Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

In what has somewhat accidentally become a weekly series, I have been examining free agent targets of interest for the Seahawks in positional groupings where I think they may have a need. Today I’m taking a look at defensive tackles, a position where Brandon Mebane remains a solid starter but there is very little on the roster outside of #92. With Alan Branch a free agent, the only other DT’s are Clinton Mcdonald and Jaye Howard. Mcdonald has been merely a rotational player so far and Howard has yet to really see any action as a Seahawk. Of course re-signing Branch remains an option but I think the Seahawks both should and will go in another direction. Branch was very effective as a run stopper in 2011, but wasn’t quite as good in 2012 and offers very little in the way of pass rushing. While the way Seattle’s line is constructed does not maximize the pass rush I think they can ill afford having another starter, other than Red Bryant, who does little in the way of threatening the quarterback. That is especially true given the injury to Chris Clemons. So here I have presented some DT free agent options, with a focus on those that can offer a pass rushing dimension that the interior of Seattle’s defensive line has been missing of late:

Henry Melton: Melton is one of the top free agents available at any position but Seattle has some money to spend and he is a marquee player at a position of need. Over the last two years with the Bears, Melton has 13 sacks, including 6 last year. That total is not astounding but it is very impressive for a DT. The Seahawks haven’t had that kind of interior pass rush since Rocky Bernard was in his prime. Melton is undersized  at 6-3 280 and as such there are concerns that he won’t hold out against the run but he did managed 9 tackles for a loss last year, good for 5^th in the NFL among defensive tackles. Clearly, Melton is an effective penetrator of the line of scrimmage and although he may have to be removed for truly jumbo goal line sets that is a small price to pay for his abilities to disrupt opposing offenses.  Melton turns 27 this year so age is not a major concern. That being said, his price will be high, high enough that his contract will probably end up being an overpay to some degree. Even if that’s so, I wouldn’t mind overpaying for a player this young, with these skills and at a position of need.

Randy Starks: This former Dolphin and one time Pro Bowler will turn 30 this year but seems to have a fair amount left in the tank and some positional flexibility to boot. Even though Starks stands at a sturdy 6-3 312 lbs he still has the quickness to get to the quarterback as demonstrated by his 9 sacks over the last two years (4.5 each year) and career high of 7 sacks in 2009. Beyond sacks alone, Starks had 4 pass deflections (11^th in the league among DT’s) and 8 QB hits (14^th) showing a consistent ability to be a factor defending against the pass. He has been durable and consistent playing both as a 4-3 DT and a 3-4 DE and would clearly be an upgrade to Seattle’s defensive line. For me the only hang ups are age and expense, which, to be fair, are two pretty big hang ups. It’s always risky signing free agents in their late 20’s/early 30’s but Seattle is a good enough team to consider these type of deals for the first time since 2007. Starks likely will not be a fantastic value on the back side of his free agent deal, but by then Seattle may have gotten what they needed from Starks in the way of playoff success. Although the Seahawks are in a win-now mode there is no need to be reckless, Starks would be an upgrade and a good fit but he isn’t a franchise-changing star and if the market gets too crazy there’s no harm in backing out of the bidding. Still, an interesting name to consider.

Desmond Bryant: Not exactly a household name, this Harvard man is not going unnoticed by NFL talent evaluators. To go along with 3 sacks in 8 starts in 2012 Bryant had 12 QB hits, a total that tied him for 7^th best among NFL defensive tackles. Standing at 6-5 290 Bryant has the length to disrupt passing lanes, even if he’s no J.J Swatt. Turning 28 this year, Bryant has 10.5 career sacks but 8 of them have come in the last 2 years when he has had the opportunity to start more (18 starts in that period). The fact he was something of a part-time player on such a poor defense raises some red flags but with well compensated tackles Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour above him it was hard for Bryant to get the playing time he deserved. Bryant is not exceptionally young but he is talented and athletic (4.92 40 yard dash at the Combine). He has flashed enough to potential to be worthy of a starting gig and the Seahawks might have a starting gig open. If the market remains within reason, Bryant might be an interesting high upside option.

Richard Seymour: Speaking of Oakland defensive tackles, another free agent possibility is the prolific and versatile Richard Seymour. There are a lot of numbers you could throw around about the 7 time Pro Bowler Richard Seymour but one stands out. 34. That’s how old Seymour will be in September.  While Seattle is in a position to make short-term additions the commitment to Seymour would have to be on a very short term ie. 1 to 2 years, to make any sense. The 6-6 310 DT is at an age where his game and/or health can fall apart at any moment. He was only able to start 8 games last year and while he had 3 sacks in those contests and was on pace for a solid year who know how he’ll rebound from his hamstring injury. I would be conflicted about seeing Seattle sign Seymour because he is so accomplished and may still have something yet to offer, but at the same time it seems equally likely there’s nothing left in the tank.  Old players with injury concerns are often treated harshly by the free agent market and there may be some legitimate value shopping to be had here, but the idea of penciling in Seymour as a starter in 2013 would make me nervous considering the kind of aspirations the Seahawks have this year.

