Seahawks need answers

KIRKLAND, Wash. – As regular as the turn of a calendar page, the end of the first spring minicamp brings the usual questions for the Seattle Seahawks.

How will they generate a pass rush? Can the cornerbacks make enough plays? Who will play middle linebacker?

Those days are in the past. When the Seahawks wrapped up the first minicamp of the 2008 off-season Thursday morning, the defense had most of the same parts from the unit that could be dominating at times last year.

It’s the offense that brings most of the question marks.

As the Seahawks set an eye toward the upcoming regular season – Mike Holmgren’s final one as head coach – many mysteries on the offensive side of the ball have yet to be solved. Among them:

“Running game. The Seahawks are still trying to figure out how they’ll divvy up the carries this season. Julius Jones is likely to get the bulk of the work at tailback, but he won’t carry the ball 300 times like Shaun Alexander did in his prime. Jones and Maurice Morris will probably both see time at halfback.

“Receivers. The absence of veteran Bobby Engram this week didn’t help matters, as he is supposed to be one of only two constants at the position. With Deion Branch sidelined by a knee injury, and youngsters like Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent still trying to prove themselves at the NFL level, the Seahawks have plenty of issues to work out.

“Tight end. By all accounts, rookie John Carlson is the tight end of 2008 and beyond. But it still remains to be seen whether he’s ready to take over as starter from Day 1.

“Offensive line. This unit was a mess during the minicamp, mainly because of injuries. Left tackle Walter Jones, center Chris Spencer and right guard Rob Sims all missed significant time during the camp, leaving the unit in flux all week.