The passing game concerns me the most. At best, we will begin with Burleson and Engram. Even with that, we will have to rely a lot on four unkowns: Obamanu, Taylor, Payne, and Kent. Not a lot of comfort there.

1. In a word, no. The addition of Wahle can not replace the value of Hutch, a younger, less sore Walt, a pro-bowl center in Tobeck, and the continuity that was built in starting those 3 plus Chris Gray for 3 straight years. Will Wahle make our line better? Of course, it never hurts to add a vet who has been to a few pro bowls (or rarely hurts), and it wouldn't take much to make our line better than last year.

2. J.J. will do more than that. He'll resurrect Holmgren's play calling. Seahawk's fans haven't seen a versitile back like J.J. since Ricky Waters. He can run, block, catch the screen. Shaun only did 1 of those things, and he didn't even really do that the last couple years. When we put J.J. single back teams will truly not be able to tell what we are going to do. Holmgren will be able to call any play he wants without worrying about which RB is in the game. That freedom will show.

3. Tough call. The one thing on your list that won't factor in is Bobby. He is too much of a professional to let the contract squabble affect his play. He will show up to training camp and give it just as much as he always has. Even with the recent reports about Deion, I'm still skeptical. Torn ACL's don't heal over night. 100% and ready to play are 2 different things. With Nate and Bobby we only need 2 out of the 4 young wide-outs to step up and do SOMETHING. The other factor that gets overlooked here is Hasselbeck's ability to MAKE recievers. He can make all the throws in this offense and knows it as good as anyone. Beck will put the ball where it needs to be, the young'uns just need to catch it. As long as they aren't high (cough... Koren... cough) or lazy, they should be fine.

4. How did this get so blown out of proportion? Sure he did win 4 games for us in 2006, but the offense had to get the ball there. It's not like Brown ran the kickoff back to the opponent's 35 and then kicked the field goal. He hasn't exactly been the model of consistency either. His percentages going back over the last 3 years are 82%, 81%, and 72%. Definately not great, and not irreplacable. Some clutch kicking yes, but not the team changing force the media has made him out to be. Fearless prediction: Josh Brown will NOT win 4 games for the Rams in ANY season.

5. The D-line is one of our deepest units. Our second stringers of Howard Green and Chris Cooper have been upgraded to include any combo of Larry Tripplett, Tubbs, Big Red, Craig Terril, etc. We will end up cutting some quality d-linemen at the end of camp. I'm not saying that this will prevent us from being gouged for 201 in the snow in Green Bay (that freak show was more than just D-line problems by the way), but I wouldn't worry about the line. In fact, I'm not really worried about our defense at all(at home), I'm f'ing stoked to see them line up in front of the 12th man!

6. We still have the Walrus. As long as he's driving the bus, our offense will be fine. Holmy is the model of consistency, we have been in the top 10 in offense every year but 1 that he has been our coach. By all accounts, Solari is a well educated coach who understands the nuances of O-line play like few do. He has a great track record in those power house running days in KC, and I'm sure he's trying to rebuild his image after he sucked it up as offensive coordinator the last 2 years. Hass will be fine no matter who his quarterback coach is, heck he knows more about this offense than the new coach. It will be more interesting/worrying when Mora takes the keys next year.

7. What?!?!?! Someone from the Trib actually trying to start a discussion?!?!?! (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Losing Josh worries me, but after his tacky comments, I wouldn't want him back here.

I don't think the running game will be much better with this crew than it was last year with about 1/3 of Shaun.

On balance, I think we're in fine shape through the season; as always, we'll need to show up for every game, stay healthy, and find an extra gear for the playoffs. I'm tired of snotty east coast people talking smack about our cream-puff division. We play the opponents on our schedule.

I really REALLY hope for a great year as a send-off to Coach Holmgren.

I have the same concern I had last year, the offensive line. This team needs to run the ball effectively to take the pressure off Matt.