Terrance Knighton: This Jaguars defensive tackle, affectionately known as Pot Roast, is coming off a down year where he lost his starting job but may rebound with a change of scenery. He really seemed to be emerging  as a sophomore in 2010 when he had 4 sacks and 4 PD’s but was never able to replicate those numbers. Despite being relegated to the status of a rotational tackle and only starting 5 games Knighton managed 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles along with 5 tackles for loss and 5 quarterback hits.  The 6-2 295 Knighton is an all-around defensive tackle with a similar skillset to Brandon Mebane when he is playing at his best.  Unfortunately the Jaguars were unable to get Knighton’s best all the time.  At only 27 Knighton may well have his best days ahead of him and while one would have to be reticent to simply hand him a job given his off year in 2012, he could be a solid starter for somebody. Somebody could even be the Seahawks. That idea makes me a tad nervous but less nervous than signing Seymour. Medium-risk, medium reward type option, not the sexiest but hard to expect that with a name like Pot Roast.

These are only some of the defensive tackle possibilities out there but in my view they are the best ones and the best fits for Seattle. I would be surprised and somewhat disappointed to see a return from Alan Branch because I think that Pete Carroll’s defense needs more interior pressure to take its game to the next level.  Whether it is addressed through free agency or the draft, Seattle needs DT’s because they have only 3 on the roster, only one of whom is starter quality. Melton is an obvious favorite of mine here, but if Seattle isn’t willing to spend that kind of money guys like Bryant or Knighton could be intriguing choices.

Sep 30, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Kellen Heard (96) talks with Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) after the game at Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle approaches their week 17 game with the Rams on Sunday with a chance to go 11-5, their best record since their magical run to the Super Bowl in 2005. The Seahawks are peaking at the right time coming off four straight wins, three of the blowout variety. The Rams are a better team than they are given credit for with a 7-7-1 record, including 4-0-1 within the NFC West. In order to preserve a perfect home record (with an asterisk) the Seahawks need to take care of business against the plucky Rams. Without further ado, here’s 2012’s last (regular season) edition of “Matchups of the Game”.

Matchup #1: Russell Wilson vs. The Rams Secondary

Russell Wilson comes into this game with 25 touchdowns through the air and needs two more to break Peyton Manning’s rookie record of 26. Given all Russell has done this year I’d like to see him get an individual accolade like that. The problem is that the Ram’s pass defense, especially in the Red Zone, can be very stingy. The Rams have only allowed 15 passing touchdowns all year while nabbing 17 interceptions. With the power of the 12th man and the way this offense has been rolling 2 touchdowns for Wilson has to be considered within reach but it’s far from a slam dunk. Russell doesn’t seem like a me-first selfish guy but I’m sure this record will cross his mind once or twice during the game. Let’s hope he gets it sealed away early on.

Matchup #2: Marshawn Lynch vs. James Laurinitis

I always like to see two of the best in the business go head-to-head and this is a classic example of one of those cases. Lynch is having an incredible season with career highs in carries, yards, and, most impressively, yards per carry (5.0 compared to a previous career high of 4.2). He has been everything one could reasonably expect and more as the battering ram that makes this Seahawks offense go. Lynch is a mortal lock to reach 1,500 yards for the season in this game (he needs 10 yards) a milestone that is rarer and rarer as most teams are no longer using pure feature backs. Laurinitis is a tackling machine who has 115 solo tackles this year which leads the league by a solid margin. He is tough as nails, smart and instinctive and just about everything you could ask for in a MLB. If Lynch is the heart and soul of the Seahawks offense then Laurinitis is the heart and soul of the Rams defense. It has the makings of an epic stalemate but in reality I just don’t see anyone stopping Beast Mode right now.

Matchup #3: Brandon Mebane vs. Robert Turner

Mebane was very explosive early in the year and really hasn’t showed as much of late. A big game going into the playoffs might get Mebane going and when he is going the Seattle defense is even more dynamic. Mebane has been a jack of all trades this year with a respectable 3 sacks and 5 quarterback hits rushing the passer as well as 4 tackles for loss and a 1.07 tackle factor suggesting quality run-stopping production. Today he has an opportunity to expand on those numbers against journeyman G Robert Turner. After spending 5 years on the Jets with only 2 starts to his credit Turner has become a full time starter for the first time this year with the Rams. A former undrafted free agent, Turner has largely stuck around due to his versatility and ability to play center. There just aren’t a lot of guys who go undrafted, sit on the bench for 5 years, and become studs, so my guess is Turner is the sort of guy Mebane can handle. If he is, it could be a field day for the Seahawk defense with Mebane causing serious disruptions to both the Rams running game and passing game.

