Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks: Scouting The 'Hawks

On Saturday the Broncos play the Seattle Seahawks, a team they used to face twice a season as division rivals. Lets take a look at the 2011 Seattle Seahawks

All Time Regular Season Record: 262-286-0

Playoff Record: 8-11

Superbowl Record - 0-1

Passing Leader: Matt Hasselbeck - 29,434 Yards

Rushing Leader: Shawn Alexander - 9,429

Receiving Leader: Steve Largent - 13,089

Winningest Coach - 86 Wins - Mike Holmgren

Depth Chart

OFFENSE

POS	FIRST	SECOND	THIRD
WR1	MIKE WILLIAMS	BENJAMIN OBAMANU	KRIS DURHAM
LT	RUSSEL OKUNG	TYLER POLUMBUS	WILL ROBINSON
LG	ROBERT GALLERY	PAUL McQUISTAN	LEMUEL JEANPIERRE
C	MAX UNGER	MIKE GIBSON	BRENT OSBORNE
RG	JOHN MOFFITT	PAUL FANAIKA	ZACH HURD
RT	JAMES CARPENTER	BRENCO GIACOMINI	-
TE	ZACH MILLER	JOHN CARLSON	ANTHONY McCOY
WR2	SIDNEY RICE	GOLDEN TATE	DOUG BALDWIN
QB	TARVARIS JACKSON	CHARLIE WHITEHURST	JOSH PORTIS
FB	MICHAEL ROBINSON	RYAN TRAVIS	DORSON BOYCE
RB	MARSHAWN LYNCH	JUSTIN FORSETT	LEON WASHINGTON

 

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

POS	FIRST	SECOND	THIRD
LDE	CHRIS CLEMONS	RAHEEM BROCK	DEXTER DAVIS
LDT RDT	ALAN BRANCH BRANDON MEBANE	LAZARIUS LEVINGSTON JUNIOR SIAVII	JAY ALFORD
RDE	RED BRYANT	JIMMY WILKERSON	PIERRE ALLEN
OLB1	LEROY HILL	MALCOLM SMITH	NEAL HOWEY
MLB	DAVID HAWTHORNE	K.J. WRIGHT	MICHAEL JOHNSON
OLB2	AARON CURRY	MATT McCOY	MIKE MORGAN
LCB	MARCUS TRUFANT	RICHARD SHERMAN	KENNARD COX
RCB	WALTER THURMOND	BRANDON BROWNER	KELLY JENNINGS
SS	KAM CHANCELLOR	JOSH PINKARD	JERON JOHNSON
FS	EARL THOMAS	MARK LeGREE	RICKY THENARSE
		SPECIAL TEAMS
K	JEFF REED
P	JON RYAN	JOHN GOLD
H	JON RYAN	JOHN GOLD
PR	LEON WASHINGTON	GOLDEN TATE	JUSTIN FORSETT
KR	LEON WASHINGTON	GOLDEN TATE	JUSTIN FORSETT
LS	CLINT GRESHAM	ZACH MILLER

PRE-SEASON STATISTICS

FIRST DOWNS 

FOR: 44

AGAINST: 27

THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS

FOR: 20/40 (50%)

AGAINST 10/25 (40%)

FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS

FOR: 2/5 (40%)

AGAINST 0/1 (0%)

TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS

FOR: 644

AGAINST 545

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS

FOR: 283

AGAINST: 193

TOTAL PASSING YARDS

FOR: 361

AGAINST: 352

SACKS

FOR: 4.0

AGAINST: 3.0

FIELD GOALS

FOR: 1/1

AGAINST: 3/3

TOUCHDOWNS

FOR: 4 (2 RUSHING 2 PASSING)

AGAINST: 4(ONE RUSHING ONE PASSING ONE RETURN ONE DEFENSIVE)

TIME OF POSSESION

FOR: 34:36

AGAINST: 25:24

TURNOVER RATIO = +1

PASSING LEADER 

CHARLIE WHITEHURST - 28/39 212 YARDS 71.8%. 5.4 YARDS/ATTEMPT, 1 TOUCHDOWN, 0 INT, 93.1 RATING

RUSHING

THOMAS CLAYTON                             23 ATTEMPTS, 87 YARDS, ONE TOUCHDOWN

LEON WASHINGTON                         12 ATTEMPTS, 49 YARDS, ONE TOUCHDOWN

NOTABLE: MARSHAWN LYNCH:      6 ATTEMPTS FOR 10 YARDS

RECEIVING

DOUG BALDWIN: 6 CATCHES 43 YARDS

DOMINIQUE BYRD: 6 CATCHES 84 YARDS

OTHER NOTABLES: GOLDEN TATE 4 CATCHES FOR 24 YARDS

                                      SIDNEY RICE   2 CATCHES FOR 11 YARDS

DEFENSE

K.J WRIGHT                11 TACKLES

MALCOLM SMITH       7 TACKLES

MATT MCCOY              5 TACKLES ONE FORCED FUMBLE

RAHEEM BROCK       4 TACKLES ONE SACK

 

