My pre-game expectations included the following: San Francisco's running game was a well-oiled machine ready to dominate.  Their defensive front seven too talented and aggressive to allow the Seahawks offense time to execute plays.  Our offensive line, featuring another young backup at left tackle, would suffer the same fate as last year's line and as a result Matt Hasselbeck would again be running for his life in a game the Seahawks could not win.

Boy was I wrong.

Game Ball #1: Seahawks Defensive Front Seven

Yes, all of them.  Bradley and Quinn used all their active linemen to help win this game: Bryant, Mebane, Cole, Clemons, Brock, Davis, Siavii, Balmer, and Curry (who moved to DE in the dime package throughout the fourth quarter).  Tatupu and Hawthorne were everywhere.

When they won their game ball:

11:42 first quarter, SF second-and-goal at Seattle 7: Frank Gore followed his FB off left tackle, Colin Cole holds ground, drifts right and meets Gore at the LOS.

11:19 first quarter, SF third-and-goal at Seattle 6: DEs Clemons and Davis both collase on Alex Smith who bolts a rushed dump-off pass to Frank Gore.  Gore is immediately met by Kelly Jennings at the LOS.  49ers settle for FG.

14:21 second quarter, SF ball on Seattle 7: SF offense overstocks right, matched by Curry, Bryant, Cole, and Siavii.  Brandon at RDE.  SF interior linemen converge on Mebane, driving him to the ground and opening a hole off left tackle.  Hawthorne and Tatupu fill and meet Gore at the LOS.

13:41 second quarter, SF fourth-and-inches at Seattle 5:  FB Brad Norris gets behind LB David Hawthorne at the goal line.  Tatupu and Clemons rush from Smith's left.  Smith's hurried pass wobbles over Norris' head and out of reach.  Fail.  Seahawks ball.

7:20 second quarter, SF third-and-goal at Seattle 5:  Siavii and Cole stand SF's interior linemen straight up while Mebane, at end, submarines a double team block in front of FB Norris, who is quickly met by Tatupu and Kam Chancellor at the LOS.  A dejected SF settles for another FG.

49ers had the ball inside of the Seahawks 10-yard line THREE TIMES during the first half.  Result = 6 points.

Game Ball #2: Matt Hasselbeck

When he won it:  2:34 second quarter, Seattle ball on SF 1 yard line:  Hasselbeck calls his own number and runs a naked bootleg wide around left end, pursued by SF LB LaBoy to the goal line.  Hasselbeck dives headfirst toward the pylon and scores.  In game two last year, Hasselbeck's scramble and head-first dive ended his season as another SF linebacker drove his shoulder into Hass' back.  A quarterback must have a short memory for such things, and Hass proved he does by throwing caution to the wind and daring his opponent to stop him.  Undeterred.  Unafraid.  Still a winner.

Game Ball #3: The 12th Man

Props to all my friends in our south end zone and throughout Qwest Field on Sunday.  The south end zone is where the 49ers came to die repeatedly in the second quarter.  SF offensive linemen froze in their tracks each time the 12th Man roared.  The Seahawks eleven defenders took advantage of these opportunities, every one of them.  If the 12th Man ever earned his title, it was on September 12th, 2010.

Honorable Mention: Tyler Polumbus

Most of us Seahawk fans thought Tyler, or Troy, had no business playing left tackle on Sunday, and had no business challenging Justin Smith's right to enter Seattle's offensive backfield.  Tyler Polumbus did not get the blocking help used to assist Manny Wrotto during the preseason, yet Tyler allowed a 49er to lay a hand on Matt Hasselbeck exactly once in four quarters of play.  Tyler Polumbus has been a Seahawk for exactly two weeks, yet he is the one tackle on the team who has truly earned his roster spot.

Honorable Mention: Pete Carroll and Jeremy Bates

As Pete Carroll took the field with his team, I watched and wondered if they had all truly "bought in", and after today, would they still be in?  While watching the team leave the field at halftime, their QB pumping his fist in the air and enjoying a 14-6 lead, I imagined the locker room Carroll would now be commanding: all eyes would be on their leader; everyone bought in.  There can be no doubt that Carroll now has his players fully on board.