Seattle has locked up their playoff berth and likely their seeding as well, barring a miracle win by Arizona against the 49ers. It would be easy to say that they don’t have a lot to play for in this game. I don’t think this is the case. Firstly, you don’t want to lose to a divisional opponent twice in one year. Secondly, I think remaining unbeaten at home is meaningful even if they are unlikely to play a home game from here on out. Lastly, the Seahawks have some serious momentum going at the moment that should not be jeopardized going into the playoffs. For these reasons I think the Seahawks will be motivated and effective on Sunday and end the season with a win, or more precisely, five wins.

I wish it was as simple as a key injury, like it was in 2010. The Seahawks defense was decent that year until Red Bryant got hurt, then they couldn’t stop anyone’s ground attack. While there have been injuries, they don’t explain the difference this year.

Another problem is that it also hasn’t been one phase of the defense that has been bad. Against the Patriots and Lions it was the pass defense. Against the 49ers and Vikings it was the run defense. So it’s not a single failing that we can look for and fix. Instead there’s something systemically wrong with then entire group.

I went back and looked at the film from all 9 games just to try and see what the difference has been, and there’s a few common things I saw that I felt I needed to share.

Sept. 8, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

1) Brandon Mebane – In the first 5 games, Mebane was a disruptive force, both against the run and in the pass rush. Over the past 4 games, he’s been the opposite. He’s getting pushed back off the line against the run, and isn’t getting any push up the middle against the pass.

It would seem like there’s an injury here, but he doesn’t show up on the injury report. This drop off in his play also happened last year and in 2010, though in those years it happened much later in the season. The assumption was just that he wore down after a long season. This year was supposed to be different. Jason Jones and Clinton McDonald have both helped decrease Mebane’s playing time to help keep him fresh, but it clearly hasn’t helped at all.

2) Substitution Problems – The Seahawks defense has a huge number of specialists on it. For example, Red Bryant is a great run stopper but fairly useless against the pass. Bruce Irvin is the opposite, which is why he and Bryant share the same position. The same is true, but to a lesser extent, for Alan Branch and Jones. And then there’s Mebane, who’s normally good against both while his backup McDonald is purely a pass rusher.

The substitutions worked early on, but they’ve been a liability recently. Opposing teams have been manipulating the Seahawks into subbing in the wrong personnel package, and using it to their advantage. The Patriots spent most of the first half throwing the ball against the Seahawks heavy line with Branch and Bryant. Not surprisingly, the Tom Brady had almost no pressure on him the entire half.

The 49ers did much of the same thing, but in reverse. There has been a lot already written about the trap runs that the 49ers used against the Seahawks. What you probably haven’t seen is that on almost every trap they ran, it was the pass rushing specialist McDonald who was victimized on the play. When Bruce Irvin came in, they ran to his side of the field over and over, and he was unable to set the edge the way Bryant does. Not that it would be fair to expect him to, as Bryant outweighs him by 80 pounds.

3) Lack Of Quality Depth – When the starters go to the sidelines, bad things happen. We saw that this weekend when KJ Wright had to leave the game with a concussion. The drop off between him and Mike Morgan was really apparent. Plus, Morgan is also the primary backup at both outside linebacker spots, with Wright being the backup in the middle. The Seahawks were simply unable to get their linebackers a breather when they needed one.

It could also be seen in the drop off from Jones to Greg Scruggs. Scruggs is a decent player who probably has a bright future, but he just doesn’t match the quality and consistency that Jones brings. Scruggs was simply ineffective against the Lions, and the lack of an inside pass rush was most of the reason the Seahawks couldn’t stop Matthew Stafford.

But it’s more than just what happened with the 2 injuries. As I said above in point #2, the backups are all specialists. There’s no true backup for Mebane or Branch or Bryant. If those guys get tired, there’s no one available to take their place.

4) Being Overly Agressive – This is mostly true in the 2 games in which they gave up a ton of running yards. The linebackers are over-pursuing and leaving their assignments, only to have the back cut back into the place the LB was supposed to be. They need to be more disciplined, and get back to doing their own job and trusting their teammates to their’s.

5) Not Enough Press Coverage – I didn’t believe it when Pete Carroll said it this morning on the radio, but it’s true: The Seahawks play less man to man coverage (even in weeks 1-5) than we, the fans, realized. They disguise the zones well, often having the corner start out in press coverage anyways, only to release the WR to another defender 10-15 yards down field. It looks like man coverage, but it isn’t.

For some reason, the Seahawks have gotten away from that recently. The press has been happening when it was actually man coverage, and the zone looks had the corners playing off more. This change has been part of the problem. The Seahawks are at their best when they’re challenging the receivers at the line and disrupting their timing. They need to get back to that.

