Tim Ruskell & Mike Holmgren Both Average GMs for Seattle Seahawks

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So you want Mike Holmgren to replace Tim Ruskell as the Seahawks’ general manager, huh?

That seems to be the generally vehement sentiment in the wake of the Seahawks’ injury-riddled 2-5 start.

It’s understandable that folks are upset about the team’s tough start, ticked off about three blowout losses in four games, and dismayed that the offensive line has fallen apart again.

But why are people calling for the head of the team president in the middle of the season? And right after he just had perhaps his best offseason in his five years in charge?

Because he didn’t have five left tackles lined up? Because he didn’t take that goal-line hit for Matt Hasselbeck in San Francisco? Because he didn’t remind Lofa Tatupu how to tackle properly? Because he didn’t give Sean Locklear a bionic body last offseason?

A GM can’t be blamed for injuries; he can only be blamed for failing to create the roster depth that lessens the impact of injuries.

Yeah, Ruskell has made plenty of mistakes in his five years in Seattle. The biggest was letting Steve Hutchinson go in 2006, a horrible decision that has greatly contributed to the fall of what was once the best line in football. We call it the Curse of Hutch.

But Ruskell has not been nearly as bad as some people want to believe. After a big splash in his first year, getting lots of credit for helping the Seahawks get to the Super Bowl, he regressed in 2006 and 2007. But he has rallied the last two offseasons.

Truth be told, he has been simply average. But that’s all Holmgren was. Ruskell’s last two offseasons have been his best, and if owner Paul Allen and CEO Tod Leiweke decide to go in a different direction after this season, they had better be quite certain they get someone better.

Otherwise, they would be better served to keep Ruskell for another couple of years and see if he can rebuild the team’s offensive line to give coach Jim Mora a chance to win. Mora deserves three years to put this team back on top in the NFC West, and Ruskell should be allowed to build on his promising last two years and give Mora a roster capable of making the kind of deep playoff runs the Hawks made under Holmgren.

But if you think Holmgren can do a better job, here’s a look at how GM Mike Holmgren matches up against GM Tim Ruskell:

Holmgren’s Personnel Moves

1999

Draft: DE Lamar King, QB Brock Huard, WR Karsten Bailey, DE Antonio Cochran, OT Floyd Wedderburn, KR Charlie Rogers, CB Steve Johnson. Grade: F.

Signings: WR Sean Dawkins, QB Glenn Foley.

Trades: Sent WR James McKnight to Dallas for third-round choice in 2000 (WR Darrell Jackson). Acquired WR Derrick Mayes from Green Bay for seventh-round pick.

Other Moves: Cut QB Warren Moon, WR Brian Blades, QB John Friesz, RB Steve Broussard; re-signed Pro Bowl DE Michael Sinclair, K Todd Peterson, TE Christian Fauria, DE Phillip Daniels.

Summary: Holmgren’s moves in his first season were underwhelming. He did find key contributors in Dawkins and Mayes and picked up a key draft pick for 2000, but his first draft class was horrible.

1999 Record: 9-7, first in AFC West; lost to Miami in first round

GM Grade: D+

2000

Draft: RB Shaun Alexander, OT Chris McIntosh, CB Ike Charlton, WR Darrell Jackson, LB Marcus Bell, LB Isaiah Kacyvenski, WR James Williams, DT Tim Watson, DT John Hilliard. Grade: B.

Signings: S Reggie Tongue, C Robbie Tobeck, LB George Koonce, K Rian Lindell.

Trades: Sent WR Joey Galloway to Dallas for first-round choices in 2000 (RB Shaun Alexander) and 2001 (WR Koren Robinson). Traded RB Ahman Green to Green Bay for CB Fred Vinson (put on IR four months later).

Other Moves: Cut S Darryl Williams, OG Brian Habib, LB Darrin Smith, WR Mike Pritchard, K Todd Peterson, QB Glenn Foley, CB Chris Canty.

Key FA Losses:

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