| 27 August 2010
The third preseason game is tomorrow which means the first round of cuts are coming very soon (but don't worry, it's only 5 people). I figured this was as good a time as any -- well, except perhaps for Sunday -- to project the 53 man roster. There are a lot of ways to skin this cat, but for the purposes of this exercise, we'll assume there are three special teamers, 26 offensive players and 24 defensive players who make the final cuts.
OFFENSE [26]
QB (3)
Starter: Matt Hasselbeck
Depth: Charlie Whitehurst, JP Losman
Bubble: No one
Cut: No one
Comments: Nothing to say here.
Click "Read More" to read the rest of the article.
RB (4 or 5)
Starter: Leon Washington (RB), Quinton Ganther (FB)
Depth: Justin Forsett (RB)
Bubble: Julius Jones (RB), Owen Schmitt (RB)
Cut: No locks to be cut
Comments: I have a feeling that with our TE and WR depth, there's a decent chance we only keep four running/full backs. If we opt to keep a true fullback in Owen Schmitt, I think it's Julius Jones who is sent off. If we trust Ganther as a lead blocker, we send Schmitt to pasture and keep four talented-to-semi-talented running backs on the squad.
TE (4 or 3)
Starter: John Carlson
Depth: Chris Baker (will start in 2 TE sets)
Bubble: Anthony McCoy, Cameron Morrah
Cut: Nick Tow-Arnett
Comments: Betcha didn't know we had someone named "Nick Tow-Arnett" on our team. Well, you won't have to remember that name, so breathe easy. I think there is a very, very high probability that the Seahawks keep four tight ends rather than three, which is only bolstered by the fact that we have the flexibility in Ganther to carry four RBs instead of five. All four are talented enough to see regular playing time in the NFL, so why not?
WR (6 or 5)
Starters: TJ Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch
Depth; Mike Williams, Golden Tate
Bubble: Deon Butler, Ben Obomanu, Brandon Jones
Cut: Kole Heckendorf, Ruvell Martin
Comments: I would be very surprised if the Seahawks cut Deon Butler -- he's got a 90%+ chance of being on the team. Still, we know they're not going to cut the four ahead of him, and Obamanu replaces retiree Sean Morey's projected special teams work. With Obo and CB Roy Lewis, Seattle finally has some competent ST coverage play, so I think they both stick. My guess: we carry 6 WRs including both Butler and Obo. Brandon Jones is on the bubble just because he was somewhat high profile a year ago, maybe the team knows something that we don't. Heckendorf's a practice squad-er most likely.
OL (9 or 10)
Starters: Russell Okung (LT), Mike Gibson (LG), Chris Spencer (C), Max Unger (RG), Sean Locklear (RT)
Depth: Manny Wrotto (T/G), Ben Hamilton (G)
Bubble: Ray Willis (T/G), Chester Pitts (G), Steve Vallos (C), Joe Toledo (T)
Cut: Mitch Erickson (G), Gregg Peat (G), Jacob Philips (T), Jeff Byers (C/G)
Comments: This is a hard one to project since we've seen only moderate stuff from a lot of these guys. The starting lineup appears pretty well set, except that Ben Hamilton has not played well and Mike Gibson has. Hamilton was brought in to be an on-field coach for Okung, so he may still keep the starting job, but if it's based off ability to play well now, I think Gibson gets the nod. He'll start this weekend against the mighty Vikings, and if he shines, we're good to go.
On the bubble are two injured players who haven't been able to play yet this off-season - Ray Willis and Chester Pitts. It's clear we like both, but bringing Pitts off the PUP list despite him not actually being able to practice is a strange move. If they don't remove him, he holds a roster spot for the first 6 weeks of the season and we basically keep 54. If we do remove him, he has to earn a roster spot prior to the end of preseason or steal someone else's (or get cut). I'm confused by it, so here we are, with him on the bubble of getting cut. We probably keep 9 or 10 players, with a couple of practice squad spots going to Jeff Byers and at least one or two tackles.
