Dan Pompei

To get to the Super Bowl in Detroit three years ago, the Seahawks did not walk. They didn't go by air. They go there by running.

They ran right. They ran left. They ran up the middle. They ran around you, through you and over you. And then they did it all over again.

NFL MVP Shaun Alexander tied an NFL record with 27 rushing touchdowns and led the league with 1,880 yards. The Seahawks rushed for more yards that year than all but two teams.

How things changed in two years.

Last season 19 teams had more rushing yards than the Seahawks. Alexander started only 10 games and rushed for only four touchdowns. Since Alexander averaged 5.1 yards per carry in that magical 2005 season and then cashed in with a $62 million contract extension (with $15.1 million guaranteed), his average per carry has been 3.5 yards.

The Seahawks subsequently released the back who will be 31-years old by the start of the season. But they are not de-emphasizing the run. On the contrary, many of their offseason efforts were directed at re-emphasizing the run.

The Seahawks upgraded their offensive line, which hasn't been the same since Steve Hutchinson left for the Vikings, by signing free agent guard Mike Wahle. They also brought in Mike Solari from the Chiefs to coach the line.

They even addressed the fullback position, drafting tough guy Owen Schmitt to augment Leonard Weaver. Last year, the Seahawks missed the retired Mack Strong.

And to replace Alexander, the Seahawks are counting on a three-headed monster. Head number one belongs to Julius Jones, who split time with Marion Barber in Dallas and had a 1,000-yard rushing season two years ago. Head number two belongs to T.J. Duckett, a 254-pound former first round pick on his fourth team. Head number three belongs to Maurice Morris, who probably is best suited to be a third down back.

The Seahawks will miss the way they used to be able to count on Alexander to carry the load and wear down defenses, but the hope is they can replicate his production by spreading out the carries and improving the elements around the running backs.

Hot seat
Since the Seahawks traded a first round pick to the Patriots for Deion Branch and signed him to a lucrative contract extension, the former Super Bowl MVP hardly has justified the investment. Branch caught 53 passes for 725 yards in 2006 and 49 passes for 661 yards last year before blowing out his knee.

That injury is expected to be a factor this season. Without Branch, the Seahawks passing game lacks a big play dimension.

The team allowed D.J. Hackett to leave as a free agent in the offseason, so Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson likely will have to take on bigger roles if Branch can't do his part.

Overheard at camp
This will be Mike Holmgren's final year in Seattle, meaning he will be determined to make it a special season. The team will want to "Win one for Coach," and Holmgren likely will pull out every trick in his bag.

There will be an interesting dynamic in camp because Holmgren's successor already is on board. The team named Jim Mora to be the team's next head coach, and he already is working with Holmgren in a transitory capacity. It's possible they could develop a good cop/bad cop relationship with the team.

Coming and going
The Seahawks are going to miss the consistent leg and clutch kicking of Josh Brown, who took a free agent deal with the Rams after five good years in Seattle.

They are trying to replace him with 35-year old Olindo Mare, who has worn out his welcome in Miami and New Orleans over the last two years. Since 2006, Mare has hit 69 percent of his field goals. In his previous nine NFL seasons, he connected at a rate of 82 percent.

Prediction
For all the turnover in Seattle, this remains a very solid team. The defense has four Pro Bowl caliber players in Patrick Kerney, Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and Marcus Trufant. Matt Hasselbeck is among the finest quarterbacks in the NFC. And Holmgren remains an excellent head coach and play caller.

The Seahawks have had winning records for five straight seasons. There is no reason to doubt they can make it six. Ten wins are within their grasp.

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