| 27 July 2009
When I think about the Seahawks’ 2008 season, the first word that comes to mind is something I’m not allowed to print here.
2008 was the year that injuries plagued a freakishly high number of players; mainly those in the receiving corps. Nate Burleson, Logan Payne and Ben Obomanu were all lost by Week 2 with season-ending injuries, while other offensive pillars like Deion Branch and Bobby Engram missed time with various ailments themselves. Soon after this, Seattle fans started hearing names like Billy McMullen, Michael Bumpus and Keary Colbert in the starting lineup at receiver.
It seemed like the team just couldn’t catch a break; and the remaining receivers couldn’t catch anything in general.
But 2009 is a new era, and the battle for who gets the starting nod at receiver begins a week from today at training camp.
Currently, the Seahawks have 11 receivers on the roster: Deion Branch, Michael Bumpus, Nate Burleson, Deon Butler, Mike Hass, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Jordan Kent, Billy McMullen, Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne and Courtney Taylor. Of those, Housh is the expected starter in the slot, Burleson at split end, and Branch at flanker. Those jobs are basically theirs to lose, and in all likelihood, these names won’t change. That means the remaining eight guys are looking at a fierce battle for a roster spot come August... click "read more" to continue.
On the bubble:
Butler – He could be looking at punt return duty, given his 40 time was closer to a cheetah’s than to a human being. Personally, I’m also interested in seeing how he handles regular WR duties. I’m not sure he’s physical enough to be a slot receiver, given that his size isn’t ideal for the role, but he could see time in situational plays or three-wide sets. (I’m not betting that we’ll see many four-wide sets with Knapp running the show.)
Obomanu – Before breaking his collarbone early last year, Obo showed promising glimpses. He has good instincts, decent hands and can stretch the field in sort of a Deion Branch-without-the-bum-knee kind of way. The remaining question will be whether he can bounce back from the injury (like Branch and many other receivers) and show he can be consistent.
Hass – The buzz has been hot on the former Oregon State product’s showing in OTAs. Still, he’s a relative unknown when it comes to being in the pros, and nobody outside of Renton has any idea what he is or is not capable of. I’ll be watching him closely during training camp on Aug. 8. The word on the street is Hass has great hands and solid athleticism, and if that all translates to the NFL, we could be looking at another diamond in the rough.
Likely headed to the practice squad:
Bumpus – He was called into action on the active roster when Wide Receiver Meltdown 2008 occurred. He played in four games, accumulating 48 yards and a touchdown. While Bumpus has some fundamentals in place, I think the team is going to want to shelve him on the practice squad for another year before he’s ready to make the transition. Besides, his one touchdown was against the Rams, and I think even Sullivan could’ve scored on them last year. [Sullivan's note: There's a reason Parker is known universally as "Pu**yhands Parker" on the football field. Lets not throw darts when lord knows we couldn't catch one in return...]
Payne – It seemed like a year ago at this time, Payne was poised to become the next Joe Jurevicius. I think I even said the same thing at some point last August, when everyone was riding the “It’s Holmgren’s last year, we’ve gotta be great!” bandwagon. Well, much like the season’s imminent collapse, Payne went down with a torn ACL in Week 2. Still, Payne earned the nickname “Human Vacuum” in camp, and I heard it wasn’t because he sucked. He’ll have to vacuum up every pass thrown to him in camp (and then some) to earn a spot on the roster, but it doesn’t look good. He’ll likely either be cut or relegated to the practice squad if he isn’t 110%.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out:
Taylor – When called upon to help salvage a dismal-looking receiving corps last year, Taylor was ousted in mediocrity only by Keary Colbert, who is now playing in NFL purgatory. (And I mean the Lions, not the Raiders.) Taylor routinely dropped passes and showed very little hustle when needed, and he will likely be outplayed by most everyone on the roster. Sorry, Courtney, but it appears your time is up.
McMullen – Also brought in to revitalize the receiving corps in Week 2, which was also the game in which he fumbled and lost a pass at the 49ers 2-yard line. Arguably, that would’ve won the game for the team, allowing a 1-1 start. This is not to say the loss or the season was McMullen’s fault, of course, but it was plays like that that make him expendable. Perhaps he’s improved, and perhaps he’s eager to redeem himself, but it’ll be a long road. Plus, he’s ineligible for the practice squad due to prior experience with the Eagles and Vikings.
Kent -- Great speed from this 2007 draft pick, but his ball skills appear to be the problem. I think he could be used as a punt or kick returner if Butler wasn’t around, but it looks like Butler trumps Kent in the pass-catching AND speed departments. Of course, that has yet to be confirmed, so there’s no use jumping to conclusions. But from what we’ve heard, Butler is the real deal and the team believes very strongly in his ability to contribute immediately. This all could be very bad news for Kent, who would need to earn a roster spot this year to save his status with the Seahawks.
written by Seth H., July 27, 2009
I also find it difficult to think Butler is on the bubble. Did you see what we traded for him? We need him to come in and play and be our big play threat.
From what I've heard of Hass, he's slow. 4.7, but he won the best receiver award, so he may be a dark horse to make the 53 man. I can't wait for the preseason games!
-
- +0
-
-
written by BillT, July 27, 2009
I've heard good things about Hass (good hands), MuMullen (runs good routes and catches everything thrown to him), and Obomanu (knows all three WR positions and has the talent to play at any one of them) coming from the OTA's. I've not heard much about Kent, Payne, or Bumpus.
