By Adam Mcfadden [email protected]

4

Seahawks

August 7, 2009 www.rentonreporter.com

Looking ahead, how will the Seahawks’ season shake out?

Week 1 vs. St. Louis Rams Marc Bulger is still at quarterback, but he hasn’t been good since 2006. There isn’t much experience at wide receiver, though second-year man Donnie Avery is talented and fast. The offense will revolve around running back Steven Jackson. Expect the Seahawks to limit Jackson’s damage and get to Bulger before he can find his inexperienced wide receivers downfield too many times. The Rams don’t have a great defense, but there are good players present. Adam Carriker, Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Oshiomogho Atogwe are getting better. Verdict - Seahawks win, but it’s not a blowout. Record - 1-0 Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers Neither Shaun Hill or Alex Smith at quarterback is too scary for Seattle’s defense, while running back Frank Gore should be. This early in the season, rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree might not have much to offer as he adjusts from his very different college system to the NFL.

Adam McFadden

Predicting the NFL season can be tough. With only 16 regular-season games, the smallest bounce either way can have huge consequences. That said, here is my attempt to reason with the Seahawks’ 2009 schedule:

San Francisco’s defense in a nutshell: Defensive line just O.K.; linebackers good mix of veteran and youth; secondary has a few strong veterans. Verdict - Seahawks win, this game even closer than Week 1. Record - 2-0

From My Side

BY ADAM MCFADDEN [email protected]

Week 3 vs. Chicago Bears The biggest variable in this game is how quickly new quarterback Jay Cutler develops with the rest of the offense. My guess: The Bears will be primed and ready. Chicago has talented targets in tight end Greg Olsen and running back Matt Forte that make up for what could be an enigmatic group of wide receivers. The defense remains talented and another year older. Verdict - The Bears move the ball well and take this one. Record - 2-1 Week 4 at Indianapolis Colts There was a ton of turnover in the Colts’ coaching staff in the offseason and quarterback Peyton Manning made it known he wasn’t happy with the way things progressed. Even so, Manning with wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez should mix for a passing game that is at least efficient, if not prolific. Joseph Addai had a down year but should rebound if his off-season knee surgery doesn’t slow down his warm-up to

Have your own ideas?

FYI

Think you can make better predictions for the Seahawks’ 2009 season? Send your predictions and insights to [email protected]

the season. Defensive stars Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders remain. Verdict - If this game was in Seattle, I’d give it to the Seahawks, but the Colts win in Indy. Record - 2-2 Week 5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew are the makings of a good offense, but the Jags still lack wide receivers. Torry Holt will help, but he’s not an ideal No. 1 option at this point. I also think the team will miss Fred Taylor at running back more than most do. Jones-Drew is dynamic, but Taylor was a steady presence in the backfield. The defense doesn’t scare me, though there are playmakers in the secondary with Rashean Mathis and Reggie Nelson. Verdict - The Seahawks bounce back from two straight losses to win this game at home. Record - 3-2 Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals This is a statement game, either way it ends. Will the Seahawks put the Cardinals back in their place and resume their role as NFC West leaders? Or will the Cardinals win and complete the changing of the

guard? The same pieces are back with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. This team will pass for a lot of yards. The Seahawks need to be on their offensive game in this one because Arizona has an underrated defense. Verdict - The Cardinals come into the season overrated because of their amazing postseason run. The fact is the team went 9-7 in the regular season and showed flaws. I like the Seahawks. Record - 4-2 Week 7 Bye Week 8 at Dallas Cowboys Minus one huge distraction in Terrell Owens and unrealistic preseason hype, I like the Cowboys to be really good this season. With Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Jason Witten and Roy Williams, Dallas will score points against Seattle. The Cowboys’ strong defense up front should make for a long day for Julius Jones and Matt Hasselbeck. But if Hasselbeck can get time to work in the pocket, I like him and the Seahawks savvy receivers against the Cowboys’ secondary. Verdict - The Cowboys win, but the Seahawks aren’t pushovers. Record - 4-3 Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions The Lions have good young offensive players in running back Kevin Smith and [ more PREDICTIONS page 8 ]

249545