Friday, May 2, 2008

First Sign of the Seahawks Demise?

by: Michael Steffes

Or better phrased...first idiot to go on record doubting the Hawks. Get ready for the same offseason talk we as Seahawk fans have heard for the last four years. Don Banks is the first one making the case for the Seahawks to fall flat this year.

NFC West: Seattle (Going down) -- When I do the math, I realize that I expect the three-win Rams, the five-win 49ers and the eight-win Cardinals to all improve upon those totals in '08, making it difficult to project another division title for a Seahawks team that went 10-6 last year to win its fourth consecutive division title. While I think Seattle made a solid choice with its coaching line of succession in Jim Mora, my sense is that Mike Holmgren's final go-round won't come off with a storybook ending. The Seahawks skill positions aren't in the best of hands, and the loss of kicker Josh Brown to the Rams could swing a key game or two. Defensively Seattle didn't substantially change the unit that Green Bay abused in the snow at Lambeau.

As difficult as Don Banks finds it to project a Seahawks division title, I find it difficult to project anybody else. The Cardinals have been collecting turds and they seem to have a total of 1 player happy with their contract and situation, Larry Fitzgerald. The 49ers found it hard to protect Alex Smith last year. Wait till they see the emphasis Mike Martz puts on protection, just ask John Kitna. The Rams will certainly be better if they stay healthy, but that is not a given. Orlando Pace and Torry Holt have been battling injuries almost every year. They are counting on a rookie to increase their sorry sack totals, so I would guess they are still going to have issues stopping people. That spells doom in a pass happy division. Good luck with your predictions Banks. Please keep doubting us, you won't be the last. END