The Talent Is There To Reverse the Curse

For those who are curse-obsessed, the Seattle Seahawks are the team to watch this season.

Since 2001, no Super Bowl runner-up has managed a .500 record the following season. In recent history, that often has meant a complete and total collapse, such as the one in Philadelphia last season.

But the Seahawks have made some moves that might make them the first team to buck the trend since the Titans in 2000.

Nearly all of the key pieces remain from last year's team, which looked dominant until forgetting to do the simplest things (such as catching the football) at the most inopportune time (the Super Bowl against the Steelers).

Running back Shaun Alexander earned a contract that's so big some fear that his productivity will drop without the extra motivation of earning a huge payday. Even if it does, just how much could the talented running back fall off from his 1,880-yard, 28-touchdown performance of last season?

Cut those stats by one-third, and the numbers still are more than productive.

The secondary might have question marks, but it will be helped by a strong linebacking unit that will benefit from the addition of free agent Julian Peterson.

Then there's quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who looked like he was in total control of Mike Holmgren's offense. Hasselbeck enjoyed career highs in completion percentage (65.5) and passer rating (98.2).

The team also gave Hasselbeck another weapon with the signing of free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson, who will benefit from having more talent around him. At the very least, Burleson adds depth to a receiving corps that was hit hard by injuries last year.

Even if the Seahawks stumble a bit this year, they should be able to beat up on their division opponents. The Rams likely will be better, but they're in the midst of a major transition. The Cardinals are more talented than ever, though they are, after all, still the Cardinals. Ditto for the 49ers.

That's the NFC West -- otherwise known as the perfect cure for a curse.