Make Or Break: What To Expect From The 2009 Seattle Seahawks

The spectrum of predictions for the Seattle Seahawks 2009 season ranges from last place in the NFC West to a division championship and playoff appearance.

Several experts predict that QB Matt Hasselbeck’s health problems will persist, RB Julius Jones will struggle as an injury-prone offensive line crumbles again, and the Seahawks defense will again rank in the bottom 10 in the NFL.

On the contrary, several experts also predict that Hasselbeck will return to Pro Bowl form, the Seahawks offensive line will remain healthy, and the Seahawks defense, led by Pro Bowl LB Lofa Tatupu, will return to its dominant form of two seasons ago.

Realistically, I believe that the 2009 Seattle Seahawks will win anywhere from eight to 11 games and compete for the 2009 NFC West crown.

In order to do so, a number of situations must play out in favor of the Seahawks.

Let’s take a look at the key issues which could either make or break the Seattle Seahawks' season.

The Health of QB Matt Hasselbeck

As previously mentioned, the health of Matt Hasselbeck is a highly debated topic.

In 2008, Hasselbeck sat out nine games with lower back problems and Seattle was 3-6 in these games. Even when healthy, Hasselbeck’s performance was obviously affected, as he reached career lows in quarterback rating (57.8), completion percentage (52.2%), and TD:INT ratio (0.5).

Hasselbeck also serves as the Seahawks' team captain and emotional leader, both on and off the field. In order for the Seahawks to win, they will need a healthy Matt Hasselbeck in Pro Bowl form.

The Seahawks Can Win If

Hasselbeck plays at least 15 games and achieves his career statistical averages.

Obviously, if Hasselbeck doesn’t play it will hurt the Seahawks. Additionally, if he plays and performs poorly his team will also suffer.

In order for the Seahawks to win consistently in 2009 and contend for the NFC West title, Hasselbeck will need to return to form and lead the Seahawks offense to greater numbers than 2008.

The Seahawks Will Fall Short If

Hasselbeck gets hurt.

Backup QB Seneca Wallace has some experience under his belt and didn’t look terrible while replacing Hasselbeck in 2008. However, as mentioned before, Hasselbeck’s influence over the Seahawks transcends the field.

Wallace might put up comparable statistics, but he will not pose as great a threat to opposing defenses and would not allow the Seahawks offense to reach its full potential.

If Hasselbeck misses significant time then the Seahawks chances of competing in 2009 decrease dramatically.

The Mix-and-Match Offensive Line

What do you do when you have two centers on your roster who have been selected in the top 50 picks of the NFL Draft within the past four years?

Furthermore, how do you handle the left side of your line both being over the age of 30? Worse comes to worst, what do you do when all five of your starting offensive linemen hit the injured reserve (again)?

These are the issues that the Seattle Seahawks are facing right now.

The Seahawks have a number of versatile starters and backups, a number of age concerns, and a number of health problems entering the 2009 season. All of this combined means that the Seahawks offensive line in week 16 might look nothing like it does in week one.

So how can the Seahawks win if they are forced to repeatedly shuffle their offensive line?

The Seahawks Can Win If

Simple. The offensive line needs to stay healthy.

LT Walter Jones is one of the greatest tackles in NFL history and LG Mike Wahle is an established veteran with immense talent.

If these aging stars can stay healthy, they can provide excellent pass protection for QB Matt Hasselbeck and good run-blocking for the Seahawks' ground attack.

The Seahawks' offensive line undoubtedly has talent, but if some of their starting talent misses significant time due to injury, it might force the Seahawks coaching staff to make some drastic changes.

The Seahawks Will Fall Short If

They are forced to shuffle their offensive line on multiple occasions.

Injuries happen. It’s a fact of football. If one or two linemen get injured this year, the Seahawks are equipped with talented backups to replace them. Problems will arise, however, if multiple starters get injured.

If multiple linemen get injured, the Seahawks will be forced to rotate, shuffle, and move offensive linemen to different positions throughout the line.

With several young players still learning their position (C Chris Spencer, RG Rob Sims, and RT Sean Locklear are all under the age of 30), the Seahawks need to be able to allow these young players to remain in their respective positions.

If several players are forced to move positions, the line will weaken greatly, leading to less pass protection, less run blocking, and an ineffective offense (see 2008 for an example).

