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The Seattle Seahawks, who last year abandoned the running game altogether as former star running back Shaun Alexander failed to produce much of anything in the way of running, turned almost entirely to the passing game last year and found some success.

But they relied too heavily on the passing game and in the end were unable to gain enough traction to make it very far in the playoffs.  It was a season of disappointment after losing to the Steelers in the Super Bowl the year before.

The best receiver on the Seattle squad last year was none other than DJ Hacket.  Hacket has since moved on to the Carolina Panthers and left the Seahawks with only a few starters to rely on.  Returning starting wide receivers for Seattle this year will be Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson and Ben Obumanu.  Ben Obumanu has limited experience and really hasn’t proven he is capable of being a big time receiver.  He will surely get his chance this year.

Bobby Engram, who had a career best season last year, skipped the voluntary mini camp this season and is threatening holdout since he is no longer happy with his contract. Engram, 35, is hoping to re-do a two-year contract he signed before the 2007 season. At that time, he was coming off a season that saw him play only seven games due to an unforeseen thyroid condition. After last season’s record-setting performance, Engram feels he deserves a better deal.

At his age, I’m not sure what he is thinking.  Probably he is thinking that this is his last time to bargain for some much needed cash before he ends his career.

This leaves the Seahawks with the final starter who they paid big money for and who has produced very little results thus far.  I am of course referring to Deon Branch.   Branch is expected to be out until September — at the earliest — following offseason knee surgery.

This leaves Seattle in a very interesting position where they will have to rely on their young and unproven receivers such as Ben Obumanu and Courtney Taylor.