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Roster breakdown: Countdown to 53
Posted by Danny O'Neil
The Seahawks' final exhibition game is a day away, and given all the transactions Tuesday, it's worth stopping to consider where things stand on the roster:
| Quarterbacks | Average kept 2002-'09: 2.875 |
| Locks: | Matt Hasselbeck, Charlie Whitehurst |
| Looks safe: | J.P. Losman |
| Assessment: Losman did not play in Seattle's past two exhibition games, but with Hasselbeck's injury history and the fact Whitehurst hasn't attempted a pass in a regular-season game, it's hard to imagine Seattle not keeping three quarterbacks on the roster. | |
| Running backs | Average kept 2002-'09: 5.125 |
| Locks: | Justin Forsett, Leon Washington |
| Looks safe: | Julius Jones, Quinton Ganther |
| On the bubble: | Owen Schmitt |
| Uphill climb: | Louis Rankin |
| Assessment: Seattle started three different running backs in its first three exhibition games. None were ovewhelmingly effective in the first quarter. Jones has been the least impressive of those three and he's scheduled to make the most money. If one of those three is going to be cut, it's likely him. | |
| Tight ends | Average kept 2002-'09: 3 |
| Locks: | John Carlson, Chris Baker |
| On the bubble: | Cameron Morrah, Anthony McCoy |
| Uphill climb: | Nick Tow-Arnett |
| Assessment: One of the more straightforward position groups. The only question is whether Seattle would keep four tight ends. Given needs elsewhere, that seems unlikely. | |
| Wide receivers | Average kept 2002-'09: 5.5 |
| Locks: | Golden Tate, Deion Branch, Mike Williams |
| Looks safe: | Deon Butler, T.J. Houshmandzadeh |
| On the bubble: | Ben Obomanu, Ruvell Martin, Brandon Jones |
| Assessment: Houshmandzadeh's $7 million salary this season is guaranteed, he led the team in receptions last season with 79 and he has caught 373 passes over the past four seasons. The question is whether he fits this offense, and if the coaches decide he's not a great fit, does he still wind up on the team? | |
| Offensive line | Average kept 2002-'09: 8.875 |
| Locks: | Russell Okung, Chris Spencer, Max Unger, Chester Pitts |
| Looks safe: | Sean Locklear, Ray Willis, Ben Hamilton, Tyler Polumbus, Mike Gibson |
| On the bubble: | Mansfield Wrotto, Joe Toledo, Steve Vallos, Jeff Byers |
| Uphill climb: | Jacob Phillips, Mitch Erickson |
| Assessment: Wrotto started last week at left tackle, and the Seahawks game-planned to help him against the Vikings starters. He has played better than anyone had a right to expect given that he played guard his first two seasons on the team, but the fact Seattle traded for Polumbus this week shows the Seahawks are looking for an upgrade so Wrotto is still playing for a spot. | |
| Defensive ends | Average kept 2002-'09: 4.75 |
| Locks: | Red Bryant, Chris Clemons, E.J. Wilson |
| Looks safe: | Nick Reed, Kentwan Balmer |
| Uphill climb: | Rob Rose, James Wyche |
| Assessment: One of the easiest position breakdowns for this roster. | |
| Defensive tackles | Average kept 2002-'09: 4.75 |
| Locks: | Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, Kevin Vickerson |
| On the bubble: | Quinn Pitcock, Craig Terrill |
| Uphill climb: | Amon Gordon |
| Assessment: Pitcock has gotten good push, and he's an intriguing player as a former third-round pick who didn't play the past two seasons. Terrill is a proven professional, a hard worker and leader in the locker room. | |
| Linebackers | Average kept 2002-'09: 6.875 |
| Locks: | Lofa Tatupu, Aaron Curry, David Hawthorne, Will Herring |
| Looks safe: | Dexter Davis, Leroy Hill |
| On the bubble: | Matt McCoy, Tyjuan Hagler |
| Uphill climb: | Joe Pawalek |
| Assessment: Hill's new contract answered the biggest uncertainty at this position as the contract shows Seattle is not going to cut him. Could a trade be possible? | |
| Cornerbacks | Average kept 2002-'09: 4.125 |
| Locks: | Marcus Trufant, Walter Thurmond, Kelly Jennings |
| Looks safe: | Roy Lewis |
| On the bubble: | Cord Parks |
| Uphill climb: | Marcus Brown, Kennard Cox, |
| Assessment: The trade of Wilson to Baltimore was a surprise, but it showed the Seahawks' desire to get Thurmond on the field as a nickel cornerback and reflected the fact Seattle is comfortable with Jennings as a starter in a defense that will demand more bump-and-run coverage. | |
| Safeties | Average kept 2002-'09: 4 |
| Locks: | Lawyer Milloy, Earl Thomas |
| On the bubble: | Kam Chancellor, Jamar Adams, Jordan Babineaux |
| Uphill climb: | Kevin Ellison |
| Assessment: This is perhaps the toughest position group to figure out. Babineaux is someone with both experience as a starter and the versatility to play either strong or free safety. But he's also scheduled to make $2.6 million, which is a lot for someone projected as a backup. Adams has played on the second-team defense throughout training camp, and the Seahawks see a lot of potential in him while Chancellor is a fifth-round pick. That doesn't necessarily mean he's a lock to make the team, but it's hard to envision him being cut. This will be one of Seattle's toughest decisions. | |
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