The Once-Great-Now-Not-So-Great-But-It-Might-Be-Great-This-Year Seahawks Defense

What happened to the Seahawks defense in 2008? Maybe the coaches know…

The talent is there. The 2009 Seattle Seahawks' defense features three Pro Bowlers in DE Patrick Kerney, LB Lofa Tatupu, and CB Marcus Trufant, and a host of young talent which might mature during the 2009 campaign.

The fate of the Seahawks' defense rests greatly on a number of new acquisitions, namely DT Collin Cole, DT Cory Redding, and LB Aaron Curry.

These newcomers will be starting in week one, and their success could determine whether or not the Seattle Seahawks can win in 2009.

The Seahawks Can Win If

DTs Collin Cole and Cory Redding clog the trenches, LB Aaron Curry contributes, and FS Brian Russell adjusts to the Tampa Cover Two Defense.

This is not to say that other players are not important, but it is assumed that the Seahawks' Pro Bowl talent will perform at a Pro Bowl level.

If someone as important as DE Patrick Kerney, LB Lofa Tatupu, or CB Marcus Trufant underachieves this season, it is generally assumed that the defense will tank regardless of the previously listed players’ performances.

It’s true, there are a lot of conditions required from the newcomers for the Seahawks to succeed, but if you think about it, each one is linked to the others.

Cole and Redding’s success will largely depend on how they are used in this year’s 4-3 scheme. Cole is a prototypical nose tackle at 330lb while Redding is a three-technique tackle who can complement Cole up front and improve the Seahawks' pass rush.

Cole, as well as Pro Bowl DE Patrick Kerney and whoever lines up opposite him (either Darryl Tapp or Lawrence Jackson), should round out a solid defensive line.

If Cole and Redding can clog the line of scrimmage, it’s biggest benefit could be preventing rookie linebacker Aaron Curry from the constant harassment of downfield blockers.

If these blockers are slowed down, it will allow Curry more room for growth and improve the Seahawks' line backing corps and pass rush.

Additionally, Cole and Redding's success would allow the secondary to face less pressure from opposing quarterbacks.

More pressure on a quarterback produces lower-quality throws. With the Seahawks secondary, and namely FS Brian Russell, adjusting to the Tampa Two defense, they will need as much leniency as possible.

The Seahawks Will Fall Short If

Cole and Redding bust, Curry takes more than one season to develop, and Brian Russell is unable to execute the Tampa Two defense.

Even if the Seahawks' established talent plays at full potential, the failure of these role players would limit the overall performance of the Seahawks' defense.

Cole and Redding are the Seahawks' primary options at DT, so if they underperform the Seahawks would have to rely on unproven DT Brandon Mebane.

Curry is the Seahawks' top draft pick and Seattle invested heavily in his success, in both dollars and publicity. He was regarded as the safest selection in this year’s draft, and he is expected to contribute immediately.

A slow maturing process wouldn’t be a career-ender for Curry, as the Seahawks will gladly give him a few years to adjust to the NFL, but if he cannot produce this year, the Seahawks' linebacking corps will not play to its full potential.

Russell is not expected to play at an All Pro level, but if his performance drops lower than last year it could be lethal. As mentioned before, his physical skill set is lacking, but he is a hustler and can prove himself on the field.

Problems will arise, however, if Russell can’t adjust to the Tampa Two, as the Seahawks' backup options at Free Safety are undrafted safety C.J. Wallace and this year’s seventh round draft choice, Courtney Greene.

The 2009 Seattle Seahawks have the potential to compete in the NFC West. A slew of free agent acquisitions and an excellent NFL Draft have refueled them heading into 2009.

The fate of the 2009 Seahawks team relies on team captain Matt Hasselbeck, a healthy offensive line, and a talent-packed defense.

While there are many question marks for the Seahawks coming into this year, there is no doubt they can compete for the 2009 NFC West crown.

Fearless Prediction

10-6, NFC West Champions, and a second round playoff loss.

Not many experts will predict the Seahawks to win in the first round, but the NFC West Title will earn them a first round home game, and the Seahawks are hard to beat at home in the playoffs.

All you need to do, Seahawks fans, is pray for the health of Matt Hasselbeck.