If they get Peter Boulware, they will be infinitely better on defense, assuming he stays healthy.

However, I just don't think they're a strong-willed team. Looking back, it doesn't shock me that they blew a huge lead against St. Louis. It doesn't surprise me at all that Bobby Engram dropped Matt Hasselbeck's pass in the endzone. Maybe it's coaching. I think they should have gotten rid of Mike Holmgren after that loss. How do you lose to the Rams thrice in one season?

The Seahawks need help with the middle of their defense. Like I've said, I'm not a fan of their DTs or Niko. They were 23rd in run defense (yards allowed per carry).

Walter, Seattle cut Robinson(which I know you know) but I see that this is an IMPROVEMENT for the seahawks. You might disagree but most of the drops the past 2 years have come from Robinson. But its not only the drops, its the off field issues. Tim Ruskell has remained true to his words by cutting people that have problems off the field and that are a distraction to the team. This is why they cut Chris Terry, Koren, and Anthony Simmons. They will have more of a "strong willed team" this year with bringing in guys who "just want to win football games" Examples are Sharper, maybe boulware(god i hope they sign him), Herndon, and Jurivicius. They all have been working hard this off season so far. They also drafted Tatupu and spencer, even though "the experts" though it was a bad time to draft them. They are 2 guys that love the game and will contribute there best to the seahawks, unlike the guys I mentioned above. I know you may disagre about cutting robinson, but you said it yourself, potential is a scray word, and seattle gave this man so many chances, and he obvisoly hasent listened by still doing drugs, maybe getting a 8 game suspention now. This is now a team that is hungry to win games that has been mocked for year, and so have I.

I hope you actually read the whole article before you reply

(1.)Will they finally be able to beat S.Louis?

People might not know it, but St.Louis is a team on the slide. I felt there draft was a boom or bust, and you never want to have that feelling going into the season. There going to turn to Steven Jackson, who is a great athlete, but when the Rams had Marshall Faulk, they had him as a somewhat 4th WR catching it in the backfield. Jackson does not do that. I would rather have Faulk for one more year, but I gues Mike Martz does not want that. They have good WR's, but they are getting older and older as we speak. If Bulger is pressured, this team will fail because there team is based on offense, and if Baron fails, this team will fall dramatically. They have a tough time with balence on offense, and it will only get worse if Martz continues to rely on the pass, and if that does not work, there doomed. Defensively, there a mess. One year there talking about small linebackers, and then now there getting rid of all of them. Claiborne is the complete opposite of what they were trying to do. There Deffensive front gets pushed around and htye rely on Leanord Little to make big plays, and as you can see, Littles carreer is much like the problems the seahawks had with there other players. The Seahawks took the right way and got rid of the problem, while the Rams are doing the complete opposite of what your supposed to do, rely on that person to carry your team. I dont see the rams improving this year and pushing around the seahawks like they did last year, or any other team for that matter. The Seahawks played very good against the rams all 3 times, and what they did, was took the problem, and fixed it so it wouldent happen again. The Rams just made a bigger mess then what they had.

(2.) Will they stop the run?

The funny thing is, how can it get worse then last year? The seahawks thought Tubbs would make an immediate impact last year, but when he didnt plaay at all last season because of his mother dying, they lacked depth, and couldent rebound because they were in mid-season. They added Chuck Darby, who was apart of that great Tampa Bay defense. They wil have Tubbs this year, who will add depth and if good enough will make the starting line up. They have Leverette and Moore who will come in if one of the above is injured. Most teams in the NFL dont have a lot of depth at this position, and now the seahawks do. They might not have the big name players, but they will now have fresh players to come in the game when one is tired. They didnt have this at all last year, and that is why they failed at stopping the run.

(3.)Who will be the #2 WR?

My guess is that it will be Jerome Pathon. He has speed, and can catch the ball. He is a veteran who came into the Seahawks organization knowing his role and he knows that to. He has the same skilld that Robinson had, but Jerome uses this talent on the field, not as an excuse like Koren did. Many say that Seattle will lack the deep threat now, but they dont even need that type of WR because they work with a west coast type of offense, and this involves a short type of pass on offense, which Pathon works good with. The Seahawks will be confortable with Joe Jurevicius on the slot. Joe made some big catches when he was with Tampa Bay, and is tall threat that can be used in the redzone. Hasselbeck was forced to work with deep threats and troubled WR's last year, but now that he has WR's that can catch, and does not have the pressure to throwing to Koren long anymore(which he can do with pathon now, someone who can catch it long). Bobby Engram COULD catch last year, and was used in pressured situations. He is now #4, and would be used when needed. Alex Bannister also went to the pro bowl, he is also a good wr to this team.

(4.)Can Darell Jackson catch the ball?

