Hawks at Bills: Ground Holmgren?

It’s a good thing the Seahawks are carrying six running backs on the roster. They may need every one of them this week on the road against the Buffalo Bills.

Until proved otherwise, the precision Mike Holmgren aerial attack is flying on fumes with two busted landing gear.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and his well-documented sore back will get the start for Week 1, but he’ll be throwing to three receivers who have never caught a regular season pass: rookie tight end John Carlson, and wide receivers Jordan Kent and Logan Payne. Veteran receiver Nate Burleson will be joined on the other side by Courtney Taylor who has just five professional catches. Hasselbeck has played two series this preseason with this really young and really banged up receiving corps.

The running back by committee convention will feature tailbacks Maurice Morris, Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett and maybe even Justin Forsett. Fullbacks Leonard Weaver and rookie Owen Schmitt could even get a carry or two.

But here’s my big bold prediction. I don’t see coach Holmgren going with the multiple back system. He’s too much of a “feel” and tempo guy. If you’ve watched him or listened to post-game comments from the Big Show, he’s his most ornery when his offense lacks rhythm. If one of these backs gets into a rhythm and Holmgren is feelin’ it, the other guys should put on the baseball caps and maybe grab a clipboard because they won’t touch the ball.

Buffalo made a number of moves in the off season with hopes of improving its defense. They traded for Jacksonville Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud. They also signed free agent lineman Spencer Johnson and linebacker Kawika Mitchell. And they spent a first round pick on cornerback Leodis McKelvin. They like the improvements to the secondary that ranked 27th against the pass last season.

Defense
The Seattle defense shouldn’t have too many problems with a Bills starting offensive line that will be missing left tackle Jason Peters to a contract dispute holdout. That said, the Hawks will be without defensive tackle Rocky Bernard who is serving a one-game suspension. But Craig Terrill should be able to fill in for Bernard. Hawks rookie tackle Red Bryant will also have to play a more prominent role in the defensive rotation with Bernard out. And then there is Bills running back Marshawn Lynch who should be able to pile up yards against a bend-but-don’t-break Seattle defense.

The secondary might get a test with second-year quarterback Trent Edwards, receiver Lee Evans and rookie receiver James Hardy. Edwards and Hardy have been hobbled by preseason injuries, but are figured to be ready.

Fantasy Geek Stuff
Here are the guys I like in this game and a few wild-ass guesses:

• Marshawn Lynch – He’ll get lots of touches and should roll up yards against a bend-but-don’t-break Seattle defense. If he gets loose into the secondary, he could also run over a defensive backfield that didn’t tackle very well in the preseason.
• Nate Burleson – The Seahawks receiver is really the only one that Matt Hasselbeck has thrown to before. Familiarity has to be worth something here.

Useless Knowledge
The last time these two teams faced was Nov. 28, 2004. The visiting Bills stomped Seattle 38-9 with Bills running back Willis McGahee piling up 116 yards on the ground with 4 touchdowns. Seattle running back Shaun Alexander carried the ball 13 times for 39 yards. Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe was 25 of 37 for 275 yards, 1 INT and 1 TD.