No big mystery, every team in the league needs to run more.

Good post Beene.

1- I'd say the addition of a new scheme/OL coach should really help the development of Sims and Spencer. It seems like they were both completely lost last year. They showed such good things before last year, so hopefully it was just a matter of coaching and that will be resolved.

I think the addition of Wahle will also be huge. He knows how to block, which is a big upgrade over Chris Gray of last year. Gray was hurt and that made the whole line weaker. Adding Wahle in on the left side should give the option of moving Sims to the right side to replace Gray. That could be very good if Sims picks up on what he's supposed to do.

2- I may be in the small minority here, but I am really going to miss Shaun. He has had some rough luck the past couple of years. The reason Julius Jones was allowed to walk in Dallas was because of the same thing that people said about Shaun here. He wasn't always willing to take the big hit. I think he will be an upgrade though. He is a better receiver out of the backfield than Shaun, and that alone should make it an upgrade.

3- Let's just hope Branch gets back sooner than later and finally starts playing to his potential. If not, I think we are looking at a long season, and something tells me that Ruskell will be shopping for WR's next spring. Engram won't be a distraction. Burleson has shown he has the ability. It will take a year of everything going right for our WR's to be as good as they need to be though.

4- I am glad that Josh doesn't have to be the "slave to the businessman" anymore. Good riddance baldy. Whoever they have now may not be as good. Or they may. Who knows. A kicker's job is to kick. Josh felt he was bigger than the team I guess. I know Mare is pretty good when he isn't injured. We shall see.

5- I think Red Bryant will be a big upgrade in the middle. We need some improvement from Tapp. He can be great when he is "on", but he seems to be very hot and cold. We are undersized on the DL, but Bryant and Mebane have a chance to create a very strong tandem in the middle for years to come (especially with Rocky and Terrill rotating in and out with them).

6- I think it is good to have some turnover in coaching. Some of our coaches were getting pretty stale. I am a bit bummed that Marshall is still around. He has turned into Ray Rhodes part 2 and it is a bit disturbing. He has shown that he can be a great defensive coach, but he needs to mix it up a bit more. Perhaps having some new ideas in the coaches meetings will actually help. Holmgren is still a great coach and has coached some great teams. At the very least it will be interesting to see how he goes out. Something tells me he'll be back on the sidelines somewhere in 2 years though....

Worried about the O-Line, because it was such a glaring weakness last year, and the receivers because in losing DJ, and with Branch's status unknown, I really don't know what we have there.

I think the RB's will be an upgrade over the Shaun of the past two years.

That said, off-season optimism is in full swing, and as long as Hass is healthy and the D plays like I think it will, I'm feeling pretty good about this upcoming year.

I'm excited about this team, this year. But I do worry about our recieving group. It doesn't seem to be a big worry to Ruskell, and Holmgren so I'll just trust the Brain Trust. They must see good things from the young guys!! Go Hawks

I'm only really worried about injuries as Ruskell has done a good solid job bolstering weak areas.

1.That said the middle of the Oline needs to step it up for the Oline to play well this year, and hopefully will in part because of the addition of Wahle but mostly as a result of the better coaching of Solari. Certainly it's now show or else time for both Sims and Spencer who have been somewhat disappointing and physically less than dominant last season +.

2. I like the apparent depth at RB and they will be better collectively than SA, time will tell on JJ.

3. I'm hopeful that we will be very pleasantly surprised by our WR cadre. Branch and Hackett didn't play much last season because of injuries and weren't that effective when they played so we won't miss Hackett much and one of the young guys like Taylor or ? just might step forward and be special. and we now seemingly may have a some help at TE. I like our depth even though it is unproven.

4. Josh "no slave to the businessman" brown was a good PK and the dropoff won't be that significant. After all he was only a PK.

5. The DLine will be tough this year and other teams won't be running on us easily. This group will be amongst the strongest parts of the team.

