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Holmgren: Must see progress from Seahawks' 'young' guys
By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY
Finesse is fine, but it is finished.
The Seattle Seahawks' slip-and-slide running game, successful for years, is moving toward more brute power, though it won't emphasize physicality alone. This reconfigured ground attack must be sharper for the Seahawks to make one more run at the Super Bowl in coach Mike Holmgren's 10th and final season.
These aren't easy changes. Most noticeable will be the guys carrying the ball. The Seahawks cut Shaun Alexander after two injury-filled seasons and signed Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. They added guard Mike Wahle, who offers not only brawn but also textbook execution, to plug the hole created two years ago by the defection of Steve Hutchinson. They brought in Mike Solari, last with the Kansas City Chiefs, to coach the line and bring back its edge.
OFFSEASON REPORTS: In-depth visit with all 32 teams
PHOTOS: NFL cheerleaders on the gridiron
Yes, it is fair to assume Holmgren did not enjoy watching his team rank 20th in the league in rushing in 2007, even as it won the NFC West for a fourth consecutive year.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Super Bowl | Missouri | Dallas Cowboys | Pittsburgh Steelers | Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | Seattle Seahawks | Detroit Lions | Kansas City Chiefs | Mike Holmgren | Shaun Alexander | NFC West | Julius Jones | Walter | Steve Hutchinson | Nate Burleson | Mike Wahle | Maurice Morris | Robbie | Marion Barber III | Courtney Taylor | Duckett | Mike Solari | Jordan Kent | Logan Payne
"I really thought we made too many errors last year, and I am not talking physical errors necessarily. I am talking mental errors, more than we have in the past. … I want to see that improved," Holmgren says.
"Secondly, the technique of some of the fellas — they have been playing enough now. Some of the guys that I called young last year I am not going to call young anymore. They have played enough now; let's get it going, and let's see some improvement. Lastly, you have to see it come together — a cohesive unit — and then our new running backs have to learn it."
The Seahawks won't alter the playbook as much as the roster. Solari will work within that framework.
"Mike has a tough job because we are not going to change our scheme too much, and so he had to learn our scheme, how we run our offense," Holmgren says.
Alexander ran for 1,880 yards to lead the league and set a record with 27 rushing touchdowns in 2005 — the effort earned him the MVP award — as the Seahawks surged into their first and only Super Bowl appearance, a 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he gained fewer yards than that in the next two years combined and appeared to have lost a step. Problems up front also hurt.
"We had such a good, productive offensive line that year," Holmgren says. "Then you lose (retired center Robbie) Tobeck and Hutchinson. Then you substitute young players, so you're going to have a change.
"(Tackle) Walter (Jones) was a little nicked up the last couple years, so that's going to have some effect. Maybe the biggest one is that Shaun was hurt. Both years he got hurt. You put all that together, and you kind of get what you get."
Alexander will be replaced by Julius Jones, the former Dallas Cowboys starter, and backup Maurice Morris. Duckett, a 2002 No. 1 pick by the Atlanta Falcons, was used lightly by the Detroit Lions in 2007 and must find a role. And the starter is?
"We probably won't make that decision right until late. We'll go into training camp," Holmgren says. "You know Mo (Morris) and Julius are going to carry the ball a good portion of the time. Leonard's (Weaver) going to be our starting fullback. The one I have to figure out a little bit is how we are going to use Duckett."
Alexander tended to hesitate behind the line before picking a running lane. Jones is more apt to burst through holes with his granite physique and dish out punishment, though he also possesses the speed to hit home runs.
Jones split time with Marion Barber III in Dallas and didn't like it all that well. He's not unhappy with the current situation, though.
"This is a whole different thing here. I am coming into a situation where we have two new backs and one back that has been here for a while. We are going to have to get some things sorted out and see where it lands," he says.
As a rookie, Jones rarely came off the field. He wouldn't mind showing the full extent of his talents again.
"My first two years in Dallas, they allowed me to be an every-down back. The last two, I really had that taken away from me. I pride myself on being an every-down back. I can block, I can run the ball, I can catch," Jones says, "so hopefully I will get a chance to show that here."
