Seattle without a Pro Bowler? 

Had those words been put together to form that sentence earlier this decade, you would have been crazy.  The Seahawks have had at least one player represent the team in the National Football League’s all-star festivities since 2000.

Things have hit rock bottom here in the Emerald City, despite winning one more game so far this season compared to last year.  Granted there are teams that have fewer wins over the past two seasons than Seattle, but the level of play has opened the door to a place that Seattle hadn’t been since before Mike Holmgren graced this city with his presence.

At face value there are too many holes for an immediate turnaround next season, but, depending on who is brought in to be the next general manager, the Seahawks could show signs of life.

Without looking ahead too far down the road, after all, there still is one more game to play this season; let’s take a look at a few things Seattle needs to do in the final game of the 2009-2010 season. 

1. Offensive Line: Protect the quarterback
2. Defense: Tackle
3. Team: Play more disciplined football

Protect the quarterback

Matt Hasselbeck has looked more like a lost little boy than a quarterback that took a team to the Super Bowl just a handful of seasons ago.  The reason for this is the offensive line.

The offensive line lets opposing defenders into the pocket at an alarming rate and that has resulted in countless quarterback hits and sacks.  Those hits have taken their toll, namely to the signal caller’s throwing shoulder.  In a press conference earlier this season head coach Jim Mora Jr. said that Hasselbeck hadn’t been able to get everything behind his throws like he normally could.

When your quarterback has a dinged throwing shoulder and little to no pocket to throw in, you get a skittish leader that tries to overcompensate.

Case in point, Hasselbeck’s nine interceptions in the last three games.

Tackle

Broken and altogether missed tackles have plagued the defensive unit throughout the season.

Just off the top of my head I recall Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings taking a short pass along the right sideline and turning would-be tacklers into knocked over bowling pins en route to a big gain and a first down that would help set up one of Green Bay’s six touchdowns.  Jennings’ run after the catch wasn’t the only play that Seattle let slip away last weekend.

Looking back further to few weeks ago, Andre Johnson shed Seattle tacklers left and right in his 11-catch, 193-yard game in which the all-pro receiver scored twice.

Those examples are just two of numerous ones this season and, with the electric Chris Johnson coming to town this weekend to take on Seattle, things don’t look good if the Seahawks’ defenders continue to let offensive weapons slip and slide through their hands.

Play more disciplined football

Twenty-one penalties in the past three games have killed offensive drives for Seattle and breathed life back into ones for their opponents.

A sloppy, undisciplined team in terms of penalties carries over into other aspects of football.  

Turnovers, poor route running, miscommunication and missed defensive assignments are all effects of the pandemic.  All of which have reared their ugly heads this season for the Seahawks.

What Seattle needs is a wake up call, a realization of just how poorly they have played individually as well as a unit this year in all facets of the game.  The season as a whole is down the tubes, but momentum headed into a new year and a new decade is still within reach.  Seattle just needs to start playing the way some experts and the team’s fans thought they could.