CheramieIII

Saturday Morning Quarterback: Saints will test Seahawks' strengths as well as weaknesses

By CLARE FARNSWORTH
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

KIRKLAND -- Just how good is the Seahawks defense?

That is the question that won't go away as this team takes the first of 16 steps in an NFL season with lofty playoff aspirations.

Few can question the potency of the Seahawks offense, a unit that should be even better than its No. 6 ranking last season. The pivotal players are a year older and, in some cases, light years better.

But the defense remains a work in progress.

"Overall, when you look at the defense, I feel like we've made some improvement," said Ray Rhodes, the quick-fix coordinator who took the Seahawks from No. 28 in the league to No. 19 in his first season. "But again, everything will be on the line when we start this week against New Orleans."

Yes, it will. But it also will be on the linebackers, where Orlando Huff "won" the summer-long competition to be the starter in the middle almost by default and Isaiah Kacyvenski is the starter on the strong-side because Chad Brown and D.D. Lewis are injured; and the defensive backs, who have so much talent but so little experience.

The Saints will test both groups individually as well as the nickel package, in the Superdome tomorrow.

The implements of examination at the Saints' disposal:


Deuce McAllister. Two years ago, 10 backs trampled the Seahawks for at least 100 yards. Last year, they trimmed that to four, and actually allowed an average of only 75.5 yards in their final four games despite facing Marshall Faulk, Marcel Shipp, Kevan Barlow and Ahman Green.

McAllister, however, will pound away at the middle of the defense that is manned by tackles Cedric Woodard and Rashad Moore and Huff.

They will, of course, need help against the 232-pound McAllister, who runs behind a center/guard trio that averages 320 pounds and features Pro Bowl blocker LeCharles Bentley.

"You can't try to arm tackle Deuce," Seahawks free safety Ken Hamlin said. "You've got to put a body on him and gang tackle. Everybody has to get to the ball when he has it."


http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/footba...60_hawk11.html

WhoDat

Duece should really test their front seven. I\'m starting to get that tingling sensation... I think Deuce could have a big day. I\'ll tell you what, if i had to put money on this game, it would probably still go to that team in blue and green, but I\'m starting to let hope creep in the back of my head. I think we way just have a shot tomorrow. A win in the opener against Seattle should really catapult the Saints out of the gate and might be a season-making type game if they can roll early. C\'mon boys, let\'s get it going!

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

themightyduck

This will be the game in which I will decide if I will support the team to the end or ignore them halfway through the season (The latter has become all too common throughout the Haslett era). If the Saints lose by a blow out and make no attampt to mount a comeback, don\'t expect to hear from me for a while!

CheramieIII

Come on Mighty D, the first game has\'nt even started yet. Not even my Dad kicked them to the curb that quickly and he had not patience at all.

themightyduck

Maybe I am...but I usually set my expectations for the team after watching the first game or two. If they suck, I won\'t care about them. If they\'re awesome, I\'ll keep up with them as much as I can. It\'s that simple.

CheramieIII

I\'ve got to give you props for sticking to your guns.