14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks "From one D.J. to another, it's D.J. Hackett's turn to star"

D-Jack might be gone, but the Seattle Seahawks still have another D.J. His last name is Hackett, and he's about to show he can definitely hack it as the replacement for Darrell Jackson.With Jackson traded to San Francisco, Deion Branch will take over the former's old starting spot at flanker, but Hackett will be the starting split end. And, from that spot, Hackett should become one of the breakout players of the year in the NFL -- a bona fide 1,000-yard receiver.It's a natural jump for the guy who was the Seahawks' leading receiver last December while Jackson was Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
out with a sprained toe. In fact, over the final six games of the season, Hackett caught 25 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers represented more than half of Hackett's season totals of 45 receptions for 610 yards and four scores. They also represented the ascendancy of the next star receiver in Seattle's West Coast offense.Hackett didn't play in a single game as a rookie. But in 2005, when injuries felled Jackson and Bobby Engram, Hackett was forced to grow up quickly. He ended up starting three games and catching 28 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. He showed flashes -- particularly on deep routes -- but lacked consistency in getting open.Last year, Hackett put it all together and showed it in December as he became quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's main target and served notice that he could be poised to become the permanent No. 1.Jackson had held the title for most of the past six seasons, but he wore out his welcome in Seattle with injuries and a bad attitude that stemmed from his dissatisfaction with his contract. Thus the door opens in 2007 for Hackett to step up. Granted, Branch will be playing the key spot in the West Coast offense and is the one most are looking at to pick up the slack from Jackson's departure. But Hackett has the skills to dominate from the split end position. The team's fifth-round pick in 2004, Hackett has turned into the complete package -- excellent size (6-foot-2), deep speed and dependable hands, and good routes. The team values Hackett so much that it tendered him at the second-round level with a $1.3 million salary for 2007. Now the Seahawks had better value him enough to give him a long-term deal before his price blows up with a huge season.Team president Tim Ruskell seems to understand what he has as he recently spoke glowingly of Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
Hackett, who was drafted a year before Ruskell arrived in Seattle."I was very happy with Hackett's progress last year," Ruskell told reporters. "I thought he came in there and just really developed his game to another level. The coaches are excited about him, and he is ready to take on a bigger role. Every year since I've been here, he has just gotten better and better. Who knows where the limit is there?"