The preseason has rarely been a time for rational thought by spectators of the NFL. Actually, neither has the regular season, but the preseason is markedly worse. We usually try to keep things in perspective here at NSS, and rely on facts and sound reasoning more than bluster.
But where's the fun in that?
Here are a few proclamations regarding the Seahawks' first two preseason games minus pesky things like facts, logic and context. At least half should prove to be correct, right?
To Continue...
Of course, what good knee jerk reaction would be complete without a cliche, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" reference?
The Good
1. Butler is the new Engram
Who needs Bobby Engram, Deion Branch or any other undersized, possession receiver. Deon Butler has great speed, hands and route-running ability. In just his first chance of significant play time with the first unit, Butler outshone every other Seahawks receiver, including T.J. Houshmandzadeh. He obviously still needs work, but Butler should play a key role for the Seahawks this year and may even wind up having the biggest impact of all Seahawks rookies. With Nate Burleson already missing time and Branch a ticking timebomb to join him, Butler should get plenty of opportunity to wow fans and cement his role as the receiver of the future.
2. Hasselbeck is back in Pro Bowl form
At the top of his game, Matt Hasselbeck is one of the most commanding quaterbacks on the field. He knows exactly where to go with the pass and throws one of the most accurate, catchable balls in the league. He looks like he needs to work on some timing still with the receivers, but Hasselbeck hasn't looked this good since, well, since just two years ago. If his back holds up, the Seahawks passing game should return to the top of the pack in the league. If his back holds up... His back will hold up. Right?
The Bad
1. Opposing D's will put a hurtin' on Hasselbeck
No one could possibly be happy with the state of the Seattle pass blocking thus far. Despite keeping him upright against the Chargers, the line allowed Matty to go down three times against a defense that, to be nice, is less than good. Last season, the Broncos finished with 26 sacks as a team with just five coming from their team leaders. Other than changing to a 3-4, the Broncos have changed little on defense. The worst aspect of the pass blocking has been the play of Seth Locklear at left tackle. The supposed future at that position has looked like a scrub playing out of his league. It's looking more and more like Seattle should have gone left tackle in the first round after all.
2. Curry will not live up to the hype
Speaking of the first round, Seattle's actual pick has looked less than the guaranteed stud he was promised to be. After looking shaky in the first game, he's already missing play time, no doubt due to missing part of training camp with an unnecessary holdout. The defense still struggles in putting pressure on the quarterback and in pass defense. Curry does little to help in either category. He'll need to do a lot to stand out and prove to Seahawks fans he was worth the pick and the money. At this point, he's likely to do neither.
3. Unger is not all he was cracked up to be
When Max Unger was taken in the second round, you'd have thought from most fans' reactions he was the second coming of Steve Hutchinson. But Unger has looked horrid thus far. While his pass blocking has been OK, he has been completely ineffectual in run blocking. It's not that he can't move his man; it's that he can't even find his man. When he's not blowing his assignment at the line of scrimmage, he's whiffing when on the move in space. Now that Chris Spencer is out and Mike Wahl was cut due to injury, Unger has the potential to start and really hurt the 'Hawks during the regular season.
The Ugly
C Chris Spencer could miss some regular season games.
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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