| 28 May 2010
Since Pete Carroll rode into Seattle, the central theme we have heard spoken from him (and from John Schneider, Tod Leiweke, and any player interviewed) has been competition. We've heard this in the past -- we heard it from Jim Mora, we heard it from Mike Holmgren (who backed it up a bit), and really, we've heard it from every other coach in NFL history to one degree or another. Matt Hasselbeck, in his first post-Whitehurst interview, said the same thing we've all been thinking: "Every coach says there is competition at every position, but I've never seen it backed up."
So, how are Pete and John doing at getting competition going with the Seahawks? Let's take a look. The coding is simple -- I is an incumbent roster spot, D is a draft choice, T is a trade, FA is a free agent, UFA is an undrafted free agent, and RFA is a restricted free agent.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Starter: Matt Hasselbeck (I)
Backup: Charlie Whitehurst (T) or JP Losman (FA)
Competition: Seneca Wallace (traded), Mike Reilly (cut), Mike Teel (cut)
This is a place where the Seahawks know what they want and are willing to mess around a bit and take some risks to get it. The Whitehurst trade was interesting, but the JP Losman pickup is more important to the team. While Whitehurst will "push" Hasselbeck, it's pretty clear that he will not be in position to start Week 1. However, JP Losman has experience, a great arm, and this may be his last chance to make it in the NFL. I fully believe that Losman can push Whitehurst for the #2 spot, which will in turn push Whitehurst to get better. No one wants to be the emergency QB.
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Running Back
Starter: TBD
Role-players: Justin Forsett (I), Lendale White (T), Leon Washington (T)
Competition: Julius Jones (I), Quinton Ganther (FA), Louis Rankin (I)
It remains to be seen who will start, but a few things seem clear to me: Jones is on his way out, Rankin has little fit on this team if Leon Washington is healthy, and Justin Forsett and Lendale White will probably get the majority of the carries. The team wants to hold on to Quinton Ganther because he adds a lot on Special Teams. They are fiddling around with him at fullback a bit, which may be where his roster spot comes in.
Fullback
Starter: TBD
Role-players: TBD
Competition: Owen Schmitt (I), Ryan Powdrell (UFA), Quinton Ganther (FA),
The Seahawks usually keep two fullbacks and three RBs. I expect those two to be Schmitt and Ganther, but Schmitt has been a bit of a disappointment thus far and we're not hearing anything about him yet. Powdrell has a history with Carroll and will likely stick on the practice squad.
Tight End
Starter: John Carlson (I)
Role-players: Chris Baker (FA)
Competition: Anthony McCoy (D), Cameron Morrah (I), Jameson Konz (D), Michael Allan (UFA)
Carlson is going to be the main tight end, but he will also be flexed in often as a receiver. Look for the team to take -- and use -- three tight ends this year. Those will probably be Carlson, Baker, and McCoy, but Morrah and Konz will push for a roster spot. I still believe that Morrah didn't deserve his roster spot last year, but Joe Newton was just never going to stick as a tight end [Newton's problem was his spindly little legs -- apparently in his three seasons on the team he never figured out how to do a squat. -Ed.]. Konz could be fun to watch, but he's not ready yet.
Wide Receiver
Starters: TJ Houshmandzadeh (I)
Role-players: Deion Branch (I), Golden Tate (D)
Competition: Mike Williams (FA), Deon Butler (I), Sean Morey (FA), Ben Obamanu (RFA), Reggie Williams (FA), Mike Hass (I), Kole Heckendorf (UFA), Victor James (UFA), Michael Jones (UFA), Ruvell Martin (FA), Marcus Maxwell (UFA)
I think the Seahawks will take six WRs for their 53-man roster this year, and I think those six will be Housh, Branch, Tate, Mike Williams, Butler and Morey. No one wants to see Morey catching passes, but he's an elite level special teams player so he should make the team (after all, that's kind of what you want from your sixth WR). If Branch is bumped out or traded, that spot is either going to the incumbent Ben Obamanu (who is also very good on STs) or one of the big guys. Great competition here though, and Carroll definitely wants at least two big guys on the team. We don't know if "big guys" includes Houshmandzadeh or not, so Butler is still a little on the bubble in my mind. Reggie Williams has not wowed the team, but he'll be given a shot in preseason to step up.
Center / Guard
Starters: LG - Ben Hamilton (FA), C - Chris Spencer (I), RG - Max Unger (I)
Competition: C - Jeff Byers (UFA), Steve Vallos (I), Adrian Martinez (UFA)
Competition: G - Ray Willis (I), Manny Wrotto (I), Mike Gibson (I), Mitch Erickson (UFA)
Tackle -
Starters: LT - Russell Okung (D), RT - Sean Locklear (I)
Competition: Joe Toledo (FA), Jacob Haven (UFA), Ray Willis (I)
Isn't it amazing how a real LT and veteran LG can transform your line? There are still legitimate questions about Spencer and Unger, but I think they are both sufficient and will only get better. Depth needs to improve, but Willis, Byers, Gibson, Unger, and Vallos all have the flexibility to play multiple spots on the line. Byers, Unger, and Vallos can all step in to play center (as could Ben Hamilton, but they want him next to Okung).
So, here's the offensive breakdown. I'll try to do Defense a little later today...
Incumbents: 18 (7 projected starters)
Drafted: 4 (1 projected starters -- plus Tate)
Free Agents: 9 (2 proj. starters -- plus Baker in 2-TE sets)
Undrafted FAs: 10 (0 proj. starters)
RFAs: 1 (0 starters)
Traded for: 3 (1 backup, 2 RB role-players/starters)
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