| 30 December 2009
Ladies and gentlemen, lets get away from the present and look back at our past. The Seahawks were a great team this decade, one of the best in the league on the whole. I thought this might be a good time to look back and make a 2000-2010 dream team. Curious about your feedback.
Quarterback - Matthew Hasselbeck
No debate here. Hasselbeck has been arguably the best QB to ever don the Seahawk blue, and his recent struggles do not take away from his overall success this decade. In a lot of ways, the Seahawks success is almost unimaginable without him.
Running Back - Shaun Alexander
We may never understand what happened to Alexander after 2005, but everything changed. Still, to revise history and say that Alexander was always the same back he just had an incredible O-Line is unfair. In 2005, Alexander failed to convert exactly one 3rd/4th and 1 conversion and it was in the last week in a meaningless game. Alexander was tough, fast enough, and had very good vision. All of that disappeared in 2006, and Hutchinson is not the only reason. Still, Alexander was incredible for the first half of the decade, and it's clear that no one has replaced him yet.
Fullback - Mack Strong
No WCO is complete without a bruising fullback who can catch passes when needed. Few fit the bill better than Mack Strong. Strong led (literally) Alexander to his rushing title and MVP in 2005 with a ton of help from the O-Line. He was a great lead blocker and proved that he could be a threat when trusted with the ball. He is less dynamic than runner-up Leonard Weaver, but fits the role a little better.
Tight End - John Carlson
Finally! We found a tight end after 8 years of searching, signing and drafting mediocre players or troubled jerks, Carlson is immediately the best TE of the decade after his first year and reinforced further after his sophomore effort.
WR 1 - Darrell Jackson
Jackson was not a great receiver, but his rapport with Hasselbeck was undeniable. They thought alike and read coverages alike, which is why he looked like a star despite never being one. He also is the closest thing we've had to a #1 save for Jerry Rice who never really played like the guy he had once been.
WR 2 - Nate Burleson
Burleson came to the Seahawks and struggled mightily. In fact, he was benched. He went to the coach and said, basically, 'look, I feel bad that I'm not performing, but put me in wherever you can and I'll make it work.' Holmgren responded by handing the keys to the punt return game over to Burleson and there was an instant spark. With that confidence came "mad skills" in the receiving game in 2007 when he led the team in receiving touchdowns. A torn ACL in 2008 ruined that effort, but he came back in 2009 and was the most consistent target for his QB until suffering a high ankle sprain. Injury prone, yes, but very talented and a hard worker.
WR 3 - Bobby Engram
He would be higher on the list, but he never wanted to be. Engram was the quintessential slot reciever and had the best rapport with Hasselbeck of anyone that's ever played with the guy. Those two read eachothers minds and as a result Engram became one of the most impactful offensive players of the decade despite likely lacking much of the raw talent that a guy like Koren Robinson or Houshmandzadeh has.
Right Tackle - Ray Willis
He isn't great, but he's better than Locklear, right? Willis is a bully on the field and one of the biggest "dirtbags" we've got. He'll hit you and if you look at him funny he'll hit you harder. He's not terribly agile and I fear he's not long for the league based on his knee pain, but Willis has been one of the better RTs we've had over the last few years. Locklear was better than him when Lock was playing at a high level, but he just hasn't been for too long to be counted.
Right Guard - Chris Gray
Gray understood the offensive line better than most guards ever will after moving over from Center when the Seahawks signed Robbie Tobeck. Gray was an absolute durability machine. He wasn't the best guard in football, he wasn't even the best guard on the team, but he was going to be playing every snap in every season he could pull his bones onto the field. The single most important factor with offensive line play -- at least if you listen to the people who have played the position -- is consistency, being out there with the same guys over and over again, so you can predict every move they're going to make. Gray allowed this in a way that the litany of guard successors have failed to do.
Center - Max Unger Robbie TobeckThis pick is two-fold. First, I think Max Unger will end up being the best guard the Seahawks have had in a decade and we'll look back at 2009 and say "Wow, what a draft pick." Second, I don't want this to be a 2005 love-fest. Based on merit and experience alone, this would probably go to Robbie Tobeck, but I get to name the top guy and it goes to Unger just because it feels right, damnit!
Okay, okay, you guys are right. It's totally Tobeck. I was concerned people were gonna get on my case about this being the 2005 offense, which it is almost to a player... but if you guys are all about Tobeck, so am I, he was the best just like that offense was the best. Here's hoping Unger can get there!
Left Guard - Steve Hutchinson
This is obvious, of course, but that's okay. Hutchinson was in many ways the heart and soul of the offensive line, and that heart and soul was one of a brutal beast, a mauler, a dirtbag, an absolute affront to all that is good in the world... but only on the field. Off the field, Hutch has never gotten into a lick of trouble. He rivals Chris Gray in durability and was even more consistent, probably the best guard in the NFL for the decade. We have not yet come close to replacing his presence or his skill on the line.
