Add another starter to the Seahawks' tally of free agent losses. As Russell Okung, a starter since being drafted in 2010 and a former Pro Bowl selection, signed a 5 year deal with the Denver Broncos for a reported salary of around $10 million per year. Anyone that follows the team should not be too surprised, as the Seahawks have very little wiggle room as far as cap space and Pro Bowl left tackles get big money offers when they hit free agency. It's science (Ron Burgundy voice).

Therefore the next logical step is to think about who will replace Okung? And another question arises: With JR Sweezy and Okung now both former Seahawks, are Pete Carroll and co. tempting fate is not providing adequate protection for Russell Wilson?

Let's address the latter first. Everyone remotely familiar with the NFL knows that the Hawks had issues protecting the quarterback last season, especially in the first half. Russell was getting sacked at a rate of nearly 3 times per game at one point. And as much as Russ trains in the offseason to bulk up in preparation to take such a beating, he can only pack on so much muscle to his 5-foot-10 frame. Not only that, but every quarterback in this league suffers some sort of injury. Tom Brady missed a season due to an ACL tear, Ben Roethlisberger had his injury troubles last season and who can forget Peyton Manning's neck problems that put him out for a year; resulting in a lost season for the Colts.

That said, who do they get to make up for the losses? Probably not with a first round draft pick. Offensive lineman coming out of college have depreciated in quality in recent years, and those are Tim Cable's words, not mine. Hence the trend of him and other offensive line coaches have been converting defensive lineman that show enough athleticism.

Although Sheil Kapadia of ESPN broached an interesting idea for that first-round pick, or at least the Hawks' picks in general, trading them for Cleveland's Joe Thomas. Many may forget that he's a top-line left tackle because he hasn't been protecting anyone of note (not for their skill anyway), but he would qualify as the home run John Schnieder usually swings for every offseason. 

Reports are coming out that the Seahawks brain trust has their eye on Denver's Ryan Clady as Okung's replacement. Although he has been plagued by injuries, missing 30 games the last three years. Internally, Gary Gilliam may be the heir apparent, but who knows if he's the Pro Bowl talent Okung was/is.

As good as the Seahawks have been the last few years, with so many key losses, their future is not very clear at this point. But in John/Pete we trust, right?

Photo:Flickr/Mike Morris