Carroll brought his team prepared to win every facet of the game.  He brought a team prepared to stop Frank Gore, frustrate Alex Smith, create turnovers, create mismatches, and capitalize on opportunities.  Jeremy Bates brought an offensive game plan full of surprises.  He lined up three TEs on the right side of his offense in the third quarter, drawing coverage away from Deion Branch as Branch caught the Hawk's fourth TD.  And, in perhaps his boldest move, and with full knowledge that the 49ers had hit and injured his QB exactly twelve months ago, Bates sent that QB back into battle on a naked bootleg to put his foot on the throat of his rivals, and announce this is a brand-new season.

Booby Prize: Mike Singletary

The 49ers leader brought to Qwest Field a team that had read their own press clippings.  They believed Seattle could not score on a San Francisco defense.  They believed they simply needed to control the ball to win the game.  When that game plan began to fail, Singletary and his quarterback stared blankly into the open angry maw of Qwest's 12th Man, looking completely lost.

This 49ers Fan summed things up as only a loser can: 

Seahawks 31 49ers 6 (via AnTh0NyV93)

John Schneider has been Director of Football Operations for the Green Bay Packers since 2008.  Prior to this he spent six years as Personnel Analyst to GM-VP-Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Schneider describes his job in his own words in a 2009 interview, saying "My primary focus is working closely with our GM, personnel staff, and coaching staff in order to put the best product on the field to compete for a world championship year in and year out.  I work closely with Russ Ball our cap guy as well. I scout both at the college and professional levels. I probably visit between 20 – 25 schools per year. In this current role, I tend to concentrate on strategy as well.  I also work on trade negotiations."

Prior to his recent promotion, says Packers.com, Schneider's Personnel Analyst job included addressing and evaluating the needs of the team in both the draft and free agency, incorporating a long-range planning process that examined the Packers' roster, as well as the rosters of all NFL teams, and taking into account the potential effects of injuries and salary cap issues, and exploring possible trade scenarios. 

Schneider has worked most of his career under Ron Wolf and/or Ted Thompson.  Thompson should be familiar to Seahawks fans as the V.P. who oversaw Seattle's draft board with GM Mike Holmgren from 2000 through 2004.

Schneider began his NFL career as an intern with intern under Ron Wolf in 1992, and served as a Packers' Pro Personnel Assistant through the 1996 season when Mike Holmgren coached the team to its Super Bowl victory.  After a three-year stint with the Chiefs organization, Schneider rejoined Thompson and Holmgren in Seattle in 2000 as Director of Player Personnel for the Seahawks, before leaving in 2001 to serve to be V.P. of Player Personnel under the Redskins' Marty Schottenheimer.  When Redskins' owner Dan Snyder fired Schottenheimer a year later, Schneider was hired back to the Packers by Ron Wolf.

The Packers are the second-youngest team in the NFL, and this is no surprise once you look at their roster.   Very few of their draft picks from the 2006 through 2009 drafts have washed out.  They drafted 39 of the players that finished 2009 on the active roster or injured reserve list (3 others came through trades, 20 as free agents).  On opening day 2009, 14 out of 22 Packers starters were players drafted by the club.

When Schneider was rejoined in Green Bay by GM Ted Thompson in 2005, they began a period of rebuilding.  This period should be of most interest to Seahawks fans as Seattle's team is in a similar position.  

As part of that rebuild, Thompson stockpiled draft picks.  In the drafts of 2005 through 2008, Thompson made 14 draft-day trades, and all but one of these were trades down for more selections.  He turned 31 picks into 43, while Schneider helped him prioritize the players to draft.

Their 2005 draft was stellar, including future Pro Bowlers QB Aaron Rodgers (2005/1) and S Nick Collins (2005/2), along with OLB Brady Poppinga (2005/4), and DE Mike Montgomery (2005/6).  

Their 2006 draft was also strong, with 4 of the top 5 draft picks becoming starters, including OLB A.J. Hawk (2006/1), OG Daryn Colledge (2006/2), WR Greg Jennings (2006/2), and OG Jason Spitz (2006/3).  The 2007 draft brought RB Brandon Jackson (2007/2) and WR James Jones (2007/3).  2008 brought WR Jordy Nelson (2008/2), and TE Jermichael Finley (2008/4).  

