Drawing The Line: How Does Coach Mora Address DT in 2009?

Patrick Kerney, Darryl Tapp, and Lawrence Jackson will undoubtedly return to the lineup for 2009, so it’s a good bet that there aren’t going to be many changes at the ends.

However, with the likelihood of Rocky Bernard’s departure, who will pair up at DT with sophmore standout Brandon Mebane?

The 2009 draft class is the thinnest we’ve seen in about a decade at Defensive Tackle, and I don’t think it’s going to provide the impact player that Mora is looking for. Perhaps we could see a race between Craig Terrill and Red Bryant for the starting role; however, this isn't the time for experimentation. 

After Holmgren’s 4-12 swan song, and the downward spiral of the Seattle defense, Mora has got to bring in someone to make an immediate impact, with some degree of assurance that the job is going to get done.

If the Seahawks let Rocky Bernard go, then they are letting the No. 2 DT free agent prospect go based on the numbers. The only way to improve the line statistically is to go after Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee Titans).

Haynesworth is everyone’s first choice. His presence on the field has been one of the factors in the monster season put together by the Tennessee defense.

His nagging injuries this season are somewhat a cause for concern regarding the impact he’ll play on opening day 2009, as are his consistent behavioral problems.

If the Titans bring the Lombardi Trophy to the Music City, you can bet that his price tag is only going to rise. If Seattle think it’s going to break the bank on Bernard, you can bet it’s not going to be any easier with Haynesworth.

However, if the Titans bring home that trophy without him, the odds that the Titans will part with him get slightly better, not to mention the better bargaining room other teams like Seattle will have to make a deal.

There are a few other options out there, but they come at a high risk to a team with defensive woes.

Jovan Haye (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is also a free agent this year. His size fits the Seattle scheme a bit better than the behemoth Haynesworth. If Casey “Gus” Bradley lands the DC gig in Seattle, then I think there is a potential chance that the Seahawks make a bid for Haye in the off-season.

This wpuld be a risky pick for Seattle. Haye had a six sack breakout year for the Bucs in 2007, but his numbers in 2008 were mediocre at best in a contract year. It might lower the price tag, but it’s an awfully big risk to take.

Jonathan Babineaux (Atlanta Falcons) is probably the most realistic candidate for the job. Babineaux was part of Mora’s scheme in Atlanta. At 6’2", 284 he’s a perfect candidate for the type of defense that Seattle runs, and his numbers have been on the rise over his four year career.

However, his best season in 2008 was a 3.5 sack effort. Bernard managed four sacks in the ‘Hawks 4-12 season, and had 3.5 sacks in both 2007 and 2006 after his monster 8.5 sack performance in 2005.

A more radical change could be to move Lawrence Jackson to the inside and try to vie for free agent defensive end Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers). However, I can’t see the Panthers parting ways with Peppers, who has become the anchor for their defense since the departures of Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins. Regardless, I don’t think the ‘Hawks have the cap room to offer Peppers the kind of money he would want to leave Carolina.

Chris Canty (Dallas Cowboys) is an interesting candidate, because at 6’7", 304, he could easily be converted from end to a tackle in the Seahawks scheme.

It looks as though there are some hard decisions to be made at this position. It appears as though the Hawks feel they can’t afford to pay Bernard.  However, with the lackluster draft class and only one superior option in free agency with Haynesworth, can they afford not to pay him after the defensive performances we saw last year?