Tim Ruskell and the front office was sending a message to Jackson saying, if you dont produce and cant catch, your going to get your ass cut. Jackson has to to be concerned that one of his "3 amigos" was cut and that if he continues to drop balls, he will simply get released just like his buddy Koren. Last year, when Robinson was out and not producing in the season, Jackson was forced to be a deep threat. He is more of a short pass WR and now that this team has Pathon, he will be able to do what he is good at. These new set of WR's now will do what they do best, instead of trying to fit Robinson the troubled WR, into this offense. This is why the release of Robinson was so great for this club. They tried so many time to fit him in and to be a great WR for this team, but they were just fooling them selves because Robinson never took them seriously. Jackson will benefit from this.

(5.)Will Shaun Alexander sign?

I dont know why people think he hates Seattle. He just wants money. Seattle did try to trade him, but when they found out that this wasent working, they decided to give up. Alexander wont sit out the season. You can tell by this mans personality in the media that he will not sit out, and that he wants to play football. Alexander claimed the Seahawks as a family to him, and that he would love to play for them. Shaun even said him self, that you can expect him to sign this summer. Also the front office said the same thing, so i guessing it will most liklly happen. This is very good news since Alexander + Walter Jones + Steve Hutchinson + Chris Spencer + Robbie Tobeck equals great success in the running game. This offense has agreat balence, so there offense will be a threat again when Alexander is added to a top 5 offensive line,a nd a released there biggest cancer on that side of the ball. Many people say stuff they dont mean, for instance when Shaun said he was stabbed in the back, he was just caught up in the moment. Then when everyone says for him to apoligize, and he does, they say its not good enough. It makes no sense to me. All I know is that Alexander is a top 3 running back in consistency and when he signs like he said, he will continue to run over defenses.

As you can see, I am so happy with the Robinson release because of the way it ties into everyone of these categories. It will help thi teams consistency so much, and as people know, that has been there biggest problem for the past 2 years. Wether its is they cant win on the road, or they cannot catch the ball, cutting Robinson is one big step to move foward in the leauge for the Seahawks.

This whole article is based on how I think Seattle has gotten to be a better "team" to over come some games. They actually have a chance to overcome the Jags week 1, and maybe even stand a chance against Phill on MNF. I feel having more of a "team effort" gives you more wins in the season. Look at New England, they play more like a team and they won 3 out of 4 super bowls. Seattle drafted just like New England, took the players who are out there to play, and to try there best on the field(Spencer, Tatupu, Greene, Hil.l) Seattle has never had this, and this will make them play better football throughout the season. I really cant name a seahawk player that doesent love the game and is only doing it for the money. They really cut all of those distactions this off season. The Rams are facing these problems right now, just like the hawks had for the past few years. The Rams have a very talented team, but does not show it in the season because people are too busy driving drunk and hitting people(Learnard Little). I just dont think they fixed it this year, and there record will continue to shrink. Seattle fixed the problem with hiring president Tim Ruskell, the new pres that shows that if your a distraction, your gone. The Rams didnt fix it this off season, and that is why SEattle will get the better of them like St.Louis did in 04.

Tory Holt is amazing, I have nothing against his talent and he is a top 5 WR in the NFl. The reason though I see there WR's getting worse because there top notch guy Issac Bruce like you said, is leaving pretty soon. Kevin Curtis will be a good replacement, but he only benifits his talent from working from the slot. It is like the same thing you have been saying about the Seahawk wr's, there not good enough from #2 but are good because they add depth. Shawn MacDonald does not worry me, he was getting his yardage from being there #4 WR and going up against bad CB's. Except for one big play against Seattle in 04, he didnt contribute much to the Rams. Like I said, Im not worried about him. Also the Rams had a reciving threat in Marshall Faulk, and he will be gone soon too. This is how the rams Wr's will shape out this season, more like the Seattle Wr's. You may not have heard of him, but the seahawks have a WR named Jerheem Urban, who has height and speed. Remember that name, he reminds me of a young type of WR the Colts would have. He will be a threat for the seahawks in the near future. You are also right, there defense is just plain ugly.

Chuck Darby has showed that he is a yound solid DT for Tamap Bay, and said he would give his best effort to seattle. Like you said, Tubbs could be a bust, but he also could be a large factor in stopping the run. The thing I also like is that he said he will dedicate the 05 season to his mother he lost last year. He will play for his mother this year. So what practicully has hapened is that they took there starting DT's from last year, and have became a 2nd string this year, and if some one is injured they will come in and still be pretty solid. You say that Morre and Everette were both bad, and I can maybe agree with Leverette. He is not much of a starter, but Moore is a pretty solid DT. He has had shoulder problems in the past year and will return to full strenth this year. He has actually played good with these problems with him every year. Moore and Tubbs good be pretty solid in 1 or 2 years. There both young, and are playing healthy in 05.

Jackson has been over shadowed ever since Koren Robinson was enrolled into the lineup. He has had limited receptions  because the seahawks want so badly to have Robinson as there savior WR. Now that he is gone, Jackson will show is true ability. Joe Jurevicius works very good in the slot, that is where he works best. Pathon has the same ability as Robinson, and has shown to have good stats as a wr in New Orleans. His stats proves that he can catch the ball and make big plays when needed to. This is the complete opposite of what Robinson had in his talent. Hasselbeck can now throw the ball to his WR's in confidnce that they will now catch the ball. This has haunted Hasselbeck for years and I belive has been corrected this offseason. Bobby Engram can make clutch catches(not counting last year against the rams). He will be one of the best #4 WR's in the leauge.

