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| | Wednesday, August 16 Seahawks: Repeat a tough encore | |||||||||||||||
| By Mark Cannizzaro Special to ESPN.com Although the Seattle Seahawks won the AFC West and ended an 11-year playoff drought last season, they were only 9-7 and barely made it across the finish line before losing to the Dolphins in an AFC wild-card game. There is much improvement needed for Mike Holmgren's team, which lost six of its final seven games in 1999.
It has to be quarterback Jon Kitna, who's the man, though Glenn Foley and second-year pro Brock Huard are anxiously nipping at his heels. Despite throwing for 3,346 yards and 23 touchdowns, Kitna slumped in the latter part of the season. After leading the AFC in passing efficiency through 10 weeks, he slipped to a 77.7 rating as Seattle went into a tailspin. Kitna, who didn't accept a long-term contract offer, is playing under a one-year tender in 2000, putting even more pressure on himself. Key position battle The Seahawks had problems at middle linebacker, where there was a weakness in stopping the run. Starter DeShone Myles injured his knee last year, and that forced outside linebacker Anthony Simmons to fill in. Seattle expects and hopes that Myles is well enough to return to his spot. Holmgren signed veteran George Koonce as insurance, and the former Packer should battle Myles for the No. 1 job. Biggest adjustment A lot of folks in Seattle are still adjusting to Holmgren's no-nonsense approach. He took no bull from Joey Galloway and shipped him to Dallas. He got rid of running back Ahman Green, who had a fumble problem, and dealt him to Green Bay. And he allowed inconsistent defensive tackle Sam Adams to leave via free agency. "This isn't a Sunday school class," Holmgren said. "I want good football players." Rookie report Running back Shaun Alexander from Alabama should be a terrific change of pace for basher Ricky Watters. Wisconsin tackle Chris McIntosh could beat out Todd Weiner for the starting right spot. There is a hope that third-rounder Darrell Jackson, a receiver out of Florida, can help replace the deep speed that was lost when Galloway departed. Big things also are expected from wide receiver James Williams, a sixth-round pick from Marshall. With Galloway and Sean Dawkins gone, opportunities certainly abound for the young wideouts.
| ALSO SEE Broncos: Back in the saddle Chiefs: An offseason to forget Raiders: Will they be kicking themselves? Chargers: Life of Riley to get better AUDIO/VIDEO  Pete Kendall talks about last year's NFL playoffs.wav: 1700 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Merill Hoge wants Chris McIntosh to show his agent who's the boss.wav: 245 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