6. This will be a good year for our coaching staff who will take this team deep into the playoffs.

1. While the line may not be as dominant as '05, it will be much improved than the previous two years. However, one key thing to remember about the '05 team in terms of blocking --- is the dominant run blocking we had at the other offensive positions besides the line. We had a great blocking TE (Hannam) who could really seal the edge. We had a dominant blocking WR (Joe-Joe). We had Pro Bowl blocking Mack Strong at FB.

I think the Mike Wahle signing was the biggest/most important addition in the off-season.

2. I don't care who would have been our RB last season --- our run blocking was terrible and no RB in the NFL would have been very good behind our line. Since the line will be much more effective this upcoming season, it stands to reason that JJ will be an improvement (escpecially like the one reader already said... he can also block and catch; can't wait for the screen pass to come back: excited to have a guard like Wahle who can pull and get out there on screens).

3. I am confident, but they are unproven and you just never know until the games begin.

4. Brown will be missed but I think we may actually improve on our FGs just for the simple fact that we probably won't see so many terrible snaps this year.

5. Tapp is one more year closer to his prime. Atkins will be better in year two (can't be worse than year one). Cooper will provide solid depth. Mebane, good last year, will be better. Bryant will provide the big body we need inside. Jackson will be a solid situation player. Bernard will be looking for one last contract, so he'll definitely be motivated. Plus, we've got great interior depth in Tripplett/Terrill. I'd say something about Tubbs, but you can't count on him. Lastly, we should have one great year left from Kerney. The line will be fine. Besides, I think it was more a case of our defense getting outcoached in that Green Bay game than it was our players not being good enough. Film doesn't lie.

6. We have one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL.

What worries me most is simple - the Seahawks will continue to pull the same disappearing act on the road against playoff caliber teams. I only recall 2 road victories against teams that made the playoffs the same year (2002 Atlanta and 2004 Minnesota) in the Holmgren tenure.

I'm not too worried about much of the hawks, the only things that concern me are the kicker, we have been very fortunate over the past few years with Brown kicking, and long snapper, we haven't been the smae since we let J.P. Darche go in FA.

Actually, during a recent interview, when asked what unit on the team concerned him the most, Holmgren said, "wide receivers." The WCO simply won't run without a pass first quality passing game. It has to dominate to open up the running game. This held true even in Alexander's best years.

If Branch is slowed after coming back, no good. He relies on speed. If Burleson doesn't get a little more consistent than last year. If Engram shows any of his age. If one or two of the prospects don't step up. If the team doesn't pick up a good journeyman quality WR before the seaons starts.

There are too many if's in the passing game.

People....IT'S FOOTBALL!

What the hell kinda namby-pamby "I'm worried about...blahblahblah" stuff is this?

Seriously. Worried? Cripes.

Receivers with out a doubt worry me the most.

Also, since we now have so many options in the run game, is it going to take a half season to figure out who's best, or is it going to be quickly established?

One minor concern is special teams too. Our punter had what a torn chest muscle, a rookie long snapper, and a rookie kicker. Sorry, I have no faith in Mare.

Darrin, your list is identical to mine (& I swear I thought about it before I read your list!) except I'd make Holmgren's last year #5 & D line #6.

What worries me most is simple - the Seahawks will continue to pull the same disappearing act on the road against playoff caliber teams. - pawubal

WORD!

I have 3 concerns, 2 of which made your list:

1. The receivers: this group is unproven and is the biggest question mark on the team. Will the young receivers step up? Will Matt develop another go-to receiver (if Engram remains sidelined by choice)?

2. The offensive line: while Wahle is a big upgrade, will the shifting around in position for other players keep them from gelling as a unit? Can we finally get guys into the positions they will be playing long-term? On the bright side, Mike Solari is a HUGE upgrade here.

