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Go-To Guy | Weakest Link | Burning Question | Offseason Movement

Glance Head coach: Mike Holmgren 2001: Results 2002: Draft picks Training camp: July 26 at Eastern Washington Univ. in Cheney, Wash.  2002 Schedule Date  Vs.  Time  Sept. 8  at Oak.  4:15 p.m.  Sept. 15  ARI.  4:05 p.m.  Sept. 22  at NYG  4:15 p.m.  Sept. 29  MIN.  8:30 p.m.  Oct. 6  Open     Oct. 14  S.F.  9 p.m.  Oct. 20  at StL.  1 p.m.  Oct. 27  at Dal.  1 p.m.  Nov. 3  WAS.  4:15 p.m.  Nov. 10  at Ari.  4:05 p.m.  Nov. 17  DEN.  4:15 p.m.  Nov. 24  K.C.  4:05 p.m.  Dec. 1  at S.F.  4:15 p.m.  Dec. 8  PHI.  4:05 p.m.  Dec. 15  at Atl.  1 p.m.  Dec. 22  STL.  4:05 p.m.  Dec. 30  at S.D.  4:15 p.m.

By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

Welcome back, Seattle. Here's hoping the Seahawks' second season in the NFC West is better than the team's 2-12 record during its expansion campaign of 1976. Under realignment, Seattle returns to the NFC, grouped with Arizona, St. Louis and San Francisco -- an on-the-rise team and two bona fide conference contenders.

Accompanying the switch is a new uniform and logo (still the long-neck bird, but with an updated look; call it a 27-year evolution). It's also a return to the NFC for quarterback Trent Dilfer, who played with Tampa Bay from 1994-99.

He has won 15 consecutive starts the past two seasons, including the Super Bowl XXXVI for Baltimore, but he joined the Seahawks as a backup to Matt Hasselbeck.

Fighting a groin injury and a separated left shoulder much of last season, Hasselbeck played in 13 games, including 12 starts, completing 176 of 321 passes for 2,023 yards and seven touchdowns with a 70.9 QB rating.

In six games (four starts), Dilfer's numbers were more impressive: 73 of 122 passing for 1,014 yards, seven TDs and a career-high 92.0 rating.

Spearheading the Seahawks' receivers is Darrell Jackson (team-leading 70 receptions, 1,081 yards, eight TDs) and second-year player Koren Robinson.

Defensively, there are a couple of health issues. John Randle, a 13-year veteran tackle, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, while cornerback Shawn Springs is recovering from a severe hamstring injury. Holmgren has termed 2002 as a "pivotal year" for the injury-plagued Springs. For insurance, Seattle signed free-agent CD Doug Evans.

"I think we're still growing," head coach Mike Holmgren said after last season's 9-7 showing. "We're, again, it's repetitive, but those guys haven't played a lot of football, a lot of them.

"I think we are evolving. If we can continue to make progress, continue to take the same step [this] year that we took [last] year, then I'll be real pleased at what happens. That'll be really good. Not to mention the fact that we're moving into the new stadium, new uniforms. There should be a lot of excitement around here."

Fact Curt Warner previously held the franchise's single-game rushing record with 207 yards. But his total came in an overtime game Nov. 27, 1983, against Kansas City.

Shaun Alexander, RB -- With Ricky Watters cut loose in free agency, Alexander becomes the primary ballcarrier in his third season. The best thing going for the former first-round draft pick -- the offensive line: center Robbie Tobeck; guards Steve Hutchinson and Chris Gray; tackles Walter Jones and Chris McIntosh.

"I'm going to be ready to go from Game One," said Alexander, who was named second alternate to the Pro Bowl. "I think that could be a big difference for our team and reaching that next level, which is making the playoffs and creating damage for other teams in the NFC."

Despite only starting 12 games last season, Alexander rushed for 1,318 yards, the fifth-highest rushing total in team history, while becoming just the fourth back to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark joining Curt Warner, Chris Warren and Watters.

Against Oakland on Nov. 11, Alexander posted the fourth-highest single-game rushing total in league history with 266 yards.

He also led the NFL with 14 rushing TDs, one shy of Warren's franchise record, and tied Warren's team mark with 16 total scores.

If all that weren't enough, Alexander got married in May to Valerie Boyd, whom he met the first day he moved to Seattle.

Fact Last season was the first time since 1981 -- and the only the third time in team history ('77-78)-- that a kicker did not lead Seattle in scoring. Rian Lindell finished second (93) in points to Shaun Alexander (96).

Rian Lindell, PK -- The club signed two kickers to challenge for Lindell's job: Shayne Graham, who was with Seattle during training camp last year and kicked briefly with Buffalo last season, and Aaron Elling.

After hitting 15 of 17 field-goal attempts in 2000, Lindell struggled last year: 20 of 32. He also lacked depth on his kickoffs. He also did not have a stellar minicamp in June, but did hit a 50-yarder on his final camp kick.

"As far as the placekickers, I don't know if we are going to take three to camp," Holmgren said. "But if we don't, they all kicked well enough to bring to camp and compete with Rian for the kicking position. I think that is a healthy situation, I don't look at that as a negative."

Lindell's problems stem from the crucial 40- to 49-yard range. He was only 6 of 14 from that distance -- and only 1 of 5 on grass, the surface of Seattle's new stadium. To boot, he was 6 of 14 outdoors … and the new digs are open-air.

Even worse, Lindell was a woeful 3-for-8 when the Seahawks were trailing.

Graham was 6 of 8 on field-goal attempts (2-for-4 from 40-49 yards, though) and converted all seven PAT attempts with the Bills.

Elling signed a two-year, performance-based contract. He must earn a spot on the 53-man roster to secure his contract, worth the NFL minimum $225,000 this season, followed by $300,000 in 2003.

After his senior year at Wyoming in 2000, Elling failed tryouts with Miami and Jacksonville.

Let the competition begin.

Which hat for Mike Holmgren -- head coach or GM?

Fact Seattle's new stadium will have 68,000 fixed seats, with 70 percent of the fans provided with roof protection. To see more, click here.

Holmgren stands 33-24 with one playoffs appearance after three seasons.

Seattle won three of its final four games last season, and there are high expectations entering 2002, something Holmgren concedes. "I think there will always be pressure to improve. We can't just stay the same. The amount of pressure is always the same for me, though. I'm going to coach how I coach.

"I look for improvement, and the bottom line is our record. We didn't make the playoffs [last] year. I would certainly like to make the playoffs [this] year. That would be a sign of improvement. Any more pressure? No. Is there pressure? There always is. Always."

Hand-picked by team owner Paul Allen, Holmgren moved to the Great Northwest from Green Bay so he could have total control of the personnel and on-field decisions, something he wasn't going to get in 1999 with the Packers. Since then, it's been a learning process.

" Those two personalities are merged now, I get confused as to who's who," Holmgren said of his head coach/general manager role.

"The general manager did OK," he said of last season. "I'm harder on the coach, always, than the general manager. The executive vice president is always harder on the coach than the general manager. I think the coach did a pretty good job of motivating the team in most cases. ... And the fact that we finished strong, the coach feels OK about that."