This offense will also reflect change at wide receiver. Deion Branch (knee) won't be around until the early part of the season, if then. Bobby Engram, coming off a career year, skipped offseason voluntary work to make a point about his contract, and then hinted at holding out during training camp. D.J. Hackett signed with the Carolina Panthers.
That makes Nate Burleson the focal point of the aerial game, with a bunch of youngsters fighting for playing time. That group includes Ben Obamanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent.
Burleson also returns punts and kicks and might have to do less of one or both if he's a starting receiver.
"I would say that we are going to have to see how that goes. He's a valuable special-teams player, and he's good for us. But if he is our starting split end, I might have to re-evaluate that," Holmgren says. "Then I have to see if someone can do what he did. We are working on that."
That's what Holmgren's final season looks like right now — a work in progress.
AROUND THE FIELD IN SEATTLE
• Quarterback: The offense landed on Matt Hasselbeck's right arm last year when the running game failed. He responded with club-record performances in completions and passing yards while going to his third Pro Bowl. He is a sturdy and smart professional. Backup Seneca Wallace offers mobility.
• Running back: Talk about makeovers. No more Shaun Alexander, and fullback Mack Strong retired last season after a neck injury. Expect Julius Jones to start and Maurice Morris to get plenty of snaps. The Seahawks might look at T.J. Duckett as a fullback, but they love Leonard Weaver's blocking.
• Wide receiver: Lots of young players here, and they might have to produce. Deion Branch (knee) could be out until October. Bobby Engram's unhappiness with his contract could lead to a holdout. Slippery with the ball in his hands, Nate Burleson doubles up on special teams as a kick returner.
• Tight end: Seattle spent a second-rounder on John Carlson to bolster a weakness. He must overtake Will Heller and Jeb Putzier for playing time. No, that's not like scaling Mount St. Helens.
• Offensive line: Left tackle Walter Jones is among the best to play at the position; Sean Locklear is reliable on the other side. The interior gets a new look. Rob Sims moves from left guard to right, accommodating Mike Wahle's arrival. Chris Spencer is the center.
• Defensive line: Ends Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp provide excellent pressure; they are joined by first-rounder Lawrence Jackson. Seattle must be firmer against the run, which is where rookie tackle Red Bryant will help if oft-injured Marcus Tubbs can't.
• Linebacker: An excellent group of quick, agile players. Julian Peterson can line up anywhere. LeRoy Hill is also solid on the outside. Lofa Tatupu fills the middle. All of them can hit, run and cover. D.D. Lewis returns after a year with the Denver Broncos and aids on special teams.
• Secondary: Pro Bowler Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings and Jordan Babineaux are solid at the corners. Josh Wilson adds blazing speed. Safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell are journeymen but worked well together last year to improve a disaster area. Grant got high marks for leadership, and Russell is good in the deep middle.
• Special teams: Valuable kicker Josh Brown was signed by the St. Louis Rams, leaving Olindo Mare and rookie Brandon Coutu to fight for the job. That's not an equal tradeoff. Brown was the Seahawks' franchise player in 2007. Burleson did a nice job on punt and kickoff returns but could yield some of the latter duties to Wilson if he is the primary receiver.
• Coaching staff: Former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim L. Mora is the designated replacement for Mike Holmgren. Mora will run the secondary in 2008. Keith Gilbertson moves from the offensive line to coaching receivers and has a challenging job with so many youngsters who might need to play. Mike Solari must re-energize the offensive line. Bruce DeHaven is as good a special-teams coach as there is.
• Outlook: The Seahawks play one brand of football at home, where a loud crowd gives their defense a half-step advantage getting off the ball, and another on the road. They have to be better in the other guy's backyard. The running game should perk up with the addition of Julius Jones and another year of experience up front for Sims and Spencer. Seattle is sound defensively but needs to improve toughness in the middle. The division competitors are all improved, but so are the Seahawks. They should be the favorites for a fifth consecutive division title and maybe more as Holmgren bows out.