DEFENSE [24]
LDE (3)
Starter: Red Bryant
Depth: EJ Wilson, Kentwan Balmer
Bubble: No one
Cut: Rob Rose
Comments: The team can afford to keep there left defensive ends in this scheme, because any of these three can flex inside to play DT in a pinch. Rob Rose hasn't done anything and is unlikely to be considered for a roster spot.
DT (3 or 4)
Starters: Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole
Depth: Kevin Vickerson
Bubble: Craig Terrill, Quinn Pitcock
Cut: Amon Gordon, Jonathan Lewis
Comments: In theory, you would want a little more depth here, but since any of the three LDEs can come inside, you don't need it. If I'm Craig Terrill, I'm busting my butt as hard as I can tomorrow. Also, of note, Vickerson is very much in competition to be the starter next to Mebane, but he had one very good game and one mediocre game, so I think it'll be largely decided tomorrow whether he can steal that spot. I go with the incumbent unless incontrovertible evidence is shown to favor K-Vick.
RDE / Leo (3)
Starter: Chris Clemons
Depth: Nick Reed, Dexter Davis??
Bubble: Ricky Foley
Cut: To be seen...
Comments: If Ricky Foley is truly on the bubble, no one has let us know. Guy hasn't really shown up, which is too bad because he has a lot of promise. Regardless, he's on the bubble for one reason and one reason only: Dexter Davis has been converted to a linebacker. Tada. So, while he can play the hybrid Leo position, his roster spot is justified through the ol' linebacking crew most likely, in which case there may be a home for Ricky Foley on this squad. We'll see.
LB (6)
Starters: Aaron Curry (SLB), Lofa Tatupu (MLB), David Hawthorne (WLB)
Depth: Will Herring (OLB), Dexter Davis (OLB), Tyjuan Hagler (LB)
Bubble: Leroy Hill, Matt McCoy
Cut: Joe Pawalek
Comments: Yes, Leroy Hill really is on the bubble, and to be quite honest, I don't think there's a very good chance he makes the team.He doesn't offer the versatility that Hawthorne, Herring, and Hagler do and he has been average and injury prone since his third season in the league. Add to it all the headaches that his legal problems and personal choices have injected into the team and he's very possibly going to be shown the door. Matt McCoy has an outside chance of making the team, but at the peril of who, exactly? The only guy he could potentially beat out is Hagler, but he loses here based on Hagler's starting experience and excellent play last week.
SS (4 or 5)
Starters: Earl Thomas (FS), Lawyer Milloy (SS)
Depth: Kam Chancellor (SS)
Bubble: Jordan Babineaux (S), Jamar Adams (S), Kevin Ellison (S)
Comments: It's been one of the better competitions thus far in camp and the only clear winner to date is Kam Chancellor, the fifth rounder from Virginia Tech who appears to have concreted a roster spot. It's now a three way competition between Babs, Adams and Ellison. Babineaux was one of the worst free safeties in football last year, but has versatility as a solid nickelback. Ellison started well for the Chargers last year, but does have a knee injury. Adams is a guy we all like a fair amount, but he's refused to really shine in his opportunities with the team (think: Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent, even Ben Obamanu). Hard to say who wins out there.
CB (5 or 4)
Starters: Marcus Trufant, Josh Wilson
Depth: Kelly Jennings, Walter Thurmond
Bubble: Roy Lewis, Cord Parks
Cut: Marcus Brown, Josh Pinkard, Kennard Cox
Comments: I've been a big fan of Roy Lewis so far this off-season. He flashed at practices that I attended, he's been our best coverage man on special teams, and he has been surprisingly solid in coverage as well. Cord Parks showed that he has some skills as a returner, but I don't think that's enough to win him a job when we've got Golden Tate, Walter Thurmond, Josh Wilson, Justin Forsett, and, oh yeah, Leon Washington all on the team. Sorry, Cord, barring injury you're not going to make it.
