Seahawks Free Agency Preview Part 1 – Quarterbacks

Overview – The Seahawks situation at QB appears to be dire. Their best player, veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck, is coming off an injury plagued season in which he missed 9 games with a bulging disk in his back. Even if Hasselbeck can return to health, his play dropped off dramatically last year and he’s learning a new offensive system which may or may not suit his diminishing skills. Hasselbeck was the NFL’s lowest rated starter last year with a dismal 57.8 QB rating and he threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. The Seahawks seem to blame most of his drop off on the massive injuries on the offensive side of the ball, but many of Hasselbeck’s bad throws were unforced (see the game losing INT in the Washington game). The facts are that the Seahawks are banking on a 34 year old QB with a bulging disk in his back to return to form. Logic says that this is unlikely.

Back-up Seneca Wallace has proven that he’s a decent stop-gap, but he will never be a starting caliber player at the QB position. His value could actually increase next year if the new offensive system incorporates some of the Wildcat formations that have become so popular of late in the NFL. Wallace could be a true triple threat in the Wildcat, running, throwing or catching the ball. It seems obvious that the team has given up on Charlie Frye as the QB of the future.

We here at SHB argue that since the QB position is the most important on the field, the Seahawks should cut their losses with Hasselbeck, gain the $6 million dollars in cap space that trading or releasing him would provide, and move on. There are a ton of good options out there, including spending the #4 pick on USC’s Mark Sanchez or Georgia’s Matt Stafford. In reality however, GM Tim “Timmay!” Ruskell appears to be delusional, and it looks like the Seahawks won’t be spending the #4 pick on a franchise QB. With that in mind, let’s look at what other options might be out there in free agency.

Option #1 – Trade for Matt Cassel – Cassel has the franchise tag, so signing him is not an option. However, a trade for Cassel makes a lot of sense. He’s already proven that he can play at a high if not elite level and he makes all of the throws with ease. Cassel is a smart solid and productive QB, and trading for him would secure the Seahawks future at the position. The Seahawks would probably have to swap positions in the draft with the Patriots at the very least, and probably throw in a few more picks as well. From where we stand it’s well worth it, because with Cassel the team is getting a proven commodity that can lead them to the playoffs for years to come. However, it’s the smart move, so “Timmay!” won’t make it.

Option #2 – Sign a veteran FA QB – There are some intriguing names on the unrestricted free agency list this year, including Rex Grossman, Kyle Boller of the Ravens and J.P. Losman of the Bills. We like Grossman the best of the bunch, mostly because he has the requisite physical skills and throws a much more accurate deep ball than Hasselbeck. The knock on Grossman is his decision making, but the truth is he’s never really been coached up properly in Chicago or had the support of the staff there. A lot of his interceptions came from receivers running the wrong routes or not fighting for the ball in tight places or Grossman trying to make a play under pressure instead of dumping the ball. These things can be coached and having led a team to the Super Bowl in 2006, Wrecks has the most potential as a QB of the future out of the free agent group.

Option #3 - Trade for a young veteran QB – Failing in drafting or signing a QB of the future, the Seahawks may resort to trading for a young one. Cleveland’s Derek Anderson, who’s been to the Pro Bowl, is probably available for a 2nd round pick, and a guy like Miami’s John Beck might be had for a 3rd. Beyond that, there isn’t much worth looking at in terms of veteran trades.

Outlook - We were of the opinion that the Seahawks should have traded back into the 2nd round last year to grab Chad Henne, even at the price of this years #1 pick and we stand by that position even after seeing how last year unfolded. QB is the most important position on the roster, and the Seahawks must face that reality now. With such a high pick, they have lots of options to swing a deal, and if they fail to do so they may be facing mediocrity for years to come. No one wants to repeat the Dan McGwire\Rick Mirer\John Kitna years, so they must address the situation now while they can do so from a position of relative strength.

Mike Bara 2/17/2009