Sept. 8, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

One of my biggest pet peeves in life, and there are many, is sports clichés. Most of them tend to be based on fragments of facts that may or may not be true and they are repeated over and over to the point that they merely fill space as opposed to offering any kind of insight. I am not making this point because I am on the verge of a ranting article about some of the things that sports commentator say that drive me crazy. Someday I may write that article. In fact, someday I probably will. What compels me to write this piece today is the fact I have actually found a cliché worth contemplating and investigating. You often hear about strength up the middle in every sport from football to hockey to baseball. I think the importance of strength up the middle or building from the inside out varies from sport to sport, but the more I thought about it the more I think it applies to the Seahawks this year. “Up the Middle” positions on defense, DT, MLB and S, factor on every play either by attacking the pocket or by ranging sideline to sideline and without them a defense can be worn down by bruising inside runs as well as TE seam routes. On Offense these up the middle men are the center, the quarterback, and the backfield. The 2012 Seahawks blueprint calls a power running game, efficient passing and stuffing the run on defense to make offenses one-dimensional. As such I thought I’d evaluate the Seahawks up the middle talent to see if they have the personnel for this strategy, starting with the offense.

Center- Max Unger

When Unger started all 16 games as a rookie in 2009 at right guard, reviews were mixed. It is always impressive to see a rookie come in and establish himself as a starter immediately but Unger seemed to lack strength and looked over matched in many games. Unger missed all of 2010 save one game but came back strong last year. Returned to his natural center position Unger looked beyond competent and seemed to be a totally new player. This off season the Seahawks rewarded him with a multi-year extension and clearly see him as a core player. So do I. If the Seahawks are going to roll with an undersized quarterback they will need an interior line that can keep passing lanes open. Unger can do that and is someone who the fans should be comfortable with at center for years to come.

Quarterback- Russell Wilson

Most things I’ve said about Wilson in the past have raised the ire of people around here so I’ll keep it short. Wilson is talented and athletic and seems to have rare poise for a rookie QB. He may be the “quarterback of the future” this franchise so desperately needs. He may not be. It’s too early to make a definitive judgment either way. Of all the players I will discuss in this article Wilson is the biggest question mark, through no fault of his own. Time will tell.

Fullback-Michael Robinson

In today’s passing heavy NFL the lead-blocking fullback is something of a dinosaur. However, like many Seahawks fans that enjoyed Mack Strong for so many years, I continue to live in the past. I love the old-school I-Formation power runs and Robinson is one of the best at leading the way. Robinson was a Pro Bowler last year and appears to be a leader on this team despite the fact he only ran for 7 yards last year. He’s one of those players whose value is pretty difficult to quantify but I’m pretty sure Marshawn Lynch would tell you that this guy is plenty valuable. That’s not even mentioning special teams contributions. My one complaint about Robinson’s game is that the Seahawks don’t use enough trick plays involving his passing ability. Hard to blame Robinson for that though.

Running Back- Marshawn Lynch

What is there to say that hasn’t been said? Lynch is everything you want in a power back and more. When running backs are said to “punish” defenses it is always a hyperbole unless it is being said about Lynch. There is no need to gush further except to say that Lynch fits this team perfectly and there is nothing to worry about at the RB position.

The offense is pretty set up the middle, but what about the defensive unit that has been so stellar so far?

Defensive Tackle- Brandon Mebane

Mebane is the sort of player you plug in your lineup and forget about. After a sophomore season that saw him rack up 5.5 sacks it looked like Mebane was on the way up as a pass rushing tackle but that never really ended up being his niche. Instead Mebane has settled in as an all-around DT who is more of a pocket collapser than a pass rusher per se. Mebane is unlikely to put up big numbers individually but he can help other defensive lineman by wreaking havoc on the other side of the line of scrimmage both in run support and in terms of pushing the pocket. At 27, the recently re-signed Mebane has a lot to offer the Seahawks over the next few years.

Defensive Tackle- Alan Branch

Impending free agent Alan Branch is possibly the most underrated player on the Seahawks defense. Branch is a dominant run-stuffer and if the Seahawks fail to resign him this off season they may see their success against the run suffer into the future. Branch registered 3 sacks last year but that’s not his job. The 6-6 324 pound defensive tackle is built to stop the run and there are very few people who can do it as well as him. At 27 he has good years ahead if the Seahawks should choose to resign him.

Middle Linebacker- Bobby Wagner

The 2012 second round pick out of Utah State has looked the part of a starting MLB in the NFL so far. He isn’t huge but he is fast and hasn’t made many rookie mistakes just yet. Much like Russell Wilson he has not played enough for us to have a complete read on him but I’m inclined to believe the kid can play until proven otherwise. The last time the Seahawks drafted a 2nd round MLB who started right away that seemed to go alright….Linebacker is a position where rookies tend to be able to contribute and we are seeing that from Wagner so far.

