August 7, 2009

www.rentonreporter.com Seahawks 3

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

While not always mentioned

WR 84
aaron curry
lb 59
among the best NFL wide receiv-
ers, T.J. Houshmandzadeh has Considered one of the best pros-
certainly been one of the league's pects available in this year’s NFL
most productive receivers in draft, Aaron Curry should make
recent seasons. Houshmandza- an immediate impact on defense
deh hasn't finished lower than for the Seahawks. Curry averaged
seventh in the NFL in receptions T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle Seahawks
nearly 94 tackles per year in his fi-
since 2005 and has averaged 98 nal three seasons at Wake Forest.
catches per season during the past He totaled nine sacks, five forced Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks
three years. He tied with New England's Wes Welker for the fumbles and six interceptions
league lead in catches in 2007, with 112. He's averaged 1,043 (three returned for touchdowns)
yards and 8.3 touchdowns per season the past three years. in his career as a Demon Deacon. Curry won the Butkus Award
as college football’s best linebacker after his senior year.

A quick look at some of your new Seahawks...

It’s rare that an NFL team can go 4-12,
then undergo few roster changes and
be expected to field a winning team the
next season. But that is exactly the Sea-
hawks’ situation.
Injuries caused the 2008 season to
swirl around, while underachievements
flushed it completely down the drain.
Wide receiver figures to be one of the
biggest positions of change from last
season. Seattle signed free agent T.J.
Houshmandzadeh with hopes he can
carry his production to the Northwest.
The team also drafted speedster Deon
Butler and don’t forget the truckload of
injured stars returning. That includes
Nate Burleson and Deion Branch.
On defense, the team flirted with los-
ing linebacker Leroy Hill but resigned
him. After a trade of Julian Peterson
and the drafting of Aaron Curry, the
linebacker group could develop into
one of the league’s best.
Peterson has good years left, but Cur-
ry should be better long-term.
Ken Lucas should start at corner-
back opposite Marcus Trufant. He will
provide some stability starting, where
Kelly Jennings hasn’t thrived. Jennings
and Josh Wilson give the team good
depth at the position.

deon butler

Seattle hopes the speedy Deon

Butler will bring a new dimension
to an offense that sagged under
the weight of injuries last season.
Butler contributed as soon as he
touched the field at Penn State,
topping 630 receiving yards all
four years. He totaled 22 touch-
downs in his career and exempli-
fied ‘big play’ with his final reg-
ular-season college game against Michigan State. Butler totaled
three catches for 133 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
WR 11
ken lucas
cb 31
In adding Ken Lucas, the Sea-
hawks added a familiar face to
their defensive backfield. Lucas
played his first four NFL seasons
with Seattle before moving on to
Deon Butler, Seattle Seahawks
the Carolina Panthers for four
years. Lucas is durable (started all
16 games each of past two years), Ken Lucas, Seattle Seahawks
effective (averaged three inter-
ceptions per year over career)
and brings more veteran savvy to the Seahawks’ backfield. Lucas
should start alongside star cornerback Marcus Trufant.