Looking To The Future

While I always hold on to hope that our season will turn around any minute, this season is on its last breath. The flag in front of my house won't be taken down, but it's time for some serious film work to find the new Seahawks for those worrisome positions. Walter Jones should have some say in the next OT we draft. It would be great for him to spot the next player. While he's recovering, he should watch some tape and try to locate some of those intangibles that made him such an outstanding tackle. If I were part of the scouting staff, I would love to have the eye of a future hall of famer. Rest Jones up, try and get him ready to play next year, but if he can't then why not have him pick the man that will be the new O-Line star?

 I think Russell Okung's season this year makes him a viable replacement for Walter. He's athletic enough to get out and set an edge that will give our RBs a chance to break free. Max Unger is consistent. He's not perfect, but having this whole season to acclimatize himself to the way things run and the speed of the game, he should be ready for LG next season. His speed and athleticism sets him up for success. Place him next to Walt, or, hopefully, the newest addition (Russell Okung). I think Chris Spencer has made up for a few of his past mistakes. If he can finish the season with the fire he has now, we should keep him at center. Rob Sims is a solid run blocker, and should be at RG. I know this may rock the boat, but put Sean Locklear back where he belongs. He was doing great at RT, why did we change things? I just don't think he wrapped his head around being the replacement for Jones. If the running's not working on the left, then try it on the right. If I had it my way, the lines looks as such:

Jones or (Okung)/Unger/Spencer/Sims/Locklear

We've all seen the damage that can be done with a solid front 5. The lack of protection Hasslebeck is getting makes me scream at the TV every Sunday. If we can keep him healthy and grab his heir apparent from the draft this year (fingers crossed, Jake Locker). He will have a good 2 or 3 years to develop behind the best quarterback in Seahawk history. There is also Mike Teel, who has a long way to go, but should be given an opportunity. Our wide receiver corps needs that consistent QB which Hasslebeck is as long as he's upright and has time to make any decisions. When he's got more then a few seconds he's deadly accurate which makes me giddy when I see Houshmanzadeh on the receiving end of those beautiful throws. Housh brings a passion I think we've been missing. I don't think we haven't tested out the gas pedal on Deon Butler enough times this season. Get him in there for Branch and give him the opportunity to prove he was a steal in the 3rd round. I see the future in Justin Forsett and Louis Rankin. I realize their effort against the Vikings was truly terrible. We did have to give up on the run that game. Bench Julius Jones for the remainder of the season, and let those two get used to being out there on the field.  

As for defense, there's so much to be said, but I'll keep it relatively short. I want that 3-4 defense to be installed. That's unrealistic I understand, but giving it a try wouldn't hurt right? If we decided against an OT or against a QB in the first round, we could try and snag a great nose tackle. There are a couple in the draft and I believe we'll have 2 high enough picks to grab one. With David Hawthorne's coming out of the shadows this season I think he's earned himself a spot as a starter, especially if he finishes out the way he's started. With a 3-4 we wouldn't have to worry about benching a potential playmaker. We would have a devastating linebacking corps. It also might allow for a less predictable pass rush with Hill on one side and Curry on the other. With Tatupu and Hawthorne dissecting the play from the middle of the field we have 2 great minds putting our defense on the right track as well as making pivotal plays. It would allow for better coverage in the secondary and make those gaps in the zones that much smaller. Our defense doesn't do enough right now. We look great one minute and fall apart the next, let's try something new, it will at the very least throw our competition off. We have the talent and the minds necessary.

We still have the chance to turn things around. I don't think we need to go into rebuilding phase. We just need to re-organize things a bit. I believe that Mora deserves time and I believe that Ruskell deserves one more year. Holmgren would be a great replacement, don't get me wrong. An offensive minded GM with a defensive minded coach would provide for a good balance of priorities. I just don't want it to turn into another boss battle. The last thing we need is problems in the front office. Thanks for reading. This is my first article, let me know how you feel about it. Go Hawks!!!