Hawks’ report card

Quarterbacks: D-

Let’s not heap too much blame on Seneca Wallace and Charlie Frye. Even Matt Hasselbeck struggled before getting sidelined by a bad back. Injuries – to both the quarterbacks as well as the wide receivers – have affected this position immensely.

Running backs: C

Newcomer Julius Jones got off to a great start but has since faded into oblivion. The defenses’ propensity to stack the line has all but extinguished Seattle’s ground game. Jones, Maurice Morris and FB Leonard Weaver give the unit an extra dimension in the passing game, while T.J. Duckett has been solid in short-yardage situations.

Wide receivers: F

It’s tempting to give this unit an “incomplete,” not only because the unit has been short-handed but also because the word best exemplifies Seattle’s passing game. Bobby Engram, Deion Branch and Nate Burleson have been injured, while fill-ins like Courtney Taylor, Keary Colbert and Billy McMullen have not been successful.

Tight ends: B

Rookie second-round pick John Carlson has been a nice find. He has led the team in receiving through eight games and has the coaches drooling at his potential. Veteran backup Jeb Putzier has been somewhat invisible, while a knee injury has kept Will Heller off the field for the past month or so.

Offensive line: C-

This unit has been on a roller coaster ride. When the ground game is on a high, the protection hits a low, and vice versa. The addition of G Floyd Womack to the starting lineup helped stabilize the running game – briefly. LT Walter Jones has been solid, as usual, but the rest of the unit has been inconsistent. Veteran G Mike Wahle has been penalized too often.

Defensive line: D+

Before he got hurt, DE Patrick Kerney led the team in sacks. But he was the only defensive lineman to generate much of a pass rush. First-round pick Lawrence Jackson lost his starting job, while Darryl Tapp has done little to warrant his. The unit has been solid against the run but has to bring more heat on passing downs.

Linebackers: C

This was supposed to be the strength of the defense, but the unit has been far from perfect. Injuries have hampered the play of MLB Lofa Tatupu. Fellow Pro Bowler Julian Peterson seems to have lost a step. The best player through the first half may well be free-agent-to-be Leroy Hill.

Defensive backs: D-

Seattle’s veteran safeties have taken a step backward, giving up too many big plays and struggling to get home when blitzing. The cornerbacks have been beaten in 1-on-1 coverage. Marcus Trufant has been the most consistent corner, but he’s not playing anywhere near the Pro Bowl level he was in 2007.

Special teams: C

By midseason, this might have been the most consistent unit on the team. But it was a long time coming. The team axed its punter and return man en route to the current mix. K Olindo Mare has been surprisingly consistent, and he’s added an extra dimension to the unit by showing a big leg on kickoffs.

Coaching: D

Mike Holmgren’s last run has not been his finest effort. We’ll give him a bit of a pass for all the injuries, but he’s still got to do better than 2-6. In at least four of the losses, the Seahawks haven’t even been competitive. Defensive coordinator John Marshall has struggled to push the right buttons on his side of the ball as well.

Misc.: F

Let’s be honest here: It shouldn’t take much to win the NFC West. Unfortunately for the 2008 Seahawks, they don’t even have enough to compete. Once again, the division is a one-horse race. The Seahawks have all the momentum of one of those seahorses right about now.