2007 Outlook

Hasselbeck had a down year in 2006 when he only threw for 2442 yards and 18 touchdowns but he missed weeks eight through 11 when he sprained his right MCL. Adjust that for a 16 game season and Hasselbeck would have turned in 3250 passing yards and 24 touchdowns – almost exactly in line with his average over the three previous seasons (a little lower on yardage). Hasselbeck had averaged 24 touchdowns per season with about 3500 yards for those three years.

Hasselbeck also had a broken finger on his non-throwing hand last season and required off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder on his non-throwing arm. He has been ahead of schedule and was already throwing in minicamp and impressed everyone with his velocity only three months after the surgery. He is expected to be completely recovered in time for training camp.

The big difference this year will be the loss of Darrell Jackson who has been his primary target since Hasselbeck became the starting quarterback in 2001. Deion Branch is moving over to the flanker spot now vacant and D.J. Hackett will assume the split end role. Hasselbeck also lost tight end Jeremy Stevens who was replaced by the aging Marcus Pollard. But the Seahawks have not picked up any new wideouts and will look to get improvement from the group including Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram who is healthy again. Seattle has a soft passing schedule as it traditionally does but the players involved will be in new roles. That sheds a little more risk to this year and the decline of the dominating rushing game yields less consistency for Hasselbeck’s numbers since his need to throw can be great but it can also be well known by the defense. He makes a great back-up quarterback but due to his risk this year, he’s only a starter in a very deep league.

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