Strong Safety- Kam Chancellor

Full disclosure: Kam Chancellor is my favourie Seahawk. The way he brutalized the Cowboys receiving core last week was a sight to behold. Chancellor combines vicious, violent and borderline illegal hits with responsible coverage that sees him get burned deep far less than one would think for a player his size whose straight line speed doesn’t compete with top receivers in this league. Chancellor went to the Pro Bowl last year and could end up becoming a perennial Pro Bowler if he keeps up his play. Even if he doesn’t he will be a rock solid contributor who is an essential partner in possibly the best safety tandem in the NFL.

Free Safety- Earl Thomas

Not only is Thomas a Pro Bowler but he might well be the best player on the Seahawks. Thomas’s expansive range covers for the mistakes of an aggressive secondary and prevents opposing offenses from beating the Seahawks deep. Thomas is also a strong tackler who throws the occasional highlight reel hit in for variety. I would be surprised to see him reach the Pro Bowl any less than five times in his career. At 23 he is already a franchise cornerstone, one of very few safeties who can say that. There is no player on this list I am more confident in my praise of than Mr. Thomas. He has started 34 games in a row and Seahawks fans should hope that he can draw that streak out to Cal Ripken-esque proportions.

Overall it appears that if strength up the middle is important to success in the NFL then the Seahawks are in good shape, not only now but into the future. The oldest player on this list is Michael Robinson at 29 and Alan Branch is the only one with a contract expiring soon. As such, it appears that the literal core of the Seahawks is both stable and promising. Unfortunately there are premium positions that are ignored by this analysis: OT, DE, CB (to be fair there are very few complaints here) and WR, but for a physical run-first team it is encouraging to know that these Seahawks can enforce their will between the hash marks.

The Seahawks were just 1 Lynch injury away from being a very bad team in 2011. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Offense: Quarterback, Line, Backs, Tight Ends, Receivers

Defense: Tackles, Ends, Linebackers, Safeties, Corners

Specialists

After combing through every player on the roster, I have to say that my opinion of the roster went nowhere but down. Before I started this process, I felt that the Seahawks were a QB, a LB and few roll players (like a 3rd down pass rushing DE) away from being a Super Bowl contender. I simply just don’t feel that way anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, the Seahawks still need a serious upgrade at QB and LB, and they still need a another pass rusher. Those needs are still there. The problem is that they aren’t the only needs. Overall, the depth across the entire roster is really poor.

The Seahawks were actually rather lucky last season when it came to injuries. The 2 positions hit hardest, CB and Offensive line, were the 2 positions that had enough depth to handle the loss. The rest of the roster was ill prepared to overcome injuries.

The most obvious example was RB. There was noone on the roster to step in for Lynch when he was hurt in the Cleveland game. Forsett and Washington were completely ineffective when given playing time.

The Defensive line was paper thin. The 4 starters, Clemons, Mebane, Branch, and Bryant were all completely irreplaceable with the other players on the roster. If any of them had been hurt then entire defense would have likely fallen apart. The problem was so bad that there wasn’t even a competent pass rusher who could come in for Bryant on 3rd downs.

And that problem existed all over the roster. Safety. TE. Even linebacker was bad, which is sad since the starters were a major weakness to begin with.

The truth is that the Seahawks are just 3 or 4 players away from being a very good team capable of beating anyone in the league. But the point isn’t to be good enough to win one regular season game, the point is to be able to win a Super Bowl. So while you need a team good enough to beat any other team in the league, you also need a team that is deep enough to do so after playing 18 or 19 games.

And even if the Seahawks fill in those holes in the starting lineup, it wont be enough until they are are also deep enough to handle the long season. And they are still long way from reaching that point.

Is Alan Branch the most under-appreciated player on the Seahawks? Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

Defensive tackle is paradoxical position for the Seahawks. It is both a major strength and a major weakness at at the same time.

Brandon Mebane might be the most overrated player on the Seahawk’s roster. He isn’t that good against the pass, averaging just 2 sacks per season over his 5 year career, including zero this past season. He also not exceptional against the run. While he played extremely well early in the season, he was repeated pushed back off the line down the stretch, and was responsible for much the decline of the run defense over the last few games. Don’t get me wrong, Mebane is still an above average player, but he is not the dominating player that most fans seem to think he is.

Alan Branch is sort of the opposite in terms of fan opinion. Branch is seen as sort of this average player who’s “ok,” but the team should be looking to find an upgrade. Instead, Branch is one of the most dominating defensive tackles in the entire NFL against the run. Pro Football Focus has him as the 2nd best DT in that regard. The problem is that Branch isn’t as strong when it comes to rushing the passer. While he did record 3 sacks in 2011, he was rarely effective at getting pressure on opposing passers.