3. The TE position: Heller isn't necessarily the all-around TE the west-coast offense needs, but he'll have a chance to get it done. Is Carlson the answer here? He'll need to have a break-out camp, assuming he gets to camp on time. If this position has been improved over last year, it could be the added weapon the offense needs to maintain drives.

Is it Mike or Mark Wahle?

Mike Wahle..

It's simple...everything hinges on the O-line. There is no running or passing game without an effective front line. It is like putting the cart in front of the horse. My worry is the o-line. Any time a new scheme is introduced, as in the new zone blocking scheme, transitional difficulties will follow.

O line. The receivers will be fine if the line gives Hass enough protection. He's at the peak of his game. Josh Brown was a nobody 'til the 'Hawks gave him a chance. Yes he's been clutch, but someone else can be too.

You've already got the order right Darrin, though I'd say #1 is enough greater a concern than the rest as to reassign values as follows

1. The offensive line - While the O-line has received the lion's share of the attention this year, that in itself is a concern. The best thing about our 05 line was their cohesion, they had played together as a unit for so long, and Robbie was so sharp at his adjustments that they were nearly a choreographed dance troop. This years line has a new LG, a RG new to the position and most disconcerting is the fact that Chris Spencer seems clueless at the line when it comes to making his line calls. Heck last year Chris Gray had to make his calls for him till Holmgren put a stop to it, and even then he had Chris right next to him to help him get it right ... what's he going to do this year? ask the new guy?

Adding Wahle is huge, it'll help Walt's play as much as adding Grant and Russell helped Tru last year. Adding Solari may be even bigger (especially if he is successful in getting through to Spence), and I think Sims will do much better on the right this year than he did on the left last year, but I expect this line to be much better in 2010 than I do this year.

4. Running backs - Will Julius Jones be able to resurrect the running game? Not likely, but Jones, Duckett, Weaver and a renewed focus on involving our running backs in our passing game might.

5. Receivers - Deion Branch wasn't a hugely important part of our recieving corps anyway, we'll get by till he returns. Bobby Engram missing minicamps is no more concern than Walt missing minicamps. I don't know who yet (probably Obomanu) but one of our youngsters will step up and fill the void Hackett left admirably.

6. Kicker - By all rights this should be higher on the list, Josh being all universe and all, but hell, we're only talking about kickers here, lets not pretend the season hangs in that balance.

7. Defensive line Our End rotation is aces, our tackle rotation is the question mark, particularly on the road (and evidently in the snow), if Tubbs comes back to his 05 form we're golden (I know, that's not bloody likely) but even a lesser Tubbs and big Red should at least shore up the rotation.

8. Coaching issues - Only an issue at all because of the unusual dynamic of a lame duck HC and an already named heir, but coach H may be the best coach ever at putting together and getting the most out of coaching staffs. Plus the fact that this is his last year and he doesn't have to worry about next year gives him a thoroughly unique opportunity to let it all hang out this year.

For me its the running backs, heres why. Jones had one good year and hasn't done diddly recently, supposedly because Barber suplanted him, but that didn't stop Dallas from going running back with their number 1 pick. That, to me, equals Jones is no answer, he is a carbon copy of Mo Morris with perhaps a little more toughness. Duckett? He has done even less than Jones to warrant the deal Ruskell gave him. Now if we could have Weaver and Owen Schmitt run the ball all the time, then we might have something. I also am predicting that Forsett makes this teams active roster, it makes no sense to have Morris and Jones on the team at the same time and Duckett will have to make a drastic change from everything he has shown throughout his NFL career.

This is why the other issues don't concern me as much.
1. Offensive line: Should be okay as long as they stay healthy, Jones' decline is overstated, I think. Instead of giving up no sacks a year he might give up 2 or 3, Hmmmmm, big decline. Wahle obviously is an improvement, Simms should be better with another year and the same with Spencer. experience is all they need and they have some now. Locklear we know what we get from him. Depth is pretty good too. Womack is good when he isn't counted on to start 16 games, Gray is a vet who is suited to be a backup, Willis should be starting and probably would be for a lot of teams.

