Can Jim Mora, Jr. Lead the Seahawks Back?

With the Seattle Seahawks' season already over the transition from former head coach Mike Holmgren to new head coach Jim Mora, Jr. has already begun. The question is, can he get back to the playoffs?

The task will be tough for Mora as the Seahawks are an aging team that will need some tweaking for the 2009 season. That has already begun with changes to the coaching staff.

Mora has already installed a new offensive coordinator in Greg Knapp. Knapp was Mora's offensive coordinator when he was the head coach of the Falcons.

The hiring of Knapp is good for the Seahawks' current offense, since Knapp also employs a West Coast offense. The West Coast offense was a staple of former head coach Holmgren.

The next question is what players will he keep around, and which players will he show the door? The most leading candidate to leave is quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who was horrible this season.

Hasselbeck started only seven games this season. In those seven games he threw for 1,216 yards passing, five touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace clearly outplayed Hasselbeck. Wallace threw for 1,532 yards passing, 11 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. His performance should prompt the trading of Hasselbeck, thus making him the starter for the 2009 season. 

Another likely candidate to leave might be defensive end Patrick Kerney. Kerney hurt the same shoulder that he had surgery on previously this year.

However, Kerney was with the Atlanta Falcons when Mora was the Falcons' head coach.  So he might be more inclined to keep Kerney since he knows all about him and what he brings to the table.

After them it is anybody's guess what Mora is going to do.  All anyone can do at this point is sit back and wait for some news on players.