Mora Connection Continues with new WR coach

Mora seems to be surrounding himself with familiar – and young – faces with each new assistant he brings to the Seahawks. The latest hire, Robert Prince as wide receiver coach, is no exception.

Prince, 43, was an up and comer in the Falcon's ranks while Mora was head coach there from 2004-2006. Prince served as an offensive assistant from 04-05 before being promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2006. He then moved to worked with the Jaguars as assistant wide receivers coach the next year, and has been there ever since, until now.

Before joining the NFL, Prince had 15 years of intercollegiate experience at colleges such as Portland State, Humboldt State and Boise State. At the college level he has held every offensive job from graduate assistant to offensive coordinator.

In 2007 Prince and the wide receivers experienced success, ranking no. 7 in the league in passing yards and no. 1 in interceptions. One can argue that David Gerrard was a big part of that, but the receivers also play a roll, running correct routes and fighting for the ball. However, 2008 wasn't as kind to Prince and friends, when the Jags ranked in the 20s in most offensive passing categories.

So should we be worried about Prince? There is, of course, room for doubt regarding Prince's abilities to manage the wide receiving corps. One can hope that Mora isn't simply hiring people he knows on the offensive side just because he doesn't know as much about the offense. He admitted during his press conference that he will be focusing the majority of his time on the defense, so it will leave people like Prince more or less on their own to get the offense right in 2009.

But, there's room for Hope with Prince. He has ample experience coaching at the college level. He was wide receivers coach with the added duties of passing coordinator at a Boise State team that finished 13-1 and led the NCAA in scoring offense in 2003. He was also offensive coordinator at two colleges so he knows the ins and outs of how an offense comes together. More than likely, Prince will know his roll well in the offense.

So, despite his lack of experience coaching in the NFL, Prince should be ready to take control of the wide receivers coaching job for the Seahawks based on his past experience, although I'm not entirely sold on this hire. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.