QB’s (3) Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, Mike Teel

The Bald Bomber starts another season for the ‘Hawks, looking to build on his legacy as the team’s greatest QB. He has looked great this preseason and Greg Knapp appears to sense what a weapon his QB is right now. Hasselbeck has looked very comfortable in the shotgun, which was forbidden under Mike Holmgren. When he is getting time to throw and has a variety of weapons, good things happen for the Seahawks. The question mark is his health, but coming into the season Hasselbeck is looking better than ever, and appears to be truly free of last years back woes.

Seneca Wallace may never be a starter in the NFL, but he is a valued backup and he will punish teams that underestimate his skills. Every year ‘Hawk fans wonder if Seneca will be used as a wide receiver more regularly. It’s possible with the resurgence of “wildcat” formations and with a new head coach, we might finally see more of this. Wallace himself hinted that this was in the works, but that could easily be the wily vet running interference.

Mike Teel has been a revelation out of Rutgers in the 6th round. He’s got a long way to go to be an NFL QB, but he’s got great zip on his throws already. He looks poised and ran the offense smoothly, which ‘Hawk fans are not used to seeing from a long succession of 3rd string QB’s. It’s looking very possible that he will start in the league someday.

RB’s Julius Jones, Edgerrin James, Justin Forsett, Justin Griffiths, Owen Schmitt.

I believe that Mike Holmgren’s decision to bench Julius Jones last year was due partly to his personal preference for Maurice Morris, but Jones has also been somewhat fumble prone. He isn’t 100% right now and there are questions about his health long-term. On the other hand, Julius does have some positives. He is a surprisingly violent pass-blocker, has hands out of the backfield and runs decisively.

Edgerrin James was once a world-class runner, but is he the same player now? Will Seahawk fans in the future compare him to Seahawk great Ricky Watters, or to Seahawk dud Franco Harris? Only time will tell on this one, but the good thing for both Jones and James is that the best man will win out here. Jones will start, but that will not last if James is showing all the signs of a career resurgence. In reality the Hawks will probably need both players.

Don’t forgett Forsett, who will be returning punts and featuring as a 3rd down back. Justin has much in common with Jones and James. He is quick but does not have elite speed. He defends his QB and is a real threat, especially on the screen pass and on draw plays. His listed height and weight are deceptive; this is NOT Darren Sproles. He’s a smaller runner, but he is very physical and runs low. He won’t be as explosive as Sproles, but he is more durable and can run inside.

Most fans expected Owen Schmitt to be named the starting fullback when incumbent starter Leonard Weaver was signed by Philadelphia. It seems wrong to use the word “hype” to describe a fullback, but ‘Hawk fans were excited when Schmitt was taken last year out of West Virginia. He is a brutal lead blocker and has the mentality (or lack thereof) necessary to play the position effectively, but he struggled this preseason and was edged out by Justin Griffiths. New coordinator Greg Knapp and Griffiths are familiar with each other and its not hard to see what Knapp likes about Justin. He can do lots of different things well and won the job by knowing the scheme better and playing his role within it expertly. This is again a situation where both players will probably be needed, and the better one will win out this season.

I’ll try to have posts up on the rest of the offense and the new defensive look before Sunday’s kickoff against the Rams on Sunday at 1 pm Pacific.