Seahawk 2006 team preview

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

I'm starting a series on the Seahawks getting ready for the 2006 campaign. I went to the first pre-season game against the Redskins and I wasn't impressed by what I saw. It's only pre-season but... when your #1 draft pick can't cover 2nd and 3rd string receivers with 2nd and 3rd string quarterbacks throwing to them, you may have problems.

I'll focus on different positions each post. This post will focus on the offensive line.

2005 saw the Hawks with the best offensive line in football with three members being selected to the pro-bowl. One of those guys (Steve Hutchinson) went to the Vikings in the offseason, other than that our line should be a bright spot again this season. Here are this seasons starters.

Left Tackle - Walter Jones -
Six time pro-bowler and regarded as the best left tackle in football. For the second straight year Jones has been in training camp since the first day. Expected to have another standout year. Measures out at 6'5" #315
Back-up (Tom Ashworth) acquired from New England as an unrestricted free agent in '06. Ashworth is a four year veteran and would probably start on half of the NFL teams. Measures out at 6'6" #305.

Left Guard - Floyd Womack -
Five year NFL veteran and has been in and out of the starting line-up over his career. He replaces all pro Steve Hutchinson. This will be a downgrade over last year but, Womack has much experience with this line and the scheme. Nicknamed "Pork Chop" he measures out at 6'4" and weighs #330. back-up (Tom Ashworth again) (third string William Henry) Henry is a free agent acquisition with one year experience. He has started in no games and also has experience at center. Measures out at 6'4" #295.

Center - Robbie Tobeck -
A 14 year NFL veteran and the reserve pro-bowler for the NFC in last years pro-bowl. Robbie is rock solid, and is probably starting to be "long in the tooth" but for a center, wisdom and experience are more important than youth. Measures out at 6'4" #297
back-up (Chris Spencer) the number one draft pick from last years draft. Has all the physical tools for the job but probably needs a little more time before he's ready to make all the offensive line calls. Measures out at 6'3" #309

Right Guard - Chris Gray
Another 14 year veteran, Gray is probably in the last year of starting every game. Has been a solid performer for the Seahawks. Measures out at 6'3" #308
back-up (Tom Ashworth) again...

Right Tackle - Sean Locklear
Third year player from the '04 draft. Sean is emerging as one of the NFL's best right tackles. Unfairly Sean will forever be remembered for the Superbowl holding call that resulted in the Jeramy Stevens reception on the one yard line being called back. The Hawks were down by four points at this stage of the game and were on a good drive. The sad thing is that the player he held was shown to have been offsides at the snap because he started his rush a little early. Sean got called for holding because the blitzing Pittsburgh player had a head start. ANOTHER BAD CALL BY THE REFS. This one, I think, cost us the game. Measures out at 6'4" #301
back-up (Tom Ashworth) again...

There are some 3rd and 4th stringers I didn't profile.

Overall grade A-
Even with the departure of Hutchinson the line should be great. They have at least three years experience working together across the board. Look for some huge holes getting ripped in defensive lines and look for Matt having lots of time to throw the ball. One of last years highlights was the blocking ability of the tight ends. The did great at sealing off the ends on many of Sean's big runs. I will profile the tight ends with the receivers.