Again, Alexander apoligized for his comments, and all was forgiven. This is like every other situation in the leauge where somebody wants money, and the front office is forced to take action. I am always saying this team has a new good attitude, and I think the front office would get rid of him if he didnt have a good attitude. Yes, they did try to get rid of them, but they then realize that this is there running back, and that he is a hell of a athlete. They both said that he is coming back this year. Alexander loves the Seahawks, and when he plays this year, he will run to his fullest behind a even more improved O-line and maybe this year get the rushing title.

I dont know why you are so concerned about Alexander not returning. Both sides said there will be a done deal by summer and that Alexander said that he might even sign the tender if needed to. ALEXANDER WILL SIGN. There is no doubt in my mind to think that he wont. When he signs the tender, it wont cost nearly as much as a long term deal. Next year, hey will have a good off season because if they do only sign Alexander with the tender, the only big F.A's will be him, and Steve Hutchinson. I guarentee they will use the franchise tag on Hutch, and hopefully sign Alexander to that long term deal. I dont know the big RB's in F.A next year, but even if Alexander is signed, they could maybe sign a big RB. Even if they dont, Maurice Morris has proven to be a good RB, and they signed Jesse Lumbsen. Lumbsen is a legend in Canadien Football and COULD be a big part of there offense if it all pans out. His only problem is that he is a White Canadien RB, and peole dont take him seriously. Anyone behind Seattle's online will look good, and Alexander looks even better and they WILL sign him this summer.

I think your probably saying, "how do you know seattle will sign him", because why have the trade talks died down? Why isent Alexander causing any more trouble? This is because the front office will wait to all F.A talk is dead, and then will work on Alexanders contract. Nobody seems interested anymore, and telling by Alexanders desire to play football, he will be forced to sign.

I know im writing too much about my Hawks, but I remain determined that this is a team with alot of talent, and continues to get better every off season. This is a young team that gets better every year, and when there in there prime, they will be super bowl bound.

How do you think they will do when you do your division previws? Win the divsion? 2nd Place? .500? When are you doing the NFC WEST?

I'm doing the NFC West as we speak and it should be up sometime Friday.

I wouldn't get too excited about Chartric Darby. He's currently listed fifth on the defensive tackle depth chart. I guess they don't think too highly of him.

While the NFC West isn't done, I did the Seahawks yesterday. I didn't do the Rams or Cardinals yet, so I cannot say if they win the division or not. They could.

The one problem I have with the offense is its lack of consistency. Hasselbeck was 14 of 41 with 4 INTs against Arizona. Seattle has these games once in a while.

I'm still not convinced you'll be able to stop the run. Stopping the pass shouldn't be much of an issue, but the Seahawks' defense is very weak up the middle. They gave up 4.5 yards per carry and haven't added anything, excluding a third-string defensive tackle.

I don't think they'll beat Jacksonville. I think that defense will give your offense a lot of problems. I think you have a better shot at beating the Eagles on MNF.

Go through the schedule game by game, and tell me what you think your record will be.

I'm impressed by your knowledge.

Not 7-9. The two other games I disagree with you on may be wins that you had as losses, or losses that you had as wins.

I'm not saying Washington is a good team. They are terrible. The Seahawks are much better than the Redskins. However, in any given season, there are always games that a team is supposed to win, but loses. Whether it's a look-ahead situation, Pacific at Atlantic 1:00 situation or whatever. I think this is the game Seattle loses that they shouldn't. Remember, they have that Week 5 Rams game circled right now.

While Tatupu may go to the Pro Bowl in the future, it won't happen this year. Not in a conference with Brian Urlacher, Dan Morgan, Jeremiah Trotter and Antonio Pierce at middle linebacker.

Seattle looks like they are taking steps in the right direction. I do not share your confidence in retaining Shaun Alexander. He's not even under contract for 2005 yet. In fact, I read in the tabloids -- which are correct about 25 percent of the time -- that the Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to trade for Alexander.

Can they win a playoff game this year? Maybe. It depends who they are matched up against. I'll see who they are matched up against when I complete all of the divisions -- I've only done the West divisions so far.

When do you do your season simulation?

Do you just predict the all the season games by yourself before the beginning of the season?

(By the way, I couldent help but laugh at your Super Bowl 37 prediction...Browns vs Packers)

I'm already doing my season simulation. When I predict the record of each team, I go down the schedule and simulate each week, assigning a score to each game. When all of the divisions are complete, I'll post my season simulation.

Browns-Packers doesn't seem to wise now, but remember, the Packers were 12-4 in 2002, and the Browns had a huge lead against the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. What happened? Green Bay lost to the Falcons at home, while Pittsburgh made one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history. Both of my Super Bowl teams made the playoffs, so I'm not really upset with that pick. I'm more disgruntled that I picked the Buccaneers to lose to the Patriots in 2003.