NFL Combine | Seahawks sit in good shape entering draft

INDIANAPOLIS — The Seahawks entered last year's NFL scouting combine with a lot of questions.

This year, as coach Mike Holmgren attends his last combine with Seattle, the scene is different, leaving more speculation for what Holmgren calls "the fun" of the combine and the upcoming draft.

As Holmgren says, the Seahawks' situation "looks good."

"I think we addressed the situation on the [offensive] line with the Mike Wahle signing," said Holmgren, who is here with most of his staff to network and evaluate talent. "We still know the combine is always kind of fun, though, because you meet these young guys and you know some of them are going to be on your football team. From there, I think we have a couple of holes to fill on offense. Our defense is pretty solid."

The Seahawks landed Wahle, a free agent and former Carolina Panther, to plug the gap at left guard for five years and roughly $16 million in guarantees. Seattle also re-signed Sean Locklear for five years and up to $32 million, stabilizing the offensive line. With Holmgren saying that Chris Gray should be available for another season in 2008, the line is now a position of strength and depth.

Seahawks personnel here are also extremely pleased with the personnel on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Marcus Trufant, who went to the Pro Bowl, was tabbed as the franchise player at about $9.5 million.

With defense and offensive-line play seen as strengths, will the Seahawks try to supplement the sexier positions, such as running back, quarterback and wide receiver? The answer seems to be: They're looking at it.

At running back, Holmgren has said the offensive line was the greater issue in the slowed running game, and said improvement up front should improve Shaun Alexander's standing. Yet Holmgren admits the position might merit a look.

"You can always have depth at that spot, so sure," Holmgren said.

And from the man who has developed so many great quarterbacks, there is always the temptation to begin one more project, even if Matt Hasselbeck is entrenched as the starter.

"There's always the possibility that we draft a young quarterback, because we like to do that," Holmgren said. "But we like the quarterbacks we have, and so I probably think we'll be looking at other positions first."

One such position could be receiver, where unrestricted free agent D.J. Hackett is unsigned. Kicker Josh Brown, who was tabbed as the franchise player last year, is also a priority in free agency. Holmgren confirmed the Seahawks will make their pitch in each case.

"We'd like to keep all our own guys, so that's an ongoing thing right now," said Holmgren.

At 59 and entering his 10th season in the Pacific Northwest, Holmgren has told the media that this final season in Seattle marks only "a sabbatical of sorts, not a retirement."

Zorn gives credit

to Holmgren

Jim Zorn, recently named Washington Redskins head coach, is taking the Seahawks' philosophy he learned as Holmgren's quarterbacks coach.

"This passing game we're bringing in is more of what we did in Seattle," Zorn said.

Zorn, the Seahawks' first starting quarterback, appreciated the autonomy and guidance Holmgren offered.

"He likes simple, and now I can say I like simple," said Zorn. "I've learned from him."

Zorn is on the growing list of former Holmgren assistants to land head-coaching jobs in the NFL. It includes Andy Reid, Steve Mariucci, Dick Jauron, Ray Rhodes, Jon Gruden and Marty Mornhinweg.

Notes

• Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, whose senior season — and Heisman Trophy hopes — ended prematurely with a torn ACL, said he will be ready to run full speed by April, when NFL scouts head to Eugene. Dixon walked with no visible limp.

• Alge Crumpler, former Falcons and Pro Bowl tight end, is in town with his agent to meet with representatives from several teams, but there has been no announcement regarding a signing.

• A rumor regarding trade interest in Trufant was greeted with some humor by one member of the Seahawks staff: "Who wouldn't be interested in trading for a young Pro Bowl corner?"