Will Hawks beef up their defense?

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 20, 2004

KIRKLAND – Simple mathematics could dictate what the Seattle Seahawks will do with their first-round draft choice this Saturday, but basic history tells an entirely different story.

When the Seahawks took the field for a three-day minicamp earlier this month, they had three linebackers, three safeties and three defensive tackles in uniform. All are positions of need, and each will probably be upgraded at some point this weekend.

But when it comes to Seattle’s first-round pick, fulfilling a need isn’t always the way to go.

The Seahawks went into last year’s draft looking for the same three positions, but came out of the first day (Rounds 1 through 3) with only safety Ken Hamlin to show for it. They waited until the fourth round to nab a middle linebacker (Solomon Bates) and the sixth to address the need at defensive tackle (Rashad Moore, followed by a trade that brought Norman Hand in exchange for a second sixth-round pick).

One could make the argument that the Seahawks have been looking for a defensive tackle and middle linebacker since just about the time coach Mike Holmgren arrived in 1999.

Defensive tackle Sam Adams left via free agency in 2000, and Cortez Kennedy was aging, so the Seahawks were looking to upgrade the position heading into that draft. But not until five rounds had passed did Seattle address the need. Sixth-round picks Tim Watson and John Hilliard did not work out, so the team went into each of the last three drafts looking for help again.

In 2001, Georgia’s Richard Seymour almost fell to Seattle at No. 7, but was taken one pick earlier by New England. The Seahawks traded down two spots and selected wide receiver Koren Robinson.

The following year, Seattle tried to trade into the top 15 to get a crack at one of four defensive tackles. When that didn’t happen, they traded down from the No. 20 spot and took tight end Jerramy Stevens.

Last year seemed like the draft when Seattle would finally spend a top pick upgrading the position, but the Seahawks couldn’t pass up on cornerback Marcus Trufant over defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy at No. 11. Based on their rookie performances, the selection of Trufant was the right choice by a landslide (Kennedy went one pick later and was virtually a non-factor in St. Louis).

It also worked out for Seattle last year because Moore eventually became a starter and more than held his own.

Moore and fellow starter Cedric Woodard are back, but depth is a concern following the losses of Chad Eaton (released), John Randle (retired) and Norman Hand (released).

There are plenty of options in this year’s draft, with four or five defensive tackles expected to go in Round 1. Oklahoma’s Tommie Harris is a likely top-15 pick, while Miami’s Vince Wilfork might also go that high. Chances are that Seattle will have its choice of at least two of the following defensive tackles at No. 23: Randy Starks (Maryland), Darnell Dockett (Florida State) and Marcus Tubbs (Texas).

The Seahawks have been trying to fill the middle linebacker position for just as long. They have used eight different starters at the position since 1998, with a new player manning the position in each season opener.

Last year’s starter, Randall Godfrey, left via free agency. That leaves Orlando Huff and Bates as the only true middle linebackers on the roster, and both players underwent offseason surgeries that will keep them out until training camp.

Miami’s Jonathan Vilma is the cream of this year’s draft crop, but it is unlikely that he’ll fall to No. 23. The best prospects after him are Georgia Tech’s Daryl Smith and Auburn’s Dontarrious Thomas, and neither is considered worthy of a first-round pick.

At safety, the Seahawks have Hamlin, veteran Damien Robinson and oft-injured Terreal Bierria. Hamlin will start at free safety, while Robinson is the front-runner for the starting spot vacated by Reggie Tongue at strong safety. But Seattle would like to upgrade the position at some point in the draft.

Miami’s Sean Taylor, who has drawn comparisons to Ronnie Lott, could be a top-5 pick. There is a big dropoff in talent after Taylor, so it might be a reach to take a safety anywhere else in the first round.

The Seahawks lack depth in the middle of their defense following the losses of Hand, Eaton, Randle, Godfrey and Tongue.

The Seahawks got defensive end Grant Wistrom and cornerback Bobby Taylor in free agency, so now they’ll look inward.

“With Grant and Bobby entering the picture, we’ve strengthened our edges,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “We have to really focus right down the center. I think we have some depth on the edges: defensive end, cornerback and outside linebacker.”

The Seahawks haven’t drafted a defensive tackle in the first round since 1994 (Sam Adams), haven’t taken a middle linebacker in Round 1 since the 1987 supplemental draft (Brian Bosworth) and have gone 23 years without taking a safety in the first round (Kenny Easley, 1981).

Historically speaking, those positions won’t get addressed in Saturday’s first round. But simple math could set a new precedent.

Of note: The Sea Gals will hold an open audition for their 2004 squad this Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Club Restaurant at Seahawks Stadium. All participants are asked to bring picture identification and a snapshot. Attire is limited to two-piece dancewear, and tennis or dance shoes are recommended. … Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck will be among eight quarterbacks to take part in this weekend’s 989 Sports NFL Quarterback Challenge. The event will be televised on CBS in July.