08/26/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Things are starting to change in Seattle. However, for the Seahawks and their fans, the hope is that the alterations the club is undergoing won't affect what has been a very successful run.
The Seahawks enter this year knowing it will be the last under head coach Mike Holmgren, who will be stepping away from football at the end of this season. Thankfully for the Emerald City, there won't be any Brett Favre-like distractions surfacing, as Seattle has already named assistant and defensive backs coach Jim Mora Jr. his successor.
Holmgren has gone 82-62 in the regular season since joining the Seahawks in 1999. He took the Seahawks to the postseason in his first year, snapping a 10- season absence from the playoffs, and guided the club to a Super Bowl appearance following the 2005 regular season. Seattle also enters this season as defending NFC West champions for a fourth straight year.
The division was expected to be a little tighter last year, but Seattle went 5-1 versus fellow NFC West residents and used a five-game winning streak from November 12-December 9 to wrap up the division.
Seattle was able to roll past an emotionally-charged Washington Redskins club thanks to a solid late effort by the defense in the playoff's first round, but the Seahawks saw a 14-0 lead over Green Bay in the NFC Division playoff series evaporate into a 42-20 setback.
Due to the breakdown of former MVP running back Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks relied heavily on the pass last year while riding the coattails of a defense that was tied for sixth in the league in points allowed, while amassing 45 sacks (4th in the NFL) and 20 interceptions (tied for 4th).
Seattle set a pair of team records on offense due to the pass-heavy schemes, posting new marks in passing yards (Matt Hasselbeck - 3,966) and receptions (Bobby Engram - 94), and finally realized that Alexander is no longer the back he once was, releasing its all-time leading rusher in late April.
Newcomers Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett join holdover Maurice Morris in the backfield, one that Seattle hopes has more speed and durability.
Defensively, the club returns the same unit from last year. That's one area of the club that has yet to be touched by the winds of change.
Below we take a capsule look at the 2008 edition of the Seattle Seahawks, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:
2007 RECORD: 10-6 (1st, NFC West)
LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2007, lost to Green Bay, 42-20, in NFC Divisional Playoff
COACH (RECORD): Mike Holmgren (82-62 in nine seasons with Seahawks, 157-99 overall)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Gil Haskell
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Marshall
OFFENSIVE STAR: Matt Hasselbeck, QB (3966 passing yards, 28 TD, 12 INT)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Julian Peterson, DE (74 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 2 INT)
OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 20th rushing, 8th passing, t9th scoring
DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 12th rushing, 19th passing, t6th scoring
KEY ADDITIONS: RB Julius Jones (from Cowboys), RB T.J. Duckett (from Lions), FB Owen Schmitt (5th Round, West Virginia), TE John Carlson (2nd Round, Notre Dame), TE Jeb Putzier (from Texans), G Mike Wahle (from Panthers), DE Lawrence Jackson (1st Round, USC), DT Larry Tripplett (from Bills), DT Chris Cooper (from Cardinals), LB D.D. Lewis (from Broncos), K Olindo Mare (from Saints), K Brandon Coutu (7th Round, Georgia), P Reggie Hodges (free agent)
KEY DEPARTURES: RB Shaun Alexander (released), WR D.J. Hackett (to Panthers), TE Marcus Pollard (to Patriots), G Chris Gray (retired) DT Ellis Wyms (to Vikings), DT Chuck Darby (to Lions), DT Marcus Tubbs (released), LB Kevin Bentley (to Texans), LB Niko Koutouvides (to Broncos), K Josh Brown (to Rams)
QB: Things stay the same under center for the Seahawks, as Hasselbeck (3966 passing yards, 28 TD, 12 INT) enters his sixth straight season as Seattle's number one quarterback. Since taking over full-time duties from Trent Dilfer in 2002, Hasselbeck has been to three Pro Bowls, including last year when he also set new franchise records for completions (352) and pass attempts (562) in a season while also posting a career-high 28 passing touchdowns. Set to turn 33 at the end of September, Seattle would love to give its quarterback better run support this year, but at least know that Hasselbeck, who has been battling a stiff back in preseason, can respond to the pressure. Seneca Wallace backs up Hasselbeck again this year, while Seattle has an experienced emergency quarterback in Charlie Frye.
RB: It will look odd without Alexander in the backfield this year, but the time had come for Seattle to part ways with its former workhorse. Alexander is a mere shell of the back that rushed for 1,880 yards and scored a total of 28 touchdowns during a 2005 MVP campaign, as multiple injuries have hampered him over the last two seasons. That left a bulk of carries last year for Morris (628 rushing yards, 4 TD), who averaged a full yard per carry more than Alexander. However, the club still brought in Jones and Duckett to make the backfield bigger and faster. Jones (588 rushing yards, 2 TD) shared time in Dallas last year and could likely do that again in Seattle, while the 254- pound Duckett (335 rushing yards, 3 TD with Lions) can relieve the two in short-yardage situations. Part of Seattle's rushing woes from last year could be blamed on the sudden retirement of Mack Strong due to a neck injury. That forced Leonard Weaver (146 rushing yards, 1 TD, 39 receptions) into a starting role, and he struggled in the blocking game. Seattle used its fifth-round pick to draft fullback Owen Schmitt out of West Virginia.
