Golden Times in the Emerald City - Birdy's Dynasty

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Golden Times in the Emerald City

Posted on September 13, 2010 at 05:28 PM.

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2009 Offseason

After a disappointing 5-11 season under the reign of Jim Mora, the Seahawks have cleaned slate and are looking to build up and return the their former success, as opposed to drifting along in mediocrity. They bought in a new head coach in Pete Carroll, returning back to the NFL after spending 9 successful but highly controversial years in the NCAA system with the USC Trojans, and is looking to put the questions with Reggie Bush & al behind him.

Whilst Carroll is a prestigious coach, he is coming into Seattle with a chip on his shoulder and many already calling for his head. L.A. Times sportswriter Bill Plaschke, said that in one stroke, Carroll went "from a coach who presided over the greatest days in USC football history to one who was in charge of its biggest embarrassment. He goes from saint to scallywag. Sporting News writer Mike Florio called for the Seahawks to fire Carroll, saying that "justice won't truly be served until the only coaching Carroll ever does entails holding an Xbox controller."

Going along with the theme of wiping the slate clean and starting afresh, with the exceptions of Gus Bradley (DC) and Dan Quinn (Defensive Line), none of the coaches from Mora's tenure will be returning. Carroll�s right hand man from USC, Jeremy Bates, also moved north and is now the Offensive Coordinator. Continuing the theme, highly respected former USC Offensive Line coach Pat Ruel is now also a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

From the moment Carroll stepped through the door, he looked to build the program with an �out with the old, in with the young� mentality, and this is shown in the fact that the Seahawks are the last team in the NFL in terms of returning veterans from last year. Among the departing players are WR Nate Burleson, QB Seneca Wallace, OG Rob Sims, FB Owen Schmitt and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Put along with this the retirements of DE Rob Kerney, and 4-Time All Pro OT Walter Jones and you can see the direction this time appears to be headed.

When players leave, their spots have to be filled and there were some very wily acquisition made by Pete Carroll and the front office, who are more used to recruiting than preparing contracts. They picked up young QB Charlie Whitehurst, Pro Bowler Leon Washington, and perhaps the most intriguing of all, troubled former first round wide reciever (from you guessed it, USC) who has been out of football for 2 years Mike Williams.

Not only were there some nice FA pickups and trades, but they also picked up 3 potential starters in the draft, with OT Russell Okung, S Earl Thomas, and WR Golden Tate. They also acquired young talent to develop, with 5 players taken in round 4 or later making the 53 man roster and should be looking to contribute as the year passes by.

With all the changes in Seattle this year nobody knows what to expect out of this intriguing team. I think it is fitting to close off the same way Coach Carroll closed off the first day of training camp;

�Hold on tight boys, we�re in for a wild ride