The landscape of professional sports in North America has changed so much with the introduction of the salary cap to most leagues. We always talk about how much a specific player is making or how much room a team has left under the cap. Fans know more about the business side of the game than maybe ever before.
Another aspect that people like to talk about is “the window of opportunity”. In the salary cap world, the time in which a team can be strong enough to win a championship is very small. If they don’t capitalize within the timeframe, the ramifications may be severe. This has held true for the Seattle Seahawks.
After five straight seasons from 2003-2007 in which they won at least 9 games each season, the last two years have been miserable with records of 4-12 in 2008 and 5-11 last year. And judging by the talent they put out onto the field for this go-around, it should be no better for 2010.
The complete unknown is how new head coach Pete Carroll is going to do in his second big-league stint. Everyone knows how successful he was in moulding USC into a college power-house, but after failing in his first attempt at the NFL level, will that winning experience make him any different this time around?
Matt Hasselbeck is back to lead the Seahawks offense, but he may be in for a long season if the rest of his offense plays to expectations. Julius Jones is slated to be the starting running back. On most teams, he would be a back-up or an after-thought, but he gets the spot by default (for now). The wide receiver position is thin also. Nate Burleson moved on to Detroit making TJ Houshmandzadeh the number one receiver. John Carlson is a good, young tight-end who will be a nice outlet. The biggest issue will be the offensive line, despite the drafting of Russell Okung at the 6 spot. It’s inexperienced and will be exposed throughout the season.
Defensively, the Seahawks could be in trouble as well. Except for Marcus Trufant and Lofa Tatupu, Seattle just doesn’t have big-time players that will make opposing offences worry too much. They will certainly need young guys like last-year’s first-rounder Aaron Curry and another first-rounder from this season in Josh Wilson to step up in the hopes of sending this defence to the next level.
Two players to watch out for in camp are Leon Washington and Golden Tate. Washington comes over from the New York Jets full of baggage as he insists to everyone that he was a starter, but was being held down by the Jets. Well, Julius Jones may be the starting running back with the least amount of job security in the NFL. If you’re truly that good, take the spot. As for Tate, he was taken 60th overall in this year’s draft and was considered a steal. With the WR spot as weak as it is, he may be in line to be a starter sooner rather than later.
2010 Prediction: 4-12