3. Receivers: Burleson is due for a breakout year and Bobby should be Bobby. Other than that we all know the inexperience that is there. But there on the team for a reason and the giants won the SB because of the help of two reserve players (Tyree and Boss) who came up big when no one expected them too, no reason we cant get help from these young guys. My prediction is that Kent will make the team and make a big impact. If he is routinely two steps behind Jennings, as reported on this blog, he should be able to do that against opposing DB's too.

4. Kickers: Losing brown is scary because far too often the hawks games come down to the last minute. This competition seems to be a push so far, I hope they go with Coutu. At the worst, losing Brown might cost us a game or two.

5. Defensive line: I am not worried about our Dline at all. assuming Benard can stay out of trouble and on the field. Bryant is going to erupt on the scene i think, Mebane looked pretty good last year, Triplett is a steal and should make an impact (I think he was not as suited to Buffalo's scheme and should do well in Seattles which is a similar style of the Tampa 2 Indy runs, where he was very successful). And I dont think many teams have depth at the spot as good as Terrill. And if Tubbs can come back then its all gravy.

Coaching issues: If this staff cant make a run now when could they? If anything Holmgren will be even more involved with the offense and that is how he has become a HOF coach.

As long as the injury bug doesn't bite the seahawks to bad there is no reason this team can't do what it wants to do.

WR corps are a bit iffy.

A couple of people have mentioned my biggest worry, which did not make your list of things to consider. I hesitate to even bring it up, because I am more than a little superstitious, but here we go anyway:

Injuries.

1. Walter Jones (getting up there in years)


2. Bobby Engram (also no spring chicken)


3. Deion Branch (coming off a previous injury, re-injury is a concern)


4. Hasselbeck? gods forbid!


5. Trufant and/or Jennings?


6. Grant and/or Russel?

Any one or combination of several of these injuries could really mar Holmgren's "Swan Song". Every article I have read about the new faces makes me hopeful. Every article I have read about the rookies makes me hopeful. Every interview I have read with any Seahawk makes me hopeful.

But more than anything else, every article I have read about the high degree of participation in the off-season workout program, and the good things that the strength and conditioning staff have had to say about their charges makes me hopeful.

If we stay healthy, I expect to send Coach Holmgren on his way with an historic second SB ring from a second team. Several coaches have taken a second team to the SB but none has won with a second team. Our first SB could make history in more ways than one.

Holmgren is a pretty good bet to make the HOF, but he'll be a first ballot shoe-in if we can send hom out right. And we can't do that if anyone (or anytwo) important links in the chain break.

The OL doesnt worry me at all. I mean look at OL right now LT Walter Jones, LG Mike Whale, C Spencer, RG Between Sims, Wotto, Willis, RT Locklear. Pretty much damn good OL I take that over last year OL.

Me personality Gray is suitable for backup position and not starting.

The running game will be interesting because who starting and who the backups! Will a rookie RB beat out Duckett for a spot?

The WR game worries me a little but from report on blog last season about Logan Payne and other who look good I think they will show something. Thought if their good WR out their avaible than bring the person in and dont give engram and contract extention as hawks should consider going young and not old.

Defensive worries me as they need to be doing better job but same can be said for O as they need to step up if Defensive does good job.

I am concerned about wide recievers! Engram is going to be our only decent reciever till october? Thats a long time to wait for Branch. Besides Branch may be at the downside of his career. Will the younger three recievers step up?

One of my concerns? Who will bark during the defensive practice huddle now that Mebane is in his second year?

Simple.

1. Road Woes.

2. Tubbs - can he return to form and stay healthy?

3. JJ - He's not that good of a RB.

4. Wahle - he can't do it all.

5. Coaching - If we struggle early, will the team abandon Holmy?

The only aspect of this team I am somewhat worried about is the slot and 4th WR spot only because I haven't seen anything from them. I keep hearing about guys like Logan Payne, Courtney Taylor, and Jordan Kent but I haven't seen them in action.

