Calling All Seahawks: Fire Tim Ruskell, Look Ahead To 2010

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

(Isn't the offensive lineman supposed to be in front of the quarterback?)

Don't tell me you're not shocked, Seahawks fans.

We reeled in one of the prizes of free agency in WR TJ Houshmandzadeh.

We picked the most dynamic player in the 2009 draft when we lock up Aaron Curry at No. 4.

Julian Peterson's replacement even added a new starting defensive end after a trade for Cory Redding, along with a fifth round pick that allowed us to trade up to draft speedy WR Deon Butler in round three. 

We grab ex-Seahawk cornerback Ken Lucas, which allowed us to shift playmaking cornerback Josh Wilson to the nickel role.

Everything was looking good. Don't tell me you weren't thinking playoff contention; we all were, whether or not you have the balls to admit it. 

Even after we lost a game with half the team out in a grinding game against the Bears, things looked hopeful, we looked to be competitive in the face of adversity.

We even trounced the Jaguars by a score of 41-0 on some nicely timed plays and  had what looked to be a resurgent offense—Hasselbeck shined.

But the Seahawks' glaring weakness was exposed: the pathetic offensive line.

Injuries or not, these are the guys blocking. And because the Seahawks cut fourth string tackle Kyle Williams, it means they will be starting their fifth string LT after the bye week if Walter Jones does not return. 

Even with the quick rhythm created by the Seahawks' passing game that still features plenty of short routes, the line could not hold up for the mere 2-3 seconds it was supposed to.

Matt Hasselbeck got sacked five times. I saw Hasselbeck's blindside get rushed every other play, and at least one Cardinal in close on any given play.

Sure, Hasselbeck didn't do great, but Michael Vick couldn't have even escaped the relentless pressure. (Although, my roommate made the comment that “Yes, he could have. He would have just released his pit bulls on the defense.")

In contrast to the seven wide receiver injuries of 2008, the offensive line has crumbled, and opposing teams are very aware of that gaping hole they can run through and ransack our “backs.”

I'm tired of the "what ifs" from this team. The fact is, this team is made up of a bunch of old, injury-prone players. Point the blame at the man who assembled the team, who chose to take on injury-prone, high-quality characters instead of playmakers that will simply stay healthy. 

Patrick Kerney, Marcus Trufant, Walter Jones, Matt Hasselbeck, Chris Spencer, Sean Locklear, Mike Wahle (retired), Rob Sims, Brandon Mebane, Cory Redding, Deion Branch, Ken Lucas, Josh Wilson, Travis Fisher, Leroy Hill, Lofa Tatupu, Justin Griffith

Those are the Seahawks' starters who have missed at least one game due to injury this season, which means that Deon Grant, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Aaron Curry, and Julius Jones are the only starters who have escaped injury. 

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