SPECIAL TEAMS [3]
Kicker - Olindo Mare
Punter - Jon Ryan
Snapper - Clint Gresham
written by HawXLIV, August 27, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by cts, August 27, 2010
I'm really leaning towards giving Babs the axe. He just hasn't played well, especially last season, and the solid play of Thurmond eliminates the need for him at a nickel or even a dime back. With Jennings and how well Lewis has played I feel Babs is just an empty roster spot and would hinder the development of a couple young guys.
I think Ellison has huge upside and can play either SS or FS. I like Adams, but I keep waiting for him to shine like he did in Michigan and it just doesn't happen. I think 4 S's may do the trick as I've really liked what I've seen from Chancellor and Ellison. I believe we have 4 starter caliber S's on our team.
The more I go over the list the harder time I have cutting down the roster. Does anyone think Hill has ANY trade value? As much as I like the guy, I'm tired of not seeing him on the field for whatever reason. However, I think I'd much rather have Hill on the team than an unproven Ricky Foley. I just really wanted to see Foley develope over a year or two.
I think the RB situation is very hard too. JJ is an enigma in my mind and I feel he should be on the team, but I really think Rankin deserves to be on the team as well. I like his size and the skill set he brings to the table. I'd like to see him run behind the first string OL for a few carries under Gibbs' scheme. In my mind, Washington, Forsett and Ganther are locks with JJ, Rankin and Schmitt a toss up for the other 2 spots.
I think PC has definately created the competition he was looking for and that is proven by the fact that this is probably the hardest roster to fill yet. In nearly every position that last spot to 2 spots are hard to make a decision on.
-
- +2
-
-
written by Hawkdude, August 27, 2010
-
- +1
-
-
written by JimAK, August 27, 2010
I think Roy Lewis and Jamar Adams make the team, Jennings and Babs are cut.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Hawkdude, August 27, 2010
-
- +1
-
-
written by cts, August 27, 2010
I don't think Davis would clear waivers either but it may come down to who you want more, Davis or Foley? I think Foley is gone in that respect as Davis is more versitile. It also may come down to who can contribute better on ST.
-
- +0
-
-
written by muttley, August 27, 2010
-I think Hill is underestimated due to the headaches. Out of a defense that seems to have too many guys that overpursue or get fooled, he's one of the more disciplined guys in doing what he's supposed to. On the guys he's competing against, Hagler was a special teams guy who started because he had to, while McCoy's been way more subject to injury than Hill has.
-I personally think Babineaux is in because I have a hard time imagining (a) Ellison, Adams, or Chancellor at FS if Thomas is out (b) That inexperienced a safety crew if Milloy is out. The biggest knock on Babineaux is his salary.
-While Reed's out, Davis is the backup Leo. I think McCoy or Hagler benefit, not Foley.
-If Carroll's all about competition, is Balmer still guaranteed a job despite the 6th rounder sunk cost, should he miss the next 2 exhibitions?
Summarizing, I see a choice of 5 of the following 8:
1) 3rd qb - Losman
2) 5th RB/FB - 1 of Jones/Schmitt
3) 6th WR - 1 of Obomanu/Jones/Martin
4) 4th TE - whichever of McCoy or Morrah that isn't in
5) 10th OL - 1 of Vallos/Pitts/Toledo
6) 9th DL - 1 of Balmer/Pitcock/Terrill
7) 5th CB - Lewis
5th S - pick 2 of of Chancellor/Adams/Ellison instead of 1. Or an extra one if I'm wrong and Babineaux is gone. In addition,
I'd argue that the least important of these are the 4th TE, 5th S, and 5th CB, due to lack of injuries (both current and past) to the guys ahead of them. But everyone will want to dump the 3rd QB, I'm sure.
