Everett, Wash.
Published: Saturday, November 29, 2008

Hawks' offense moving forward

Signs of improvement in blowout loss to Dallas, players say

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

 While it could be said that the Seattle Seahawks' passing offense has been taking baby steps this season, the progress might be measured in years rather than weeks.

That's to say, the team should be walking by … oh, the next presidential election, perhaps.

The Seahawks' offense is still in a crawl, and yet the players said after Thursday's blowout loss to Dallas that the signs of progress are in the air.

"Fans will look at the score and say what they will, but we were moving the ball," right tackle Sean Locklear said after a 34-9 loss to the Cowboys that included 322 total yards, but just three field goals to show for it. "The difference is, they've got a good offense. They were scoring touchdowns, and we were kicking field goals. That's four points every time. A team will take that all day."

While Seattle's statistics did not necessarily remind anyone of the 2005 team that cruised to Super Bowl XL, Thursday's game showed stretches of consistency. The Seahawks (2-10) were able to sustain drives, five of which resulted in 39 yards or more.

While Seattle's defense has been consistently inconsistent all year, the offense has steadily progressed. Thursday's game included a season-high 287 passing yards from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who has now played three games since returning from a back injury that cost him five weeks of action.

"There were some good things," the Seahawks' quarterback said afterward. "I haven't felt like myself in awhile, and I felt like I was getting in a flow a little bit."

Coach Mike Holmgren admitted that he left Hasselbeck in the game well after it was decided so that the veteran quarterback could taste success.

"I want him to feel good about the season in the end," Holmgren said. "That will help him next year."

Seattle still has a lot of holes on offense, particularly at wide receiver. Although veteran Nate Burleson is expected back from a torn knee ligament that will cost him 15 games this season, the 2009 team could realistically be without Deion Branch and Bobby Engram.

Engram is a free agent-to-be who has voiced his displeasure about the lack of a long-term contract, while Branch is due a significant salary bump -- about $1.5 million to the neighborhood of $5 million in 2009 -- despite back-to-back seasons that have been plagued with injuries.

The offensive line also needs help, particularly at center and guard. And Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones is 34 years old and nearing the end of his run.

The lack of productivity in the running game also might prove the need to add a young, dynamic running back to the mix.

If there is a single position on offense where the team looks to be in good hands for years to come, it might be at tight end. Rookie John Carlson is leading the team with 38 receptions, and with at least nine receptions over the final four weeks he will eclipse Itula Mili's franchise record for receptions by a tight end in a single season. On Thursday, Carlson led the Seahawks with six receptions for 105 yards.

"He's got a lot of talent," Hasselbeck said afterward. "We ask a lot of him, and he's handled it well. It's good to have a weapon at that position. It's not something we've necessarily taken advantage of.

"If we can have him and some other stuff going with the receivers, like we have in the past, I think it will be a good thing."

Holmgren said after Thursday's game: "I think the country got a glimpse of what's to come with John Carlson. I think he is going to develop and give us a lot to look forward to."

Perhaps the most significant loss the offense will take is the absence of one of the league's best offensive minds of the past couple decades. Holmgren is on his way out, and defensive-minded Jim Mora will take over, so the Seahawks' offense might have to start over from scratch again.

But if nothing else, recent weeks have shown that the unit might be headed in the right direction.

One baby step at a time.

Notes: After Thursday's loss, the Seahawks completed the NFC East portion of their schedule with an 0-4 record. Dallas, Washington, Philadelphia and the New York Giants outscored Seattle by an aggregate score of 124-29. The Seahawks' 20-17 home loss to Washington was the only game against an NFC East opponent that was within 17 points. … Seattle went winless in November for the first time since 1989. The last time the Seahawks had a winless month was in Oct. 2000. Seattle wrapped up October and November with a record of 1-7, its worst two-month stretch since posting the same record over the final two months of the 1992 season.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA