The 2009 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 34th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 8th playing their home games at Qwest Field and the first and only season under head coach Jim Mora. The Seahawks slightly improved from their 4–12 record and a third-place finish in what was Mike Holmgren's final season coaching the team in 2008 and finished with a 5–11 record. However, Mora was fired January 8, 2010.
Offseason
Staff changes
At the beginning of the 2008 season, head coach Mike Holmgren had stated that 2008 was his final season before retiring. On December 30, 2008, two days after the season ended, Holmgren officially retired and stepped down as head coach. Jim Mora, the team's assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, was officially selected as his replacement on January 13, 2009. The retirement and Jim Mora's accession had been originally announced on January 22, 2008.
Mora then began to replace most of the staff that Holmgren had last year. Defensive coordinator John Marshall and defensive line coach Dwaine Board were both fired on January 12, 2009. Subsequently, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Gus Bradley was hired as the new defensive coordinator. Also, former New York Jets assistant Dan Quinn replaced Board as the defensive line coach and as the new assistant head coach.
The offensive side was also revamped as well. Offensive coordinator Gil Haskell was dismissed after 8 years with the Seahawks. Former Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who had previously worked with Mora when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, was hired as his replacement on January 14, 2009. Mora also fired wide receivers coach Keith Gilbertson and was replaced with former Jacksonville Jaguars assistant receivers coach Robert Prince. Finally, tight ends coach Jim Lind and special teams assistant John Jamison both retired after the 2008 season. Mike DeBord, formerly the offensive line assistant coach, replaced Lind although no replacement has been named for Jamison.
Key departures
Running back Maurice Morris, who backed up starter Julius Jones last season, signed with the Detroit Lions. The Seahawks also lost defensive tackle Rocky Bernard to the New York Giants. Fan favorite Bobby Engram was released and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after the Seahawks signed wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh. The Seahawks were also in talks with fullback Leonard Weaver about a new contract, but ultimately he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles instead. Also, the Seahawks traded away Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson to the Lions.Lions Get Peterson in Return for Redding Yahoo! Sports, March 14, 2009 In all, the Seahawks lost a total of 14 players to free agency.
Linebacker Leroy Hill was placed under the franchise tag on February 19, 2009. However, discussions for a long-term deal between Hill and the Seahawks were slow, and they continued to stall up to the draft. In an effort to speed up negotiations, the Seahawks removed their franchise tag on Hill less than 24 hours within the first draft day, thereby releasing him to free agency and allowing him to sign with other teams. However, on April 30, 2009, Hill agreed to a six-year, 38 million-dollar deal with the Seahawks.
Moments after signing Edgerrin James to a one-year deal, the Seahawks released running back T. J. Duckett to make room on their roster. Duckett had led the team in rushing touchdowns the previous year.
Safety Brian Russell was also released on September 5, 2009. Russell had started at safety for the Seahawks since coming in at the start of the 2007 season. Strong safety Lawyer Milloy was signed after Russell's departure to fill his spot (along with Jordan Babineaux).
Key additions
The Seahawks made big splashes during the offseason as well. On March 1, Seattle signed defensive tackle Colin Cole from the Green Bay Packers to a 5-year contract to address problems on their defensive line.DT Cole Agrees to Deal With Seahawks Yahoo! Sports, March 1, 2009 They also received defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth round pick in exchange for the Peterson trade mentioned above.
Perhaps the biggest move in free agency, however, was the signing of former Pro Bowl wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh from the Cincinnati Bengals to a 5-year, $40 million deal with $15 million guaranteed two days after signing Cole. Houshmandzadeh was rated as one of the top free agents available.
After rescinding their franchise tag on Hill, the Seahawks signed former Carolina Panthers corner back Ken Lucas to a one-year deal in order to bolster their pass coverage. They also signed fullback Justin Griffith from the Oakland Raiders to address the departure of Weaver. It was known that releasing of Hill created some flexibility on the salary cap of where these two deals go into play.
On August 25, 2009, the Seahawks signed running back Edgerrin James to a 1-year, $2 million deal. James last played with division rival Arizona Cardinals for the previous three seasons and played a vital role in their playoff run last year. The Seahawks also signed veteran safety Lawyer Milloy to a one-year deal, who is expected to make a big impact to the team.
2009 NFL draft 2009 Seattle Seahawks draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 4Aaron CurryLBWake Forest 2 49Max UngerG/COregon(from Chicago) 3 91Deon ButlerWRPenn State(from Philadelphia through New York) 6 178Mike TeelQBRutgers 7 245Courtney GreeneSRutgers 7 247Nick ReedDEOregon 7 248Cameron MorrahTECalifornia Seattle traded their 5th round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Keary Colbert, but received another 5th round draft pick from Detroit.
On draft day, the Seahawks traded away their 2nd round pick (37th overall) to the Denver Broncos for their 2010 1st round pick. They also traded for Chicago's 2nd round pick (49th overall) in return for both their 3rd and 4th round picks in the draft (68th and 105th respectively). Finally, the Seahawks traded for Philadelphia's 3rd round pick (91st overall) for their 2010 3rd round pick and their 5th and 7th round picks in the draft (137th and 213th respectively).
