The last first round NFL pick came to terms on Friday as the Seattle Seahawks helped their chances vs. NFL odds and agreed to a six-year deal with left tackle Russell Okung. He gets more than $29 million guaranteed and the deal could be worth $48.5 million. The Seahawks need Okung to play a major role on their offensive line if they are to improve vs. NFL betting odds in 2010.
NFL odds on the Seahawks have them as 3-point favorites at home on Saturday in their preseason opener against Tennessee. Okung might even be on the field for that contest even though he just signed. He was the number six overall pick in the NFL Draft and is expected to take over at left tackle this season for Seattle. He was a two-time, First-Team All-American at Oklahoma State.
Seattle has renewed optimism this season with new head coach Pete Carroll. He is the third Seattle coach in the last three seasons and perhaps he can do something more than Mike Holmgren or Jim Mora Jr. did. The Seahawks will be counting on Okung to protect Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst. Hasselbeck should win the starting job but the Seahawks traded for Whitehurst and if Hasselbeck doesn’t show more than he has in recent seasons he could end up as the backup. Okung will also help opening up holes for new running back Leon Washington. He should get some carries this season along with Julius Jones. The Seahawks have some talent at receiver in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and draft pick Golden Tate.
The Seahawks do have the ability to win some games this season and have the NFL betting odds to their favor. Their defense has some talent especially at the linebacker slot with Aaron Curry and Lofa Tatupu. The secondary gets Marcus Trufant back from injury and Seattle also has Earl Thomas who they took in the first round of the draft.
The Seahawks play in the NFC West which is considered the weakest division in the NFL. They could have some success this year if Carroll gets everyone on the same page and young players like Okung and Thomas turn into stars. Seattle opens up the regular season at home against San Francisco on Sunday, September 12th.