Hawks' Hackett heads to Carolina

This happened, in part, because of the increased opportunities Engram got due to the injuries to Hackett and Branch, and also because he inherited some of the tight end routes when injuries prevented Marcus Pollard from playing. It also happened because, regardless of the years and the miles, Engram remains the best receiver on the team.

But the coaches still want more consistency from Burleson, who would flash in some games (five-plus receptions four times) but disappear in others (eight games with two or fewer catches).

The handwringing that began when it became apparent that the Seahawks were not going to overpay Hackett and likely see him depart in free agency centered primarily on the team losing a big target.

The athletic, but raw, Kent (6 feet 4) is taller than Hackett, (6-2, 208 pounds), while Payne (6-2, 205), Taylor (6-1, 205) and Obomanu (6-foot, 206) are roughly the same size.

None has Hackett's experience, since Obomanu was a seventh-round draft choice in 2006 and Taylor and Kent were sixth-round picks last year -- when Payne made the practice squad as a rookie free agent.

Hackett also was an unknown entity when the Seahawks drafted him in the fifth round in 2004.

Not ideal, perhaps, but the team seemed to decide it could continue without Hackett even before he hit the free-agent market. Just as he did, the Seahawks expected Hackett to get much earlier play and attract more money.

So the Seahawks' priorities became re-signing right tackle Sean Locklear (check, as he agreed to a five-year contract the week before free agency began), retaining Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant (check, with an asterisk, because they named him the franchise player and continue to talk about a long-term contract) and re-signing kicker Josh Brown (whiff, as he agreed to sign with the St. Louis Rams on the first day of free agency).

Hackett also visited the Washington Redskins, who offered him a deal for the league minimum, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He opted for the Panthers because they offered the most money ($3.5 million over two years, after he played last season for the $1.3 million tender the Seahawks made him as a restricted free agent) and best opportunity (Hackett was told during his visit that he will start opposite Steve Smith).

While Hackett's departure might have been a combination blow to the productivity and potential in the Seahawks' passing game, they don't consider themselves short-handed.

Consider this: Even with Hackett and Branch rarely on the field together, Matt Hasselbeck still set franchise records for completions (352) and passing yards (3,966) and threw for a career-high 28 touchdowns.

HAWK TALK: The Seahawks also lost defensive lineman Ellis Wyms, who agreed to a one-year contract with Minnesota. Wyms was signed last September after being released by the Buccaneers and became a valuable role player because of his ability to line up at end and tackle. ... The team's offseason conditioning program is scheduled to begin March 31.