Left Tackle - Walter Jones
Considering he took about 90% of the snaps, it'd be hard not to give it to Jones regardless of skill, but the fact of the matter is that Walter Jones is probably the most dominant player in the history of NFL, at least on the offensive side of the ball. A gifted freak of nature, Jones went years without surrendering a sack and at his peak he almost looked bored out there pushing pro bowl DEs around. The only blotch on Jones' career is that he never had a chance to go one to one on Lawrence Taylor, but I suppose we can't hold that against him.
What do you think? I'd love to see everyone's All-Decade offense. I'll try to get defense up soon.
written by Brandonc, December 30, 2009
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written by IdahoSeahawksFan, December 30, 2009
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written by S.TTBM, December 30, 2009
Burleson doesnt deserve to be mentioned at WR due to his inconsistency and dropsies--PR maybe, but not WR. I would definitely suit up D-Jack, Engram, and Joe J as my WR Corps. How could you not prefer Joe J to Nate?! I respect what Jackson accomplished because he did it all despite nagging, degenerative knee issues, and a life-threatening concussion. Plus, he did EVERYTHING, which no WR for the seahawks has done since Brian Blades' younger days. He was a real number 1, and even had success going deep occasionally--especially when Seneca was under C.
I would choose Itula Mili at TE, because he played at a fairly high level for 4-5 years (and set since-broken team records for yards and catches by a TE), and Carlson only got in two seasons this decade. Plus, as good as he is, John C dropped 10 passes last year, and isnt a great blocker--yet. Mili was an excellent blocker and decent reciever, he just wasnt a vertical threat.
Choosing Unger at C after two games there is a real anti-logic head scratcher! Im definitely going with Robbie Tobeck, one of our finest free agent pickups, and a key cog on our only Super Bowl team.
I would also say Locklear over Willis, as Lock had three excellent seasons, including our Super Bowl run. Willis worked his way up, only to lose mobility due to knee issues. An almost-was who had more talent, but Lock beats him out. I sure wish Lock could regain his 2005 form!
Shaun Alexander was an electric back, and no ammount of bitching by the ungrateful will diminish what he did here for 6 years. My favorite Shaun memory? There are two: 1) Coming back a week early from his lis franc injury, Shaun runs like Earl Campbell 40 times (a Hawk record) for 200 yards in the snow against GB, despite not having his agility or speed back yet, despite playing in pain, running on balls alone, and 2) His 148 yard 2 TD performance in a loss (Ken Hamlin's fault) against the best run defense in the NFL at the time, San Diego. Shaun ran over, around, and through the defense, showing he still had it. For once, he actually played the perfect mix of his usual duck-n-dodge with smash-mouth football. He damn near willed us to the victory all by himself that day. Too bad he couldnt play FS!
The next year, it was obvious something was missing from Shaun's game. Maybe it was the money, maybe it was his injury, maybe both--whatever it was, Shaun had lost his speed and agility and he wasnt willing to make like Earl Campbell or Eddie George and churn out another 1,000 yard season by battering himself against the defense.
Shaun was fun to watch in his prime, and not even Curt Warner or Chris Warren was as electric during a 6 year stretch.
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written by Farmer Paul, December 30, 2009
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written by Brian in Florida, December 30, 2009
The line was the strength of a Super Bowl team. Give 'em credit.
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written by Seahawkzz, December 30, 2009
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written by Matt from PA, December 30, 2009
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written by Hawksmack, December 30, 2009
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written by fwbrodie, December 30, 2009
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written by Hawkdude, December 30, 2009
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written by hawksfanmsvl, December 30, 2009
Chad Brown
Lofa Tatupu
Sam Adams
Cortez Kennedy
Michael Sinclair
Jay Bellamy
Jeff Feagles
Isaiah Kacyvenski
Rocky Bernard
Ken Lucas
Marcus Trufant
Craig Terrill
Leroy Hill
Aaron Curry (TBD)
Jordan Babineaux
Deon Grant
Patrick Kerney
Grant Wistrom
Those are the ones that come to mind on defense for me.
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written by Matt from PA, December 30, 2009
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American Wind Energy Association. They said that it was the first time they'd heard this potentially troubling news, but
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written by Recordblender, December 31, 2009
Free Agent
Marcus McNeal LT
Draft
Eric Berry S
Mike Iupati G
Brian Price DT
Any late round power back
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written by lars hanson, December 31, 2009
McNeil would be a good addition at LT for the right price. S Eric Berry is a defensive Michael Crabtree. He's not worth the top 5,10 or 15 pick people think.
I almost feel like the Hawks could be in a position to trade up 2-4 spots and grat DT ndamukong suh from Nebraska. It's been a long time since the Seahawks have had a gamechanging player on the defensive line. Suh would be a great player in between Tapp,mebane and whoever replaces Kerney.
Then go Iupati with the 2nd first round pick
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written by Hawksmack, December 31, 2009
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written by Hawksmack, December 31, 2009
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written by lars hanson, December 31, 2009
Mathews will be a 3,4,5th round pick depending on his workouts.
