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Monday, September 6, 2004 - Page updated at 5:30 p.m.
 
Meet the offense
 
Seahawks logo The strength of the team returns intact, having survived training camp without any major injuries. All five Seahawks Pro Bowl selections in 2003 were offensive players, and the Seahawks should be at least as prolific this season. Dropped passes hurt scoring chances in 2003, and if that has been properly addressed, the Seahawks could light up scoreboards. Matt Hasselbeck has several targets to throw to, and the long-awaited emergence of former first-round draft pick Jerramy Stevens could be at hand. Running back Shaun Alexander is arguably a top-five NFL back. All of that, and the best offensive line in team history, make for big expectations. A position-by-position look at the depth chart, with a closer look at the starters.— Jose Miguel Romero

photo QB — Matt Hasselbeck, No. 8
It's all coming together for Hasselbeck, and the team clearly belongs to him. Hasselbeck held up his end in getting the team to the postseason last season, and no one seemed to mind he guaranteed a score in overtime against Green Bay. Backup: Trent Dilfer.

photo RB — Shaun Alexander, No. 37
Alexander enters the season without a contract extension. He has some huge objectives for himself and the team. Alexander has scored 52 touchdowns in four seasons in Seattle, and he seeks his fourth straight 1,000-yard season. Backup: Maurice Morris.

photo FB — Mack Strong, No. 38
Strong is the quiet, unsung hero of the offense. A sound and effective blocker, Strong rushed for a career-high 174 yards last season and had career highs in rushing attempts (37), catches (29) and receiving yards (216). Backup: Heath Evans.

photo WR — Koren Robinson, No. 81
Robinson was demoted to second string until the final week of training camp. It must have motivated him, because Robinson shined in the exhibition season. The team has big expectations for Robinson, who needs to eliminate dropped passes. Backup: Bobby Engram.

photo WR — Darrell Jackson, No. 82
Jackson has 253 catches for 3,808 yards, 27 touchdowns and 10 100-yard games in just four seasons. Those numbers rank him with the greatest receivers in the history of the franchise — including Steve Largent — at the same point in their careers. Backup: Bobby Engram.

photo TE — Jerramy Stevens, No. 86
Stevens earned the starting nod after catching six passes for 63 yards in the first three exhibition games and making several fine catches in practices. He seems to finally be showing the potential that made him a first-round draft pick two years ago. Backup: Itula Mili.

photo LT — Walter Jones, No. 71
The star left tackle missed another training camp and exhibition season — his third in three years. Jones dominates, as four Pro Bowl selections indicate, and he'll be called upon to do the same this season. He's big, strong, athletic and durable. Backup: Floyd Womack.

photo LG — Steve Hutchinson, No. 76
Hutchinson has become everything the Seahawks hoped for after just three NFL seasons. He was named All-Pro last year. Hutchinson and Jones make up arguably the best left side of an offensive line in the NFC. Backup: Jerry Wunsch.

photo C — Robbie Tobeck, No. 61
Is this the season when age finally catches up to the 34-year-old Tobeck? Perhaps, but Tobeck is a warrior who won't quit. Being the captain of the line and a team leader make him invaluable, and he has been a steady presence for quarterback Hasselbeck. Backup: Dennis Norman.

photo RG — Chris Gray, No. 62
Another aging starter, he is one of the Seahawks' most durable players. Though the team is grooming the bigger and younger Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack to eventually take over at right guard, Gray enters the season having started 75 games in a row. Backup: Jerry Wunsch.

photo RT — Chris Terry, No. 72
Terry is given some credit for the offense's big improvement, which coincided with his arrival in the 2002 season. A sore shoulder limited him in the exhibition season, so Terry is well-rested. Big, rangy, muscular and mean, he gives the line an attitude. Backup: Sean Locklear.

photo K — Josh Brown, No. 3
Brown has shown that he can make long field goals, and his kickoffs have improved. A missed extra point in the exhibition season didn't thrill the coaching staff, but Brown should get better and more consistent as he gains experience. He isn't afraid to mix it up on special-teams coverage.

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