The maneuvering will continue right up until April 26th, as the Seattle Seahawks’ brain trust led by Tim Ruskell, Mike Holmgren, and now Jim Mora Jr., among others, work to resurrect a running game that might just be the key to once again attaining the heights and possibly winning a Super Bowl Championship.
Tim Ruskell Mike Holmgren Jim Mora Jr.
Since their appearance in Super Bowl XL against the victorious Pittsburgh Steelers, star running back Shaun Alexander’s health and then productivity went down the tubes. This decline occurred just one year after Shaun signed one of the richest contracts ever awarded to a running back. Alexander’s lack of production can’t be laid simply at his feet though as the loss of All-Pro Guard Steve Hutchinson to Minnesota was definitely a big contributing factor. Age has also become part of the equation as other offensive line starters from the XL days have since departed. The Hawk’s O-line has been bolstered by the drafting and steady improvement of four year veteran right tackle Sean Locklear (a 3rd round draft pick in ’04 out of N.C. State who was re-signed to a long-term contract this off season), three year veteran center Chris Spencer (a 1st round pick in ‘05 out of Mississippi), and third year pro guard Rob Sims, who provided a very pleasant surprise as a good, steady player selected with a 4th round pick in the ’06 draft out of Ohio State. Perennial All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones and a new Seahawk signed as a free agent, Mike Wahle, will team with these young players to become a formidable front line ready to pass protect and punch running lanes. Wahle, an eleven year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler who was a salary cap casualty with the Carolina Panthers, will most likely assume the left guard position next to Jones.
You know, an NFL General Manager not only requires an eye for on-field talent, but also for talent among the coaching ranks. Ruskell’s next move was to bring in a new offensive line coach. Mike Solari was brought in with a sterling resume’ built over eleven years with the Kansas City Chiefs. Mike was a key link in the Chief’s top running attack over the last decade and is expected to bring his expertise to bear with the Seahawks.
Ruskell then re-entered the free agent market and signed two new Seahawk running backs. T.J. Duckett, at 6’0” 254 pounds fills a direct need for the Hawks as their lack of a “punch it in” big back was very noticeable in 2007 and this is Duckett’s specialty. T.J. will join Leonard Weaver, a good situational change-up type fullback with excellent pass receiving and pass blocking skills. The Hawks appear to be well set with these two. Julius Jones was then brought in to directly challenge for the starting running back position amid much speculation that this move may spell the end to Shaun Alexander’s career with the Seahawks. Although nothing concrete has come out of the Seahawks’ front office to that effect (other than the obvious Jones signing), it is generally agreed that it is just a matter of time before Shaun is released. Some may hope for a trade, but that is simply wishful thinking. No, the Hawks will have to cut their losses and give Shaun his unconditional release. Thanks for the memories, Shaun.
Julius Jones was the lead back with the Dallas Cowboys in their two back system where, from my perspective, he was used early to force the opposing defenses to respect his slashing style and consequently give the Tony Romo little more time in the pocket off play action. Late in the game, and usually holding the lead, the Cowboys would then unleash Marion Barber on the opponent’s now softened up defense to much success. Jones’ style is in contrast to Alexander in that he is more of a head down, straight ahead then cut rusher whereas Alexander turned into a sideways dancer hoping to find an opening.
The other Seahawk running back, Maurice Morris, is entering his 7th season in the league and while being a steady back-up and kick returner, age is becoming a concern leading me to believe he is another candidate to possibly be released. I say this because I believe the Seahawks may use their first pick in the upcoming draft to secure another running back, and this is where the thrust of this article will now take us.
There have been rumblings coming out of Hawk land that Tim Ruskell has become infatuated with the University of Oregon’s early draft entry, Jonathan Stewart. As the days dwindle down before the 2008 draft, Stewart’s potential draft position has been on somewhat of a roller coaster. Prior to the Scouting Combine he was looked upon as the number two rated back in the draft. Then his performance in the combine created more questions than answers as his ability to run away from defenders was questioned. This while posting a 4.46 second 40 yard dash and running it 5 pounds heavier than his collegiate playing weight. Stewart’s strengths were said to be his power, size and tackle breaking ability while he was downgraded for his acceleration, breakaway speed and elusiveness. Next came the revelation that Stewart needed to undergo surgery to repair a turf toe injury suffered last November. These two occurrences lowered his draft value in many minds from a mid 1st rounder clear down to the middle of the 2nd. Now I’m no orthopedic surgeon, but wouldn’t that type of injury have a negative effect on a runner’s ability to accelerate, display breakaway speed and be elusive? So here we stand a couple of weeks in front of the draft and Stewart is being projected back into the top twenty.
Ruskell’s supposed interest in Stewart is now leading to speculation that the Seahawks just might try to move up from their 25th selection in the first round in order to secure Stewart. There are currently four teams drafting ahead of the Seahawks that have either a first or second priority at the running back position in this draft and possibly a fifth team depending on where Arkansas’ Darren McFadden might be available. There is a lot of speculation that if McFadden is on the board when the Raiders’ fourth pick of the draft comes up, Al Davis will take him even though this is not a position of need for them. With the sixth pick, the New York Jets are the first team to pick with a definite need at running back and they would surely jump at McFadden if the first five teams pass on him. After the Jets you have to drop clear down to the 13th and 14th picks (Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears) before two teams with definite running back needs pop up. This sets the circumstances that the Seahawks have to work with.
