What have you done for me lately? Many observers seem to be dismissing RB Shaun Alexander... are they making a mistake?

The Seahawks are now two years removed from their NFC Championship in 2005, and look to regain the top spot they relinquished to the Chicago Bears in overtime in the conference semifinals.  However, it won’t be easy.

Gone is their top receiver (Darrell Jackson) and second-leading tackler (Ken Hamlin).  Jackson will be replaced by D.J. Hackett, but little was done to improve an offense that suffered last season.  Seventy-five percent of their starting secondary has left town along with DE Grant Wistrom, who retired.  Their defense will need to gel quickly, or Seattle could be looking up at the Rams and 49ers in the division.

2007 GAME PLAN

Offense: Offensive Coordinator Gil Haskell is a Mike Holmgren man, and have been together with the Seahawks since 2000.  Don’t expect any changes to the West Coast Offense game plan.  Matt Hasselbeck will look for Deion Branch and Hackett to spread the field, and hand the ball off to Shaun Alexander.  If Hasselbeck and Alexander ten games between them again, it could be a long year for the offense.  Seneca Wallace received a four year extension in the off-season to remain Hasselbeck’s backup, and Maurice Morris will be used to give Alexander some rest, but neither is nothing more than an O.K. replacement if one or both go down to injury.

Defense: Big plays hurt the Seahawks defense throughout 2006.  Lofa Tatapu and Julian Peterson lead one of the best linebacker crews in the league two of its three starters to the pro bowl last year, Nothing has changed in the midsection of this defense.  DE Patrick Kerney has replaced the retired Wistrom and S Deon Grant will give the Hawks something they desperately need in the secondary, leadership and coverage ability.  Defensive Coordinator John Marshall will continue pressure on the opponent’s quarterbacks, with essentially the same front seven that has averaged 45 sacks the past two years.  If the re-vamped secondary improves, Seattle will be in much better position to take back the George Halas trophy from the Bears.

SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS

Matt Hasselbeck, QB: Hasselbeck is a Holmgren man, and is almost as intimate with the West Coast Offense as he is with his wife.  By no means a speedster, he does a good job moving in the pocket, Seattle hopes he will remain healthy after missing four weeks due to a knee injury and having shoulder surgery during the off-season.  The biggest concern will be the loss of Darrell Jackson, traded for a fourth-round pick.  Deion Branch will need to step up and be the #1 receiver so many believe he can be.  He’s never had a 1,000 yard season, and until he can prove he can be the go-to guy, Hasselbeck’s numbers may suffer.

Shaun Alexander, RB: Injured for six games last season and having lousy performances in three other games, Alexander owners and Seahawk fans alike were not happy with the star running back.  A 201 yard performance against Green Bay and a 140 yard, 2 touchdown game against San Diego in week 16 gives us a glimmer of hope that Alexander can return to his 2005 levels (1880 yards, 27 TD).  Maurice Morris will give Alexander a few breaks throughout the season.  However, if Alexander is healthy, expect Holmgren to ride him as the workhorse he was from 2001-2005.

Lofa Tatupu, MLB: Tatupu brings stability to the middle linebacker position, becoming the first Seahawk to start at the position two straight years in a decade.  A Pro-Bowler for both of his first two seasons, he recorded 122 tackles, a team high.  Tatupu is on the small side for a middle linebacker, making him vulnerable to teams with a power running game.  He has responded very well to the attacks the past two seasons, and will do so again this year.  It would be a surprise if he does not lead the team in tackles again in 2007.

Julian Peterson, OLB: Peterson came over from San Francisco in 2006, and his first season in Seattle blue ended with a trip to the Pro Bowl, the third of his career.  Posting a career high in sacks (10.0), Peterson also finished third on the Seahawks with 89 tackles.  As he enters his eighth year in the NFL, Peterson has remained relatively healthy throughout his career, missing significant time only once.  The Seahawks lined up Peterson in various spots on the field, taking advantage of his pass-rush and coverage skills.   Peterson will continue in this role and will be in line for another trip to the Pro Bowl.

FRANCHISE PLAYER

Josh Brown, K

TRANSITION PLAYER

None

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

CB Jordan Babineaux: RFA; 1 yr./$1.3 million

WR Bobby Engram: UFA; 2 yrs./$3.4 million

G Chris Gray: UFA; 2 yrs./$1.78 million

WR D.J. Hackett: RFA; 1 yr./$1.35 million

TE Will Heller: UFA; 2 yrs./$1.8 million

LB Niko Koutouvides: RFA ; terms unknown

T Sean Locklear: RFA; terms unknown

LB Robert Reynolds: RFA; terms unknown

DT Craig Terrill: RFA; terms unknown

G Floyd Womack: UFA; terms unknown

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

DE Jason Babin: (trade Texans)

S Deon Grant, UFA Jaguars; 6 yrs./$30 million

DE Brandon Green: UFA Rams; 1 yr./$550,000

DE Patrick Kerney, UFA Falcons; 6 yrs./$39.5 million

RB Alvin Pearman: (trade Jaguars)

S Brian Russell, UFA Browns; 5 yrs./$13.5 million

PLAYERS LOST

S Michael Boulware (trade Texans)

LS J.P. Darche, UFA Chiefs

DB Rich Gardner (released)

S Ken Hamlin, UFA Cowboys

DB Kelly Herndon (released)

WR Darrell Jackson: (traded 49ers)

LB D.D. Lewis, UFA Broncos

TE Itula Mili (released)

RB Josh Scobey, UFA Bills

TE Jerramy Stevens, UFA Buccaneers

DE Joe Tafoya, UFA Cardinals

C Robbie Tobek (retired)

DE Grant Wistrom (retired)