By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY
Finesse is fine, but it is finished.
The Seattle Seahawks' slip-and-slide running game, successful for years, is moving toward more brute power, though it won't emphasize physicality alone. This reconfigured ground attack must be sharper for the Seahawks to make one more run at the Super Bowl in coach Mike Holmgren's 10th and final season.
These aren't easy changes. Most noticeable will be the guys carrying the ball. The Seahawks cut Shaun Alexander after two injury-filled seasons and signed Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. They added guard Mike Wahle, who offers not only brawn but also textbook execution, to plug the hole created two years ago by the defection of Steve Hutchinson. They brought in Mike Solari, last with the Kansas City Chiefs, to coach the line and bring back its edge.
OFFSEASON REPORTS: In-depth visit with all 32 teams
PHOTOS: NFL cheerleaders on the gridiron
Yes, it is fair to assume Holmgren did not enjoy watching his team rank 20th in the league in rushing in 2007, even as it won the NFC West for a fourth consecutive year.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Super Bowl | Missouri | Dallas Cowboys | Pittsburgh Steelers | Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | Seattle Seahawks | Detroit Lions | Kansas City Chiefs | Mike Holmgren | Shaun Alexander | NFC West | Julius Jones | Walter | Steve Hutchinson | Nate Burleson | Mike Wahle | Maurice Morris | Robbie | Marion Barber III | Courtney Taylor | Duckett | Mike Solari | Jordan Kent | Logan Payne
"I really thought we made too many errors last year, and I am not talking physical errors necessarily. I am talking mental errors, more than we have in the past. … I want to see that improved," Holmgren says.
"Secondly, the technique of some of the fellas — they have been playing enough now. Some of the guys that I called young last year I am not going to call young anymore. They have played enough now; let's get it going, and let's see some improvement. Lastly, you have to see it come together — a cohesive unit — and then our new running backs have to learn it."
The Seahawks won't alter the playbook as much as the roster. Solari will work within that framework.
"Mike has a tough job because we are not going to change our scheme too much, and so he had to learn our scheme, how we run our offense," Holmgren says.
Alexander ran for 1,880 yards to lead the league and set a record with 27 rushing touchdowns in 2005 — the effort earned him the MVP award — as the Seahawks surged into their first and only Super Bowl appearance, a 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he gained fewer yards than that in the next two years combined and appeared to have lost a step. Problems up front also hurt.
"We had such a good, productive offensive line that year," Holmgren says. "Then you lose (retired center Robbie) Tobeck and Hutchinson. Then you substitute young players, so you're going to have a change.
"(Tackle) Walter (Jones) was a little nicked up the last couple years, so that's going to have some effect. Maybe the biggest one is that Shaun was hurt. Both years he got hurt. You put all that together, and you kind of get what you get."
Alexander will be replaced by Julius Jones, the former Dallas Cowboys starter, and backup Maurice Morris. Duckett, a 2002 No. 1 pick by the Atlanta Falcons, was used lightly by the Detroit Lions in 2007 and must find a role. And the starter is?
"We probably won't make that decision right until late. We'll go into training camp," Holmgren says. "You know Mo (Morris) and Julius are going to carry the ball a good portion of the time. Leonard's (Weaver) going to be our starting fullback. The one I have to figure out a little bit is how we are going to use Duckett."
Alexander tended to hesitate behind the line before picking a running lane. Jones is more apt to burst through holes with his granite physique and dish out punishment, though he also possesses the speed to hit home runs.
Jones split time with Marion Barber III in Dallas and didn't like it all that well. He's not unhappy with the current situation, though.
"This is a whole different thing here. I am coming into a situation where we have two new backs and one back that has been here for a while. We are going to have to get some things sorted out and see where it lands," he says.
As a rookie, Jones rarely came off the field. He wouldn't mind showing the full extent of his talents again.
"My first two years in Dallas, they allowed me to be an every-down back. The last two, I really had that taken away from me. I pride myself on being an every-down back. I can block, I can run the ball, I can catch," Jones says, "so hopefully I will get a chance to show that here."