-
- +0
-
-
written by 12th Man in AZ, August 27, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by 12th Man in AZ, August 27, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by CarolinaKB, August 27, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by Tank51, August 27, 2010
QB
1) Hasselbeck
2) Whitehurst
3) Losman
RB
1) Jones
2) Forsett
3) Washington
FB
1) Ganther
WR
1) Housh.
2) Williams
3) Tate
4) Butler
5) Obomanu
TE
1) Carlson
2) Baker
3) McCoy
4) Morrah
OT
1) Okung
2) Locklear
3) Willis
4) Pitts
5) Toledo
OG
1) Hamilton
2) Unger
3) Wrotto
C
1) Spencer
2) Vallos
Total - 26
Defense
DT
1) Mebane
2) Cole
3) Vickerson
4) Pitcock (or) Terrill
DE
1) Clemons (Leo)
2) Reed (Leo)
3) Bryant
4) Wilson (or) Balmer
LB
1) Tatupu
2) Curry
3) Hill
4) Hawthorne
5) Herring
6) Hagler
7) Davis (Leo/SLB)
CB
1) Trufant
2) Wilson
3) Jennings
4) Thurmond III
5) Lewis
S
1) Thomas
2) Milloy
3) Babineaux
4) Chanellor (or) Ellison
Total - 24
ST
K - Mare
P - Ryan
LS - Gresham
Total : 3
Total - 53
-
- +1
-
-
written by cts, August 27, 2010
Babs has had his chance to start and he proved to be MUCH worse than Russell did in his last season with us. He was rated as one of the worst S's in the NFL. He has proved he is nothing but average-below average depth. Hate to say it cuz I like the guy.
Your experience argument is out the door because Ellison stepped in for SD last year when the starter got hurt and did very well. Not to mention that he has the aggression to play SS and the ability to play FS as he did at USC. He can play either spot. He is a much better player than Babs and the only reason he got cut from SD was the whole pot thing so it had nothing to do with talent or injuries.
Whomever said Chancellor is on the bubble is mistaken. I will bet any amount of money he has already clinched a roster spot for 2 reasons: 1. he has played very well thus far and looks like he will be playing along side Thomas for a long time; and 2. we will not cut a 4th round pick from this draft. That would be the dumbest thing ever and there is no chance of him slipping past waivers. He's a given along with Milloy and Thomas. I feel that Ellison, Babs and Adams are fighting for 1 or 2 spots and my opinion is that Milloy, Chancellor, Thomas and Ellison are starter caliber players on many teams. At this point I don't see Adams or Babs having the talent to start for few teams if any.
-
- +0
-
-
written by HawXLIV, August 27, 2010
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
-
- -1
-
-
written by muttley, August 28, 2010
I don't think Babineaux makes a good FS or SS starter either, but he can back up both and he's not asked him to start this year. And he's probably the best special teams player of the competitors at safety. Is that worth the extra money he commands? I think yes in an uncapped year, but I understand those who say no, and I don't know where Schneider/Carroll stand.
I actually liked Ellison coming out of college too, but I don't think the numbers are on his side. Yes, he did play well enough to start for San Diego didn't embarrass himself. He also could not play FS (he was always an SS at USC to my knowledge), often got removed by the Chargers on passing downs, and got his replacement (Darrell Stuckey) drafted this year *before* he got nailed.
Truth is our depth at FS is pretty darned bad no matter who we choose. I'm not sure why we couldn't find a better fit to compete. Actually Josh Pinkard is a good FS fit, but he will either be on IR, or PS at best this year. Carroll actually called him USC's best overall player in 2006 before the first of his 3 ACL tears. The injuries make him a longshot now, but I expect him to get another shot in camp next year.
On Chancellor, I do think he makes it because of his higher upside. But I disagree that any 4th or 5th round pick should be guaranteed a spot because of the draft cost. You still have to earn it, and he's doing ok so far.