2009 saw the Packers change their defense to a 3-4 alignment and seek to fill needs through the draft, selecting huge, run-stuffing NT B.J. Raji (2009/1), sack-master OLB Clay Matthews (2009/1), and OT T.J. Lang.

Throughout these drafts, Thompson and Schneider developed a reputation for ignoring pre-draft hype and often surprising the pundits and their own fans with selections of relatively unknown players.  

When asked to name the most memorable moment of his NFL career, Schneider mused "watching Desmond Howard return that kickoff for a touchdown in the Super Bowl vs. New England."  Yes, Schneider was a member of that Packers' Pro Personnel Staff that had targeted the free agent Howard the year before.

Some observation from the August 18th practice at Husky Stadium

I spent most of the practice watching the defensive lineman and the cornerbacks through binoculars, so I likely missed much of what happened elsewhere on the field.  

Josh Wilson practiced with the first team defense, Kelly Jennings with the second unit.  Jennings defensed two passes.  Generally it looked like most of the second team WRs had a tough time gaining separation from Jennings, who appeared to be working hard to impress.   

First team defensive line practiced as Redding-Cole-Mebane-Kerney.  But in the 11-on-11 passing drill that closed the practice, the first team defense rush line was Tapp-Redding-Mebane-Kerney.  That line looked like it could get after the QB.

Brandon Mebane looks lighter and quicker than last year.  He practiced with energy and reminded me of the spinning Tazmanian Devil from those old Bugs Bunny cartoons.  When the D lineman were practicing stunts - with the DE crossing over the DT - Nick Reed lined up next to Mebane to rush side-by-side and they looked like two Tazmanian Devils spinning into the backfield.  

Red Bryant - as tall as our tallest DEs but as stout as a DT - looks like the closest thing to Marcus Tubbs I've seen in Seahawks blue since Tubbs.

With Julius Jones and T. J. Duckett getting a rest, Justin Forsett and Devin Moore shared all the reps at RB.  Forsett looked sharp during a couple of impressive runs and receptions.  Moore looked overwhelmed trying to block pass rushers in the pass protection drill.

We all loved the 2005 Seahawks.  Even those who had just jumped on the bandwagon that year knew that team was special.  Coach Holmgren's west coast offense was firing on all cylinders, and the defense was playing with a tenacity rarely seen in the Emerald City back in those days.  

But that was four years ago.  Since then, the Seahawks have been through injuries, retirements, and losses of many of their players from that Super Bowl year.  As well, the personnel department has been hard at work each off-season finding new talent for the roster.

So, is our Seahawks roster as good now as it was then?  Let's do a quick comparison and see where the team has stepped ahead, and where they've fallen back.  

Offense Roster Analysis: 2009 vs. 2005

Quarterback '09 vs. '05: Steady as he goes.
    2005: Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace.
    2009: Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace.  

Hasselbeck had a career season in 2005.  In 2009, he is more experienced, with four more playoff games under his belt.  Last year, a bulging disc in his back ruined his season.  Now apparently healed, Hass should enjoy another big year in his prime as long as his back behaves.

Offensive Line '09 vs. '05: Three steps back.
    2005: LT Walter Jones, LG Steve Hutchinson, C Robbie Tobeck, RG Chris Gray, Floyd Womack, RT Sean Locklear.
    2009: LT Walter Jones?, Sean Locklear, LG Max Unger? Mike Wahle?, C Chris Spencer?, Unger, RG Rob Sims?, Ray Willis, RT Locklear, Willis

Note the question marks in the 2009 lineup.  These are the signs that keep coaches Mora, Knapp, and Solari up at night wondering.  The 2005 line had history together, they had chemistry, and they had Steve Hutchinson playing like a man who had something to prove.  He succeeded in proving he was the most intimidating LG in football, and then proved he could earn more money than the Seahawks had ever imagined paying for a Guard - by leaving them for another team.  2009 is a rebuilding year, and much depends on Walter Jones' surgically-repaired knee.  Even if Walter plays, the three interior line positions are truly up for grabs.  The good news is improved roster depth.  This could take awhile for Coach Solari to sort out; he may not be sleeping well this season.

