SEAHAWKS: First quarter grades

With a mediocre 2-2 record one-fourth through the season, it's time to give out my Seahawks grades. I will do this every four games as the season progresses.

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Passing offense: C It's not that Hasselbeck has been horrible, he's just been average. The main problem with the passing game has been the pass protection. The offensive line has yet to gel as a unit, which is understandable since most of them have never played with each other before. There have been blown blocking assignments, which lead to pass rushers in Matt's face. It also doesn't help that the Seahawks don't have that sure fire number one receiver yet.

Rushing offense: D I love Justin Forsett, I really do. But through four games this year he has been handed the vast majority of carries and yet to produce with the Seahawks gaining on average 79 yards a game while being ranked 25th in the league. He was hyped up to be our number one back, but it seems he is suited to be more of a 10-12 carries a game type of guy. Leon Washington has been nonexistent (in the running game), and Julius Jones has been cut. The only positive is the Seahawks traded for Marshawn Lynch, who should help us in those short yardage situations. All this has led to a dismal 27th ranked rushing offense.

Rushing Defense: A At this point, the Seahawks are ranked 3rd in the league in rushing defense. I would say that is pretty darn good. Brandon Mebane has been a beast, Lofa Tatupu has everyone where they need to be, and Lawyer Milloy is smacking people like he's in his 20's. The person no one is talking about though is Red Bryant. He has consistently taken on two blockers so other people have the opportunity to shine and get free to make the tackle. Expect this to be the team's strongest point throughout the season.

Passing defense: D- The team can stop the run, but can't stop the pass for it's life, being torched for 302 yards a game, good for a 29th rank in the league. You would think a defense that gets pressure on the quarterback and has Marcus Trufant, Earl Thomas, and Lawyer Milloy would succeed in this area, but evidently that's not the case. Granted they have faced some good quarterbacks (Philip Rivers, Kyle Orton, Sam Bradford), but 29th in the league is not acceptable.

Special teams: A+ Two kickoff returns for touchdowns, first in the league in kickoff return average, and fourth in the league in punt return average. Not to mention Olindo Mare hasn't missed a field goal and Jon Ryan is as solid as ever. I would say this unit is OK.

Reach Nathan Parsons at nathanparsons98@yahoo.com