Of the teams selecting between the 6th and 13th picks there are two that could be considered potential trading partners based on their areas of top need and the availability of players worthy of a high selection. Buffalo needs a top flight receiver and yet their 11th pick is considered too high for the available talent. The Bills second and third highest needs are cornerback and outside linebacker. All three of Buffalo’s highest need areas are for positions that this draft is talent rich in. I look for the Bills to make a deal for more draft picks, and they could use them, by the way. The Denver Broncos hold the 12th pick and in their situation, their top need is for an offensive tackle. With Miami, Atlanta, Oakland, Kansas City and Baltimore all possibly taking offensive tackles in the first round ahead of the Broncos, there may not be a tackle of high enough quality left by the time their pick comes up. Denver’s next highest needs are for a defensive tackle and an inside linebacker, both of which would probably be a reach with the 12th pick as well. Denver has a history of trading down for more picks.
Either the 11th or 12th pick would most likely cost the Seahawks their first round 25th pick and second round 55th pick based on the NFL Draft Value Chart. They would then have to take their chances on having a fairly good tight end still available when they make their third round pick with the 86th selection in the draft and considering that this is a fairly low need choice for most teams this year, the gamble might bring them someone like Notre Dame’s John Carlson or Tennessee’s Brad Cottam.
The defense was addressed over the last three years and has become the team’s strength with long term contracts written to secure key contributors and Pro Bowlers, Lofa Tatupu and Marcus Trufant. Now the attention is squarely centered on the offense…
I’ve got to believe Tim Ruskell is looking at all of this with an eye towards completing the puzzle that may well lead to a Super Bowl Championship in the not too distant future.
I'm a sports fanatic living on the west coast of Florida. I'm a rare bird that moved here from the left coast a couple of years ago. I advocate an even playing field in all of life's endeavors.
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departed. The Hawk’s O-line has been bolstered by the drafting and steady improvement of four year veteran right tackle Sean Locklear (a 3rd round draft pick in ’04 out of N.C. State who was re-signed to a long-term contract this off season), three year veteran center Chris Spencer (a 1st round pick in ‘05 out of Mississippi), and third year pro guard Rob Sims, who provided a very pleasant surprise as a good, steady player selected with a 4th round pick in the ’06 draft out of Ohio State. Perennial All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones and a new Seahawk signed as a free agent, Mike Wahle, will team with these young players to become 
a formidable front line ready to pass protect and punch running lanes. Wahle, an eleven year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler who was a salary cap casualty with the Carolina Panthers, will most likely assume the left guard position next to Jones.
for on-field talent, but also for talent among the coaching ranks. Ruskell’s next move was to bring in a new offensive line coach. Mike Solari was brought in with a sterling resume’ built over eleven years with the Kansas City Chiefs. Mike was a key link in the Chief’s top running attack over the last decade and is expected to bring his expertise to bear with the Seahawks.
pounds fills a direct need for the Hawks as their lack of a “punch it in” big back was very noticeable in 2007 and this is Duckett’s specialty. T.J. will join Leonard Weaver, a good situational change-up type fullback with excellent pass receiving and pass blocking skills. The Hawks appear to be well set with these two. Julius Jones was then brought in to directly challenge for the starting running back position amid much speculation that this move may spell the end to Shaun Alexander’s career with the Seahawks. Although nothing concrete has come out of the Seahawks’ front office to that effect (other than the obvious Jones signing), it is generally agreed that it is just a matter of time before Shaun is released. Some may hope for a trade, but that is simply wishful thinking. No, the Hawks will have to cut their losses and give Shaun his unconditional release. Thanks for the memories, Shaun. 
used early to force the opposing defenses to respect his slashing style and consequently give the Tony Romo little more time in the pocket off play action. Late in the game, and usually holding the lead, the Cowboys would then unleash Marion Barber on the opponent’s now softened up defense to much success. Jones’ style is in contrast to Alexander in that he is more of a head down, straight ahead then cut rusher whereas Alexander turned into a sideways dancer hoping to find an opening.
Prior to the Scouting Combine he was looked upon as the number two rated back in the draft. Then his performance in the combine created more questions than answers as his ability to run away from defenders was questioned. This while posting a 4.46 second 40 yard dash and running it 5 pounds heavier than his collegiate playing weight. Stewart’s strengths were said to be his power, size and tackle breaking ability while he was downgraded for his acceleration, breakaway speed and elusiveness. Next came the revelation that Stewart needed to undergo surgery to repair a turf toe injury suffered last November. These two occurrences lowered his draft value in many minds from a mid 1st rounder clear down to the middle of the 2nd. Now I’m no orthopedic surgeon, but wouldn’t that type of injury have a negative effect on a runner’s ability to accelerate, display breakaway speed and be elusive? So here we stand a couple of weeks in front of the draft and Stewart is being projected back into the top twenty.