Everything usually changes when training camp starts and they put on the pads. Names you didn't hear from the OTA's all of a sudden are prominently mentioned and guys who were said to be having a great offseason dissapear when the hitting begins and the real football starts. Playing in shorts and not being able to hit can give a false impression of a players impact. When a player can follow through on his moves, lots of guys who didn't impress in the touch football phase show up big on the radar. Conversely, looking good in shorts doesn't always translate to looking good in pads when you have to actually make the play rather than show you were in position to make the play. Training camp definately is where they separate the men from the boys.
4 more days till the team reports. I'm stoked!
-
- +0
-
-
written by Seahawk Addicts, July 27, 2009
If I were a betting man, the WR depth chart would look like this:
1. Houshmandzadeh
2. Burleson
3. Branch
4. Butler
5. Payne
6. Obamanu
We like Bumpus because he's a local product, and he's, y'know, okay and stuff, but him, Kent, Taylor, et al may not be long for this league. Payne looks more like the long-term slot guy to me, with Obo playing pretty much every position. IRing him last year was one of the biggest mistakes we made (in hindsight). He would've been back by week 6-7 and we could have really evaluated him. Instead, we got Keary Colbert and Courtney Taylor.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Jeff M., July 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by STTBM, July 28, 2009
Parker--Dude, werent you one of the ones insisting that Julius Jones 2 lonely 100 yard rushing games last season were harbingers of his awesomeness, despite the fact that they came against the two worst defenses in the NFL against the run?!! And now you are saying that Michael Bumpus' TD against the Rams is tainted because they suck??! One way or the other, Man!! If Jones gets any credit for those games, then show Bumpus some respect too!
Obomanu isnt fast enough to be a starting WR in the NFL. And he drops passes. Hass has a better shot due to his sneakiness and unreal hands. McMullen did catch 5 passes for 70+ yards in the Niners game--the one where he fumbled. He does have promise, and he's huge. Kent is not going to make it. He needs two more years as a practice squad/garbage time player, and we dont have the WR corps to indulge that luxury. Look for the Broncos to pick him up, as they were after him last year.
Courtney Taylor reminds me a lot of Nate Burleson: Loads of talent, never delivers, isnt consistent, does make the occasional great play. Taylor made a couple fantastic catches from Wallace late in the year. And one thing to remember is that Holmgrens conservative play calling may have hampered the young WR's as much as thier inexperience last year. Taylor has too much talent not to have a shot at the team.
Payne is just Odd Man Out. He tore his knee, and he wasnt fast to start with. While I think he would have made a fine slot reciever before the injury, I think Hass beats him out. Hass doesnt have a bum knee.
I think Seattle may keep 7 WR's this year, and I sure would. Housh, Butler, Burleson, and Branch, followed by Hass, Obo, and Taylor. I think Bumpus has a good shot at making the team, but Seattle may try to keep him off the field in Preseason games in order to stash him on the Practice Squad. I think Payne has to beat out Bumpus and Hass, Taylor and Kent are fighting for one spot, and McMuffin and Obo are fighting each other. You have to look at what skill sets each player brings.
Either way, Seattle can no longer afford to keep guys like Kent, Payne, Hass, McMuffin, and Obo around hoping "someday" they learn to play.
I sure hope they figure out that the same applies to the offensive line....
-
- +0
-
-
written by Seahawk Addicts, July 28, 2009
I think McMullen is in the first cut of players, honestly. While I'd like to see Bumpus stick around, I don't really see it happening. I do believe him and Payne are still PS eligible though.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Gonzo, July 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Oregon Hawk, July 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by IdahoSeahawksFan, July 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Tom Powell, July 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by HawkDE, July 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Hawk Bait, July 28, 2009
2. Burleson
3. Branch
4. Butler
5. Payne
6. Obamanu
I think this is a legit 6 right here. I loved what I saw from Payne and I would be upset to see him back on the PS. He could be another Wes Welker... and not just bc he's white, for all you smart-asses out there haha
I was stoked on Bumpus, but I didn't see much that set him aside from those 6 up there. And Kent is such an incredible athlete... but what do you do with that one?? Maybe it could be argued that he and Obamanu are interchangeable...
Either way, our top 3 are quite the dynamic. I am just PRAYING that they can all stay healthy, though. Fingers crossed...
-
- +0
-
-
written by Hawk Bait, July 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
written by Hawkseye, July 29, 2009
2. Burleson
3. Branch
4. Butler
5. Hass
6. McMullen
I love Hass. I just have a feeling if he is given a chance he could be one of our best wr. McMullen is big, tall and strong and can catch the ball. He does not break down in game conditions like most of the other pretenders we have been trying to groom. Butler will be a player to watch. I hope he can play with the big boys.
-
- +0
-
-
written by kelphelper, July 31, 2009
there's no way to tell how the line up will shape up, until they battle. even nate and branch are serious question marks at this point.
and i'm sorry to say it, but some of them will get dinged up in pre-season as well.
so i'm glad we have a big pile. i have liked what i've seen from bumpus and payne and think they have a legitimate shot. mcmullen and obumanu haven't shown me too much, but i hope and pray that courtney really is gone.
i'm so glad the season is almost here..
-
- +0
-
-
written by uggs outlet stores, November 10, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by chi straightener, December 19, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
He has the size of a great WR and speed.