After a week, we’re moving on to Seattle’s 4th overall pick in our Reader-Determined Mock Draft. To recap, here’s how the readers have picked the draft thusfar: Aaron Curry to the Lions, Jason Smith to the Rams and Brian Orakpo to the Chiefs. The Seahawks are now on the clock!
2008 Record: 4-12
Record in Division: 3-3
Total Offense Ranking: 28th (274.1 yds/game)
Passing: 29th (163.6 yds/game)
Rushing: 19th (110.5 yds/game)
Total Defense Ranking: 30th (378.0 yds/game)
Passing: 32nd (259.3 yds/game)
Rushing: 18th (118.7yds/game)
Key Off-Season Acquisitions: T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR); Colin Cole (DT)
Key Off-Season Losses: Leonard Weaver (FB); Bobby Engram (WR); Rocky Bernard (DT)
Tell Me Something Good:
Walter Jones play is still great; his age isn't as great
While their record was awful, they were actually .500 within their division! Seattle was average in the running game (both on offense and defense). The passing attack fell off-dramatically, but the management has already started to address the problem. The Seahawks were able to land one of the biggest available free agents when they were lured TJ Whosyourmama from Cincinnati to the Great Northwest. Not only is he an upgrade over departed WR Bobby Engram, he gives helps make Dion Branch their #2 receiver. While Branch struggled trying to fill the role of #1 receiver for the Seahawks, he’ll be a strong 2nd option.
What Sucks? If .500 under within their division was a positive, then 1-10 out of the division is a negative. The fact remains that they were one of the worst teams in the worst division in football last year (Arizona Cardinals not withstanding). Thankfully they’ve addressed some problems in their passing game because, frankly, they desperately needed too. Unfortunately, they still need to do something about their pass defense. Worst in the entire NFL, their secondary should have been declared a national disaster area. How can a team be worst in the league in pass defense, while they were still getting pressure on the quarterback? (10th in the league in sacks).
Biggest Needs: Obviously, they need help in the secondary. But 4-12 teams that are getting really old, really quick have more than just one need. Walter Jones looks like he’s about as old as Wilford Brimley and Matt Hasselbeck is having more back problems than Pam Anderson. On the defensive side, their entire secondary is average outside of Marcus Trufant. Opposite Trufant is an undersized corner that doesn’t like to play physical and both of the safeties are average (that’s the politest critique you’ll hear).
Some Helpful Links
| 2009 Draft Order | Draft Order for the first 2 Rounds |
| DraftCountdown.com | Scott Wright’s Top 32 Prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft |
| fftoolbox.com | Top Prospects by Position |