The only other DT on the active roster at the end of the season was Clinton McDonald. McDonald is a young and talented backup, but not someone who you’d want getting too much playing time. While he can be useful in getting guys like Branch and Mebane a breather ever now and then, you would want him starting if there was an injury.

The Seahawks also used mammoth DE Red Bryant on the inside on some passing downs. Bryant isn’t much of a pass rusher, but this was done to keep Alan Brach fresh without hurting the run defense. This was also done because of the lack of depth at DT on the roster, and the need to keep the starters from getting too tired.

Another DE, Anthony Hargrove, was also used at DT on passing down was rather effective. While Hargrove is a serious liability against the run when at DT, he was a surprising effective pass rusher. Pro-Football Focus had him in the top 10 in the NFL for DTs in terms of QB pressures per play. While he only had 3 sacks, that was due to a lack of playing time. I would have loved to see him get more playing time on passing downs.

Prediction: Branch and Mebane return as starters, but the Seahawks invest an early pick on a 3rd DT for the rotation who can also provide some inside pass rush. McDonald returns but sees less playing time.

Here’s my top 10 reasons for Seahawks fans to be thankful on this Thanksgiving:

10. Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor – It’s been since 2007 since the Seahawks have had a corner who could single handedly shut down one of the league’s top receivers. Making it even more remarkable is that Sherman wasn’t even supposed to be playing at this point. His development is clearly well ahead of schedule. Add to that the fact that the Seahawks have the best duo of safeties in the league, and that they’re both in just their second year. These three kids will only get better over the next few seasons.

9. Beast Mode – Marshawn Lynch might not have been able break out his beast mode persona very often this year, but when he does it’s still a thing of beauty.  (more…)

Most people don’t associate the 2010 Seahawks with being a good defensive team, but at the beginning of the year they really were just that. After 6 weeks, the Seahawks help the #2 rush defense, and was a top 10 defense overall. After week 6 though, things really fell apart.

The reason things fell apart defensively at that point was because of injuries. DE Red Bryant was lost for the year, both DTs Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane missed games, and MLB Lofa Tatupu’s became increasing slowed by injuries that ultimately resulted in him needing surgeries by both knees.

Although Tatupu and Cole are now gone, they have been replaced adequately. Bryant and Mebane are fully healthy again. It isn’t a too much of a logical leap to expect Seattle’s run defense this week to at least be close to what it was like early in 2010.

This is an important factor as the Seahawks enter a game in which they should expect to see a steady diet of rushing plays by Frank Gore.

5 Reasons the Seahawks will beat the 49ers:

1. The running game. While the pass protection was pretty bad in the pre-season, the running game was not. Both Carpenter and Moffitt are great drive blockers and ruteinly pushed their defensive linemen back. Combine that with Marshawn Lynch’s bruising running style and you have the makings of a special running attack.
2. The run defense. When everyone was healthy at the beginning of last season, the Seahawks’ run defense was one of the best in the NFL. Red Bryant and Brandon Mebane are healthy again, which should worry a 49er team that lacks offensive talent outside of RB Frank Gore.
3. The secondary is bigger. No more tiny DB like Kelly Jennings matched up against much bigger WR. The Seahawks finally have some bigger corners, and while they might be young, playing against a below average QB like Alex Smith should help.
4. Leroy Hill is healthy. Last season, unless Chris Clemons or Raheem Block out pressure on the QB, no one did. This year, Hill is back as the week side LB, and should be able to provide additional pass run help like he did earlier in his career.
5. So many offensive weapons. The Seahawks have a large number of talented receivers, a pro-bowl TE, and a pair of RB who are good in pass protection as well as running route and catching the ball. If Jackson gets time, there’s no way San Franciso’s defense can stop them all.
6. Bonus: Alex Smith. No matter the 49er coaches keep trying to tell everyone, the dude just isn’t a good QB. Smith has the capability to lose games all by himself. Hopefully we’ll get to see one of those game this week.

5 Reasons for concern:

1. The pass protection. Lets face it, the two rookie offensive linemen were drafted for their run blocking skills. Their pass protection remains a work in progress. If those two can’t get the job done, Seattle will have to resort to using backs and TEs to help, which really makes things easier on the SF secondary.
2. Tarvaris Jackson. He has all the skills to get the job done, but he hasn’t done much other than run for his life since he put on a Seahawks uniform. He needs to show he can run this offense, and avoid locking on to a receiver and never never looking away; something he’s been known to do.
3. Injuries. Sydney Rice, Robert Gallery, Russell Okung, and David Hawthorne are already banged. This team doesn’t have great depth. if a couple of key guys go down and can’t play, things could get ugly in a hurry.
4. Frank Gore. The dude is a beast when he’s healthy, and he’s health. If Seattle falls behind early, Gore has the ability to wear down the entire defense and make this game really painful to watch.
5. Seattle’s youth and inexperience. With this many young players, mistakes will happen. Can the Seahawks manage to keep the damage caused by those mistakes to a minimum?

