Window of opportunity slammed shut on Seahawks

The window of opportunity slammed shut on the Seattle Seahawks yesterday. If you were one of the many unfortunates to watch the 44-6 outcome to Giants unfold, it probably felt like your fingers were caught in the window sill when it happened.

Every team has a window of opportunity in which to win a championship. It’s a string of seasons where you have the personnel and a little luck to make it happen. The Seahawks’ window was still slightly ajar because they play in the NFC West and anything can happen when you get into the playoffs. Just ask Tony Romo.

Now, it looks as if the string of success has ended and the retooling process must begin. Surprisingly, the retooling may need to begin where the Seahawks were thought to be the strongest: Defense.

This Seattle defense wasn’t who we thought they were. The season is still young, but they have regressed. They are in the bottom quarter in every major team defensive category. Points allowed (29th): 31. Total yards (26th): 366.5. Passing yards (25th): 237. Rushing yards (24th): 129.5.

The Hawks defense was so thoroughly beaten by the New York Giants, the game was really over by the end of the first quarter. Eli Manning was 7-7 for 145 yards and a passing touchdown by the end of the quarter. Running back Brandon Jacobs had already rolled up 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Receiver Domenik Hixon caught two passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the quarter.

When it was all said and done, the Giants offense hung 44 points and 523 total yards on the Seattle defense. The Seahawks offense was nearly as terrible, mustering just two field goals on 187 total yards.

And maybe president and general manager Tim Ruskell wasn’t who we thought he was either. The defense he built has been overpowered and bullied. It’s small and fast, but susceptible to late season cold weather collapses, bigger dudes lining up on the other side of the ball and east coast sleep walking.

The window of opportunity has closed and it’s now a matter of finding the guys who have the right keys.