Receivers '09 vs. '05: A step forward.
    2005: Bobby Engram, Darrell Jackson, and Joe Jurevicious; TE Jerramy Stevens.
    2009: Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzada; TE John Carlson.

Looks like a step forward in 2009.  Neither Jackson nor Stevens had dependable hands.  Newcomer Houshmandzada and promising young John Carlson bring fresh play-making ability to the '09 squad.

Running Backs '09 vs. '05: A step back.
    2005: RB Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris; FB Mack Strong
    2009: RB Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett ; FB Owen Schmitt, Justin Griffith

Alexander was on a tear in 2005, scoring a record 28 touch downs.  Much of the credit, however, should be given to the All-Pro blocking front of Jones, Hutchinson, and Strong.  2009 will feature a multiple-RB zone-blocking approach implemented successfully by Greg Knapp in Atlanta and Oakland.  But does Knapp have the horses to succeed with this attack in Seattle?

Defense Roster Analysis: 2009 vs. 2005

Defensive Line '09 vs. '05: A step forward.
    2005: RE Grant Wistrom, LE Bryce Fisher, Rodney Bailey; DT Marcus Tubbs, Rocky Bernard, Craig Terrill, NT Chuck Darby
    2009: RE Darryl Tapp, Lawrence Jackson; LE Patrick Kerney, Cory Redding, DT Brandon Mebane, Craig Terrill, Cory Redding, NT Colin Cole, Red Bryant

The 2005 defensive linemen proved themselves to be over-acheivers.  Wistrom and Tubbs fought through injuries to terrorize quarterbacks, while Darby held ground in the interior line.  The 2009 crew is deeper and more talented, but whether these linemen will tough it out in the trenches as successfully as their 2005 counterparts remains to be seen.  The 2009 team is stocked with plenty of big athletes ready to compete.

Linbackers '09 vs. '05: A step forward.
    2005: MLB Lofa Tatupu, LOLB Leroy Hill, ROLB D.D. Lewis
    2009: MLB Lofa Tatupu, LOLB Aaron Curry, ROLB Leroy Hill

2009 brings back nearly the same crew as in '05, with two notable exceptions.  First, Tatupu and Hill were mere rookies in 2005.  Second, '09 super-rookie Aaron Curry should make everyone forget about journeyman D.D. Lewis.

Defensive Backs '09 vs. '05: A step forward.
    2005: RCB Marcus Trufant, LCB Andre Dyson, Nickel CB Kelly Herndon, FS Ken Hamlin (inj.), Marquand Manuel, SS Michael Boulware, Jordan Babineaux
    2009: RCB Marcus Trufant, LCB Ken Lucas, Nickel CB Josh Wilson, FS Brian Russell, SS Deon Grant, Jordan Babineaux

When remembering the successful '05 season, we might forget the challenges that defensive backfield faced.  SS Hamlin was on injured reserve, CB Dyson was nearing the end of his career, Herndon had not proven himself a dependable starter, and Boulware suffered lapses in coverage.  The 2009 crew features more dependable players, including solid SS Grant, CB Lucas, and young ball-hawk Josh Wilson.

Special Teams '09 vs. '05: Still special enough.
    2005: K Josh Brown, P Tom Rouen, KR Peter Warrick, PR Bobby Engram
    2006: K Olindo Mare/Brandon Coutu, P Jon Ryan, KR Josh Wilson, PR Nate Burleson, Deon Butler

Brown had a big year in '05.  Olindo Mare revived his career in Seattle in '08 and has strong competition from young Brandon Coutu for '09.  The return game could be improved in '09 with speedsters Wilson and Butler contributing.

On balance: four steps back and four steps ahead.  

Call it even.  On paper, that is.  But on the field?

On paper this roster is as talented as the team that played in Super Bowl XL.  That said, the offense will need to execute a major turn-around from 2008, when injuries reduced this squad to XFL look-alikes.  This offense will not be the machine that Holmgren built, but there is plenty of talent and experience to execute Knapp's scheme.  

Even so, the offensive line could be the undoing of this team.  If key players including Jones and Spencer cannot stay healthy, the team's fortunes could fade in a hurry.  

On defense, the 2009 roster is a bit deeper than the 2005 crew, particularly on the bolstered defensive line.  This unit, along with the linebackers, should be the strength of this team.  An improved pass rush from the front-seven should help the pass defense enough to once again make the Seahawks a tough team to score on.
 