The O-Line will be great in my opinion. We have solid starters as well as able backups. With the coaching of Solari who was responsible for KC's o-line hay days with Roaf, Will Shields, etc. and the addition of a beast named Wahle to stand next to Walter. This guy can pull and do whatever Solari wants him to do and do it well. Also guys like Chris Spencer, Locklear, and Sims are only getting better with experience.

I'm especially amped for this year's defense. There is so much depth on the line its ridiculous. We should have every guy fresh on every down. The same recipe that got the G-Men a Super Bowl win. I won't even mention the LB core beacause as everyone knows, it has to be one of the best in the league. I see alot of pressure and alot of sacks. Pressure and sacks create opportunities for Tru and Jennings to make turnovers.

So all in all... I'm only worried about WR play and that's only because it's an unknown at this point. Granted Hass does MAKE WRs. It'll be fun to see who steps up in camp and preseason.

It's so close!

O-line. It's where the offense starts and ends. When it was dominant in '05, so was the offense. In '07 when the O-line could pass block but not run block, Hass put up great numbers and the run game failed. Having that great O-line can cover up a lot of deficiencies elsewhere on offense. We don't need top tier receivers and runners if the O-line is solid.

I'm hopeful that the combination of Wahle plus Solari will be a big improvement over last year. But we won't know for sure until about halfway through the season...

Today's the day, rookies report! Oh yeah!!

Since mentioned was the previously unspoken "elephant in the room" which is the Holmgren/Hawks record on the road. Holmgren is far below .500 on the road in his tenure with the Hawks and is exactly 0-4 in postseason away games. There is a reason for the "east coast bias" oftentimes cited in these pages. That is our absolutely abject record east of Seattle. If there is a twelfth man at home then there must be a corresponding eleventh man who never makes it on the road. At this rate, unless they reschedule the SB to Qwest in '09, a SB ring is not in the cards for the Walrus.

#1 WR's only because of the unknown.
#2 OL Spencer, being able to make the line calls.

On an unrelated subject, NFL.com has listed Sean Locklear as a key departure for the 'Hawks. That's not where Frank's been hiding, is it. (sorry, cheap shot) I wonder how many other mistakes are listed for other teams?

I dont get the idea that if we struggle that the team will stop doing it the Holmy way. He has proven for his career that he puts together a package to win again and again. Any of the vets here including the incoming Wahle are well aware of the Walrus ability. Its a non-issue.

It's not any one problem, that's particularly concerning. It's the amalgamation of changes to the offense (line shuffling, new line coach, new backfield, rookie TE, relying on unproven WRs) and Special Teams (new longsnapper, kicker, coach, depth). It's unlikely all of them will work out for the better, so I'm concerned about which problems remain throughout the season, and how long it will take to get to "mid-season form."

Definately the offensive line. Wahle is an upgrade but Sims and Spencer suck. Locklear is solid but Walter Jones is breaking down. He's been great, but for how much longer? And who's behind them? Willis? Might be an improvement at guard. Wrotto? Bust. Gray? Don't even get me started. These current RB's will do better with inferior blocking than Leon did, but at this point I'm not expecting great things from the running game.

i'm with pawbual and snydro.

it's the intangibles that worry me if anything does. i'm happy with the way things look on paper, but i usually am every year for the past five years at least.

then some gimme games are blown, the mysteries of the road woes are never solved, we haven't actually SEEN how the new guys fit in (even if things SOUND good for now), and injuries take the best laid plans and throw them in the crapper.

so... OPTIMISTIC, like what i'm hearing.

now i'd like to SEE it in action!!!!

