Can Seattle keep it going?

By Darrell Laurant  |   Monday, February 13, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Seattle Seahawks
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As the saying goes, only one team can finish the NFL season with a winning streak -- and in 2005-06, it wasn't the Seattle Seahawks.

While getting to the Super Bowl was a major accomplishment for a franchise that had become famous (or infamous) for its lack of success in the post-season, the Seahawks' 21-10 loss to Pittsburgh in Detroit left Seahawks' fans crying in their decaf lattes. There were all those questions about the officiating, to be sure, but also the realization that their team was unable to rise to the occasion in the second half.

So can the Seattle Seahawks return to the big stage again? That will depend upon the next big game, the one played during the off-season with cell phones and checkbooks.

No less than 15 Seahawks could be eligible for free agency, including the players ranked first and second on the free agent list by Scout.com -- running back Shaun Alexander and left offensive guard Steve Hutchinson.

All Alexander did was lead the league in rushing with 1,880 yards and score an NFL record 28 touchdowns. He had a relatively quiet Super Bowl, drawing lots of attention from the Steeler linebackers, but still managed a respectable 95 yards in 20 carries.

Hutchinson, meanwhile, had a lot to do with the success of Matt Hasselbeck, doggedly and efficiently covering the young quarterback's back. In fact, since Alexander's expiring contract makes him ineligible for the team's franchise tag, the 6-5, 313-pound four-year veteran is the favorite to earn that label.

"I'd like to stay in Seattle," Hutchinson said, "and we've got a good thing going."

Hasselbeck, the best bald quarterback in the NFL since Y.A. Tittle, should consider slipping Hutch a few thousand to sweeten the incentive. He could write it off on his taxes as a personal injury policy.

Alexander has been more coy. He and his agent are currently engaged in talks with the Seahawks, but he came back from the Pro Bowl seemingly enthralled with the Carolina Panthers. "They seem like they'd be a fun bunch of guys to play with," he said.

Much wooing of Alexander went on among the other Pro Bowl participants, leading him to add: "It's an exciting opportunity for me, having all these teams come at me. That's cool."

Of course, it won't be so cool for the Seattle Seahawks if Alexander flies the coop. His 2005 backup was Maurice Morris, certainly a serviceable No. 2 man, but hardly someone to lead them back to the Super Bowl.

Other key Seahawk free agents include DT Rocky Bernard, who became a fan favorite late in the season; FB Mack Strong, a Pro Bowler; and wideout Joe Jurevicius.

Given the re-emergence of Darrell Jackson, Jurevicius might not be needed. Strong will be a priority to sign, however, and Bernard was emerging as a leader on a very young defense. The other free agents might be considered interchangeable parts.

All of this uncertainty makes the draft a crapshoot at this point. Should Alexander leave and the Seahawks not be able to sign another free-agent running back (a list topped by Edgerrin James), a college running back would suddenly become a high priority. The problem, of course, is that Seattle's place in the drafting order would make it impossible to get a LenDale White or Lawrence Maroney - someone capable of becoming a starter immediately.

From officials to agents, it's never easy to stay on top in the NFL.
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