Probably only Seattle fans know Chris Gray's name, but he was a solid pass blocker for years, overcoming a fairly extreme lack of athleticism and strength. It's entirely possible that he was one of the top 5 or 10 linemen in the NFL in terms of technique. He was going to be a back-up this year anyways, with the acquisition of Mike Wahle, and his skills were diminishing pretty quickly with age, but he would have been a decent back-up, and he was a part of the heart and soul of this team. Too bad.

Also, now Seattle is poised for a Rams-style collapse with a few offensive line injuries. We've got a good looking starting five, but the expected back-ups are not very good at all. Walter Jones is getting older and it is starting to show and center Chris Spencer (who Gray would be backing up) is already injured and has missed time both of his two years in the league. If Walt misses time (smart money says he'll at least need plays or quarters off), Hasselbeck's left side suddenly becomes a big problem. We've got some decent guys developing to play guard (Mansfield Wrotto was a PFP 08 top prospect) but only an injury-riddled vet and young no-name at tackle back-up. I am much more worried about O-line than any of the WR stuff that's been going around.

Isn't Mike Wahle's career tailing off? Does FO still have the metrics to confirm or deny this?

I don't think his career is tailing off. Wahle is only 31, which is the same age as Steve Hutchinson (Wahle is a few months older).

I didn't read anything in PFP 08 to suggest that Wahle won't be a solid guard for the Hawks in 2008.