Seattle Seahawks Better Not Screw This Draft Up

Published on January 4, 2009 by Seahawk Fanatic     

In 1976, the Seattle Seahawks entered into the National Football League as an expansion team, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since then, the ‘Hawks have won six division titles, the 1988 and 1999 AFC West titles, the 2004-2007 NFC West titles, have made their conference championship game twice, the 1983 AFC Championship and the 2005 NFC Championship, and have made the Super Bowl once, in 2005.

Ever since losing the Super Bowl, the Seahawks have never been able to regain that success. Seahawk greats, such as Shaun Alexander, who won the League MVP award in 2005, have since faded from memory.

This season, the Seahawks were not able to defend their NFC West Crown, finishing with four wins and 12 losses; their first losing record and their first missed playoff appearance since 2002.

Not exactly the season Seattle hoped for with Mike Holmgren retiring. With the Mike Holmgren era of Seattle Seahawks football having come to a close, the Jim Mora era begins.

Now more than ever, it is most important for the Seahawks to have a successful draft in order to rebuild their team back to its 2005 strength.

That being said, what should the Seahawks’ front office do on draft day in order to rebuild this struggling team? Should Seattle keep their No. 4 pick and sign a high-profile (and expensive) rookie, or try to trade the pick away for players and/or other picks?

Many football fans will tell you that the quarterback is the most important position on the entire football team. Do not listen to anyone who tells you this nonsense. While quarterbacks lead their team, they are not the most important players. The two most vital components to a successful football team are the offensive and defensive lines.

It does not matter how great a quarterback or running back is. If a team does not have a great offensive line, the offense will struggle because their backfield will not be protected. The same thing goes on the defensive side of the ball.

A football team can have the most talented secondary in all of professional football, but if their defensive line is not pressuring the quarterback or stuffing the running game, it will be a long and hard season for that team.

That being said, in order for the Seahawks to return to their glory days atop the NFC, their offensive and defensive lines need a lot of work.

When Seattle won the NFC Championship in 2005, many credited the fantastic play of QB Matt Hasselbeck and RB Shaun Alexander as the common denominator to Seattle’s success. While both players had career seasons, it was the stellar Seahawk offensive line that allowed both players to have such career seasons.

Anchored by two all-pro offensive linemen Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson, the Seahawks ran over and picked apart their foes. The Seahawks still have Jones but lost Hutchinson to the free agency, who currently blocks for the Minnesota Vikings. Still, Jones is only getting older. Seattle must plan ahead and start stocking up on young, talented offensive linemen filled with potential.

The defensive line has been hampered by injuries this season but does not need as extensive work when healthy. That being said, it narrows down the choices as to whom Seattle should select with the No. 4 pick, a young, talented offensive lineman. But whom should the Seahawks select?

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