This offense will also reflect change at wide receiver. Deion Branch (knee) won't be around until the early part of the season, if then. Bobby Engram, coming off a career year, skipped offseason voluntary work to make a point about his contract, and then hinted at holding out during training camp. D.J. Hackett signed with the Carolina Panthers.
That makes Nate Burleson the focal point of the aerial game, with a bunch of youngsters fighting for playing time. That group includes Ben Obamanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent.
Burleson also returns punts and kicks and might have to do less of one or both if he's a starting receiver.
"I would say that we are going to have to see how that goes. He's a valuable special-teams player, and he's good for us. But if he is our starting split end, I might have to re-evaluate that," Holmgren says. "Then I have to see if someone can do what he did. We are working on that."
That's what Holmgren's final season looks like right now — a work in progress.
AROUND THE FIELD IN SEATTLE
• Quarterback: The offense landed on Matt Hasselbeck's right arm last year when the running game failed. He responded with club-record performances in completions and passing yards while going to his third Pro Bowl. He is a sturdy and smart professional. Backup Seneca Wallace offers mobility.
• Running back: Talk about makeovers. No more Shaun Alexander, and fullback Mack Strong retired last season after a neck injury. Expect Julius Jones to start and Maurice Morris to get plenty of snaps. The Seahawks might look at T.J. Duckett as a fullback, but they love Leonard Weaver's blocking.
• Wide receiver: Lots of young players here, and they might have to produce. Deion Branch (knee) could be out until October. Bobby Engram's unhappiness with his contract could lead to a holdout. Slippery with the ball in his hands, Nate Burleson doubles up on special teams as a kick returner.
• Tight end: Seattle spent a second-rounder on John Carlson to bolster a weakness. He must overtake Will Heller and Jeb Putzier for playing time. No, that's not like scaling Mount St. Helens.
• Offensive line: Left tackle Walter Jones is among the best to play at the position; Sean Locklear is reliable on the other side. The interior gets a new look. Rob Sims moves from left guard to right, accommodating Mike Wahle's arrival. Chris Spencer is the center.
• Defensive line: Ends Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp provide excellent pressure; they are joined by first-rounder Lawrence Jackson. Seattle must be firmer against the run, which is where rookie tackle Red Bryant will help if oft-injured Marcus Tubbs can't.
• Linebacker: An excellent group of quick, agile players. Julian Peterson can line up anywhere. LeRoy Hill is also solid on the outside. Lofa Tatupu fills the middle. All of them can hit, run and cover. D.D. Lewis returns after a year with the Denver Broncos and aids on special teams.
• Secondary: Pro Bowler Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings and Jordan Babineaux are solid at the corners. Josh Wilson adds blazing speed. Safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell are journeymen but worked well together last year to improve a disaster area. Grant got high marks for leadership, and Russell is good in the deep middle.
• Special teams: Valuable kicker Josh Brown was signed by the St. Louis Rams, leaving Olindo Mare and rookie Brandon Coutu to fight for the job. That's not an equal tradeoff. Brown was the Seahawks' franchise player in 2007. Burleson did a nice job on punt and kickoff returns but could yield some of the latter duties to Wilson if he is the primary receiver.
• Coaching staff: Former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim L. Mora is the designated replacement for Mike Holmgren. Mora will run the secondary in 2008. Keith Gilbertson moves from the offensive line to coaching receivers and has a challenging job with so many youngsters who might need to play. Mike Solari must re-energize the offensive line. Bruce DeHaven is as good a special-teams coach as there is.
• Outlook: The Seahawks play one brand of football at home, where a loud crowd gives their defense a half-step advantage getting off the ball, and another on the road. They have to be better in the other guy's backyard. The running game should perk up with the addition of Julius Jones and another year of experience up front for Sims and Spencer. Seattle is sound defensively but needs to improve toughness in the middle. The division competitors are all improved, but so are the Seahawks. They should be the favorites for a fifth consecutive division title and maybe more as Holmgren bows out.
HHHmmmm some people must have forgot that we drafted Felix.