As always, three elusive keys are essential for any team to rocket to the Super Bowl the way the Seahawks did in 2005.  Without these, the 2009 Seahawks will be also-rans.
    1) Tenacious, Never-Say-Die Attitude on Defense.  Championship teams have this; but the current Seahawks crew hasn't proven they do.
    2) Offensive Line Chemistry. Also known as "five men reading each others' minds as they steam-roll opponents."  Champion offensive lines have this, but it is doubtful the Seahawks linemen can solidify their roles and build chemistry quickly in 2009 after the disaster they suffered through in 2008.
    3) Avoid key injuries.  Even great teams become average when their starting QB, LOT, DE or other key players aren't on the field.  After 2008, all Seahawks fans can do is keep their fingers crossed.

In recent blogs and interviews, ESPN's John Clayton has described "five key positions" he considers the keys to improving an NFL team.

These "five key positions" (listed in Clayton's stated order) are Quarterback, Left Offensive Tackle, Defensive End/Pass Rusher, Wide Receiver, and Cornerback.  Of course Clayton recognizes other positions such as RB or MLB to be important but feels that teams can more easily find adequate players to fill these roles.  His "five" are the impact positions for which top-flight pros are in short supply.

Let's look at the Seahawk's performance at these five key positions in 2008, and their prospects for improvement in 2009.

Key #1 Quarterback:

2008:
Matt Hasselbeck struggled with a bulging disc in his back, took too many hits by opposing pass rushers, and was sent to the IR list after 7 games (52.2 % completions, 5 TD, 10 INT, 19 SCK).  Seneca Wallace started the final 11 games and was competent  (58.3% complete, 11 TD, 3 INT, 14 SCK) but played behind a make-shift offensive line and generally fell short of Hasselbeck's ability to make the plays needed to extend drives.  

2009:
The Seahawks should receive a big boost in point production and victories from the return of a healthy Hass.  By all accounts, his back is sound and strengthened by his conditioning program, but only full-speed game action will allow Matthew to demonstrate his fitness.  Clayton considers the return of a starting QB from injury to be the factor most likely to improve a team's record from one year to the next, and suggests this one change can be responsible for as many as 6 points/game which can translate into as many as 6 additional victories. 

Prospects for improved QB play in 2009?  Excellent.


Key #2 Left Offensive Tackle

2008:
For the past 11 seasons, the Seahawks have known one left tackle - Walter Jones.  Jones affects every opponent's defensive game plan and simplifies the Seahawks' plan on offense by making the opponent's blind-side pass rusher disappear.  In 2008, Jones' shoulder was unhealthy most of the year, and and when his knee sidelined him near season's end, several players (Locklear, Womack, Williams) were rotated in to fill the gaping hole at LOT.

2009:
The biggest question mark, and potential dark cloud hanging over this team is the fate of Walter's surgically-repaired knee.  His rehab from microfracture knee surgery appears nearly complete, but once stressed repeatedly in game action, no one knows how it will hold up.  If Big Walt's knee cannot hold up, its failure could be career-threatening.  In his absence, Sean Locklear would man the LOT spot (a plan that was fuddled in 2008 by Locklear's injuries).  Although Lock would be significantly less intimidating to opposing pass rushers he is an experienced pro who would get the job done.  Ray Willis would move to ROT, and the offensive line would at least be appreciably better than in those final games of 2008 when Jones and Locklear were both out injured at the same time.  No Seahawks fan will be comfortable seeing Walter exit after 11 years of domination at this most important position, but fans should take comfort in having another top flight Tackle waiting in the wings.  Few NFL teams are staffed three-deep in starting-quality OTs.

Prospects for improved LOT play in 2009?  Fair.


Key #3 Defensive End/Pass Rusher

2008:
The Seahawks had two dominant pass rushers, Patrick Kerney rushing from the LDE position, and Julian Peterson rushing from ROLB.  Kerney was injured in week 8 against San Francisco, irreparably weakening the Seahawks defense for the remaining 8 games.  The combination of Peterson, DE Darryl Tapp, rookie DE Lawrence Jackson, and second-year DE Baraka Atkins managed a fair number of sacks but often allowed quarterbacks too much time to stand in the pocket, scan the field, and complete their passes on third-down.