I was recently skimming Seahawks related news, when I came across an interesting article written by Jerry Brewer, a columist for the Seattle Times. In the article he asks two very important questions.

“Do good teams prosper because they possess good leadership?”  ”Or is good leadership nothing more than a secondary team trait that grows naturally once talent breeds success?”

The questions center much around the fact that the Seattle Seahawks recently parted ways with two longtime key players who held strong leadership roles during their time with the team. QB Matt Hasselbeck, and MLB Lofa Tatupu.

Back to the questions.

I think that team prosperity comes from both “good leadership” and “talent” combined.  How about you, what do you think? Can having only one of the qualities win games?

Many ‘Hawks fans have voiced torn opinions about the loss of two longtime vets who have contributed so much leadership to the team.

Some feel that it was unfair that they weren’t re-signed and given another chance to prove that they still have what it takes to compete.

Others feel that it has been a long time coming , and that–with all due respect–Seattle needed to “clean house”, so to speak.

Logically, I am inclined to believe that an age gap is what has caused such a debate of opinions. The elder generation of ‘Hawks fans being in support of holding on to the longtime leaders.

The younger, less attached,  more in favor of  gambling on fresh-faced, new/younger talent.

Unfortunately, age all too often plays a major role in the process of measuring a players worth (Ehm…Brett Favre), especially when it comes to the super-mental/physical demands of the NFL.

Which leads me to my conclusion concerning Brewer’s article, the parting of  Hasselbeck/Tatupu, the need for new leadership, and the talented, young players that represent a new Seahawks team.

You can be a great leader, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you still have what it takes to play the game of football as effectively as you once did (Matt, Lofa).

You can have talent, but that sure doesn’t mean you have what it takes to be a leader (cough…Randy Moss).

Bottom line, players become leaders because they want to be leaders, they just get better at it with age and experience.

The ‘Hawks may be a newer, younger team, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few talented players (Earl Thomas, Brandon Mebane) ready to emerge this season and fill leadership roles.

The Seahawks’ defensive line was riddled with injuries again last season. Starting defensive tackles Brandon Mebane and Colin Cole both missed several games due to injury, and starting right defensive end Red Bryant was put on IR and missed the final eleven games of the season (including the playoffs). Depth on the line was so lacking that Aaron Curry took several snaps at defensive tackle during games at the end of the regular season. That cannot and should not happen again.

Cole and Bryant should be starters next season along with defensive end Chris Clemons, who played better than anyone could have expected last season. The wildcard in this situation is Mebane, who will potentially be a free agent once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. Mebane will draw interest from other teams, but he has had injury issues that might damper it some. He has more value to the Seahawks than he would to any other team, so the front office should be able to re-sign him. If it still exists, a transition tag would be a possibility.

Assuming those four will be the starting unit, there is virtually no depth behind them. Kentwan Balmer can ably rotate in at all four spots, but that’s about it. Raheem Brock played well down the stretch and had a very nice comeback season, but he is a free agent and will seek more money than the team could or should pay him. Junior Siavii and Craig Terrill are little more than warm bodies, although Terrill does stand out on special teams. If both are on the team next season, it means the front office failed to address the depth issue.

In my last post, I said it was almost fortunate that the Seahawks were drafting 25th instead of eighth if their intention is to draft an offensive lineman in the first round. If their intention is to draft a defensive lineman, as I think it should be, then it definitely is fortunate. If the Seahawks were drafting eighth and took a defensive lineman, then Mebane would almost certainly not return because of the money that would have to be invested in that pick. By drafting 25th, they can select a defensive lineman and still afford to sign Mebane. The draftee will see significant playing time, yet not be burdened with too many responsibilities or expectations.

I feel strongly that if the team selects a DL at 25, then it should be a tackle. Defensive ends have a much higher likelihood of being a bust. If the highest graded lineman available is an end, they probably should take him, but I won’t be thrilled about it. The memory of the absolute disaster that was Lawrence Jackson still resonates in my mind.

News regarding the Seahawks changes almost daily, but none of the aforementioned players should miss any significant time.

Aaron Curry, who suffered a hamstring injury, has practiced this week and is expected to play on Sunday.

Brandon Mebane has been limited with a calf injury, but it doesn’t appear to be anything too serious. He may be limited on Sunday, but the injury shouldn’t prevent him from playing. If Mebane is unable to play, expect to see Craig Terrill active and on the field Sunday.

