Changes forthcoming for the Seahawks' backfield

RENTON — One thing is certain about Seattle's backfield this season. It's going to be different. ¶ Fullback Mack Strong, who played 14 seasons, is retired, and Shaun Alexander, the franchise's all-time leading rusher, is unemployed. The Seahawks added free agents Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, brought back Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver, and drafted Justin Forsett and Owen Schmitt.

It was an overhaul the Seahawks hope will answer the problems they experienced a year ago, but four days before the regular-season kickoff, the specifics of just how it will be different remains an open question even for the men who'll be carrying the ball.

"I don't have an idea as far as carries or playing time," Morris said.

OK. How about Jones, does he know what to expect?

"No clue," he said. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Morris will start Sunday's game in Buffalo, coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday, but don't read too much into that. Holmgren is expecting to use heavy doses of both backs, and Jones could very well start in Week 2.

This will be quite a change for Holmgren, who could fill out his backfield lineup with a permanent marker when Alexander was the tailback, Strong was the fullback. That has been Seattle's opening-day backfield since 2002.

"If they weren't tired or hurt, that's who was going to be in the ballgame," Holmgren said.

Now, Strong and Alexander are gone and Holmgren has a number of combinations he can choose from, whether it's alternating between Morris and Jones or using Duckett as a big-bodied option in short-yardage situations.

The Seahawks won't use the I-formation nearly as much as they did the past few years. That was a favorite of Alexander, a gliding runner who was always looking for the cutback and liked the perspective he got lining up behind the fullback. Expect more split-back formations this season. There will be times a back will line up as a wide receiver.

Don't expect a new playbook, though. Holmgren's not reinventing his offense after more than two decades in this league.

"Our bread-and butter-stuff, it'll look kind of the same," Holmgren said.

Holmgren said that in some ways, the options he has at running back this season will make his job easier.

"I don't have to think so much about protections, I can just call the play," Holmgren said. "I don't have to think so much about the pattern because they're very good pass receivers."

Translation: Alexander's presence meant that certain plays stayed absent because he wasn't known for his ability to pick up blitzes or catch passes. Morris and Jones are expected to be upgrades in both respects.

Any other changes expected in the running game?

"I hope you'll see more yardage gained," Holmgren said.

The Seahawks averaged 3.8 yards per rush last season, the team's lowest since 1999, Holmgren's first season in Seattle. Only five teams averaged fewer yards per carry than Seattle last season, and none of those teams made the playoffs.

Now, there's a little uncertainty about who will be on the field and how much and there's a whole lot of opportunity.

"Everybody is able to run the ball," Weaver said, "and we're all able to catch and it's going to be a great atmosphere to be around."

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com