Seattle team president and general manager Tim Ruskell took questions from reporters this afternoon at the team's practice facility. Ruskell was honest in addressing a wide range of topics during the 45-minute conversation. I'll offer a couple of tidbits here and follow up later with the full transcription of the conversation.

Ruskell said keeping Leroy Hill is a high priority, and will consider all options in keeping the free agent linebacker, including the franchise tag.

Ruskell characterized the transition from last season to next season as more of a tweaking than an overhaul, and believes Seattle has the majority of the talent in place to compete for an NFL title. Like Holmgren, he said the main reason for the team's slide in 2008 was the rash of injuries the Seahawks experienced. However, he said during exit interviews that the players said they also share the blame for the team's demise, and understand that injuries weren't the only issue.

But Ruskell believes with an attitude change and renewed enthusiasm, along with an infusion of young talent, Seattle could be right in the thick of things again, similar to what happened with Miami and Atlanta this season.

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Matt Hasselbeck is the team's quarterback, and they are not considering trading him. They liked what Seneca Wallace did as well, and would like to keep them both. But Hasselbeck is the guy.

Olindo Mare will be back in 2009. But Brandon Coutu may be as well. Ruskell said they kept Coutu around as security because of how well he performed during the preseason and because of Mare's recent injury history. But they were more than happy with Mare's performance. However, they wanted to protect their draft pick in Coutu.

Ruskell said the only coaching change they had so far is the Greg Knapp hiring, and that the process could play out through the end of January. The rest of the assistant coaches are being considered, except for assistant special teams coach John Jamison and tight ends coach Jim Lind, who both retired.

Offensive line coach Mike Solari will be back, Ruskell said. And offensive coordinator Gil Haskell may be considered for another assistant coaching position, or as a consultant.

Ruskell said the team's scouting department has been infused with energy by having the No 4 overall pick. Usually those guys are looking at players who they will pick later in the draft, but now they get a chance to evaluate some of the top players. Ruskell said he'd rather be drafting 32nd overall, because that means you've won the Super Bowl.

On his strategy, he said all options are open for the No. 4 pick, but that he doesn't necessarily like drafting offensive lineman that early because he believes he can get a talented guy later in the draft and the success of an offensive line has more to do with the cohesion of the entire group. He pointed to guys like Ray Willis, Rob Sims and Mansfield Wrotto, all guys Seattle drafted in the fourth round.

Ruskell said he believes the team has above-average talent at offensive line and good depth after watching the backup perform admirably at the end of the season, further strengthened the idea the team might look elsewhere with the No. 4 pick.

He also said he doesn't want to get caught in the same predicament the team experienced this season with the rash of injuries the team experienced at receiver and not having enough depth at the position.

Ruskell said bringing in Keary Colbert might have been a desperate move to shore up the receiving corps and maybe was unfair to Colbert to bring in him and expect him to perform at a high level. However, he believes if the Seahawks want to they can get back another pick for the 5th rounder they lost in the trade to Denver, and that second-day picks are easier to make deals for.

Ruskell also said he believes Seattle is in a good position financially, and will not be handcuffed to make the moves they want to, both in free agency and the draft, to improve the team during the offseason.

That's all for now. I'll have more later.