Seahawks have plenty of needs

It’s safe to say that the Seattle Seahawks’ offseason has gone the way of their 2008 regular season thus far.

First came the January arrest of linebacker Leroy Hill, whom the Seahawks later designated as their franchise player.

Then came last week’s scouting combine, which didn’t bring the supposed optimism to the Seahawks’ future after several projected top draft picks saw their stock drop because of injury (defensive end Brian Orakpo, wide receiver Michael Crabtree), attitude (tackle Andre Smith) or lack of speed (cornerback Malcolm Jenkins).

Beginning at 9 p.m. today, the Seahawks finally get a chance to start changing their fortunes. NFL free agency begins, and Seattle has plenty of needs that could be addressed.

The most likely targets could be Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and Cincinnati wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, both of whom should bring big price tags. Getting one of them would mark a successful free-agent signing period, while the possibility of nabbing both is remote at best.

Haynesworth, whom many people believe had the best season of any defensive player in the NFL last season, would add needed size to the interior of Seattle’s defensive line. But he could be the most sought-after free agent and he has questions about motivation — especially after he signs a big contract.

Several teams will vie for Haynesworth’s services, and the Seahawks appear to be a long shot to land him.

Houshmandzadeh is a more likely target, depending on how much money the Seahawks are willing to shell out. The former Bengals star is part of a solid free-agent class of veteran wide receivers that also includes Marvin Harrison, Amani Toomer and Laveranues Coles and has ties to the Pacific Northwest because he played at Oregon State University.

Several ex-Seahawks receivers will also be available, with D.J. Hackett and Joey Galloway joining Darrell Jackson on the unemployment line after being cut by their respective teams. Seattle’s coaching change is likely to squelch rumors of any reunion stories, however.

Safety is another remote possibility, should the Seahawks opt for an aging veteran like Brian Dawkins, Rodney Harrison, Darren Sharper or Lawyer Milloy to take Brian Russell’s job. Miami’s Yeremiah Bell is another option.

The Seahawks’ other needs may depend on which of their free agents return. Fullback could be a concern if Leonard Weaver takes a better offer. The offensive line could lose veterans Floyd Womack and/or Ray Willis. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, wide receiver Bobby Engram and running back Maurice Morris are also scheduled to become free agents at 9 p.m.

Veterans like wide receiver Deion Branch and linebacker Julian Peterson have big cap numbers coming up in 2009, but as of Wednesday both still appeared to be in the team’s immediate plans. Both positions are deep in free-agent talent, especially after players like Coles and Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks got cut in cost-related moves Wednesday.

The Seahawks are coming off their worst season since 1992, having gone 4-12 while suffering through countless injuries. The team won’t make a complete overhaul, but several positions will be addressed nonetheless.

Seattle’s underachieving defense could use a veteran or two, whether that means a bigger defensive tackle, a taller cornerback or another pass rusher. Wide receiver and offensive line are also obvious areas of need on a team that saw both positions decimated by injury last season.

The Seahawks should be healthy at both positions, but receiver Nate Burleson and tackle Walter Jones are among those who could miss offseason minicamps while recovering from offseason surgeries.

Of course, Seattle won’t have to address all its needs in free agency. With the No. 4 overall pick in the April draft, the Seahawks are in position to add several top players to the mix. But top-10 players like Texas defensive end Orakpo, Alabama’s Smith, Texas Tech’s Crabtree and Ohio State’s Jenkins don’t look nearly as impressive as they did before the combine.