Seahawks' Defensive Line Will Be Great in 2009

Published on March 31, 2009 by Seahawk Fanatic

In recent seasons, the Seahawks have been known for there aggressive style of defense especially on the defensive line. In 2005, the Seahawks defense had 50 sacks, in 2006 they had 41 sacks, 2007 they had 45 sacks and due to injury this past season they had 35 sacks.

So it shows when the Seahawks defense is healthy, they can be great.

Now what the Seahawks have done this off-season on the defensive line has only made them better. By signing DT Colin Cole to a five-year $21 million contract with only $5 million guaranteed it gives them a strong, BIG and talented run-stopping DT which has been a need for them for many years.

Then, their biggest defensive move of the off-season which left mixed feelings amongst Hawks fans was when they traded Pro Bowl LB Julian Peterson to the Detroit Lions for DT (will be a DE for Seattle) Cory Redding and a fifth-round pick.

Now if you look at it just like that, you would ask what was Seattle thinking but there’s a little more to it. Peterson didn’t want to restructure his contract and Redding did. Also, Peterson, while is still good, is 30 years old and entering his 11th season in the NFL. The rest of the Seahawks’ starting LB’s,Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu, are 26.

Now, by acquiring Redding it fills a need on the defensive line because he’s going to play at DE and start over Lawrence Jackson. Jackson I think will be better in a rotating role, which is what the Seahawks like to do.

Now losing Peterson creates a hole at OLB. There are a few ways to fill that void. They can sign one of many veteran LB’s that are still free agents like Derrick Brooks, Zach Thomas etc.

LB Aaron Curry won’t be there when they get to their first round pick at four. But as long as they have Hill and Tatupu, they will be great especially with that line. Here is what I think the Hawks’ defensive line will look like, come start of the season.

LE: Darryl Tapp, Baraka Atkins

DT: Brandon Mebane, Red Bryant

DT: Cory Redding, Colin Cole

RE: Patrick Kerney, Lawrence Jackson

That looks like a great defensive line which will make it a lot easier on the LB’s. Either way the Seahawks defense will be better next year. Also, Kerney will be healthy

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Tags: Aggressive Style, Baraka Atkins, Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, Cory Redding, Darryl Tapp, Defensive Line, Defensive Move, Derrick Brooks, Detroit Lions, free agents, Hawks, Julian Peterson, Leroy Hill, Lofa Tatupu, Olb, pro bowl, Sacks, seahawks defense, Zach Thomas

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