Injuries are playing a key role as Seattle prepares for the new season. The offensive line is much stronger with the addition of OG Mike Wahle, but less flexible with the loss of OG Chris Gray. Gray had been a fixture on the line and could perform adequately at any position. He was frequently the weak point on the line in the past, but he was a starter. He retired due to injury and will hopefully fully recover. Seattle may not recover. Utility linemen like Gray are not easy to find and provide significant depth especially at center. OL Chris Spencer should be the starting center, but right now his back pain is significant enough to prevent him from tying his shoes, let alone hiking the ball. The injuries at wide receiver will continue to get the most press, but Seattle's Achilles Heal is now in the center of their offensive line where OG Steve Vallos is now starting despite only playing two previous games in his life as a center.

QB -

QB Charlie Frye will get a chance to show what he can do but he will only be a backup. QB Matt Hasselbeck has been on the bench due to back issues lately, but that is nothing to worry about. Hasselbeck's biggest worries will be keeping his center healthy and figuring out which healthy receiver is ready to catch the ball in game situations. It is not obvious to me at this point how Seattle can have a successful passing game until after the bye week.

RB -

RB TJ Duckett will get some looks in short yardage situations. If he continues to excel then he may have found his niche. This niche would directly reduce RB Julius Jones's opportunities for scores. Further reducing Jones's fantasy production is the strong possibility that Seattle will alternate him with RB Maurice Morris. This could mean that even though there should be plenty of rushing going on, that no one running back has strong fantasy value.

WR -

WR Bobby Engram is out until after the bye week with a broken bone in his shoulder. WR Deion Branch is also likely out that long. That leaves underperformer WR Nate Burleson as the only seasoned starter. WR Jordan Kent is not only the first Seahawk into paydirt this preseason, but he has also been performing extremely well in practice. WR Ben Obomanu and WR Courtney Taylor should be performing better since they are the likely two to compete for Engram's position. However, Kent is putting on the show and doing everything that is asked of him. Keep an eye on Kent during the preseason and consider adding him to your roster if he is getting lots of looks. Despite having some drops lately, Kent is the receiver I gambled on with the last pick of my fantasy draft. WR Michael Bumpus performed well in the first preseason game and has local ties. Many are pulling for him, but he is a longshot as a fantasy contributer.

TE -

TE John Carlson is showing what he needs to in order to win the starting job. No Seattle tight end is fantasy proven, so draft with caution here.

PK -

I would be stunned if PK Olindo Mare does not win the starting job. Mare's weakness last year was on short kicks and he made both of his short field goals in the first preseason game. He is fully healed and ready for the real season.

D -

DE Lawrence Jackson is looking extremely good for a rookie and should get into the starting rotation. DT Marcus Tubbs was released ending the speculation about whether or not he could live up to his talent. The loss of Tubbs is fairly insignificant for Seattle since he never had really contributed. The rest of this defense is solid and the team D should be drafted with confidence.