LAST SEASON: The Seahawks became the first team to win a division with a losing record at 7-9. In week 17 they defeated the St. Louis Rams to make it into the playoffs. Going into what was supposed to be a sure win for the Saints, the Seahawks made happen one of the biggest playoff upsets of all time defeating the Saints to advance to the NFC divisional round where they would lose to the Bears. 

NEW ARRIVALS - QB TARVARIS JACKSON, WR SIDNEY RICE, OL ROBERT GALLERY, OL JAMES CARPENTER, OL JOHN MOFFITT, TE ZACH MILLER, DL ALAN BRANCH, DL JIMMY WILKERSON

KEY LOSSES - QB MATT HASSELBECK, OL SEAN LOCKLEAR, OL CHRIS SPENCER, LB LOFA TATUPU, SS LAWYER MILLOY, FS JORDAN BABINEAUX

TEAM STRENGTHS: Receivers: With Mike Williams and new targets Sidney Rice and tight end Zach Miller, Tarvaris Jackson should have plenty of players to throw at. 

 Run Defense: With the additions of Jimmy Wilkerson and Alan Branch, the Seahawks should have a much better run defense. Thanks to signing Brandon Mebane long term, watch for the big defensive tackle to have a big season.

TEAM WEAKNESSES:  

Quarterback: Tarvaris Jackson was paid good money in hopes that he can be the guy. With average play in Minnesota, Seattle hopes they can develop him into a strong player. Should he fail, Charlie Whitehurst would be there to start after his strong camp. Whitehurst started last season in week 17 in the Seahawks win vs the Rams to get into the playoffs.

Thoughts: Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider have been questioned for letting Matt Hasselbeck get away. New assistant Tom Cable hopes to get the most out of their run game with a healthy Marshawn Lynch. Losing key players in low depth spots, but bolstering their offensive line, the seahawks could be looking at another 7 win season at  best. 

Other Player Notes

 

• TE Anthony McCoy is finally living up to his enormous potential. The USC product did a solid job run blocking and finished with his second touchdown of the preseason against Minnesota, a 3-yard grab for a score from Charlie Whitehurst.
• DE Red Bryant played for the first time since having season-ending knee surgery in October, making it through the first half against the Vikings unscathed.
• S Josh Pinkard continues to make plays in his effort to make the final roster. Pinkard saved a touchdown by tackling WR Emmanuel Arceneaux from behind at the 5-yard line and punching the ball out of his hands and out of the end zone for a touchback, giving Seattle the ball at the 20-yard line.
• WR Patrick Williams took a step back against Minnesota after shining in practice last week, dropping an easy pass for a first down from Charlie Whitehurst, and also falling down while running a route on another Whitehurst offering thrown his way.

 

Expected Battle Of The Week:

Brandon Browner appears to be nudging ahead of Kelly Jennings in the battle for the starting right cornerback job opposite veteran Marcus Trufant. After missing two days of practice with a concussion, Jennings was cleared to play on Saturday. However, Jennings continued to struggle in pass coverage, while the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Browner gives Seattle more size on the perimeter.

Other Battle Fronts:

Running back Leon Washington continues to make it known that he's ready for a more significant role on offense this season. Washington finished with 26 yards on four carries against the Vikings.

Rookie Report:

Boise State safety Jeron Johnson again made plays that get him noticed. Johnson stripped Minnesota punt returner Marcus Sherels of the ball, which was recovered by linebacker Aaron Curry. Johnson also finished with three tackles.

Injury Report:

 

• CB Walter Thurmond was expected back by the Minnesota game, but remains out with a high ankle sprain suffered the first week of training camp.
• WR Ben Obomanu missed his second straight game with a minor shoulder issue. The Auburn University alum fully participated in practice the past week, but head coach Pete Carroll is taking a cautious approach to getting him some game action.
• OT Russell Okung was a limited participant in practice this week, but sat out the Minnesota game with a sprained left ankle.
• DE Chris Clemons missed his second straight game with an ankle issue, but is expected to be fine once the regular season begins.