-
- +0
-
-
written by jerseys sale, August 28, 2010
-
- -1
-
-
written by dcsilverthorn, August 28, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by MonroeCoug, August 28, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by Cliff Stolk, August 28, 2010
We could trade Jennings which i wouldnt be sad about. Roy Lewis has done good and if Thurmond improves as the year goes on we have no need for Jennings who may have value for a team in need as he has been a starter and has experience.
Don't think Schmidt makes it and we may sign another RB that gets cut from a team as they trim the fat down to 53. Depending on who gets trimmed from other teams we may get rid of J-Jones (doubt it but one can hope.)
I see Anthony McCoy as a practice squader until he becomes more consistant. 3 TE's will be enough and we can just call him up. if we need.
Maybe try to trade Babs as hes versatile and cut Ellison. his connection with Pete is there but not if he's injury prone.
I don't see us cutting Hill, and trading him is hard with the amount he's being paid. Hagler came in and should make the team. DDavis could be good in a year or two.
I think we try to keep Pitcock as he was a second rounder. and Balmer.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Eastside, September 03, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by DrHawk, September 03, 2010
Only 4 RBs (at least from our current roster). Rankin is gone and either Schmitt or Jones is gone. I'm thinking Jones will stick around, though.
Housh won't be cut. There’s still a chance we can trade him, but there really isn’t much advantage to cut him, as he is the only proven WR on our roster, except maybe Branch, but he can’t stay healthy. Obo stays.
4 TEs stay. I don’t think they want to cut McCoy, but Morrah is out performing him. They may let one go later in the season.
-
- +0
-
-
written by SGT Lenny, September 03, 2010
QB - Hass, Whitey, Losman(?)
HA, I mean HB -Wash, Force, Jones, Ganther
FB - Schmidt, Ganther
WR - Williams, Butler, Tate, Branch (probably not Housh since he's being openly put on the block), Obo
TE - Carlson, Baker, Morrah
OL - Okung, Spencer, Locklear, Hamilton, Unger, Vallos, Willis, Wrotto, Gibson, Pitts, Polumbus
28 on offense (27 once Housh is traded if after the deadline, err tomorrow)
D Line - Clemons, Mebane, Cole, Bryant, Wilson, Vickerson, Davis, Reed, Terrill
LBs - Tatupu, Curry, Herring, Hawthorne, McCoy, Hagler (LeRoy doesn't count since he's suspended)
DBs - Trufant, Jennings, Thurmond, Lewis, Milloy, Thomas, Chancellor, Babineaux
K/P - Mare, Ryan
Defense - 25
-
- +0
-
-
written by Swilsher Road, September 03, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by Tank51, September 03, 2010
QB's 1)Hasselbeck 2)Whitehurst 3)Losman
RB's 1)Washington 2)Forsett 3)Rankin-(until we find someone)
FB 1) Ganther
WR's 1)Williams 2)Branch 3)Butler 4)Tate 5)Obomanu
TE's 1)Carlson 2)Baker 3)Morrah
OT's 1)Okung 2)Locklear 3)Willis 4)Pitts 5)Polumbus
OG's 1)Hamilton 2)Unger 3)Wrotto(LT/G) 4)Gibson
C's 1)Spencer 2)Vallos
Total - 26
Defense-
DT's 1)Mebane 2)Cole 3)Vickerson 4)Pitcock(or)Terrill
DE's 1)Clemons(Leo) 2)Reed(Leo) 3)Bryant 4)Wilson
LB's 1)Tatupu 2)Curry 3)Hill 4)Hawthorne 5)Herring 6)Hagler 7)Davis(Leo/SLB)
CB's 1)Trufant 2)Jennings 3)Thurmond III 4)R.Lewis 5)Cox(or find someone off the street)
S's 1)Thomas 2)Milloy 3)Babineaux 4)Chanellor(or)Adams
Total - 24
ST's K-Mare P-Ryan LS-Gresham
Total : 3
Total - 53
-
- +0
-
-
written by magarren, September 03, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by perrlet watches, September 15, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
written by tudor replica watches, September 28, 2010
-
- +0
-
-
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