Recievers

I am most concerned about the reciever situation because I believe we have upgraded the O-Line, RB, and D-Line. The reciever situation/TE situation concerns me the most. Our QB is clearly in his prime, but he needs targets to throw to, and they seem to get weaker at this postion each year since the Super Bowl. Can Obomanu, Taylor, Kent, or Payne fill in the gaping hole left by Branch and Hackett? And will Carlson come in and be the TE we have missed since we kicked Stevens to the curb?

At least we will have better hands in the backfield this year : )

I'm worried we go unbeaten, murder all comers, win the bowl and EVERYONE will hate us!!!!!!

We all hate a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The key to our season this year will be the running game. The additions of Wahle and Solari, along with the progression of Rob Simms (who has put on a lot of muscle this offseason) are all keys. Julius Jones will be a nice change of pace from what we've had the last couple seasons with Alexander. Forget what he's done the past couple years, this offense is taylor-made for a back with Jone's skills. The TJ Duckett signing did have me scratching my head. Jones, Morris and Weaver will be the ones carrying the rock this season.

The reason the running game is paramount to the Hawk's success is because we have a smaller defense built around speed. The D had success last year, but our complete lack of a running game meant more time on the field for defenders that were already giving up size. Not having to pass 90% of the time should increase our time of posession, which in turn will keep our fast, athletic defenders fresher, deeper into games. I'm pretty excited about it.

Add in a couple of big bodies we didn't have last year in Tubbs and rookie Red Bryant, and I see no reason why we can't have a top 10 defense this season.

As much as I enjoyed having a proven kicker in Josh Brown, he was just a kicker. Hopefully Coutou can step in, just like Brown did when we drafted him several years ago.

The WR's don't worry me at all. Engram will be his usual rock-solid self, and the athletically gifted Nate Burleson will be entering his 3rd year in the west coast offense. I expect big things from Nate. I've heard a lot about Courtney Taylor's talent and intelligence, and would love to see him blossom into a contributor this season. Obemanu(sorry I still don't know how to spell his name) got a little experience last year. Anything Branch can add will be country gravy. I don't see any way John Carlson could be any worse then Pollard was last season. Seahawk's brass saw something in him that caused them to draft him over the much more well known, and by all accounts more talented Fred Davis from USC. We'll see if those intangibles translate onto the field this season. Like most rookie TE's I could see Carlson struggling at the beginning of the year, only to put it together sometime in November.

I agree with all the afore-mentioned criticisms of the Hawks play on the road. I don't know if it's the three hour time differential for east coast games, but they always seem to approach their away games with a namby, pamby sorely not ready to play syndrome. And, it's usually the defense that suffers most.

Maybe they should travel a couple of days early. In any case, their biggest challenge is to play like a contender on the road. I think that you should focus on this issue more than any other regarding the Seahawks success in the upcoming season. Other than this, the biggest thing I worry about is injuries to our best players, which we all know can derail even the best teams.

1. O-Line: Simply put, the Hawks go where the O-Line takes them offensively. Hass needs time, he needs the O-Line to play well. The running backs need holes, they need the O-Line to play well. It is a unit, so moving pieces and changing pieces and coaches impacts the unit severely. The changes appear good so far, Coach Solari is well respected and Mike Wahle has been a pro-bowler. Is Wahle, coming off an injury (and release) as good as he once was? Can Sims and Spencer "grow up" and play to their potential? Can this unit gel through camp and become dominant again? That is my ONLY concern offensively; if the O-line plays, the Seahawks offense plays...

Injuries

Ok... What's really starting to worry me is Camp starts tomorrow and we have yet to sign our two biggest draft picks!

WTF is going on with that Tribune?

Can someone shed some light on that situation please?

TIGHT END!

the receivers will be fine - think 2005!

carlson, where are you?

When Frank reterns on friday he will have taken a full months vacation. Which is resonable of course because his job is so hard. And he's been doing it for so long.

Good questions, Darrin. And good answers, badicalturboradness.

