only playoff teams from last year on the upcoming schedule. My prediction, an 11 or 12 win season for the Seahawks. It depends on who they run into once reaching the NFL playoffs whether or not they can make it back to the Super Bowl. One this is for sure, they definitely want home field advantage again.