Marcus Trufant hurt his ankle against the Chargers and is the most questionable of the group. He said he felt okay following last Sunday’s game, but has been limited in practice all week. His absence obviously affected Seattle’s defense last week. According to several reports, Trufant will be a game-time decision on Sunday.

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Even if Mathews did play, I’d have to believe he would have a hard time finding room to run through Seattle’s massive defense. The front four on the defensive line – Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, and Chris Clemons – combine to weigh over half a ton and are predictably stout against the run.

With Mathews shelved for Sunday’s game, the San Diego Chargers will give the football to Mike Tolbert, a 5-foot-9, 243-pound wrecking ball. This season, Tolbert has carried the ball 18 times for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Tolbert might not be as talented or publicized as Mathews, but he provides a different version of smash-mouth football that could challenge Seattle’s massive front.

“They have to go at my legs cause I’m trying to decapitate anybody that’s out there,” Tolbert told the San Diego Union-Tribune earlier this week. “I’m not trying to run around anybody cause I get tired like that.”

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Haynesworth doesn’t want to take on opposing blockers so someone else can claim the glory; he wants to be the playmaker and focal point of the defensive line.

Unfortunately for Haynesworth, the Washington Redskins are asking him to play nose tackle in their 3-4 defense. The zero-technique nose tackle is responsible for multiple gaps and simultaneously taking on at least two offensive players. In other words, the nose tackle does the dirty work so other players can make plays.

Haynesworth, who typically plays the right defensive tackle position, is used to playing in an aggressive, one-gap scheme. He has spent most of his career lined up as a three-technique tackle, allowing him to quickly and aggressively attack his gap and make plays.

The Redskins want him to play nose tackle, but Haynesworth would prefer playing for a team that employs a different scheme.

Thanks to a rumor started by Len Pasquarelli, the Seattle Seahawks could be the new team willing to feature Haynesworth in a more agreeable scheme. Haynesworth is likely to be traded and the former All-Pro could be had for close to nothing.

But do the Seahawks really need to acquire a player who could potentially develop into a headache?

Haynesworth’s dominance on the field earned him a seven-year, $100 million contract from Washington. You would almost expect such a high-paid athlete – Haynesworth, or any other player making millions – to be willing to line up anywhere on the field, regardless of the situation or potential outcome.

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was critical of Haynesworth via Twitter a few days ago, and probably said what a lot of people were already thinking:

Did I just hear this correctly ‘Albert Haynesworth’ will not be [at] mandatory minicamp? And he wants a trade, after signing 100 million dollar contract?”

That’s why I tell yall I’m nothing like these dudes, for a 100 million my ass will play 4-4, 3-4, 5-9, 4-8, and still whip ass!

If Haynesworth can revert back to All-Pro form, it could be worth it to let him play whatever role he wants on the defensive line. Disruptive and dominant are good ways to describe a happy and healthy Albert Haynesworth – you would be hard-pressed to find someone on Seattle’s defensive line who matches the same description.

Haynesworth would immediately upgrade Seattle’s pass rush. As a three-technique defensive tackle in Seattle’s defense, rather than occupying blockers as the nose tackle in a three-man front, Haynesworth would be able to penetrate, slant, and attack. Such a disruptive force in the trenches would attract additional attention and also allow opportunities for other defensive linemen.

But despite the upside of acquiring Haynesworth, is it really worth the risk? Even if Haynesworth is no longer disgruntled, he could still prove to be a headache with a new team.

Haynesworth spent the first five seasons of his NFL career operating as an overweight underachiever, and his stomping on the head of Andre Gurode was so shocking some people still question his character. Despite being a dominant force when healthy, Haynesworth is somewhat prone to injury and has never played a full campaign during his eight seasons in the NFL. And at 29 years old, it could be argued that Haynesworth’s best days are now behind him.

If the Seattle Seahawks can acquire Albert Haynesworth, the dominant, disruptive defensive tackle who regularly commands double- and triple-teams, then I’m definitely a proponent of any deal.

But if the Albert Haynesworth they’re going to acquire is injury-prone, disgruntled, and lazy, then I would prefer the Seahawks don’t even pick up when the Redskins call.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Justin Griffith:
Will likely miss 3-6 weeks after suffering a sprained MCL.

Sean Locklear:
Suffered a high-ankle sprain; will probably miss at least six weeks. Brandon Frye filled in for Locklear after the injury. The team will not rush Walter Jones onto the field because of the injury.

Josh Wilson:
Also suffered a high-ankle sprain; was replaced by Kelly Jennings in the second half.

Lofa Tatupu:
Should return next week after injuring hamstring against St. Louis. Tatupu left the game early yesterday because there was risk for additional damage.

Brandon Mebane:
Did not play after straining a calf in practice in the middle of last week. Should return against the Chicago Bears at home.