Coaching staff and roster
Coaching staff 2009 Seattle Seahawks staff Front office Owner/chairman – Paul Allen President/CEO – Tod Leiweke President of football operations/general manager – Tim Ruskell Vice president of player personnel – Ruston Webster Vice president of football administration – John Idzik Director of pro personnel – Will Lewis Western region director of college scouting – Scott Fitterer Eastern region director of college scouting – Mike Yowarsky
Head coaches Head coach – Jim Mora Assistant head coach/defensive line – Dan Quinn
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Greg Knapp Quarterbacks – Bill Lazor Running backs – Kasey Dunn Wide receivers – Robert Prince Tight ends – Mike DeBord Offensive line – Mike Solari Offensive assistant/assistant special teams – Chris Beake Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Gus Bradley Assistant defensive line – Mike Phair Linebackers – Zerick Rollins Defensive backs – Tim Lewis Assistant defensive backs – Larry Marmie Defensive quality control – Tom Headlee
Special teams coaches Special teams – Bruce DeHaven
Strength and conditioning Head strength and conditioning – Mike Clark Assistant strength and conditioning – Darren Krein
Final roster
Starters in bold.
Team captains Matt Hasselbeck Walter Jones Lofa Tatupu Deon Grant Lance Laury Olindo Mare
Schedule
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site Recap 1 at San Diego Chargers W 20–14 1–0 Qualcomm Stadium 2 Denver Broncos W 27–13 2–0 Qwest Field 3 at Kansas City Chiefs W 14–10 3–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 4 Oakland Raiders W 31–21 4–0 Qwest Field Recap
Regular season Divisional matchups: the NFC West played the NFC North and the AFC South.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site Recap 1 September 13 St. Louis Rams W 28–0 1–0 Qwest Field Recap 2 September 20 at San Francisco 49ers L 10–23 1–1 Candlestick Park Recap 3 September 27 Chicago Bears L 19–25 1–2 Qwest Field Recap 4 October 4 at Indianapolis Colts L 17–34 1–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 5 October 11 Jacksonville Jaguars W 41–0 2–3 Qwest Field Recap 6 October 18 Arizona Cardinals L 3–27 2–4 Qwest Field Recap 7Bye 8 November 1 at Dallas Cowboys L 17–38 2–5 Cowboys Stadium Recap 9 November 8 Detroit Lions W 32–20 3–5 Qwest Field Recap 10 November 15 at Arizona Cardinals L 20–31 3–6 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 11 November 22 at Minnesota VikingsL 9–35 3–7 Mall of America Field Recap 12 November 29 at St. Louis RamsW 27–17 4–7 Edward Jones Dome Recap 13 December 6 San Francisco 49ers W 20–17 5–7 Qwest Field Recap 14 December 13 at Houston Texans L 7–34 5–8 Reliant Stadium Recap 15 December 20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 7–24 5–9 Qwest Field Recap 16 December 27 at Green Bay Packers L 10–48 5–10 Lambeau Field Recap 17 January 3, 2010 Tennessee Titans L 13–17 5–11 Qwest Field Recap Bold indicates division opponents.
Standings
Game summaries
Preseason
Week P1: at San Diego Chargers
Week P2: vs. Denver Broncos
Week P3: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week P4: vs. Oakland Raiders
Regular season
Week 1: vs. St. Louis Rams
Head Coach Jim Mora era began his coaching debut for the Seahawks with a game at home against division rival St. Louis Rams. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and the offense struggled early, turning over the ball three times (two interceptions and one fumble) on the first quarter alone. After Rams kicker Olindo Mare missed a 37-yard field goal for the lead, Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to their first score of the game after he connected with tight end John Carlson for a touchdown. With the second quarter coming to a close, St. Louis returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown, only to have it overruled by a penalty. This gave another chance for the Seahawks to score, as Hasselbeck threw his second touchdown of the game to Nate Burleson to put the Seahawks up 14–0 by halftime.
When the third quarter started, the Seahawks looked to increase its lead to win the game. Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to a 99-yard drive, capping it off 33-yard touchdown pass to Carlson. Julius Jones sealed the win with a 62-yard touchdown (and rushing 119 in total) run to put Seattle up by 28. The Seahawks defense shut out the Rams, as they totaled only 247 total yards on offense and forcing two fumbles and three sacks. Seattle moved to 1–0 to start off the season, and beat the Rams for the ninth straight time.
Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
Coming off their shutout home win over the Rams, the Seahawks flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 2 NFC West showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.
Seattle trailed early in the first quarter as 49ers kicker Joe Nedney got a 37-yard field goal, along with running back Frank Gore getting a 79-yard touchdown run. The Seahawks responded in the second quarter as kicker Olindo Mare made a 36-yard field goal. San Francisco replied with Nedney making a 42-yard field goal. As the Seahawks looked to bounced back from the deficit, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck received an injury as he was hit on the ground by 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. Hasselbeck left the game with cracked ribs, but Seattle closed out the half with backup Seneca Wallace completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to running back Julius Jones.
In the third quarter, the Seahawks deficit quickly increased as on the 49ers' first offensive play of the second half, Gore exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run. San Francisco closed the game in the fourth quarter as Nedney nailed a 39-yard field goal.
With the loss, Seattle fell to 1–1.
Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and prepared for a Week 3 duel with the Chicago Bears. Due to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's rib injury, Seneca Wallace got the start for the game.