2009: 
Patrick Kearney returns from rehab and is running, lifting, and says he's "feeling fantastic".  He had this to say about his prospects on May 21st: "There was the original shoulder surgery, and I hurt my shoulder again against San Francisco so they repaired the labrum.  After that they did a wrist reconstruction which is why I was playing with a cast all season.  Then I had some bone chips removed from my elbow since I had been wanting to do for three years and finally had time to do it.  Its feeling good and I'm already pressing. This is all upper body rehab which is a very good thing because at my position as long as you can still run, that's the key.  I'm working on my upper body now and I'll get the bulk back and be at 275 pounds by training camp."

The Will (weak side) LB position will be manned by Leroy Hill, who should have 8-plus sack potential now that he will be allowed to focus on pass rushing.  Versatile rookie Aaron Curry is expected to take on Hill's former role on the strong side covering the opponent's TE.  These changes should produce more consistent and assignment-correct performances from the LB corps.  The return of a healthy Patrick Kerney (12-plus sack potential) should again strike fear into the eyes of opposing QBs, which was seldom true of Darryl Tapp or young Lawrence Jackson in 2008.  Former Lion Cory Redding adds his versatility to the defensive line rotation and is expected to play hybrid role at DE and 3-technique-DT.  Key also to the rotation will be 320-lb wide-bodies Colin Cole and Red Bryant rotating in at Nose Tackle to take on double teams and keep blockers off of the Seahawks' LBs.

Prospects for an improved Pass Rush in 2009?  Very Good.


Key #4 Wide Receiver

2008:
The Seahawks began the year with Branch and Engram recovering from injuries, Obamanu was lost to injury during the preseason, Burleson and Payne were lost to injuries during game one.  From bad to worse, the receiving corps eventually featured a bevy of backups and the passing game never gained its footing.  By season's end, Branch was starting but was just beginning to regain the skills he had pre-injury.

2009:
Branch returns at full strength, Burleson should regain 100% by season's end, and T. J. Houshmandzadeh joins the team after three successive 90-plus catch seasons in Cincinnati.  If healthy, this three-WR corps could be among the NFL's better units.  In addition, speedy rookie Deon Butler (4.28/40) joins the team, leaving the remaining roster spots hotly contested.

Prospects for improved WR play in 2009?  Excellent.

Key #5 Cornerback

2008:
Marcus Trufant enjoyed another solid season at CB in which he could never do enough to overcome the breakdowns in the front seven in front of him.  The other CB spot and the Nickel-CB were manned by Kelly Jennings and young Josh Wilson.  Injuries troubled Jennings, who struggled against bigger receivers.  Josh Wilson moved from Nickel-CB to take Jennings' place opposite Trufant near the season's end, playing bigger than his 5-foot 9-inch frame would suggest.

2009:
Ken Lucas, veteran of the 2001-04 Seahawks seasons, returns.  If the team is lucky, Lucas will have a big chip on his shoulder and insist on reclaiming and keeping his former starting job.  Lucas' height and physical presence should toughen the pass defense.  Scrappy Josh Wilson is likely to be the favored Nickel-CB.  This leaves Jennings competing with both Lucas and Wilson, and ready to step in to fill at any CB position if a man goes down injured.  The last point to consider is that an improved pass rush can only serve to aid the CB's pass defense efforts.  If opposing QBs have less time to scan the field before throwing, this could make all the difference.

Prospects for improved CB play in 2009?  Good.


What Clayton's Five Keys Tell Us

It would appear that General Manager Tim Ruskell has done his job well by bolstering these five important positions in preparation for the coming season.  Considering the rash of injuries in 2008, this improved outlook for 2009 suggests the Seahawks have potential for the most improved record in the NFL.

If players falter at other positions (S, RB, OG, and C come to mind as positions with lingering question marks) this will affect the team's prospects.  However, on paper this team looks like they can accomplish 10 or 11 wins and regain the NFC West crown.

The results on the field may largely depend on the degree to which Hasselbeck, Jones, and Kerney have rehabilitated their injuries and whether these aging players stay out of the trainer's room and on the playing field.