Seahawks banking on uncertainty

KIRKLAND -- The operative word for the Seahawks offense has become "if."

That might sound strange, considering the offense has been the team's signature unit since coach Mike Holmgren arrived in 1999 and also was the object of most of the team's moves in free agency this offseason.

But "if" kept popping up this week during the team's four-day veterans' camp that concluded Thursday.

This year's priority project was upgrading a running game that ground to a near halt last season, averaging 101.2 yards per game and 3.8 per carry -- down from 153.6 and 4.7 during the Seahawks' run to the Super Bowl in 2005.

The remodeling began with the signing of former Pro Bowl left guard Mike Wahle and the re-signing of right tackle Sean Locklear.

Do the Seahawks now have what they need on the offensive line?

"If we get them healthy, and stay healthy," offensive coordinator Gil Haskell said.

So far, not so good. Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones and center Chris Spencer did not participate in this camp because they are recovering from shoulder surgeries, and right guard Rob Sims had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday.

The Seahawks have other options, but they are either older players (Chris Gray and Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack) or inexperienced players (Ray Willis and Mansfield Wrotto).

The biggest turnover has been in the backfield, where leading rusher Shaun Alexander was released after Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett were signed in free agency. The transition at fullback began last season, when Leonard Weaver stepped in after a neck injury forced Mack Strong to retire.

Can the combination of Jones, Duckett and incumbent backup Maurice Morris do what Alexander was not able to last year?

Maybe, but only if Jones and Morris -- who are smaller backs than Alexander -- are able to hold up through the pounding of a 16-game season.

"We've kind of had a wholesale change there," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "The competition, the new wrinkles, it's going to be fun and exciting to watch and probably more successful."

The offense practiced this week without leading receiver Bobby Engram, who pulled a no-show because he wants a contract extension; and Deion Branch, who is recovering from surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the playoff loss to Green Bay in January.

Does the team have enough dependable hands to get the job done in Holmgren's final season as coach?

"When they are all healthy," Holmgren said, offering the equivalent of another if assessment.

Even with a healthy Branch, who might have to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, an appeased Engram and a more consistent Nate Burleson, the offense needs at least one of the younger receivers to step up in the three- and four-receiver sets.

The Seahawks had to emerge from the offseason with a tight end capable of becoming the starter. That's why club president Tim Ruskell traded up in the second round of the NFL draft to select John Carlson, who the team ranked the most complete tight end available.

But even Holmgren admits it is difficult for a rookie to start in his offense because of all the things he requires the tight end to do.

So, is Carlson the answer?

"Carlson is big and strong. I knew that," Haskell said. "But he's fluid, too. He's going to be a real asset to this team."

As the starter?

He has to be. Because if not Carlson, then who?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Seattle P-I Seahawks beat reporter Clare Farnsworth evaluates how some of the team's newest players looked during the three-day minicamp over the weekend and the four-day veterans' camp that concluded Thursday.

RB JULIUS JONES

IN A WORD: Quick

IN DEPTH: When all is said and run, Jones should get the brunt of the carries in Year One, A.S. (After Shaun). Jones has been hitting the holes -- the assigned holes -- more quickly than Alexander did the past two seasons. Now, it's just a matter of whether he can be durable while also being productive.

RB T.J. DUCKETT

IN A WORD: Biceps

IN DEPTH: His upper arms are huge. So big, in fact, it's amazing he can cradle the football. But then Duckett is a big back (254 pounds) trying to show he can be a complete back. He could end up playing some tailback, some fullback and also being the short-yardage option.

OG MIKE WAHLE

IN A WORD: Needed

IN DEPTH: Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack, Chris Spencer and Rob Sims were not the answer at the left guard spot that has been a sore spot since All-Pro Steve Hutchinson was allowed to get away in free agency after the 2005 season. Wahle's skills fit what new line coach Mike Solari needs his linemen to do.

TE JEB PUTZIER

IN A WORD: Backup

IN DEPTH: The Seahawks had to get a starter at the pivotal tight end position that sets Mike Holmgren's hybrid of the West Coast offense apart from the others in the league. That's why they drafted John Carlson. And, they're now admitting that incumbent backup Will Heller is a better player than originally given credit for. So ...

LB D.D. LEWIS

IN A WORD: Familiar

IN DEPTH: He's wearing a different number (58) than during his first stint with the team (54). But Lewis knows the defense -- so well that he's calling the signals in the huddle as the middleman in the No. 2 defense. Lewis provides needed depth and versatility and also will help on special teams.

DT LARRY TRIPPLETT

IN A WORD: Rejuvenated

IN DEPTH: Tripplett is happy to be "home," and it shows in how active the former Washington Husky has been in practice. But he's also trying to stick at a position where the line in front of him includes Brandon Mebane, Rocky Bernard, Craig Terrill, Red Bryant and perhaps Marcus Tubbs.

DL CHRIS COOPER

IN A WORD: Versatile

IN DEPTH: The Seahawks could have used Cooper last year, when so many defensive linemen when down or were sidelined with injuries. But they had released him in 2006. Cooper's value remains his ability to make plays at either end or tackle.

K OLINDO MARE

IN A WORD: Consistent

IN DEPTH: Or, in a hyphenated word, machine-like. Injuries eroded his efficiency with the Saints last season, but Mare still has the leg to get the job done. Whether the job is going to be his will be determined during a summer-long "kick-off" with rookie Brandon Coutu.

-- Clare Farnsworth