Mike Holmgren, who's spent much of his time in Seattle unsuccessfully trying
to develop Jon Kitna as his franchise quarterback now stakes his offensive
genius reputation on unproven Matt Hasselbeck, who's still awaiting his first
NFL start.
| |
CAMP AT A GLANCE
|
| |  |
| Matt Hasselbeck has never started a regular-season game. |
|
Location:Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Wash.
Rookies report: July 27
Veterans report: July 29
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 11: at Indy
Aug. 18: Arizona
Aug. 25: at San Francisco
Sept. 1: New Orleans
|
The Seahawks had a busy offseason, adding to Hasselbeck a lot of defensive
help in defensive tackles John Randle, Jeremy Staat and Chad Eaton,
linebacker Levon Kirkland, free safety Marcus Robertson -- all of whom should
either start or play a lot.
Man in the spotlight
This is two-fold. Because the natives are getting
restless in Seattle with the team having won only seven of its last 23 games,
Holmgren is on the hot seat to some degree. And that's largely because he's
put his stock in Hasselback, who's been an all-world preseason player but
hasn't had the chance to start because he's played behind Brett Favre.
Key position battle
Right cornerback opposite Shawn Springs has been an
Achilles' heel and veteran Willie Williams will have to stave off youngsters
Ken Lucas and Ike Charlton to hold his spot.
Biggest adjustment
Hasselbeck as a starting quarterback for the first time.
Three are a lot of former backups who got their chance to start and didn't
exactly embrace the job who'll attest to the fact that it's another world as
a starter with endless responsibilities.
Rookie report
The Seahawks might have plucked the best receiver in the
draft in North Carolina State's Koren Robinson. They, too, got Michigan guard
Steve Hutchinson in the first round as well as second-rounder Lucas and
Auburn fullback Heath Evans in the third round. In all, Seattle drafted 12
players and believes it has improved quality and depth.
Seahawks' complete offseason moves
