Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Imagine an older, less talented Seahawks team, and you basically get the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is more to it than that, but it is a pretty fair statement. The Seahawks are lucky to play the Bucs in Week 1. Tampa Bay is likely to get better as the year goes on.

When Tampa Bay has the ball:
The key to the Seahawks home opener is the Tampa Bay offensive line. In 2005, an unremarkable group played consistently for them. Last year, that group fell apart. Jeff Garcia could be a nice addition for the Bucs, but only if he has time to throw. He failed in Cleveland and Detroit because, among other reasons, the offensive lines were terrible. Garcia succeeded with the Eagles because he was able to stay off his back.

Tampa Bay will start their first two picks from each of the last two drafts. Three of those are on the offensive line (LG Arron Sears, RG Davin Joseph, RT Jeremy Trueblood). The Bucs also have a new starter at left tackle (Luke Petitgout). Petitgout is coming off a broken leg and was slowed this offseason with back trouble. That unit could eventually be pretty good this season, but it would be a stretch to think they will come out of the gates hitting on all cylinders.

Garcia will look for Joey Galloway often. Even at age 35, Galloway is one of the fastest players in the NFL on Sundays. Jon Gruden will run a lot of quick slants to give Garcia an outlet if the offensive line breaks down. Galloway has the wheels to turns those five yard passes into 50 yard touchdowns. The rest of the Bucs receivers are big and slow. Maurice Stovall will probably start, but David Boston and Michael Clayton are more talented and quicker.

Tampa needs to keep it a low-scoring affair and play from ahead, or else they will struggle with the pass rush and Garcia might not finish the game. The offensive line will again be key in opening holes for Cadillac Williams. The Seahawks defensive line should be good enough to allow the linebackers to hit the gaps and plug the holes. Williams isn’t a big threat to the outside, but the Seahawks can’t get sucked up on a run blitz. He can still take off-tackle left to the house.

Note: Jon Gruden says Jerramy Stevens will play.

When Seattle has the ball:
The Tampa Bay defense is old, but it is getting better and younger in spots. DE Simeon Rice and DT Ellis Wyms are gone. DE Gaines Adams is a very nice player, but he probably isn’t going to be better than Simeon Rice in his first NFL game.

The linebacking corps should also be improved with former Pro Bowlers Cato June and Jeremiah Trotter on the team. Trotter might not make much of an impact. He is probably ready to play physically, but he isn’t ready to quarterback the defense from the middle linebacker position. He has been with the team for about a week.

Shaun Alexander should be able to run up the middle of that defense without too much trouble. Getting to the outside will be more difficult. The Seahawks will be able to run the ball with some success, but the short passing game will be key. Cato June has a knack for slipping back into coverage and getting picks. He has 8 interceptions over the last two years, which is a lot for a linebacker. Rhonde Barber is also a ballhawk, and he hides in coverage. If the Seahawks establish the run and complete a few short passes early, then Matt Hasselbeck should be able to hit a few homeruns off play action.

Only the Washington Redskins allowed more passing touchdowns than Tampa Bay last year. Rhonde Barber is overrated. He gets interceptions and makes big hits and tackles, but he isn’t the greatest cover guy. The rest of the secondary is worse. If the offensive line can give Hasselbeck time to throw, then he should rack up a really nice game. Three touchdowns is very achievable.