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49ers 2009 opponent breakdown: Seattle Seahawks (Week 2 and Week 13)
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TJ Houshmandzadeh and a healthy Matt Hasselbeck could make Seattle dangerous again.
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Continuing with the schedule breakdown, we follow up Week 1 with Week 2 (and eventually Week 13) opponent the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks were once the model of consistency for the division. But after an injury-filled 2008 season, the Seahawks hope to stay healthy this year and make it back to the top.
Let's break down the 2009 Seahawks.
2008 Record: 4-12 (3rd NFC West)
Last meeting: 10/26/08 @ San Francisco (Seahawks win 34-13)
2009 schedule: Week 2 @ San Francisco, Week 13 @ Seattle
Top 3 best players: QB Matt Hasselbeck, WR TJ Houshmandzadeh, LB Lofa Tatupu
Notable draft picks: LB Aaron Curry, T Max Unger
Notable new acquisitions: WR TJ Houshmandzadeh, CB Ken Lucas, DT Colin Cole, DT Cory Redding, FB Justin Griffith
Notable losses: DT Rocky Bernard, WR Bobby Engram, RB Maurice Morris, LB Julian Peterson, FB Leonard Weaver
The Seahawks enter the 2009 season full of changes, especially at the head coaching position. After a decade with Mike Holmgren as the head coach, former 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr. now takes over as the head coach.
Holmgren's final season with the Seahawks was filled with injured players and Mora's new assignment is to find some consistency with a now healthy squad.
The team's leader on offense is quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The three-time Pro Bowler played in only seven games last year with a 57.8 quarterback rating. However, as we have seen in years past, a healthy Hasselbeck manages the offense with accurate passes and smart decisions in the pocket.
The Seahawks realized that in order for the team to make it back to the top of the division, they needed to have an explosion on offense. Last season, the team signed former Cowboys running back Julius Jones in hoping that he can help establish a running game that Shaun Alexander had left behind.
Jones had only 158 rushing attempts while splitting time with Maurice Morris. But with Morris now gone, Jones will be most definitely the main back of the offense. Jones' 4.4 yards per carry average should help the Seahawks offense open up their passing game.
And of course, one of the biggest free agents in this year did sign with the Hawks. Former Bengals star TJ Houshmandzadeh comes to Seattle with a very impressive résumé. Since 2004, Houshmandzadeh has averaged 89 catches, 11.5 yards per catch and 7.2 touchdowns per season.
The age of Houshmandzadeh (he turns 32 in September) will be a concern for the Seahawks. However, with such a skill set, I wouldn't expect any major dropoffs for the pro wide receiver. And what could make the passing game more efficient for the Seahawks could be the play of emerging tight end John Carlson.
The tight end had a team-leading 55 catches last year and a team high five touchdowns. With backup quarterback Seneca Wallace trying to manage the offense last year, Carlson became a great asset to the team's offense. The tight end position will definitely be a spotlight for the 49ers to focus on.
More big changes can be found on the defensive side of the ball. The Hawks drafted stud linebacker Aaron Curry to help out with a revamped defense. Curry said he feels very comfortable in the defense, which was similar to what he had at Wake Forest. Also, his pass rushing skills could be used from time to time.
On paper, the Seahawks may have one of the best linebackers group in football. Even with the departure of Julian Peterson, the Seahawks have Curry, Lofa Tatupu and franchise player LeRoy Hill covering the middle of the defense. The acquisition of Ken Lucas adds to their already talented core of Marcus Trufant at cornerback. Defensive end Patrick Kerney still demands a lot of attention as I still feel he may be one of the best pass rushers in the league.
Last year, the 49ers split the season series. However, both games came with a lot of uncertainty. Both games were started by J.T. O'Sullivan and they had a lot of ups and downs. In the last game, it was the game that Shaun Hill was put in to replace O'Sullivan and Mike Singletary, in his first game as coach, sent tight end Vernon Davis to the showers.
This year, the 49ers understand that their offense will be in for a tough task. With the Hawks' linebackers, it will be many tough assignments for blockers and passes down the middle. The 49ers hope that separation and speed by the wide receivers should provide the 49ers some a good start in flow for the passing game.
The most important factor for both teams must be the turnover battle. Both teams must prevent costly turnovers in the red zone. Field position will be the utmost importance for both teams rebuilding their offensive identity. The most pressure might fall on both team's star running back.
The Hawk's Julius Jones and the 49ers' Frank Gore might be the determining factor in the game. Jones' 127 yard performance in last year's first meeting (the 49ers won in overtime) helped Seattle remain close in the game. In their second meeting, he only gained 9 yards in a Seahawks blowout win.
Gore last year had 61 rushing yards in the first game and 94 in the second game. The new offense should suit Gore perfectly and the running game will definitely be the product of the team's hope to control the game from the beginning.
I actually think that if the Seahawks can stay healthy and play up to their talent level, a split in the season series is a very strong possibility. The biggest factor now is how both head coaches will take their team. We know what Singletary brings to the table, but how will Mora do in his second head coaching gig?
We shouldn't count out the Seahawks this year and a split might be the most reasonable prediction for the 2009 season.
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