WR/TE: Seattle entered last year with four capable wide receivers, a good thing because two of them missed time with injury. D.J. Hackett was limited to six games last year due to injury and signed with Carolina as a free agent, while Deion Branch (49 receptions, 4 TD) missed five tests because of a foot, and later calf, ailment before injuring his ACL in the playoffs. That has the former Super Bowl MVP doubtful for the start of the season. Engram shouldered most of the load last year, racking up 1,147 receiving yards and six touchdowns, but the 35-year-old suffered a cracked shoulder in Seattle's preseason opener and could miss up to the first three weeks of the regular season. That will give wideouts Nate Burleson (50 receptions, 9 TD), Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor chances to shine early. The Seahawks got little production out of the tight end spot last year, and that could also be the case again this year. Will Heller (13 receptions, 3 TD), free agent pickup Jeb Putzier and second-round pick John Carlson out of Notre Dame are Holmgren's options at that position.
OL: This unit struggled last year, its second since the departure of Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson to Minnesota and first since the retirement of center Robbie Tobeck after the 2006 season. Seattle ranked 20th in the league in rushing last year at 101.2 yards per game and allowed 36 sacks, tied for 14th in the NFL. Left tackle Walter Jones was the lone bright spot, as he was selected to his seventh straight Pro Bowl. Seattle made its left side stronger when it signed two-time Pro Bowl participant Mike Wahle after he was cut by Carolina, while the club also hopes that center Chris Spencer and right guard Rob Sims can improve after becoming full-time starters last year. Sean Locklear started all 16 games at right tackle in 2007 after a rough previous season. The club did lose some depth when guard Chris Gray retired due to a back/spine injury suffered early in training camp.
DL: The Seahawks managed to post 45 sacks last year, fourth-best in the NFL. Ends Patrick Kerney (62 tackles, 14.5 sacks) and Darryl Tapp (49 tackles, 7 sacks) combined for 21 1/2 of those, with Kerney setting a new career high while being selected to start the Pro Bowl. Despite outstanding seasons by that duo last year, the Seahawks still drafted 270-pound defensive end Lawrence Jackson out of USC in the first round of the 2008 draft. Jackson is a good talent, though, and Kerney will be 32 in December. Rocky Bernard (35 tackles. 3.5 sacks) and Brandon Mebane (19 tackles, 2 sacks) return to fill in the middle of a line that was ranked 12th in the league against the rush last year. Seattle added some more size to the defensive tackle spot when it drafted 328-pound Texas A&M product Red Bryant in the fourth-round of the draft.
LB: The Seahawks' linebacking group produced a pair of Pro Bowl starters in outside linebacker Julian Peterson and middle man Lofa Tatupu. The versatile Peterson showed once and for all he is past a 2004 Achilles tendon injury, posting 74 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks, while Tatupu (1 sack, 4 INT) led the team with 109 tackles and was given a six-year contract extension following last season. Leroy Hill (81 tackles, 3 sacks) rounds out Seattle's explosive unit and is no slouch himself given his ability to accomplish everything that is asked by the coaching staff. Seattle lost Kevin Bentley and Niko Koutouvides as free agents, adding D.D. Lewis to the unit. Lance Laury and David Hawthorne also backup.
DB: The secondary is another strong unit for Seattle, and like the linebackers also features a Pro Bowl selection in corner Marcus Trufant. Trufant (85 tackles, 7 INT) set a career-high in interceptions last year, earning him a new six-year contract after Seattle had placed the franchise tag on the former first-round pick. Opposite Trufant is Kelly Jennings (55 tackles), who served as a starter last year in just his second season in the NFL. Seattle entered last year with two fresh faces at safety in Deon Grant and Brian Russell, and both performed very well. With Grant (78 tackles, 3 INT) at the free safety position, and Russell (68 tackles, 1 INT) manning the strong spot, Seattle tied for sixth in the NFL in points allowed. Jordan Babineaux (63 tackles, 1 INT) can back up either the safety or corner spots, while second-year corner Josh Wilson aims for another year of improvement.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Seahawks saw kicker Josh Brown, who had spent the last five seasons in Seattle, leave to division-rival St. Louis in the offseason, replacing him with 35-year-old Olindo Mare while also drafting Brandon Coutu out of Georgia in the seventh round. Mare made just 10-of-17 field goal attempts with New Orleans last year before a hip injury ended his season early. Ryan Plackemeier returns to handle punting duties. Seattle has Burleson (21.9 kick return avg., 11.3 punt return avg.) slated to return punts and kicks on its depth chart, but with the lack of depth and injuries at the wideout spot, would love for Wilson (27.5 kick return avg.) or Obomanu to steal the job away. Seattle raised some eyebrows went it used a sixth-round pick to draft long snapper Tyler Schmitt.
PROGNOSIS: Seattle didn't necessarily get better in the offseason, but it didn't really need to either. The club should be concerned about the lack of health and capable bodies at the wideout spots, meaning the three-headed dragon at running back needs to take the Seahawks' ground game way beyond where it was at last year. Still, Seattle is very good on the defensive side of the ball, which will help compensate for when the offense is off track. A fifth straight NFC West title seems likely, even with a tougher schedule, and the club would love nothing more than to cap the Holmgren era with a Super Bowl win. That scenario is not out of the question by any means.
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three s
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in the desert, a .500 record was still pretty darn good.
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Chicago Bears 2008 Season Preview >>
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Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
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The Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain.
They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities.
"They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure."
Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line.
New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest.
Not so sound on the ground
If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU.
Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com
“We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star.
Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.
Brees says bring it on
Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites.
Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship.
Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game.
"I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."
SportsBooks ready for a shootout
Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses.
“This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.”
New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts.
The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game.
“Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.”
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