The new king of the hill: the Seahawks, led by Matt Hasselbeck, have replaced the Rams as the best of the West

Football Digest, Sept, 2004 by Dennis Georgatos

FOR MATT HASSELBECK, THEY'RE still words to live by. "We want the ball. We're going to score," the Seattle Seahawks quarterback declared after winning the overtime coin flip in a first-round playoff game against the Packers at Green Bay last January. Of course, it was the Packers who scored when a pass from Hasselbeck was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. But the quarterback's show of confidence still resonates for a Seahawks club that has emerged as the team to beat in the NFC West.

The Seahawks stamped themselves as an up-and-coming force last year by challenging the St. Louis Rams (the division winners) and overtaking the San Francisco 49ers (who won the NFC West the year before) en route to a 10-6 finish. That earned them their first playoff berth since the 1999 campaign--and things should only get better this year.

Here's how the NFC West shapes up:

1. Seattle Seahawks

Where they left off: The Seahawks were dominant at home, winning all eight games. But if they want to take the next step, they'll have to improve on the road, where they lost seven of nine games, including the first-round playoff game at Green Bay.

New faces: Shoring up the defensive line was among the Seahawks' top off-season priorities. They signed defensive end Grant Wistrom as a free agent and made Texas defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs, a cousin of former NFL linebacker Winked Tubbs, their top draft pick. The additions fill the void left by the retirement of John Randle and the release of Chad Eaton. Cornerback Bobby Taylor, a Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, also was signed as a free agent, replacing Shawn Springs, who now is with the Washington Redskins. Another newcomer, second-round pick Michael Boulware of Florida State, is being asked to change his position to safety, a conversion that began at the team's first spring mini-camp.

X's and O's Many of the Seahawks' personnel changes involve the defense. On offense, continuity reigns on a unit that averaged 25.3 points per game last year. Coming off his first full season as the starter, Hasselbeck has spent a lot of time honing his timing and decision-making, both key elements in coach Mike Holmgren's West Coast system. Equally important is the rapport Hasselbeck maintains with a supporting cast that includes running back Shawn Alexander and wide receivers Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson.

Coaching/management: A series of mediocre seasons had left Holmgren's job in jeopardy, but he got a grip on it again by leading the Seahawks to a winning season and their first playoff berth since his inaugural campaign in Seattle in 1999.

Why they'll finish first. Hasselbeck has established himself as one of the league's most productive quarterbacks, and his offense returns essentially intact. The Seahawks also have addressed key defensive shortcomings with the additions of Taylor, Wistrom and Tubbs.

2. St. Louis Rams

Where they left off: St. Louis' double-overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in the divisional playoffs was an all-time classic game, but it left the team with a sense of emptiness. It wasn't supposed to end that way for the Rams, who stormed into the postseason with wins in seven of their last eight games.

New faces: Steve Jackson, who refers to himself as "Gumbo," is good at a little bit of everything--running, blocking, and receiving. That's why the Rams made the Oregon State running back their first-round pick. His style fits the wide-open attack favored by Rams coach Mike Martz and provides some insurance in case injuries again bother Marshall Faulk, who has missed 11 starts in the last two years. The additions of rookie defensive end Tony Hargrove, a second-round pick, and free-agent defensive end Sean Moran shore up a unit that lost Grant Wistrom and Brian Young to free agency. Veteran quarterback Chris Chandler was signed to back up Marc Bulger now that Kurt Warner is gone.

X's and O's: Martz has developed a reputation as one of the league's most aggressive playcallers. That approach was easier to take when Warner was at his peak, slinging the ball around to the likes of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce and winning league MVP awards. But Warner's erratic performances early last season resulted in his benching. Bulger came on to throw for an NFC-high 3,845 yards, but he also had a league-high 22 interceptions. Bulger did show some resiliency, however, including leading the Rams back from an 11-point deficit to force overtime in that playoff loss to Carolina. One of the reasons Martz made it a point to add an all-purpose back like Jackson was to create some flexibility.

Coaching/management: The Rams' coaching staff has a new look following the departure of Lovie Smith as the team's defensive coordinator. Smith was hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears, and Larry Marmie was hired to take his place in St. Louis. Other newcomers are linebackers coach Joe Vitt, special teams coach Mike Stock, and assistant offensive line coach John Benton.

Why they'll finish second: Despite another defensive overhaul and the erratic Bulger opening the season as the starting quarterback for the first time, the Rams are still strong enough to provide the Seahawks with plenty of competition for top honors in the division.