I think it really comes down to the Offensive Line. If that works, then the whole offense will come together. Without Alexander, and with RBs who can catch the ball, Holmgren can now run the WCO and Hass can throw the ball to any combination of WRs, RBs, and TEs he wants.

To make that happen, Chris Spencer needs to step up and lead at Center. Also Sims at ROG. Everyone misses Toebeck's leadership, but don't forget that during Toebeck's early years he was just a backup OG and a journeyman before he joined the Seahawks. Spencer is far better than Toebeck was at the same age. Now Chris has to step up and become the line leader.

Running a blog is a tough job. Much tougher than say a firefighter, or those guys on "Deadliest Catch" or "Ice Road Truckers." I feel Frank's pain. I remember the time he had to go to practice and it was raining so he didn't take notes. Tough little soldier.

Be strong Frank. Be strong.

The area that worries me most is WR. I think with the addition of Julius Jones, Mike Wahle and TJ Duckett we will be more balanced in our play calling which will keep defenses guessing, which can only help our line. We are really young at wideout and unless we can get Deion back quickly, I think we will be hurting. Actually, I really am hoping Courtney Taylor or Obomanu make us forget about Deion, but I don't think that will happen this year.

Frank is worthless.. The Tribune should make him write, "I am a worthless little b*tch who can't do my job" 500 times on a blackboard before they sh*t-can his a**

What worries you most about the Seahawks?

Well, actually not much. I think they are going to have a great team on both sides of the ball. But, I can list a few of my worries:

1. This is an even numbered year. (look at Mike Holmgren's yearly W-L records)

2. Unforseen injuries. (this can make things much more difficult or it can be devastating)

3. The lack of coverage I am getting from what was once my main source of information for my favorite NFL team.

I concur on #3 Seahawk44. That is a big worry. I also feel the same as badicalturboradness. I'd give a left one to cover the team as well, and so would many others.

I remember John Clayton would just hang around Seahawks HQ all day, ESPECIALLY during the offseason. He turned that into a pretty sweet ESPN gig. So did Sando actually. Weird. Work hard and get rewarded. Don't try and get mocked.

i heard mike sando on kjr tonight and he is starting a new blog,its gonna be all nfc west teams,he said he had a itch to start another one its what he likes doing best

Is it going to be on ESPN or is he taking it out on his own hawks4life? Sounds interesting. It looks like I've got a new place to go.

This BLOG is officially over! Finally ...

http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2008_07_jul/20080722_ESPNcomLaunchesFootballBlogNetwork.htm

That is GREAT news! Like I said a year ago, Frank, if you don't care enough about your job to do it well, or give full effort, then step down. Hopefully TNT will "fire your a**". Sando is the man.

It's just ridiculous there's nothing new on this site. Vet camp started today and we have NOTHING!

NOTHING on negotiations with LoJack and Carlson!

Are we even in talks with them? I've yet to hear anything other than they are not at camp... and thats HUGE if Carlson is going to be a part of this offense this year. Please tell me Putzier isn't going to be our starter...

Come on TNT. Where the hell are you?

Since the Trib is stretched for resources and cutting back as a result, why not pick out one or two of the sharpest users on this blog to help out? There are plenty of guys with a lot of football knowledge and passion for the Seahawks who would be more than willing to post links, start interesting conversations, compile stats, and babysit the snydro's of the world. That would enable Frank to concentrate his efforts in reporting information where the volunteer contributors/moderators would not have access, like contract negotiations, etc...This could be the best fan blog in the NFL if the Trib cared a little bit more and would step out of the box for a second...what harm would it do?

For real interactive stuff that adds variety, check out this site:

http://www.seahawkaddicts.com/

Its way better than what this blog has become. If there is actually something worth reading on the TNT blog, it'll have a link back to this blog for you. I suggest everyone on this site check Addicts out. In fact, there is even a new post informing readers of other first round picks signing...