Chris Spencer - center
Like many of the people on this list, Chris Spencer has played beneath his perceived ability level the past few seasons.
A former number-one pick, Spencer was supposed to be the heir apparent to Robbie Tobeck. Tobeck was never a physical specimen, but he was a smart team-leader during Seattle's most successful run as an offense.
He was 30 years old when he first came to Seattle and never once reached a Pro Bowl until the 2005 season, one year before his retirement. So the bar wasn't set too high for the multi-talented Spencer.
To continue...
Yet Spencer has failed to be more than adequate, stemming mostly from his inconsistency in recognizing the blitz, something the more experienced Tobeck was supremely good at.
Even as a run blocker, Spencer has failed to impress. In his three seasons as the starter, the Seahawks never finished higher than 14th in rushing offense, a stark contrast from the top five units in the preceding years.
The hard facts
In 2006, the once high-powered Seahawks offense would take an inexplicable downward turn. Despite Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander returning, and former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch bolstering the receiver corps, the offensive rankings plummeted from first in points scored to 14th.
Much of that had to do with injuries to both Alexander and Hasselbeck, but perhaps even more had to do with the new starting offensive linemen, Spencer and Floyd Womack.
In just 12 games started, Hasselbeck was sacked 34 times, 10 more than he had been in all 16 games the previous season. As for Alexander, the gaping holes were never there as they had been in 2005, though his foot injury in week one makes it more difficult to determine what was him and what was the line.
Most recently, the offensive line finished 20th in sacks allowed with 36. Despite injuries, that's still the same amount given up in 2005 with an almost completely healthy unit. Hmmmm.
The weakest link
The offensive line underwent more than one change upon Spencer's arrival as the starting center in 2006. LG Steve Hutchinson was gone, replaced by a revolving door thus far, and Rob Sims took over at right guard in 2007, finishing a complete overhaul of the interior of the line.
So was Spencer really the weakest link, holding the line back or was it the lack of talent surrounding him that kept him from realizing his true potential?
The answer is probably all of the above. But whether fair or not, Spencer has been a part of a consistently under-performing unit.
Reason for hope
Yeah, there really isn't any. Things are going to get even tougher this season with the adjustment to a zone-blocking scheme. If Spencer struggled before, why should anything else be expected in a more complicated scheme?
Spencer is entering the final year of his contract, and Seattle now has second-round pick Max Unger waiting in the wings. While he lacks Spencer's physical talents, he does have terrific football smarts, a necessity for NFL centers.
Spencer isn't the first physically impressive, mentally unimpressive player to fail at center in the NFL, and he won't be the last. Chances are wherever he goes after his contract ends, Spencer's future will be at guard.
Unfortunately, much of Seattle's offensive prowess in 2009 rests on Spencer. If he wilts under the weight of increased responsibilities, then Julius Jones may not have the holes to run through and Hasselbeck may be spending more time on his back.
It's not all on Spencer, but he certainly needs to step up and be one of the strongest links rather than one of the weakest for Seattle in 2009.
Number 1 - Jim L. Mora
Number 3 - Julius Jones
Number 4 - Gus Bradley
Number 5 - Brian Russell
Number 6 - Lawrence Jackson
Number 7 - Deon Butler
Number 8 - Ken Lucas
Number 9 - Leroy Hill
Number 10 - Brandon Mebane
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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