24-year old Justin Forsett is the likely starting kickoff returner for the Seahawks in 2010.  He played in 16 games for the Seahawks last season and he returned 18 kickoffs for 432 yards (24.0 avg).  Forsett has now played in 30 games in his NFL career and he has returned 36 kickoffs for 854 yards (23.7 avg).  He is going to likely have a much bigger role on offense in 2010 but unless someone steps up on kickoff returns, Forsett will likely have that job too.

25-year old RB Louis Rankin could also get a chance to return kicks for the Seahawks in 2010.  He played in 9 games for the Seahawks & Raiders last season and he returned 22 kickoffs for 466 yards (21.2 avg). 

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SEAHAWKS KICKOFF RETURNERS in 2010:  C

Rookie LT Russell Okung will step right into the Seahawks’ starting lineup.  The first round pick out of Oklahoma State is the real deal as he’s both a solid run and pass blocker.  Matt Hasselbeck should be a little more comfortable in the pocket this season.  LG will likely be a battle between Ben Hamilton and Chester Pitts.  They are both solid veterans so the Seahawks will be O.K. no matter which one of them wins the starting job.  Chris Spencer will be the starting center for the Seahawks in 2010 but he will have to play well to keep the job as Max Unger played well there when he was out of action.  Spencer has good speed and a nasty streak.  Max Unger will likely step back into his starting job at RG.  He’s a mean and nasty guy so look for the Seahawks to run behind him quite a bit.  RT will belong to Sean Locklear and he’s a very average player.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SEAHAWKS O-LINE in 2010:  B

The Seahawks have signed 28-year old linebacker Tyjuan Hagler.  Hagler played in 7 games for the Colts last season and he had 26 tackles and 3 passes defensed.  He has now played in 37 games in his NFL career and he has 114 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles.  This was a solid signing for the Seahawks as Hagler will give them depth at linebacker and possibly some help on special teams.

48-year old head coach Pete Carroll was a awesome coach at USC.  But in the NFL you don’t play 8-9 home games and 2-3 road games and you certainly don’t get to pick your own schedule.  Carroll last coached in the NFL with the Patriots in 1999.  He has been a head coach in the NFL four years and he has a regular season record of 33-31 (51.6%).  Carroll also has a 1-2 (33.3%) post season record.  I’m thinking the only reason he left USC was because he knew they were going to get drilled by the NCAA for rules infractions so it will be very interesting to see if he’s better this time around in the NFL.

37-year old kicker Olindo Mare was awesome last season to say the least.  He played in all 16 games for the Seahawks last season and he made 24 of 26 field goals (92.3%) and all 28 of his extra points good for 100 points.  He has now played in 200 games in his NFL career and he has made 303 of 373 field goals (81.2%).  He has also made 405 of 410 extra points as he has 1,314 career points.  The Seahawks hope that Mare keeps up the good work because they can’t afford to leave any points on the field in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SEAHAWKS KICKERS in 2010:  A