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written by S.TTBM, December 31, 2009
YOu make an excellent point that Nate's punt returns helped the team immensely. But the position we were talking about was for number 2 or 3 WIDE RECIEVER, not WR/PR. If there was a spot for All Decade Team PR, Nate would get my vote hands down, even though he was only really good for that one year. This year he wasnt great.
Seahawkzz--Your comment was one of the most whacked out logic I think I have read on this site. Im not trying to pick on you--I am just in awe that you could say Engram dropped lots of passes, then choose Nate--who drops 10-20 passes A YEAR over Bobby. Bobby hasnt dropped 20 passes in his entire career! That drop in the Rams Playoff game you talk about only became a topic last year because BOBBY himself lamented it in the media and called it a drop. It was such a hot pass no one at the time called him on it.
Darrell Jackson had the dropsies, but never anywhere near as badly as Nate. Plus, Jacksons drops hurt the team far less, as he always seemed to redeem himself in the same game. How many times did he score the go-ahead or game winning TD?! How many times did he make several key third down catches--in traffic--to keep the chains moving in tight games?! Nate rarely does these things. Nate is a complementary player, a number 3. Jackson was the go-to guy for Matt for years. And its hard to argue with Jacksons phenomenal production, which makes Nate's pale by comparison.
I just cannot fathom the logic that places Nate's value at even anywhere close to the value Jackson and Engram brought to this team. It boggles my mind.
You are welcome to your opinion, Im not arguing with that. But we shall have to agree to disagree on that one!
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written by hawksfanmsvl, December 31, 2009
Also you should note the leadership role he assumes with all of the recievers- deon butler doesn't know how lucky he is to have a stand up guy like burleson to teach him what it takes to be an NFL player- which brings me to my next point...
To be a leader in the NFL you can't just make big plays and assume you're done there- you have to reach out to the community you play in- and be a role model for everybody. This is exactly what burleson has done throughout his career. To do it in the community that he was brought up in makes him an even more worthy candidate for the all decade team. His veteran leadership, community involvement, AND what he's brought to the Seahawks in the games makes him more than worthy.
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written by Hawksmack, December 31, 2009
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written by lars hanson, December 31, 2009
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written by Steve S., December 31, 2009
Drop Burleson completely. Don't you think it's a little silly to pick someone who has averaged 34 receptions a year as part of an all-decade team? I mean, regardless of how good you think he is, he simply hasn't done very much. Even the perpetually injured Deion Branch has more catches than Burleson.
Willis is playing better than Locklear this year, no doubt. But if this is an all-decade team it's Locklear, easily.
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written by hawksfanmsvl, December 31, 2009
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written by bobbyk, December 31, 2009
And I'd take 1 year of Jurevicius over 4 years of Burleson for what he did in our '05 run to the SB. I know Joe-Joe didn't put up 1,000 yards in '05, but has Burleson in 4 years? No.
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written by bobbyk, December 31, 2009
QB *Sam Bradford (1st round)
RB Justin Forsett
FB (Leonard Weaver)
WR *Golden Tate (2nd round)
WR TBD
TE John Carlson
LT (Marcus McNeill)
LG *Mike Iupati (1st round)
C Max Unger
RG (Jahri Evans)
RT *Casey Knips (5th round)
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written by bobbyk, December 31, 2009
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written by hawksfanmsvl, December 31, 2009
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written by nightwulf, January 01, 2010
Sam Bradford? Hmmmm...A broken system QB? Dunno about that one...as for the FA's, you're assuming that we get a new CBA soon? Otherwise, forget Weaver and Evans, they'll both be RFAs, and if we go all offense this year, we'll need all the picks we can get next year for the D.
How 'bout this: (assuming a new CBA)
QB Jake Locker (this year's first is used on Gerald McCoy or Derrick Morgan) (we'll have a chance at him, if you or anybody else thinks we can fix this train wreck in one year, y'all are smokin' something that just ain't legal)
RB Justin Forsett (or we can forget about McCoy or Morgan and it'll be CJ Spiller)
FB Leonard Weaver (or the best we can find in rd 4)
WR Golden Tate
WR Housh (miracle anti aging drug allows him to hang on five more years)
TE John Carlson
LT Marcus McNeill
LG Mike Iupati
C Max Unger
RG Jahri Evans
RT TBD (don't know Knips)
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written by Steve S., January 01, 2010
I have nothing against Burleson at all but the plain fact is that he hasn't done anything extraordinary as a pass catcher in four seasons. If you want to name him to the all-decade punt return team I'm all for it.
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written by bobbyk, January 01, 2010
Still, I think Jurevicius did more for us in his one year than Burleson or Robinson did in all of their years.
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I would say hands down that the MVP of the decade was Walter Jones. Like you said he was flat out dominant when on the field. Outside of that Dallas game last year, where injury was probably a factor he was unstoppable out there. He is the greatest Seahawk in history and I think he will go down as the best offensive lineman in history.