Every member of the new Seattle Seahawks coaching staff who has appeared in front of the media has read from the same script … the one that promises “aggressiveness” and “high-energy” performance.
Apparently, it’s the approach the front office is taking as well.
Everybody in the NFL knew the Seahawks needed better receivers. So GM Tim Ruskell lured and landed a former Pro Bowl player who happened to be the best one on the market.
It took a few days to close the deal, so it wasn’t exactly faster than you could say “Houshmandzadeh” but was quicker than you can learn to spell it.
The Seahawks were 30th in the NFL in third-down conversions in 2008. The best third-down receiver in the league last year? T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Fifty-one of his 92 catches in 2008 went for first downs. The Seahawks had no wide receiver with more than 47 catches – total.
At 31, he’s not a kid, and his yards-per-catch numbers are on the decline.
But this is still an important move toward getting the Seahawks out of that 4-12 funk, and it lays the groundwork for further upgrading through the draft.
Also over the weekend, they picked up 335-pound free-agent defensive tackle Colin Cole, who eats up a lot of space (and apparently everything else).
Before we examine the ways in which Houshmandzadeh improves this team, a little clerical matter. In a time of shrinking news space, and typographical nightmares like Zduriencik and Wakamatsu already in town, can we come to an agreement on this guy’s name?
No disrespect to the pride I’m sure he takes in his family name. But if everybody’s OK with it, can we go to “Housh” on second reference?
Obviously, Nate Burleson and Deion Branch should find more openings with Housh in the three-wide. As a good run blocker, Housh makes running back Julius Jones better.
As somebody who rarely drops a ball thrown in his direction, Housh makes quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (OK, “Hass”) more effective. Just as drops are contagious, so are good catches and concentration.
Hey, the defense just got better, too. With such poor performance on third-down conversions by the offense last season, the Seattle defense averaged seven minutes on the field more than the offense. That may be fine if you’re trying to earn a letter, but not when you’re trying to win NFL games and stay fresh on defense.
The first assumption fans will make is that Housh’s arrival precludes the drafting of Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, a potential game-breaker.
I wouldn’t necessarily come to that conclusion.
If he’s still there and he’s the best talent/value on the board, I’d imagine the Seahawks take Crabtree. Ruskell took back-to-back corners with first selections in 2006 (Kelly Jennings) and 2007 (Josh Wilson, a second-rounder).
Cole, meanwhile, has started only eight games in his career, but he takes some of the pressure off restocking the defensive line.
When you add it up, on the first weekend of free agency, the Seahawks lost defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and running back Mo Morris while adding Housh and Cole. Net gain, I’d say.
What’s left? Tackle Ray Willis, one the Seahawks’ own free agents, needs to be signed. And depth and upgrades still can be made across the roster.
But Housh likely will remain the marquee acquisition during this offseason.
Aside from the expected impact on the offense, there’s going to be an immeasurable psychological lift to this, for the players and the fans. It says that the front office went out and did whatever it took to get the best guy they could.
It makes that 12-loss season seem a little more distant. So, count the landing of Housh as the first victory of 2009.
Dave Boling: 253-597-8440
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